Utensil receptacle

This application relates generally to receptacles that include a removable drainage basin for storing utensils used in and around a kitchen or the like. More particularly, the application relates to a utensil receptacle that collects dripping fluid and is capable of being stored in a narrow area, while being sufficiently able to be conveniently disassembled for cleaning.

Numerous devices disclosed in the prior art are capable of storing utensils that are wet and have means for collecting water dripping therefrom in a separate reservoir. Generally, such receptacles remain in place and are stored when the drying process is complete or the receptacle is no longer required, with articles contained therein emptied prior to storage. Other receptacles typically include removable draining mechanisms that are particularly adapted to hold and drain dishes and the like, which are also emptied and returned to storage.

Prior art devices adapted to hold and store utensils that tend to drip water after washing so that these utensils, such as spatulas, whisks, wooden spoons and the like, are displayed and available for use at a later time are also known. Such receptacles or “caddies” may hold the utensils in a single container that collects the drippings in a second container that is slidably mounted to the first container. However, caddies of this type form the utensil receptacle itself and are not capable of being disassembled for straightforward cleaning.

There is disclosed herein an improved utensil receptacle which includes improved cleaning and drainage features.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved receptacle for holding and storing utensils that includes a removable caddy, caddy support and drainage try for collecting the fluids dripping off of such utensils.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved receptive for holding and storing utensils that includes a removable caddy, caddy support and drainage try for simplified cleaning.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a caddy with holes for draining fluids, the holes configured to prevent excess movement of the utensils contained in the receptacle.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a utensil receptacle including a peripheral wall structure having an upper end defining a top opening, a lower end and a substantially oval cross-section an outer base member being releasably engageable to the lower end, a caddy configured to releasably engage the outer base member and including a bottom wall having holes, and a drainage tray for collecting fluids flowing through the holes.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description and claims and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings an embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the utensil receptacle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the utensil receptacle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the outer base member of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4A is a top elevational view of the caddy of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4B is a bottom elevational view of the caddy of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of one side of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the other side of the embodiment FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5C is an elevational view of one end of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5D is an elevational view of the other end of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5E is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 5F is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a utensil receptacle 10 , which is preferably of more than one piece, but may be of unitary, one-piece construction. The utensil receptacle 10 has a peripheral wall structure 12 , which is substantially oval in shape and preferably generally slopes inwardly from an upper end 14 to a lower end 16 thereof, both the upper end 14 and the lower end 16 defining openings 15 , which are also generally oval in shape. Since peripheral wall structure 12 preferably slopes inwardly from the upper end 14 to the lower end 16 , the oval opening of lower end 16 has a cross-section that is less in area than that of upper end 14 . The peripheral wall structure 12 is dimensioned facilitate storage in narrow areas, thus, while an oval shape is preferred, other configurations are suitable as well.

Utensil receptacle 10 further includes an outer base member, or caddy support, 18 . As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the outer base member 18 preferably releasably engages the lower end 16 of peripheral wall 12 . In an embodiment, the outer base member 18 has an upper wall structure 18 A having a width that is less than the width of peripheral sidewall structure 18 B, thereby forming a shoulder 18 D. In operation, as outer base member 18 is coupled to the lower end 16 of peripheral wall structure 12 , upper wall structure 18 A enters the opening defined by the lower end 16 , with the lower end 16 coming to rest on shoulder 18 D. The upper wall structure 18 A is preferably dimensioned and configured to form an interference or friction fit with the lower end 16 .

Similarly, the outer base member 18 preferably releasably engages a drainage tray 34 . In an embodiment, the outer base member 18 has an lower wall structure 18 C having a width that is less than the width of peripheral sidewall structure 18 B, thereby forming a shoulder 18 E. In operation, as outer base member 18 is coupled to the drainage tray 34 , lower wall structure 18 C enters an interior of the drainage tray 34 defined by peripheral wall structure 35 and bottom wall 36 , with the peripheral wall structure 35 coming to rest on shoulder 18 E. The lower wall structure 18 C is preferably dimensioned and configured to form an interference or friction fit with the peripheral wall structure 35 of the drainage tray 34 .

Referring again to FIG. 3 , an embodiment of outer base member 18 of the present invention may include at least one caddy support member 19 . The caddy support members 19 may include receptacles 40 for releasably receiving securements 25 of caddy 20 (shown in FIGS. 2 , 4 A and 4 B), as further detailed below. Outer base member 18 preferably further includes at least one opening 42 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , at least one opening 42 is sectioned by a caddy support members 19 .

Referring now to FIGS. 2 , 4 A and 4 B, utensil receptacle 10 further includes a caddy 20 . In the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 , caddy 20 has a peripheral sidewall structure 20 A incorporating grooves 26 to accommodate partitions 28 . Partitions 28 include groove engagement regions 30 for slidable engagement with the grooves 26 . The partitions 28 may further include securements 32 for engaging receptacles 24 of a bottom structure 21 . The bottom structure 21 incorporates holes 22 to permit the drainage of fluid out of the caddy 20 , through outer base member 18 and into drainage tray 34 for collection. The holes 22 are preferably positioned at the end of conical depressions 23 in bottom structure 21 , with a wider end of the conical depressions 23 in the bottom wall and a narrower end terminating at hole 22 . In an embodiment, the conical depressions 23 reduce or prevent the utensils from sliding along the bottom structure 21 .

The assembly operation of the embodiment of the utensil receptacle 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1–5F , may proceed with the outer base member 18 being coupled to the lower end 16 of peripheral wall structure 12 through an interference fit, with upper wall structure 18 A entering the opening defined by the lower end 16 , the lower end 16 coming to rest on shoulder 18 D. The caddy 20 , with or without the partitions 28 , may then be lowered through the opening 15 defined by the upper end 14 of peripheral wall structure 12 , with securements 25 that project from a lower surface of bottom structure 21 coupling with the receptacles 40 of caddy support members 19 to releasably secure caddy 20 to outer base member 18 . The drainage tray may then be coupled to the outer base member 18 , with the lower wall structure 18 C entering the interior of the drainage tray 34 defined by peripheral wall structure 35 and bottom wall 36 , with the peripheral wall structure 35 coming to rest on shoulder 18 E. The bottom wall 36 of the drainage tray 34 is positioned a distance below the holes 22 , forming a gap between holes 22 and bottom wall 36 so as not to restrict the flow of fluid out of caddy 20 .

In facilitating the disassembly of the embodiment of the utensil receptacle 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1–5F , a lip or protrusion 38 may be formed integrally with peripheral wall structure 35 , so that a user can more easily apply the force required to disengage the drainage tray 34 from the outer base member 18 . Additionally, it is preferred that partitions 26 require a greater force applied thereto in order to be disengaged from caddy 20 than the force required to disengage securements 25 of caddy 20 from the receptacles 40 of outer base member 18 , thereby permitting the user to remove the caddy 20 from the interior of utensil receptacle 10 using the partitions 26 .

A utensil receptacle as detailed herein may be utilized in various forms. One such receptacle may be useful for a caddy with partitions, for purposes such as separating different types of utensils. Another such receptacle may incorporate a counter-weight in the outer base member, so as to reduce the likelihood of the utensil receptacle tipping over under weight against the upper end of the peripheral wall structure. From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved utensil receptacle which greatly facilitates the cleaning of the components thereof, as well as an improved caddy that reduces or prevents the utensils from sliding along the bottom thereof.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.