EP4044894B1

EP4044894B1 - Support device for crockery

Info

Publication number: EP4044894B1
Application number: EP20771754.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sandro RIVA
Original assignee: Tecnoinox Srl
Current assignee: Tecnoinox Srl
Priority date: 2019-10-14
Filing date: 2020-09-15
Publication date: 2024-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-15
Also published as: IT201900003635U1; BR112022007124A2; EP4044894C0; WO2021074710A1; IL292144A; EP4044894A1; CA3157492A1

Description

The present invention relates to a support device for crockery.
The invention falls within the technical field of home furnishings, in particular in supports for crockery.
Such devices are configured to support the crockery in a storage condition, for example inside a suitable containment volume.
In particular, this technical field includes dish drainers, devices made to support crockery after washing.
In general, dish drainers are housed inside special shelves hung above the sink and have openings on the bottom so as to allow an outflow of the water deposited on the crockery towards the sink.
In accordance with the solutions belonging to the prior art, the aforementioned devices generally have a gull-wing shape adapted to define a guide for the insertion of the plate. Essentially, such devices comprise a pair of opposite racks, defining the gull-wing shape, having a plurality of pairs of facing openings defining a plurality of guides for the crockery.
The device has a lower stop portion which defines a lower limit stop for the crockery.
In particular, the opposite racks define a side stop portion for the crockery which allows it to be kept in a condition substantially parallel to a vertical plane.
Unfortunately, the shape of such devices often results in an insertion of the crockery inside openings not facing the racks. In other words, a first portion of a crockery may be inserted into an opening of a rack and a second portion, opposite the first portion, may be mistakenly inserted into an opening before or after the opening facing the opening housing the first portion.
In this condition, the dish drainer is not able to guarantee a correct and safe support of the crockery, therefore exposing it to the risk of falls or collisions with the adjacent crockery.
In addition, this misalignment results in a reduction in the storage capacity of the dish drainer as well as limiting the aesthetic pleasantness thereof, conferring a general sensation of disorder.
Unfortunately, moreover, the generally very large size of the openings defined by the gull wings does not allow an accurate alignment of the crockery inside the device.
The document US4531641 discloses a dish rack and drain board construction presenting at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks.
There are commercially alternative solutions made by means of a single block, generally in wood carved so as to define a plurality of housings, each configured to receive in insertion a plate along a vertical direction.
Unfortunately, such devices do not allow a regular outflow of the fluid deposited on the plates during the cleaning procedures.
Therefore, these solutions have been developed mostly for the support of dishes for display purposes and not for daily household storage.
Unfortunately, moreover, such devices have limited possibility of adapting to dishes of different sizes or to other types of crockery.
Furthermore, the production technology entails manufacturing costs such as to prevent the widespread diffusion thereof.
In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a support device for crockery which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.
In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a support device for crockery which allows to increase the efficiency and safety of the storage of crockery.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a support device for crockery which has a high adaptability to different types of crockery.
A further object of the present invention is also to provide a support device for crockery which simplifies and makes the production cycle more efficient.
The technical task mentioned and the objects stated are substantially achieved by a support device for crockery comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.
The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of an exemplary, but not exclusive, and therefore non-limiting, preferred embodiment of a support device for crockery, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a support device for crockery in accordance with the present invention;
figure 2 shows an exploded view of the support device for crockery of figure 1;
figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of a support device for crockery in accordance with a further possible embodiment of the present invention;
figure 4 is a view adapted to highlight some components of the support device for crockery of figure 3.

With reference to the attached figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates a support device for crockery which will be hereinafter reported as a support device 1.
The support device 1 comprises a first body 2 and a second body 3 mutually connectable to define a positioning guide, preferably along a vertical direction, for a crockery.
In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the first body 2 and the second body 3 have a plate-like conformation and a substantially planar extension.
According to further possible embodiments not illustrated in the attached figures, the first and/or second body 2, 3 may have a different shape and/or extension, for example they may be obtained in the form of a curved plate or rack without affecting the innovative concept of the present invention.
Advantageously, the first body and/or the second body 2, 3 can be made of metal, for example stainless steel (but if necessary, any other metal with or without adequate surface treatments), conferring high mechanical properties and corrosion resistance to the support device 1.
According to some possible embodiments, the first body and/or the second body 2, 3 may comprise portions or be made entirely of different materials, for example wood or different types of polymeric materials.
Preferably, the aforementioned first and/or second body 2, 3 may have one or more surface covering layers, for example one or more layers of enamel or epoxy paint (or any other material suitable for the purpose), adapted to improve the resistance to wear and/or aesthetic pleasantness of the support device 1.
The first body 2 has at least one first through opening 4 configured to allow at least the partial insertion of the crockery.
As illustrated in the attached figures, the first body 2 may have a plurality of first openings 4 arranged along a first main extension direction "D1".
In particular, each of the first openings 4 of the first body 2 defines a lateral stop portion 5 which allows the crockery to be confined inside the support device 1.
In other words, the perimeter portion of the openings 4 defines the side stop portion 5 adapted to support the crockery laterally.
Advantageously, the first openings 4 may have a plurality of different conformations in order to allow the insertion of different types of crockery, for example dishes of different conformation.
Furthermore, each of the first openings 4 may have a substantially counter-shaped conformation to a section of the crockery.
Preferably, said section is a section of the crockery along a plane parallel to the first main extension direction "D1".
In particular, this plane can be offset radially with respect to a centre of the crockery according to design needs, for example in order to optimize the overall dimensions or to confer particular aesthetic features to the device 1.
Preferably, each of the first openings 4 has a substantially trapezoidal conformation.
The second body 3 has at least one second opening 6 configured to receive in reversible insertion a portion of the crockery.
In particular, the second body 3 defines at least one lower abutment portion 7 for the aforementioned crockery.
In other words, the second body 3 defines a limit stop along a vertical direction for the crockery.
Preferably, at least one of the second openings 6 is a through opening specially sized to prevent the complete passage of the crockery.
In this manner, the perimeter portion of the second openings 6 defines the lower abutment portion 7 adapted to support the crockery below.
Advantageously, the support device 1 may comprise at least one stop[ element (not illustrated in the attached figures) peripherally connectable to the second opening 6 to define a further abutment portion for the crockery. Advantageously, the first and the second body 2, 3 are connectable so that the at least one first opening 4 and the at least one second opening 6 are facing, defining a positioning guide for the crockery.
In particular, the first and the second opening 4, 6 define a positioning guide which allows an insertion of the crockery in the support device 1 along a substantially vertical direction.
In other words, the first and the second opening 4, 6 are facing, defining a positioning guide which presents a direction of insertion which is transverse, preferably perpendicular, to a support plane of the support device 1.
In this manner, the support device 1 allows a storage of the crockery in a substantially vertical position in which a peripheral portion of the crockery, preferably an edge, is resting on the lower abutment portion 7 of the second body 3 and at least a second portion of the crockery is resting on the lateral stop portion 5 of the first body 2.
In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the first and the second body 2, 3 respectively have a plurality of first openings 3 and a plurality of second openings 6. In particular, each of the first openings 3 faces a respective second opening 6 defining a plurality of positioning guides for the crockery.
In this manner, the support device 1 may house a plurality of crockery, ensuring a stable support during storage.
Preferably, the first body 2 has an equispaced succession of first openings 4 extending along the first main extension direction "D1". Furthermore, the second body 3 has an equispaced succession of second openings 6 extending along a second main extension direction "D2".
Preferably, moreover, the first main extension direction "D1" and the second main extension direction "D2" are parallel to each other.
According to further possible alternative embodiments not illustrated in the attached figures, the first and/or second body 2, 3 may have a different distribution of first and/or second openings 4, 6, respectively, for example each body 2, 3 may comprise a pair of successions of openings parallel to each other, or the first main extension direction "D1" may be transverse to the second main extension direction "D2", for example by lying on the same vertical plane, without altering the innovative concept underlying the present invention.
Preferably, the first body and/or the second body 2, 3 have at least one auxiliary opening configured to promote an outflow of a fluid from the first body and/or the second body.
In other words, the support device 1 may have auxiliary openings designed to prevent any water present on the crockery that are not completely dry from depositing on the first and/or second body 2, 3.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, the support device 1 may comprise a containment body adapted to house the first body 2 and/or the second body 3.
Preferably, the containment body has a hermetically sealed lower portion adapted to contain a fluid coming from the first body 2 and/or from the second body 3 and/or from the crockery.
As previously introduced, the first and the second body 2, 3 are connectable to define a guide and a stable support for at least one crockery.
In particular, the support device 1 comprises vertical separation means 8 interposed between the first body 2 and the second body 3.
The vertical separation means 8 define a vertical spacing between the first openings 4 and the second openings 6 so that the side stop portion 5 and the lower abutment portion 7 can define a stable constraint for the crockery in a storage condition.
In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the vertical separation means 8 comprise a plurality of rods 9, preferably parallel to a vertical direction, arranged peripherally to the support device 1 to connect the first body 2 and the second body 3. Advantageously, the vertical separation means 8 may comprise adjustable coupling means (not illustrated in the attached figures) configured to allow a reversible movement in approaching and/or distancing the first body 2 from the second body 3.
In this manner, the adjustable coupling means allow an adjustment of the vertical spacing between the first openings 4 and the second openings 6 so as to allow the support device 1 to guarantee a stable support according to the dimensions of the crockery to be stored.
In accordance with a further possible embodiment illustrated in figure 3 and figure 4, the vertical separation means 8 comprise at least one pair of vertical walls 10 arranged on opposite sides of the support device 1 and having a first and a second guide 11, 12 vertically offset, preferably parallel to each other, and adapted to receive in insertion respectively the first body 2 and/or the second body 3.
Preferably, the pair of opposite vertical walls 10 have at least one further guide configured to receive in reversible insertion the first body or the second body 2, 3 so as to adjust the vertical spacing between the first openings 4 and the second openings 6.
It is therefore noted that the present invention achieves the proposed objects by obtaining a support device for crockery capable of increasing the effectiveness and safety of the storage of crockery thanks to the presence of a first and a second body having respectively at least a first and a second opposite opening to define an insertion guide for at least one crockery.
Advantageously, the conformation of the openings confers a high adaptability of the support device to crockery of different shapes. Furthermore, the adjustable coupling means allow the relative positioning between the first and the second body to be adjusted in order to stably house crockery of different sizes.
Advantageously, moreover, the present invention overcomes the need for long and expensive carving processes on wood by providing a support device for crockery which simplifies and makes the production cycle more efficient.
Advantageously, the small dimensions together with the adjustable coupling means allow an easy housing of the support device within a specially sized cabinet, for example inside a kitchen cabinet.

Claims

Support device (1) for crockery comprising:
- a first body (2) having at least one first through opening (4) configured to allow at least the partial insertion of a crockery;

- a second body (3) defining at least one lower abutment portion (7) for said crockery with respect to said first body (2); and

- vertical separation means (8) interposed between said first body (2) and said second body (3),
characterized in that said second body (3) has at least one second opening (6) configured to receive in reversible insertion a portion of said crockery, wherein said first and said second body (2, 3) are connectable so that said at least one first opening (4) and said at least one second opening (6) are facing, defining a positioning guide for said crockery.
Support device according to claim 1, wherein said first body (2) and/or said second body (3) have a plate-like conformation and a substantially planar extension.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first and said second body (2, 3) respectively have a plurality of first openings (4) and a plurality of second openings (6), each of said first openings (4) facing a respective second opening (6) defining a plurality of positioning guides for said crockery.
Support device according to claim 3, wherein said first body (2) has an equispaced succession of first openings (4) extending on the first body (2) itself along a first main extension direction (D1); wherein said second body (3) has an equispaced succession of second openings (6) extending on the second body (3) itself along a second main extension direction (D2); and wherein said first main extension direction (D1) is parallel to said second main extension direction (D2).
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first openings (4) have different conformations in order to allow the insertion of different types of crockery, preferably each of said first openings (4) having a substantially trapezoidal conformation.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said second openings (6) is a through opening.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first body (2) and/or said second body (3) have at least one auxiliary opening configured to promote an outflow of a fluid from said first body (2) and/or said second body (3).
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one stop element peripherally connectable to said second opening (6), said stop element defining a further abutment portion for said crockery.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said vertical separation means (8) comprise adjustable coupling means adapted to couple said first body (2) to said second body (3), said adjustable coupling means allowing a reversible movement approaching and/or distancing said first body (2) from said second body (3).
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a containment body adapted to house said first body (2) and/or said second body (3), preferably said containment body having a hermetically sealed lower portion adapted to contain a fluid coming from said first body (2) and/or said second body (3) and/or said crockery.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first body (2) and/or said second body (3) are integrally made in metal, preferably stainless steel.
Support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first body (2) and/or said second body (3) have a surface covering layer.