GB2533760A

GB2533760A - A kitchen sink utensil holder

Info

Publication number: GB2533760A
Application number: GB1417371.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gill Sunita
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-01
Filing date: 2014-10-01
Publication date: 2016-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-01
Also published as: WO2016051126A1; GB2533760B; GB201417371D0

Abstract

A kitchen utensil holder 1, comprising a base 2 and a side wall 3 that extends substantially upwards from the base to define a partially enclosed interior portion to hold a plurality of kitchen utensils, the side wall having an opening 4 through which utensil can be passed and where the side wall is rotatable on the base. The rotation means comprises of a spring (figure 5, 9) configured to be placed in tension when the side wall is rotated from a neutral position. The base further comprises a catch that is engaged with the spring to hold the side wall at a position until a button 8 on the base connected to the catch is pushed, releasing the catch and the sidewall, rotating the sidewall back to the neutral position. Dampers may be provided to prevent over rapid movement of the sidewall on the base and rotation means may also be provided with the use of an electric motor. The base also has a drain support 6 complete with at least one drain aperture 7 to allow the water to drain into an interior portion.

Description

A kitchen sink utensil holder

FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for holding kitchen sink utensils. More particularly, the present invention relates to a kitchen sink organiser or kitchen sink 5 caddy.

BACKGROUND

It is usual for a domestic kitchen sink or immediate environs to have a number of associated separate utensils such as sponges, cleaning brushes, and containers of liquid soap and/or washing-up liquid. It can be difficult for a user to store these so that they are out of the way when not required, but in a location convenient enough so that a user can quickly and easily access these when required.

A number of products are available that address this problem or similar, as outlined below. These products are generally known as 'kitchen sink organisers', or 'kitchen sink caddies': Dr Leonard's kitchen sink caddy is a container having an open top to allow a user to easily access the interior, and which is divided into a number of sub-compartments internally so that a user can store different items such as soap and brushes in different compartments.

Another common type of organiser or caddy design is a wire basket having a handle that extends from the top and which bends away from the basket to form a hook that can be looped over a sink divider or similar to allow the caddy to be hung from the side of a sink, a user placing brushes or sponges in the basket to conveniently store these.

A variation on this design has a pair of containers that are hung over the top of a sink 25 divider in a similar manner to a pair of panniers or saddlebags, with an open-topped container on each side into which a user can place their utensils for storage and easy access.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a kitchen sink utensil holder which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Accordingly, in an aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a kitchen sink utensil holder, comprising a base, and a side wall that extends upwards from the base to substantially define an at least partially enclosed interior portion configured to hold a plurality of kitchen utensils, the side wall having an opening through which utensils can be passed, the side wall rotatable on the base. The opening allows a user to store and retrieve utensils within the interior portion of the utensil holder, and the rotatability of the side wall on the base allows a user to rotate the opening to a desired location, for example to a location where it is blocked from a user's sight line by the side wall.

In an embodiment, the kitchen sink utensil holder further comprises a rotation means located in the base and configured to rotate the side wall on the base when activated. This assists a user with rotating the side wall on the base without requiring a user to 25 exert rotational force themselves with hands that may be dirty or slippery.

In an embodiment, the rotation means comprises a spring configured to be placed in tension when the side wall is rotated from a neutral position on the base. This is a simple, robust, reliable and inexpensive mechanism.

In an embodiment, the base further comprises a catch, the side wall rotatable to engage the catch with the spring in tension to hold the side wall at that position, the kitchen sink utensil holder further comprising a button on the base connecting to the catch, pressing the button causing the catch to release so that the side wall will rotate back towards the neutral position. This allows a user to rotate the base away from the 'in use' postion, but to release it for use quickly and easily when required.

In an embodiment, the kitchen sink utensil holder further comprises dampers configured to prevent over-rapid movement of the side wall on the base assembly. This helps to prevent over-rapid movement that could cause damage or injury, and which could cause the kitchen sink utensil holder to fall over.

In an embodiment, the rotation means is an electric motor, the kitchen sink utensil holder further comprising a button on the base connecting to the electric motor and configured to activate the motor when pressed. This provides a simple and reliable mechanism for rotating the side wall.

In an embodiment, the kitchen sink utensil holder further comprises a drain support configured to locate within and at or towards the bottom of the interior portion, the drain support forming a supporting surface for utensils within the holder and further comprising at least one drain aperture configured to allow water to drain from within the interior portion. This allows water and other fluids to drain from used utensils within the utensil holder through the support while supporting the utensils.

In an embodiment, the side wall opening is configured to form a lip that extends upwards from the drain support. This helps to retain fluids within the interior portion until they can drain from the interior portion through the aperture or apertures.

In an embodiment, the at least one drain aperture is a plurality of apertures spaced around the drain support. This helps to provide efficient drainage while not 20 compromising the support provided.

In an embodiment, the at least partially enclosed interior portion has a substantially open top. This allows a user to more easily access the interior and to at least view the contents more easily.

In an embodiment, the base further comprises a drip tray configured to locate under 25 the drain support to receive water draining from within the interior portion, the drip tray removable. This helps a user to contain and then dispose of unwanted fluids draining from utensils.

In an embodiment, the drip tray further comprises a lip configured to prevent spillage into the base. This helps to protect items within the confines of the base.

In an embodiment, the side wall opening extends to the substantially open top. This assists a user with emplacing and removing utensils.

In an embodiment, the side wall has a height of substantially 300mm. This ensures that the side wall extends to at least the height of the majority of the most common kitchen utensils so that they are fully enclosed within the boundaries of the side wall and below the upper lip or surface of the side wall.

In an embodiment, the base further comprises at least one anti-slip foot connected to the underside of the base.

In an embodiment, the anti-slip foot is at least partly formed from a rubberised material. This helps to prevent the base from slipping in use on wet and/or soapy surfaces.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above and to one side of an embodiment of kitchen sink utensil holder according to the invention, having a base, and a side wall that extends upwards from the base to an open top, the side wall enclosing an interior portion for holding kitchen utensils, the side wall having an opening through which utensils can be passed, the opening facing towards and to the left of the viewer, the side wall rotatable on the base by a user pressing a button on the base.

Figure 2 shows the kitchen sink utensil holder of figure 1 with the side wall rotated so that the opening faces away from and to the right of the viewer.

Figure 3 shows a view directly from the side of the kitchen sink utensil holder of figures 1 and 2, with the opening rotated to face directly towards the viewer.

Figure 4 shows a view directly from the side of the kitchen sink utensil holder of figures 1 and 2, with the viewer directly to the left-hand side of the opening.

Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the kitchen sink utensil holder from the same angle as figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the kitchen sink utensil holder of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures.

The kitchen sink utensil holder 1 has a base assembly 2 that when assembled is circular in plan view and which has a height much less than the diameter, the base 2 extending upwards a short distance from a flat bottom that allows the base 2 to rest on a surface. A rubber foot or feet, or similar is/are attached to the bottom surface of the base assembly 2 to help prevent the base assembly 2 from slipping across surfaces that might be wet or soapy, or otherwise slippery.

A side wall 3 extends upwards substantially vertically from the perimeter or circumference of the base 2 to enclose an interior area or portion. The side wall extends from the base for approximately 30cm. An opening 4 is formed in the side wall, the opening extending from the top lip or edge of the side wall 3 for substantially the entire height of the side wall, the opening stopping slightly short of the base 2 so that a short lip 5 is formed extending upwards for a short distance from the base 2. The opening 4 extends around the circumferential side wall over approximately a 90-degree arc.

The interior area or portion enclosed by the cylindrical side wall 2 is sized and shaped to be suitable to receive a number of kitchen utensils, such as brushes, sponges, washing-up bottles, etc. The height of the side wall ensures that these will be fully enclosed within the interior area -that is, the side wall is high enough that the majority of the most common or normally-sized kitchen utensils will generally not extend above the upper rim or lip of the side wall.

To place objects inside the utensil holder 1, or to retrieve objects already inside the utensil holder 1, a user passes these through the opening 4, or reaches in through the opening 4 to pull these out. The open top assists with this process but is not absolutely necessary.

A drain support 6 forms a floor for the interior portion at the bottom of the interior portion, at the lower part of the side wall 3, between the top of the base 2 and the interior portion. The drain support 6 forms a supporting surface for utensils within the holder 1. A number of drain apertures 7 are formed through the drain support 6 to allow water and other fluids to drain from within the interior portion down into the base 2, where the water/fluids are collected. This allows water and other fluids to drain from utensils held within the utensil holder. Draining water and fluids are held within the interior portion by the lip 5 so that they drain through the apertures 7 rather than spilling through the bottom of the opening 4.

A drip tray 10 forms part of the base 2 and is located directly underneath the drain support 6, formed from tray base 10a and perimetrical lip section 10b. Draining water and fluids drain through the apertures 7 into the drip tray 10 to be held in the drip tray base10a. The side wall 2 and drain support 6 can be removed from the top of the base 2, and the tray base 10a removed from the remainder of the base assembly 2 so that the tray base 10a can be emptied. The lip section 10b helps to prevent overspill of fluids in the tray base 10a into the remainder of the base 2.

The side wall 3 and the base 2 are connected via a spindle or similar at the centre of 20 the circular base 2, which forms an axis of rotation for the side wall 3 so that the side wall 3 can rotate on the base 2.

As shown in figure 5, the base 2 has a spring 9 that is connected between the spindle and the side wall. When a user rotates the side wall 3 on the base 2 they place the spring in tension. The side wall 3 is rotated through approximately half a full rotation, or 180 degrees, and will then latch in position with the spring 9 in tension. A button 8 is mounted to extend through and from the side of the base 2, passing through a side wall of the base 2. The button 8 is sized and shaped and configured so that it can easily be pressed with dirty/wet hands. When a user presses the button 8, this releases the spring latch and the side wall will rotate, driven by tension in the spring 9, back to it's original position.

Rotation of the side wall 2 changes the position of the opening 4. In use, a user initially has the opening 4 towards them so that the opening 4 is conveniently located to either insert or remove items from inside the kitchen sink utensil holder 1. After they have completed adding and/or removing items, they then rotate the side wall 3 to move the opening 4 away from them, so that the closed part of the side wall 3 is between their eye line and the opening for all normal usage. That is, the opening allows a user to store and retrieve utensils within the interior portion of the utensil holder, and the rotatability of the side wall on the base allows a user to rotate the opening to a desired location, for example to a location where it is blocked from a user's sight line by the side wall, in order that the kitchen sink utensil holder 1 presents a more pleasing aspect to the sight of a user.

When the user wishes to retrieve stored items, they press the button 8 to release the catch, and the side wall rotates to bring the opening back towards them (the initial or neutral position).

Dampers can be added to the base assembly 2 to help prevent over-rapid movement of the side wall 3 on the base assembly 2. Alternatively, various components such as the bearings can be sized and configured, and the strength of the spring can be chosen, such that their own inertia helps to prevent over-rapid movement or acceleration and deceleration of the side wall 3 on the base assembly 2.

In the embodiment described above, the side wall 3 is rotated on the base assembly 2 by way of a rotation means that comprises a spring which is tensioned by a user to provide rotational force between the base 2 and side wall 3. Any other suitable rotation means could also be used, such as for example a motor (battery or mains powered), clockwork, or similar.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A kitchen sink utensil holder, comprising: a base; a side wall that extends upwards from the base to substantially define an at least partially enclosed interior portion configured to hold a plurality of kitchen utensils, the side wall having an opening through which utensils can be passed, the side wall rotatable on the base.
2. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rotation means located in the base and configured to rotate the side wall on the base when 10 activated.
3. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rotation means comprises a spring configured to be placed in tension when the side wall is rotated from a neutral position on the base.
4. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein the base further comprises a catch, the side wall rotatable to engage the catch with the spring in tension to hold the side wall at that position, the kitchen sink utensil holder further comprising a button on the base connecting to the catch, pressing the button causing the catch to release so that the side wall will rotate back towards the neutral position.
5. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 further comprising 20 dampers configured to prevent over-rapid movement of the side wall on the base assembly.
6. kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rotation means comprises an electric motor, the kitchen sink utensil holder further comprising a button on the base connecting to the electric motor and configured to activate the 25 motor when pressed.
7. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising a drain support configured to locate within and at or towards the bottom of the interior portion, the drain support forming a supporting surface for utensils within the holder and further comprising at least one drain aperture configured to allow water to drain from within the interior portion.
8. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 7 wherein the side wall opening is configured to form a lip that extends upwards from the drain support.
9. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the at least one drain aperture is a plurality of apertures spaced around the drain support.
10. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the at least partially enclosed interior portion has a substantially open top.
11. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 10 wherein the side wall opening extends to the substantially open top.
12. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 wherein the base further comprises a drip tray configured to locate under the drain support to receive water draining from within the interior portion, the drip tray removable.
13. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 12 wherein the drip tray further comprises a lip configured to prevent spillage into the base.
14. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the side wall has a height of substantially 300mm.
15. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the 15 base further comprises at least one anti-slip foot connected to the underside of the base
16. A kitchen sink utensil holder as claimed in claim 15 wherein the anti-slip foot is at least partly formed from a rubberised material.
17. A kitchen sink utensil holder substantially as herein described with reference to 20 the figures.