US20120138550A1

US20120138550A1 - Dish drying assembly

Info

Publication number: US20120138550A1
Application number: US12/960,082
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan Wisniewski
Original assignee: Umbra LLC
Current assignee: Umbra LLC
Priority date: 2010-12-03
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2012-06-07
Also published as: CA2726621A1

Abstract

A dish drying assembly having a base member, a support member, a container and a rack member. The base member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, two sides, a rear end, and a front end having a drainage lip. A sloping support is secured to the base member and slopes downwardly from the rear end to the front end. The container is secured to the base member and has a first horizontal cross-sectional shape. The rack member includes a first opening and a plurality of slats. The first opening has a second horizontal cross-sectional shape that engages the first horizontal cross-sectional shape. A cross-sectional area of the first horizontal cross-sectional shape is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape. Each slat of the plurality of slats is co-planar and parallel to one another, forming a corresponding plurality of slots that are equally spaced apart.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to a drying assembly for kitchenware and, more particularly, to an improved drying assembly for dishware, flatware, etc., that can be disassembled for more efficient cleaning and compact storage and, even more particularly, to an improved means of facilitating water runoff and debris collection, resulting in optimal drying conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dish drying racks are well known articles of manufacture, which provide an area to dry and store various types of kitchenware, such as plates, bowls, glasses, utensils, etc.
Generally, a dish drying rack includes a base and a plurality of drainage slots operatively arranged to hold and dry kitchenware. Over the years, many devices have been developed to make the process of cleaning and drying dishes more efficient. Automatic, electric dishwasher appliances are well known, but expensive, and not affordable by everyone. Therefore, there is a continuing need for improved devices and methods for the manual washing and drying of dishes, flatware, cookware, and the like.
After being washed, dishes are usually placed in a drying rack on a countertop adjacent to a sink to expedite the air-drying process. A problem with prior dish drying racks is that some require the use of a towel underneath the rack to prevent water runoff from accumulating on the counter and subsequent spilling over onto the floor.
Another problem with prior dish drying racks is that some do not include a compartment for holding utensils. In these racks, the utensils tend to fall through the drainage slots onto the towel beneath the dish drying rack, and thus, never properly dry. While there are prior dish drying racks that do include a separate utensil compartment, they tend to be large and bulky, and therefore, difficult to clean and store.
Yet another problem with prior dish drying racks is that they are made out of a variety of materials and combinations thereof, such as plastic and various types of steel, i.e., epoxy coated steel, vinyl coated steel, and stainless steel, etc. Coated steel racks are susceptible to corrosion over time as the coating cracks or peels, leaving the underlying steel exposed. Stainless steel is more durable than coated steel but is expensive. Plastic tends to have harmful effects on the environment because large amounts of chemical pollutants are used in the manufacturing of plastic, as well as significant amounts of fossil fuels. In light of environmental concerns, bamboo, a fast-growing member of the grass family, is becoming more popular, having a wide range of applications in construction, home decor and furnishings, flooring, medicine, textiles, etc. Bamboo is found in diverse climates throughout the world and is more sustainable than wood due to its rapid growth rate, which can exceed several feet in a single day. Bamboo is emerging as the one of the preferred “green” building and construction materials because of its ability to rapidly regenerate. It is also very lightweight, water-resistant, durable, and extremely versatile. While bamboo is naturally water resistant, part of the manufacturing process of bamboo includes lamination, which increases its resistance to warping and results in no need for finish work, ultimately decreasing the cost of preparation. Bamboo is also less dense/lighter in weight, than steel and plastic, which reduces shipping expense. Therefore, bamboo is an ideal material for use in products intended for use in residential kitchens where it is subjected to water exposure.
Thus, there is a long-felt need for an aesthetically pleasing dish drying assembly, from which water runoff can flow directly into the sink or other desired area. In addition, there is a long-felt need for a dish drying assembly that includes a utensil compartment and the ability to be dismantled for easy cleaning and compact storage. There is also a long-felt need for a dish drying assembly that is made from a combination of materials, including bamboo, for increased durability, lower weight, and environmental concerns.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a dish drying assembly having a base member, a support member, a container, and a rack member. The base member includes a top surface, a bottom surface, two sides, a rear end, and a front end having a drainage lip extending downwardly. A sloping support member is secured to the bottom surface of the base member and slopes downwardly from the rear end to the front end. The bottom edge of the drainage lip is positioned at a point in space which is lower than a bottom surface of the sloping support member. This causes the base member to “latch” into the sink basin when placed on a countertop proximate the basin. In a preferred embodiment, the container is removably secured to the base member and has a first horizontal cross-sectional shape. The rack member, which is preferably, but not necessarily made of bamboo, includes a first opening and a plurality of slats. The first opening has a second horizontal cross-sectional shape that slidingly engages the first horizontal cross-sectional shape of the container. The first horizontal cross-sectional shape of the container is substantially similar to the second horizontal cross-sectional shape of the first opening, although a cross-sectional area of the first horizontal cross-sectional shape is slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape. Each of the slats of the plurality of slats are co-planar and parallel to one another, forming a corresponding plurality of slots that are equally spaced and operatively arranged to receive dishes and support the dishes in a substantially upright manner. In a preferred embodiment, the container includes one or more utensil compartments.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a dish drying assembly that includes a sloped base member for drainage of water into a sink basin.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dish drying assembly that includes a rack member, preferably made of bamboo, located above a base member, for holding dishes, cups, glasses and the like.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a dish drying assembly that includes a container having one or more utensil compartments, where the container slidingly engages and passes through an opening in the rack member.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention in view of the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown atop a countertop overlapping a sink basin, and holding various kitchenware items;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the dish drying assembly of the present invention, similar to the view shown in FIG. 1, except the invention is not placed on a countertop and the kitchenware has been removed;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base member of the dish drying assembly;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the base member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a is an exploded view of the dish drying assembly;

FIG. 5 b is a fragmentary view of the dish drying assembly taken generally along line 5 b-5 b, and as viewed along arrow 5 v, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 a is a fragmentary view of the dish drying assembly taken generally along line 6 a-6 a in FIG. 2, illustrating the container detached from the base member;

FIG. 6 b is a fragmentary view of the dish drying assembly taken generally along line 6 b-6 b in FIG. 2, illustrating the container secured to the base member;

FIG. 6 c is a fragmentary view of the dish drying assembly taken generally along line 6 c-6 c in FIG. 2, illustrating the container secured to the base member;

FIG. 6 d is a fragmentary view of the dish drying assembly taken generally along line 6 d-6 d in FIG. 2, illustrating the container secured to the base member;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dish drying assembly taken generally along line 7-7 in FIG. 2, showing the container secured to the base member;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the dish drying assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the dish drying assembly shown in FIG. 2, including a cross-sectional view of a countertop and adjacent sink basin;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the dish drying assembly shown in FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the dish drying assembly shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. It also should be appreciated that figure proportions and angles are not always to scale in order to clearly portray the attributes of the present invention.
While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. The present invention is intended to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Adverting now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of dish drying assembly 10. Dish drying assembly 10 is adapted to rest upon countertop 11, adjacent to and overhanging sink basin 16. Dish drying assembly 10 is operatively arranged to hold a plurality of dishes, 12 a, 12 b, a plurality of cups, 13 a, 13 b, and a plurality of utensils 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, in a substantially upright manner. Dish drying assembly 10 is shown with drainage lip 23 extending beyond edge 15 of sink basin 16 to facilitate drainage of water runoff 17 and water drops 18.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of dish drying assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1. Dish drying assembly 10 generally comprises base member 20, sloping support member 30, container 40, and rack member 50. At both front end 22 and rear end 24 of dish drying assembly 10, base member 20 extends outwardly and downwardly. Although, in the present embodiment, container 40 and drainage lip 23 are both located at front end 22 of dish drying assembly 10, it is apparent that container 40 may also be located at rear end 24 in another embodiment. Rack member 50 includes first opening 54, which is operatively arranged to receive container 40. The rack member sits atop base member 20.
FIG. 3 is a top view of base member 20 of dish drying assembly 10, shown with the rack member and container removed. Base member 20 comprises outer wall 21 which circumscribes most of the base member, terminating to form drainage lip 23. The base member has a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 27 (shown in FIG. 4). The base member is substantially rectangular in shape, with a rounded or arcuate front and rear end. The base member includes front end 22, rear end 24, and two sides 25 a and 25 b. In a preferred embodiment, sides 25 a and 25 b are parallel to one another. As mentioned previously, outer wall 21 extends downwardly to form drainage lip 23 at front end 22. Integrally disposed within top surface 26 are inner walls 28 a, 28 b, which, in a preferred embodiment, are parallel to one another as well as to sides 25 a, 25 b. There is a space formed between front end 22 of the base member and front portions 31 a and 31 b of walls 28 a, 28 b. Inner walls 28 a and 28 b extend longitudinally along base member 20 from front portions 31 a, 31 b to rear portions 32 a, 32 b, respectively.
To facilitate drainage of water runoff, a plurality of channels 33 a, 33 b, 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, 34 d, 34 e, 34 f are integral with top surface 26. Channels 33 a, 33 b are formed from the space between sides 25 a, 25 b and inner walls 28 a, 28 b. Channels 34 a, 34 b, 34 c . . . 34 f are formed by a plurality of ribs 35 a, 35 b, 35 c . . . 35 e integral with top surface 26. In a preferred embodiment, these ribs are parallel to one another, and equally spaced with respect to one another. Specifically, channel 34 a is formed by base member 20, inner wall 28 a, and rib 35 a; channel 34 b is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35 a and 35 b; channel 34 c is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35 b and 35 c; channel 34 d is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35 c and 35 d; channel 34 e is formed by base member 20 and two adjacent ribs 35 d and 35 e; and channel 34 f is formed by base member 20, rib 35 e, and inner wall 28 b. Ribs 35 a, 35 b, 35 c . . . 35 e run parallel to sides 25 a, 25 b and inner walls 28 a, 28 b. In the present embodiment, the height of inner walls 28 a, 28 b is greater than the height of ribs 35 a, 35 b, 35 c . . . 35 e, although it is should be apparent that inner walls 28 a, 28 b and ribs 35 a, 35 b, 35 c . . . 35 e of dish drying assembly 10 may vary in height.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of base member 20. In this view, bottom surface 27 is shown, as is sloping member 30. As shown in the drawing, sloping member 30, in a preferred embodiment, comprises two parallel side sections 30 a and 30 b, which are joined by arcuate end section 30 c. Sections 30 a and 30 b are triangular in shape, as best shown in FIG. 9. In a preferred embodiment, the sloping member is integral with base member 20, although it doesn't have to be. The purpose of the sloping member is to tilt or slope the base member downwardly toward the drainage lip, to cause water to drain into a sink basin. Although, in a preferred embodiment, sloping member 30 comprises three distinct sections 30 a, 30 b and 30 c as described above, it should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that other configurations are possible. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, section 30 c could be omitted, and sections 30 a and 30 b alone could perform the sloping function. Alternatively, sections 30 a and 30 b could be omitted, and section 30 c alone could perform the sloping function. There is no need for section 30 c to be arcuate in shape—this is done merely for aesthetic purposes. It should be apparent that a pair of projections proximate rear end 24, one each proximate sides 25 a and 25 b, respectively, could also perform the sloping function, as could an unlimited number of configurations of structure.
FIG. 5 a is an exploded view of dish drying assembly 10, comprising base member 20, sloping support member 30, container 40, and rack member 50. Sloping support member 30 is secured to bottom surface 27 of base member 20. In a preferred embodiment, the sloping support member extends about three sides 25 a, 24 and 25 b of the base member (shown in FIG. 4). In a preferred embodiment, the support member does not extend widthwise across the base member proximate drainage end 22.
Inner walls 28 a, 28 b extend upwardly from the top surface of the base member, as shown in FIG. 5 a. Inner walls 28 a and 28 b are of uniform height and identical to one another, and extend longitudinally parallel to one another along the base member. Inner walls 28 a, 28 b extend longitudinally and cease just short of arcuate corners 36 a, 36 b of the base member (best shown in FIGS. 3 and 11), so as to form channels for drainage water in the base member. These inner walls also function to support rack member 50. Slots 37 a, 37 b are located near front portions 31 a, 31 b of inner walls 28 a, 28 b. As described infra, these slots are used to engage container 40 and hold it in place. Obviously, in other embodiments, slots 37 a, 37 b may be located near front portions 31 a, 31 b or rear portions 32 a, 32 b. Sides 25 a and 25 b of outer wall 21 are substantially vertical, identical in length, parallel to one another and extend longitudinally, while maintaining the same height dimension, from front end 22 to rear end 24.
In a preferred embodiment, container 40 and drainage lip 23 are located near front end 22. Container 40 has top edge 41 having a first horizontal cross-sectional shape and including compartments 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d, which are separated by plurality of partition members 43 a, 43 b, 43 c. Container 40 also has tabs 45 a and 45 b located on opposite sides of container 40.
Rack member 50 comprises a plurality of slats 56 a, 56 b, . . . 56 n (partially shown in FIG. 5 a but best shown in FIG. 8), and also including front rail 51, two side rails 52 a, 52 b, and rear rail 53. Front rail 51 and rear rail 53 extend laterally while side rails 52 a, 52 b extend longitudinally. Preferably, side rails 52 a, 52 b are of similar width to channels 34 a, 34 b. The outer edge of both front rail 51 and rear rail 53 curve outwardly from the center of rack member 50 with the curve of front rail 51 extending outwardly toward drainage lip 23 and the curve of rear rail 53 extending outwardly away from drainage lip 23. First opening 54, located near front end 22 has a second horizontal cross-sectional shape. The second horizontal cross-sectional shape is substantially similar to the first horizontal cross-sectional shape of container 40, but slightly larger in area so that the container can pass therethrough. Container 40 is removably secured to base member 20 and slidingly engages first opening 54 of rack member 50.
FIG. 5 b is a fragmentary view of a section of dish drying assembly 10 taken generally along line 5 b-5 b and viewed along arrow 5 v in FIG. 2. This view shows how corner 36 a of base member 20 abuts the corresponding corner 50 a of rack 50. The same is true at corner 36 b of base member 20 which abuts corresponding corner 50 b of rack 50. In a preferred embodiment, sloping support member 30, in addition to extending longitudinally along the sides extends laterally across rear end 24 of base member 20.
FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are fragmentary views of dish drying assembly 10 taken generally along lines 6 a-6 a and 6 b-6 b, respectively, in FIG. 2, illustrating container 40 detached from base member 20 and secured to base member 20, respectively. For simplicity, rack member 50 is not shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b. Container 40 is removably secured to inner wall 28 a via tab 45 a, which is located near the bottom of container 40. Tab 45 a is complementary to slot 37 a located on inner wall 28 a. Container 40 is secured to base member 20 through tab 45 a engaging complementary slot 37 a located on inner wall 28 a of base member 20.
FIGS. 6 c and 6 d are fragmentary views of dish drying assembly 10 taken generally along lines 6 c-6 c and 6 d-6 d, respectively, in FIG. 2, illustrating container 40 detached from base member 20 and secured to base member 20, respectively. For simplicity, rack member 50 is not shown in FIGS. 6 c and 6 d. Container 40 is removably secured to inner wall 28 b via tab 45 b, which is located near the bottom of container 40. Tab 45 b is complementary to slot 37 b located on inner wall 28 b. Container 40 is secured to base member 20 through tab 45 b engaging complementary slot 37 b located on inner wall 28 b of base member 20.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of dish drying assembly 10 taken generally along line 7-7 in FIG. 2, showing container 40 secured to base member 20 via the aforementioned means. For simplicity, rack member 50 is not shown in FIG. 7. Container 40 further comprises plurality of drain apertures 44 a, 44 b, 44 c . . . 44 h, located in the bottom of compartments 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d to facilitate the drainage of water from objects placed in container 40. Container 40 is operatively arranged such that drain apertures 44 a, 44 b, 44 c . . . 44 h, are positioned over a channel rather than a rib. Preferably, drain apertures are located within each individual compartment so that water from each compartment drains into corresponding channels.
FIG. 8 is a top view of dish drying assembly 10. As described previously, rack member 50 comprises plurality of slats 56 a, 56 b, 56 c . . . 56 n, and plurality of slots 57 a, 57 b, 57 c . . . 57 n. In a preferred embodiment, plurality of slats 56 a, 56 b, 56 c . . . 56 n, are parallel to one another, are of the same width and length, and run laterally across rack member 50 from side rail 52 a to side rail 52 b. Plurality of slots 57 a, 57 b, 57 c . . . 57 n, are formed from the space in between slats proximate to one another. Specifically, slot 57 a is the space between slat 56 a and slat 56 b; slot 57 b is the space between slat 56 b and slat 56 c; slot 57 c is the space between slat 56 c and slat 56 d; slot 57 d is the space between slat 56 d and slat 56 e; slot 57 e is the space between slat 56 e and slat 56 f; slot 57 f is the space between slat 56 f and slat 56 g; slot 57 g is the space between slat 56 g and slat 56 h; slot 57 h is the space between slat 56 h and slat 56 i; slot 57 i is the space between slat 56 i and slat 56 j; slot 57 j is the space between slat 56 j and slat 56 k; slot 57 k is the space between slat 56 k and slat 56 m; slot 57 m is the space between slat 56 m and slat 56 n; and slot 57 n is the space between slat 56 m and rear rail 53. Plurality of slots 57 a, 57 b, 57 c . . . 57 n, are also parallel to one another, run laterally across rack member 50 from side rail 52 a to side rail 52 b, and are equally spaced apart to receive dishes and support the dishes in a substantially upright manner. Although dish drying assembly 10 includes thirteen (13) slats and thirteen (13) slots in a preferred embodiment, it is should be apparent that dish drying assembly 10 may include a fewer or greater number of slats and slots.
As described previously, the second horizontal cross-sectional shape of first opening 54 is substantially similar to the first horizontal cross-sectional shape of container 40 with the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape being slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the second horizontal cross-sectional shape. The slightly larger cross-sectional area of second horizontal cross-sectional shape is illustrated by space 55.
FIG. 9 is a side view of dish drying assembly 10, showing the assembly resting on a countertop overhanging a sink basin. Sloping support member 30 is integral with bottom surface 27. Sloping support member 30 extends from front end 22 to rear end 24 of dish drying assembly 10. Sloping support member 30 is seen as generally triangular in shape, increasing in height from front end 22 to rear end 24 with the maximum height of sloping support member 30 being at rear end 24. After container 40 is secured to base member 20, first opening 54 (not shown) of rack member 50 slidingly engages container 40. The inner edge of side rail 52 a of rack member 50 sits atop inner walls 28 a and 28 b of base member 20 while front rail 51 of rack member 50 is suspended slightly above base member 20. Obviously, the function of sloping support member 30 is to slope base member 20 downwardly such that water drains toward drainage lip 23 into a sink basin. It should also be noted that drainage lip 29 extends a distance “x” below the bottom surface 39 of sloping support member 30. This causes the drainage lip to extend below edge 15 of sink basin 16 and forms a latch or abutment at the junction of the drainage lip with the sink basin. That is, once the assembly is placed on a countertop overhanging a sink basin as shown in FIG. 9, gently moving the assembly rightwardly as shown in the drawing, will cause the drainage lip to abut the wall of the sink basin.
FIG. 10 is a front view of dish drying assembly 10. This view shows more clearly how base member 20 extends downwardly at front end 22 to form drainage lip 23. Drainage lip 23 is formed by outer wall 21 curving outwardly from both sides toward the center of front end 22. Approximately one quarter of the distance to the center of front end 22, outer wall 21 extends downwardly below bottom surface 27. Outer wall 21 decreases in height from sides 25 a and 25 b toward the center of front end 22.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of dish drying assembly 10. Outer wall 21 of rear end 24 consists of corners 36 a and 36 b, and back wall 38. Back wall 38 has the same height dimension as sides 25 a and 25 b and is of substantially shorter length than sides 25 a and 25 b in the present embodiment. It should be noted that, in other embodiments, sides 25 a and 25 b and back wall 38 could be of similar length. Corners 36 a and 36 b have a smooth edge and have a slightly greater height when compared to the height of back wall 38. Sloping support member 30 extends laterally across rear end 24, reaching its maximum height below corners 36 a and 36 b, and maintaining that height along the rear end of dish drying assembly 10.
Dish drying assembly 10 is disassembled by lifting rack member 50 up and over container 40 and by detaching tab 45 of container 40 from slots 37 a, 37 b of base member 20. Once disassembled, base member 20, container 40 and rack member 50, can be cleaned efficiently and stored compactly.
In general, base member 20, sloping support member 30, container 40, and rack member 50 may be made of any substantially suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, base member 20, sloping support member 30, and container 40 are comprised of a substantially rigid and water resistant material, such as plastic, so those components can endure rigorous use and avoid premature wear. In a preferred embodiment, rack member 50 is made of a durable, versatile, and water resistant material, such as bamboo, so a person can frequently use dish drying assembly 10 without the possibility of warping due to water damage.
Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dish drying assembly, comprising:

a base member having a top surface, bottom surface, front end, rear end and two sides, said front end having a drainage lip extending downwardly therefrom;

a sloping support member fixedly secured to the bottom of said base member and operatively arranged to slope said base member downwardly from said rear end to said front end;

a container secured to said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, said container having a first horizontal cross-sectional shape; and,

a rack member having a first opening and a plurality of slats, said first opening having a second horizontal cross-sectional shape, where said first horizontal cross-sectional shape of said container is substantially similar to but.

smaller in cross-sectional area than said second horizontal cross-sectional shape of said first opening, so that said container slidingly engages said first opening of said rack member.

2. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of slats are co-planar and parallel to one another, and said plurality of slats form a corresponding plurality of slots, wherein said slots are equally spaced with respect to one another and operatively arranged to receive a dish and support said dish in a substantially upright manner.

3. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member further comprises a plurality of inner walls; said inner walls are parallel to said two sides, and said inner walls are perpendicularly arranged with respect to said bottom surface and extend upwardly from said bottom surface.

4. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member is substantially rectangular in shape.

5. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said inner walls are parallel to one another and said inner walls are longitudinally arranged within said base member.

6. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of ribs extending upwardly therefrom, wherein said ribs are evenly spaced to form channels, wherein said channels are operatively arranged to enable water to drain in the direction of said drainage lip.

7. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is located at said front end of said base member.

8. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is located at said rear end of said base member.

9. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said container comprises a plurality of compartments.

10. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said compartments are separated by a plurality of partitions.

11. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein each said compartment contains a plurality of drainage apertures.

12. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said base member and said container are made of a substantially rigid material.

13. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said substantially rigid material is plastic.

14. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said rack member further comprises a pair of side rails and a pair of end rails; wherein said end rails are arranged parallel to said plurality of slats, said side rails are separated by a length of said plurality of slats and said side rails are perpendicularly arranged to said plurality of slats.

15. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said pair of side rails are operatively arranged to rest upon said inner walls of said base member.

16. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein said end rail distal from said drainage lip abuts against said rear end of said base member.

17. The dish drying assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said rack member is made of bamboo material.