Combined Dish Rack and Drying Mat

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/647,894, filed on May 15, 2024, entitled COMBINED DISH RACK AND DRYING MAT, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure pertains to the field of kitchen accessories and, more specifically, to apparatuses designed for the storage, organization, and drying of dishes and kitchen utensils on counters and in sinks.

Kitchen spaces often suffer from clutter and inefficient use of space, especially in and around the sink and counter area where dishes, utensils, sponges, scrubbers, and other cleaning tools are commonly used. Conventional solutions include various drying racks, counter mats, and in-sink organizers that attempt to address the storage and drying of dishes, utensils, and sponges. However, these conventional solutions frequently fall short in providing a balance between space efficiency, cleanliness, and ease of access.

A common shortfall of convention solutions is their fixed size and shape, which does not accommodate the varying dimensions and designs of countertops and sinks, nor are they able to adjust to the changing storage needs of users. Solutions that seek to solve these storage issues with expandability and collapsibility are often “all-or-nothing”, meaning that they lack adaptability that would allow users to configure the storage solutions to specific dishwashing tasks, such as varying types or number of dishes. Moreover, many available storage and drying designs do not incorporate materials that inhibit microbial growth, leaving the stored items susceptible to unsanitary conditions.

Thus, there is a need for improvement in the field of kitchen dish drying and storage accessories to provide an organization system that maximizes space efficiency while also promoting cleanliness and user convenience.

The present disclosure relates to organizational devices for dishwashing environments. The disclosed technology includes a combined sink caddy and counter mat. The combined sink caddy and counter mat can include a sink caddy and a counter mat. The sink caddy can include a frame, a plurality of ridges, and a basket. The frame can include a flat face and a substantially rectangular profile. The plurality of ridges can extend from the frame in a first direction perpendicular to the flat face. The basket can include a plurality of walls and a flat bottom forming therethrough a plurality of draining apertures. The counter mat can be removably and hingedly attachable to the sink caddy along a first long side of the frame. The counter mat can include a plurality of panels hingedly connected in series such that the panels can be folded such that a first panel lies flat-faced against a second panel. Each panel can have a profile similar in dimension to that of the frame.

In some embodiments, the combined sink caddy and counter mat can be convertible between a countertop configuration, a sink configuration, and a storage configuration. In the countertop configuration, at least one panel of the counter mat is on a countertop and the ridges extend away from the countertop. In the sink configuration, at least one panel of the counter mat is on a countertop and the sink caddy is at least partially disposed in a sink with the ridges extending in a direction opposite that of the countertop configuration. In the storage configuration, the counter mat can be completely folded and collapsed against the frame.

In some embodiments, the basket can be a collapsible basket. The plurality of walls can include a plurality of tiered collapsible wall sections such that the collapsible basket can collapse between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the expanded configuration, the flat bottom is further from the frame in the first direction than the plurality of ridges. In the collapsed configuration, the flat bottom is substantially coplanar with the ridges. In some embodiments, the collapsible basket can include a flexible antimicrobial material.

In some embodiments, the frame can further include a support arm slidably stowable in the frame and selectively movable from a stowed configuration in which the support arm is stowed in the frame and an extended configuration in which the support arm extends out from the frame such that the sink caddy can be suspended in a sink with the support arms resting on a counter.

In some embodiments, the support arm can be a first support arm, and the frame can further include a second support arm slidably stowable in the frame. The second support arm can be disposed opposite the first and configured to slide out of the frame to maintain the flat face of the frame coplanar with the counter mat when the counter mat is at least partially unfolded.

In some embodiments, the ridges can be spaced apart such that a dish can rest substantially vertically therebetween when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration. In some examples of the countertop configuration, the flat face of the frame can lie flat-faced against the first panel.

In some embodiments, the ridges can be perforated such that fluid and debris can pass therethrough. In some embodiments, each ridge can include a plurality of perforations sized such that a piece of silverware can rest substantially vertically therein when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration.

In some embodiments, the plurality of draining apertures in the collapsible basket can be sized such that a piece of silverware can rest substantially vertically therein when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration.

In some embodiments, each panel of the counter mat can include a first side with a first texture and second side with a second texture. In some embodiments, the first texture can include a plurality of raised polygons. In some embodiments, the second texture can include a plurality of raised ridges. In some embodiments, the countertop mat can include a flexible antimicrobial material.

In some embodiments, the plurality of panels can be connected via living hinges. In some embodiments, each living hinge connecting at least one panel to another is configured to allow each first side of one panel to touch the first side of each adjacent panel and further to allow each second side of one panel to touch the second side of each adjacent panel.

In some embodiments, when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration, the flat face of the frame can lie against the second side of the counter mat and the first side of the counter mat can lie against a countertop.

The disclosed technology can also include a combined sink caddy and counter mat, including a counter mat attachable to a sink caddy. The counter mat can include a plurality of panels hingedly connected and selectively movable from a first configuration in which the panels lie flat-faced next to each other and a second configuration in which the panels are stacked on top of each other. Each panel can have a profile similar in dimension to that of the frame.

The disclosed technology can also include a combined sink caddy and counter mat, including a sink caddy including a frame and a plurality of perforated ridges extending from the substantially rectangular frame in a first direction perpendicular to the flat face and spaced apart such that a dish can rest substantially vertically between the ridges, and a collapsible basket. The combined sink caddy and counter mat can include a counter mat including a plurality of textured panels each having a rectangular profile similar in dimension to that of the frame and connected to at least one other textured panel via a living hinge such that the panels can be folded such that a first textured panel lies flat-faced against a second textured panel.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features and advantages of the disclosed technology will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure pertains to a modular, combined sink caddy and counter mat that can enhance kitchen space utilization and promote cleanliness. The combined sink caddy and counter mat is compact and expandable, which allows for efficient use of precious space when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is not in use and for modular utility when it is in use. In particular, the combined sink caddy and counter mat provides several dimensions of adjustability that allows the combined sink caddy and counter mat to be used more seamlessly with other kitchen implements.

The combined sink caddy and counter mat can include a sink caddy and a counter mat. The sink caddy can include a frame, a plurality of ridges, and a basket. The frame can include a flat face and a substantially rectangular profile. The plurality of ridges can extend from the frame in a first direction perpendicular to the flat face. The basket can include a plurality of walls and a flat bottom forming therethrough a plurality of draining apertures. The draining apertures can facilitate air circulation and faster drying of the contents of the basket as well as prevent water accumulation that could lead to unsanitary conditions. The draining apertures in the basket also serve to support utensils stored upright when the sink caddy is folded over into the counter configuration. The counter mat can be removably and hingedly attachable to the sink caddy along a first long side of the frame. The counter mat can include a plurality of panels hingedly connected in series such that the panels can be folded such that a first panel lies flat-faced against a second panel. Each panel can have a profile similar in dimension to that of the frame. In some embodiments, each panel having the same outer profile as one another as well as the sink caddy provides the advantage of allowing neat accordion style folding of all or part of the counter mat with the sink caddy on top, folding of the panels into an equilateral triangle on which large dishes can rest, and numerous other configurations.

In some embodiments, the combined sink caddy and counter mat can be convertible between a countertop configuration, a sink configuration, and a storage configuration. In the countertop configuration, at least one panel of the counter mat is on a countertop and the ridges extend upward, away from the countertop. In the sink configuration, at least one panel of the counter mat is on a countertop and the sink caddy is at least partially disposed in a sink with the ridges extending in a direction opposite that of the countertop configuration. In the storage configuration, the counter mat can be completely folded and collapsed against the frame.

In some embodiments, the basket can be a collapsible basket. The plurality of walls can include a plurality of tiered collapsible wall sections such that the collapsible basket can collapse between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the expanded configuration, the flat bottom is further from the frame in the first direction than the plurality of ridges. In the collapsed configuration, the flat bottom is substantially coplanar with the ridges. In some embodiments, the collapsible basket can include a flexible antimicrobial material.

In some embodiments, the frame can further include a support arm slidably stowable in the frame and selectively movable from a stowed configuration in which the support arm is stowed in the frame and an extended configuration in which the support arm extends out from the frame such that the sink caddy can be suspended in a sink with the support arms resting on a counter. Each of the support arms can slide out of the frame approximately the entire length of the frame, meaning that the sink caddy can be used in sinks from approximately the width of the sink caddy up to slightly less than two- to three-times the width of the sink caddy, accommodating different sink sizes and user preferences.

In some embodiments, the support arm can be a first support arm, and the frame can further include a second support arm slidably stowable in the frame. The second support arm can be disposed opposite the first and configured to slide out of the frame to maintain the flat face of the frame coplanar with the counter mat when the counter mat is at least partially unfolded.

In some embodiments, the ridges can be spaced apart such that a dish can rest substantially vertically therebetween when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration. In some examples of the countertop configuration, the flat face of the frame can lie flat-faced against the first panel.

In some embodiments, the ridges can be perforated such that fluid and small debris can pass therethrough. In some embodiments, each ridge can include a plurality of perforations sized such that a piece of silverware can rest substantially vertically therein when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration.

In some embodiments, the plurality of draining apertures in the collapsible basket can be sized such that a piece of silverware can rest substantially vertically therein when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration.

In some embodiments, each panel of the counter mat can include a first side with a first texture and second side with a second texture. In some embodiments, the first texture can include a plurality of raised polygons. In some embodiments, the second texture can include a plurality of raised ridges. In some embodiments, the countertop mat can include a flexible antimicrobial material.

In some embodiments, the plurality of panels can be connected via living hinges. In some embodiments, each living hinge connecting at least one panel to another is configured to allow each first side of one panel to touch the first side of each adjacent panel and further to allow each second side of one panel to touch the second side of each adjacent panel.

In some embodiments, when the combined sink caddy and counter mat is in the countertop configuration, the flat face of the frame can lie against the second side of the counter mat and the first side of the counter mat can lie against a countertop.

The disclosed technology can also include a combined sink caddy and counter mat, including a counter mat attachable to a sink caddy. The counter mat can include a plurality of panels hingedly connected and selectively movable from a first configuration in which the panels lie flat-faced next to each other and a second configuration in which the panels are stacked on top of each other. Each panel can have a profile similar in dimension to that of the frame.

The disclosed technology can also include a combined sink caddy and counter mat, including a sink caddy including a frame and a plurality of perforated ridges extending from the substantially rectangular frame in a first direction perpendicular to the flat face and spaced apart such that a dish can rest substantially vertically between the ridges, and a collapsible basket. The combined sink caddy and counter mat can include a counter mat including a plurality of textured panels each having a rectangular profile similar in dimension to that of the frame and connected to at least one other textured panel via a living hinge such that the panels can be folded such that a first textured panel lies flat-faced against a second textured panel.

Turning now to the figures,shows a perspective view of a combined sink caddy and counter mat. The combined sink caddy and counter matincludes a sink caddyand a counter mat. Sink caddycan include a frame. Framecan include a flat faceand a substantially rectangular profile R so that framecan be folded over at its first long sideonto the counter matso that framelies flat. The framecan also include a plurality of ridgesextending from the framein a first direction Dperpendicular to the flat faceand a basket. The basketcan include a plurality of wallsand a flat bottomforming therethrough a plurality of draining apertures. The counter matcan be removably and hingedly attachable to the sink caddyalong a first long sideof the framesuch that the sink caddycan be folded over onto the counter matas shown in.

shows one example of the countertop configuration of the combined sink caddy and counter mat. In this countertop configuration, the ridgesare useful for storing dishesupright in a space-efficient manner so that dishescan dry. Similarly, the draining aperturesin the flat bottomof the basket also serve to keep utensilsupright in a space efficient manner so that utensilscan dry in a space-efficient manner. The counter matcan be further folded such that the counter matis completely folded and collapsed against the frameto put the combined sink caddy and counter matinto a storage configuration.

In, the combined sink caddy and counter matis in a sink configuration with the sink caddysupported over a sink. In the sink configuration, at least one panel of the counter matrests on a countertop and the sink caddyis at least partially disposed in a sink with the ridgesextending in a direction opposite that of the countertop configuration—into the sink basin. The ridgescan be arrayed in a zig-zag pattern such that the ridgesprovide similar available utensil storage space when the combined sink caddy and counter matis in either the sink configuration or the counter configuration. Stated otherwise, the ridgescan form a series of peaks and valleys, where the peaks of the sink configuration are the valleys of the counter configuration. The framecan include one or more support armsslidably stowable in the frameand selectively movable from a stowed configuration and an extended configuration, shown in, in which the support armextends out from the framesuch that the sink caddycan be suspended in the sink with the support armresting on the counter. Generally, the purpose of the support armsis to maintain the flat faceof the framecoplanar with the counter matwhen the counter matis at least partially unfolded. In the stowed configuration, the support armsare stowed in the frameso that support armsdo not take up unnecessary counter space.

In addition to the sink caddybeing able to fold over onto counter matto make space in the sink, the counter matcan include a plurality of panelshingedly connected in series such that the panelscan be folded. The panelscan fold accordion-style such that a first panellies flat-faced against a second panel, as depicted in. Furthermore, in some embodiments, each panel can have profile R similar in dimension to that of the frameto allow neat stacking of the panels with the sink caddy.

In, two panelsare folded on top of one another, and one panelis under sink caddy.shows a countertop configuration of the combined sink caddy and counter matin which at least one panel of the counter matis on a countertop and the ridgesextend away from the countertop. In the countertop configuration, the flat faceof the framelies against the second side of the counter matand the first side of the counter matlies against the countertop. This countertop configuration can be achieved without the need to move the counter matby simply folding the sink caddyalong the first long sideso that the framerests against the counter mat. In the countertop configuration, the support armsare not needed to support the sink caddyover the sink, so they can be stowed. Ridgescan be spaced apart such that a dishcan rest substantially vertically therebetween when the combined sink caddy and counter matis in the countertop configuration in which the flat faceof the framelies flat-faced against the first panel. Furthermore, the ridgescan be perforated such that fluid and debris can pass therethrough. The perforations can also be sized such that a piece of silverwarecan rest substantially vertically therein when the combined sink caddy and counter matis in the countertop configuration. In this way, the perforated ridgesare useful for drying individual pieces of silverware.

shows a portion of sink caddyin the countertop configuration with collapsible basketin an expanded configuration. The wallscan include tiered collapsible wall sectionssuch that the collapsible basketcan collapse between the expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration in which the flat bottomis substantially coplanar with the ridges. In the expanded configuration, the flat bottomis further from the framein the first direction Dthan the plurality of ridges. The collapsible basketcan be made from a flexible antimicrobial material.

shows sink caddyin the counter configuration with the collapsible basketin a collapsed configuration in which the flat surfaceis coplanar with the top surface of the ridgesin the countertop configuration. As can be seen in, the plurality of draining aperturesin the collapsible basketare sized such that a piece of silverwarecan rest substantially vertically therein when the combined sink caddy and counter matis in the countertop configuration.

shows sink caddyin a sink configuration with the collapsible basketin an expanded configuration. This configuration of the basketis the same as that in, but the entire frameis upside-down compared to that in.

shows sink caddywith support armsextended and the collapsible basketexpanded. In this configuration, the sink caddycan be used to dry dishes while supported over a sink, for example if the sink is full of water or unwashed dishes.depicts a front view of the sink caddywith the collapsible basketexpanded, similar to that inand.depicts a perspective view of sink caddywith support armsstowed in the frameand the collapsible basketexpanded. In the configurations shown in, the sink caddycan be used to store and dry dishes.

depicts a perspective view of the sink caddywith the first support armand the second support armextended and collapsible basketexpanded. The sink caddyhaving two support armscan allow a user to adjust the position of the sink caddywithin the sink. This allows a user to fit the sink caddyaround other in-sink implements, such as sponge caddies, soap dispensers, and the like. For example, if there is a sponge caddy attached to the back of the sink, the first support armcan be fully extended and the second support armcan be only partially extended such that sink caddyis not centered on the sink but rather closer to the front to accommodate the sponge caddy.depicts a similar view of the sink caddyas inbut with support armsstowed in the frameand the collapsible basketexpanded.

depicts a top view of the sink caddyin the configuration shown in.depicts a top view of the sink caddyin the configuration shown in.depicts a side view of the sink caddyin the configuration shown in.depicts a side view of the sink caddy in the configuration shown in.

depicts a perspective view of a partially folded counter mat. Each panel of the counter matcomprises a first sidewith a first texture and second sidewith a second texture. In another embodiment, the mat has the same texture on each side. The countertop matcan be made of a flexible antimicrobial material. The panelscan be connected via living hingesto enable this style of folding. In other words, each living hingethat connects at least one panelto another is configured to allow each first side of one panel to touch the first side of each adjacent panel and further to allow each second side of one panel to touch the second side of each adjacent panel.

depicts a top view of a first side of an unfolded counter mat which has a first texture with a plurality of raised polygons. The raised polygonscan provide a lower contact surface area with drying dishes as compared to a completely flat mat in order to better facilitate airflow and sanitary dish drying. In examples in which the counter matis made of a flexible material, the polygonscan also deform to allow certain dishes or curved utensils to be accommodated between the polygonsso that the utensils are clamped upright by the polygons.

depicts a top view of a second side of the unfolded counter mat. The second texture can include a plurality of raised ridges. Similar to polygons, the raised ridgescan provide reduced surface area and more rapid, sanitary dish drying. The ridgescan also provide more stability than the polygonsfor circular dishes, such as cups, glasses, and mugs.

The following example use case describes how an example of a combined sink caddy and counter mat according to the present disclosure may be used. This section is intended solely for explanatory purposes and not for limitation.

The combined sink caddy and counter mat can be stowed out of the way in a storage configuration with the mat completely folded, the basket collapsed, the arms stowed, and the sink caddy folded over on top of the counter mat. The user can easily align the counter mat close to the edge of the sink such that the sink caddy can be folded over the sink when the user is washing dishes.

Depending on the number of dishes to be washed, the user can decide how many panels of the counter mat to fold out. In some examples, the counter mat can include up to four panels. For example, folding the panel furthest from the sink caddy over the panel second-furthest from the sink caddy can provide one panel with each texture (one with the first, one with the second) so that various dishes can be accommodated.