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

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This application relates generally to receptacles that include a removable drainage basin for storing utensils used in and around a kitchen or the like. More particularly, the application relates to a utensil receptacle that collects dripping fluid and is capable of being stored in a narrow area, while being sufficiently able to be conveniently disassembled for cleaning. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Numerous devices disclosed in the prior art are capable of storing utensils that are wet and have means for collecting water dripping therefrom in a separate reservoir. Generally, such receptacles remain in place and are stored when the drying process is complete or the receptacle is no longer required, with articles contained therein emptied prior to storage. Other receptacles typically include removable draining mechanisms that are particularly adapted to hold and drain dishes and the like, which are also emptied and returned to storage. 
   Prior art devices adapted to hold and store utensils that tend to drip water after washing so that these utensils, such as spatulas, whisks, wooden spoons and the like, are displayed and available for use at a later time are also known. Such receptacles or “caddies” may hold the utensils in a single container that collects the drippings in a second container that is slidably mounted to the first container. However, caddies of this type form the utensil receptacle itself and are not capable of being disassembled for straightforward cleaning. 
   SUMMARY 
   There is disclosed herein an improved utensil receptacle which includes improved cleaning and drainage features. 
   An object of this invention is to provide an improved receptacle for holding and storing utensils that includes a removable caddy, caddy support and drainage try for collecting the fluids dripping off of such utensils. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide an improved receptive for holding and storing utensils that includes a removable caddy, caddy support and drainage try for simplified cleaning. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to provide a caddy with holes for draining fluids, the holes configured to prevent excess movement of the utensils contained in the receptacle. 
   An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a utensil receptacle including a peripheral wall structure having an upper end defining a top opening, a lower end and a substantially oval cross-section an outer base member being releasably engageable to the lower end, a caddy configured to releasably engage the outer base member and including a bottom wall having holes, and a drainage tray for collecting fluids flowing through the holes. 
   A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description and claims and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings an embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the utensil receptacle of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the utensil receptacle of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top elevational view of the outer base member of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a top elevational view of the caddy of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4B  is a bottom elevational view of the caddy of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a side elevational view of one side of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5B  is a side elevational view of the other side of the embodiment  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5C  is an elevational view of one end of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5D  is an elevational view of the other end of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5E  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5F  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is illustrated a utensil receptacle  10 , which is preferably of more than one piece, but may be of unitary, one-piece construction. The utensil receptacle  10  has a peripheral wall structure  12 , which is substantially oval in shape and preferably generally slopes inwardly from an upper end  14  to a lower end  16  thereof, both the upper end  14  and the lower end  16  defining openings  15 , which are also generally oval in shape. Since peripheral wall structure  12  preferably slopes inwardly from the upper end  14  to the lower end  16 , the oval opening of lower end  16  has a cross-section that is less in area than that of upper end  14 . The peripheral wall structure  12  is dimensioned facilitate storage in narrow areas, thus, while an oval shape is preferred, other configurations are suitable as well. 
   Utensil receptacle  10  further includes an outer base member, or caddy support,  18 . As further illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the outer base member  18  preferably releasably engages the lower end  16  of peripheral wall  12 . In an embodiment, the outer base member  18  has an upper wall structure  18 A having a width that is less than the width of peripheral sidewall structure  18 B, thereby forming a shoulder  18 D. In operation, as outer base member  18  is coupled to the lower end  16  of peripheral wall structure  12 , upper wall structure  18 A enters the opening defined by the lower end  16 , with the lower end  16  coming to rest on shoulder  18 D. The upper wall structure  18 A is preferably dimensioned and configured to form an interference or friction fit with the lower end  16 . 
   Similarly, the outer base member  18  preferably releasably engages a drainage tray  34 . In an embodiment, the outer base member  18  has an lower wall structure  18 C having a width that is less than the width of peripheral sidewall structure  18 B, thereby forming a shoulder  18 E. In operation, as outer base member  18  is coupled to the drainage tray  34 , lower wall structure  18 C enters an interior of the drainage tray  34  defined by peripheral wall structure  35  and bottom wall  36 , with the peripheral wall structure  35  coming to rest on shoulder  18 E. The lower wall structure  18 C is preferably dimensioned and configured to form an interference or friction fit with the peripheral wall structure  35  of the drainage tray  34 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of outer base member  18  of the present invention may include at least one caddy support member  19 . The caddy support members  19  may include receptacles  40  for releasably receiving securements  25  of caddy  20  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 A and  4 B), as further detailed below. Outer base member  18  preferably further includes at least one opening  42 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , at least one opening  42  is sectioned by a caddy support members  19 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 A and  4 B, utensil receptacle  10  further includes a caddy  20 . In the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , caddy  20  has a peripheral sidewall structure  20 A incorporating grooves  26  to accommodate partitions  28 . Partitions  28  include groove engagement regions  30  for slidable engagement with the grooves  26 . The partitions  28  may further include securements  32  for engaging receptacles  24  of a bottom structure  21 . The bottom structure  21  incorporates holes  22  to permit the drainage of fluid out of the caddy  20 , through outer base member  18  and into drainage tray  34  for collection. The holes  22  are preferably positioned at the end of conical depressions  23  in bottom structure  21 , with a wider end of the conical depressions  23  in the bottom wall and a narrower end terminating at hole  22 . In an embodiment, the conical depressions  23  reduce or prevent the utensils from sliding along the bottom structure  21 . 
   The assembly operation of the embodiment of the utensil receptacle  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1–5F , may proceed with the outer base member  18  being coupled to the lower end  16  of peripheral wall structure  12  through an interference fit, with upper wall structure  18 A entering the opening defined by the lower end  16 , the lower end  16  coming to rest on shoulder  18 D. The caddy  20 , with or without the partitions  28 , may then be lowered through the opening  15  defined by the upper end  14  of peripheral wall structure  12 , with securements  25  that project from a lower surface of bottom structure  21  coupling with the receptacles  40  of caddy support members  19  to releasably secure caddy  20  to outer base member  18 . The drainage tray may then be coupled to the outer base member  18 , with the lower wall structure  18 C entering the interior of the drainage tray  34  defined by peripheral wall structure  35  and bottom wall  36 , with the peripheral wall structure  35  coming to rest on shoulder  18 E. The bottom wall  36  of the drainage tray  34  is positioned a distance below the holes  22 , forming a gap between holes  22  and bottom wall  36  so as not to restrict the flow of fluid out of caddy  20 . 
   In facilitating the disassembly of the embodiment of the utensil receptacle  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1–5F , a lip or protrusion  38  may be formed integrally with peripheral wall structure  35 , so that a user can more easily apply the force required to disengage the drainage tray  34  from the outer base member  18 . Additionally, it is preferred that partitions  26  require a greater force applied thereto in order to be disengaged from caddy  20  than the force required to disengage securements  25  of caddy  20  from the receptacles  40  of outer base member  18 , thereby permitting the user to remove the caddy  20  from the interior of utensil receptacle  10  using the partitions  26 . 
   A utensil receptacle as detailed herein may be utilized in various forms. One such receptacle may be useful for a caddy with partitions, for purposes such as separating different types of utensils. Another such receptacle may incorporate a counter-weight in the outer base member, so as to reduce the likelihood of the utensil receptacle tipping over under weight against the upper end of the peripheral wall structure. From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved utensil receptacle which greatly facilitates the cleaning of the components thereof, as well as an improved caddy that reduces or prevents the utensils from sliding along the bottom thereof. 
   The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.