Abstract:
The invention relates to a new and improved dishwasher utensil basket which eliminates the need to empty the utensil basket or tray in a dishwasher, simply transforming that basket or tray into a drawer organizer and placing it into a drawer. This removable utensil basket saves time and effort and is more sanitary as it eliminates the need to touch each and every utensil. It is also inexpensive and simple to manufacture and easy to use.

Description:
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/690,446 filed Jun. 26, 2012. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of utensil organizers, and more particularly pertains to a basket which holds and organizes utensils in a dishwasher and when removed from the dishwasher transforms into a basket which holds and organizes utensils in a kitchen cabinet drawer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Utensils used for eating are generally stored in a basket or a tray in the drawer of a kitchen cabinet utensil use, and then after use, unless they are washed by hand, they are placed in a separate basket in an automatic dishwasher which holds and organizes the utensils for cleaning. The clean utensils are removed from the dishwasher, sorted and generally placed into a basket or tray in the drawer of a kitchen cabinet. This is a repetitive and time-consuming chore. It can also be unsanitary, as it is necessary to touch each and every utensil. 
     An improved device is needed which eliminates much of this repetitive work, a device which eliminates a step in this process and which maintains the utensils in an organized and useful arrangement and is also inexpensive and simple to manufacture and easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device which eliminates the need to empty the eating utensils from the utensil basket or tray taken out of a dishwasher, and is also inexpensive and simple to manufacture and easy to use. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device which eliminates the need to empty the utensil basket or tray in a dishwasher, simply transforming that basket or tray into a drawer organizer and placing it into a drawer. 
     It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device which eliminates the need to empty the utensil basket or tray in a dishwasher, simply transforming that basket or tray into a drawer organizer and pacing it into a drawer with the sanitary advantage. That it is not necessary to touch each and every utensil when moving it from the dishwasher to a drawer. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device which eliminates the need to empty the utensil basket or tray in a dishwasher, simply transforming that basket or tray into a drawer organizer and placing it into a drawer, said basket or tray being manufactured of compatible size and material to be compatible with the baskets or trays provided by commonly available dishwasher manufactures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective oblique side view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention configured for a dishwasher. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention configured for a dishwasher. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective edge view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention configured for a dishwasher. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective top oblique&#39;s view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention configured for a dishwasher. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective edge view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention with front panel  111  folded open. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective edge view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention with front panel  111  folded under the household dishwasher utensil basket  140 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective edge view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention configured as a drawer insert, with front panel  111  folded under the household dishwasher utensil basket  140 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective oblique side view of a household dishwasher utensil basket according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing said invention configured as a drawer insert, with front panel  111  folded under the household dishwasher utensil basket  140 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows the present invention, household dishwasher utensil basket  140  according to one embodiment of said invention comprising a rear wall  100 , side walls  102 , a front wall  111 , a bottom wall  103  and interior panels  104  dividing the basket into compartments for the purpose of holding, organizing and separating eating utensils such as silverware, comprising knives, forks, spoons and the like. 
     The structure of said front wall  111  includes hinge means  122 ,  123 ,  124 ,  125 ,  126 ,  132 , 133 ,  134 , and  135  which allow said front wall  111  to fold forward and under said dishwasher utensil basket  140 , permitting said dishwasher utensil basket  140  to be re-configured and inserted into a drawer without the necessary of removing and sorting said utensils. A clip means  141  holds front wall  111  securely in place when household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is configured for dishwasher use. Hook means  145  and  147  serve as an additional or as an alternative means of removably fastening front wall  111  securely in place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is shown according to one embodiment of said invention comprising a rear wall  100 , side walls  102 , a front wall  111  and interior panels  104  dividing the basket into compartments for the purpose of holding, organizing, and separating eating utensils such as silverware, comprising knives, forks, spoons and the like. 
     The structure of said front wall  111  includes hinge means  122 ,  123 ,  124 ,  125 ,  126 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  and  135  which allow said front wall  111  to fold forward and under said dishwasher utensil basket  140 , permitting said dishwasher utensil basket  140  to be re-configured and inserted into a drawer without the necessity of removing and sorting said utensils. A clip means  141  holds said front wall  111  securely in place when household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is configured for dishwasher use. Hook means  145  and  147  serve as an additional or as an alternative means of removably fastening front wall  111  securely in place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is shown according to one embodiment of said invention comprising a rear wall  100 , side walls  102 , a front wall  111  and interior panels  104  dividing the basket into compartments for the purpose of holding, organizing and separating eating utensils such as silverware, comprising knives, forks, spoons and the like; 
     The structure of said front wall  111  includes hinge means  122 ,  123 ,  124 ,  125 ,  126 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  and  135  which allow said front wall  111  to fold forward and under aid dishwasher utensil basket  140 , permitting said dishwasher utensil basket  140  to be re-configured and inserted into a drawer without the necessity of removing and sorting said utensils. Referring to  FIG. 4  the front panel  111  is folded completely under said utensil basket, which when resting on its rear panel becomes a utensil drawer organizer. A clip means  141  holds said front wall  111  securely in place when household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is configured for dishwasher use. Hook means  145  and  147  serve as an additional or as an alternative means of removably fastening front wall  111  securely in place. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is viewed from the side, with clip means  141  released to allow front panel  111  to fold forward on hinge means  121 , in the process of transforming to a utensil drawer organizer. Hook means  145  and  147  serve as an additional or as an alternative means of fastening front wall  111  securely in place, and said hook means are shown here in an unhooked position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is viewed from the side, with clip means  141  released to allow front panel  111  to fold forward almost completely on hinge means  121 , in the process of transforming to a utensil drawer organizer. Hook means  145  and  147  serve as an additional or as an alternative means of removably fastening front wall  111  securely in place, and said hook means are shown here in an unhooked position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is viewed from the side, with clip means  141  released to allow front panel  111  to fold forward completely on hinge means  121 , transforming said utensil basket into a utensil drawer organizer. Hook means  145  and  147  serve as an additional or as an alternative means of removable fastening front wall  111  securely in place, and said hook means are shown here in an unhooked position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , household dishwasher utensil basket  140  is viewed obliquely from the side, clip means  141  released to allow with front panel  111  to fold forward completely on hinge means  121 , said front panel  111  being flexible as a result of incorporated hinge means  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  and  135 , transforming said utensil basket into a utensil drawer organizer. Hook means  145  and  147  serve as an additional or as an alternative means to clip means  141  of removably fastening front wall  111  securely in place, and said hook means are shown here in an unhooked position. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the present invention should be constructed as broadly as the prior art will permit.