FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a rack. More particularly, the invention relates to a rack which is capable of altering appearance at will.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional stemware racks are generally designed to have perforated side walls. However, the drawback of having the perforated side walls is that dust, dirt or even pests may enter the rack through the perforations. Therefore, some users find this design unnecessary or undesirable. Side walls with no perforations however cannot provide ventilation for drying the stemware after wash. Furthermore, the structure side walls with no perforations will be less rigid in terms of structure integrity and less cost-effective compared to side walls with perforations.

Several approaches in producing improved racks have been disclosed in the prior arts. For example, a United States patent application with publication number US20150114917A1 disclosed apparatuses and methods for dishwasher rack emptying. The dishwasher rack includes an interior structure divided into separate compartments, each of such compartments sized and configured to hold an individual beverage container; a top side through which the compartments may be loaded; and a bottom side having a floor that includes a first movable grid and a second movable grid. Each of the first movable grid and the second movable grid can be slid into a closed configuration to support beverage containers and can be slid into an open configuration in which the beverage containers are able to pass through. However, this invention is particularly for emptying the dishwasher rack and thus it is not capable of altering its appearance. Another approach in producing an improved rack has been disclosed in a United States patent application with patent number US4527707A. The invention relates to a device for securing a glass or dish rack to a debris holding tray for collecting waste fluid and debris from glasses, cups or dishes prior to washing in an automatic dishwasher. However, this invention does not have a solution to cover perforations of rack walls.

Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved rack which is capable of altering its appearance at any time to meet the requirements of all groups of users. The invention provides such a storage apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide users with a rack which is capable of altering appearance at will. In addition, another objective of the invention is to provide a rack which is capable of carrying a message, for example, advertisement content.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a rack comprising at least one detachable panel fitted to a wall of the rack by complementary releasable attachment means provided by the rack and the detachable panel.

Preferably, the complementary releasable attachment means comprise at least one first indentation provided on either of the wall of the rack or the detachable panel and at least one cooperating tab provided on either of the wall of the rack or the detachable panel.

Preferably, the wall further comprises one or more channel grooves which allow the detachable panel to be slidably inserted thereto so that the detachable panel can be positioned at a designated portion of the rack.

Preferably, the detachable panel is equipped with a message.

Preferably, the detachable panel (9) is a see-through or non-see-through board.

Preferably, the colour of the detachable panel (9) is different from the colour of the rack.

Preferably, the rack further comprises a perforated base (7) which allows liquid on stored objects to exit from the rack.

Preferably, the rack is loaded with a rack extender to accommodate different heights of the stored objects.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an isometric view of a rack according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of a rack according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view taken from of Section A of Fig i.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view taken from Section B of Fig 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an isometric view of an inner locking tab.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an isometric view of an outer locking tab.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an isometric view of a first detachable panel.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an isometric view of a rack extender.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a side view of a rack extender.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a top view of a rack extender.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an isometric view of a side lock tab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings. Referring to Figs. 1 & 2, a rack according to the present invention is illustrated. The rack generally comprises a base 7 and one or more walls 5 extending upwardly along the periphery of the base 7. As shown in the figures, the walls 5 are preferably arranged to form a substantially rectangular rack. However, it should be understood that the walls 5 of the rack can also be arranged to form any desired shape such as polygon, circular, ellipse, rhombus and etc. The rack may further comprise an interior structure having a plurality of vertical and horizontal slats 3 intersecting in a way to form multiple compartments therebetween for storing objects separately. The compartments as shown in Fig. 1 each is of a generally rectangular shape. Depending on the configuration of the vertical and horizontal slats 3, the compartments can also be of any number, any size and any shape. Preferably, the slats 3 are fitted into each other. Alternatively, the slats 3 can be added or removed to obtain various compartment configurations. Preferably, glasses, mugs, bottles and cups can be put into the compartments through the perpetually open top side of the rack. The rack can be made of molded plastic, metal, rubber or wood.

At least one section of the walls 5, the base 7, or both are perforated with a plurality of through holes, preferably structured in honeycomb configuration for enhancing the structure integrity as well as flexibility of the rack and simultaneously providing air circulation to fast dry the objects after washing. The through holes of the base 7 are sized to hold the objects and at the same time to allow liquid on the objects to exit from the through holes. Other than the honeycomb configuration, the perforation pattern can also be in a form of circular hole perforation, polygon hole perforation or slot hole perforation. At least one wall 5 can be each further provided with an undercut groove between the wall 5 and the base 7 which forms a handle 4 for providing a mean to lift up the rack. Alternatively, the handle 4 can also be in the form of a protrusion protruded from the respective wall 5. Referring to Fig. 3, a complementary releasable attachment means for the attachment of one or more detachable panels 9 onto the walls 5 of the rack is illustrated. The attachment means may include one or more first indentations 1 disposed on an outer surface, an inner surface, or both surfaces of at least one wall 5. The first indentations 1 are configured to receive and secure detachable panels 9, as shown in Figs. 5 & 6, in their respective positions through an interlocking profile. In one specific embodiment, the outer surface of the wall 5 can have a plurality of first indentations 1 positioned around the periphery of the perforated section 6 whereas the inner surface of the wall 5 may only have one first indentation 1.

As shown in Fig. 4, a pair of channel grooves 8 can be provided on opposing sides of each perforated section 6 which allow opposing ends of the at least one detachable panel 9 to be slidably inserted into the channel grooves 8 so that the detachable panel 9 can be positioned at a designated portion of the rack with the first indentation 1 to secure the detachable panel 9 in the designated position. Although Fig. 4 depicts the channel grooves 8 are disposed on the inner surface of the walls 5, it should be noted that the channel grooves 8 can also be disposed on the outer surface of the walls 5.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary of the detachable panel 9 being inserted into the channel grooves 8 at the inner side of the walls 5. The inner surface of walls 5 can be provided with a locking tab 15 protruded inwardly to engage with a complimented through hole 16 on the detachable panel 9 and thereby securing the detachable panel 9 in position. As shown in Fig. 6, the detachable panel 9 can also be attached to the outer side of the walls 5. Similarly, the outer surface of the walls 5 can be provided with a locking tab 15 protruded outwardly to engage with the complimented through hole on the detachable panel 9 and thereby securing the detachable panel 9 in position. Either the locking tab 15 or the detachable panel 9 can be made of flexible material such that the locking tab 15 or the detachable panel 9 can be deformed to allow the detachment of the detachable panel 9 from its secured position. Fig. 7 shows an exemplary of the detachable panel 9 for the attachment to the outer surface of the walls 5. The size and shape of the detachable panel 9 can be configured to match with the perforated section 6 so that the perforated section 6 can be partially or entirely covered by the detachable panel 9. Nevertheless, the detachable panel 9 can also be configured to partially cover the perforated section 6. Preferably, the detachable panel 9 comprises a generally rectangular body having a tab 10 disposed at one edge of the body. The respective position of the tab 10 can be corresponded to the position of first indentation 1 on the walls 5. Although there is only one tab 10 illustrated, it should be understood that the number of tab 10 may vary depending on the design and application of the rack. More tabs 10 would provide better attachment of the detachable panel 9 to the rack.

Preferably, the first indentation 1 and the tab 10 are structured in a way such that the insertion of the tab 10 into the first indentation 1 allows the two 1, 10 to be interlocked with each other. Alternatively, the position of the tab 10 and the first indentation 1 can be swapped whereby the tab 10 can be located on the walls 5 instead on the detachable panel 9 and the first indentation 1 can be prepared on the detachable panel 9 instead on the walls 5. The releasable attachment means can also be replaced by other fastening mechanism such as magnets, screws, hooks and loops, clips, clamp and etc.

The detachable panel 9 can be a see-through or non-see-through panel depending on the application. The colour of the detachable panel 9 can be different from the colour of the rack so that the appearance of the rack can be altered by the detachable panel 9. The surface of the detachable panel 9 can also be provided with a message. The message can be advertisement, slogan, sign, instruction or product information. Preferably, the message is provided on the detachable panel 9 through printing, stamping, spraying, woodcarving or any other appropriate means. Referring to Figs. 8 to 10, a rack extender is illustrated. Preferably, the rack extender comprises one or more side walls 13 which forms a generally rectangular shape, a plurality of vertical and horizontal inner slabs 11 are disposed within the side walls 13. The inner slabs 11 are preferably arranged in such a way that they align exactly with the slats 3 of the rack so as to extend the height of each compartment. Beneath the side walls 13 of the rack extender may further comprise a plurality of side lock tab 12 being configured to fit into second indentations 2 which are disposed on a top free end of the walls 5 of the rack. The top section of the side walls 13 is provided with one or more recesses 14 of the same or similar configuration to the second indentations 2 on the walls 5 of the rack so that an additional rack extender can be added onto the top of the existing rack extender by fitting the pins 10 into the recesses 14 to further increase the height of the rack. The reason to increase the height of the rack is to accommodate different heights of the objects. Any number of rack extender can be further added onto the rack so as to meet the height requirements.

Referring to Fig. 11, an exemplary of the side lock tab 12 as illustrated. Preferably, each side lock tab 12 comprises a generally rectangular body which extends through the second indentation 2 or recess 14, leaving an engagement portion 18 which is exposed beneath the second indentation 2 or recess 14. The engagement portion 18 is provided with a side tab 17 configured to engage with an underside of the second indentation 2 or recess 14 so as to secure the rack extender in position on top of the rack. The side lock tab 12 can be made of flexible material such that the engagement portion 18 of the side lock tab 12 can be pushed to be disengaged from the underside of the second indentation 2 or recess 14 and thereby allowing the rack extender to be detached from the rack.

The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.