An apparatus for drying and storing an article, such as a baby bottle, after washing and rinsing includes a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface such as a counter-top, and an upper face. A plurality of pegs extend out from the upper face, and each peg is sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, such as a baby bottle, after washing and rinsing. Each peg is mounted to the tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein the entire peg is positioned relatively close to the upper face for storage and packaging, and a second, operative position. This permits the apparatus to be conveniently folded for packaging and storage purposes. Another aspect of the apparatus involves disk holding structure, connected to the upper face of the tray, for holding baby bottle disks in a location that is isolated from areas of the tray in which liquid may collect. This permits baby bottle disks to be dried and stored in a safe manner at a location that is convenient to a location at which baby bottles are being dried.
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0. 5. An apparatus for supporting baby bottles and related accessories for drying, comprising:
a tray having a bottom portion that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface, an upper portion and at least two sidewalls;
a plurality of pegs extending outwardly from said upper portion, each of said pegs being sized and arranged so as to be able to support a baby bottle; and
at least one axle for mounting said pegs for common arcuate movement between a first storage position, wherein said entire peg is positioned adjacent to said upper portion for storage and packaging of said apparatus, and a second, operative position, wherein said peg is positioned so as to extend outwardly from said upper portion, said axle being mounted for rotation within a pair of opposed journal holes that are defined in said sidewalls, said journal holes being elevated with respect to said upper portion of said tray so as not to receive water from said upper portion of said tray, and further comprising
location means connected to said axle for locking said pegs in said second, operative position.
0. 1. An apparatus for supporting an article, comprising:
a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface, and an upper face; and
a plurality of pegs extending outwardly away from said upper face, each of said pegs being sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, and wherein
said pegs are pivotally mounted to said tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position and a second, operative position, wherein each of said pegs is positioned at a large angle with respect to said upper surface, so as to enable said peg to support an article, wherein said apparatus can conveniently be folded for packaging and storage purposes.
0. 2. An apparatus for supporting an article, comprising:
a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface, and an upper face; and
a plurality of pegs extending outwardly from said upper face, each of said pegs being sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, and wherein
each of said pegs are mounted to said tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein each peg is folded so at least a portion thereof is positioned relatively close to said upper face, and a second, operative position, wherein each peg is positioned at a large angle with respect to said upper surface, so as to enable said peg to support an article, wherein said apparatus can conveniently be folded.
0. 3. An apparatus according to
0. 4. An apparatus according to
0. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said location means comprises a cam member connected to said axle having a first surface that contacts a cam stop surface that is defined in said upper face of said tray.
0. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said cam stop surface is elevated with respect to adjacent areas of said upper face of said tray.
0. 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said frictional means comprises a second surface on said cam member, said second surface being constructed and arranged to bear against the upper face of said tray when said peg is moved between said first storage position and said second operative position.
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This is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/113,868, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,784, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to the field of infant feeding and care. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved apparatus for storing and drying infant nursing bottles, nipples and rings that is more hygienic, efficient and attractive than articles that are presently available for similar purposes, and that is more convenient to store for consumers.
2. Description of the Related Technology
The importance of proper hygiene when handling and cleaning infant feeding equipment such as baby bottles and nursing nipples cannot be overstated. Ideally, bottles and nipples should be thoroughly scrubbed, then sterilized by immersion in boiling water between uses. At the very least, baby bottles and components thereof, which typically include rings, nipples, hoods and disks, must be washed with an effective detergent and dried in a location that is separated from dirty water or potential contaminants prior to storage for future use.
Drying racks for holding baby bottles, rings and nipples after washing are commercially available. For example, such products are sold by Safety 1st, Inc. as a “Bottle and Nipple Drying Rack,” and by Mommy's Helper, Inc. as a “Drain 'N Dry.” Both of these products are characterized by a plastic tray that has a number of socket recesses defined in a top face thereof. Plastic pegs are provided that are insertable into the socket recesses. Some of the plastic pegs are relatively long, for supporting a bottle, while others are shorter, for supporting nipples, rings and caps. Neither these products nor any other drying rack of which the inventors are aware have any way of storing the disks of a baby bottle in a sanitary location after washing.
Although products of the type described above are quite useful, the lack of disk storage forces conscientious caregivers to separate baby bottle components after washing and rinsing, which can be frustrating and can result in mix-ups between disks that have been washed and unwashed disks. In addition, the sockets that are defined in the top faces of such products can collect water and become points of nucleation for bacteria and mold growth. Furthermore, assembly and disassembly of these products can be laborious, with the need to insert multiple pegs in matching sockets and having to figure out which peg to place in each socket. These products are not convenient to store for a consumer, unless they are completely disassembled. In households that have toddlers, such racks can quickly unbeknownst to the caregiver become a plaything, and pegs can be pulled from the sockets, creating more work and frustration for the caregiver, possibly presenting a risk of injury.
A need exists for a bottle rack that requires minimal or no assembly by the user, that provides a secure and sanitary drying location for all baby bottle components, that minimizes the potential for mold and bacteria growth during use and is easy to store.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a bottle rack that requires minimal or no assembly by the user, that provides a secure and sanitary drying location for all baby bottle components, that minimizes the potential for mold and bacteria growth during use and that is easy to store.
In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, an apparatus for drying and storing an article, such as a baby bottle includes a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface such as a counter-top, and an upper face; and a plurality of pegs extending outwardly away from the upper face, each of the pegs being sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, such as a baby bottle, and wherein the pegs are pivotally mounted to the tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein said entire peg is positioned relatively close to said upper face for storage and packaging of said apparatus, and a second, operative position, wherein the peg is positioned at a large angle with respect to the upper surface, so as to enable the peg to support an article such as a baby bottle, wherein the apparatus can conveniently be folded for packaging and storage purposes.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to
As is best shown in
According to one important aspect of the invention, each of the pegs 18 are permanently mounted to the tray 12 in such a manner as to be moveable between a first storage position, which is illustrated in
As may be seen in
Looking again to
Looking now to
Mounting structure 20, by ganging adjacent pegs 18 and adjacent nipple ring support members 32 together by use of a common axle, thereby imparts lateral stability to the pegs 18 and the nipple ring support members 32, further deterring any motion other than about the single axis of rotation 40. Accordingly, the pegs 18 are constrained to move in a predetermined plane of rotation 49.
As may best be seen in
If it is desired to move the nipple ring support member 32 from the second, operative position shown in
According to another important aspect of the invention, apparatus 10 further includes a disc disk holding system 50 for holding baby bottle discs disks in a location that is isolated from areas of the tray 12 in which liquid may collect. This allows baby bottle discs disks to be dried and stored in a safe manner at a location that is convenient to a location at which baby bottles are being dried. In the preferred embodiment, disc disk holding system 50 includes an upstanding boss member 52 that projects upwardly from the upper face 16 of tray 12 and has a plurality of disc disk receiving slots 54 defined therein. Boss member 52 and slots 54 are raised with respect to an underlying reservoir 56 that is located in the forward portion of tray 12. As an added benefit, the reservoir space also acts as a finger space area for a user to get his/her fingers beneath the disc disk members for lifting them out after drying.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Dunn, Steven B., Petterson, Tor H., Petterson, legal representative, Grace C.
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