Modular item drying and storage rack

Abstract

The present invention is a stackable module for constructing a modular storage rack for receiving wet items. The module is preferably a one piece construction which is sturdy and inexpensive to construct. The stackable module includes a circumscribing wall, a vertical conduit, and an inclined bottom having projecting vanes. The circumscribing wall has a bottom edge. The vertical conduit is mounted adjacent the wall and has a top opening, a bottom opening and a side opening positioned between the top and bottom openings. The inclined bottom projects from the circumscribing wall adjacent the bottom edge of the wall. The bottom is inclined towards the side opening of the vertical conduit for said bottom to direct liquids towards the side opening of the vertical conduit. The bottom has a plurality of vanes projecting upwards from the bottom, each vane having a top edge, the top edges of the vanes being coplanar and horizontal.

1 . A stackable module for constructing a modular storage rack for receiving items delivering liquid, said stackable module comprising: 
 a circumscribing wall having a bottom edge,    a vertical conduit mounted adjacent the wall, the conduit having a top opening, a bottom opening and a side opening positioned between the top and bottom openings,    an inclined bottom projecting from the circumscribing wall adjacent the bottom edge of the wall, the bottom being inclined towards the side opening of the vertical conduit for said bottom to direct liquids towards the side opening of the vertical conduit,    a plurality of vanes projecting upwards from the bottom, said vanes each having a top edge, the top edges of the vanes being coplanar and horizontal.    
   
   
       2 . A stackable module as defined in  claim 1  wherein the vanes radiate from the vertical conduit.  
   
   
       3 . A stackable module as defined in  claim 1  wherein the circumscribing wall comprises a rear wall and two side walls, the side walls being perpendicular to the rear wall.  
   
   
       4 . A stackable module as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of vertical support columns for supporting the circumscribing wall, one of said vertical support columns forming the vertical conduit.  
   
   
       5 . A stackable module as defined in  claim 1  wherein the bottom forms a rectangle having four corners, each of the corners of the bottom having a vertical column, one of said columns forming the vertical conduit, and wherein the circumscribing wall forms a rear wall and two side walls extending between the columns.  
   
   
       6 . A rack for receiving objects delivering liquids, comprising: 
 a plurality of stackable modules stacked one above the other, each module comprising:    a circumscribing wall having a bottom edge,    a vertical conduit mounted adjacent the wall, the conduit having a top opening, a bottom opening and a side opening positioned between the top and bottom openings,    an inclined bottom projecting from the circumscribing wall adjacent the bottom edge of the wall, the bottom being inclined towards the side opening of the vertical conduit for said bottom to direct liquids towards the side opening of the vertical conduit,    a plurality of vanes projecting upwards from the bottom, said vanes each having a top edge, the top edges of the vanes being coplanar and horizontal, and    a tank for receiving liquid positioned below the stacked modules, said tank having a port mated to the vertical conduits.    
   
   
       7 . A stackable module as defined in  claim 1  wherein the vertical conduit of each module has a frangible plug adjacent the upper opening, the frangible plug being removable to form an additional side opening adjacent the upper opening for mating to the port of the tank.