Device for securing chopsticks to dishwasher rack

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a device to be affixed to an automatic dishwasher rack in order to provide a means by which one can secure a number of chopsticks or similarly shaped items such that the items can be cleaned without risk of damaging either the dishwasher or aforementioned items.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for holding one or more utensils securely within a dishwasher or any other cleaning or sterilization apparatus, said device comprising of both:
 a plurality of orifices shaped to hold said utensils; and   a clip, clamp, or other fastening means for affixing said device to the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes, such that in typical use the utensils are held in place by friction; and   the fastening means takes the form of an integral clip or set of clips, such that in typical use the claimed device clips onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes with radial or lateral protrusions, such that in typical use the elasticity of the material aids in grasping the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of an integral clip or set of clips, such that in typical use the claimed device clips onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of integral clips shaped to firmly grasp the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of an integral clip or set of clips, such that in typical use the claimed device clips onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in a single part, which when folded or hinged onto itself, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of an integral clip or set of clips, such that in typical use the claimed device clips onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in multiple separate parts, which when attached to each other, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of an integral clip or set of clips, such that in typical use the claimed device clips onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes, such that in typical use the utensils are held in place by friction; and   the fastening means takes the form of a clamping mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device clamps onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes with radial or lateral protrusions, such that in typical use the elasticity of the material aids in grasping the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a clamping mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device clamps onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of integral clips shaped to firmly grasp the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a clamping mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device clamps onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in a single part, which when folded or hinged onto itself, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a clamping mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device clamps onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in multiple separate parts, which when attached to each other, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a clamping mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device clamps onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes, such that in typical use the utensils are held in place by friction; and   the fastening means takes the form of a multi-part mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device attaches onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes with radial or lateral protrusions, such that in typical use the elasticity of the material aids in grasping the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a multi-part mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device attaches onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of integral clips shaped to firmly grasp the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a multi-part mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device attaches onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in a single part, which when folded or hinged onto itself, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a multi-part mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device attaches onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in multiple separate parts, which when attached to each other, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of a multi-part mechanism, such that in typical use the claimed device attaches onto a part of the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes, such that in typical use the utensils are held in place by friction; and   the fastening means takes the form of the claimed device resting within the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus, such that the claimed device holds the utensils more securely than had the claimed device not been in use.   
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of holes with radial or lateral protrusions, such that in typical use the elasticity of the material aids in grasping the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of the claimed device resting within the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus, such that the claimed device holds the utensils more securely than had the claimed device not been in use.   
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of integral clips shaped to firmly grasp the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of the claimed device resting within the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus, such that the claimed device holds the utensils more securely than had the claimed device not been in use.   
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in a single part, which when folded or hinged onto itself, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of the claimed device resting within the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus, such that the claimed device holds the utensils more securely than had the claimed device not been in use.   
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the orifices take the form of matched indentations in multiple separate parts, which when attached to each other, clamp onto the utensils; and   the fastening means takes the form of the claimed device resting within the interior of the cleaning or sterilization apparatus, such that the claimed device holds the utensils more securely than had the claimed device not been in use.