Apparatuses and Methods for Dishwasher Rack Emptying

Abstract

In one embodiment, a 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher rack, comprising:
 an interior structure divided into separate compartments, each of said 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 comprised of a first movable grid and a second movable grid,   wherein each of the first movable grid and the second movable grid can be slid into a closed configuration to support a plurality of beverage containers and can be slid into an open configuration in which said beverage containers are able to pass through.   
     
     
         2 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the first movable grid and the second movable grid slide in directions opposite of each other when moving from the open configuration to the closed configuration and when moving from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
     
     
         3 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 1 , wherein the first movable grid and the second movable grid are slid independently of each other using two separate handles on opposite sides of the dishwasher rack. 
     
     
         4 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 3 , wherein said handles are pulled outwardly to provide the open configuration and are pushed inwardly to provide the closed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said handles includes a locking component for maintaining said at least one handle in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 5 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises at least one of a compression-fit element or a latch. 
     
     
         7 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 1 , comprising a base component that includes the bottom side and an extender component that attaches to the base component and includes the top side. 
     
     
         8 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 7 , wherein a first carrier for the first movable grid and a second carrier for the second movable grid are disposed between the base component and the extender component. 
     
     
         9 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first movable grid and the second movable grid comprises a set of parallel members. 
     
     
         10 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 9 , wherein the parallel members of the first movable grid and the second movable grid are rods. 
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 9 , wherein in the closed configuration at least one of the parallel members of the first movable grid and at least one of the parallel members of the second movable grid occupy different positions within each of a plurality of the compartments. 
     
     
         12 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 9 , wherein said compartments are defined by dividers, and wherein in the closed configuration one of the parallel members of the first movable grid is disposed approximately ⅓ of a distance between adjacent dividers and one of the parallel members of the second movable grid is disposed approximately ⅔ of a distance between adjacent dividers. 
     
     
         13 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 9 , wherein said compartments are defined by dividers, and wherein in the open configuration the parallel members abut said dividers. 
     
     
         14 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the dividers have top edge components that widen from top to bottom. 
     
     
         15 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 14 , wherein in the open configuration the parallel members are disposed underneath the top edge components. 
     
     
         16 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 1 , wherein when said dishwasher rack is placed on a smooth flat surface, all movable parts of the first movable grid and the second movable grid are disposed above said surface so that the first movable grid and the second movable grid can be freely slid into the open configuration, allowing any beverage containers to drop down onto said smooth flat surface. 
     
     
         17 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 1 , further comprising a release component disposed on the bottom side that must be pushed upwardly in order for the first movable grid and the second movable grid to be slid from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
     
     
         18 . A dishwasher rack according to  claim 17 , wherein the release component automatically is pushed upwardly when the dishwasher rack is placed on a smooth flat surface.