Invertible dishwashing rack and related methods

Abstract

A substantially rectangular dish rack having a substantially single side walled body portion that slidably engages two identical base portions, which interchangeably function as either the top or bottom of the dish rack. The top and bottom portions are preferably both inserted into the body portion from the same side of the body portion. Any of the four sides of the top and bottom portions may be inserted first into the body portion, and when inserted into the body portion, the base portions are held in place by friction catches or latches. The friction latches preferably include a boss portion and a notch portion to receive the boss portion. Alternative embodiments include designated top and bottom portion and are color coded to signal the identity of each. The body portion is preferably constructed to allow for extension of the body portion to allow for different heights of dishwares, by collars which are attachable and detachable to and from the body portion by prongs and sockets, which mutually engage on another.

1 . A reversible dishwashing rack, comprising:
 a. a rectangular, substantially single side walled body portion configured to slidably engage and detachably retain each of a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top and bottom portions optionally are substantially identical; and   b. a top portion and a bottom portion each adapted to slidably engage and be detachably retained in the body portion, wherein each of the top portion and bottom portion contains a plurality of openings to allow passage of fluids but retain dishware placed in the dish rack for cleaning and/or storage.   
     
     
         2 . A dishwashing rack according to  claim 1  that further comprises at least one divider to separate the volume defined by the interior of the body portion into at least two dishware storage regions. 
     
     
         3 . A dishwashing rack according to  claim 1  wherein the body portion is formed by permanently or detachably directly connecting a plurality of multiple substantially identical wall elements to form the rectangular body portion. 
     
     
         4 . A dishwashing rack according to  claim 1  wherein the body portion comprises substantially parallel channels disposed on opposite sides at the top and bottom of the body portion, wherein the channels are configured for sliding engagement of channel engaging elements disposed on opposite edges of the top or bottom portions. 
     
     
         5 . A dishwashing rack according to  claim 1  that further comprises a latch for detachable retention of the top element and a latch for detachable retention of the bottom element. 
     
     
         6 . A dishwashing rack according to  claim 1  that further comprises at least one extension collar detachably connected to the body portion, wherein at least one extension collar is configured to slidably engage and detachably retain a top portion or a bottom portion. 
     
     
         7 . A method of storing dishware, optionally glassware, comprising placing at least one dishware item in a reversible dishwashing rack according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A method of cleaning dishware, optionally glassware, comprising placing at least one dishware item in a reversible dishwashing rack according to  claim 1  followed by cleaning the dishware in the reversible dishwashing rack. 
     
     
         9 . A method for processing dishware, comprising placing dirty dishware in a reversible dishwashing rack according to  claim 1 , cleaning and drying the dishware in the reversible dishwashing rack, and moving the dishware-containing reversible dishwashing rack to a storage location until the dishware is needed.