초록 ▼

A support structure and method, designed to maintain a resealable plastic bag in an open position within a dishwasher through the washing and drying cycles, has at least two vertically extending support and restraining straps that may be engaged with like straps to form a resilient support framework

A support structure and method, designed to maintain a resealable plastic bag in an open position within a dishwasher through the washing and drying cycles, has at least two vertically extending support and restraining straps that may be engaged with like straps to form a resilient support framework. A plurality of mating dimples and protrusions offer controlled size adjustments, while maintaining the reliability of the structure. The structure is readily collapsible to a flat and compact structure prior to purchase and when not in use, and includes features to engage with the rack in the dishwasher to prevent the support and bag from being substantially relocated during the wash process.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A plastic bag support for retaining a plastic bag to assist with cleaning and drying thereof, comprising: at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps, each having an indeterminate length resilient body and a bag retainer; at least one of said at least two ve

We claim: 1. A plastic bag support for retaining a plastic bag to assist with cleaning and drying thereof, comprising: at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps, each having an indeterminate length resilient body and a bag retainer; at least one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps having a coupling member suitable for engaging an indeterminate length body and coupling said at least one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps to an indeterminate length body of another of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps at a coupling location that is adjustable through a range of positions; and a means for engaging a dishwasher rack. 2. The plastic bag support of claim 1, wherein said bag retainer further comprises a bag retaining clip and at least one counter-facing protrusion opposed to said bag retaining clip. 3. The plastic bag support of claim 2, wherein said bag retaining clip and said at least one counter-facing protrusion each further comprise a first sloping surface active upon bag insertion, and a second sloping surface active upon bag removal that is more steeply sloped than said first sloping surface. 4. The plastic bag support of claim 3, wherein said second sloping surface is further comprised by a face which extends substantially transverse to said indeterminate length. 5. The plastic bag support of claim 1, further comprising: dimples in a one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps; and mating protruding bumps in a second one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps; said bumps and dimples cooperative when mated to produce resistance to relative motion between said one and said second one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps. 6. The plastic bag support of claim 5, further comprising: dimples on at least two surfaces in each one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps; and mating protruding bumps on at least two surfaces in each one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps; said bumps and dimples cooperative when mated to produce resistance to relative motion between said one and said second one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps. 7. The plastic bag support of claim 1, wherein said coupling member further comprises two resilient opposed members between which said another of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps is received through resilient deformation. 8. The plastic bag support of claim 7, wherein said two resilient opposed members further comprise "L" shaped arms protruding from said at least one of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps. 9. The plastic bag support of claim 1, further comprising at least one base ring strap formed into a circular configuration for supporting said at least two vertically extending straps. 10. The plastic bag support of claim 9, wherein said at least two vertically extending straps each further comprise a base ring engaging slot which encircles said at least one base ring strap. 11. The plastic bag support of claim 10, wherein said base ring engaging slot and said at least one base ring strap interfere to maintain said at least two vertically extending straps in a vertical orientation. 12. The plastic bag support of claim 1, wherein each of said at least two vertically extending bag supporting and restraining straps further comprise a base member having an anchor which is adapted to be removably affixed to a dishwasher rack. 13. In combination, a plastic bag, a dishwasher rack, and a bag holder having at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps serving to support said bag and having a releasable attachment to said dishwasher rack, said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps comprising a coupling member coupling said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps together at a coupling location that is adjustable through a range of positions to vary a combined length of said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps. 14. The combination plastic bag, dishwasher rack, and bag holder of claim 13, wherein said bag holder releasable attachment further comprises a bag retaining clip and two counter-facing protrusions opposed to and adjacent about said bag retaining clip. 15. The combination plastic bag, dishwasher rack, and bag holder of claim 14, wherein said bag retaining clip and said two counter-facing protrusion each further comprise a first sloping surface active upon bag insertion, and a second sloping surface active upon bag removal that is more steeply sloped than said first sloping surface. 16. The combination plastic bag, dishwasher rack, and bag holder of claim 13, further comprising: dimples in a one of said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps; and mating protruding bumps in a second one of said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps; said bumps and dimples cooperative when mated to produce resistance to relative motion between said one and said second one of said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps. 17. The combination plastic bag, dishwasher rack, and bag holder of claim 13, wherein each of said at least two vertically extending flexible and resilient straps further comprise a base member having an anchor which is adapted to be removably affixed to a dishwasher rack. 18. The combination plastic bag, dishwasher rack, and bag holder of claim 17, wherein said anchor further comprises a resilient keyhole-shaped opening in said base member. 19. A method of washing a plastic bag in an automatic dishwasher, comprising the steps of: aligning a first linear bag supporting and restraining strap with a second linear bag supporting and restraining strap; pressing said aligned first linear bag supporting and restraining strap transversely to a longitudinal axis against said second bag supporting and restraining strap to engage an operatively stable coupling therebetween; folding said first and second bag supporting and restraining straps into a loop; engaging said coupled and folded first and second bag supporting and restraining straps with said automatic dishwasher; sliding said first bag supporting and restraining strap relative to said second bag supporting and restraining strap to adjust a combined length to coincide with an interior opening in said plastic bag; and affixing said plastic bag to said coupled first and second bag supporting and restraining straps.