Rack system for a sink

Abstract

A rack system for use with a kitchen sink is disclosed. The rack system comprises a support structure configured to span between opposite sides of the sink, a soaker receptacle provided at a first portion of the support structure and a substantially horizontal support surface provided at a second portion of the support structure. The soaker receptacle is configured to retain a liquid used for soaking at least one utensil. The support structure is configured to support the soaker receptacle such that a bottom portion of the soaker receptacle is offset from a bottom wall of the sink.

1 . A rack system for use with a kitchen sink, the rack system comprising:
 a support structure configured to span between opposite sides of the sink;   a soaker receptacle provided at a first portion of the support structure, the soaker receptacle being configured to retain a liquid used for soaking at least one utensil; and   a substantially horizontal support surface provided at a second portion of the support structure,   wherein the support structure is configured to support the soaker receptacle such that a bottom portion of the soaker receptacle is offset from a bottom wall of the sink.   
     
     
         2 . The rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the soaker receptacle is removably coupled to the support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The rack system of  claim 2 , wherein the soaker receptacle is configured to be selectively inserted and removed from above the support structure by a user. 
     
     
         4 . The rack system of  claim 3 , wherein the soaker receptacle comprises a peripheral rim that engages the support structure when the soaker receptacle is inserted into an aperture defined by the first portion, the rim being sized so that a user can grasp the rim for removing the soaker receptacle from the support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a first frame rail extending substantially parallel and spaced apart with a second frame rail, and wherein the support structure further comprises at least one linking member extending laterally between the first frame rail and the second frame rail. 
     
     
         6 . The rack system of  claim 5 , wherein the first frame rail and the second frame rail are formed together as a one-piece unitary member. 
     
     
         7 . The rack system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one linking member at least partially defines an upper surface of the substantially horizontal support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The rack system of  claim 7 , wherein the upper surface of the substantially horizontal support structure is a shelf configured to support at least one of a glass, a pot, a dish and a pan. 
     
     
         9 . The rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the soaker receptacle is formed of a first material and the support structure is formed of a second material that is different than the first material. 
     
     
         10 . The rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion defines an aperture having a shape that substantially corresponds to a cross sectional shape of the soaker receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure extends between a first end and an opposite second end, the first and second ends each extending upwardly and outwardly relative to a central portion of the support structure to define a contour that is configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an inner edge of the sink. 
     
     
         12 . The rack system of  claim 11 , wherein the first end is configured to rest directly on the inner edge of a first side of the sink and the second end is configured to rest directly on the inner edge of a second side of the sink for retaining the rack system over a basin defined by the sink. 
     
     
         13 . The rack system of  claim 11 , wherein the soaker receptacle is provided adjacent to the first end of the support structure and the substantially horizontal support surface is provided adjacent to the second end of the support structure. 
     
     
         14 . The rack system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second ends are handles that may be grasped by a user to selectively remove the rack system from the sink. 
     
     
         15 . A kitchen sink comprising:
 a bottom wall;   a side wall extending from the bottom wall to define at least one basin; and   a rack system removably coupled to the side wall, the rack system comprising:
 a support structure configured to span between opposite portions of the side wall; 
 a soaker receptacle provided at a first portion of the support structure, the soaker receptacle being configured to retain a liquid; and 
 a substantially horizontal support surface provided at a second portion of the support structure, 
   wherein the support structure supports the soaker receptacle such that a bottom portion of the soaker receptacle is offset from the bottom wall.   
     
     
         16 . The sink of  claim 15 , wherein the side wall comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall and a left side wall. 
     
     
         17 . The sink of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure spans between the front wall and the rear wall. 
     
     
         18 . The sink of  claim 15 , wherein the soaker receptacle is removably coupled to the support structure and is configured to be selectively inserted and removed from an aperture defined by the support structure. 
     
     
         19 . The sink of  claim 18 , wherein the soaker receptacle comprises a peripheral rim at an upper end that engages the support structure when the soaker receptacle is inserted into the aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The sink of  claim 15 , wherein the support structure extends between a first end and an opposite second end, the first and second ends each define a contour that is configured to substantially correspond to a contour of an upper inner edge of the side wall, and wherein engagement between the first and second ends of the support structure and the upper inner edge of the side wall retain the rack system above the at least one basin.