Steam driven dish warmer

Abstract

A dish dryer/warmer which is powered by steam that is exhausted from a steam kettle. A hollow inserts fits into a spout on the kettle and a hose connects the spout to the dish dryer. The steam is then funneled into the dish dryer. A set of holders inside the dish dryer are mechanically activated based on what, so that if a dish is placed into a holder then steam will be discharged directly into that holder, thereby warming the respective dish. A plurality of such holders can be present inside the dish dryer and each one is selectively activated to discharge steam when an object is placed inside a respective holder. All of the holders in the dish dryer share the same steam source (the kettle or other source).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a holder;   a steam channel comprising a path leading to a hole which leads to an inside of the holder;   a platform connected to a hole sealer; and   a spring connected to the platform, the spring configured to naturally press the hole sealer upward into an up position which covers the hole, and downward weight on the platform presses the hole sealer down into a down position which exposes the hole.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hose connected to the channel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a hollow insert connected to the hose. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the hollow insert adapted to fit into a kettle spout. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hollow inserts adapted to fit a respective kettle spout, each of the plurality of hollow inserts having different shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a vent hole contacting the steam channel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a lid configured to open and close. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the holder is shaped in a cup shape. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the holder is shaped in a plate shape. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second holder shaped in a plate shape;   the steam channel comprising a path leading to a second hole which leads to an inside of the second holder;   a second platform connected to a second hole sealer; and   a second spring connected to the platform, the second spring configured to naturally press the second hole sealer upward into a second up position which covers the second hole, and downward weight on the second platform presses the second hole sealer down into a second down position which exposes the second hole.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the path is a hollow post connecting to the platform 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a holding means for holding a cup or plate;   a steam receiving means for receiving steam from a steam source; and   an actuating means for directing the steam into the inside the holding means when an object is inserted into the holding means.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the holding means is structured to hold a cup. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the holding means is structured to hold a plate. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second holding means for holding a cup; and   a second actuating means for directing the steam into the inside of the second holding means when a cup is inserted into the second hold means.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising insert means for connecting a hose to the steam source. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the steam source is a kettle. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 providing a dish dryer connected to a hose;   connecting the hose to a kettle;   placing a plate or cup inside a holder in dish dryer, thereby causing:
 steam entering the dish dryer from the kettle through the hose; 
 exposing a hole in the holder; 
 steam entering the holder through the hole; 
 the steam warming the plate or cup. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the plate or cup is a plate. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the plate or cup is a cup.