Absorptive Drying Element

Abstract

Drying implements disclosed herein can provide a minimal, collapsible, dish drying pad encased in woven, silicone protection for recently washed kitchenware placed thereon. Such drying implements include a rapid absorption and drying diatomaceous earth panels that causes drain water to rapidly dissipate. This helps to prevent bacteria growth, by eliminating the moist environment where mold thrives. The mesh silicone layer or encasing keeps dishes protected and the kitchen looking fresh and modern. The drying implement shows various improvements for all types of drying jobs from dishes to produce. The drying implement folds upon its connected sections for smaller jobs and for easy storage when not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drying implement, comprising:
 a flexible layer for supporting an object while the object is drying, the flexible layer including a series of apertures through the flexible layer allowing for liquid to drain from the object and through the flexible layer; and   an absorption layer disposed under the flexible layer, the absorption layer absorbing the liquid drained from the object, through the apertures of the flexible layer and onto the absorption layer.   
     
     
         2 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer includes diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         3 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer is at least partially substantially rigid. 
     
     
         4 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer includes a plurality of panels. 
     
     
         5 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible layer is formed from a molded polymer material. 
     
     
         6 . The drying implement according to  claim 5 , wherein the molded polymer material includes a molded silicone material. 
     
     
         7 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , wherein the substantially rigid absorption layer includes at least two substantially rigid panels. 
     
     
         8 . The drying implement according to  claim 7 , wherein the substantially rigid absorption layer includes at least three substantially rigid panels. 
     
     
         9 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , wherein the substantially flexible layer includes a plurality of sections corresponding to a plurality of panels of the absorption layer. 
     
     
         10 . The drying implement according to  claim 9 , wherein the sections of the substantially flexible layer are connected by one or more flexible joints. 
     
     
         11 . The drying implement according to  claim 9 , wherein sections of the drying implement are foldable or collapsible. 
     
     
         12 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , wherein the apertures of the substantially flexible layer include voids through a width thereof, the apertures of the flexible layer being sized so as to be smaller than the object being dried so as to support the object thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , the flexible layer including one or more peripheral lips for securing the absorption layer thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , the flexible layer being integrally molded with one or more straps for securing the absorption layer thereto. 
     
     
         15 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , the flexible layer being integrally molded with one or more end pockets for securing the absorption layer thereto. 
     
     
         16 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , a bottom surface of the absorptive layer being exposed so as to allow evaporation from opposing surfaces of the absorptive layer. 
     
     
         17 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , the flexible layer partially extending around the top, sides, and bottom absorptive layer. 
     
     
         18 . The drying implement according to  claim 17 , the flexible layer including protrusions extending from the bottom of the flexible layer for supporting the absorptive layer above a support disposed thereon and allowing for air circulation underneath the absorptive layer. 
     
     
         19 . The drying implement according to  claim 1 , further comprising a joint between sections of the flexible layer, the joint including an upwardly extending lip to retain water on the joint as opposed to allowing the water to spill onto a countertop when disposed thereon. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a foldable drying implement, comprising;
 forming a plurality of ridged absorption panels comprising diatomaceous earth;   molding a silicone rubber covering, the silicone rubber covering having an array of voids there through allowing for water to drain through the silicon covering;   wrapping the silicone rubber covering around the plurality of ridged absorption panels;   the silicone rubber covering flexibly connecting the ridged absorption panels such that the ridged absorption panels may be laid flat or folded so as to rest upon an adjacent panel.