Bottle rack

Abstract

An apparatus for drying and storing an article, such as a baby bottle, after washing and rinsing includes a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface such as a counter-top, and an upper face. A plurality of pegs extend out from the upper face, and each peg is sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, such as a baby bottle, after washing and rinsing. Each peg is mounted to the tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein the entire peg is positioned relatively close to the upper face for storage and packaging, and a second, operative position. This permits the apparatus to be conveniently folded for packaging and storage purposes. Another aspect of the apparatus involves disk holding structure, connected to the upper face of the tray, for holding baby bottle disks in a location that is isolated from areas of the tray in which liquid may collect. This permits baby bottle disks to be dried and stored in a safe manner at a location that is convenient to a location at which baby bottles are being dried.

1. An apparatus for storing an article, comprising:
 a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface such as a counter-top, and an upper face; and   a plurality of pegs extending outwardly from said upper face, each of said pegs being sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, and wherein   each of said pegs are permanently mounted to said tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein said entire peg is positioned adjacent to said upper face for storage and packaging of said apparatus, and a second, operative position, wherein said peg is positioned so as to extend outwardly from said upper surface, so as to enable said peg to support an article, wherein said apparatus can conveniently be folded for packaging and storage purposes.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said pegs are mounted to said tray in such a manner that no standing water may collect at a point where a peg is mounted, thereby minimizing potential for mold and bacterial growth. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said pegs are mounted to said tray in such a manner as to be movable only about a single axis of rotation. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising means for imparting lateral stability to said pegs, further deterring any motion other than about said single axis of rotation. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said means for imparting lateral stability to said pegs comprises at least one axle joining adjacent pegs together for common, ganged movement about a common axis of rotation. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising location means for locking said axle in a rotational position that corresponds to said second operative position. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said location means comprises means, connected to said axle, for frictional engaging said upper surface of said tray. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a collection reservoir defined in said tray for collecting any liquid that might run out of articles during drying. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising An apparatus for storing an article, comprising:
 a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface, and an upper face; and 
 a plurality of pegs extending outwardly from said upper face, each of said pegs being sized and arranged so as to be able to support an article, 
 disk holding means, connected to said upper face of said tray, for holding baby bottle disks in a location that is isolated from areas of said tray in which liquid may collect; and wherein 
 each of said pegs are permanently mounted to said tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein said entire peg is positioned adjacent to said upper face for storage and packaging of said apparatus, and a second, operative position, wherein said peg is positioned so as to extend outwardly from said upper surface, so as to enable said peg to support an article, wherein said apparatus can conveniently be folded for packaging and storage purposes. 
 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said disk holding means comprises an upstanding boss member that is raised from said upper face of said tray, and a plurality of disk-receiving slots defined in said boss member. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ring support members that are constructed and arranged to support a ring portion of a baby bottle. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said ring support members include a stop member for supporting a ring member above and out of contact from said upper face of said tray. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said nipple support members are mounted to said tray in such a manner as to be movable between a first storage position, wherein said entire nipple support member is positioned adjacent to said upper face for storage and packaging of said apparatus, and a second, operative position, wherein said nipple support member is positioned at a large angle with respect to said upper face. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said nipple support members are mounted to said tray in such a manner as to be movable only about a single axis of rotation. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising means for imparting lateral stability to said nipple support members, further deterring any motion other than about said single axis of rotation. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said means for imparting lateral stability to said nipple support members comprises at least one axle joining adjacent nipple support members together for common, ganged movement about a common axis of rotation. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising location means for locking said axle in a rotational position that corresponds to said second operative position. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cutout area on a side of said apparatus for facilitating lifting of said apparatus by a user. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus for drying and storing an article, comprising:
 a tray having a bottom face that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface such as a counter-top, and an upper face; 
 bottle support means for supporting a baby bottle; and 
 disk holding means, connected to said upper face of said tray, for holding baby bottle disks in a location that is isolated from areas of said tray in which liquid may collect, whereby baby bottle disks are and stored in a safe manner at a location that is convenient to a location at which baby bottles are being dried. 
 
     
     
       20. An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said disk holding means comprises an upstanding boss member that is raised from said upper face of said tray, and a plurality of disk-receiving slots defined in said boss member. 
     
     
       21. An apparatus for supporting baby bottles for drying, comprising:
 a tray having a bottom portion that is adapted to be supported by an underlying surface and an upper portion;   a plurality of pegs extending outwardly from said upper portion, each of said pegs being sized and arranged so as to be able to support a baby bottle;   mounting means for mounting said pegs to said tray so that said pegs are movable while mounted to said tray between a first storage position, wherein said entire peg is positioned adjacent to said upper portion for storage and packaging of said apparatus, and a second, operative position, wherein said peg is positioned so as to extend outwardly from said upper portion, so as to enable said peg to support an article, wherein said apparatus can conveniently be folded for packaging and storage purposes;   frictional means connected to said pegs for frictionally engaging said upper portion of said tray when said pegs are moved between said first storage position and said second operative position; and   location means for locking said pegs in said second, operative position, said location means comprising a cam member having a first surface that is constructed and arranged to come into contact with a cam stop surface that is defined in said upper portion of said tray; and wherein said frictional means comprises a second surface on said cam member, said second surface being constructed and arranged to bear against an upper portion of said tray that is on said upper portion when said peg is moved between said first storage position and said second operative position.