Storage unit for flatware

Claim 1

A storage unit for flatware comprising a flatware supporting member and a hollow, unitary cover for the flatware supporting member, said flatware supporting member comprising a central, upwardly extending, narrow, elongated, rectangular body portion having substantially horizontal upper and lower flatware support arms joined, respectively, to and extending laterally outwardly from the opposite sides of the body portion along the upper and lower longitudinal margins thereof, said body portion having a plurality of spaced apart rows of vertical, enclosed slots therein open at their upper ends, each slot being adapted to longitudinally receive and enclose the blade of a knife or the like whereby a plurality of knives or the like can be supported in an upright position by the body portion, said upper arms having a plurality of spaced elongated, substantially parallel transverse channels formed along the outer longitudinal margin thereof, said channels being open at their outer end and being adapted to laterally receive the handle portion of flatware positioned on the flatware supporting member, said lower arms being wider than the upper arms and having a plurality of elongated, spaced apart recesses formed therein each of which is vertically aligned with a channel in the upper arms, said recesses being adapted to receive the lower end of each piece of flatware positionEd in the channels of the upper arms whereby the flatware will be supported in a generally upright position, said cover being provided with an opening in the bottom thereof, and having dimensions which correspond to the outer dimensions of both of said lower arms whereby the inside surfaces of the cover at the opening thereof abut the outer margins of the lower arms to provide a seal for the interior of the unit when the cover is in place, said cover having means engaging the upper surface of the upper flatware support arms whereby the cover is supported in overlying relation to the flatware supporting member and the flatware adapted to be supported thereon.