US20120266377A1

US20120266377A1 - Rack system for a sink

Info

Publication number: US20120266377A1
Application number: US13/092,614
Authority: US
Inventors: Niels J. Eilmus
Original assignee: Kohler Co
Current assignee: Kohler Co
Priority date: 2011-04-22
Filing date: 2011-04-22
Publication date: 2012-10-25
Also published as: CN102747761A

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.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of attachments or accessories for wash receptacles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a support rack or rack system for a sink.
Sinks are vessels generally configured for receiving water. Usually, a faucet or other water source is located proximate to the sink, and a drain pipe is coupled to the sink to remove unwanted water. A sink is often mounted on or into a countertop of a cabinet, stand, or pedestal. When washing articles such as eating or cooking utensils, it is sometimes preferable to allow the articles to soak in a water/detergent mixture. In order to save water and free the sink for other uses, it is sometimes further preferable to soak these articles in a receptacle smaller than the sink. Standing the articles up right in a relatively narrow receptacle provides the greatest soaking depth with the least amount of water. One continuing challenge, however, is that standing these articles up right in a relatively narrow receptacle creates high center of gravity, which creates a tendency to tip over.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment relates to a rack system for use with a kitchen sink. 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.
Another embodiment relates to a kitchen sink. The kitchen sink comprises 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 comprises 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 and a substantially horizontal support surface provided at a second portion of the support structure. The soaker receptacle being configured to retain a liquid. The support structure supports the soaker receptacle such that a bottom portion of the soaker receptacle is offset from the bottom wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sink, rack, and removable component, shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rack of FIG. 1, shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rack, shown according to an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the removable component of FIG. 1, shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the sink, rack, and removable component of FIG. 1, shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the sink, rack, and removable component of FIG. 1, shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the FIGURES, a rack system for use with a sink and components thereof are shown according to exemplary embodiments. The rack system may be suitable for use with sinks installed in various environments including a kitchen or bathroom. Such sinks may include a bottom or floor and one or more sidewalls extending upwardly from the floor. The floor and sidewalls at least partially define a basin. A rim may extend from a top portion of the sidewalls. The interface between the rim and the sidewalls may be chamfered.
The rack system may include a first end portion, a second end portion, a spanning portion, and a receiving portion. As shown, the rack may be configured to be supported across the basin of the sink by the first end portion and the second end portion. The receiving portion is configured to receive and stably support a removable component. According to an exemplary embodiment, the is a soaker receptacle that defines a reservoir which may be used to soak soiled utensils in a water/detergent mixture.
Before discussing further details of the rack system, it should be noted that references to “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGURES, with “right,” “left,” “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to a specific direction. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.
It should further be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, the term coupled means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between the two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a rack system 100 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Rack system 100 is shown supported in a sink 10. Rack system 100 includes a rack 20 and one or more accessories or components, shown as a removable cup 50.
Rack system 100 may be suitable for use with any of a number of sinks. According to an exemplary embodiment, sink 10 includes a bottom portion, a middle portion located generally above the bottom portion, and a top portion located generally above the middle portion. Sink 10 may include a floor 12 located proximate the bottom portion. Floor 12 may define a drain 13. A sidewall 14 is shown to extend upwardly from floor 12. According to an alternate embodiment, sidewall 14 may be continuously curved such that no discernible floor is formed. According to the embodiment shown, sidewall 14 comprises first through fourth sidewalls, shown as front sidewall 14 a, rear sidewall 14 b, left sidewall 14 c, and right sidewall 14 d. Sidewall 14 and floor 12 may at least partially define a basin of sink 10. Sink 10 is further shown to include a rim 16 extending outwardly from a top portion of sidewall 14. According to the embodiment shown rim 16 comprises first through fourth rims, shown as front rim 16 a, rear rim 16 b, left rim 16 c, and right rim 16 d. As shown, rim 16 is substantially horizontal.
Sidewall 14 couples to rim 16 at an interface (e.g., corner, inner edge, transition, etc.), shown as edge 18. For example, according to the embodiment shown, front sidewall 14 a couples front rim 16 a at front edge 18 a; rear sidewall 14 b couples rear rim 16 b at rear edge 18 b; left sidewall 14 c couples left rim 16 c at left edge 18 c; and right sidewall 14 d couples right rim 16 d at right edge 18 d. Edge 18 may have a variety of shapes (e.g., beveled, chamfered, rounded, substantially right angled, etc.). According to the embodiment shown, front edge 18 a and rear edge 18 b are chamfered, and left edge 18 c and right edge 18 d are rounded. According to one embodiment, front edge 18 a and rear edge 18 b are chamfered at an angle between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees relative to rim 16. According to the embodiment shown, front edge 18 a and rear edge 18 b are chamfered at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to rim 16. According to the various alternate embodiments, front edge 18 a and rear edge 18 b may be chamfered at any of a number of different angles, including angles greater than or less than those provided above.
Sink 10 may have any number of basins. For example, sink 10 may have one, two, or more basins. Alternatively, sink 10 may have a single basin divided into two or more reservoirs. The basins or reservoirs may be separated by one or more saddles (e.g., divider, separator, structure, hump, ridge, etc.). The saddle may be of any height. Usually a top of the saddle remains below the top of the sink. The saddle may divide the sink into multiple equal or unequal sized basins or reservoirs.
Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of rack 20 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Rack 20 is an elongated member that extends between a first end portion 21 and a second end portion 22 located opposite the first end portion 21. Located between first end portion 21 and second end portion 22 is a receiving portion 40 and a spanning portion 30.
According to the embodiment shown, spanning portion 30 includes a first rail or segment 31 and a second rail or segment 32. As shown, first segment 31 and second segment 32 are spaced apart, substantially parallel, and substantially horizontal relative to each other. According to alternate embodiments, spanning portion 30 may include any number of segments or other support members which may or may not be spaced apart, parallel, or horizontal.
Spanning portion 30 further includes a linking structure 34. Structure 34 extends laterally across first segment 31 and second segment 32. Structure 34 is supported by first segment 31 and second segment 32. As shown, structure 34 includes one or more regions, shown as region 35 a and region 35 b, extending outwardly beyond second segment 32. Similar regions may extend outwardly beyond first segment 31. According to various embodiments, structure 34 may not include regions extending beyond first segment 31 or second segment 32. According to one alternate embodiment, structure 34 extends between first segment 31 and second segment 32. As shown, spanning portion 30 includes a plurality of structures 34 spaced longitudinally along first segment 31 and second segment 32. Regions of adjacent structures may be configured to cooperatively support an element (e.g., elongated element, utensil, wine glass, bottle brush, dishes, pots, pans, etc.). For example, the space between region 35 a and region 35 b may receive the stem of a wine glass, thereby allowing the wine glass to hang therefrom to dry. According to one alternate embodiment, structure 34 may extend back and forth (e.g., weave, zigzag, etc.) among first segment 31 and second segment 32 to form a serpentine pattern, shown as structure 34′ in FIG. 3. According to other alternate embodiments, structure 34 may form a grid or mesh, or spanning portion 30 may not include a structure 34. A smaller mesh, for example, may be better for drying small items. According to yet another alternate embodiment, structure 34 may comprise a solid surface, for example, a cutting board.
Spanning portion 30 may be located anywhere between first end portion 21 and second end portion 22. According to one embodiment, spanning portion 30 is located proximate second end portion 22. According to another embodiment, spanning portion 30 is located approximately halfway between first end portion 21 and second end portion 22. According to the embodiment shown, spanning portion 30 is located proximate first end portion 21. Rack 20 may include any number of spanning portions 30.
According to the embodiment shown, receiving portion 40 includes a first segment 41 and second segment 42. As shown, first segment 41 and second segment 42 are spaced apart and substantially horizontal relative to each other. Portions of first segment 41 and second segment 42 are shown to be parallel and spaced outwardly of first segment 31 and second segment 32 of spanning portion 30. According to one embodiment, first segment 41 and second segment 42 are shown to extend laterally outward from lines defined by first segment 31 and second segment 32 of spanning portion 30. According to alternate embodiments, receiving portion 40 may include any number of segments which may or may not be parallel or horizontal.
First segment 41 and second segment 42 at least partially define an area 45 configured to receive cup 50. According to an exemplary embodiment, the shape of area 45 corresponds to the shape of cup 50. As shown, area 45 is generally rectangular. First segment 41 and the second segment 42 are shown to include a plurality of rounded corners (e.g., filets), shown for example as corner 43. According to alternate embodiments, the area 45 generally formed by first segment 41 and second segment 42 may be of a variety of shapes (e.g., square, circle, oval, polygon, etc.), and corners 43 may have any radius of curvature. According to another alternate embodiment, first segment 41 continues as a generally straight extension from first segment 31, and second segment 42 continues as a generally straight extension from second segment 32.
Receiving portion 40 may be located anywhere between first end portion 21 and second end portion 22. According to one embodiment, receiving portion 40 may be located proximate first end portion 21. According to another embodiment, receiving portion 40 may be located approximately halfway between first end portion 21 and second end portion 22. For example, receiving portion 40 may be located between a plurality of spanning portions 30. According to the embodiment shown, receiving portion 40 is located proximate second end portion 22. According to other embodiments, rack 20 may include any number of receiving portions 40. For example, a plurality receiving portions 40 may be located longitudinally opposite a spanning portion 30, or rack 20 may include a plurality of receiving portions 40 and no spanning portion 30.
According to the embodiment shown, first segment 31 of spanning portion 30 and first segment 41 of receiving portion 40 couple to at least partially form first member 47. Similarly, second segment 32 spanning portion 30 and second segment 42 of receiving portion 40 are shown to couple and to at least partially form second member 48. First member 47 and second member 48 extend longitudinally between first end portion 21 and second end portion 22. As shown, first member 47 and second member 48 are substantially mirror images and substantially horizontal. According to alternate embodiments, first member 47 and second member 48 may or may not be symmetric or horizontal.
First member 47 has a first end 23 and a second end 24. Second member 48 has a first end 25 and a second end 26. First end 23 of first member 47 couples first end 25 of second member 48 proximate first end portion 21. Second end 24 of first member 47 couples second end 26 of second member 48 proximate second end portion 22. According to various alternate embodiments, first ended 23 and first end 25 remain spaced apart and/or second end 24 and second end 26 remain spaced apart.
Second end portion 22 may include one or more regions. As shown, second end portion 22 includes a first region shown as lower region 27, and a second region shown as upper region 28. Lower region 27 includes segments of first member 47 and second member 48. Similarly, upper region 28 includes segments of first member 47 and second member 48. As shown, second end portion 22 extends generally upwardly from receiving portion 40. Lower region 47 may extend substantially vertically upward from a plane defined by first segment 41 and second segment 42 of receiving portion 40. Upper region 48 extends from lower region 47.
As shown, upper region 28 is supported at an angle relative to lower region 27 and is configured to be supported at an angle relative to horizontal substantially equal to that of edge 18. According to one embodiment, upper region 28 is supported at an angle between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees relative to a plane defined by first member 47 and second member 48. According to the embodiment shown upper region 28 is supported at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to horizontal when rack 20 is in an installed position. According to the various alternate embodiments, upper region 28 may be supported at any of a number of angles relative to a plane defined by first member 47 and second member 48, including angles greater than or less than those provided above including substantially horizontal. According to further alternate embodiments, upper region 48 and/or lower region 47 may form continuously or discontinuously curved surfaces.
According to the embodiment shown, second end portion 22 is configured to correspond to the contour of edge 18, for example, by substantially matching the profile of edge 18. Matching the angle between upper region 28 of rack 20 and edge 18 of sink 10 has several benefits. For example, if upper region 28 is shallower than edge 18, second end portion 22 will be supported solely by the end of rack 20. This may allow rotation of rack 20 from the ends of rack 20, thereby allowing rack 22 bounce. However, if upper region 28 is steeper than edge 18, second end portion 22 may be supported at the interface between edge 18 b and sidewall 14 b. As described above, this localized support of second end portion 22 may allow for unwanted rotation or flexure. In these configurations, the localized support may increase stresses and susceptibility to damaging (e.g., scuffing, marring, scratching, gouging, etc.) of sink 10. Matching the angle between upper region 28 and edge 18 increases the contact area between upper region 28 and edge 18 thereby limiting rotational movement. Further, increased contact area increases the friction between rack 20 in sink 10. Limiting the rotational movement and increasing the friction between rack 20 and sink 10 increases the stability of rack 20.
While the exemplary embodiment describes end portions 21 and 22 being supported by edges 18, it is contemplated that rack 20 may be supported in any number of suitable fashions. For example, upper region 28 may extend horizontally from lower region 27 and be supported by rim 16; first segment 31 and second segment 32 of spanning portion 30 may rest directly on rim 16; first end portion 21 and second end portion 22 may be otherwise supported by edges, ledges, curved, otherwise angled, or flat surfaces; etc. According to an alternate embodiment in which sink 10 is an under-counter mounted sink, first end portion 21 and second end portion 22 may be supported by a countertop.
First end portion 21 and second end portion 22 may have a protective coating 29. Protective coating 29 may be an elastomer or plastic. Protective coating 29 is configured to protect first end portion 21 and second end portion 22 and configured to prevent damage to sink 10. Protective coating 29 may also increase the coefficient of friction between rack 20 and sink 10, thereby reducing slippage or other unwanted relative motion between rack 20 and sink 10.
The description of second end portion 22, including the description of lower region 27 and upper region 28 may be transferred to first end portion 21. Rack 20 may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials (e.g., metal, plastic, stainless steel, etc.). Rack 20 may receive a coating (e.g., polymer, paint, porcelain, etc.) to protect rack 20 from corrosion or damage. Rack 20 may be formed by any suitable process (e.g., forging, casting, welding, extrusion, injection molding, etc.).
Referring to FIG. 4, an enlarged view of a removable component, shown as cup 50, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Cup 50 includes a bottom 52. A sidewall 54 extends upwardly from bottom 52 and may include a lower portion 55 and an upper portion 56. According to the exemplary embodiment, bottom 52 and sidewall 54 may at least partially define a receptacle (e.g., reservoir). According to an alternate embodiment, sidewall 54 may be continuously curved such that no discernible bottom 52 is formed. Cup 50 may include a rim 59 extending from upper portion 56. According to an alternate embodiment, rim 59 may include a handle configured to facilitate lifting cup 50 from rack 20 or to facilitate placing cup 50 into rack 20.
According to one embodiment, upper portion 56 has a greater cross-sectional area than lower portion 55. According to another embodiment, a portion of upper portion 56 is located outward of a portion of lower portion 55. According to yet another embodiment, the distance between laterally opposite portions of upper portion 56 is greater than the distance between laterally opposite portions of lower portion 55. According to the embodiment shown, the distance between laterally opposite portions of upper portion 56 is greater than the lateral distance between first segment 41 and second segment 42 of receiving portion 40 of rack 20, which in turn is greater than the distance between laterally opposite portions of lower portion 55.
Cup 50 further includes a projection (e.g., protrusion, ledge, ridge, etc.), shown as lip 58. The lateral distance between opposite portions of lip 58 is at least as great as the lateral distance between first segment 41 and second segment 42 of receiving portion 40. As shown, lip 58 extends outwardly between lower portion 55 and upper portion 56 of sidewall 54. That is, lower portion 55 may extend downwardly from an inner portion of lip 58, and upper portion 56 extends upwardly from an outer portion of lip 58. According to alternate embodiments, lower portion 55 and upper portion 56 may be substantially continuous with lip 58 protruding from an outer surface of sidewall 54.
According to the embodiment shown, cup 50 has a generally rectangular shape. Cup 50 includes a plurality of rounded corners (e.g., filets), shown as corners 53. Corners 53 have radii of curvature approximately that of corners 43 of receiving portion 40 of rack 20. According to one embodiment, the radius of curvature of a corner of lower portion 55 is less than the radius of curvature of corner 43 of receiving portion 40, which in turn is less than the radius of curvature of a corner of upper portion 56. According to the exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of cup 50 is substantially similar to the area defined by segment 41 and segment 42 of rack 20. As shown in FIG. 1, lower portion 55 is configured to fit within area 45 defined by first segment 41 and second segment 42 of receiving portion 40 of rack 20; whereas, upper portion 56 is configured to exceed the area defined by segment 41 and segment 42. According to alternate embodiments, the cross-sectional area formed by sidewall 54 may be of a variety of shapes (e.g., square, circle, oval, polygon, etc.), and corners 53 may have any radius of curvature.
Accordingly, receiving portion 40 of rack 20 supports cup 50 by lip 58. Supporting cup 50 by lip 58 allows lower portion 55 and bottom 52 of cup 50 to depend (e.g., hang, suspend, etc.) below rack 20. As such, cup 50 may be stably retained by rack 20. According to the embodiment shown, lip 58 is located above the center of gravity of cup 50. Thus, the center of gravity of cup 50 depends below rack 21 when cup 50 is in an installed position, thereby increasing the stability of cup 50. According to an alternate embodiment, cup 50 does not include a lip 58, and rack 20 supports cup 50 by an outwardly extending rim 59.
The rounded corners 53 of cup 50 facilitate cleaning of cup 50, thereby preventing the accumulation of debris or growth of microorganisms in the corners. Cup 50 may be formed of any suitable material by any suitable process. For example, cup 50 may be formed of drawn stainless steel or molded polypropylene.
Referring to FIG. 5, an exploded view of sink 10, rack 20, and cup 50, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Rack 20 may be selectively removable from sink 10. As shown, receiving portion 40 is oriented towards a rear portion of sink 10. Rack 20 may be reoriented such that receiving portion 40 is oriented towards a front portion of sink 10. Rack 20 is configured to be installed across the basin of sink 10 in a fore-aft direction. For example, rack 20 may be configured that first end portion 21 is supported by edge 18 a and second end portion 22 is supported by edge 18 b when rack 20 is in an installed position. According to one alternative embodiment, rack 20 is configured to be installed laterally across sink 10. For example, rack 20 may be configured such that first end portion 21 is supported by left edge 18 c and second end portion 22 is supported by right edge 18 d when rack 20 is in an installed position. According to alternative embodiments, rack 20 is configured to extend between adjacent sidewalls 14, rims 16, and/or edges 18 of sink 10. According to one embodiment, rack 20 is configured to be supported by a plurality of sidewalls 14, rims 16, or edges 18 of sink 10.
Referring to FIG. 6, an enlarged view of rack 20 and cup 50 are shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, bottom 52 and sidewall 54 of cup 50 at least partially define a reservoir. In use, the reservoir of cup 50 may be filled with a fluid (e.g., water, soapy water, solvent, etc.). Elements (cooking utensils, eating utensils, etc.), shown as utensils 60, may be placed into cup 50 and allowed to soak. Soaking provides time for debris to loosen and/or separate from utensils 60 (e.g., using heat, detergent, solvent, etc.).
The bottoms of sinks are usually not level. For example, floor 12 of sink 10 slopes towards drain 13. Furthermore, utensils 60 extending outward from cup 50 create a high center of gravity. As such, the high center of gravity, particularly in combination with a non-level sink floor, tends to lead to the tipping over of soaking receptacles. Supporting cup 50 by rack 20, particularly supporting cup 50 proximate an upper portion of cup 50 inhibits this tipping motion. Allowing the combination of cup 50 and utensils 60 to depend from rack 20 lowers the center of gravity of the combination relative to rack 20, thereby increasing the stability of the combination.
As shown in FIG. 5, cup 50 is selectively removable from receiving portion 40 of rack 20. Cup 50 may be removed to facilitate the washing of cup 50. Cup 50 may be replaced or exchanged with another cup having a different style, color, or emblem (e.g., team logo, monogram, etc.). Cup 50 may be replaced with other removable components. For example, other alternate removable components may include a soap/detergent holder or dispenser, a knife block, a cutting board, a compost receptacle, etc.
Another alternative removable component may have holes in bottom 52 which allow fluid to drain from the removable component. This configuration may be useful for drying utensils 60. Similarly to cup 50, supporting this removable component by rack 20 will inhibit the tipping tendency created by the high center of gravity of utensils 60. This configuration may also be useful for a small garden. For example, this removable component may be filled with a potting medium and herbs, flowers, or other plants may be grown. Because sinks are often located in front of windows and proximate a source of water, placing a removable garden component in rack 20 installed in a sink would provide the contained plants with access to sunlight and would facilitate watering. Furthermore, as the plants grow, the center of gravity rises, increasing the tipping tendency. As described above, supporting this removable component by rack 20 will inhibit the tipping tendency created by the high center of gravity of the plants.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the sink, rack, or removable component as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the enclosure may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.
The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

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

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.