System, apparatus, and method for protecting glassware

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting glassware particularly those pieces of glassware having stems from being damaged when placed in a dishwasher or a sink. The apparatus comprises a shroud having an opening at one end to receive the glassware so that the shroud surrounds the glassware, wherein the shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof. Multiple shrouds of varying size can be provided which are similar in shape so as to be stackable onto each other.

Claims

1. An apparatus for protecting a single glassware article, comprising: a shroud having a bottom opening at one end to receive the single glassware article as the shroud is placed over and down upon the single glassware article and having lateral sides that are configured to surround all lateral sides and the top of the single glassware article in a close proximal manner and spaced apart from the single glassware article, wherein the bottom opening forms a continuous perimeter at said one end, wherein said shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof, wherein said shroud is made of a rigid material that is able to withstand water, soap, and heat processes of a dishwasher, wherein said shroud is portable and is a single unit, and the internal capacity of the shroud is sized for only one glassware article.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shroud is cylindrical in shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shroud is polygonal or rectangular in shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tabs on an inside surface of said shroud.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of tabs are made from plastic or rubber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shroud is tapered or frustoconical in shape.

7. A method for protecting a single glassware article, comprising: covering the single glassware article with a shroud having a bottom opening at one end to receive the single glassware article as the shroud is placed over and down upon the single glassware article, said shroud having lateral sides that are configured to surround all lateral sides and the top of the single glassware article in a close proximal manner and spaced apart from the single glassware article, wherein the bottom opening forms a continuous perimeter at said one end, wherein said shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof, wherein said shroud is made of a rigid material that is able to withstand water, soap, and heat processes of a dishwasher, and wherein said shroud is portable and is a single unit, and the internal capacity of the shroud is sized for only one glassware article.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said shroud is cylindrical in shape.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said shroud is polygonal or rectangular in shape.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the glassware article has a stem.

11. A system for protecting glassware articles, comprising: a plurality of shrouds, each shroud for protecting a single glassware article and having a bottom opening at one end to receive the single glassware article as the shroud is placed over and down upon the single glassware article and having lateral sides that are configured to surround all lateral sides and the top of the single glassware article in a close proximal manner and spaced apart from the single glassware article, wherein the bottom opening forms a continuous perimeter at said one end, wherein each shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof, wherein each shroud is made of a rigid material that is able to withstand water, soap, and heat processes of a dishwasher, wherein each shroud is portable and is a single unit, and the internal capacity of the shroud is sized for only one glassware article, and wherein said shrouds are similar in shape such that said shrouds are stackable onto each other.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each shroud is cylindrical in shape.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein each shroud is polygonal or rectangular in shape.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said shrouds are different sizes in width and height.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of tabs on an inside surface of each shroud.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of tabs are made from plastic or rubber.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein each shroud is tapered or frustoconical in shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from a detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a shroud or cup with a circular cross section, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the shroud of FIG. 1, tilted upwards, and shows a wine glass contained therein.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the shroud of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of a shroud or cup with a circular cross section, according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view of the shroud of FIG. 4, inverted and showing a portion of the inside of the shroud.

(7) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the shroud of FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the shroud of FIG. 4, shown adjacent to an inverted wine glass that fits inside the shroud.

(9) FIG. 8 shows the wine glass from FIG. 7 enveloped by the shroud.

(10) FIGS. 9-11 show a glassware shroud having a polygonal cross section in various depictions relative to a wine glass.

(11) FIG. 12 shows three adjacent polygonal shrouds loaded into a dishwasher, according to another embodiment.

(12) FIGS. 13 and 14 show, respectively, two naked wine glasses loaded in a dishwasher, and then covered by polygonal shrouds.

(13) FIG. 15 shows two depictions of a shroud having cylindrical cross section according to another embodiment.

(14) FIGS. 16-17 show further depictions of a cylindrical shroud according to the present invention.

(15) FIGS. 18-20 show stackable shrouds of polygonal or substantially rectangular cross section according to the present invention.

(16) The invention will next be described in connection with certain exemplary embodiments; however, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions, and subtractions can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(17) The present invention according to one example aspect provides a shroud or casing as a single unit which operates to surround or cover an item such as a wine glass for placement in a dishwasher, sink, storage box, etc. The shroud has one or more holes or perforations to enable water and soap from the dishwasher to clean the glass.

(18) In an example embodiment the shroud is made of a rigid material such as thermoplastic or various injection moldable plastics that do not easily break. Example thermoplastics include acrylic, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PLA (polylactic acid), polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, Teflon, PVC, and others. Clear, transparent, or translucent plastic are among the examples that can be used, in various colors. In other example embodiments the shroud is made of metal, tin, aluminum, glass, or others including opaque materials. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list and so other suitable materials may of course be used as well, as long as the material has a measure of rigidity sufficient to protect the glassware and can withstand the heat and washing cycle of a dishwasher, which can typically be between 110 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit although could of course be more or less. The shroud may be made in various suitable shapes, sizes, and dimensions. For example, its shape may be cylindrical, polygonal, square, rectangular, or others.

(19) The shroud may be used for the purpose of protecting wine glasses, champagne glasses, goblets, other fine glassware, and the like whether having stems or not, which tend to be thinner in nature and thus more susceptible to damage or breaking than other glass items in the dishwasher.

(20) In preferred example embodiments the glassware shrouds of the present invention are plastic perforated polygonal or round cylinders of different widths and heights which would correspond to dimensions slightly larger than the widths and heights of various wine glasses, champagne glasses, goblets, etc. A full set of glassware shrouds may comprise a number of different widths and heights (e.g., four), although various embodiments of the present invention would of course be made to enable users to acquire subsets appropriately sized for their own sets of small and large wine glasses, champagne glasses, goblets and other glassware, etc.

(21) The glassware shrouds can be molded or made in any suitable dimensions to fit various sized glasses and accommodate various sized or configured dishwasher racks. In some example dishwasher racks (certainly not meant to be limiting), the dishwasher racks are approximately 21″ square with upstanding tines arrayed in a variety of patterns with different spacing and angles with respect to the horizontal. The upper and lower racks may be different in height or configuration and may thus present separate challenges that can be met by the present invention. It is noted that commercial Carlisle plastic racks, without tines, in some examples establish 16-35 compartments (rounded and square) from 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches. The glassware shrouds of the present invention provide full depth barriers between glasses and other adjacent glasses or items in dishwashers and envelope each of the glasses. The various dimensions of the glassware shrouds can accommodate a range of commonly used glasses. In one aspect of the invention the glasses are placed in the dishwasher with the glassware shrouds quickly and effectively placed over the glasses and ultimately enveloping the glasses in a simple and easy fashion. At the end of the washing cycle shrouds and glasses can be easily removed.

(22) The glassware shrouds of the present invention are of course dishwasher safe and are stackable within their size category for easy storage. As discussed above the glassware shrouds can simply be put over a piece of glassware once that item is loaded into a dishwasher. The glassware shrouds then allow, via the various openings, holes, or perforations thereof, the water, soap, and rinse cycles access to the glassware while protecting the stem from vibrations and protecting the glass and stem from contact with any loose items which may be dislodged in a dishwasher. A typical wine glass enveloped by a glassware shroud is thereby stabilized in the dishwasher and thus protected from contact by adjacent glasses, pots, and pans, while accommodating water circulation. A glassware shroud also offers protection to the wine glass even if the wine glass is in a sink or on a counter or if wine glasses are stored together in a crate or box.

(23) The manufacturing process according to one embodiment of the present invention results in glassware shrouds having (1) a tapered (or in some embodiments frustoconical) cylinder or other shaped body which allows for relatively easy injection molding; and (2) sufficient hole openings or perforations for dishwasher spray yet strong enough to shroud and protect the glassware.

(24) According to preferred aspects of the present invention the thickness of the glassware shrouds is 0.06 inches which is a wall thickness that accommodates well the plastic injection molded parts. In other preferred embodiments the thickness of the glassware shrouds may be but are not limited to 0.05 or 0.07 inches with no effect on the performance. Thicknesses more or less than these are suitable as well. In one example embodiment the height of a glassware shroud is approximately 8 inches, but of course heights taller or shorter than this are suitable as well.

(25) As to the shape of the holes or perforations, the bigger the hole, the more surface area is exposed to the cleaning power of the dish washer, but the weaker the structure. The design of the present invention balances the mechanical strength of the product with the exposed area of the glasses.

(26) The strength of the product is a resultant of the material selected and the geometry produced. The present invention in one embodiment is a stackable design which holds the glass in place as well as keeps a large part of the glass exposed to the environment of the dishwasher.

(27) In the accompanying figures it is of course to be understood that like reference numerals refer to similar (though not necessarily identical) components.

(28) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glassware shroud 10 in the form of a cylindrical shroud or cup with a circular cross section, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The glassware shroud 10 has holes or perforations 12 on its side, to allow water and soap from the dishwasher to have access to the glassware contained therein, for cleaning. Perforations 14 on the top of the glassware shroud 10 operate to provide the same function, as does the opening 15 at the bottom (see FIG. 2).

(29) As can be seen for example from the embodiment of FIG. 1, the full opening 15 at the bottom of the glassware shroud 10 which receives the glass enables a good washing of the inside of the glass, while the side perforations 12 or the top perforations 14 enable washing of the outside of the glass.

(30) FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the glassware shroud 10 of FIG. 1, tilted upwards, and shows a wine glass 16 contained therein and protected thereby. FIG. 3 is a perspective bottom view of the glassware shroud 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(31) Of course, the perforations may vary in size, shape, and number as well. See for example FIGS. 4-8, which show another example embodiment of the present invention, in which like reference numerals are used to point to like features.

(32) FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of a shroud or cup 10 with a circular cross section, according to another example embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIGS. 4-8 the holes or perforations 12 on the side of the shroud 10 have a different shape and size than the holes or perforations 12 of FIGS. 1-3. The perforations 14 on the top of the shroud 10 of FIGS. 4-8 are similar to the perforations 14 of the example embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, but of course, like the side perforations 12, the top perforations 14 of FIGS. 4-8 could vary in size, shape, configuration, or number as well (e.g., round, elliptical, rectangular, etc.).

(33) FIG. 5 is a view of the shroud 10 of FIG. 4, inverted and showing a portion of the inside of the shroud 10. The embodiment of FIG. 5 for example shows a plurality of tabs on the inside rim (made, for example, from a soft material such as rubber, or another material such as plastic) which can help stabilize the glassware snugly within the shroud 10. In some embodiments other material (soft, plastic, rubber, etc.) on the inside surface of the shroud can help stabilize the glassware snugly within the shroud as well.

(34) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the shroud 10 of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the shroud 10 of FIG. 4, shown adjacent to an inverted wine glass 16 that fits inside the shroud 10. FIG. 8 shows the wine glass 16 from FIG. 7 enveloped by the shroud.

(35) FIGS. 9-11 show a glassware shroud 10 having a polygonal cross section. FIG. 9 shows how a glass 16 is enveloped by the shroud 10. FIG. 10 shows the glass 16 adjacent to the shroud 10. FIG. 11 shows how the shroud 10 is placed over the glass 16. Of course, while not shown in FIGS. 9-11 the shroud 10 could of course have holes or perforations on its bottom similar to the holes or perforations 14 of FIG. 1.

(36) FIG. 12 shows three adjacent polygonal shrouds 10 loaded into a dishwasher, according to another embodiment. It is noted that when placed adjacent to each other circular bottom rims such as those shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 have, by definition, only a narrow singular meeting point. Consequently, one advantage to shrouds having square or rectangular bottoms or even polygonal bottoms such as those shown in FIG. 12 is that when placed adjacent to each other adjacent shrouds 10 can support each other.

(37) FIGS. 13 and 14 show, respectively, two naked wine glasses 16 loaded in a dishwasher, and then covered by polygonal shrouds 10. FIG. 15 shows two depictions of a shroud 10 having cylindrical cross section according to another embodiment. FIGS. 16-17 show further depictions of a cylindrical shroud 10 according to the present invention. FIGS. 18-20 show stackable shrouds 10 of polygonal or substantially rectangular cross section according to the present invention.

(38) The shrouds can of course be manufactured in any color. Black for example looks good and strong in the context of a gray and silver dishwasher interior, and someone may be less likely to accidentally discard a black shroud but translucent ones might get discarded in error.

(39) As will be appreciated from the description and figures herein, as wine glasses and other types of fine glassware are ubiquitous in households and restaurants, particularly those with electric dishwashers, the invention finds wide application. Individuals, restaurants, and caterers, to name some, may therefore find this invention to be quite useful.

(40) Glassware shrouds according to the present invention and its various embodiments can be made available separately or in a set that is stackable together and that has varying shapes and sizes. They may of course be sold as standard accessories or equipment accompanying glassware or even along with an electric dishwasher. Some modest universality of size is envisioned in some embodiments so that a single glassware shroud can fit several different sizes, configurations, and types of glasses. As noted above the shrouds may protect glassware with or without stems.

(41) The shrouds can be circular, polygonal, square, or rectangular in cross section, among other shapes and configurations as noted herein. By virtue of the features of the present invention adjacent glasses can be placed on a dishwasher rack, each glass being protected or enveloped by a shroud, such that each glass is stabilized as well as separate from each adjacent glass.

(42) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.