WO2010027281A2 - Improvements in or relating to a rack for beverage glasses - Google Patents

Abstract

A rack (1) for holding one or more stemmed glasses. The rack (1) comprises an elongate platform (2) along which there are provided a number of mounting bays (5) in to each of which a stemmed glass can be mounted. Each mounting bay (5) includes a first engagement means (7) configured and arranged to, in use, engage against and locate a first sector of the peripheral rim of the base section of a said stemmed glass placed in the mounting bay (5). The rack (1) further includes a second engagement means (3) moveable between a first, engaged, position, and a second, release position wherein the peripheral rim of a said stemmed glass can be captured and retained between, and located by, the first engagement means (7) and the second engagement means (3).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A RACK FOR BEVERAGE GLASSES

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a rack adapted to facilitate storing and/or transporting and/or cleaning a set of substantially identical beverage glasses (whether in fact made from glass, metal or plastics material).

Background of the Invention This invention is specifically directed to dealing with glasses that have a base section, a stem section, and a bowl section. The base section establishing a stable base for the glass, and the bowl section providing the container for the fluid to be imbibed. The base section must include at least a peripheral outer rim via which the glass contacts the surface it is rested on. From this rim the glass must transition to the stem section, wasting in diameter to the smallest cross section of the glass before then increasing in cross section as the glass transitions to the bowl section. Hereafter in this specification such a glass as defined will be referred to as "a stemmed glass".

The invention has particular, although not exclusive, application to stemmed glasses used for wine, and in particular to wine tasting stemmed glasses, as several of such glasses are commonly used at substantially the same time in environments such as wine tasting functions and events, as occurs in winery tasting rooms, wine tasting competitions, and wine competitions where tasting and comparing of multiple wines occur. By way of example, visitors to a winery often taste several different wines in succession. Each wine is tasted in a separate glass, meaning that typically four, five or even more, glasses may be used in a tasting session by each person. Carrying around several stemmed glasses, each of which contains a serving of wine for tasting, can be difficult. Particularly if the taster wishes to take the glasses any distance away from the location where the tasting sample has been poured so as to sample the wines at their leisure.

Presently it is relatively common for wineries to provide a tray to carry a flight of stemmed glasses containing wine for tasting enabling them to be carried from where the wine has been poured to, for example, a table for convenient, leisurely and contemplative imbibing.

While numerous tray designs exist, typically the tray may contain a locating well for the base of each stemmed glass so as to provide a degree of stability during transport, however, stemmed wine glasses tend to be tall, and the trays tend to be narrow. Safely carrying the trays any distance can be something of a challenge.

Further, where wineries do provide wines for tasting in a flight of stemmed glasses collecting the stemmed glasses up can involve significant time and therefore labour expense.

Once collected, subsequent loading of dirty glasses into a mechanised washing facility, such as a commercial dishwasher, can also be very time consuming, with each stemmed glass needing to be individually placed so as minimise contact between adjacent glasses and so avoid breakage from glasses knocking together.

Similar problems to those identified above occur, for example, in spirit (for example whiskey) or beer tastings where multiple stemmed glasses are used at one time to enable comparison of the beverages - both taste and aroma. It is an object of the invention to provide a rack for holding stemmed glasses specified type which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a rack for holding one or more stemmed glasses, the rack comprising an elongate body portion having a platform along which there are provided a number of mounting positions at each of which a stemmed glass can be mounted, each said mounting position including a first engagement means configured and arranged to, in use, engage against and locate a first sector of the peripheral rim of the base section of a said stemmed glass placed in the mounting position, the rack further including a second engagement means moveable between a first, engaged, position, and a second, released position wherein the peripheral rim of a said stemmed glass can be captured and retained between, and located by, the first engagement means and the second engagement means.

It is acknowledged that the terms "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended to have an inclusive meaning - i.e. they will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components which the use directly references, but also to other non- specified components or elements.

Preferably the first engagement means includes a lip under and against which, in use, a sector of the peripheral edge of the rim of a said stemmed glass can be captured and located. Desirably the second engagement means is biased into the engaged position, such that to mount a stemmed glass on the rack the second engagement means must be positively moved to the second position before a said stemmed glass can be placed into a said mounting position, whereafter the second engagement means can be released allowing it to return to the engaged position and so capture the rim of the stemmed glass between the first and second engagement means to retain it in position.

Preferably the second engagement means comprises a resilient strip having a first end attached to the base, a projection upstanding from the strip configured and arranged to, in use, engage a second sector of the peripheral rim of the base section of a said stemmed glass when the second engagement means is in the engaged position, and a second end having means whereby the said second end of the strip can be depressed to cause the second engagement means to move to the second position and the projection to release the second sector of the peripheral rim of the base section of the said stemmed glass.

Conveniently the means for depressing can comprise a finger or thumb grip operable by a user's finger or thumb.

Conveniently the rack can be formed from a resilient plastics material. Most preferably heat stabilized resilient plastics material.

Advantageously the rack body can contain numerous apertures and void areas to facilitate draining of washing water and subsequent drying.

Desirably the surface of the rack is adapted to carry labels so as to provide a reference as to the contents of each stemmed glass which may be held in the rack. Optionally the reference can be a reference number, or a specific brief written description. Alternatively the surface can carry a logo, advertising, or other branding. Desirably the rack can accommodate a flight of six stemmed glasses of the same shape and configuration. Preferably glasses are able to be accommodated at equi-spaced intervals along the length of the rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: Shows a plan view of a rack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2: Shows front elevation of the rack of figure 1 ;

Figure 3: Shows a plan view from below of the rack of figure 1 ;

Figure 4: Shows an end view of the rack of figure 1 ;

Figure 5: Shows a perspective view of the rack of figure 1 ;

Figure 6: Shows a front perspective view of the rack of figure 1 with stemmed glasses in position; and

Figure 7: Shows an perspective view of the rack of figure 1 with stemmed glasses in position.

Referring to the drawings, a rack according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated generally at 1.

In its preferred form the invention is adapted to hold wine glasses 50, such as wine tasting glasses, although the invention is not intended to be solely directed to wine glasses. In that regard it is specifically within the contemplation of the invention that a rack incorporating the inventive features could be adapted to hold stemmed glasses for tasting any variety of consumable liquid products, such as beer, spirits, olive oil and the like.

The rack 1 comprises an elongate base 2 and a strip-like releasable locking portion 3.

The base 2 has a first level 4 on which, in use, the base 51 of each wine glass 50 can stand at predetermined glass positioning bays 5. Disposed around a sector of each glass positioning bay 5 is upstanding portion 6 upstanding from the first level 4 against which, in use, the peripheral edge 52 of glass base 51 can abut and locate. A lip 7 extends radially inwardly from the portion 6 so that, in use, the peripheral edge 52 is captured under the lip 7.

Optionally, as shown in the preferred embodiment, the portion 6 can represent a half circle shaped sector, with the lip 7 occupying part or all of the semi-circumferential length of the portion 6.

Again optionally, as shown in the drawings, the portion 6 and lip 7 can be configured and arranged as a partial overlay over the first level 4.

The rack 1 further includes a second engagement means 8 associated with each glass positioning bay 5 biased into the engaged position to, in use, locate against a further section of the peripheral edge 52 of the base 51 of a glass 50 located in the said glass positioning bay 5, thereby ensuring the glass 50 is prevented from sliding out from beneath the lip 7

The second engagement means 8 is in the form of a resilient strip 9 aligned radially with respect to the corresponding glass positioning bay 5, and having a first end 10 extending from the first level 4 within the glass positioning bay 5. The strip 9 has a free end 11 on which is located a finger grip 12 which can be depressed to cause the strip 9 to bend. The finger grip 12 includes a projection 13 upstanding from the strip 9 configured and arranged to, in use, engage the further peripheral edge 52 of the base 51 of the glass located in the glass positioning bay 5 when the second engagement means 8 is in the engaged position thereby preventing the glass 50 from sliding out from under the lip 7.

Depressing the finger grip 12 causes strip 9 to bend, and with the application of sufficient downward pressure the projection 13 can be caused to drop below the level of the peripheral edge 52 of the glass 50, thereby allowing the glass 50 to be moved out from under the lip 7 and removed from the rack 1.

In its preferred form the entire rack 1 is formed as a single moulded component from a resilient plastics material, and more preferably from a heat stabilized resilient plastics material.

Although not shown in the drawings, the top surface of first level 4 in front of each glass positioning bay 5 could, for example, be adapted to carry a label so as to provide a reference as to the contents of each glass which may be held in the rack 1. Optionally the reference could be a reference number, or a specific brief written description of the wine, such as, by way of example, "2007 Reserve Chardonnay" or the like. Alternatively the surface could carry a logo, advertising, or other branding.

In the embodiment of the rack 1 illustrated a flight of six glasses is shown. It will, however, be appreciated that racks according to the present invention may be designed to accommodate any number of glasses accommodated at equi-spaced intervals along the length of the rack 1. An optional method of use of the rack 1 will now be described. A flight of clean empty glasses 50 are set up on the rack, one glass 50 per glass positioning bay 5. Each glass 50 is inserted into position by first depressing the strip 9 through pressing down on the associated finger grip 12. Once the projection 13 is lowered sufficiently the glass 50 is slid in and under the lip 7. The finger grip 12 is then released, allowing hte strip 9 to bend back up, and the projection 12 to locate in and against the peripheral edge 52 of the glass 50 locking it in to position.

The glasses 50 can then each be filled with an appropriate amount of wine. When the taster wishes to taste the wine in any one of the glasses 50 they finger grip 12 corresponding to the selected glass 50 is depressed to move the projection 13 down out of the way so that that glass 50 can be slid out.

Replacing the glass 50 employs the reverse action.

Staff engaged in clearing up after a tasting session simply restore the glasses 50 into the rack 1. The rack 1 full of glasses 50 can then be taken as a single unit and placed in a dishwasher or the like for cleaning.

The rack 1 desirably contains numerous apertures and void areas to facilitate draining of washing water and subsequent drying. For example, as shown in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings a void 14 is provided in the rack 1 in each glass positioning bay 5 beneath the position in use occupied by the base 51 of the glass 50. Such void spaces are intended to allow water in a dishwasher to flow in and around not only the rack 1 , but also the glasses 50.

While manufacture from a plastics material has been expressly contemplated and injection moulding indicated as the preferred manufacturing method, the use of other materials and other fabrication techniques are also contemplated. Further in that regard, fabrication in more complex construction to facilitate draining of washing water and drying etc is also anticipated.

It will be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent elements, arrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent materials, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

Wherein the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by a way of example of possible embodiments, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

Claims:

1. A rack for holding one or more stemmed glasses, the rack comprising an elongate body portion having a platform along which there are provided a number of mounting positions at each of which a stemmed glass can be mounted, each said mounting position including a first engagement means configured and arranged to, in use, engage against and locate a first sector of the peripheral rim of the base section of a said stemmed glass placed in the mounting position, the rack further including a second engagement means moveable between a first, engaged, position, and a second, released position wherein the peripheral rim of a said stemmed glass can be captured and retained between, and located by, the first engagement means and the second engagement means.

2. A rack according to claim 1 wherein the first engagement means includes a lip under and against which, in use, a sector of the peripheral edge of the rim of a said stemmed glass can be captured and located.

3. A rack according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second engagement means is biased into the engaged position, such that to mount a stemmed glass on the rack the second engagement means must be positively moved to the second position before a said stemmed glass can be placed into a said mounting position, whereafter upon release the second engagement means returns to the engaged position and so capture the rim of the stemmed glass between the first and second engagement means to retain it in position.

4. A rack according to claim 3 wherein the second engagement means comprises a resilient strip having a first end attached to the base, a projection upstanding from the strip configured and arranged to, in use, engage a second sector of the peripheral rim of the base section of a said stemmed glass when the second engagement means is in the engaged position, and a second end having means whereby the said second end of the strip can be depressed to cause the second engagement means to move to the second position and the projection to release the second sector of the peripheral rim of the base section of the said stemmed glass.

5. A rack according to claim 4 wherein the means for depressing can comprise a finger or thumb grip operable by a user's finger or thumb.

6. A rack according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rack is be formed from a resilient plastics material.

7. A rack according to claim 6 wherein the rack is formed from a heat stabilized resilient plastics material.

8. A rack according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rack body contains numerous apertures and void areas to facilitate draining of washing water and subsequent drying.

9. A rack according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the rack is adapted to carry labels so as to provide a reference as to the contents of each stemmed glass which may be held in the rack.

10. A rack according to claim 9 wherein the label can carry a reference number, or a specific brief written description.

11. A rack according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the surface of the rack is adapted to carry a logo, advertising, or other branding.

12. A rack according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rack can accommodate a flight of six stemmed glasses of the same shape and configuration.

13. A rack according to claim 12 wherein the stemmed glasses are able to be accommodated at equi-spaced intervals along the length of the rack.

14. A rack substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings.