Abstract:
The invention relates to the protection of glasses and glassware in the hospitality and bar industry. Specifically, the device provides for a rubberized or plastic nesting device sized to fit on the outside of glassware, such as for example, a pint glass, whereby the plastic nesting device permits multiple glasses to nest and save space during cleaning and storage and preventing the direct contact of the sides of the glassware that might lead to breaking.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to devices for protecting against the breakage of glassware, namely, glassware that is stored in a nested arrangement or nested configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Glassware such as that used in a bar, restaurant, or any other establishment engaged in the service of cocktails, beer, or wine, must be stored in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of the establishment over the course of a day or evening. Typically, this glassware is stored on crowded tables, in cupboards, or on shelves, where there is a need to minimize the amount of space consumed by the glassware. In order to conserve space, glassware is commonly “nested,” i.e., stacked so that the bottom of one glass is placed inside of a second glass, and where the bottom of the second glass is placed inside of a third glass, and so on. Nesting arrangements such as this exist with as few as two glasses and may include upwards of a dozen, and sometimes more, in a single, contiguous, nested arrangement. 
     When glassware is stored in a nested arrangement, it is relatively common for the glasses to become stuck together, where the bottom of one glass is not easily removed from the inside of the second glass. Sometimes stacks of nested glassware become stuck in this way; where considerable force is required to remove the glasses from the nested arrangement. Where considerable force is required to dislodge glassware from a nested arrangement, an increased risk exists such that one or more glasses will break during the dislodging process. Over the course of a year, a restaurant, bar, or other establishment will spend thousands of dollars, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, replacing broken glassware that has broken after becoming stuck in a nested arrangement or configuration. Additionally, bar keeps, bar tenders, and any other workers trying to dislodge stuck glassware from a nested arrangement may accidentally injure themselves or others with shards of broken glass. Still more danger is created from the shards of broken glass which accidentally find their way into ice chests, coolers, and sometimes into the icy drinks of unsuspecting customers. 
     In addition to creating a risk of injury from glassware breakage during the dislodging of stuck glassware stored in a nested arrangement, the act of nesting glassware i.e., physically placing the bottom of one glass into the opening of a second glass, can cause the bottom of the first glass to strike the rim of the second glass, causing the rim of the second glass to chip or break. This problem of breaking or chipping the rims of glassware exists because the bottoms of most glasses are made from heavy, thick layers of glass, where the rims of those same glasses are typically thin, and relatively prone to chipping and breaking. Where the rim of one glass is chipped or contains some other imperfection, the chip may cause injury to a customer and the imperfection or chip can also lessen or diminish the presentation of the contents of the glass when served to the customer. For example, a pint glass used to serve beer with thick foam will fail to hold adequate foam (or “head”) where the rim of the pint glass has imperfections or chips. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a device or method permitting or providing for the efficient, space-conserving storage of large inventories of glassware in a nested arrangement or configuration while at the same time avoiding or minimizing the attendant risks associated with such a practice, including the risk of glassware breaking after the same has become stuck, or the risk of glassware becoming broken, chipped, or impaired during the nesting process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention includes a glassware nesting device comprised of a plurality of prongs extending vertically from a shared, generally planar base member where the prongs are spaced apart from each other and form a receiving space for a glass, where the glass has a rim and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having an inner portion and an outside edge, and where the generally planar base member includes a supporting surface configured to partially envelop the outside edge of the bottom surface of the glass. 
     The invention also includes a glassware nesting device comprised of a generally planar base member including a plurality of finger-shaped prongs, each extending vertically from a generally planar base member and spaced apart from each other forming a receiving space for a glass, where the glass has a rim and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having an inner portion and an outside edge, and where the generally planar base member includes a supporting surface configured to partially envelop the outside edge of the bottom surface of the glass. 
     The invention also includes a plurality of glassware stacked in a nested configuration, wherein the plurality includes at least one glassware nesting device interposed between pieces of glassware in said plurality of glassware, wherein the glassware nesting device comprises a plurality of prongs extending vertically from a shared, generally planar base member where the prongs are spaced apart from each other and form a receiving space for a glass, where the glass has a rim and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having an inner portion and an outside edge, and where the generally planar base member includes a supporting surface configured to partially envelop the outside edge of the bottom surface of the glass 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric, top, perspective view of a glassware nesting device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric, bottom, perspective view of a glassware nesting device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side, planar view of a glassware nesting device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top, planar view of a glassware nesting device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom, planar view of a glassware nesting device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side, sectional view of a glassware nesting device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention and shown with a representative glass (shown in dotted or dashed lines, and also in side, sectional view). 
         FIG. 7  is a side, sectional view of a glassware nesting device constructed in accordance with principles of the present invention and shown with two representative glasses stacked in a nested arrangement (where the glasses are shown in dotted or dashed lines, and also in side, sectional view). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  discloses an embodiment of the invention, namely an embodiment usable to protect against the breaking of pint glasses. As shown in  FIG. 1 , which is an isometric, top, perspective view of glassware nesting device  10 , wherein glassware nesting device  10  includes a first prong  12  that is integrally formed with a generally planar base member, along with second prong  14 , third prong  16 , and fourth prong  18 . The generally planar base member  19  includes a supporting surface  26  and shock absorber  21 , where the shock absorber is preferably shaped like a donut, including a center opening  20 . The donut-shaped shock absorber  21  includes a top surface  24  and a bottom surface  28  (seen in  FIG. 2 ). The shock absorber  21  is connected to the generally planar base member by a ring-shaped bevel  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , the shock absorber  21  is situated beneath the generally planar base member  19 . In operation, the shock absorber will deform in response to impact to the bottom surface  28 , causing the shock absorber to move slightly vertically at bevels  22  and  23  as well as the drop ring  25  (as seen from above in  FIGS. 1 ) and  32  (as seen from below in  FIG. 2 . The shock absorber preferably deforms under impact in a manner that protects a piece of glassware from breaking either when the glassware is dropped, or when the glassware is inserted into another piece of glassware in a nested arrangement as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a plurality of prongs  12 ,  16 ,  14 , and  18  extend vertically from the shared, generally planar base member. Each prong is preferably shaped like a finger, with a relatively narrow profile. The thickness of each prong is preferably less than a quarter inch, such that nesting device  10  takes up the least amount of volume, thereby enabling more glasses to be stacked in a nested configuration for a predetermined allotted space for such a stack of nested glassware 
       FIG. 2  shows the bottom of the glassware nesting device  10  as well as the outer ring of the shock absorber  32 , which is the point at which the shock absorber preferably deforms in response to impact from underneath the glassware nesting device  10 . Rounded bottom, outside corners  34 ,  35 ,  36 , and  38  provide the base ends of each finger-shaped prong. These rounded corners,  34 ,  35 ,  36 , and  38  are rounded to permit easy sliding of the glassware nesting device  10  into the mouth of another glass as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the glassware nesting device  10  from the bottom, where the underside of the supporting surface  22  can be seen. The generally planar base member  19 , as seen best in  FIGS. 1-3  is designed in conjunction with the rounded corners  34 ,  35 ,  36 , and  38  to partially envelop the outside bottom edge of a pint glass as seen in  FIG. 6 . The pint glass  74  slides into the glassware nesting device  10 . The generally planar base member  19  at least partially envelops the outside, bottom edge  76  of the pint glass  74 , protecting that outside, bottom edge  76  from impacts on the side (at rounded corners  34 ,  35 ,  36 , and  38 ) and bottom (by surface  72 ). In this particular embodiment, parts of the outside bottom edge  76  of pint glass  74  remain exposed, however, it is contemplated by the invention that in other embodiments, the entire outside, bottom edge  76  of pint glass  74  will be enveloped. By partially enveloping the outside, bottom edge  76  of pint glass  74 , glassware nesting device  10  uses a lower amount of material and it is easier to slide onto the pint glass  74  and partially envelop the bottom surface of the pint glass  74 . With continuing reference to  FIG. 6 , the donut-shaped shock absorber  21  sits underneath the generally planar base member and provides additional protection to the underside of the pint glass  74 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a glassware nesting device  10  constructed in accordance with principles of the invention is further described. The plurality of finger-shaped prongs rise from a shared, generally planar base member  19  and transition from said base member at rounded corners. The rounded corners  34  and  38  are best seen in  FIG. 3  when the device is shown in side profile view. Each finger-shaped prong is shaped with a narrow profile, with rounded top edges,  44 ,  46 , and  42 . The plurality of finger-shaped prongs extend at an angle  56  away from a line  54  that is normal to the plane in which generally planar base member  19  is disposed. For example, as seen in  FIG. 3 , the angling away of the fourth finger-shaped prong  18 , and the first finger-shaped prong  12  can be seen to define an area  80  that is disposed between these two prongs. This same area, when imagined in 3 dimensions is also disposed between second finger-shaped prong  14  (which is facing the viewer in  FIG. 3 ) and the third finger-shaped prong  16  (which is obscured from view in  FIG. 3 ). This receiving area  80  is sized to receive the bottom of a pint glass as shown in  FIG. 6 , and when the glassware nesting device receives a pint glass  74  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the glassware device  10  and pint glass  74 , fully nested in the device  10 , can be inserted into another pint glass  78  as seen in  FIG. 7 . When glassware device  10  holds glass  74  and when this assembly slides inside another glass  78 , a plurality of glassware stacked in a nested configuration  82  is created. If more glassware nesting devices are available, they can in-turn be placed on additional pieces of glassware. For example, another glassware nesting device may be placed on the pint glass  78 , and then the plurality of glassware stacked in a nested configuration  82  will grow by one. The invention contemplates any number of glasses stacked in a nested arrangement as disclosed in  FIG. 7 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the outside surface  52  of second finger-shaped prong is disclosed, as surrounded by the side profiles  50  and  48 . Side profiles  50  and  48  are preferably less than 10 degrees from vertical, creating a tapered effect and shaped to the prong. The finger-shaped prong has an outside surface  52  that has a predetermined coefficient of friction at a level that is low enough to permit the outside of the glassware nesting device  10 , at surface  52 , to easily slip inside of another piece of glassware, but at the same time, high enough that the glassware nesting device  10  does not become too wedged within the mouth of a pint glass. As seen in  FIG. 3 , glassware nesting device  10  has an overall height  57  that is preferably more than 2 inches but less than 6 inches. The overall height  57  of glassware nesting device  10  is adjustable to suit the glass, such that the prongs to not extend beyond the rim of the glass as seen in  FIG. 6 . 
     Suitable materials for construction of the glassware nesting device include polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, such as HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE. While other materials may also be suitable, these materials are preferable because they provide the right amount of friction when the glassware nesting device  10  is inserted on a pint glass  74  as shown in  FIG. 6  and when the glass  76  and nesting device  10  are inserted into another glass  78  as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     As seen  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an embodiment of the invention for pint glasses is disclosed with a plurality of finger-shaped prongs, namely four in number. These prongs extend radially away from a circular center as seen in  FIG. 4 . They form a receiving space  80  seen in  FIG. 4  by the circular line  80 . In the depicted embodiment, the receiving space  80  is sized to receive the bottom of a pint glass, however, other glasses are useable with the present invention, and the invention is not limited to pint glasses. Moreover, different shapes for glasses are contemplated by the invention, including triangles, squares, and other shapes. 
     When used for pint glasses, the number of finger-shaped prongs is preferably 4 prongs, because this provides an adequate amount of protection against glass-on-glass contact. Glass-on-glass contact leads to breakage and lodging among glasses stored in a nested configuration. So having four prongs, of the general size a shape disclosed in  FIGS. 1-5 , will prevent against glass-on-glass contact in a manner that reduces the chance for breakage or lodging when pint glasses are arranged in a nested configuration. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the bottom of glassware nesting device  10  is described. The bottom side of glassware nesting device  10  includes four rounded corners,  35 ,  34 ,  38 , and  36 . These rounded corners are preferably made from a material that permits the glassware nesting device  10  to slide easily into the mouth of a pint glass. To this end, the material will have a predetermined coefficient of friction at a level that is low enough to permit the outside of the glassware nesting device  10 , at rounded corners  35 ,  34 ,  38 , and  36 , to easily slip inside of another piece of glassware. As also seen in  FIG. 5 , the bottom side  72  of supporting surface  26  is seen. Additionally, the bottom surface  28  of donut-shaped shock absorber is also seen disposed within the bevel  30 . Together, the bevel  30  and the outer ring of shock absorber  32  are configured to permit deformation of the shock absorber  21  from an underside impact, translating into deceleration of the glass and glassware nesting device combination (as seen in  FIG. 6 ), and protection of the glass  74  from breakage. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.