Abstract:
Systems and methods for a glass rack are provided. An embodiment of a glass rack includes: a frame with a top opening; compartments located inside said frame; a top cover that is attached to said frame and covers said top opening; wherein said top cover comprises holes configured to allow water and soap to flow through said top opening of said glass rack.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Existing glass racks are configured to wash, to use and to store glasses. However, existing glass racks require a user to insert individual glasses either face up for storage and for use or face down for washing. When an existing glass rack has been used for washing glasses, the user must individually turn each glass over to use the glasses (e.g., fill with ice, water, etc.). Therefore there exists a need for systems and methods that address these and/or problems associated with existing glass racks.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0002]     Systems and methods for a glass rack are provided. An embodiment of a glass rack includes: a frame with a top opening; compartments located inside said frame; a top cover that is attached to said frame and covers said top opening; wherein said top cover comprises holes configured to allow water and soap to flow through said top opening of said glass rack.  
         [0003]     A method for using a glass rack with a top and a bottom opening, said method includes: inserting glasses upside down into respective compartments of said glass rack through said top opening of said glass rack; covering said top opening with a top cover; inserting said glass rack into a washing machine and washing said glasses in said glass rack; removing said glass rack from said washing machine; inverting said glass rack; removing a bottom cover from said bottom opening of said glass rack; and filling said glasses with at least one of ice and a beverage while said glasses are in said respective compartments inside said glass rack.  
         [0004]     A method for using a glass rack with a top opening, said method includes: inserting glasses face up into respective compartments of said glass rack through said top opening of said glass rack; covering said top opening with a top cover; inverting said glass rack; inserting said glass rack into a washing machine and washing said glasses in said glass rack; removing said glass rack from said washing machine; inverting said glass rack; removing said top cover from said top opening of said glass rack; and filling said glasses with at least one of ice and a beverage while said glasses are in said respective compartments inside said glass rack.  
         [0005]     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0007]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1C  depicts an embodiment of a frame of a glass rack.  
         [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2C  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a compartment of a glass rack.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a flow chart depicting a method for using a glass rack with two slides according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a flow chart depicting a method for using a glass rack with one slide according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A-4E  depict stages of using a glass rack with two slides.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 4F-4K  depict stages of using a glass rack with one slide.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 5A-5C  depict respective views of an embodiment of a slide of a glass rack.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 6A-6C  depict respective views of another embodiment of a slide of a glass rack.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 7A-7C  depict respective views of a third embodiment of a slide of a glass rack.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 8A-8C  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 9A-9C  depict respective views of another embodiment of a glass rack.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 10A-10C  depict respective views of a third embodiment of a glass rack.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 11A-11C  depict an embodiment of a glass rack with attached covers.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart depicting a method for using a glass rack with two covers according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart depicting a method for using a glass rack with one cover according to an embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 . The glass rack  10  contains a slide  11 , a slide  12 , and a frame  13 . The slide  111  and the slide  12  are removable from the frame  13 . The slides  11  and  12  may contain openings (not shown) for allowing cleaning substances (e.g., soap and water) to flow through the glass rack  10 .  
         [0025]      FIGS. 1C and 1D  depict respective embodiments of a frame  13  of a glass rack  10 . The frame  13  may comprise a groove  14  on the top of the frame  13  and a groove  15  on the bottom of the frame  13 . The slides  11  and  12  ( FIGS. 1A-1B ) may be inserted into the grooves  14  and  15  in the frame  13 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , the frame  13  may include openings  19  that can be used to hold the frame  13  while turning it upside down. The openings  19  may be, for example, circular or oval, among other possible shapes. Although not shown in some embodiments of the frame  13  depicted in various figures, such embodiments may also be implemented with frames  13  having openings  19 .  
         [0026]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 . A glass rack  10  comprises a slide  11 , a slide  12 , a frame  13 , a groove  14 , a groove  15 , and a compartment  21 .  FIG. 2A  depicts an embodiment of the glass rack  10  with the slide  11  (not shown) removed from the groove  14 . The interior of the glass rack  10  is accessible from the top with the slide  11  removed. The interior of the glass rack  10  contains a compartment  21  for the placement of objects (e.g., cups and glasses) for washing.  FIG. 2B  depicts an embodiment of the glass rack  10  with the slide  12  (not shown) removed from the groove  15 . The interior of the glass rack  10  is accessible from the bottom with the slide  12  removed.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2C  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a compartment  21  of a glass rack  10 . The compartment  21  comprises partitions sized responsive to objects (e.g., cups and glasses) placed inside the glass rack  10 . The compartment  21  is accessible within the glass rack  10  from the top when a slide  11  (not shown) is removed and from the bottom when a slide  12  (not shown) is removed. The objects are restrained in the compartments  21  when the slide  11  and the slide  12  are inserted into the glass rack  10 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 3A  is a flow chart depicting a method  300  for using a glass rack  10  with two slides according to an embodiment of the invention. This method  300  includes inserting the glasses upside down into respective compartments with the first slide removed from the glass rack (step  301 ); inserting the first slide back into the glass rack (step  302 ); inserting the glass rack into a washing machine (step  303 ); inverting the glass rack (e.g., rotate along a horizontal axis) (step  304 ); removing the second slide from the glass rack (step  305 ); and filling the glasses with ice and/or beverage while glasses are in their respective compartment inside the glass rack (step  306 ).  
         [0029]      FIG. 3B  is a flow chart depicting a method  310  for using a glass rack  10 - 1  with one slide according to an embodiment of the invention. The method  310  includes inserting the glasses into respective compartments with the slide removed from the glass rack (step  311 ); inserting the slide back into the glass rack (step  312 ); inverting the glass rack (e.g., rotate along a horizontal axis) (step  313 ); inserting the glass rack into a washing machine (step  314 ); inverting the glass rack (e.g., rotate along a horizontal axis) (step  315 ); removing the slide from the glass rack (step  316 ); and filling the glasses with ice and/or beverage while glasses are in their respective compartment inside the glass rack (step  317 ).  
         [0030]      FIGS. 4A-4E  depict stages of using a glass rack  10  with two slides.  FIGS. 4A-4E  comprise a schematic diagram of method  300  ( FIG. 3A ). As depicted in  FIG. 4A , a slide  11  is removed from the glass rack  10  with compartments  21  now accessible.  FIG. 4B  depicts placing glasses  41  into the compartments  21  upside down. The slide  11  is replaced back into the glass rack  10  and the glass rack  10  is ready for washing, as depicted in  FIG. 4C . Once washed, the glass rack  10  is turned upside down with a slide  12  facing the top, as depicted in  FIG. 4D . The slide  12  is removed from the glass rack  10  and the glasses  41  are ready to be used, as depicted in  FIG. 4E .  
         [0031]      FIGS. 4F-4K  depict stages of using a glass rack  10 - 1  with one slide.  FIGS. 4F-4K  comprise a schematic diagram of method  310  ( FIG. 3B ). As depicted in  FIG. 41F , a slide  11  is removed from the glass rack  10 - 1  with compartments  21  now accessible.  FIG. 4G  depicts placing glasses  41  into the compartments  21 . The slide  11  is placed back into the glass rack  10 - 1  and rotated along a horizontal axis as shown in  FIG. 4I . The glass rack  10 - 1  is ready for washing. Once washed, the glass rack  10 - 1  is rotated once again with the slide  11  facing up, as depicted in  FIG. 4J . The slide  11  is then removed from the glass rack  10 - 1  and the glasses  41  are ready to be used, as depicted in  FIG. 4K .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 5A-5B  depict respective views of an embodiment of a slide  11 - 1  of a glass rack  10 . In this embodiment, the slide  11 - 1  comprises a substrate  52  and grooves  51 . The substrate  52  may comprise openings to allow cleaning substances (e.g., soap and water) to flow through the glass rack  10 . The grooves  51  may fit into the glass rack  10  for the insertion and/or withdrawal of the slide  11 - 1 . The embodiment of the slide  11 - 1  depicted in  FIG. 5C  comprises a protrusion  53 . The protrusion  53  fits within a corresponding opening in the glass rack  10  to prevent the slide  11  from sliding out of the glass rack  10 . The glass rack  10  having two slides may comprise a slide  12  in addition to the slide  11 - 1 . The slide  12  may be configured similarly to the slide  11 - 1 .  
         [0033]      FIGS. 6A-6B  depict respective views of an embodiment of a slide  11 - 2  of a glass rack  10 . In this embodiment, the slide  11 - 2  comprises a substrate  52  and a rail  61 . The substrate  52  may comprise openings to allow cleaning substances (e.g., soap and water) to flow through the glass rack  10 . The rail  61  is orthogonal to the substrate  52  and matches to a corresponding opening in the glass rack  10  for the insertion and/or withdrawal of the slide  11 - 2 . A further embodiment of the slide  11 - 2  comprises a protrusion  53 , as depicted in  FIG. 6C . The protrusion  53  is designed to fit within a corresponding opening in the glass rack  10  in order to prevent the slide  11 - 2  from sliding out of the glass rack  10 . The glass rack  10  having two slides may comprise a slide  12  in addition to the slide  11 - 2 . The slide  12  may be configured similarly to the slide  11 - 2 .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 7A-7B  depict respective views of an embodiment of a slide  11 - 3  of a glass rack  10 . In this embodiment, the slide  11 - 3  comprises a substrate  52  which may include openings to allow cleaning substances (e.g., soap and water) to flow through the glass rack  10 . The slide  11 - 3  does not include a rail or a groove and can be inserted and/or withdrawn from the glass rack  10  directly.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 7C , a further embodiment of the slide  11 - 3  has a protrusion  53 . The protrusion  53  is designed to fit within a corresponding opening in the glass rack  10  in order to prevent the slide  11 - 3  from sliding out of the glass rack  10 . The glass rack  10  having two slides may comprise a slide  12  in addition to the slide  11 - 3 . The slide  12  may be configured similarly to the slide  11 - 3 .  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIG. 7D , a further embodiment of the slide  11 - 3  may include openings  77  the openings  77  enable cleaning agents (e.g., soap and water) to flow through the slide  11 - 3 . Note that the number and shape of the openings may vary depending on a desired implementation. For example, there may be openings  17  having various shapes and sizes within a single slide  11  or  12 . Such openings may or may not be symmetrical in shape or distribution. Note that other embodiments of slides shown in the figures may also be configured to have any desired number of openings  77  having any desired combination of shape and location.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 8A-8C  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 - 2 . In this embodiment, the glass rack  10 - 2  comprises a slide  11 - 1  and a slide  12 - 1  with grooves  51 . The grooves  51  are inserted into the corresponding cut-outs  14 - 1  and  15 - 1  within a frame  13 - 1 .  FIG. 8A  depicts an embodiment of the frame  13 - 1  without the slides  11 - 1  and  12 - 1  inserted.  FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the glass rack  10 - 2  depicting the slides  11 - 1  and  12 - 1  inserted into the glass rack  10 - 2 . The grooves  51  of the slides  11 - 1  and  12 - 1  are inserted into the cut-outs  14 - 1  and  15 - 1 .  FIG. 8C  depicts a front view of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 - 2 .  
         [0038]      FIGS. 9A-9C  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 - 3 . In this embodiment, the glass rack  10 - 3  comprises a slide  11 - 2  and a slide  12 - 2  with rails  61 . The rails  61  are inserted into the corresponding cut-outs  14 - 2  and  15 - 2  within a frame  13 - 2 .  FIG. 9A  depicts an embodiment of a frame  13 - 2  without the slides  11 - 2  and  12 - 2  inserted.  FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of the glass rack  10 - 3  depicting the slides  11 - 2  and  12 - 2  inserted into the glass rack  10 - 3 . The rails  61  of the slides  11 - 2  and  12 - 2  are inserted into the cut-outs  14 - 2  and  15 - 2 .  FIG. 9C  depicts a front view of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 - 3 .  
         [0039]      FIGS. 10A-10C  depict respective views of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 - 4 . In this embodiment, the glass rack  10 - 4  comprises a slide  11 - 3  and a slide  12 - 3 . The slides  11 - 3  and  12 - 3  may be inserted into corresponding cut-outs  14 - 3  and  15 - 3  within a frame  13 - 3 .  FIG. 10A  depicts an embodiment of a frame  13 - 3  without the slides  11 - 3  and  12 - 3  inserted.  FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view of the glass rack  10 - 4  depicting the slides  11 - 3  and  12 - 3  inserted into the glass rack  10 - 4 .  FIG. 10C  depicts a front view of an embodiment of a glass rack  10 - 3 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 11A-11C  depict an embodiment of a glass rack  10  with attached covers. In  FIG. 11A , a glass rack  10 - 5  comprises a first cover  81  and a second cover  82 . The cover  81  is attached by a hinge  83  and the cover  82  is attached by a hinge  84 . Both the hinges  83  and  84  are located on the same side of the glass rack  10 - 5 . The covers  81  and  82  may open and close allowing accessibility into the glass rack  10 - 4 . As depicted in  FIG. 11B , the first cover  81  and the second cover  82  are attached by a hinge  83  and a hinge  84  respectively on opposite sides of a glass rack  10 - 6 .  FIG. 8C  depicts an embodiment of a glass rack  10 - 7  with one cover  81  attached by a hinge  83 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart depicting a method  120  for using a glass rack  10  with two covers according to an embodiment of the invention. The method  120  includes inserting the glasses upside down into respective compartments with the first cover of the glass rack open (step  121 ); closing the first cover of the glass rack (step  122 ); rotating the glass rack along a horizontal axis and inserting the glass rack into a washing machine (step  123 ); rotating the glass rack along a horizontal axis (step  124 ); opening the second cover of the glass rack (step  125 ); and filling the glasses with ice and/or beverage while glasses are in their respective compartment inside the glass rack (step  126 ).  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart depicting a method  130  for using a glass rack  10  with one cover according to an embodiment of the invention. The method  130  includes inserting the glasses into respective compartments with the cover open (step  131 ); closing the cover of the glass rack (step  132 ); rotating the glass rack along a horizontal axis (step  133 ); inserting the glass rack into a washing machine (step  134 ); rotating the glass rack along a horizontal axis so the cover is facing up (step  135 ); opening the cover of the glass rack (step  136 ); and filling the glasses with ice and/or beverage while glasses are in their respective compartment inside the glass rack (step  137 ). In this manner the glasses do not have to be turned upside down individually.  
         [0043]     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples, among others, of the implementations, setting forth a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the disclosure and present invention.