Abstract:
Removal of spots from glassware may benefit from various techniques and systems. For example, glassware may benefit from a steamer that can be configured to individually steam an item of glassware to remove unsightly spots caused by the drying of hard water, or similar causes. A system can include a steam generator configured to generate steam. The system can also include a distributor configured to apply the steam to an item of glassware. The system can further include an enclosure configured to support the item of glassware during steam application and retain the steam.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/868,931, filed Aug. 22, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Removal of spots from glassware may benefit from various techniques and systems. For example, glassware may benefit from a steamer that can be configured to individually steam an item of glassware to remove unsightly spots caused by the drying of hard water, or similar causes. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Glassware that is spotted and/or dusty makes it unattractive to drink from. The only way to get rid of spots and/or dust on glassware is by either re-washing the glassware, or labor intensive wetting and hand drying with a towel. The glassware that is re-washed is full of water which takes lots of time and labor to dry. 
         [0006]    Most glassware cannot go in the dishwasher due to the thin glass and/or thin glass stems that are often too tall and can break easily. Typically hand washing is the way people clean glassware, but spots remain. Glassware that has been sitting in cabinets and/or shelves over even small lengths of time, develop spots. Many homes as well as restaurants like to keep glassware already set on the table before use for function and decoration. These tend to develop spots and/or dust that collects. 
         [0007]    Some dishwashers can create the same results, removing spots, but there usually is not enough room in the glass area for the size of the glasses and the stems, and they break easily. And the time it takes to wash an entire load just to get a clean glass is usually too time consuming, so people usually hand wash and dry again. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a system can include a steam generator configured to generate steam. The system can also include a distributor configured to apply the steam to an item of glassware. The system can further include an enclosure configured to support the item of glassware during steam application and retain the steam. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments of the present invention, a system can include a steam generator configured to generate steam. The system can also include a distributor configured to apply the steam to an item of glassware. The system can further include a rechargeable power system configured to permit the system to be portable. The system can be configured to steam a single item of glassware during application of the steam. 
         [0010]    A method, in certain embodiments, can include removing spots from an item of glassware by utilizing either of the above-described systems. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For proper understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a self-contained glassware cleaning system according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 1B-1D  illustrate various cloths that can be incorporated into a system such as that shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a self-contained glassware cleaning system according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a portable system according to certain embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a portable system according to certain embodiments in a first position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a portable system according to certain embodiments in a second position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a portable system with a docking station according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Systems and methods consistent with the present invention may provide a steamer that can solve the labor intensive need to re-wash glassware. The system may create enough steam to saturate the surfaces of the glassware so that the glassware can be easily dried, such as by removing and wipe easily. Alternatively, or in addition, a dry unit can heat and dry all in one. The system can also have a portable option that can easily be brought to tables in restaurants or a home to clean and refresh the glassware quickly and easily. Although certain embodiments of the present invention may be used in bars and restaurants, certain embodiments of the invention can also be used in any kitchen without taking up much space. 
         [0020]    A portable and countertop device can be used to steam, dry and/or sanitize and/or clean glassware with upgradable options. The vapor created in contact with the glassware surface can create a spot free finish. There can be a water reservoir that can contain the water that is heated and released through vents. Glassware can be put into the device and a user can push a button to release steam. The released steam can surround the interior and exterior of the glassware, thus steaming the glassware. Glassware can then be removed to hand dry with a towel. Alternatively, or in addition, a button can be pushed to trigger a fan that blows the steam off the glassware. 
         [0021]    Another option is a button that can release a sanitizer in the water element that steams the glassware. Another option is a capsule or spray that holds a sanitizer that has a separate mechanism to release the sanitizer, either using a capsule or spray method. 
         [0022]    There are various options for the system. One option is a countertop system. The other is a portable system that can be battery operated and charged by a docking station. The portable system may have an adjustable nozzle that creates steam into the glass, permitting hand drying after the steaming 
         [0023]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a self-contained glassware cleaning system according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the system can include, within an openable enclosure, a variety of features. The way that the system opens is not shown, but can be accomplished by providing for a front face of the device to open, providing for the top to open, or the like. The door can be provided with an interlock that can disable function of the steaming when the door is open. Alternatively, the device can be provided with a permanent opening, such as a doorway, without a door. 
         [0024]    The system can include a water reservoir (a) and a water pump with a water pump tube (b) operable connected to a steam dispenser head. The water reservoir can have an inlet for resupplying the reservoir with water. At least one inlet for the reservoir can be provided in a floor of the device, on which a glass can be supported. Thus, the floor on which the glass is supported may be made of a grill or mesh or may be provided with holes or vias that permit water flow into the reservoir. In this illustration, the glass is shown as spotted glassware (f), although other items could be placed into the system for steaming 
         [0025]    The system may be provided with heating elements, such as heat coils (d) that can be configured to heat the water into steam. The heating elements are shown in the head of the device in  FIG. 1A , but could be provided elsewhere in the system. For example, the water pump tube (b) could be configured to transport steam from a heater at a lower level. 
         [0026]    The head of the system is, in this illustration, provided with right angle elbow (e), which is configured to release the steam produced by heat coils (d). An exact 90 degree angle is not required, but a range of angles is permitted. For example, 90 degrees plus or minus 30 degrees could still be approximately a right angle in certain embodiments. 
         [0027]    The system can also include a built in fan (c), which can be configured to blow air—for example, hot and/or dry air—onto the glassware. The air can be treated air or air from the surrounding area. Other drying mechanisms can also be included, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1B-1D . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1B-1D  illustrate various cloths that can be incorporated into a system such as that shown in  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 1B , wine glass cloth (g) can be provided on an arm. The cloth can be shaped to match the interior surface of a wine or martini glass. The system can automatically apply the cloth to the interior surface of the glass, before, during, or after steaming Similarly, the system can use champagne glass cloth (h) as shown in  FIG. 1C  or regular glass cloth (i) as shown in  FIG. 1D . Each of these cloths can be porous. The regular glass cloth (i) can be used for all glass types, as it may be configured to expand outward to conform to the interior surface of a variety of glassware, including hurricane glasses, brandy snifters, and the like. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates a self-contained glassware cleaning system according to certain embodiments of the present invention. According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the system can include a door  210  on the front of the device. The door is shown as a door with a knob and a hinge, but other door constructions, such as a sliding door, are also possible. 
         [0030]    The system can also include a water reservoir  220 , to hold water. In certain embodiments the water can be tap water, filtered water, or distilled water. In other embodiments, water can be mixed with some other ingredient to alter the characteristics of the steam. 
         [0031]    The system can also include a steam distribution mechanism, which can include a tube  230  with holes configured to release steam. The system can further include a capsule housing  240  with air holes that permit the release of a sanitizing agent, configured to help sterilize the glassware, either alone or in combination with the steam. 
         [0032]    The floor of the device may be plating  250  with air holes in it. These air holes may permit air and/or steam to escape from the reservoir. The air holes may also permit condensed water to return to the reservoir. 
         [0033]    The system can further include a hook  260 , attached to the back of the device, or some other convenient place, and configured to support a class upside down. For example, a hook can be configured to straddle the stem of the glassware and support the base, while the glassware is in an inverted position. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates a portable system according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the system can include a glass cover  310 . The material of the cover can be glass or another material, such as plastic. In certain embodiments, a transparent but durable material, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), or acrylic glass, can be used. 
         [0035]    The system can include a portable device  320 , including tubes  330  with holes in them and a battery  340  configured to operate the portable device  320  when detached. 
         [0036]    The system can further include a water storage portion  350 , which can serve as a reservoir for water, and a power cord  370  configured to plug into a power outlet for power. The system can also include a docking station  360 , which can be used to supply water and power to portable device  320  using the water storage  350  and power cord  370 . The portable device  320  may include its own reservoir, not shown, as well as heating elements to turn the water into steam when needed. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a portable system according to certain embodiments in a first position. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the system can include a control management section  410 , which can have an “on” button or switch and a “steam” button or switch, which can be used to control the portable device  400 . The system can also include a battery/electrical unit  430 , which can be equipped with a detachable or retractable power cord, or can be configured to be plugged into a docking station (see  FIG. 4C , for example). Other ways of charging or replacing the battery are also permitted. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , the system can also include a water reservoir  420  and coils  440 , for converting the water into steam. The system can further include an adjustable nozzle  450 , which can be provided with holes for steam. As mentioned above,  FIG. 4A  illustrates the system, and specifically the nozzle, in a first position. By contrast,  FIG. 4B  illustrates a portable system according to certain embodiments in a second position. As shown, the same features can be provided in the second position, but the adjustable nozzle  450  can be pointed in a different direction. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4C , the portable device  400  can be configured to attach to a docking station  460 . The docking station  460  can be configured similarly to that shown in  FIG. 3 , in that it can provide both water and power, or either of those, to the portable device  400 . 
         [0040]    One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.