Basket for washing drying and storing glasses

Abstract

 A basket (1) for use in washing, drying & storing glassware (7) comprises a frame, including a base (2), the frame being arranged, in use, to accommodate glasses (7). At least one supporting strip (8) is connected to the base (2), the strip (8) being shaped so as to provide, in use, one or more supporting portions (12) on one edge thereof such that, in use, each item of glassware (7) is supported within the frame by only one supporting portion (12). The supporting portions (12) are inclined such that, in use, glassware (7) supported on the supporting portions (12) is supported at an angle to the plane of the base (2) of the frame.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a basket for use in washing, drying and storing glasses. Baskets for machine washing, drying and storage of glasses are well known in the Catering Industry. Such baskets may be open for mixed glasses, or partly or fully compartmented depending on the degree of protection needed during washing and carrying.

[0002] Drying is achieved by draining rather than by evaporation so as to prevent deposition of unsightly dissolved solids. However, there is a problem of water residues being retained on the rim of wet glasses when inverted. This problem is most pronounced on glassware having a rounded bead rim profile.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide a basket which overcomes some of the problems.

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a washing drying and storing basket for use with glassware the basket comprising:

a frame arranged, in use, to accommodate glasses, the frame including a base; and

at least one supporting strip connected to the base, the supporting strip being shaped so as to provide one or more supporting portions on one edge thereof such that, in use, glasses can be supported within the frame and on the supporting portions.

[0005] The supporting portions may be inclined such that, in use, glassware supported thereon is supported at an angle to the plane of the base of the frame. The angle may be 15° to 20° to the horizontal when the basket is in use.

[0006] The supporting portions may be shaped as a rectangular or knife edge so as to facilitate drainage of water residues.

[0007] Research has established that drainage of these water residues is facilitated by a system particularly well when the glass is placed inverted on a single knife edge or rectangular edge support set at an angle of 15-20° from the horizontal.

[0008] The frame may further comprise an upper section such that, in use, it provides additional support to the glassware and may also comprise side portions arranged to join the upper section and the base.

[0009] The supporting strip may be formed with the base of the frame as a single component.

[0010] The lower blade edge of the supporting strip may comprise notches to which portions of the base may be attached.

[0011] The basket may further comprise one or more additional supporting strips, and the supporting strips may then be aligned parallel to one another.

[0012] The supporting strips may be joined to one another at one of their ends by a joining strip situated at an edge of the base.

[0013] The supporting strips and the joining strip may be pre-formed as a single component which is attached to the base of the frame. The supporting strips and the joining strip may be formed of plastics material. The frame may comprise a nylon coated wire frame. Alternatively, the basket may be formed by injection moulding.

[0014] The basket of the present invention is designed to allow maximum surface area exposure of the glassware to the air, whilst providing support beneath each item of glassware. The items are separated from one another, and an upper section provides added support to each item.

[0015] Additionally, by providing sloped supporting portions on a supporting strip, the glassware is tilted at an angle to the plane of the base of the frame, allowing stray drips of water to run down the glassware and through the base of the frame or down the strips. In this way, any remaining drops which would ordinarily rest, for example, on the rim of an item of glassware can be removed. At the same time, contact between the glassware and the basket is minimised, allowing more effective air circulation during either assisted or unassisted drying. The basket of the present invention therefore provides a more efficient structure on which to dry glassware completely.

[0016] One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a basket according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the basket of Figure 1 holding a plurality of glasses; and

Figure 3 is a plan view of the basket of Figures 1 and 2.

[0017] Referring to figure 1, a basket 1 comprises a frame including a base 2, an upper section 3 and vertical side portions 4. In this example, the base comprises a rectangular parameter and a plurality of parallel inner legs 5 which join two of the opposing sides of the parameter. The upper section comprises a parameter of similar proportions to the base, together with an inner section 6 shaped to hold glassware. In this example, the inner section 6 is formed in a number of hexagons, and is specifically designed to hold glasses 7, as shown in figures 2 and 3. The number, shape, or frequency of the shapes formed by the inner section 6 may vary according to the type of glassware being dried.

[0018] As further shown in figure 1, one or more supporting strips 8 are connected to the inner legs 5 of the base 2. The supporting strips 8 are arranged to sit perpendicular to the inner legs 5 and extend to the parameter of the base 2 of the frame. The supporting strips 8 may comprise notches 9 into which the inner legs 5 of the base 2 fit, or alternatively, can be formed with the base 2 as a single component, as described further below. Additionally, further support is provided to the strips 8 by an alignment leg 10, which is arranged parallel to the inner leg 5 of the base 2, but which need not necessarily connect with the rectangular parameter of the base 2.

[0019] Joining strips 11 are provided to give extra support to the supporting strips 8, and provide a secure connection between the supporting strips 8 and the edge of the base 2.

[0020] In order to maximise the join efficiency of the basket 1, each of the supporting strips 8 comprises one or more supporting portions 12. Referring to figure 1, these portions preferably comprise depressed inclined portions in the upper edge of the strips, which are spaced according to the desired spacing of the glassware items being dried. The slight incline of the sloped supporting portions 12, which is preferably an angle of 15-20° to the horizontal (ie. to the plane of the base 2), means that glasses accommodated into the basket 1 are held at a slight angle to the vertical (ie. the plane perpendicular to the plane of the base 2 - see figure 2). In this way, drips which would ordinarily collect on the rim of the glass can run down the glass 7 and over the strip 8. Additionally by restricting the number of supporting strips to one per glass, the gravitational drainage of water residues to the lowest edge of the glass is not impeded.

[0021] Referring to figure 2, it can be seen that each of the openings in inner section 6 of the upper section 3 is situated directly above one of the inclined supporting portions 12. As mentioned previously, the inner section 6 and the supporting strips 8 of the basket 1 can be formed to accommodate different shapes and sizes of glassware.

[0022] During manufacturing of the basket 1, the supporting strips 8 of the basket 1, together with the joining strips 11, may be pre-formed, as a single component, of plastics material. This component may then be attached to the base 2 of the frame, which is formed of wire, such as nylon coated wire. Alternatively, the basket 1 can be manufactured as a single component by injection moulding.

[0023] The present invention therefore provides a light, yet secure, basket 1 which allows fast and complete drying of glassware. The basket may be used in unassisted drying or, alternatively, may be designed to be placed in or on a dryer.

Claims

1. A washing drying & storing basket for use with glassware, comprising:

a frame arranged, in use, to accommodate glassware, the frame including a base; and

at least one supporting strip connected to the base, the supporting strip being shaped so as to provide one or more supporting portions on one edge thereof such that, in use, each item of glassware is supported within the frame by only one supporting portion, wherein the supporting portions are inclined such that, in use, glassware supported thereon is supported at an angle to the plane of the base of the frame.

2. A basket according to claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises an upper section such that, in use, the upper section provides additional support to the glassware.

3. A basket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame further comprises side portions arranged to join the upper section and the base.

4. A basket according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting strip is formed with the base of the frame as a single component.

5. A basket according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower blade edge of the supporting strip comprises notches to which portions of the base may be attached.

6. A basket according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more additional supporting strips aligned parallel to one another.

7. A basket according to claim 6, wherein the supporting strips are joined to one another at one of their ends by a joining strip situated at an edge of the base.

8. A basket according to claim 7, wherein the supporting strips and the joining strip are pre-formed as a single component which is attached to the base of the frame.

9. A basket according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the supporting strips and the joining strip are formed of plastics material.

10. A basket according to any proceeding claim, wherein the frame is a nylon coated wire frame.

11. A basket according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the basket is formed by injection moulding.

12. A basket according to any preceding claim, wherein the angle is 15° to 20° from the horizontal when the basket is in use.

Drawing