Patent Application
20200071051
This invention relates to a protective device designed to cover the rim and outer surface of fragile items, including glassware, dishware, and bakeware. These types of fragile items are commonly made of glass, porcelain, and other breakable materials that frequently crack, chip, and break during use, cleaning, and storage. Furthermore, many fragile items, like fine china and crystal, can be very costly to replace if broken and are frequently sold in sets, making it sometimes very difficult to replace a single piece.
Several patents and publications describe devices designed to protect fragile items and are described below. The following documents are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,209 describes a device to prevent breakage of a breakable container formed with an outer face and an opposed an inner face that meet at a parametric edge encircling an opening to the inner face of the breakable container. The device includes a container wrap formed of a shock resistant material. The container wrap is constructed to be applied over and across the outer face and the parametric edge of the breakable container to absorb and dissipate impacting forces to prevent breakage of the breakable container. At least one suction cup is formed in the container wrap to detachably secure the container wrap to a surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,683,579 describes a base or holder for a cleanser can or the like. The invention is particularly directed toward the provision of a suitable attachment base for a can, such as a can of cleanser, which is used around porcelain enamel finished surfaces such as sinks, wash bowls, etc., where the user will desire to frequently set the can down. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a base giving the can a better stability against tipping over. Another and important object is to provide a base of cushioning, non-abrasive material which protects the porcelain finished surfaces of sinks, wash bowls, kitchen stoves, refrigerator, etc., from being scratched by the cleanser can, in the event the operator should set the can on such surface.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0034660 describes a sleeve or wrap for protecting a container. In certain embodiments, the sleeve or wrap is a protective encasement for protecting a container, such as a bottle. In certain embodiments, the sleeve or wrap includes a body with a lumen, wherein the body is configured for holding and/or containing the container. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the sleeve is a protective silicone sleeve that is adapted to hold and/or contain a container, thereby protecting the container from damage (e.g., breaking). Also provided is a system for protecting a container that includes a protective sleeve, as described above, and a container that is configured for being associated, e.g., fit within, the protective sleeve.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0045188 describes a cover for a bowl such as a pet food or water bowl that consists of a dip molded cover on the outer surface of a bowl to provide features such as a visually appealing appearance, protection, and insulation. The cover of the present invention may be fabricated of rubber or plastic material and may be permanently or removably secured to the outer surface of the bowl. However, these prior efforts suffer from one or more disadvantages which decrease their utility: none provide a liner that can selectively protect and cover only the rim of a fragile item, none provide a liner with a rim member that removably combines with a fabric covering to protect and cover the entire outer surface and rim of a fragile item, and none provide a liner having handles for transporting a fragile item without its own handles.
The present invention provides an apparatus for protecting fragile items, including dishware, bakeware, fine china, and the like, from being chipped or damaged during use and storage which, in one or more aspects, overcomes disadvantages of the prior efforts. The present invention also provides a safeguard when such items are being cleaned in a dishwasher to avoid chips, breaks, or cracks.
In a first embodiment, the protective liner hereof comprises a stretchable, cushioning “loop” or “ring” edge member that may be stretched to fit over the rim of fragile items, like glassware, dishware, and bakeware. This first embodiment protects the rims of such items from colliding against one another or other surfaces in the dishwasher and serves to cushion the edges of an item contacting other items or surfaces during stacking and storage.
In another embodiment, the protective liner hereof may also include a stretchable, cushioning fabric covering attached to the elastic ring edge member, so that the protective liner may fit over the rim and outer sides and bottom of a fragile item, thus protecting the entire outer surface thereof. This additional embodiment is particularly designed to protect the areas of fragile items, like dishes, that may not otherwise be protected with the elastic ring edge member alone. For example, when stacking a set of plates, the bottom surface of a first plate will be in contact with the upper surface of second plate stacked beneath the first plate. In this case, it would be preferable to have a protective liner that covers and protects the bottom and outer surface of the plate which is most likely to come in contact with another surface during stacking and storage. Also, the additional embodiment may cover and protect areas along the outer surface of a fragile item more prone to damage, such as handles. In a further embodiment, even if the fragile item doesn't have handles on an outer surface thereof, the fabric covering may have one or more additional handle members to help with transportation of the item.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
In the Brief Summary of the Invention above, the Detailed Description of the Invention, the Claims, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in other aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B. and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A. B, and C but also one or more other components. Further, the term “fragile items” is used herein to mean dishware, bakeware, cookware, fine china, tableware, and the like of any shape or size made of or with a breakable material. To the extent a specific piece or type of fragile item is identified herein, it is understood that such identification also includes all other pieces or types of fragile items to the extent possible.
Here, a protective liner 10 for fragile items 20, including dishware and bakeware, to prevent breakage, chips, and cracks is provided. The liner 10 loop may be designed in several different shapes, similar to the shapes most commonly associated with specific pieces and types of fragile items 20, such as circular for cups, plates and bowls, and oval and/or rectangular for serving dishes and bakeware, etc. It is contemplated that the construction and design of the liner 10 is such that a single liner 10 may be used interchangeably for a variety of sizes and types of fragile items 20 with and without handles 30, including dishware, bakeware, and glassware. For example, a circular loop shaped liner 10 may be designed to be approximately 3 inches in diameter at rest; this same liner 10 may be stretched to attach to the rim 22 of a drinking glass that is approximately 4 inches in diameter, subsequently removed from the drinking glass and further stretched and attached to the rim 22 of a bowl that is approximately 6 inches in diameter. Furthermore, such a circular loop shaped liner 10 may also be designed to stretch over and attach to handles 30 adjacent to the rim 22 of the bowl, in addition to the rim 22 itself. Although the liner 10 may not have an infinite stretching ability, it is contemplated that the liner 10 may stretch at least several inches beyond its resting size to accommodate a variety of fragile items 20.
In a preferred embodiment, the liner 10 is constructed of a shock-absorbing viscoelastic polymer, such as silicone rubber, allowing it to stretch and conform to a multitude of different sizes and shapes. Examples of these viscoelastic polymers include Akton, Sorbothane, and Vistik. A viscoelastic material can be pushed, pressed, and stretched into a desired shape. That shape is then maintained until the material is removed and reshaped, thus allowing for a single protective liner 10 to accommodate a variety of shapes and sizes of fragile items 20. This type of material is also dishwasher safe and sufficiently heat resistant for use in an oven.
Further, in additional embodiments, it is foreseen that all or a portion of the liner 10 material may be solid and non-porous in structure or have a “mesh structure” comprising interlaced strands forming a porous mesh, as desired and as in
Furthermore, this first embodiment may remain on a fragile item 20 while it is being washed, both by hand or in a dishwasher. It is common for glasses and dishes to collide or hit one another in a dishwasher, particularly if the dishwasher is full, resulting in cracks and chipped edges 22. Thereby, the present invention may provide cushioning and protection to such fragile items 20 during washing. Additionally, as stated previously, the liner 10—particularly the edge member 12—may also be constructed of a material having a mesh structure, thereby allowing for more effective cleaning of the covered fragile item 20 and reducing the likelihood that water from washing will collect between the fragile item 20 and edge member 12.
In a second embodiment, the liner 10 may also comprise a stretchable, cushioning fabric covering 14 attached to the inner portion of the viscoelastic edge member 12, as shown in
Further, this second embodiment may be preferred for use during long-term storage of fragile items 20, for packing such during a move, or for storage of such that are exceptionally fragile or valuable, such as fine china and crystal.
Although it is preferable to remove this second embodiment prior to washing so that the outer surface 24 of a fragile item 20 may be cleaned without any interference, it is foreseen that this second embodiment may also remain on a fragile item 20 while it is being washed, both by hand or in a dishwasher. Thereby, the present invention may provide enhanced cushioning and protection to such fragile items 20 during washing than that of the first embodiment. Additionally, the fabric covering 14—in place of or addition to the edge member 12—may also be constructed of a material having a mesh structure, in addition to being dishwasher safe, thereby allowing for more effective cleaning of the covered fragile item 20 with the liner 10 still on and reducing the likelihood that water from washing will collect between the fragile item 20 and fabric covering 14.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. Further, it is not necessary for all embodiments of the invention to have all the advantages of the invention or fulfill all the purposes of the invention.
