Glassware rack for dish washing machines

Abstract

The glassware rack for dishwashing machines includes an outer frame adapted to be slidably mounted inside a dishwasher. A plurality of wire-frame, glassware mounting bars are disposed between two sides of the outer frame. Each glassware mounting bar includes spaced loops for mounting the stems of the glassware. A mesh cover is pivotally attached to each glassware mounting bar and locks onto the bar by a latching mechanism. The cover overlies the bases of the mounted glassware and prevents the same from undesirable movement during subsequent washing and cleaning cycles of the dishwasher. Alternatively, the bars may be configured to hold the glassware at an angle.

1 . A glassware rack for dishwashing machines, comprising:
 an outer frame adapted to be slidably mounted in a dishwasher, the outer frame having a front, a back and lateral sides;   a plurality of parallel mounting bars extending between the front and back sides of the outer frame;   a plurality of mounting loops formed on each of the mounting bars, each of the mounting loops being adapted to hold a stem and base of glassware in a downward, hanging position;   at least one cover pivotally attached to the outer frame, the at least one cover pivoting between an open position permitting access to the mounting loops and a closed position overlying the mounting loops; and   a latching mechanism extending from the at least one cover for latching the at least one cover to the mounting bar;   wherein the at least one cover is adapted for pressing the base of the glassware against the mounting bar to thereby prevent movement of and resulting damage to the glassware during handling and cleaning.   
     
     
         2 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of parallel mounting bars comprises at least one pair of adjacent mounting bars, each of said plurality of mounting loops on one of the mounting bars of said at least one pair of mounting bars having an opening for insertion of glassware facing in one direction, and each of said plurality of mounting loops on the other of the mounting bars of said at least one pair of mounting bars having an opening facing an opposite direction, the plurality of mounting loops on said mounting bars being staggered. 
     
     
         3 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 1 , wherein each said mounting bar comprises an elongate wire having said plurality of mounting loops formed thereon, said mounting loops being spaced along said mounting bar to safely accommodate glassware of varying sizes. 
     
     
         4 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 3 , wherein said elongate wire is covered with material for protection from wear and environment. 
     
     
         5 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 3 , wherein each said at least one cover comprises an elongate, rectangular wire frame and a flexible, porous mesh supported on the wire frame, said porous mesh resiliently pressing the base of the glassware against said mounting bar and permitting passage of washing liquid during a dishwashing cycle. 
     
     
         6 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 3 , wherein each said plurality of mounting loops on each mounting bar is disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal in order to mount said glassware at said angle. 
     
     
         7 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 6 , wherein said angle is about 5-10 degrees from vertical. 
     
     
         8 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 6 , wherein each said at least one cover comprises an elongate, wire frame and a plurality of spaced flexible, porous meshes supported thereon, the spacing between adjacent porous meshes defining a gap adapted for passage of a portion of the base of the glassware hanging on said mounting bar, the remainder of the base of the glassware being covered and pressed by an adjacent porous mesh when said at least one cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one access bridge extending between an adjacent pair of said mounting bars, the at least one access bridge permitting glassware to be threaded through towards a user-selected one of said mounting loops. 
     
     
         10 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer frame comprises;
 a box frame having a top;   a handle disposed on the front of the box frame, the handle extending above the top of the box frame; and   at least one roller connected to each of the lateral sides of the box frame, the at least one roller being adapted to ride along bottom rails of a dishwashing machine.   
     
     
         11 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one resilient bumper attached to the front and the back of said box frame. 
     
     
         12 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 10 , wherein said box frame is a covered wire frame. 
     
     
         13 . A glassware rack for dishwashing machines, comprising:
 a box frame adapted for slidable mounting in a bottom shelf of a dishwasher, the box frame having a front, a back, a top, and lateral sides;   a plurality of parallel mounting bars extending between the front side and the back side of the box frame;   a plurality of mounting loops formed on each of the mounting bars, each of the mounting loops being adapted to hold a stem and base of glassware;   at least one cover pivotally attached to the box frame, the at least one cover pivoting between an open position permitting access to the mounting loops and a closed position overlying the mounting loops;   a latching mechanism extending from the at least one cover for latching the at least one cover to the mounting bar;   a handle disposed on the front of the box frame, the handle extending above the top of the box frame; and   at least one roller connected to each of the lateral sides of the box frame, the at least one roller being adapted to ride along bottom rails of the dishwasher;   wherein the at least one cover is adapted for pressing the base of the glassware against the mounting bar to thereby prevent movement of and resulting damage to the glassware during handling and cleaning.   
     
     
         14 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one resilient bumper attached to the front and the back of said box frame. 
     
     
         15 . The glassware rack for dish washing machines according to  claim 13 , wherein said box frame is a covered wire frame.