Glassware and silverware steamer

Abstract

A device for steaming utensils includes a frame including a plurality of side walls having a ledge forming an interior perimeter of the frame and a flange protruding horizontally from the upper surface of each side wall and toward the exterior of the frame. The frame having open upper and bottom ends. A heating deck having opposing containment walls adjacent to opposing loading walls is arranged beneath the frame. A fluid reservoir is arranged within the frame and has a plurality of side walls adjacent to the frame side walls extending toward the inner perimeter of the frame past the ledge toward the heating deck and is enclosed by a reservoir bottom. The fluid reservoir contains a fluid which is heated to generate steam that impacts at least one rack containing utensils arranged on the frame. The steam from the fluid reservoir facilitates polishing of the utensils.

1 . An apparatus for steaming utensils, comprising
 (a) a metal frame including a plurality of side walls having a ledge forming an interior perimeter of the frame and a flange protruding horizontally from the upper surface of each side wall and toward the exterior of the frame, the frame being open at its upper and bottom ends;   (b) a metal heating deck including opposing containment walls adjacent to opposing loading walls arranged beneath the frame;   (c) a plurality of metal legs connecting the frame to the heating deck by a series of rigid fasteners; and   (d) a fluid reservoir arranged within the frame and including a plurality of side walls adjacent to the frame side walls extending toward the interior perimeter of the frame past the ledge toward the heating deck and enclosed by a reservoir bottom, the fluid reservoir containing a fluid which is heated from the heating deck to generate steam which exits the frame open upper end, whereby when at least one rack containing utensils is arranged on the frame above the frame open upper end, the steam from the fluid reservoir cleanses the utensils to facilitate polishing thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heating deck includes at least one heat source. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one heat source comprises a canister containing a flammable composition. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir is a top suspended reservoir that includes a reservoir flange protruding horizontally from the upper surface of each reservoir side wall and toward the exterior of the reservoir for contact with the frame flanges to suspend the reservoir over the heating deck. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the top suspended reservoir includes reservoir flanges that connect at the reservoir side wall intersections. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir is a side suspended reservoir that includes the plurality of reservoir side walls for contact with an edge of the ledge to suspend the reservoir over the heating deck. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least two opposed frame side walls each contain an opening allowing access to the fluid reservoir when a plurality of trays are arranged on the frame and together which allow a user to lift the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ledge is located above an opening in each of at least two opposed frame side walls which together allow a user to lift the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , whereby the at least one rack of utensils is connected with the reservoir flanges to define an open top enclosure for steaming the utensils. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising wheels connected with the legs, whereby the apparatus is mobile. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the containment walls are taller than the loading walls. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of legs are configured to connect with an upper peripheral edge of at least another rack to elevate the apparatus by the height of the at least another rack. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for steaming utensils, comprising
 (a) a metal frame including a plurality of side walls forming an interior perimeter of the frame, the frame being open at its upper and bottom ends;   (b) a metal heating deck arranged beneath the frame;   (c) a plurality of metal legs connecting the frame to the heating deck by a series of rigid fasteners; and   (d) a fluid reservoir arranged at least partially within the frame and including a plurality of side walls adjacent to the frame side walls extending toward the interior perimeter of the frame toward the heating deck and enclosed by a reservoir bottom, the fluid reservoir containing a fluid which is heated from the heating deck to generate steam which exits the fluid reservoir and the frame open upper end, whereby when at least one rack containing utensils is arranged on the frame above the frame open upper end, the steam from the fluid reservoir cleanses the utensils to facilitate polishing thereof.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the heating deck supports at least one removable heat source. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid reservoir is a top suspended reservoir that includes a reservoir flange protruding horizontally from the upper surface of each reservoir side wall and toward the exterior of the reservoir for contact with the plurality of side walls of the frame to suspend the reservoir over the heating deck. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of legs are configured to connect with an upper peripheral edge of at least another rack to elevate the apparatus by the height of the at least another rack. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for steaming utensils, comprising
 (a) a frame including a plurality of side walls forming an interior perimeter of the frame, the frame being open at its upper and bottom ends;   (b) a heating deck arranged beneath the frame;   (c) a plurality of legs connecting the frame to the heating deck by a series of rigid fasteners;   (d) a fluid reservoir arranged at least partially within the frame and including a plurality of side walls adjacent to the frame side walls extending toward the interior perimeter of the frame toward the heating deck and enclosed by a reservoir bottom, the fluid reservoir containing a fluid which is heated from the heating deck to generate steam which exits the fluid reservoir and the frame open upper end; and   (e) at least one rack containing utensils arranged on the frame above the frame open upper end such that the steam from the fluid reservoir cleanses the utensils to facilitate polishing thereof,   wherein the fluid reservoir is a side suspended reservoir that includes the plurality of reservoir side walls for contact with an edge of the ledge to suspend the reservoir over the heating deck, and   wherein at least two opposed frame side walls each contain an opening allowing access to the fluid reservoir through the opening.