Container Separation Device

Abstract

A container separation system and method is provided, wherein the container separation system includes a first container having a first container bottom and a first container side wall which defines a first container cavity. A second container is also included, wherein the second container has a second container bottom and a second container side wall which defines a second container cavity having a second cavity width which increases with the height of the second container sidewall. Additionally, a separation device is also included, wherein the separation device includes a device base having a device base width that is smaller in size than the second cavity width, wherein the separation device and the first container are located within the second container cavity such that the separation device is located between the first container bottom and the second container bottom.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/278,539 (Atty. Docket No. 0570.121637) filed Oct. 07, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein it its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to a stacking device and more particularly to device which allows drinking glasses to be stably stacked while maintaining a separation between glasses stacked together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In a restaurant or tavern environment, glasses, or other beverage containers, are typically stacked together in vertical fashion due to limitations on the space surrounding the beverage area. As illustrated in FIG. 1a, when stacked together, a part of one glass 100 is typically disposed within the drinking cavity 102 of an associated like glass 104 such that a portion of the glass side walls 106 of the glasses 100, 104 are in contact with each other (See Callout A). This type of stacking is advantageous to the tavern or restaurant environment because the configuration allows for a larger number of glasses to be at the immediate availability of the beverage preparer, without consuming valuable space, than when glasses are not stacked together.

[0004] Unfortunately however, when glasses are stacked together the sides of the glasses fit snugly together and the glasses may become `stuck` together. This tendency to `stick` together may occur for several reasons. For example, one reason glasses may stick together is that when stacked, the sides of the glasses fit so snugly a pressure difference develops between the glasses causing a suction that keeps the glasses together. Another reason is that if the glasses (or only one of the glasses) are right out of the dishwasher, there can be a large temperature difference between the glasses and/or outside environment. And because glassware expands and contracts depending on the temperature, as the temperature of the glass(es) equalize the change is the size of the glasses may cause the glasses to become stuck together.

[0005] This is undesirable for several reasons. First, if the glasses become stuck together during times of high customer volume, this slows down the service to customers and may have a deleterious effect on business. Second, because glass is fragile and breaks easy compared to some other materials, the harder it is to separate the glasses the higher the risk an injury will occur. Third, if the glasses are unable to be separated or if they are broken or damaged during separation, this increases the cost of inventory and/or shortens the life span of the glass.

[0006] To date, there have been attempts to address this type of issue. One such attempt includes using shim type devices that are positioned between the lips of glasses that are stacked together to keep the glasses apart. However, these shims are cumbersome, easy to lose and cannot be used with glasses that are dissimilar or that do not have lips. Another such attempt includes a basket type of device that is inserted in the cavity of the glass receiving a like glass for stacking. This device rests on the brim or lip of the glass and cradles the stacked glass away from the side wall of the associated glass. Unfortunately, this device is also cumbersome to use and is sized for a specific type and shape of glass and thus, cannot be used for various types and shapes of glasses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A container separation system is provided and includes a first container having a first container bottom and a first container side wall which defines a first container cavity. A second container is also included, wherein the second container has a second container bottom and a second container side wall which defines a second container cavity having a second cavity width which increases with the height of the second container sidewall. Additionally, a separation device is also included, wherein the separation device includes a device base having a device base width that is smaller in size than the second cavity width, wherein the separation device and the first container are located within the second container cavity such that the separation device is located between the first container bottom and the second container bottom.

[0008] A container separation device for use in stacking drinking glasses, where at least one of the drinking glasses include a glass bottom and a glass side wall which defines a glass cavity having a cavity width which increases with the height of the glass sidewall is provided, where the separation device includes a device structure having a device height and including a device base, wherein the device base has a device base width, wherein the device base width is smaller in size than the cavity width and wherein the device height is less than half the height of the glass side wall.

[0009] A method for stacking a plurality of drinking glasses using a separation device, wherein at least one of the drinking glasses include a glass bottom and a glass side wall which defines a glass cavity having a cavity width which increases with the height of the glass sidewall, is provided, wherein the method includes selecting a first drinking glass from the plurality of drinking glasses to be stacked together, placing the first drinking glass on a substantially level and stable support surface such that the glass top of the first drinking glass is resting on the support surface, locating a separation device onto the bottom of the first drinking glass, and disposing a second drinking glass on top of the first drinking glass such that the separation device and a portion of the first drinking glass are located inside of the glass cavity of the second drinking glass such that a portion of the second drinking glass rests on the separation device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike:

[0011] FIG. 1a is a side view of drinking glasses stacked together in accordance with the prior art.

[0012] FIG. 1b is a side view of a typical drinking glass.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a separation device in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3a is a side view of drinking glasses stacked together with the separation device of FIG. 2 positioned within the second glass.

[0015] FIG. 3b is a side view of drinking glasses stacked together with a larger version of the separation device of FIG. 2 positioned within the second glass.

[0016] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the separation device of FIG. 2 with text and/or images on the sides of the separation device.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of drinking glasses stacked together with the separation device of FIG. 3a positioned within the second glass with the text and/or images visible.

[0018] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a separation device in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of still yet another embodiment of a separation device in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the separation device of FIG. 7 in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 9a is an isometric view of still yet another embodiment of a separation device in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 9b is a side view of drinking glasses stacked together with the separation device of FIG. 9a positioned within the second glass.

[0023] FIG. 10a is an isometric view of still yet another embodiment of a separation device in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 10b is a side view of drinking glasses stacked together with the separation device of FIG. 10a positioned within the second glass.

[0025] FIG. 11a is an isometric view of still yet another embodiment of a separation device in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 11b a side view of drinking glasses stacked together with the separation device of FIG. 11a positioned within the bottom.

[0027] FIG. 12a a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a method for stacking a plurality of drinking glasses using a separation device.

[0028] FIG. 12b a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a method for stacking a plurality of drinking glasses using a separation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] As disclosed herein with regards to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a separation device and method for stacking drinking glasses 100 in a stable fashion while preventing the stacked drinking glasses 100 from becoming stuck together. The drinking glasses 100 include a glass structure having a glass bottom 110, a glass side wall 112 and a glass top 114, wherein the glass bottom 110 and glass side wall 112 define a glass cavity 102 for holding beverages. The glass top 114 includes a cavity opening 116 to allow beverages to be poured into and out of the glass cavity 102. The glass (drinking) cavity 102 includes a glass cavity width (or diameter) 118 and a glass cavity height 120 for containing a beverage. It should be appreciated that the glass cavity width (or diameter) 118 may not be constant and may increase with the height of the glass cavity 120 (or the glass sidewall 112) so that the glass cavity width (or diameter) 118 at the glass bottom 110 may be smaller than the glass cavity width (or diameter) 118 at the glass top 114.

[0030] It should also be appreciated that the present invention may include a glass separation device having various shapes and sizes, each of which should be configured to support a glass within a glass and such that the glass separation device contacts only a portion of the inner side surface of the glass in which it is disposed. This prevents a seal from forming between the glass and the glass separation device and allows the glass separation device to be inserted and removed from the glass cavity 120 easily. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the glass separation device may be constructed of any type of material suitable to the desired end purpose, such as a material which is capable of receiving printing/impressions and/or that has antibiotic properties, anti-fungal properties and/or that does not absorb liquid.

[0031] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a glass separation device 200 is provided and is as shown in FIG. 2. The glass separation device 200 includes a device base 202 and a device top 204, wherein the device base 202 includes a device base width W.sub.Base and the device top 204 includes a device top width W.sub.top. The glass separation device 200 also includes a device height H and a device length L, wherein as shown W.sub.Base, W.sub.Top, H and L may be substantially equal so that the separation device 200 forms a substantially square cube. It should be appreciated that the separation device 200 may be sized to accommodate various sized and shaped glasses.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3a, a set of glasses 100 are shown where a first glass 105 is stacked together with a second glass 104 and the separation device 200 is disposed within the glass cavity 102 of the second glass 104 to be between the second glass 104 and the first glass 105. In this case, the separation device 200 has been sized for the proper glass size. As can be seen, when the first glass 105 is positioned within the glass cavity 102 of the second glass 104 along with the separation device 200, the glass side wall 112 of the first glass 105 is prevented from contacting the side wall 112 of the second glass 104 (or only partially contacts the side wall 112 of the second glass 104). This is because the separation device 200 allows the first glass 105 to be only partially located within the glass cavity 102 of the second glass 104. Because a space is present between at least a portion of the side walls 112 (at least a portion of) of the first glass 105 and the second glass 104, the side walls 112 of the first glass 105 (See Callout B in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b) are prevented from becoming `stuck` with the side walls 112 of the second glass 104. Additionally, because the portion of the separation device 200 that is resting on the bottom (or the sides) of the first glass 105 is a substantially flat surface, the second glass 104 has a stable platform in which to rest, advantageously allowing for the stable stacking of several layers of glasses 100.

[0033] Additionally, as can be seen from FIG. 2 and FIG. 3a, because the separation device 200 has a substantially square cube shape, at least one of the four sides of the separation device 200 will be visible through the glass containing the separation device 200 (glass 104). And because beverage glasses are typically stacked together in full view of customers (such as on a tavern bar), the sides of the separation device 200 may be configured to include text and/or images for advertising purposes as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. It should be appreciated that as long as the separation device has at least one side to display an image or text, the separation device may be used for advertising purposes. Also, the text and/or images may be printed into or onto the material of the separation device 200 and/or the separation device 200 may be configured with a sleeve (not shown) to receive an insert that includes text and/or images. Moreover, the separation device may be at least partially constructed from any type and/or combination of material(s) suitable to the desired end purpose, such as composites, glass, plastic (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, etc), fiberglass, resin, metal and/or any other type of material(s) suitable to the desired end purpose.

[0034] It should be appreciated that the separation device 200 may include other embodiments that have various other shapes and sizes to accommodate various shapes and sizes of glasses or as desired. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, where the separation device 300 is substantially rectangular in shape for taller and/or thinner glasses. Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, where the separation device 400 is substantially shaped like an ice cube having a base width W.sub.Base and a top width W.sub.Top, where the base width W.sub.Base is larger than the top width W.sub.Top. Embodiments where the width W.sub.Base of the base and/or the width of the top W.sub.Top of the separation device 400 is larger than an inside diameter D.sub.Glass of the drinking cavity of the glass are also contemplated. Still yet another embodiment is shown in FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b, where the separation device 500 is substantially shaped like a pyramid (and may have one or more peaks 502), where the width W.sub.Pyr of the base of the separation device 500 may be less than an inside diameter D.sub.Glass of the drinking cavity of the glass. Embodiments where the width W.sub.Pyr of the base of the separation device 500 is larger than an inside diameter D.sub.Glass of the drinking cavity of the glass are also contemplated.

[0035] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b, where the separation device 600 is substantially cylindrical in shape, where the size of the diameter D.sub.Cylof the cylinder is less than an inside diameter D.sub.Glass of the drinking cavity of the glass. This ensures that the separation device 600 will not be able to contact the entire circumference of the inside surface of the walls of the glass to prevent the separation device 600 from getting stuck within the glass. Still yet another embodiment is shown in FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b, where the separation device 700 is substantially shaped in an "X" which includes a top width W.sub.Top and a base width W.sub.X, where the top width W.sub.Top may be larger, smaller or the same width as the base width W.sub.X. It should be appreciated that the base width W.sub.x (and the top width W.sub.Top) of the separation device 700 is less than an inside diameter D.sub.Glass of the drinking cavity of the glass. However, embodiments where the width W.sub.X of the base and/or the width of the top W.sub.Top of the separation device 700 are larger than an inside diameter D.sub.Glass of the drinking cavity of the glass are also contemplated. It is also contemplated that the separation device 200 may include various other shapes such as hexagonal, octagonal, spherical (round), elliptical, etc., as desired.

[0036] It should be appreciated that the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be sized and/or shaped relative to the drinking cavity 102 of a first glass such that when a second glass is disposed therein, the external side surface of the second glass does not contact the internal side surface of the first glass. Additionally, the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be sized such that when the second glass is positioned within the drinking cavity 102 of the first glass, a large enough portion of the second glass is contained within the drinking cavity of the first glass so that the second glass can't easily tip out of the drinking cavity of the first glass. For example, the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may have a width (or diameter) that is smaller than the width (or diameter) of the drinking cavity and/or the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may have a height that is sized such that a second glass that is positioned within the drinking cavity of a first glass will not easily fall out of the drinking cavity of the first glass.

[0037] It should also be appreciated that the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 of the present invention may be used with various sized glasses and thus may embodied in various sizes. In at least one embodiment, the device height H is less than half the height of the glass side wall and/or drinking cavity. In another embodiment, the device height H is greater than or equal to half the height of the glass side wall and/or drinking cavity. For example, the separation device may have 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may have a width (or diameter) ranging from about 0.10 inch to about 3.0 inches and/or (if applicable) a height ranging from about 0.10 inch to about 3.0 inches. Moreover the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 includes at least one side that can be used to display text or advertising material as discussed hereinabove. It should be appreciated that the size and/or shape of the separation device may be a function of the type of glasses that are being stacked together. For example, for a medium sized glass, a separation device having a height, width and length of 1.5 inches (i.e. a cube) may be used.

[0038] In accordance with the present invention and as shown in FIG. 12a, a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 1000 for stacking drinking glasses 100 using a separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 is shown and includes selecting a plurality of (at least two) drinking glasses 102 to be stacked together, as shown in operational block 1002. A first drinking glass 100 is placed on a substantially level and stable support surface such that the glass bottom 110 is resting on the support surface, as shown in operational block 1004. The separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 is disposed within the beverage cavity 102, as shown in operational block 1006. This may include selecting a separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 that has a size and shape suitable to the size of the glasses being stacked.

[0039] A second drinking glass 100 is then located inside of the beverage cavity 102 of the first drinking glass such that the bottom of the second drinking glass 100 rests on a portion of the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, as shown in operational block 1008. If desired a second separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be placed within the beverage cavity 102 of the second glass 100 and a third glass 100 may be located inside of the beverage cavity 102 of the second drinking glass such that the bottom of the third drinking glass 100 rests on a top portion of the second separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and this process may be repeated as desired.

[0040] In accordance with the present invention and as shown in FIG. 12b, a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a method 2000 for stacking drinking glasses 100 using a separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 is shown and includes selecting a plurality of (at least two) drinking glasses 100 to be stacked together, as shown in operational block 2002. A first drinking glass 105 is placed top down on a substantially level and stable support surface such that the glass top 116 is resting on the support surface, as shown in operational block 2004. The separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 is disposed to rest on the bottom 110 (or sides) of the first glass 105, operational block 2006. For example, if the separation device is larger than a diameter of the glass cavity, then the separation device may rest only on the walls of the glass cavity and not the bottom (see FIG. 3b). This may include selecting a separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 that has a size and shape suitable to the size of the glasses being stacked.

[0041] A second drinking glass 104 is then positioned over the first drinking glass 105 and separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 such that the first drinking glass 105 and separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 are located at least partially inside of the beverage cavity 102 of the second drinking glass 104 such that a portion (such as the bottom) of the second drinking glass 104 rests on a portion of the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, as shown in operational block 2008. If desired a second separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be placed on the bottom 110 of the second drinking glass 104 and a third drinking glass may be positioned over the second drinking glass 104 and separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 such that the second drinking glass 104 and separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 are located at least partially inside of the beverage cavity 102 of the third drinking glass 104 such that a portion (such as the bottom) of the third drinking glass rests on a portion of the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and this process may be repeated as desired.

[0042] It should be appreciated that the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 is not limited to use with glasses having side walls and/or a cavity width which increases with the height of the glass side walls. It is contemplated that the separation device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be used with glasses having side walls and/or a cavity width which remains constant and/or increases with the height of the glass side walls and/or any combination thereof.

[0043] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.

Claims

1. A container separation system, comprising: a first container having a first container bottom and a first container side wall which defines a first container cavity, a second container having a second container bottom and a second container side wall which defines a second container cavity having a second cavity width which increases with the height of the second container sidewall, and a separation device, wherein the separation device includes a device base having a device base width that is smaller in size than the second cavity width, wherein the separation device and the first container are located within the second container cavity such that the separation device is located between the first container bottom and the second container bottom.

2. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the separation device further includes a device top width which is smaller than the device base width such that the separation device is substantially cube shaped.

3. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the second container cavity includes a second container side wall height and a second container cavity height, and wherein the device height is less than half the height of at least one of the second container side wall height and the second container cavity height.

4. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the separation device includes at least one side wall configured to display at least one of text and images.

5. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the separation device is at least partially constructed from at least one of a composite material, a glass material, a plastic material, fiberglass, resin and a metal material.

6. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the separation device is cylindrical in shape.

7. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the separation device is rectangular in shape.

8. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the separation device is triangular in shape.

9. The container separation system of claim 1, wherein the separation device is shaped in an "X" configuration.

10. A container separation device for use in stacking drinking glasses, where at least one of the drinking glasses include a glass bottom and a glass side wall which defines a glass cavity having a cavity width which increases with the height of the glass sidewall, the separation device comprising: a device structure having a device height and including a device base, wherein the device base has a device base width, wherein the device base width is smaller in size than the cavity width and wherein the device height is less than half the height of the glass side wall.

11. The container separation device of claim 10, wherein the separation device further includes a device top width which is smaller than the device base width such that the separation device is substantially cube shaped.

12. The container separation device of claim 10, wherein the separation device includes at least one side wall configured to display at least one of text and images.

13. The container separation device of claim 10, wherein the separation device is at least partially constructed from at least one of a composite material, a glass material, a plastic material, fiberglass, resin and a metal material.

14. The container separation device of claim 10, wherein the separation device is cylindrical in shape.

15. The container separation device of claim 10, wherein the separation device is rectangular in shape.

16. The container separation device of claim 10, wherein the separation device is triangular in shape.

17. The container separation device of claim 10, wherein the separation device is shaped in an "X" configuration.

18. A method for stacking a plurality of drinking glasses using a separation device, wherein at least one of the drinking glasses include a glass bottom and a glass side wall which defines a glass cavity having a cavity width which increases with the height of the glass sidewall, the method comprising: selecting a first drinking glass from the plurality of drinking glasses to be stacked together, placing the first drinking glass on a substantially level and stable support surface such that the glass top of the first drinking glass is resting on the support surface, locating a separation device onto the bottom of the first drinking glass, and disposing a second drinking glass on top of the first drinking glass such that the separation device and a portion of the first drinking glass are located inside of the glass cavity of the second drinking glass such that a portion of the second drinking glass rests on the separation device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein locating a separation device further includes selecting a separation device that has a device width smaller in size than the cavity width.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising repeating the steps of locating and disposing.