# US 11,304,588 B2 · System, apparatus, and method for protecting glassware > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,304,588 B2 - Document ID: US11304588B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/897,543 - Filed: 2018-02-15 - Published: 2018-08-23 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-15 - Applicants: Martin Dolan - Inventors: Martin Dolan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304588B2 ## CPC - A47L 15/505: {Inserts, e.g. for holding baby bottles, stemware or cups} - B65D 21/0233: {Nestable containers} - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract An apparatus for protecting glassware particularly those pieces of glassware having stems from being damaged when placed in a dishwasher or a sink. The apparatus comprises a shroud having an opening at one end to receive the glassware so that the shroud surrounds the glassware, wherein the shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof. Multiple shrouds of varying size can be provided which are similar in shape so as to be stackable onto each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for protecting a single glassware article, comprising: a shroud having a bottom opening at one end to receive the single glassware article as the shroud is placed over and down upon the single glassware article and having lateral sides that are configured to surround all lateral sides and the top of the single glassware article in a close proximal manner and spaced apart from the single glassware article, wherein the bottom opening forms a continuous perimeter at said one end, wherein said shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof, wherein said shroud is made of a rigid material that is able to withstand water, soap, and heat processes of a dishwasher, wherein said shroud is portable and is a single unit, and the internal capacity of the shroud is sized for only one glassware article. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shroud is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shroud is polygonal or rectangular in shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tabs on an inside surface of said shroud. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of tabs are made from plastic or rubber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shroud is tapered or frustoconical in shape. ### Claim 7 A method for protecting a single glassware article, comprising: covering the single glassware article with a shroud having a bottom opening at one end to receive the single glassware article as the shroud is placed over and down upon the single glassware article, said shroud having lateral sides that are configured to surround all lateral sides and the top of the single glassware article in a close proximal manner and spaced apart from the single glassware article, wherein the bottom opening forms a continuous perimeter at said one end, wherein said shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof, wherein said shroud is made of a rigid material that is able to withstand water, soap, and heat processes of a dishwasher, and wherein said shroud is portable and is a single unit, and the internal capacity of the shroud is sized for only one glassware article. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said shroud is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said shroud is polygonal or rectangular in shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the glassware article has a stem. ### Claim 11 A system for protecting glassware articles, comprising: a plurality of shrouds, each shroud for protecting a single glassware article and having a bottom opening at one end to receive the single glassware article as the shroud is placed over and down upon the single glassware article and having lateral sides that are configured to surround all lateral sides and the top of the single glassware article in a close proximal manner and spaced apart from the single glassware article, wherein the bottom opening forms a continuous perimeter at said one end, wherein each shroud has at least one perforation on a side thereof and at least one perforation on a top thereof, wherein each shroud is made of a rigid material that is able to withstand water, soap, and heat processes of a dishwasher, wherein each shroud is portable and is a single unit, and the internal capacity of the shroud is sized for only one glassware article, and wherein said shrouds are similar in shape such that said shrouds are stackable onto each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein each shroud is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein each shroud is polygonal or rectangular in shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein said shrouds are different sizes in width and height. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of tabs on an inside surface of each shroud. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of tabs are made from plastic or rubber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein each shroud is tapered or frustoconical in shape.