Laminated glass rack, and/or method of making and/or shipping laminated glass panels using the same
View Patent ↗Certain example embodiments relate to glass racks that are suitable for both autoclaving and shipping. In certain example embodiments, a glass rack may include a metal base having a grooved bottom connected thereto and a metal upright support substantially parallel to the base. The upright support may include a plurality of fingers covered in a protective material (e.g., rubber tubing) that extend therefrom. The spaces between the fingers may correspond with grooves of the grooved bottom, thereby cooperating to accommodate a plurality of panels (e.g., assemblies prior to autoclaving, laminated glass panels formed by autoclaving, etc.). The grooved bottom may be connected to the base so as to allow for expansion and/or contraction of the metal base relative to the grooved bottom. The rack, as a whole, may be capable of withstanding the temperature and pressure conditions of an autoclave, while also providing sufficient protection for the panels during shipping.
1. An apparatus for holding glass, comprising:
a base;
an upright support comprising first and second substantially vertical posts, a plurality of support bars connecting the first and second posts, and an uppermost bar connecting the first and second posts, the substantially vertical posts of the upright support being substantially perpendicular to the base;
a grooved bottom supported by at least the base; and
a plurality of spaced-apart finger bars extending from each of the support bars so that spaces between adjacent finger bars correspond with grooves formed in the grooved bottom, the finger bars each having a free distal end, each said finger bar being at least partially covered with a protective material, the finger bars aligned substantially parallel to the base and each said finger bar extending in a substantially same direction over substantially the entire length of the base,
wherein the base, the upright support, the plurality of support bars, and the plurality of finger bars are metal inclusive and capable of withstanding exposure to autoclaving temperature and pressure conditions,
wherein the grooved bottom and the protective material covering the finger bars are capable of withstanding exposure to autoclaving temperature and pressure conditions,
wherein the grooved bottom is supported by the base so as to accommodate at least some expansion and/or contraction of the base relative to the grooved bottom, and
wherein the grooves and the spaces between adjacent finger bars are arranged to accommodate glass panels and/or glass assemblies during autoclaving and/or shipping so that the glass panels and/or glass assemblies are to be oriented in the apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to the finger bars.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the protective material comprises heat resistant rubber tubing, the heat resistant rubber tubing at least partially covering each said metal finger bar.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support bars are at least partially covered in a protective material.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the grooved bottom is formed from Teflon.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the grooved bottom is secured to the base via a plurality of screws and nuts, each said screw being fed through a respective hole drilled in the base and being secured by two nuts and a washer placed between the two nuts, each hole being drilled so as to be bigger than the respective screw shaft.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metal is a mild steel.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is a pallet.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wheels provided to the base.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a handle bar assembly removably connected to the apparatus opposite the upright support.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support bars further comprise four support bars.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the autoclaving conditions include exposure to a temperature of about 300° F. for a period of about 2.5 hours.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises first and second upper elongated members extending in at least a direction substantially perpendicular to the finger bars, and the base further comprises first and second lower elongated members extending in a direction substantially parallel to the finger bars, wherein the upper elongated members are at an elevation above the lower elongated members.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprises spacers provided between the upper elongated members and the lower elongated members.