Multi-Layered Absorbent Napkin

Abstract

A multi-layered napkin is provided that is designed to protect a tabletop from condensation that develops at the bottom of a beverage. The multi-layered napkin comprises three separate layers that are stacked and connected to each other. The upper layer is adapted to contact the bottom of a beverage container. The upper layer comprises a porous material that is adapted to allow condensation to pass therethrough and into the middle layer of the napkin. The middle layer comprises an absorbent construction that retains liquid that passes through from the upper layer and prevents the napkin assembly from sticking onto the underside of a beverage container. A base layer comprises a water impermeable layer with a high-friction perimeter along the underside surface thereof to prevent sliding of the assembly while in use, and to further facilitate separation of the napkin assembly from a drinking container when the container is lifted.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/802,919 filed on Mar. 18, 2013, entitled “Non-Stick Absorbent Bar Napkin.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to napkins. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-layered napkin that comprises an upper layer that contacts the bottom surface of a beverage. The upper layer is porous such that the condensation from the beverage is able to pass through the upper layer into an absorbent middle layer. The middle layer is disposed on a water impermeable base layer that rests against a table top or other surface. The underside surface of the base layer comprises a high-friction material that inhibits movement of the multi-layered napkin on a table top or other surface.

Condensation forms on the outer surfaces of beverage containers and drips down the sides the containers onto a table top. As a result, pools or rings of liquid may develop on the table top adjacent to the beverage. The table may be stained as result of having a wet container resting on its surface. In order to prevent condensation from contacting the table surface, coasters are commonly used to protect table tops from condensation or other liquid that drips down the sides of a drinking container. Coasters serve as protective barriers and may be composed of a variety of materials including paperboard, plastic, and tissue paper.

Napkins are commonly used as coasters in bars, restaurants, and households because of their low cost and ability to provide a barrier between a table top and a beverage container. However, napkins are not effective coasters and using napkins as coasters has a variety of drawbacks. First, as condensation falls onto the napkin, the napkin becomes saturated with liquid. The liquid may soak through the napkin such that the liquid contacts the table. Further, the saturated napkin may rip into pieces and be difficult to remove from the table top. Another drawback of using a napkin as a coaster is that the condensation that collects on the napkin can cause the napkin to adhere to the bottom of the drinking container. Thus, when a user raises the drinking container, the wet napkin is lifted off of the table along with the beverage. The wet napkin may then drip liquid onto the user, or may fall off of the beverage container and onto the user.

The present invention provides a multi-layered napkin that does not adhere to the bottom of a drinking container resting thereon. The multi-layered napkin comprises an upper layer on which a beverage may be placed. The upper layer is porous and allows any liquid thereon to pass through to an absorbent middle layer. The middle layer rests on a base layer that is water impermeable such that liquid remains in the middle layer. In this way, the upper layer is relatively dry such that it will not stick to the bottom of a beverage container. Further, the underside surface of the base layer comprises a high-friction material that prevents the napkin of the present invention from moving on a table top or other surface. The high-friction material may be an adhesive material or a rubberized material. Thus, the combination of the high-friction material and the absorbent middle layer serves to keep the multi-layered napkin connected to a table top surface, while preventing liquid from contacting the table top surface.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to barriers between drinking containers and table tops. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to coasters that include a means for adhering to a table. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

One such device in the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,352 to Kvalvog which provides a cling resistant drink coaster that is adapted to absorb any moisture that contacts the coaster, thereby preventing the drink container from lifting the coaster when the drink is removed from the table. The coaster comprises an absorbent layer joined with a mesh having multiple cavities that facilitate airflow in order to promote evaporation of the liquid on the coaster. The coaster disclosed by Kvalvog, however, fails to provide a multi-layered napkin having a base layer with a high-friction material disposed on the underside surface thereof.

Another prior art device, U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,873 to Wilmoth provides a non-stick drink coaster that is adapted for supporting drink containers thereon. The coaster comprises an absorbent layer in the base and has support rods spaced above the absorbent material. The support rods are configured to provide a minimum surface area for contact with the drinking container, thereby eliminating opportunities for sticking between the drink container and the coaster. Wilmoth fails to disclose a multi-layered napkin having a water-impermeable base layer having a high-friction material disposed on the underside surface of the base layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,498 to Woodruff provides a coaster for supporting hot or cold liquid containers thereon. The coaster is configured for impeding the formation of condensate on its outside walls and base by providing an adsorbent layer. Woodruff provides a coaster having an indented well area for receiving a drink and having a removable adsorbent pad therein. Thus, Woodruff fails to disclose a multi-layered napkin having an upper layer that is porous and that allows liquid to pass therethrough to an absorbent middle layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,712,721 to Scott provides a protective pad that is adapted to prevent water damage and water pooling. The protective pad utilizes multiple fabric layers of different densities to absorb and then disperse the water. The device comprises an absorbent upper layer, a wicking barrier core, and an insulated bottom portion. Thus, Scott discloses a protective pad having a different arrangement of layers than does the present invention, and fails to disclose an upper layer that is porous and that allows liquid to pass therethrough into an absorbent middle layer.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0203264 to Lombard provides a cling resistant coaster that is also designed to be easily transportable on the neck of a bottle. The coaster comprises center hole that allows the coaster to be placed over the neck of a bottle when not in use. When a drinking container is placed on the coaster, the center hole serves to prevent a vacuum from forming between the coaster and the bottom of the drinking container. The coaster in Lombard can be comprised of absorbent materials, such as paper, cardboard, cork, cotton, and sponge materials. Thus, Lombard does not disclose a coaster having several layers, nor does Lombard disclose a coaster with a water-impermeable base layer having a high-friction material disposed thereon.

Finally, U.S. Design Patent D609,977 to Gjonaj and D408,227 to Swann provide coaster designs that include water draining and water absorbing properties. These coaster designs, however, do not provide a multi-layered napkin that comprises a middle absorbent layer and a base layer that comprises a high-friction material disposed on the underside surface thereof.

The present invention provides a multi-layered napkin that is configured to prevent the napkin from sticking to the bottom of a beverage container. The napkin comprises an upper layer configured to enable condensation to pass therethrough and into the middle layer. The middle layer comprises an absorbent construction that aids in the removal of condensation from the upper layer, thereby creating a relatively dry surface and preventing the multi-layered napkin from sticking to the bottom of the beverage container. The middle layer is disposed on a base layer that is composed of a water-impermeable material. In this way, the liquid in the middle layer cannot pass through the base layer and contact the surface on which the napkin is resting. The base layer comprises an underside surface that includes a high-friction material adapted to resist movement of the napkin on a table top. The high-friction material serves as an additional means for preventing the multi-layered napkin from sticking to a drinking container.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement of moisture absorbing coasters. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of moisture absorbing coasters now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new multi-layered napkin wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience to the user when placing a beverage container on a napkin to protect the support surface from water damage while preventing the napkin from sticking to the beverage container.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved multi-layered napkin that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-layered napkin that prevents condensation or other liquid from passing through the napkin and onto a table top or other supporting surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layered napkin that does not stick to the bottom of a beverage container when the beverage container is lifted off of the napkin.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layered napkin having a base with a high-friction material disposed thereon such that the base does not lift off of the surface of the table when a beverage container resting on the napkin is lifted.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layered napkin that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 displays a view of the individual layers of the multi-layered napkin of the present invention.

FIG. 2 displays a view of multi-layered napkins of the present invention as used to support beverage containers having condensation thereon.

FIG. 3 displays a view of a beverage container being lifted from the surface of the multi-layered napkin.

FIG. 4 displays a view several embodiments of the multi-layered napkin having different shapes and sizes

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the multi-layered napkin. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for protecting a table top or other surface from water damage while preventing the present invention from sticking onto the bottom of a beverage container. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the individual layers of the multi-layered napkin of the present invention. The multi-layered napkin 10 comprises an upper layer 15, a middle layer 20, and a base layer 25. The three separate layers are stacked and connected to each other such that the layers form a single napkin. A fastener or suitable sealant connects the three layers into a unified napkin. A variety of sealants or fasteners may be used including a heat sealant, glue, sewn threads, a securing plastic border, or other suitable adhesive or fastening means. The multi-layered napkin is adapted to prevent the napkin from sticking to a beverage container when the container is lifted from the upper layer of the napkin. Further, the multi-layered napkin is adapted to prevent liquid on the bottom of a container from passing through the multi-layered napkin and onto a table or other supporting surface.

The upper layer 15 is composed of a material having a means for facilitating the passage of condensation from a beverage container to the middle layer 20 of the napkin. The upper layer 15 may be composed of a thermoplastic, such as polypropylene, which is commonly used in the production of stationary products because of its ability to be molded into lightweight and durable sheets. Preferably, the upper layer 15 is composed of a porous material so that the pores 16 facilitate passage of moisture or condensation from the bottom of a beverage container into the middle layer 20 of the multi-layered napkin 10. The pores 16 are distributed throughout the upper layer 15 such that liquid may pass through any portion of the upper layer into the middle layer. In this way, the upper layer remains relatively dry which helps to prevent the upper layer from sticking to the bottom of a beverage container.

The middle layer 20 has an absorbent construction and is capable of drawing excess condensation from the bottom of the beverage container through the pores 16 of the upper layer 15. The absorption of condensation from the upper layer 15 to the middle layer 20 of the multi-layered napkin 10 reduces adhesion between the bottom of the beverage container and the upper layer 15 of the multi-layered napkin, thereby reducing the likelihood of the napkin sticking to the beverage container when the container is lifted off of the napkin. The middle layer 20 can be composed of any suitable absorbent material known in the art including but not limited to paper, cardboard, cotton, cork, cloth, sponge, rubber, felt, synthetic fibers, or wood pulp.

The multi-layered napkin 10 is adapted to prevent the condensation from escaping the middle layer 20 and passing through the base layer 25. The base layer 25 comprises an upper surface 28 and an underside surface 30. The upper surface 28 of the base layer 25 is substantially impermeable to liquid, thereby maintaining any condensation or other liquid within the absorbent material of the middle layer 20. Any of a variety of water-impermeable materials may be used to construct the base layer 25 including a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene.

A high-friction material 32 is disposed on the underside surface 30 of the base layer 25. In some embodiments of the present invention, the high-friction material is disposed on the entirely of the underside surface 30 of the base layer 25, and in other embodiments the high-friction material 32 is disposed only around the perimeter of the underside surface 30. The high-friction material 32 helps to prevent the multi-layered napkin 10 from sliding on the table or lifting off of a table when a beverage container is lifted off of the napkin, while still allowing the user to move the napkin from one location to another as desired. The high-friction material 32 can be a rubberized material, or alternatively, the high-friction material can be a removable adhesive that helps to maintain the napkin in a particular position, while also allowing the napkin to be removed therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of beverage containers placed on multi-layered napkins of the present invention. The multi-layered napkins 10 are adapted to absorb condensation 55 that forms on the exterior of the beverage containers 50 so as to prevent the liquid from contacting the table top. The upper layer 15 is composed of a porous material that facilitates passage of condensation 55 from the surface of the napkin to an absorbent middle layer. In this way, the upper layer 15 is able to remain relatively dry such that the multi-layered napkin does not adhere to the beverage container 50 when the beverage container is removed from the napkin as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the removal of liquid from the upper layer of the napkin prevents adhesion of the multi-layered napkin to the bottom of the beverage container 50. Further, the base layer 25 comprises a high-friction material on its underside surface that also serves to maintain the multi-layered napkin 10 in place on a table top when a beverage container is lifted off of the multi-layered napkin.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a view several embodiments of the multi-layered napkin having different shapes and sizes. The multi-layered napkin 10 can be easily molded into different shapes and sizes as desired. The multi-layered napkin 10 may have any of a variety of shapes and may be shaped like a square, rectangle, circle, or any other shape. Embodiments of the multi-layered napkin of the present invention composed of thermoplastic materials would be particularly suited to being molded into various shapes. Moreover, the upper layer 15 may have any of a variety of colors and designs. For example, the upper layer 15 may comprise a logo 60 imprinted onto the multi-layered napkin. A bar, restaurant, or catering company could imprint the multi-layered napkin 10 with their logo so that the multi-layered napkin may be used for promotion and advertising in additional to its functional purpose.

Condensation that forms on the outer surfaces of beverage containers drips down the sides of the container and onto a table top or other surface. The condensation pools on the table top and may result in a water stain on the table's surface. While ordinary napkins are commonly used as coasters to prevent the condensation from pooling on a table top, napkins are easily saturated by liquid and allow liquids to pass therethrough. Further, when a traditional napkin becomes wet, the napkin adheres to the bottom of the beverage container such that the napkin lifts off of the table when the beverage container is lifted off of the table.

The present invention provides a multi-layered napkin adapted to prevent adhesion of the napkin to the bottom of a beverage container when the condensation from the container drips onto the napkin. The multi-layered napkin is comprised of three separate layers stacked on top of one another so as to form a single unitary structure. The multi-layered napkin comprises an upper layer, a middle layer, and a base layer. The upper layer comprises pores that facilitate passage of condensation from the bottom of a beverage container to the middle layer of the multi-layered napkin. The middle layer has an absorbent construction and draws condensation from the upper layer. The removal of condensation from the upper layer prevents the bottom of a beverage container from adhering to the multi-layered napkin. A base layer is positioned beneath the middle layer and is impermeable to liquid. The underside surface of the base layer comprises a high-friction material that is configured to maintain the multi-layered napkin on a tabletop when a beverage container is removed from the napkin.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A multi-layered napkin, comprising:

an upper layer disposed on a middle layer that is disposed on a base layer;

said upper layer comprising a porous material adapted to allow liquid to pass therethrough to said middle layer;

said middle layer comprising an absorbent material;

said base layer comprising a water-impermeable material adapted to prevent water from passing therethrough.

2. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein a rubberized material is disposed on said underside surface of said base layer, and is adapted to reduce sliding of said base layer on a support surface.

3. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein a rubberized material is disposed about a perimeter of said underside surface of said base layer, and is adapted to reduce sliding of said base layer on a support surface.

4. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein an adhesive material is disposed on said underside surface of said base layer, and is adapted to reduce sliding of said base layer on a support surface.

5. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein an adhesive material is disposed about a perimeter of said underside surface of said base layer, and is adapted to reduce sliding of said base layer on a support surface.

6. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein said base layer comprises polyethylene.

7. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein said upper layer comprises polypropylene.

8. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein said upper layer is flat.

9. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein said upper layer, said middle layer, and said base layer are square shaped.

10. The multi-layered napkin of claim 1, wherein said upper layer, said middle layer, and said base layer have the same length and width.