COASTER

Abstract

A coaster having a circular base, a cylindrical wall, an annular flange, and an opening. The circular base has a perimeter. The cylindrical wall emanates upwardly from the perimeter and the cylindrical wall has a top and a bottom. The annular flange extends inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and the annular flange has a rim opposite the top of the cylindrical wall. The circular base, the cylindrical wall, and the annular flange partially enclose a space and the space is operatively arranged to receive a container. The opening is bounded by the rim. Preferably, when the container is inserted through the opening into the space, the rim engages the container and removably secures the coaster to the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to a coaster, and more particularly, to a coaster that is operatively arranged to be removably secured to a container, for example, a beverage container such as a cup, glass, can, bottle, wine glass, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coasters, also known as drink coasters, beverage coasters, or beermats, are well known in the art. A coaster is placed on a surface, such a tabletop or bar, and a beverage container is placed on top of the coaster in order to protect the surface from damage caused by runoff of liquid down the side of the container. Additionally, depending on the material the coaster is made of, it can also be used to absorb condensation dripping along the container as well as even serve as an impromptu notepad.

The first custom coasters were made of cardboard and manufactured by the printing company Friedrich Horn of Buckau Germany, and included a variety of illustrations, jokes and phrases printed on them. In 1892, Robert Sputh of Dresden manufactured the first coaster made of wood pulp. Coasters are often made from high grammage paperboard, but may also be made from several layers of tissue paper. Other materials typically used for coasters include sandstone, straw mats, marble, glass, plastic, metal, etc.

For example, the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,989,205 is a coaster having a reservoir and a sponge pad to absorb condensation and spillage. Additionally, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,808,084, a coaster is disclosed having a substantially annular base having a stepped shelf formed to receive a removable insert. Furthermore, is U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20120223208, a coaster is disclosed having a hollow main body, a plurality of apertures, and a reservoir to collect liquid runoff and condensation. However, all of the above-mentioned inventions lack the ability for the coaster to remain secured to the container when the container is lifted and transported to a different surface.

Thus, there is a long felt need for a coaster that protects a surface from condensation and liquid runoff from a container when the container is resting upon the surface. There is also a long-felt need for a coaster that is removably secured to a container, such that when the container is lifted off the surface, the coaster remains affixed to the container for easy transport to another surface.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly includes a coaster having a circular base, a cylindrical wall, an annular flange, and an opening. The circular base has a perimeter. The cylindrical wall emanates upwardly from the perimeter and the cylindrical wall has a top and a bottom. The annular flange extends inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and the annular flange has a rim opposite the top of the cylindrical wall. The circular base, the cylindrical and the annular flange partially enclose a space and the space is operatively arranged to receive a container. The opening is bounded by the rim.

Preferably, when the container is inserted through the opening into the space, the rim engages the container and removably secures the coaster to the container. In one embodiment, only the annular flange is made of a flexible material and when the rim engages the container, the rim is depressed inwardly into the space, thus removably securing the container to the coaster via a press fit. In another embodiment, the coaster is made of a flexible material, and similar to above, when the rim engages the container, the rim is depressed inwardly into the space, thus removably securing the container to the coaster via a press fit. Preferably, the coaster is made of a flexible material, such as silicone, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, etc. Additionally, in another embodiment, the cylindrical wall and circular base are made of a rigid material, while the annular flange is made of a flexible material, such as silicone, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, etc. However, it should be appreciated that the circular base, cylindrical wall, and annular flange can be made of any suitable material known in the art.

In another embodiment, the annular flange has an outer diameter, D1, and an inner diameter, D3, and the circular base has a diameter, D2. Preferably, the diameters, D1 and D2, are approximately the same length. The diameters, D1 and D2, are in the range of 4 cm to 9 cm, and in particular, diameters, D1 and D2, are approximately 7.8 cm. Additionally, the outer diameter, D1, is greater than the inner diameter, D3, of the annular flange. Moreover, the cylindrical wall has a height, H, and height, H, is approximately 1.8 cm. However, it should be apparent that the annular flange, circular base, and cylindrical wall may vary in size, shape, and dimensions.

In yet another embodiment, the annular flange further includes at least one aperture, but preferably five (5) apertures. Additionally, the circular base further includes at least one ridge, emanating outwardly from the circular base and the at least one ridge is substantially circular in shape. Similar to the at least one ridge of the circular base, the annular flange further includes at least one ridge emanating outwardly from the annular flange is substantially circular in shape.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a coaster that protects a surface from condensation and liquid runoff from a container when the container is resting upon the surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide for a coaster that is removably secured to a container, such that when the container is lifted off the surface, the coaster remains affixed to the container for easy transport to another surface.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a coaster of the present invention, showing the coaster holding a glass;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the coaster of FIG. 1, showing the coaster holding a can;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the coaster of FIG. 1, with the glass removed;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the coaster of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the coaster of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the coaster of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the coaster of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 8-8 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 9-9 in FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 10-10 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly”, “very nearly”, “about”, “approximately”, “around”, “bordering on”, “close to”, “essentially”, “in the neighborhood of”, “in the vicinity of”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Adverting now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of coaster 10 holding glass 90. As shown in more detail in FIG. 8, glass 90 is filled with liquid 91. Condensation 92 occurs as warm, moist air turns into a liquid after coming into contact with glass 90. Gravity forces condensation 92 to travel downwardly along the side of glass 90, eventually making contact with coaster 10.

Similar to the view shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of coaster 10 holding can 93. As shown in more detail in FIG. 9, can 93 is filled with liquid 94. Condensation 95 occurs as warm, moist air turns into a liquid after corning into contact with can 93. Gravity forces condensation 95 to travel downwardly along the side of can 93, eventually making contact with coaster 10.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of coaster 10 and FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of coaster 10. Coaster 10 broadly includes circular base 21, cylindrical wall 17, an annular flange 11, and opening 30. Circular base 21 is bounded by perimeter P (shown in FIG. 7) and includes inner base surface 20. Cylindrical wall 17 has top 16 and bottom 25 and emanates upwardly from perimeter P. Cylindrical wall 17 further includes inner wall surface 18 and outer wall surface 19. Annular flange 11 extends inwardly from top 16 of cylindrical wall 17. Cylindrical wall 17 is integral with circular base 21 and annular flange 11 and connects circular base 21 to annular flange 11. Circular base 21, cylindrical wall 17, and annular flange 11 partially enclose space 31. For example, circular base 21 bounds the bottom of space 31, cylindrical wall 17 bounds the side of space 31 and annular flange 11 partially bounds the top of space 31. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, space 31 is operatively arranged to receive a container, such as glass 90 or can 93. Annular flange 11 includes rim 15 opposite top 16 of cylindrical wall 17 and opening 30 is bounded by the rim 15.

In an embodiment, annular flange 11 further includes at least one aperture, but preferably five (5) apertures 26a-e. Additionally, circular base 21 further includes at least one ridge, but preferably three (3) ridges 29a-c. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, circular base ridges 29a-c emanate outwardly from circular base 21 and separate circular base 21 into base surfaces 22, 23, and 24. Each base ridge 29a-c is substantially circular in shape. For example, base ridge 29a bounds first base surface 22. Second base surface 23 is bounded by base ridge 29a and base ridge 29b. Third base surface 24 is bounded by base ridge 29b and base ridge 29c, Base ridges 29a-c allow circular base 21 to grip a surface to prevent coaster 10 from easily sliding. Similar to the ridges of the circular base, annular flange 11 further includes at least one ridge 28 protruding outwardly from annular flange 11. Flange ridge 28 is substantially circular in shape and divides annular flange 11 into flange surfaces 13, 14. For example, rim 15 and flange ridge 28 bound first flange surface 13. Flange ridge 28 and top 16 of cylindrical wall 17 bound second flange surface 14. It should be appreciated that both the circular base and the annular flange may have any number of ridges suitable in the art.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of coaster 10. Cylindrical wall 17 has a height, H. Preferably, height, H, is in the range of approximately 0.5 cm to 3 cm, and in particular, approximately 1.8 cm.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of coaster 10 and FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of coaster 10. Annular flange 11 has outer diameter, D1, and inner diameter, D3. Circular base 21 has diameter, D2. Preferably, diameters, D1 and D2, are approximately the same length. For example, diameters, D1 and D2, are in the range of 4 cm to 9 cm, and in particular, diameters, D1 and D2, are approximately 7.8 cm. Moreover, outer diameter, D1, is greater than the inner diameter, D3, of annular flange 11. For example, as mentioned above, outer diameter, D1, is preferably in the range of 4 cm to 9 cm, and in particular, approximately 7.8 cm, while inner diameter, D3, is preferably in the range of 2 cm to 7.5 cm, and in particular, approximately 5.2 cm. However, it should be apparent that the annular flange, circular base, and cylindrical wall may vary in size, shape, and dimensions.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 8-8 in FIG. 1. Similarly, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 9-9 in FIG. 2. Annular flange 11 further includes inner flange surface 12. Preferably, when a container, such as glass 90 or can 93, is inserted through opening 30 into space 31, glass 90 or can 93 rests upon inner base surface 20. Additionaily rim 15 engages glass 90 or can 93, removably securing coaster 10 to glass 90 or can 93. In one embodiment, only annular flange 11 is made of a flexible material and when rim 15 engages glass 90 or can 93, rim 15 is depressed inwardly into space 31. As rim 15 is depressed inwardly, the friction between rim 15 and glass 90 or can 93 forms a press fit, thus removably securing glass 90 or can 93 to coaster 10. Similarly, in another to embodiment, coaster 10 is made of a flexible material, and when rim 15 engages glass 90 or can 93, rim 15 is depressed inwardly into space 31. As rim 15 is depressed inwardly, the friction between rim 15 and glass 90 or can 93 forms a press lit, thus removably securing glass 90 or can 93 to coaster 10. Furthermore, apertures 26a-e are evenly spaced about annular flange 11 and allow air to be released when a container is inserted into space 31, which aid in forming a tighter press fit. Due to the press fit, the container is easily lifted off the surface it is resting upon, while the coaster remains affixed to the container for easy transport to another surface.

As shown in the FIGS. 8 and 9, the side of glass 90 that interacts with rim 15 tapers as it approaches circular base 21, whereas the side of can 93 that interacts with rim 15 is straight, causing the circuratirence of can 93 at the interaction point to be greater than the circumference of glass 90 at the interaction point. Therefore, rim 15 is depressed further inward towards circular base 21 when engaged with the side of can 93 than with the side of glass 90.

As shown in FIG. 8, condensation 92 travels down the side of glass 90 and is thwarted from continuing by rim 15. Even if condensation 92 continued beyond rim 15, it would eventually reach inner base surface 20, and the surface upon which coaster 10 rests would remain protected from damage. Similarly, in FIG. 9, condensation 95 travels down the side of can 93 and is thwarted from continuing by rim 15. Even if condensation 95 continued beyond rim 15, it would eventually reach inner base surface 20, and the surface upon which coaster 10 rests would remain protected from damage.

Preferably, the coaster is made of a flexible material, such as silicone, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, etc. Additionally, in another embodiment, the cylindrical wall and circular base are made of a rigid material, while the annular flange is made of a flexible material, such as silicone, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, etc. However, it should be appreciated that the circular base, cylindrical wall, and annular flange can be made of any suitable material known in the art.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 10-10 in FIG. 5. Coaster 10 is shown with the container removed. As there is no container to press rim 15 inwardly, rim 15 as well as annular flange 11 extend outwardly and substantially parallel to circular base 21.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coaster, comprising:

a circular base, having a perimeter;

a cylindrical wall emanating upwardly from the perimeter, the cylindrical wall having a top and a bottom;

an annular flange extending inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall, the annular flange having a rim opposite the top of the cylindrical wall, wherein the circular base, the cylindrical wall, and the annular flange partially enclose a space and the space is operatively arranged to receive a container; and,

an opening, wherein the opening is bounded by the rim.

2. The coaster of claim 1, wherein when the container is inserted through the opening into the space, the rim engages the container and removably secures the coaster to the container.

3. The coaster of claim 2, wherein the annular flange is made of a flexible material.

4. The coaster of claim 3, wherein when the rim engages the container, the rim is depressed inwardly into the space, thereby removably securing the container to the coaster via a press fit.

5. The coaster of claim 2, wherein the coaster is made of a flexible material.

6. The coaster of claim 5, wherein when the rim engages the container, the rim is depressed inwardly into the space, thereby removably securing the container to the coaster via a press fit.

7. The coaster of claim 1, wherein the annular flange has an outer diameter, D1, and the circular base has a diameter, D2, and the diameters, D1 and D2, are approximately the same length.

8. The coaster of claim 7, wherein the diameters, D1 and D2, are in the range of 4 cm to 9 cm.

9. The coaster of claim 8, wherein the diameters, D1 and D2, are approximately 7.8 cm.

10. The coaster of claim 7, wherein the annular flange further comprises inner diameter, D3, and the outer diameter, D1, is greater than the inner diameter, D3.

11. The coaster of claim 10, wherein the cylindrical wall has a height, H, and height, H, is approximately 1.8 cm.

12. The coaster of claim 1, wherein the coaster is made of silicone.

13. The coaster of claim 1, wherein the coaster is made of plastic.

14. The coaster of claim 13, wherein the coaster is made of thermoplastic polyurethane.

15. The coaster of claim 1, wherein the annular flange further comprises at least one aperture.

16. The coaster of claim 15, wherein the annular flange comprises five apertures.

17. The coaster of claim 1, wherein the circular base further comprises at least one ridge and the at least one ridge emanates outwardly from the circular base.

18. The coaster of claim 17, wherein the at least one ridge is substantially circular in shape.

19. The coaster of claim 1, wherein the annular flange further comprises at least one ridge and the at least one ridge emanates outwardly from the annular flange.

20. The coaster of claim 19, wherein the at least one ridge is substantially circular in shape.