SPILL PROOF BEVERAGE COASTER

Abstract

The present invention provides a spill proof beverage coaster comprising arms and feet coupled to an enclosure. The enclosure comprises a base and a side wall. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall is cylindrically shaped and includes three or more arms and feet. The feet provide a large surface area for the coaster, which makes it stable and able to distribute energy over the surface area from an accidental tip of a beverage container. The arms are curved outward and away from the top of the side wall to guide or "catch" a beverage container into the enclosure. The arms also function as an easy way to pick up the coaster along with the beverage container inside.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/249,920, filed on Nov. 2, 2015, and entitled "Spill Proof Beverage Coaster," the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to beverage coasters and, more specifically, to a spill proof beverage coaster.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] A coaster, drink coaster, beverage coaster, or beermat is an article used to rest beverages upon. The purpose is to protect the surface of a table or any other surface where the user might place their beverage.

[0006] According to Wikipedia.com, in 1880, the first beermats made of cardboard were introduced by the German printing company, Friedrich Horn. In 1892, Robert Sputh of Dresden manufactured the first beermat made of wood pulp. Saucers were also long used in Europe for much the same purpose. When drinking tea, it was customary to use a cup and saucer set. By the mid-twentieth century, beverage coasters made in various materials and styles were being manufactured for domestic use. Today, they are common as a houseware and in restaurants. Conventional beverage coasters can be made from cork. Coasters are often made from high grammage paperboard, but may also be made from several layers of tissue paper. Important parameters for beer mats are water absorbency, wet rub and printability. Coaster Factory and Canada Coaster, based in North America, and The Katz Group, based in Weisenbach, Germany, produce approximately 75% of the estimated 5.5 billion beermats in the world, including about two-thirds of the European market and 97% of the US market.

[0007] Brewed beverages and soft drinks have been packaged in containers, such as glass bottles and metallic cans, for multiple decades, and problems with an inadvertent toppling over of the container are common. Flat beverage coasters and saucers do not prevent toppling over of beverage containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a spill proof beverage coaster comprising arms and feet coupled to an enclosure. The enclosure comprises a base and a side wall. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall is cylindrically shaped and includes four arms and four feet. The feet provide a large surface area for the coaster, which makes it stable and able to distribute energy over the surface area from an accidental tip of a beverage container. The arms are curved outward and away from the top of the side wall to guide or "catch" a beverage container into the enclosure. The arms also function as an easy way to pick up the coaster along with the beverage container inside.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, a spill proof beverage coaster comprises: a base; a cylindrical wall having a top rim and a bottom rim, wherein the bottom rim is attached to the base; three or more arms, wherein each arm is attached to the cylindrical wall; and three or more feet, wherein each foot is attached to the cylindrical wall. Each arm is attached to the top rim of the cylindrical wall. The three or more arms are evenly spaced around the top rim of the cylindrical wall. Each arm comprises a top portion that is angled away from vertical. Each foot comprises a toe. A height of each foot decreases from the cylindrical wall to the toe. Each foot comprise a hollowed recess. The three or more feet are evenly spaced around the cylindrical wall.

[0010] The present invention prevents inadvertent toppling over of beverage containers. Coasters may also be stacked to minimize space during shipping and display of large quantities.

[0011] The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a spill proof beverage coaster according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the spill proof beverage coaster of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the spill proof beverage coaster of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of a foot of the spill proof beverage coaster of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up view of arms of the spill proof beverage coaster of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a raised face of the spill proof beverage coaster of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates stacking of multiple spill proof beverage coasters according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates an adapter for a spill proof beverage coaster according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-14, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0028] Moreover, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0029] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a spill proof beverage coaster 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The spill proof beverage coaster 100 comprises a plurality arms 110 and a plurality of feet 120 coupled to an enclosure 130. The enclosure 130 comprises a base 132 and a side wall 134. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall 134 is cylindrically shaped. Although four (4) arms 110 and four (4) feet 120 are shown, any number of arms 110 and feet 120 may be used, preferably three (3) or more evenly spaced around the perimeter of the side wall 134. FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of a foot 120. The feet 120 provide a large surface area for the coaster 100, which makes it stable and able to distribute energy over the surface area from an accidental tip of a beverage container (not shown). The feet may be solid or hollow. FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up view of the arms 110. At a top portion, the arms 110 are curved outward and away from the top of the side wall 134 to guide or "catch" a beverage container when lowered into the enclosure 130. The arms 110 also function as an easy way to pick up the coaster 100 along with the beverage container inside.

[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, the spill proof beverage coaster 100 is manufactured from a plastic via injection molding, the implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing) may be used, the implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, any type of manufacturing technique may be employed, the identification and implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Suitable materials for manufacturing include, but are not limited to, plastic, metal, wood (e.g., bamboo).

[0031] FIG. 6 highlights a raised face 136 where a beverage container fits into the coaster 100. Its purpose is to create a short, but uneven surface so that it breaks the adhesion of the coaster 100 to the container, which may come from the condensate of cold drink containers. In an embodiment of the invention, the raised face 136 is a ring. In other embodiments, the raised surface can be a pattern or any combination of alphanumeric characters.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates two coasters 100A and 100B stacked upon one another. In an embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of a coaster 100 are configured so that multiple coasters 100 can be stacked upon one another to minimize space during transport and display of large quantities of coasters. For example, the coasters 100A and 100B are built to be stackable using the side wall of the coasters where feet 120A of one coaster 100A fit within the openings between the arms 110B of another coaster 100B.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates an optional adapter 800 according to an embodiment of the invention. The adapter 800 is a cylindrical piece separate from the coaster 100, but is designed to fit inside its side wall 134. The main purpose of the adapter 800 is to enable a snug fit for beverage containers where the circumference may be much smaller than the coaster 100. This is essential because containers which are slimmer than the coaster 100 might see some slight decrease in effectiveness of the coaster as there is room inside for the container to move around. The adapter 800 can be configured in various diameters and cylindrical thicknesses and heights to accommodate variously shaped beverage containers.

[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster 900 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, coaster 900 comprises an enclosure 930 coupled to triangular shaped feet 920 having outer corners coupled to a ring 940. A wide circular base is created so that there are no sharp corners. When there is a force on the beverage container, as the coaster 900 tilted, the circular ring 940 immediately distributes the force along the ring and sets it back down.

[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster 1000 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, coaster 1000 comprises an enclosure 1030 coupled to triangular shaped large feet 1020 and small feet 1025. Certain large feet 1020 comprises a hook to be used a `handle` in order make it easier to pick up the coaster 1000 along with a beverage container and move it around.

[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster 1100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, coaster 1100 comprises an enclosure 1130 coupled to triangular shaped large feet 1120 and triangular shaped small feet 1125. The large feet 1120 are coupled to thin arms 1110 that flare outward. There are eight (8) feet 1120 and 1125 in total, which are all very narrow.

[0037] FIG. 12 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster 1200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, coaster 1200 comprises an enclosure 1230 coupled to large feet 1220 and small feet 1225. The large feet 1220 are coupled to thin arms 1210 that flare outward. There are eight (8) feet 1220 and 1225 in total, which are all very narrow.

[0038] FIG. 13 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster 1300 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, the coaster 1300 is similar to the coaster 100 shown in FIG. 1 except for wide legs 1320, which are not tapered as much at the end, making it look like a flower petal shape from the top.

[0039] FIG. 14 illustrates a spill proof beverage coaster 1400 according to an embodiment of the invention. The spill proof beverage coaster 1400 comprises a plurality arms 1410 and a plurality of feet 1420 coupled to an enclosure 1430. The enclosure 1430 comprises a base 1432 and a side wall 1434. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall 1434 is cylindrically shaped. Although four (4) arms 1410 and four (4) feet 1420 are shown, any number of arms 1410 and feet 1420 may be used, preferably three (3) or more evenly spaced around the perimeter of the side wall 1434. At a top portion or distal end, each arm4 1410 are curved outward and away from vertical to guide or "catch" a beverage container when lowered into the enclosure 1430. The arms 1410 may be a solid piece or hollowed out. The feet 1420 provide a large surface area for the coaster 1400, which makes it stable and able to distribute energy over the surface area from an accidental tip of a beverage container (not shown). Here, each foot 1420 is comprises a recess 1422 and sidewalls 1424 surrounding the recess 1422. The sidewalls 1424 diminish in height from the cylindrical wall 1434 to a toe 1426. A tip of the toe 1426 is directed away from a radius of the cylindrical wall 1434. For example, as shown, the toe 1426 is pointed along a tangent of a circle concentric with the cylindrical wall 1434. The presence of the toe 1426 increases the surface area of the coaster 1400, thereby providing greater stability. Multiple coasters 1400 can be stacked on one another as shown in FIG. 7.

[0040] Although dimensions of the above-noted embodiments may vary, in a preferred embodiment, a spill proof beverage coaster is configured to snugly receive a standard soda can having a diameter of two and three-eighths inches (2 3/8''). In other words, the cylindrical wall has a diameter of approximately two and three-eighths inches. An exemplary diameter of the overall spill proof beverage coaster is five and five-eighths inches (5 5/8''). This creates a wider base for stability--the wider the legs, the more stable the coaster becomes.

[0041] The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.

Claims

1. A spill proof beverage coaster comprising: a base; a cylindrical wall having a top rim and a bottom rim, wherein the bottom rim is attached to the base; three or more arms, wherein each arm is attached to the cylindrical wall; and three or more feet, wherein each foot is attached to the cylindrical wall.

2. The spill proof beverage coaster of claim 1, wherein each arm is attached to the top rim of the cylindrical wall.

3. The spill proof beverage coaster of claim 2, wherein the three or more arms are evenly spaced around the top rim of the cylindrical wall.

4. The spill proof beverage coaster of claim 1, wherein each arm comprises a top portion that is angled away from vertical.

5. The spill proof beverage coaster of claim 1, wherein each foot comprises a toe.

6. The spill proof beverage coaster of claim 5, wherein a height of each foot decreases from the cylindrical wall to the toe.

7. The spill proof beverage coaster of claim 1, wherein each foot comprise a hollowed recess.

8. The spill proof beverage coaster of claim 1, wherein the three or more feet are evenly spaced around the cylindrical wall.

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