REMOVABLE COASTER

Abstract

A removable coaster removably attached to a container comprising a base formed of an insulative material, a first adhesive layer applied to one side of the base, the first adhesive layer forming a permanent bond between the base and a cover, and a second adhesive layer applied to another side of the base, the second adhesive for forming a semi-permanent bond wherein the base is removable from the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/901,397 titled "Integrated Beverage Coaster," filed Nov. 7, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated in this disclosure by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for providing insulation.

[0004] 2. Introduction

[0005] Certain beverages such as beer and soda are preferred to be consumed cold. However, because the beverage is served cold, condensation occurs on the surface of the beverage container. This condensation can leave unsightly stains on surfaces that the beverage is placed on, and, in certain cases, can damage the surface as well. A coaster is typically used to prevent the beverage container from directly contacting the surface.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to various aspects of the subject technology, apparatuses and methods relating to a removable coaster are provided.

[0007] Disclosed is a removable coaster removably attached to a container comprising a base formed of an insulative material, a first adhesive layer applied to one side of the base, the first adhesive layer forming a permanent bond between the base and a cover, and a second adhesive layer applied to another side of the base, the second adhesive layer for forming a semi-permanent bond wherein the base is removable from the container.

[0008] In one version the insulative material comprises cork, rubber, and/or foam. Preferably the container comprises glass, aluminum, and/or plastic.

[0009] In one version the first adhesive layer comprises permanent glue and the second adhesive layer comprises semi-permanent glue.

[0010] In one version the cover comprises a label. Preferably the label is plastic and/or Paper. In one version the label is embossed. Alternatively the label is printed on the base.

[0011] Preferably the coaster is removably attached to a side of the container. Alternatively, the coaster is removably attached to a bottom of the container.

[0012] In one version the removable coaster further comprises a protective layer over the cover.

[0013] Alternatively, the removable coaster further comprises a separate protective layer over an edge of the removable coaster. Preferably the separate protective layer forms an attachment to the container. In one version the edges are concealed by the cover.

[0014] In one version there is substantially no residue left on the container after removal of the removable coaster from the container.

[0015] Also disclosed is a method of insulating a surface from a container comprising the steps of providing a removable coaster comprising a base formed of an insulative material, an adhesive layer applied to the base, the adhesive layer for forming a semi-permanent bond between the base and the container, wherein the base is removable from the container, removing the removable coaster from the container, placing the removable coaster on the surface, and placing the container on the removable coaster such that the removable coaster insulates the surface from the container.

[0016] In one embodiment, the removable coaster comprises a base comprising an insulative material, the base attached to a bottom of a container using a adhesive layer, the adhesive layer forming a semi-permanent bond between the base and the container.

[0017] Preferably the base is removable from the bottom of the container. Preferably, there is substantially no residue left on the container alter removal of the removable coaster from the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a removable coaster being removed from a container.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a removable coaster according to one version of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken across tine A-A and expanded view of the cross-section of the removable coaster of FIG. 2.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an edge of the removable coaster of FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of an edge of the removable coaster of FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a removable coaster according to one version of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken across line B-B and expanded view of the cross-section of the removable coaster of FIG. 6.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a side view of an edge of the removable coaster of FIG. 6.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows a top view of a removable coaster according to one version of the Invention.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view taken across line C-C and expanded view of the cross-section of the removable coaster of FIG. 9.

[0028] FIG. 11 shows a side view of an edge of the removable coaster of FIG. 9.

[0029] FIG. 12 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of the edge of the removable coaster of FIG. 9.

[0030] FIG. 13 shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of the edge of the removable coaster of FIG. 9.

[0031] FIG. 14 shows a top view of a removable coaster according to one version of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view taken across line DD and expanded view of the cross-section of the removable coaster of FIG. 14.

[0033] FIG. 16 shows a side view of an edge of the removable coaster of FIG. 14.

[0034] FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the removable coaster.

[0035] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology can be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a more thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these details,

[0037] "Removably" means capable of being removed.

[0038] "Insulative" means having the properties of insulation.

[0039] Oftentimes coasters are hard to find because they are stored separately from the beverage container. Accordingly, there is a need for an integrated removable beverage coaster. The subject technology satisfies this need and relates to a removable coaster that allows for easy access to a coaster when one is needed.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, disclosed is a removable coaster 100 removably attached to a container 114 comprising a base 102 formed of an insulative material, a first adhesive layer 104 applied to one side of the base, the first adhesive layer 104 forming a permanent bond between the base 102 and a cover 108, and a second adhesive layer 106 applied to another side of the base 102; the second adhesive layer 106 for forming a semi-permanent bond wherein the base 102 is removable from the container 114.

[0041] In one version the insulative material comprises cork, rubber, and/or foam, and any other materials known in the art for insulation. Preferably the insulative material is Con-Tact® Brand Natural Cork, 1/16'' cork sheeting and/or Con-Tact® Brand Shelf Liner, 1/16'' tight-pack foam sheeting. Preferably the container 114 comprises glass, aluminum, and/or plastic, and any other materials known in the art for use as a container.

[0042] In one version the first adhesive layer 104 comprises any permanent glue known in the art, and the second adhesive layer 106 comprises any semi-permanent glue known in the art. Preferably, the permanent glue used is 3M® Super 77 All-Purpose Adhesive. Preferably, the semi-permanent glue used is Loctite® Flexible Adhesive. There is substantially no residue left on the container 114 after removal of the removable coaster 100 from the container 114.

[0043] The permanent bond between the cover 108 and the base 102 is durable and water-resistant, because beverages are subjected to changing and ambient temperatures associated with refrigeration, condensation, ice baths, or any number of other situations.

[0044] The semi-permanent bond between the base 102 and the container 114 is a once-removable, hydrophobic bond. The bond is semi-permanent in that it is neither permanent nor repositionable. The removable coaster 100 is not able to be removed by normal wear on the container 114 throughout the production, sale, and distribution lifecycle. However, upon intentional removal by a user, the removable coaster 100 is easily peeled back from the container 114.

[0045] In one version the cover 108 comprises a label. Preferably the label is made of plastic and/or paper according to methods known in the art. In one version the label is embossed according to methods known in the art. Alternatively the label is printed on the base 102 according to methods known in the art. The label includes information regarding the contents of the container, such as beverage type, brand name, nutritional information, etc.

[0046] Preferably the removable coaster 100 is removably attached to a side 118 of the container 114 as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the coaster 100 is removably attached to a bottom 116 of the container 114.

[0047] In one version, the container 114 comprises a marking that is already on the container 114, such as a standard industry label or trademark marking. For example, when a user buys a beverage from a store, the beverage container will have a label or marking already on it that displays the trademark of the beverage, or any other information regarding the beverage. The marking can be engraved, embossed, or attached to the beverage according to methods known in the art. In this version, the removable coaster 100 is attached over the marking. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the cover 108 is identical to the marking that is being covered by the removable coaster 100.

[0048] In one version the edges are concealed by the cover 108, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the removable coaster further comprises a separate protective layer 110 over an edge of the removable coaster 100, as shown in FIG. 8. Preferably the separate protective layer 110 forms an attachment to the container 114.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, disclosed is the removable coaster 100 further comprising a protective layer 112 over the cover 108. The protective layer 112 does not cover the edge, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0051] In one version of the invention a separate protective layer 110 covers the edge while the protective layer 112 covers only the cover 108, as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively the protective layer 112 covers the cover as well as the edge, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0052] Referring now to 14-16, disclosed is a version of the removable coaster 100 which only comprises the base 102 and the second adhesive layer 106. In this version, the base 102 also serves as the label of the container 114, such that the contents of the label are displayed directly on the base 102 according to methods known in the art.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 17, disclosed is an embodiment where a removable coaster 1700 comprises a base 1702 comprising an insulative material, the base 1702 attached to a bottom of a container 1706 using an adhesive layer 1704, the adhesive layer 1704 forming a semi-permanent bond between the base 1702 and the container 1706.

[0054] Preferably the coaster 1700 is removable fro the bottom of the container 1706, but the coaster 1700 can also remain in place. Preferably, there is substantially no residue left on the container 1706 after removal of the removable coaster 1700 from the container 1706. Preferably there is also substantially no residue left on a surface that the coaster is placed on.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 18, disclosed is a flowchart 1800 illustrating a method of insulating a surface from a container comprising the steps of providing a removable coaster according to the teachings herein 1802, removing the removable coaster from the container 1804, placing the removable coaster on the surface 1806, and placing the container on the removable coaster such that the removable coaster insulates the surface from the container 1808.

[0056] The method can be performed using any of the above-described embodiments of the removable coaster 100 including, but not limited to, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-17, and any combinations thereof.

[0057] The description of the subject technology is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. While the subject technology has been particularly described with reference to the various figures and embodiments, it should be understood that these are for illustration purposes only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the subject technology.

[0058] There may be many other ways to implement the subject technology. Various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently from those shown without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, many changes and modifications may be made to the subject technology, by one having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the subject technology.

[0059] A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically stated, but rather "one or more." The term "some" refers to one or more. Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject technology, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.

Claims

1. A removable coaster removably attached to a container comprising: a base formed of an insulative material; a first adhesive layer applied to one side of the base, the first adhesive layer forming a permanent bond between the base and a cover; and a second adhesive layer applied to another side of the base, the second adhesive layer for forming a semi-permanent bond between the base and the container; wherein the base is removable from the container.

2. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the insulative material comprises cork, rubber, and/or foam.

3. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the first adhesive layer comprises permanent glue.

4. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the second adhesive layer comprises semi-permanent glue.

5. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a label.

6. The removable coaster of claim 5 wherein the label is plastic and/or paper.

7. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the coaster is removably attached to a side of the container.

8. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the coaster is removably attached to a bottom of the container.

9. The removable coaster of claim 1 further comprising a protective layer over the cover.

10. The removable coaster of claim 9 further comprising a separate protective layer over an edge of the removable coaster.

11. The removable coaster of claim 10 wherein the separate protective layer forms an attachment to the container.

12. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the container comprises glass, aluminum, and/or plastic.

13. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein the removable coaster comprises edges, the edges being concealed by the cover.

14. The removable coaster of claim 5 wherein the label is embossed.

15. The removable coaster of claim 5 wherein the label is displayed on the base.

16. The removable coaster of claim 1 wherein there is substantially no residue left on the container after removal of the removable coaster from the container.

17. A method of insulating a surface from a container comprising the steps of: providing a removable coaster comprising: a base formed of an insulative material; an adhesive layer applied to the base, the adhesive layer for forming a semi-permanent bond between the base and the container; wherein the base is removable from the container; removing the removable coaster from the container; placing the removable coaster on the surface; and placing the container on the removable coaster such that the removable coaster insulates the surface from the container.

18. A removable coaster comprising: a base comprising an insulative material, the base attached to a bottom of a container using an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer forming a semi-permanent bond between the base and the container.

19. The removable coaster of claim 18 wherein the base is removable from the bottom of the container.

20. The removable coaster of claim 18 wherein there is substantially no residue left on the container after removal of the removable coaster from the container.