GB2297476A - A coaster - Google Patents

Abstract

A coaster having an upper surface (12), on which a drinking vessel is placed when in use, and a lower surface, which in use rests on a support surface is provided. In addition, there is formed on said upper surface a plurality of radial ribs 18, 19 and a raised lip 14. The lower face of the coaster is raised from the support surface by a downwardly-projecting ring (21, Figures 2-4). Any liquid spilling from the drinking vessel is received between the ribs 18, 19.

Description

A COASTER The present invention relates to a coaster.

According to the present invention there is provided a coaster having an upper surface, on which a drinking vessel is placed when in use, and a lower surface, which in use rests on a support surface, characterised in that a plurality of ribs are formed on said upper surface.

Preferably, the coaster has a disc shaped body and said ribs radiate from the centre of the upper surface.

Preferably, a raised lip is formed around the periphery of the upper surface.

Further preferably, said lower surface is raised from the support surface.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coaster according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the coaster of Figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown a coaster generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The coaster 10 comprises a disc shaped body 11 having an upper face 12, on which a drinking vessel (not shown) is placed, and a lower face 13, Figure 2 which rests on a support surface such as a table (not shown).

The upper face 12 is recessed so that around its periphery a raised lip 14 is formed. The lip 14 has an internal face 15 projecting approximately 3mm from the recessed surface 16 of the upper face 12. The internal face 15 prevents drinking vessels from sliding easily from the coaster and spilling their contents as well as containing any fluid which may spill onto the upper face 12 of the coaster. The lip 14 has a rounded external face 17, Figure 3.

In the centre of the upper face 12 a stub 20 is formed. Two sets of ribs, radiating from the stub 20, are formed on the recessed surface 16. The first set comprises eight ribs 18 disposed at an angle of 45i from one another. The ribs 18 radiate from respective points approximately 8mm away from the stub 20 to points approximately 2mm before the internal face 15 of the lip 14, Figure 3. The second set again comprises eight ribs 19 evenly interspersed between the ribs 18. The ribs 19 radiate from respective points approximately 18mm away from the stub 20 to points approximately 2mm before the internal face 15 of the lip 14, Figure 4.

The lower face 13 of the coaster, Figure 2, is raised approximately 1.5mm from the support surface by a ring 21 running adjacent the periphery of the face 13.

It will be seen that if liquid spills from the drinking vessel, the excess liquid will fall to rest between the ribs 18, 19 and thus a dry contact will be maintained between the coaster and the drinking vessel. If the surface on which the coaster is placed is wet, liquid will be displaced from around the ring 21, thus maintaining a dry contact between the coaster and the support surface on which it rests.

It will therefore be seen that through the engagement of the ribs 18, 19 with a drinking vessel and the ring 21 with the support surface on which the coaster rests, the coaster mitigates the problem of drinking vessels sliding on wet surfaces as well as preventing damage to support surfaces from hot vessels.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A coaster having an upper surface, on which a drinking vessel is placed when in use, and a lower surface, which in use rests on a support surface, characterised in that a plurality of ribs are formed on said upper surface.

2. A coaster as claimed in claim 1 having a disc shaped body and wherein said ribs radiate from the centre of the upper surface.

3. A coaster as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a raised lip is formed around the periphery of the upper surface.

4. A coaster as claimed in any of claims 1-3 wherein said lower surface is raised to the support surface.

5. A coaster substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.