US20060124497A1

US20060124497A1 - No spill saucer

Info

Publication number: US20060124497A1
Application number: US10/442,062
Authority: US
Inventors: John Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-13
Filing date: 2002-02-13
Publication date: 2006-06-15

Abstract

A saucer, for use with an ordinary teacup, which is designed to prevent liquid spilled into the saucer from dribbling on the tablecloth and the clothing of the user. This is accomplished by having a depression in the saucer, which is below the level of the bottom of the teacup and which is large enough to hold a considerable amount of spilled liquid. The ostensible purpose of the traditional saucer is to protect the tablecloth or table from spilled liquids. In actuality such spilled liquid is dribbled on the tablecloth or on the clothing of the user when the cup is lifted to the mouth, thus defeating the purpose of the saucer. This is an ancient problem to which the solution would appear obvious, but apparently no one has thought of it. In the embodiment to be described the circular area in the center of the saucer in which the teacup sits, to be called the “central area”, is raised above the surrounding area of the saucer, this area to be called the “moat”. The ring, to be called the “castle wall”, which is designed to prevent the saucer from sliding is notched one or more times. The central area which is directly beneath the cup is slightly domed upward Thus any liquid spilled into the central area will flow downward into the “moat”, keeping the bottom of the teacup dry. (See attached figures).

In FIG. 1 a top view of the saucer is shown. Note the gates in the castle wall. FIG. 2 shows a view of the bottom of the saucer. It does not differ from the tradiional saucer. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view in which the gates,or notches, in the castle wall can be seen. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, not through a gate, in which it can be seen that the moat is below the lowest level of a cup placed in the usual position. It also shows the central area slightly domed upward so as to give continuous flow of spilled liquid into the moat.

Description

The ostensible purpose of the traditional saucer is to protect the tablecloth or table from spilled liquids. In actuality such spilled liquid is dribbled on the tablecloth or on the clothing of the user when the cup is lifted to the mouth, thus defeating the purpose of the saucer. This is an ancient problem to which the solution would appear obvious, but apparently no one has thought of it.
In the embodiment to be described the circular area in the center of the saucer in whch the teacup sits, to be called the “central area” is raised above the surrounding area of the saucer, this area to be called the “moat”. The ring, to be called the “caste wall”, which is designed to prevent the saucer from sliding is perforated one or more times. The central area which is directly beneath the cup is slightly domed upward. Thus any liquid spilled into the central area will flow downward into the “moat”, keeping the bottom of the teacup dry.

Claims

1. What I wish to claim and secure by letters patent is a saucer, (or iced tea coaster), which when placed on a flat, level surface and with a teacup, (or iced tea glass) seated thereon, will be capable of containing a considerable volume of liquid below the lowest level of the cup and such that there is continuous drainage from any point on the upper surface of the saucer into the reservoir.