US20130082067A1

US20130082067A1 - Beverage cup protector lid apparatus, method and system

Info

Publication number: US20130082067A1
Application number: US13/569,143
Authority: US
Inventors: Virginia M. Drogo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-08
Filing date: 2012-08-07
Publication date: 2013-04-04

Abstract

The present invention comprises an improved beverage lid design capable of stretching over a glass within a one inch diameter of its original position. The lids will be fabricated of materials having both elastic and plastic properties. The lid will be used to cover alcohol beverages served by any establishment that sells opened alcohol beverages to the public. The lid will have certain sayings on the top of the lid that will make the predator aware that the potential victim is aware of the problem of “date rape”; the lid itself will cover the alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverage and will prevent someone from casually slipping a roofie (date rape drug) or any other type of drug into their glass. The cover will also protect against spillage as patrons both female and male walk around a bar or night club with their drink in hand.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority from applicant's Provisional Patent Application No. 61/515,977 filed on Aug. 8, 2011.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A “roofie” (also known as Rohypnol) is a brand name for flunitrazepam, a tranquilizer similar to Valium. Rohypnol is at least 10 times stronger than Valium. Roofies are not approved for sale in the U.S. There are adverse effects associated with using Roofies which include decreased blood pressure, memory impairment, drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.
Roofies can take effect as little as half an hour after ingestion and last several hours.
Roofies have amnesia producing effects that makes it the choice date rape drug for predators. Rohypnol is also known as:

- Circles
- Forget Pill
- LA Rochas
- Lunch Money
- Mexican Valium
- Mind Erasers
- Poor Man's Quaalude
- R-2
- Rib
- Roach
- Roach-2 Other date rape drugs are listed below
- Roches
- Roofies
- Roopies
- Rope
- Rophies
- Ruffies
- Trip-and-Fall
- Whiteys
- Clonazepam (marketed as Klonopin in the U.S. and Rivotril in Mexico); and
- Alprazolam (marketed as Xanax).

GHB, is a nick name for gamma hydroxybutyric (GAM-muh heye-DROX-ee-BYOO-tur-ihk) acid. GHB is also known as:

- Bedtime Scoop
- Cherry Meth
- Easy Lay
- Energy Drink
- G
- Gamma 10
- Georgia Home Boy
- G-Juice
- Gook
- Goop
- Great Hormones
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
- Liquid E
- Liquid Ecstasy
- Liquid X
- PM
- Salt Water
- Soap
- Somatomax
- Vita-G
Ketamine (KEET-uh-meen), is also known as:
Black Hole
Bump
Cat Valium
Green
Jet
K
K-Hole
Kit Kat
Psychedelic Heroin
Purple
Special K
Super Acid

The drugs listed are known as Club Drugs and are used in the social arenas other social gathering that involves drinking. other social gathering that involves drinking, and most commonly used in the club scene.
The drugs are used both on women, usually for sexual assault, and men to rob them of their money and belongings. Although the term date rape is used many times it is a stranger who commits the rape or sexual assault.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention (“Roofie Stopper or Roofie Blocker” herein) is an improved lid by design and utility. The lid will be capable of stretching over a glass within a one inch diameter of its original position, therefore the lids will be manufactured in several sizes to accommodate a wide range of beverage drink cup top mouth opening diameters. The lids will be fabricated of materials having both elastic and/or plastic properties. The lids may also be fabricated with a plurality of concentric ridges in order to be affixed to a plethora of beverage containers. The lid will be used to cover alcohol beverages served by bars, night clubs, beach bars and any establishment that sells opened alcohol beverages to the public especially in a night club and bar setting. The lid will look like a rubber lid, a cap, a cover, that when placed over the top of a glass it will stretch over the top to have a tight fit. The lid will have a perforation (such as shaped as an “X”) on the top of the lid for entrance of a straw; the perforation will be able to accommodate a wide range of straw diameters, which shall include, but not be limited to straw diameters up to approximately 3/16 inches to ¼ inches. The straw opening will be uncut until the person putting a straw into the lid pushes it through the aforesaid perforation.
The lid will have certain sayings on the top of the lid that will make the predator aware that the potential victim is aware of the problem of “date rape”; the lid itself will cover the alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverage and will prevent someone from casually slipping a roofie (date rape drug) or any other type of drug into their glass. The cover will also protect against spillage as patrons both female and male walk around a bar or night club with their drink in hand.
The utility of the elastic-plastic material capabilities of the product(Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker) and/or a plurality of concentric ridges placed on the underside of said lids, will allow coverage of the majority of glasses used at Bars, Night Clubs, Beach Bars and any establishment that sells opened alcohol beverages to the public.
The lids (Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker) will cover most substantially rigid glasses/cups within the stretching range of the diameter of the lid. Although the lids (Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker) will come in various sizes that will fit the majority of glasses used in the entertainment arena; bars, nightclubs, beach bars, etc. the lids (Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker) can be narrowed down to approximately three to six sizes.
Another utility of the Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker is the available affirmative action that can be taken by the bar owner, liquor manufacturer and any other entity that will be serving or selling alcohol beverages to the public. It has been established that young girls are being sexually assaulted, rapped and even killed after being drugged with a date rape drug. The lid (Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker) will be offer for sale at the bar to the public and the person purchasing the Lid (Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker) will be able to utilize the lid all night reusing lid on any refill of her beverage.
The Lids (Roofie Stopper/Roofie Blocker) will be manufactured using materials with both elastic and/or plastic material properties such that protective lid will be able to stretch over a glass about one inch from said lid's original size, and then return to its original shape when removed. The function of the stretchable lid gives the user the capability of utilizing the lid to cover variety of gasses within at least 130% of its unstretched original diameter. The lids will also have the ability to be manufactured with a plurality of ridges on said lids underside, thereby further enabling affixing to a plethora of beverage cup sizes and materials. This will enable the liquor industry to try and help the unwanted and illegal spiking of a drink.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a segment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the invention showing a plurality of concentric ridges on underside of lids.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside of another embodiment of the invention showing a plurality of concentric ridges on underside of lids.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the underside of another embodiment of the invention showing a plurality of concentric ridges on underside of lids.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings FIGS. 1 through 7, there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the improved Beverage Cup Protector Lid embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the protective lid having both elastic and plastic material properties, said lid being stretchable to over 130% of its original unstretched/relaxed diameter, thereby being usable on a wide range of beverage glasses/cups, said glasses/cups being substantially rigid. FIG. 3 depicts a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, said cross section being cut through the approximate geometric center of FIG. 1 [illustrated as “A-A”]. FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment in an elevation view. FIG. 4 illustrates a detail of the outer periphery of the preferred embodiment wherein the combined elastic-plastic properties lid material will be able to capture and securely hold onto any beverage glass/cup, and prohibit the easy unauthorized removal of said lid, and preclude the stealth entry of any unwanted solids or liquids, such as the aforesaid Roofie drugs.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the instant disclosure will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
In so far as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the limited claims below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred and alternate embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for prohibiting the unwanted introduction of drugs into an individual's beverage container, said apparatus comprising:

a lid to affix to the top of a beverage container, said lid being made of materials having both plastic and elastic material qualities, said lid being capable of fitting over a range of said beverage container top opening sizes, said lid further having an aperture that allows the insertion of a straw by the beverage owner but prohibiting the insertion of any drugs by another individual, said lid's affirmative affixing to the beverage container opening together with said aperture's structure being constructed so as to prohibit the insertion of any unwanted drugs in said beverage against the will and knowledge of the beverage owner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid further comprising ridges on its underside, said ridges being arranged in a plurality of concentric circles of varying diameter to further enable said lid to accommodate a plethora of beverage container sizes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid further comprising one or more warnings to individuals other than the beverage owner not to attempt to place unwanted drugs in said beverage container.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said lid further comprising one or more warnings to individuals other than the beverage owner not to attempt to place unwanted drugs in said beverage container.

5. A method for prohibiting the unwanted introduction of drugs into an individual's beverage container, said method comprising:

having a lid to affix to the top of a beverage container, said lid being made of materials having both plastic and elastic material qualities, said lid being capable of fitting over a range of said beverage container top opening sizes, said lid further having an aperture that allows the insertion of a straw by the beverage owner but prohibiting the insertion of any drugs by another individual, said lid's affirmative affixing to the beverage container opening together with said aperture's structure being constructed so as to prohibit the insertion of any unwanted drugs in said beverage against the will and knowledge of the beverage owner.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said lid further having ridges on its underside, said ridges being arranged in a plurality of concentric circles of varying diameter to further enable said lid to accommodate a plethora of beverage container sizes.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said lid further having one or more warnings to individuals other than the beverage owner not to attempt to place unwanted drugs in said beverage container.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said lid further having one or more warnings to individuals other than the beverage owner not to attempt to place unwanted drugs in said beverage container.

9. A system for prohibiting the unwanted introduction of drugs into an individual's beverage container, said system comprising:

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said lid further having ridges on its underside, said ridges being arranged in a plurality of concentric circles of varying diameter to further enable said lid to accommodate a plethora of beverage container sizes.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said lid further having one or more warnings to individuals other than the beverage owner not to attempt to place unwanted drugs in said beverage container.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said lid further having one or more warnings to individuals other than the beverage owner not to attempt to place unwanted drugs in said beverage container.