US20140312193A1

US20140312193A1 - Attachable Mobile Coaster

Info

Publication number: US20140312193A1
Application number: US13/867,466
Authority: US
Inventors: Kimberly M. Nelson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-22
Filing date: 2013-04-22
Publication date: 2014-10-23

Abstract

A beverage coaster that attaches itself to a beverage of choice, (glass, can, or bottle) enabling the coaster to be mobile while keeping the condensation from communicating with furniture, clothing, and tabletop items. The beverage coaster consists of an inner and outer layer such as 100% cotton. The two layers are cut in a circular shape and connected together in way that enables it to properly wrap the beverage of choice. In between the inner and outer layers elastic, a flexible and adjustable apparatus, is attached around the outer perimeters of the material. The elastic allows the beverage coaster to become attachable and adjustable. When the elastic is stretched, the coaster opens, welcoming the beverage. Once the beverage communicates with the bottom of the coaster, the elastic is released, adjusting itself to the size of the outer perimeters of the beverage container. This enables the coaster to attach itself and become mobile, continuously keeping condensation from coming in contact with furniture, tabletop items, hands, and clothing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/687,494, filed on Apr. 26, 2012 by Kimberly M. Nelson.

BACKGROUND

Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

U.S. patent application Publications

Publication Number	Kind Code	Publication Date	Applicant

2007/0228243	A1	Oct. 4, 2007	Brian Phillips
2012/0223208	A1	Sep. 6, 2012	Michael Tehensky

Nonpatent Literature Documents

Why Does Cotton Absorb So Much Water? Appalachian Mountain Club. Mar. 14, 2011. http://www.equipped.outdoors.org/2001/03/.
Norton, Kim. Why Is Cotton Absorbent? EHow. http://www.ehow.com/about_—6662538_cotton-absorent_html.
Cotton Properties. Cotton Incorporated. www.cottoninc.com.
Beverage coasters are known for serving the purpose of saving furniture and table top items from water damage. Once the beverage decreases to a certain temperature, it begins to produce condensation or water which then trickles down the sides of the container. This water accumulates onto furniture and table top items such as paper causing damage. The condensation is also bothersome once collected onto hands or trickling off onto the clothing of an individual.
The most commonly known coasters are designed in the form of a round shaped disk that sit on a flat surface, keeping the beverage and furniture from ever communicating with each other. The design of these coasters enables them to remain stationary on a table, never leaving the surface. This concept is effective until the condensation of a beverage overflows the round disk-shaped coaster resulting in water damage to the beneath surface. Michael Tehensky created a coaster to solve this issue. In U.S. Patent Application 2012/0223208, Tehensky creates a coaster with a top plate consisting of holes to properly drain the water into a bottom reservoir. Although effective, at some point the reservoir will fill and need to be emptied causing spillage. No absorption takes place. It also does not assist the problem of the condensation that remains on the beverage. Another approach to this problem was achieved by Brian Phillips in U.S. Patent Application 2007/0228243. Phillips created a beverage disk-shaped coaster that attaches to the beverage of choice by means of a suction cup that holds the beverage in place, enabling it to become mobile. The lower portion of the coaster absorbs the condensation. While solving the issue of becoming mobile and absorbing condensation, along with Tehensky, it does not solve the issue of the water that remains on the sides of the container. Water from the beverage container that has not yet trickled off onto the coaster, once lifted, will get the person's hands wet and/or dribble off onto their clothing.
Although coasters are a nice addition to tabletop decoration, the common design of a flat disk shape limits them to being a stationary item. This can be a disadvantage. When a person wants to move to another location, they must physically take the coaster with them. This is not ideal due to the collection of water that amasses onto the coaster. If enough water has accumulated, spillage occurs due to the flat disk shape. In addition, just enough water can marry the beverage to the coaster, causing them to stick together. When an individual lifts their beverage from the underneath surface such as a table, the coaster is stuck for a moment, until the water displaces itself from the beverage, causing them to separate. Once the disk-shaped coaster plummets, damage can occur from spillage and the actual drop that follows.
A mutual need among all remains to continuously save furniture and tabletop items from water damage produced by condensation off of a beverage container. A multitude of coasters are available on the market that assist with this need but all hold the disadvantage of being manufactured in a round disk shape enabling the condensation to collect and flow off of the beverage coaster while remaining stationary or permanent on top of the location it was originally placed.

SUMMARY

In accordance with this disclosure, a coaster comprising of an absorbent inner and outer layer has been invented, saving furniture and other tabletop items from water damage, attaching itself to the drink by means of an inserted flexible and adjustable apparatus in between the inner and outer layers, enabling the coaster to become mobile.

DRAWINGS

Figures

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an attachable mobile beverage coaster according to the presented embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows the inner layer of material cut in a circular shape in accordance with the embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows the outer layer of material cut in a circular shape with buttonhole in accordance with the embodiment.
FIG. 4 shows the inner and outer layers sewn together with printed sides pressed toward the inside in accordance with the embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows the inner and outer layers turned outward with a reinforced stitch and casing in accordance with the embodiment.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 6/8″ measurement from edge
101 ⅜″ buttonhole measurement
102 buttonhole
103 ⅜″ stitch
104 opening 105 ⅜″ stitch
106 1″ stitch
107 ⅛″ stitch
108 casing
109 beverage
110 elastic

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5

According to the embodiment presented in this application, the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These are for example only. One skilled in the art will have the capability to modify the invention.
FIG. 1 shows an attachable beverage coaster, holding a beverage 109. FIGS. 2-4 show how one skilled in the art accomplishes the manufacturing of the attachable mobile coaster.
FIG. 2 shows the inner layer of the beverage coaster, cut in the shape of a circle. Dependent upon the size of the circle, will determine the size of the desired container one wishes to cover and protect. For the purpose of this application, and use with any desired beverage, a 10″ circle out of 100% cotton is used.
FIG. 3 shows the outer layer of the beverage coaster, cut in the shape of a circle. The outer layer and inner layer of the beverage coaster must be cut exact in size and shape.
Referring to FIG. 3, and measuring 6/8″ 100 from the edge, a buttonhole 102 is stitched, ⅜″ 101 in size. The buttonhole 102 is cut open to await the elastic 110.
Referring to FIG. 4, with printed sides of the inner layer FIG. 2 and outer layer FIG. 3 pressed together, a stitch 103 is made ⅜″ from the edge of the circle, leaving a 1¼ opening 104. Using the opening 104, the inner layer FIG. 2 and outer layers FIG. 3 are flipped to the outside, exposing the printed sides of the fabric. With use of heat such as an iron, the outer edges of the completed circle are pressed flat, turning in the raw edge of opening 104. By tucking in the opening 104, a symmetrical, double layered circle is created FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 5, reinforcement 107 is achieved and casing 108 is executed. A reinforced stitch 107 is made at ⅛″ from the edge all the way around the circle, ending where it began. A second stitch 105 is stitched at ⅜″ from the edge all the way around the circle, ending where it began. Stitch 106 is made 1″ from the edge of the outer perimeters of the circle, all the way around, ending where it began.
Elastic 110, a flexible and adjustable apparatus is cut to proportion by measurement of inner layer FIG. 2 and outer layer FIG. 3. For use of this application, assuming a 10″ circle is used and for all types of beverage containers, the example of elastic ¾″ in width and 7″ in length is suggested. By inserting the elastic 110 into the buttonhole 102, the connected layers FIG. 5 are drawn up, forming an adjustable beverage coaster FIG. 1 that inherits a cup shape. The ends of elastic 110 are overlapped, stitched together, and tucked into buttonhole 102, becoming nonvisible within the casing 108.

Operation

FIGS. 1-5

In operation, the coaster FIG. 1 is made to attach itself to any beverage 109 of choice and become mobile. The circular shape enables the chosen fabric to properly wrap and grasp a beverage 109 of choice, no matter shape or size. The chosen shape also welcomes the elastic 110 comfortably into the casing 108.
Any material may be used but for the use of this application, 100% cotton is used. According to multiple sources, specifically Kim Norton, an E-How Contributor, it absorbs up to twenty-seven (27) times its own weight enabling it to absorb a substantial amount of condensation. Also, fabric options for cotton are infinitive fashioning a plethora of print and design options for the consumer and manufacturer to choose from. FIG. 3 shows another circular shape out of 100% cotton. Two layers of 100% cotton fabric creates a high-quality product with twice the absorption while offering the added marketing benefit of having a reversible “two in one” coaster.
Referring to FIG. 3, the buttonhole 102 plays an essential role. Once the buttonhole 102 is snipped open, it enables the elastic 110 to feed through the casing 108 and remain hidden. This also plays a vital part in the reversibility of the coaster FIG. 1.
In FIG. 4, both layers, FIGS. 1 and 2 are sewn, printed sides together, leaving an opening 104. Utilization of the opening 104 allows the material to be flipped, exposing the inner layer FIG. 2 and outer layer FIG. 3 to the outside FIG. 5. The two layers are pressed with use of heat such as an iron enabling a crisp edge for reinforced stitching 107 and casing 108.
Examining FIG. 5, there are three different stitches 107, 105, 106 made. The first stitch, 107 reinforces the outer perimeter of the beverage coaster and secures the opening 104. Stitch 105 begins the top part of the casing 108 while stitch 106 completes the casing 108. The casing 108 acts as the home for the elastic 110.
Elastic 110 is used because it is a flexible and adjustable apparatus, capable of returning to its original state after being expanded. By making the elastic 110 smaller than the diameter of the circle, it enables the coaster to cinch up and firmly attach itself to a beverage 109 of choice. Once the elastic 110 is stretched around the beverage 109 and released, it rebounds and adjusts itself to the size of the outer perimeter of the beverage 109. This apparatus is fundamental in aiding the coaster to be mobile and travel with the beverage 109.

Advantages

From the above description, a number of advantages apply to the presented invention.

- (a) The beverage coaster 109 saves furniture, tabletop items, and clothing from condensation.
- (b) By utilizing elastic 110 for the outer perimeter, the beverage coaster becomes attachable, making it mobile. Elastic is a flexible and adjustable apparatus, capable of returning to its original state and taking form of the beverage 109 it wraps around.
- (c) Due to the circular shape of the embodiment FIGS. 2-3, the beverage coaster becomes universal, fitting on any beverage of choice, can, glass, or bottle.
- (d) Fabric chosen for the purpose of this application is 100% cotton. Retaining twenty-seven times (27) its own weight in liquid, this empowers the coaster to be durable and absorbent (Norton).

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, it is clear that the presented invention solves the problem of water condensation while on the move. It attaches to any beverage of choice and becomes mobile, saving furniture, tabletop items, hands, and clothing from condensation. A coaster that is considered “on the go” translates to continual protection. With doubled layers of 100% cotton, the beverage coaster is extra absorbent while one is stationary or active. Furthermore, the beverage coaster has additional advantages in that:

- a. A coaster out of 100% cotton is machine washable, taking care of sanitization.
- b. With two layers of material used, the invention offers a variety of options for the consumer and manufacturer.
- c. Elastic, a spontaneous apparatus, permits the coaster to attach to any beverage of choice as well as reversing, giving the consumer a “two in one” and distinguishing their drink from another.
- d. The invention is widespread, fitting on all containers such as cans, bottles, glass, baby bottles and cups, allowing those of all ages to use it.
- e. Due to its size and material structure, it is easy to store and transport.

Although the present invention has been described in detail in reference to fixed configurations, other versions are possible. Therefore, the essence and scope of the invention should not be limited to the configurations described above.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A coaster comprising of:

a. a cover consisting of an inner and outer layer

b. a flexible apparatus that is attached in between the inner and outer layers of said cover

2. The coaster of claim 1, wherein said cover for both inner and outer layers comprises of a material such as 100% cotton.

3. The coaster of claim 1 wherein said flexible apparatus is elastic.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said elastic is flexible enabling the coaster to attach to any beverage of choice, not limited to shape and/or size.

5. The coaster of claim 1, wherein said flexible apparatus enables the coaster to become mobile.

6. The coaster of claim 1, wherein said cover protects furniture, tabletop items, and clothing from condensation.