WO2006071697A2

WO2006071697A2 - Coaster

Info

Publication number: WO2006071697A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/046455
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick W. Swint
Original assignee: Sturgill, Kathleen
Priority date: 2004-12-27
Filing date: 2005-12-22
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: WO2006071697A3

Abstract

A coaster including a bottom, a continuous lateral sidewall attached to the bottom and extending above an upper surface of said bottom to form a partially enclosed area on the upper surface of the bottom, and an absorbent material located in the partially enclosed area on the upper surface of the bottom, the perimeter of the absorbent material being commensurate in size with an interior surface of said sidewall such that said absorbent material covers substantially the entire upper surface of said bottom that is located within said sidewall.

Description

Coaster by Kathleen Sturgill &

Patrick W. Swint

BACKGROUND

This version of the invention is concerned with the field of coasters- to support a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle upon a. surface. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with coasters having means to absorb any condensation that may form on the exterior of the glass or receptacle placed on or upon said coaster so as to prevent puddles- of condensation forming upon said coaster or under or around said glass or liquid receptacle. _;

.PRIOR ART

Beverage coasters ^' are used to support a glass, bottle, or re^'ceptacle containing a liquid upon a stationary surface/ such as a bar, table, countertop, or the like to prevent said stationary surface from^■ becoming stained by any condensation forming on the exterior of said glass, bottle, or receptacle. Coasters are manufactured in ^'a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations using an assortment of materials, such as cardboard or heavy paper, wood, plastic, metals, and the like. If a glass, bottle, or receptacle is left upon the coaster over a period of time or if the ambient temperature is such that condensation is accelerated, the ability or capacity of the coaster to hold, absorb, or otherwise prevent condensation from dripping, running, or draining onto or otherwise reaching the stationary support surface is exceeded. In such cases, the condensation will reach the surface of the stationary support surface and if not wiped clean in time will dry out and stain said surface, typically in the form of dried out drops of condensation or shapes mimicking the shape of the bottom of the glass, botitle, or liquid receptacle or coaster itself.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Numerous coasters and coaster designs have been provided in an attempt to absorb or otherwise prevent condensation from accumulating and spilling onto or otherwise reaching the stationary support surface. While some of these designs are more effective than others, none has succeeded in fully stopping or preventing the buildup of condensation or absorbing said condensation when condensation has occurred. The subject of the instant invention introduces a coaster that works in conjunction with an absorbent sponge, said sponge attached to said coaster within an enclosed area of said coaster to support a glass, bottle, or other liquid receptacle placed upon said coaster, and to absorb any condensation that may form on the exterior of said glass, bottle, or receptacle in order to prevent said condensation from^' reaching the stationary support surface.

Even though these designs may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present version of the invention. These designs are exemplified by the following patents:

U.S. Patent No. 4,089,498, 12 Hour Coaster, issued to Woodruff on 16 May 1978;

U.S. Patent No. 5,273,182 , Coaster, issued to Laybourne on 28 December 1993 ;

U.S. Patent No. 6,026,983, Combination Beverage Sleeve And Coaster, issued to Graham on 22 February 2000; U.S. Patent Np. 6,619,608, Promotional Coaster, issued to Mulvey et al . on 16 September 2003; and

U.S. Patent Mo. 6,793,363, Illuminated Coaster, issued to Jensen on 21 September 2004.

As such, it may be appreciated that there is a continuing need for a new and improved coaster having an enclosed area into which an absorbent sponge is situated, said enclosed area and sponge functioning together to prevent condensation from draining, dripping, spilling onto, or otherwise reaching and staining a stationary support surface. In these respects, the present version of the invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus that substantially fulfills this need. Additionally, the prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed herein.

The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the. use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials .

SUMMARY

The present version of the invention, which will be described iii greater detail hereinafter, relates to the field of coasters to support a glass or other Iiquid-hoiding receptacle upon a surface. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with coasters having means to absorb any condensation that may form on the exterior of the glass or receptacle placed on or upon said coaster so as to prevent puddles of condensation forming upon said coaster or under or around said glass or liquid receptacle. My version of the invention overcomes all of the shortcomings listed previously, in addition to novel aspects that will be described in detail hereinafter.

Described briefly, according to a first embodiment, the invention presents a coaster configured into a rectangular or square shape, said coaster comprised of a bottom sidewall and

^■ a continuous lateral sidewall, said sidewall extending above said bottom sidewall for some distance. The bottom sidewall and facing sides of the interior of the lateral sidewall form an enclosed area into which an absorbent sponge is located. The perimeter of the sponge is commensurate ^'with the surfaces of the interior side of the lateral sidewall and top surface of the bottom sidewall. The sponge can be permanently attached thereto by various means such as chemical adhesion, attachment strips, such as VELCRO^®, and the like.

When the sponge is situated within the coaster, the top surface of the lateral sidewall extends slightly above the top surface of the sponge. As such, the enclosed area of the coaster with sponge inserted therein is bounded by the continuous lateral sidewall extending above top surface of the sponge and top surface of said sponge, an area into which a glass or other receptacle can be placed. The sponge absorbs any condensation that forms on said glass or other liquid receptacle and drips' down to the base of said glass or receptacle at point of contact with said sponge. Condensation that accumulates and exceeds the absorbent capacity of the sponge is contained within the enclosed area of the coaster containing the sponge. In other embodiments of this version of the invention, the coaster is configured as a heart, rectangle with rounded corners, trapezoid, , hexagon, rectangle, diamond, octagon, ^■triangle, ellipse, cross, pentagon, rectangle with beveled side edges, circle with "Smiley Pace," circle with Sun pattern, rectangle with concave corners, and the like.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a slot extends along facing sides of interior surfaces of the lateral sidewall of the coaster. The sponge is configured with a bottom layer_, and a top layer, said bottom layer having a greater perimeter than the .top layer. When the sponge is located within the enclosed area of the coaster, the edges of the perimeter of the bottom layer of the sponge occupy the slot extending along facing sides .of interior surfaces of the lateral sidewall of the coaster. In a variation of this embodiment, a flat, rectangular base is releasably attached to the bottom of the coaster. The bottom side of the base can be covered with various forms of adhesive or securing material to either releasably or permanently attach the coaster to a support surface.

My invention, therefore, resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed. It is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

In order that the detailed description of the invention may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated, additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of. the invention.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. .

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public

^■ generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or. legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, it is an object of my version of the invention to provide a low-cost, easy-to-manufaσture, and easy-to-market coaster.

A further- object of my version of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use and versatile coaster.

A significant object of the invention is to provide a coaster comprised of a bottom sidewall and a . continuous lateral sidewall, said sidewall extending above said bottom sidewall for some distance, said bottom and lateral sidewalls forming an enclosed area into which an absorbent sponge is located, the perimeter of said sponge commensurate with the area defined by surfaces of the interior sides of said lateral sidewall and top surface of said bottom sidewall.

A final but very significant object of the invention is to provide a coaster that prevents any condensation forming upon the exterior of a glass, bottle, or other liquid- containing receptacle located upon said coaster from dripping onto or otherwise reaching and staining stationary surface supporting said glass, bottle, etc. upon said coaster, said coaster functioning to prevent said condensation from reaching said support surface by means of liquid-absorbing sponge located within said coaster and by means of enclosed area of coaster holding therein any condensation exceeding absorbent capacity of said sponge.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in■ which' there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the present' invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different ^' manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the. disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features ^' and advantages of the invention will become more fully understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the_, invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a coaster in accordance with the present version of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a coaster with an associated sponge aligned above said coaster for insertion therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a coaster with said sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a coaster with said sponge located within said coaster. ^■ FIG. 5 is a^' perspective view of a second embodiment of a coaster .with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a t coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster..

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth .embodiment of a coaster with>a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of . a seventh embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an eleventh -embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located-within said coaster.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of ^a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

_> .FIG. 19. is a perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of a coaster with a sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of a coaster with an associated sponge aligned above said coaster for insertion therein.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional ^'view of a seventeenth embodiment of a coaster with associated sponge located within said coaster.

FIG. 22_. is a perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of a coaster ' with an associated sponge aligned above said coaster¹ for insertion therein and a base aligned for releasable attachment to said coaster.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an- eighteenth embodiment of a coaster with associated sponge located within said coaster and a base aligned for releasable attachment to said coaster.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an eighteenth embodiment of a coaster with associated sponge located within said coaster and base releasably attached to said coaster.. DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Coaster, First Embodiment

12 Bottom Sidewall

14 Lateral Sidewall 16 Top Surface

18 Enclosed Area

20 _rSponge

22 Top Surface

24 Coaster, Second Embodiment 26 Lateral Sidewall

28 Top Surface

30 • Sponge .

32 Top Surface

34 Coaster, Third Embodiment 36 Lateral Sidewall

38 Top Surface

40 Sponge

42 Top Surface

44 Coaster, Fourth Embodiment ' 46 Lateral Sidewall

48 ^• Top. Surface

50 Sponge

52 Top Surface

54 Coaster, Fifth Embodiment 56 Lateral Sidewall

58 Top Surface

60 Sponge

62 Top Surface

64 Coaster, Sixth Embodiment 66 Lateral Sidewall

68 Top Surface

70 Sponge

72 Top Surface

74 Coaster, Seventh Embodiment 76 Lateral Sidewall

78 Top Surface

80 Sponge

82 Top Surface 84 Coaster, Eighth Embodiment

86 Lateral Sidewall

88 Top Surface

90 Sponge_c

92 Top Surface 94 Coaster, Ninth Embodiment

96 Lateral Sidewall

98 Top Surface

100 Sponge

^' 102 Top Surface _,104 Coaster, Tenth Embodiment

106 Lateral Sidewall

•108 Top Surface

110 Sponge

112 Top Surface 114 Coaster, Eleventh Embodiment

116 Lateral Sidewall

118 Top Surface

120 Sponge ^r

122 Top Surface 124 Coaster, Twelfth Embodiment

126 Lateral Sidewall

128 Top Surface

130 Sponge

132 Top Surface 134 Coaster, Thirteenth Embodiment

136 Lateral Sidewall

138 Beveled Surface

140 Top Surface

142 Sponge 144 Top Surface

146 Coaster, Fourteenth Embodiment

148 Lateral Sidewall

150 Top Surface 152 Eyes

154 Mouth

156 •■Sponge •

158 Top Surface

160 Coaster, Fifteenth Embodiment 162 Lateral Sidewall

164 Top Surface

166 Sun

168 Sponge

170 Top Surface 172 Coaster, Sixteenth Embodiment

174 Lateral Sidewall

176 Indentation

178 Top. Surface

1_.80 Sponge 182- Top Surface

184 Coaster, Seventeenth Embodiment

186 Bottom Sidewall

188 Lateral Sidewall

190 Top Surface ^• 192 Slot

194 Enclosed Area

196 Sponge

198 Bottom Layer

200 Top Layer 202 Top Surface

204 Coaster, Eighteenth Embodiment

206 Bottom Sidewall

208 Lateral Sidewall

210 Top Surface 212 Slot

214 Enclosed Area

216 Sponge

218 Bottom Layer 220 Top Layer

222 Top Surface

224 Base

226 Threaded Member

228 Threaded Bore

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS - DESCRIPTION

Referring now to,; the drawings and, in particular, to

FIG. 1 wherein there is illustrated a first embodiment of the coaster 10. The present version of the invention 10 is comprised of a bottom sidewall 12 and a continuous lateral sidewall 14 with associated top surface 16, said sidewall 14 extending for approximately ¹A inch above the top surface of

•the bottom sidewall 12. The bottom sidewall 12 and lateral sidewall 14 enclose an interior area 18. In this version of the invention, the coaster 10 is generally rectangular or square in shape and is comprised of durable,- lightweight material, such as plastic; wood; ceramic; glass; marble; various non-precious, semi-precious; and precious metals; brass; wicker;, and the like.

As .displayed in FIG. 2, a rectangular, absorbent sponge 20 is aligned above the coaster 12 for placement into the enclosed area 18 of the coaster. The perimeter of the sponge . 20 is commensurate with perimeter defined by the surfaces of the interior side of the lateral sidewall 14 and top surface of the bottom sidewall 12.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the sponge, 20 is situated within the ^■ enclosed area 18 of the coaster 10 upon the top surface of the bottom sidewall 12. The sponge 20 can be permanently attached thereto 12 by various means such as chemical adhesion, attachment strips, such as VELCRO^®, and the like. When the sponge 20 is situated within the coaster 10 as illustrated, the top surface 16 of the lateral sidewall 14 extends slightly above the top surface 22 of the sponge 20. As such, the enclosed area 18 of the coaster 10 that is usable for insertion of a liquid-holding receptacle is defined by the continuous lateral sidewall 14 extending above top surface of the sponge 20 and top surface 22 of said sponge 20, an area into which a¹ glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed. The sponge 20 absorbs any condensation that forms on 5 said glass or other liquid-holding receptacle and then drips down to the base of said glass or receptacle at point of contact with said sponge 20. Condensation that accumulates and exceeds the absorbent capacity of the sponge 20 is contained within the enclosed area 18 of the coaster 10. 0

Referring to FIG. 5, therein illustrated is a second embodiment 24 of the coaster. The coaster 24 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 26 configured into the shape of a heart, said sidewall 26 having 5 a top surface 28; and a sponge 30. The sponge 30 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 26. The top surface 28 of the lateral sidewall 26 extends slightly above the top surface 32 of the sponge 30. As such, the usable enclosed area, of the coaster 24 is bounded by 0 the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 26 extending above the top surface 32 of said sponge 30, an area into which

♦ a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 6, therein illustrated is a third 5 embodiment 34 of the coaster. The coaster 34 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 36 having a rectangular shape and rounded corners, said sidewall

36 having a top surface 38; and a sponge 40. The sponge 40 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and 0 lateral sidewall 36. The top surface 38 of the lateral sidewall 36 extends slightly above the top surface 42 of the sponge 40. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 34 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 36 extending above the top surface 42 of. said sponge 40, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

■ In FIG. 7, a fourth embodiment 44 of the coaster is displayed. The coaster 44 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 46 having a trapezoidal shape, said sidewall 46 having a top surface 48; and a sponge 50. The sponge 50 is located within an area ' bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 46. The top surface 48 of the lateral sidewall 46 extends slightly above the top surface 52 of the 'sponge 50. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 44 is bounded by^' the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 46 extending above the top surface 52 of said sponge 50, an area ■ into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 8, therein illustrated is a fifth embodiment 54 of the coaster. The coaster 54 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 56 having a hexagonal shape, said sidewall 56 having a top surface 58; and a sponge 60. The sponge 60 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 56. The top surface 58 of the lateral sidewall 56 extends slightly above the top surface 62 of the sponge 60. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 54 is bounded by the

■ portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 56 extending above the top surface 62 of said sponge 60, an area into which a glass or other liguid-holding receptacle can be placed.

In FIG. 9, a sixth embodiment 64 of the coaster is displayed. The coaster 64 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 66 having- a rectangular shape, said sidewall 66 having a top surface 68; and a sponge 70. The sponge 70 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 66. The top surface 68 of the lateral sidewall 66 extends slightly^" above the top surface 72 of the sponge 70. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 64 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 66 extending above the^' top surface 72 of said sponge 70, an area into" which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 10, therein illustrated is a seventh embodiment 74 of the coaster. The coaster 74 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; ^" continuous lateral sidewall 76 having a diamond shape, said sidewall 76 having a top surface 78; and a sponge 80. The sponge 80 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 76. The top surface 78 of the lateral sidewall 76 extends slightly above the top surface 82 of the sponge 80. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 74 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 76 extending above the top surface 82 of said sponge 80, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

In FIG. 11, an eighth embodiment 84 of the coaster is displayed. The coaster 84 is comprised of a bottom sidewall

(not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 86 having an octagonal shape, said sidewall 86 having a top surface 88; and a sponge 90. The ^'sponge 90 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 86. The top surface 88 of the lateral sidewall 86 extends slightly above the top surface 92 of the sponge 90. As such, ,the usable enclosed area of the coaster 84 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 86 extending above the tbp surface 92 of said sponge 90, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 12, therein illustrated is a ninth embodiment 94 of the coaster. The coaster 94 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 96 having a triangular shape, said sidewall 96 having a top surface 98; and a sponge 100. The sponge 100 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 96. The top surface 98 of the lateral sidewall 96 extends slightly above the top surface 102 of the sponge 100. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 94 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 96 extending above the top surface 102 of said sponge 100, an area into which a glass or other Iiquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

In FIG. ^' 13, a tenth embodiment 104 of the coaster is displayed. The coaster 104 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 106 having an elliptical shape, said sidewall 106 having a top surface 108; and a sponge 110. The, sponge 110 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 106. The top surface 108 of the lateral sidewall 106 extends slightly above the top surface 112 of the sponge 110. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 104 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 106 extending above the top surface 112 of said sponge 110, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 14, therein illustrated is an eleventh embodiment 114 of the coaster. The coaster 114 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral siήewall 116 having a cross shape, said sidewall 116 having a top surface 118; and a sponge 120. The sponge 120 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 116. The top surface 118 of the lateral sidewall 116 extends slightly above the top surface 122 of the sponge 120. As such, •5 the usable enclosed area of the coaster 114 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 116 extending above the top surface 122 of 'said sponge 120, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

10 In FIG. 15, a twelfth embodiment 124 of the coaster is displayed. The coaster 124 is comprised of a bottom sidewall

(not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 126 having a pentagonal _.shape, said sidewall 126 having a top surface 128; and a sponge 130. The sponge 130 is located within an area

15 bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 126. The top surface 128 of the lateral sidewall 126 extends slightly above the top surface 132 of ^• the sponge 130. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 124 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 126 extending above

20 the top surface 132 of said sponge 130, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 16, therein illustrated is a thirteenth embodiment 134 of the coaster. The coaster 134 is

25 comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 136 having a rectangular shape and a beveled top edge 138, said beveled edge 138 having a top surface 140; and a sponge 142. The sponge 142 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 136. The top

30 surface 140 of the beveled edge 138 of the lateral sidewall^' 136 extends slightly above the top surface 144 of the sponge 142. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 134 is bounded by the portion of' the continuous lateral sidewall 136 and beveled edge 138 extending above the top surface 144 of . said sponge 142,- an area into which a glass or other liquid- holding receptacle can be placed.

In FIG. 17, a fourteenth embodiment 146 of the coaster is displayed. The coaster 146 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown); continuous lateral sidewall 148 having'a circular shape, said sidewall 148 having a top surface 1_.50; protuberances indicating a pair of eyes 152 and a^' mouth 154; and a sponge 156. The sponge 156 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 148. The top surface 150 of the lateral sidewall 148 extends slightly above the top surface 158 of the sponge 156. As such, the usable enclosed area of the coaster 146 is bounded by the portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 148 extending above the top surface 158 of said sponge 156, an area into which a glass or, other liquid-holding .receptacle can be placed.

Referring to FIG. 18, a fifteenth embodiment 160 of the > , coaster is displayed. The coaster 160 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 162 having a circular shape, said sidewall 162 having a top surface 164,- protuberances indicating the pattern of a sun 166; and a sponge 168. The sponge 168 is located within an area bounded by the bottom sidewall and lateral sidewall 162. The top surface 164 of the lateral sidewall 162 extends slightly above the top surface 170 of the sponge 168. As such, the usable •enclosed area of the coaster 160 is bounded by the. portion of the continuous lateral sidewall 162 extending above the top ^' surface 170 of said sponge 168, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed. Referring to FIG. 19, therein illustrated is- a sixteenth embodiment 172 of the coaster. The coaster 172 is comprised of a bottom sidewall (not shown) ; continuous lateral sidewall 174 having a rectangular shape with concave rounded corners 176, _s.5 said sidewall 174 having a top surface 178; and a sponge 180.

: The- sponge 180 is located within an area bounded by the bottom

F- sidewall and lateral sidewall 176. The top surface 178 of the lateral sidewall 174 extends slightly above the top surface 182 of the sponge ,180. As such, the usable enclosed area of

1O₁ the. coaster 172 is bounded by' the ^• portion ^' of the continuous lateral sidewall 174 extending above the top surface 182 of said sponge 180, an area into which a glass or other liquid- holding receptacle can be placed.

i;

15 A seventeenth embodiment 184 of the coaster is

" illustrated in FIG. .20. The coaster 184 is comprised of a bottom sidewall 186, a continuous lateral sidewall 188 with associated top surface 190, and a slot 192 extending along the inner surface of said lateral sidewall 188 and into said

,20 lateral sidewall 188 for ^' some, _^distance. The' bottom sidewall 186 and lateral sidewall 188 enclose an interior area 194. A

* rectangular sponge 196 is aligned above the coaster 184 for placement into the enclosed area 194 of the coaster. The

"^". sponge 196 is comprised in part of a larger bottom layer 198,

■25 a smaller top layer 200, and a top surface 202. The perimeter of the bottom layer 198 of the sponge 196 is commensurate with the perimeter of the slot 192 extending along the inner

^•■-_. surface of said lateral sidewall 188, and the perimeter of the top layer 200 is commensurate with the perimeter of the facing

_.3,0 inner surfaces of said lateral sidewall 188 directly below said top surface 190 of said sidewall 188. In FIG. 21, the sponge 196 is situated within the enclosed area 194 of the coaster 184 upon the top surface of

. the bottom sidewall 186. When the sponge 196 is situated within the coaster 184 as illustrated, the top surface 190 of

5 the lateral sidewall 188 extends slightly above the top surface 202 of the sponge 196. As such, the enclosed area 194 of the coaster 184 is bounded by the continuous lateral sidewall 188 extending above top surface 202 of the sponge 196 and top surface 202 of said sponge 196, an area into which a

10 ■ glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed. The perimeter edges of the bottom layer 198 of the sponge 196 occupy the slot 192 of the coaster 184 to assist in securing

• ^' the sponge 196 to the coaster.184.

15 In FIG. 22, an eighteenth seventeenth embodiment 204 of the coaster is^' illustrated. The coaster 204 is comprised of a bottom sidewall 206, a continuous lateral sidewall 208 with associated top surface 210, and a slot 212 extending along the inner, surface of said lateral sidewall 208 and into said

20 lateral sidewall 208 for some distance. The bottom sidewall 206 and lateral sidewall 208 enclose an interior area 214. A rectangular sponge 216 is aligned above the coaster 204 for placement into the enclosed area 214 of the coaster 204. The sponge 216 is comprised in part of a larger bottom layer 218,

25 a smaller top layer 220, and a top surface 222. A flat, rectangular base 224 is aligned below the coaster 204 for releasable attachment thereto. A- cylindrical member 226 with screw threads is located in the center of the base 224 and extends therefrom for -some distance.

30

In FIG. 23, the sponge 216 is situated within the enclosed area 214 of the coaster 204 upon the top^' surface of the bottom sidewall 206. When the sponge 216 is -situated within the coaster 204 as illustrated, the top surface 210 of the lateral sidewall 208 extends slightly above the top surface 222 of the sponge 216. As such, the enclosed area 214 of the coaster 204 is bounded by the continuous lateral sidewall 208 extending above top surface 222 of the sponge 216 and top surface 22.2 of said sponge 216, an area into which a glass or other liquid-holding receptacle can be placed. The perimeter edges of the bottom layer 218 of the sponge 216 occupy the slot 212 of the coaster 204 to assist -in securing the sponge 216 to the coaster 204. The flat, rectangular base 224 is aligned below the coaster 204 for releasable attachment thereto by ^' means _of the cylindrical member 226 occupying a threaded bore 228 located medially within the underside of the coaster 204 with screw threads of the member 226 engaging cooperating screw threads of the bore 228. As displayed in FIG. 24, the base 224 is fully attached to the coaster 204 by means described previously. The bottom side of the base 224 can be covered with various forms of adhesive or securing material to either releasably or permanently attach the coaster to a support surface.

While this version of the invention has been illustrated

; ^' and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing i, .^' description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and

: _.25 not restrictive in character, it being understood that only

■•.."^■■ the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and

I^':.. that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit

_/> of the version of the invention are desired to be protected.

^'.; With respect to the above description then, it is to be

"30 realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships _ to

^{■: ' •} 24 ^" those illustrated in the drawings , and described in the specification- are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

CONCLUSION AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

From the foregoing, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that an improved coaster has been provided. The invention is relatively simple and easy to manufacture, yet affords a variety of uses. While my description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the version of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit, the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A coaster which comprises: a bottom; a continuous lateral sidewall attached to the bottom and extending above an 5 upper surface of said bottom to form a partially enclosed area on the upper surface of the bottom; an absorbent material located in the partially enclosed area on the upper surface of the bottom, the perimeter of the absorbent material being commensurate in size with an interior surface of said sidewall such that said absorbent material covers 0 substantially the entire upper surface of said bottom that is located within said sidewall.

2. A coaster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorbent material is attached to at least one of said upper surface of said bottom or said inner surface of said sidewall. 5

3. A coaster as claimed in claim 2, wherein said absorbent material is attached by an attachment mechanism selected from chemical adhesion, and an attachment strip.

4. A coaster as claimed in claim 2, wherein said absorbent material is permanently O₁ attached to at least one of said upper surface of said bottom or said inner surface of said sidewall.

5. A coaster as claimed in claim 2, wherein said absorbent material is attached to the upper surface of the bottom. 5

6. A coaster as claimed in claim 2, wherein the absorbent material is attached to the sidewall.

7. A coaster as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sidewall includes a slot in the inner 0 surface of the sidewall and the absorbent material is sized such that the absorbent material is retained in position on the upper surface of the bottom by engagement with the slot in the sidewall.

8. A coaster as claimed in claim 7, wherein the absorbent material includes at least two layers and the lower of the two layers of the absorbent material engages the slot.

9. A coaster as claimed in claim 8, wherein the coaster further comprises a base releasably attached to a lower surface of the bottom.

10. A coaster as claimed in claim 9, wherein an upper surface of the base is releasably attached to the lower surface of the bottom, and a lower surface of the base is provided with a securing mechanism for securing the base to a support surface.

11. A coaster as claimed in claim 10, wherein the securing mechanism releasably secures the base to the support surface.

12. A coaster as claimed in claim 10, wherein the securing mechanism permanently secures the base to the support surface.

13. A coaster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partially enclosed area formed by the upper surface of the bottom and the interior surface of the sidewall is liquid-tight.

14. A coaster as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sidewall extends upward beyond an upper surface of the absorbent material.

15. A coaster as claimed in claim 13, wherein the absorbent material is a sponge.

16. A coaster as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base is releasably secured to the bottom by a threaded screw.