U.S. patent application number 13/873775 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for foldable coaster attachable to keychain or the like.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jonathan Dirico. Invention is credited to Jonathan Dirico.
Application Number | 20130292537 13/873775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49511818 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130292537 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dirico; Jonathan |
November 7, 2013 |
FOLDABLE COASTER ATTACHABLE TO KEYCHAIN OR THE LIKE
Abstract
A coaster for use in conjunction with a beverage container so as
to absorb associated moisture or heat, and that is foldable into
multiple sections and attachable to an attachment device such as a
key chain so that the coaster may be carried compactly from one
location to another.
Inventors: |
Dirico; Jonathan; (Port
Charlotte, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dirico; Jonathan |
Port Charlotte |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49511818 |
Appl. No.: |
13/873775 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61640848 |
May 1, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/346.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/346.11 |
International
Class: |
A47G 23/03 20060101
A47G023/03 |
Claims
1. A coaster, comprising: a coaster body being foldable into a
plurality of sections in which one or more of the sections includes
a hole extending there through so as to receive an attachment
device.
2. The coaster according to claim 1, wherein: the coaster is
foldable so that one of said coaster body section is foldable onto
another coaster body section.
3. The coaster according to claim 1, wherein: indicia in the form
of advertising material is provided on at least one of said
sections of said coaster.
4. The coaster according to claim 1, wherein: the coaster is square
in shape.
5. The coaster as defined in claim 2 and in which the holes of said
sections are aligned.
6. The coaster as defined in claim 5 and including a key chain
extending through said hole to carry said coaster in its folded
condition.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/640,848, filed May 1, 2012, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to beverage coasters and
more particularly to a foldable beverage coaster that can be
carried in its folded position on a keychain or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to structures for absorbing
and/or preventing liquid or associated heat from coming into
contact with an adjacent surface, and more specifically, to a
beverage coaster that is attachable to a keychain or the like so as
to protect furniture or the like from liquid and/or from heat from
a beverage container being placed on the furniture.
[0004] Ordinarily, beverage coasters enabling the absorption and/or
prevention of contact of moisture or heat that are used in
conjunction with a beverage container are sold in packages, in
which a particular one of the coasters is intended for repeated
usage in a household or eatery. That is, the coaster is intended to
be used and reused in the same location so as to be used within the
confines of only that location. As such, the coaster, as will be
understood, remains the property of the homeowner or the owner of
the establishment, typically a restaurant or a bar.
[0005] As will also be understood, it is within the discretion of
the homeowner or eatery owner to provide such a coaster. Thus, a
beverage consumer wishing to obtain the moisture or heat absorbing
advantage of a coaster needs to ordinarily ask to obtain such a
coaster, if not already provided. A homeowner may not have a
coaster and without one there is a danger of harm to the furniture
of the homeowner.
[0006] Accordingly, an opportunity exists to provide a coaster that
can be easily carried by a consumer and is therefore available to
the consumer no matter the location and ability of a provider to
supply such a coaster.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] As described herein below, there is provided a coaster that
is easily transportable with the user thereof within or between one
or more locations. With such portability, a user is able to obtain
the advantages of preventing moisture or heat contact with an
adjacent surface, such as a tabletop, without concern as to whether
such a coaster will be provided by another or be otherwise
available.
[0008] Further the coaster is sufficiently small and inexpensive
that it could be a give away item carrying advertisement for a
beverage supplier or the like.
[0009] In order to provide such portability, the coaster of the
present invention is foldable into sections and attachable to an
attachment device such as a keychain or the like so as to be easily
carried by the user. In providing such foldability and attachment,
the coaster is easily transportable and containable on a user's
person. In particular, the coaster may be carried within a purse,
satchel or even a pants or coat pocket, similarly to other items as
may be carried on a keychain.
[0010] Accordingly, there is provided a coaster enabling a user to
easily and independently provide the above-discussed advantages at
any location where such coaster is to be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the coaster of the present
invention in unfolded position ready for use;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the coaster of FIG. 1 but
showing the coaster in a an intermediate folded position; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the coaster of FIG. 1 in a
final folded position ready to be put in a pocket or the like to be
carried by the user.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an elevational front view of the beverage coaster
of the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] As seen in FIG. 1, the coaster 10 is shown in its non-folded
state and comprises a coaster body 12. The coaster 10 is optionally
provided in a square configuration made up of sections 14, 16, 18
and 20. As will be apparent as the description proceeds
configuration other than square can be used as well for the
configuration of the body 12. As can best be seen in FIG. 2 the
sections 14, 16, are foldable along a fold line 22 to rest atop
sections 18 and 20 as shown in FIG. 2. Once folded in half, the
coaster 10 is configured into a substantially rectangular shape
whereby one half, sections 14 and 16 of the coaster 10 is folded
onto the remaining coaster half, sections 18 and 20.
[0016] To make the coaster 10 compact for portability the sections
14 and 18 are folded onto sections 16 and 20 along a fold line 23
to the folded position shown in FIG. 3. To facilitate folding of
the coaster body 12 channels, shown in phantom in FIGS. 3 at 30 and
31, are formed on the back side of the coaster body 12. The
channels 30 and 31 coincide with the fold lines 23 and 22
respectively
[0017] The coaster 10 further includes holes 24 defined therein
that extend through the corners of each of the sections 14, 16, 18
and 20. The holes 24 align with each other so that a keychain ring
26 may be inserted and attached in order to enable safekeeping and
transportability of the coaster 10. Grommets 28 may be provided to
reinforce the holes 24. Thus, the coaster 10 may be attached to the
keychain ring 26 in its folded and non-folded states.
[0018] As can best be seen FIG. 4 indicia 32 can be provided on at
least one face of the sections 14, 16, 18, and 20 of the coaster
10. The indicia 32 can be in the form of advertising or the
like.
[0019] Thus, there is provided a coaster that is foldable into
multiple sections and which is attachable to a keychain ring, and
thus to a keychain, in its folded condition in order to enable
compact sizing and transportability of the coaster. Other
attachments which are passable through the holes of the coaster are
also contemplated, and include, for example, a string or chain, so
as to allow linkage of the coaster to an item that is carryable on
a user's person. Such item or items may include, for example, a
purse or satchel.
[0020] The coaster of the present invention may be constructed of,
optionally, paper, plastic, cork, or any combination thereof
including lamination of one or more of the same, together with any
layered combination of the same.
[0021] Alternative embodiments are also contemplated, wherein the
description appearing hereinabove is not to be limited by the
claims appearing below. For example, it is contemplated that the
coaster may be configured in a non-circular or non-square
configuration. Further, it is also contemplated that the coaster of
the present invention may be foldable into multiple other
configurations than those discussed herein so as to be suitable to
varying sizing requirements and/or desires.
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