Executive Coaster

Abstract

A coaster for use with a container such as drinking glass comprising a substantially annular base having a stepped shelf formed therein to receive a removable insert. A plurality of retaining nubs are formed on the stepped shelf to detachably secure the insert to the base. In addition, a plurality of apertures are formed on the insert to facilitate separation of the insert and base.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A coaster for use with a container such as drinking glass comprising a base having a stepped shelf formed therein to receive a removable insert.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Moisture tends to form on the exterior surface of drinking glasses and the like when used to serve iced drinks. This condensation, as well as spillage, usually rolls off the glass and onto the supporting surface. As a result, many tables and the like supporting surfaces susceptible to condensation marks are permanently damaged. Numerous attempts have been made to construct various means of protecting such surfaces from condensation damage.

The most common and widely known means of protecting these surfaces from condensation from cold beverages is the use of coasters upon which the drinking glass is placed. The coaster catches and retains the liquid, thus preventing marring of the supporting surface. Despite the numerous structures and configurations available, many have various objectionable features.

A commonly used coaster comprises a cup-like structure which permits a pool of liquid to accumulate therein. Since the glass rests in this pool, drippings therefrom generally fall onto the supporting surface and on the user's person.

Many coasters include a moisture absorbent material in direct contact with the bottom of the drinking glass. Unfortunately, the coaster tends to stick to the glass. Since the coaster often dislodges after the glass is lifted, the user must either physically separate the two or hold the two together while drinking.

Another type of coaster comprises a one-piece tray formed with a central recess therein to catch the liquid. A support stand may be disposed within the recess to afford an elevated support for the drinking glass. Many of these coasters are elaborate and costly to mold and manufacture due to their structural features.

For the reasons discussed above, these and other devices have been ineffective and not widely accepted. Thus, the need exists for an effective, attractive and inexpensive coaster.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a coaster for use with a container such as drinking glass. More specifically, the coaster comprises a base configured to detachably retain a removable insert in cooperative engagement therewith.

The base comprises an outer circular wall having a substantially horizontal stepped shelf formed about the inner periphery thereof. The stepped shelf includes an upper support surface having a plurality of retaining nubs formed about its inner periphery and a support ledge which cooperatively engages the removable insert as more fully described hereinafter. The lower portion of the stepped shelf comprises a cup shaped recess.

The removable insert includes an inclined outer periphery which operatively engages the support ledge and retaining nubs when operatively assembled. The insert further includes a plurality of apertures formed therein to permit liquid and condensation to drain therethrough and into the recess. In addition, the apertures prevent a vacuum from forming between the insert and the recess to facilitate removal of the insert from the base.

Since the insert is formed separately from the base, raised printing may be imprinted on the upper surface thereof with relative ease. Thus, the coaster may be personalized with initials or used as a calling card or advertising device. In this manner, an attractive, inexpensive, durable coaster capable of displaying various information is provided.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the present invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the present invention comprises a coaster generally indicated as 10 including a hollow, substantially annular base 12 and a removable insert 14.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 12 comprises a hollow outer circular wall 16 having a substantially horizontal stepped shelf 18 formed about the inner periphery thereof. The stepped shelf comprises an upper support surface 20 having a plurality of alternating grooves 22 and ridges 24, an annular Z-shaped inner wall 25 and a recess bottom 28. These alternating grooves 22 and ridges 24 prevent the glass (not shown) and coaster 10 from sticking together when the support surface 20 is moist. Extending inwardly about the inner periphery 30 of support surface 20 are a plurality of retaining nubs 32. The retaining nubs 32 are positioned relative to the supporting shelf 26 formed by the upper portion of wall 25 to cooperatively form a retaining means. The insert 14 is detachably secured to the base 12 by this retaining means as more fully described hereinafter. The upper support surface 20 and wall 16 cooperatively form retainer lip 34.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the removable insert comprises a flat substantially circular insert 14 including a plurality of apertures 36 formed therein. The periphery of insert 14 is dimensioned relative to the inner periphery 30 of support surface 20 and retaining nubs 32 such that inclined side wall 38 snap fits therebetween to detachably secure the insert 14 to the base 12. Thus assembled the insert 14, annular side wall 40 of inner wall 25 and recess bottom 28 cooperatively form reservoir 42. The apertures 36 permit liquid and condensation to drain therethrough and into the reservoir 42. In addition, the apertures 36 prevent a vacuum from forming between the insert 14 and recess bottom 28 to facilitate separation of the insert 14 and the base 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, raised embossing generally indicated as 44 may be formed on the upper surface 46 of the insert 14. Thus, the coaster 10 may be personalized with initials or used as a calling card or advertising device. Since the insert 14 is removable, a supply of bases 12 and blank inserts 14 may be made in advance. The blank inserts 14 may then be embossed or otherwise imprinted with the desired information. In this manner, an attractive, inexpensive, durable coaster 10 is provided.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceeding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above methods and article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

1. A coaster for use with a container such as drinking glass comprising: a base comprising a hollow outer circular wall, a support shelf comprising a substantially horizontal stepped shelf formed about the inner periphery of said outer circular wall, said stepped shelf including an upper support surface, an annular Z-shaped inner wall and a recessed bottom, said Z-shaped inner wall interconnecting said support surface and said recessed bottom, an insert mounted on said base comprising a flat substantially circular insert, retainer means formed on said base comprising at least one retainer nub formed about the periphery of said support surface and a support ledge formed on said stepped shelf, said retainer nub and said support ledge arranged relative to each other to operatively engage said

2. The coaster of claim 1 wherein said upper support surface encloses a plurality of alternating grooves and ridges formed on the upper surface

3. The coaster of claim 1 wherein said insert includes at least one

4. The coaster of claim 1 wherein said recessed bottom, said insert and said Z-shaped inner wall are arranged relative to one another to

5. A coaster for use with a container such as a drinking glass comprising: a base comprising a hollow couter circular wall, a support shelf formed on said base, said support shelf comprises a substantially horizontal stepped shelf formed about the inner periphery of said outer circular wall, said stepped shelf including an upper support surface having a plurality of alternating grooves and ridges formed on the upper surface thereof, an annular Z-shaped inner wall and a recess bottom, said Z-shaped inner wall interconnecting said support surface and said recess bottom, an insert mounted on said base said insert comprises a flat substantially circular insert having at least one aperture therein, said circular insert having an inclined outer periphery to detachably engage retainer means, said retainer means comprises at least one retainer nub formed about the periphery of said support surface and a support ledge formed on said stepped shelf, said retainer nub and said support ledge arranged relative to each other to operatively engage said insert therebetween; and said recess bottom said insert and at least a portion of said Z-shaped inner wall are arranged relative to each other to cooperatively form a liquid receiving reservoir.