WO1997014343A1

WO1997014343A1 - Coaster guard device

Info

Publication number: WO1997014343A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000613
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Stephen Puls
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-13
Filing date: 1996-09-26
Publication date: 1997-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 1998-04-13
Also published as: AUPN596995A0

Abstract

A coaster guard device (10) characterised by a substantially planar member (12) and a coaster receiving means (14), the planar member (12) having provided therein a plurality of apertures (28), the coaster receiving means (14) depending on the planar member (12) and being arranged to locate thereabout a coaster (35) whereby an upper surface (36) thereof is positioned underneath the planar member (12), the planar member (12) acting to space apart a vessel placed thereon and the upper surface (36) of the coaster (35).

Description

TITLE

"COASTER GUARD DEVICE"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coaster guard device. More particularly, the coaster guard device is intended for use with standard compressed paper pulp or cardboard coasters and acts to prevent tne coaster adhering to a drinking vessel placed thereon.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

Typically, a coaster is a form of mat useα generally on table tops and bar surfaces whereby a vessel containing liquid can be placed thereon. It is a common occurrence that when the vessel contains a cold liquid condensation forms on the outside of the vessel. The condensate may flow down an outer surface of the vessel. It is this condensation and any spillage that the coaster is intended to catch rather than having it meet the table or bar surface.

Unfortunately the liquid around the base of the vessel can form a seal or vacuum with the coaster. The vacuum formed between the coaster and the vessel base can cause the coaster to be lifted as the vessel is lifted. This is socially undesirable and it is also undesirable because the coaster may fall at any point from the vessel onto the user or onto another object causing damage and/or disruption. For example, the coaster may fall from the vessel into a plate of food.

At present, coasters most commonly used are generally flat and are comprised of a round, square or rectangular mat of compressed paper pulp or cardboard. Such a coaster typically carries a promotional logo and/or message. As the coaster is comprised of paper pulp it is able to absorb moisture. This causes the coaster to swell and become waterlogged. This exacerbates the problem of sealing with the underside of a vessel placed thereon. Coasters have in some cases been provided in three pieces, comprising a thickness of tissue held releasably between two separable members. One of the separable members forms a base in which is received the tissue whilst the other or upper member fits together with the base to enclose and compress the tissue. This upper member may have apertures provided therein to allow moisture to flow from the glass supported thereon to the tissue. Such prior art does not provide an integrally formed coaster guard able to readily and releasably receive therein a generally rigid coaster. The provision of two separable members in the construction of the prior art devices requires hinging and/or catches. Both are prone to wear.

The coaster guard device of the present invention has as one object thereof to overcome the above problems associated with the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a coaster guard device characterised by a substantially planar member and a coaster receiving means, the planar member having provided therein a plurality of apertures, the coaster receiving means depending from the planar member and being arranged to locate thereabout a coaster whereby an upper surface thereof is positioned underneath the planar member, the planar member acting to space apart a vessel placed thereon and the upper surface of the coaster .

The planar member of the coaster guard device is preferably formed of a transparent plastics material such that any material printed on the upper surface of the coaster is substantially visible therethrough.

Preferably, the planar member and the coaster receiving means are formed integrally. The coaster receiving means may comprise two opposed locating flanges depending from opposite sides of the planar member. Still preferably, an underside of the planar member is provided with at least one spacing means to facilitate removal of the coaster from the coaster guard device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a coaster guard device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the coaster guard device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of the coaster guard device of Figure 1 showing a coaster partially received thereby;

Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the coaster guard device of Figure 1 showing a coaster received entirely thereby; and

Figure 5 is an end view of the coaster guard device of Figure 1 showing a coaster received thereby.

DESCRIPTION

In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a coaster guard device 10 comprising a substantially planar member 12 and a coaster receiving means 14.

The planar member 12 is square in configuration having opposed pairs of edges 16 and 18, and 20 and 22. The planar member 12 is further compπsed of a narrow boarder 24 and a mesh of intersecting ribs 26 defining a plurality of apertures 28. Three spacing means or studs 29 are provided on an underside 27 of the planar member 14 at edge 16. The coaster receiving means 14 depends from the planar member 12 and comprises two locating flanges 30 and 32 depending from the opposed edges 20 and 22 thereof. The flanges 30 and 32 are of a substantially L-shape defining a retaining lip 34. The flanges 30 and 32 are formed integrally with the planar member 14 providing a simplicity in structure and manufacture together with strength.

In Figures 3 to 4 there is shown a coaster 35 in use with the coaster guard device 10.

The coaster 35 is of known and substantially squa^re shape and has an upper surface 36, opposed pairs of sides 38 and 40. and 42 and 44 and a lower surface (not shown). The upper surface 36 has a message 46 printed tnereon. The coaster 35 may be formed of a cardboard or compressed paper pulp.

It is envisaged that the coaster guard device 10 may be provided in other specific configurations to match the shape of a coaster to be received therein. For example, coasters are also commonly provided in rectangular and circular forms.

In use, a user (not shown) of the coaster guard device 10 of the present invention may take a coaster 35 and position it within the coaster receiving means 14 such that its opposed sides 38 and 40 abut and are guided by the flanges 30 and 32 thereof. The retaining lip 34 of each flange 30 and 32 partially engages the lower surface of the coaster 12 also.

Once the coaster 12 is received within tne coaster guard device 10 the message 46 provided on the upper surface 36 of the coaster 35 is visible to the user through the planar member 12. The message 46 may oe visible only through the apertures 28 provided in the planar memDer 12 altnough it is preferable that at least the intersecting ribs 26 of the planar member 12 are formed of a clear plastics material so that the view of the message 46 for the user is not disturbed. The coaster guard device 10 with the coaster 12 held therein may be placed on a table top (not shown) and a glass or other drinking vessel (not shown) may be placed thereon. Any spillage or condensate from the glass placed on the planar member 14 may pass downwardly from the glass through the apertures 28 and to the upper surface 36 of the coaster 35. However, the intersecting ribs 26 of the planar member 14 space the glass away from the coaster 12 thereby not allowing a seal to be created therebetween. As such, the user may lift the glass from the coaster guard device 10 without having the device 10 or the coaster 35 adhering to the bottom thereof. In addition to the prevention of any sealing between the coaster 35 and the glass the weight of the coaster guard device 10 and coaster 12 in combination also tends to prevent same being lifted with the glass of a user.

When it is desired that the coaster 35 be replaced, either simply through choice or because the coaster 35 has become spoilt through absorbing too much liquid, the user may simply grip the coaster 35 and remove same from the coaster receiving means 14 and replace such with a fresh coaster. The spacing studs 29 facilitate withdrawal of a sodden coaster 35 from the coaster guard device 10, particularly ensuring that the surface of the coaster 35 does not snag in the apertures 28 of the planar member 12. Further, it becomes a simple exercise to insert a fingernail between the coaster 35 and the lower surface 27 of the planar member 12. The coaster 35 is then simply withdrawn from the coaster guard device 10. This is more readily achieved than removing sodden tissue from a device of the prior art.

It is envisaged that the coaster guard device 10 may be produced from a plastics material and may be formed by way of injection moulding in a single piece.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coaster guard device characterised by a substantially planar member and a coaster receiving means, the planar member having provided therein a plurality of apertures, the coaster receiving means depending from the planar member and being arranged to locate thereabout a coaster whereby an upper surface thereof is positioned underneath the planar member, the planar member acting to space apart a vessel placed thereon and the upper surface of the coaster.

2. A coaster guard device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the planar member and the coaster receiving means are formed integrally.

3. A coaster guard device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the coaster is received within the coaster receiving means.

4. A coaster guard device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coaster receiving means comprises two opposed locating flanges depending from a pair of opposite sides of the planar member.

5. A coaster guard device according to claim 4, characterised in that a retaining lip is provided on each locating flange so as to engage partially a lower surface of the coaster.

6. A coaster guard device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the planar member is provided in a substantially square form having two pairs of opposed sides, the locating flanges depending from one pair of the opposed sides.

7. A coaster guard device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an underside of the planar member is provided with at least one spacing means to facilitate removal of the coaster from the coaster guard.

8. A coaster guard device according to claim 7, characterised in that the or each spacing means is provided in the form of a stud located adjacent one side of the planar member, that one side not being a side provided with a flange of the coaster receiving means.

9. A coaster guard device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the planar member is formed of a substantially transparent plastics material such that any material printed on an upper surface of the coaster is at least substantially visible therethrough.

10. A coaster guard device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.