Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a cover for the base of a stemmed glass and particularly, but not exclusively, to absorb the condensation formed on the glass when holding a cold drink.

Many drinks served in restaurants and bars are served cold either by addition of ice to the drink or by chilling the drink prior to serving. When the cold drink is allowed to stand in the glass substantial amounts of moisture condense on the outside of the glass, particularly when the surrounding air is warm and humid. The moisture accumulates on the outside of the glass and in the case of stemmed glass will eventually run down the outside of the glass and stem and collect on and around the base of the glass. The moisture collected on the base of the glass can wet the drinkers hands or clothes and may make the surface on which the glass is standing slippery. In addition the moisture can stain some surfaces and the clothes of the drinker. For this reason many restaurants and bars provide patrons with a coaster to place the glass on which will absorb moisture. However, if a customer wishes to move from one place to another as often is the case in bars and restaurants, the customer must take the coaster with them or find another. In addition sometimes moisture will collect around the base of the glass and hold the coaster to the base through surface tension so that the coaster is picked up together with the glass as the customer drinks and the coaster will then fall from the base of the glass as the glass is tipped. There is therefore a need for a means of effectively collecting and absorbing moisture from a cold glass which voids the above-mentioned problems.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly the present invention provides a cover for the base of a stemmed glass comprising a lower cover piece and an upper cover piece being joined around at least

part of their respective peripheral regions so as to define a pocket between the upper and lower cover pieces arranged to receive the base of a stemmed glass.

The cover may be constructed at least partially of an absorbent material so as to absorb condensation formed on the glass or drink spilt from the glass. Preferred materials include paper or fabric or mixtures thereof. The cover may be made as a disposable item or reusable item in which case a fabric is the preferred material. Advantageously fabrics having a degree of elasticity may be used, for example those incorporating lycra ® which permits the cover to be easily stretched and slipped over the and holds the cover to the base of the glass.

Preferably the under surface of the cover has a non-slip surface or texture. This may be achieved by applying a non-slip finish to the under surface of the cover, which may be for example latex. Alternatively the non-slip surface may be an inherent property of the surface or texture of the cover material.

The upper surface of the cover provides a surface on which promotional or advertising material may be provided, for example by printing or embossing the upper face of the cover.

Preferably the cover is generally circular but other shapes can be used. The cover may be constructed from two cover pieces joined about at least a portion of their peripheral regions so as to define a pocket therebetween the cover piece. In one embodiment the cover pieces may be joined around a portion of their peripheral regions leaving a sufficient portion unjoined to permit insertion of the glass base into the pocket between the upper and lower pieces. Preferably the cover pieces are joined around at least a major portion of their peripheral regions. In preferred embodiments the cover portions are joined around substantially the whole of their peripheral regions.

The upper cover piece may overlie all or part of the lower cover piece. Preferably the upper cover piece overlays at least a major portion of the lower cover piece in order to more securely retain the cover on the base of a glass. Preferably the cover piece overlies substantially the whole of the lower cover piece.

One or more slits may be provided in the upper cover piece to enable insertion of the glass base into the pocket between the cover pieces. In a preferred embodiment a diametric slit is provided in the upper cover piece. In a further preferred embodiment a radial slit is provided in the upper cover though which the wine glass stem may be passed.

Advantageously, a central portion of the upper cover piece adjacent the slit may be relieved so as to accommodate more readily the stem of a glass in the cover. In a further preferred embodiment a plurality of radially directed slits is provided about the central portion so as to define a concentric array of fingers which in operation are arranged to, lay against a portion of the stem of a glass when inserted in the cover which will assist in wicking away moisture from the stem.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a view of a cover according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a further embodiment of the cover of Figure 1 which incorporates a relieved centre portion to accommodate a glass stem.

Figures 3 and 4 show an alternative embodiment of the cover of figure 1 having a central concentric array of fingers provided in the central region of the upper cover.

Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of a cover.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment incorporating a radial slit to permit the cover to be slipped over the base of a glass.

In the Figures, like reference numerals denote like parts.

Description of the preferred embodiments

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a cover 2 according to the present invention which comprises a circular upper cover piece 6 which is joined to a like dimensioned circular lower cover piece 7 around substantially the whole of their peripheral edges 8. Both the upper cover piece and the lower cover piece are made of a fabric which preferably has some elasticity. A diametric slit 9 is provided in the upper cover piece to present a pocket, 10 into which in use the base of a glass may be inserted and the cover stretched over the base of the glass to accommodate the glass base in the pocket of the cover. An underside surface of the lower cover piece may have a non slip surface or texture formed by, for example, applying a non slip finish to the under surface of the cover piece 7. Alternatively, the non slip surface or texture is formed by inherent property of the surface or texture of the cover material.

In a preferred embodiment the upper surface of the cover provides a surface on which promotionally or advertising material is provided by, for example, printing or embossing the upper face of the cover.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the cover of

Figure 1 in which the upper cover 6 is provided with a circular relieved section 12 to accommodate the stem of a glass.

In Figures 3 and 4 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the cover of Figure 1 in which a plurality of radial slits 16 are provided in a concentric array about a central portion of the upper cover 6 adjacent the slit 9 which defines a plurality of fingers 18 which in operation lie about the stem 20 of a glass when inserted in the cover.

In Figure 5 there is shown a further embodiment of a cover 2 which comprises a circular lower cover piece 70 and a semi-circular upper cover piece 60, which may each be made of paper or a fabric material. The cover pieces are joined about the peripheral region 80 so as to provide a pocket 100 into which part of the base of a glass may be inserted. A recessed portion 120 is provided in the upper cover piece to accommodate the stem of a glass when the cover is in use.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment in which an upper cover piece 600 overlays substantially the whole of a lower cover piece 700 and is joined about a major portion of its peripheral region 800, a radial slit 900 is provided in the upper cover piece to permit the stem to be passed through to a circular central relieved portion 1200.