Technical Field

The present application relates generally to a drink cup accessory, and more particularly to an elastic absorbent band that passes around the drink cup.

Description of the Prior Art

Beverages such as soft drinks and the like are dispensed into cups of all types. It is very common that consumers carry or have these beverages in containers at places of work, in vehicles during transportation, or generally when the consumer is mobile between locations. Nuisances arise in that the beverages are typically hot or cold, which go to create a temperature differential with the ambient air. Cold beverages typically create condensation which collects on the outer surface of the container. This condensation can trickle down the container and drip onto the consumer or onto documents and surfaces. The condensation also is a nuisance in that is moistens the consumer’s hand making holding the container more difficult or even saturates clothing of the consumer. With both warm and cold beverages it is not uncommon for some of the beverage to spill over the edge following a sip. The spilled beverage runs down the container and can fall onto the consumer or other surfaces nearby.

Attempts to combat these undesirable effects have been made. One common step taken is to utilize insulated containers to eliminate the thermal effects that generate condensation. Although effective when done properly, spillage can still be an issue. To combat spillage of beverages from drinking, consumers may use a straw. These help but do not eliminate spillage on the exterior of the straw which can fall onto the container. Additionally, various styles of lids are developed to ease drinking, however they are only so successful at preventing spillage.

It is of note that insulated containers are suitable for particular instances but are not desirable for mass use. For example, fast food chains or coffee houses which sell drinks could not financially adopt insulated containers for ever sold beverage. The cost to manufacture and distribute large scale consumable containers must be low. Therefore, the advancements of cup designs are not fully realized in the mass market when it comes to addressing condensation and spillage concerns. Although strides have been made, shortcomings remain.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present application to provide a flexible and adjustable absorbent band that can be slid along the exterior surface of a container to absorb both condensation and spillage from the cup.

It is a further object of the present application that the band be configured to selectively translate along the outer surface of the container and have a width less than the height of the container. In operation a consumer may adjust the position of the band to coincide with the location of condensation. The band is not configured to interfere with the base of the container or cover any portion of the base of the container.

Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable 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 various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of an elastic beverage fluid absorption band according to an embodiment of the present application.

Figure 2 is a partially exploded side view of the band of Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a side view of the elastic beverage fluid absorption band of Figure 1 .

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the band of Figure 3 set at different locations on a container.

While the embodiments of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the assembly described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

The embodiments and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with the prior art discussed previously. In particular, an elastic beverage fluid absorption band as discussed in the present application is configured to provide at least two advantages over the cited art. The band is configured to be formed from an absorbent material to permit the absorption of liquid formed on an exterior surface of a container. Additionally, the band of the present application is configured to insulate a consumer’s hand from an exterior surface of the container. The band is configured to prevent the dripping of liquids down the exterior of the container. These and other unique features are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 in the drawings, an elastic beverage fluid absorption band 101 is illustrated around a container 99. Band 101 is made from an absorbent material configured to absorb liquid that either originated within the container, such as a beverage, or that originated as condensation from a temperature gradient from the liquid in the container and the ambient air. The material is not herein limited to a particular composition, but it is worth noting that one example may be a polyester weave pattern having polyester fibers in production. Cotton may be used in selected embodiments as desired.

The container 99 is configured to hold a beverage that may be chilled or heated. Condensation can form on the exterior surface 97 of the container 99 which can trickle down the container and drip onto remote surfaces, papers, clothing, and so forth. The condensation may also make holding the container 99 difficult by a user. Additionally, as seen in Figure 2, container 99 may include a lid 95. Drinking liquid in the container 99 may fall from the lid or an upper rim 91 and also trickle down surface 97. Band 101 is configured to absorb and capture this moisture to prevent unwanted drips from the container.

Container 99 may be any type of container. Examples may be that of a soft drink cup from a food chain, a coffee cup, any disposable cup, any container used for drinking a liquid, and even any container holding a liquid. Container 99 is shown to include an upper rim 91 and a bottom rim 93. The distance between rims 91 and 93 define a height of container 99. The act of drinking from container 99 may be done through lid 95, through contact with upper rim 91 , or via a straw. Any such method may inadvertently allow liquid from container 99 to fall onto surface 97.

Referring now also to Figure 3 in the drawings, band 101 is illustrated. Band 101 is an absorbent material band that is formed by coupling a first end 103 and a second end 105 together to define a cylindrical shape. A width of band 101 is defined as the distance between edge 107 and edge 109. Band 101 is not limited to a set width. It is known that band is stretchable so as to permit expansion along its length and/or width. Additionally, band 101 is flexible wherein the diameter within the cylindrical shape may vary along its width, such that band 101 can adapt to the contour of container 99 which typically includes a tapered shapes. In other words, the elastic nature of the band permits band 101 to be adaptable to any contour of container 99. It also allows band 101 to induce the compressive force against container 99 at any location along its length. It should also be noted that first end 103 and second end 105 may be overlapped as shown in Figure 3 or may be partially folded and abutted against each other in a nonoverlapped manner. One or more fasteners may be used to permit their coupling. The fasteners may be permanent or may be selectively releasable. When releasable, a consumer may selective separate ends 103/105 and manually adjust the diameter of the cylindrical shape when at rest.

Referring now also to Figure 4 in the drawings, a perspective view of band 101 on container 99 is illustrated in a manner to help describe its operation. In operation, a consumer obtains a cup and either filles it with liquid or the container already includes it. Often the liquid is heated or chilled as compared to the ambient temperature of the air. The consumer obtains band 101 and opens up the diameter by inducing an outward force on the band so as to fit it over surface 97. The consumer locates the band at a desired position on container 99. This is done by translating the band along surface 97. Band 101 is configured to induce a compressive pressure around container 99 to permit itself to grip the container and also to prevent moisture from passing through its width without absorbing.

Band 101 is located at some location between upper rim 91 and bottom rim 93. Band is configured so as to not obstruct bottom rim 93 or to cover any portion of bottom rim 93. This allows stability of container 99 to be unaffected. As the liquid level within container 99 changes, the exterior condensation formed may occur at different heights along surface 97. Therefore, a consumer is able to translate the band to any location on surface 97 so as to coincide with changes in condensation locations. As seen in Figure 4, band 101 is show at two different locations.

It is noted that band 101 may be machine washable and able to dry out and be reused. Additionally, band 101 may be formed from a plurality of layers of material wherein an inside layer of band 101 that is adjacent to surface 97 may absorb liquid while an outer layer of band 101 distal from surface 97 may be isolated so as to not receive moisture passed through the inner layer to the outer layer. This allows the consumer the option to flip the band 101 inside out thereby switching which layer is inner and which layer is outer. This can extend the absorption capabilities of band 101 .

It is noted also that the layering of band 101 is configured to provide an insulative effect thereby insulating a consumer’s hand from the temperature gradient of the liquid within the container. Therefore a consumer’s hand would not get as hot as the container for example. Additionally, use of band 101 stops the consumer’s hand from being exposed to extreme liquid temperatures and potential burns as the liquid is quickly absorbed by band 101.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.