Patent ID: 6089519
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: A47G,B65D

Abstract:
Liquid control and storage system for use with a range of different sizes of generally cylindrical beverage containers, comprisinga coaster havinga generally circular base section,a generally continuous cylindrical wall memberintegral with and projecting upwardly from the outer periphery of said base section anddefining an upwardly open receptacle sized to receive therein the lower portion of any container within the range,contact means extending inwardly from said wall member internally of said receptacle and comprising a plurality of inwardly directed, vertically spaced, concentric shoulders extending around the inner surface of said wall member in a generally parallel relationship with one another and with said base section,the inner periphery of said shouldersdiffering in diameter from one to another,being disposed in a stepped arrangement such that their inner peripheries increase in diameter with the distance from the base section, andbeing slightly smaller in diameter than but expanding around and releasably gripping the lower portion of any container within the range upon its insertion into said receptacle,said wall member defining a multiplicity of receptors comprising channelsextending generally transversely of and through said shoulders,disposed for communication with said receptacle, andpositioned to receive liquid draining into said receptacle from the sides of a container coupled to the coaster,storage means communicating with said receptors,said receptors being sized to permit the movement of liquid therethrough from said receptacle through said shoulders into said storage means, andmeans for restraining such liquid against egress from said storage means upon tilting of said container and coupled coaster.