Abstract:
The Disposable Drip Collar is a removable drip collar for use with any drinking vessel. The disclosed device includes means for attachment to a drinking vessel, as well as an optional lower seal to prevent drips.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of drip collars for drinking vessels and more particularly to a disposable drip collar for use with any drinking vessel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is known in the art to use a drip sleeve around a drinking vessel to protect a user&#39;s hand from heat. 
         [0003]    What is needed is a disposable drip collar that can be used with any drinking vessel, regardless of shape or size. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Collars or sleeves are used with drinking cups to protect a user&#39;s hand from heat or spillage. The sleeves are often made of paper or other recyclable materials. But such drinking sleeves only fit one size of cup. 
         [0005]    The disclosed invention solves the problem of having to make drinking sleeves of various sizes and shapes to fit various drinking vessels by making an adjustable drip collar that can be used with any drinking vessel. 
         [0006]    The Disposable Drip Collar is for use with any drinking vessel to prevent spilled liquid or condensation from staining the user&#39;s hand or clothing. The Disposable Drip Collar is made of an absorbent material forming a collar that can be threaded through the drinking vessel&#39;s handle. The Disposable Drip Collar is held to the drinking vessel by attachment means located on the sides and bottom of the collar. 
         [0007]    An additional problem that arises with drinking collars is that over time, or if the spillage is a significant amount, the liquid will reach the bottom of the absorbent collar and drip down to the bottom of the cup or onto clothing. By optionally including a waterproof seal at the bottom of the collar, the Disposable Drip Collar creates a reservoir that prevents any liquid from seeping beyond the bottom of the collar. 
         [0008]    The sealing member is waterproof and prevents liquid from leaking out of the collar down the bottom of the drinking vessel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of the disposable drip collar. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first embodiment of the disposable drip collar applied to a mug. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of the disposable drip collar having a sealing member all the way around the bottom. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second embodiment of the disposable drip collar having longer sealing member applied to a mug. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the layers of the collar. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the Disposable Drip Collar  1  is shown. The Disposable Drip Collar  1  is comprised of an absorbent collar  10 , a first fastener  12 , a second fastener  14 , and bottom edge fasteners  16 . 
         [0017]    The collar  10  is made of one or more layers of cardboard, paper towel, or other suitable absorbent material. 
         [0018]    The first fastener  12 , second fastener  14 , and bottom edge fasteners are tape, a snap, hook and loop, or other suitable attachment means. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the Disposable Drip Collar  1  is shown as applied to a drinking vessel  2 . For illustration, the drinking vessel  2  in this figure is a mug. The two fasteners  12  and  14  are attached to the left and right edges of the collar  10 . 
         [0020]    In order to apply the Disposable Drip Collar  1  to a drinking vessel  2 , the user first attaches first fastener  12  to the drinking vessel  2 . Next, the collar  10  is wrapped around the drinking vessel  2 . Then, the Disposable Drip Collar  1  is secured to the drinking vessel  2  by attaching the second fastener  14  to the collar  10 . Finally, the bottom edge fasteners  16  are pressed to the drinking vessel  2  for a more secure fit. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a second embodiment of the Disposable Drip Collar is shown. In this embodiment, the collar  10  has a sealing member  16  that runs the full bottom length of the collar  10 . The sealing member  16  prevents moisture caused by oversaturation from dripping down onto the user. 
         [0022]    The collar  10  is made of one or more layers of cardboard, paper towel, cloth, or other suitable absorbent material. The first fastener  12  and the second fastener  14  are tape, snaps, hook and loop, or other suitable attachment means. The sealing member  16  is made of a material that creates a waterproof seal, such as adhesive tape. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the Disposable Drip Collar  1  is shown as applied to a drinking vessel  2 . For illustration, the drinking vessel  2  in this figure is a mug. The two fasteners  12  and  14  are attached to the left and right edges of the collar  10 . 
         [0024]    In order to apply the Disposable Drip Collar  1  to a drinking vessel  2 , the user first attaches first fastener  12  to the drinking vessel  2 . Next, the collar  10  is wrapped around the drinking vessel  2 . Then, the second fastener  14  is attached to the collar  10 . Finally, the sealing member  16  is pressed against the drinking vessel  2  to ensure proper sealing along the bottom of the Disposable Drip Collar  1 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of the Disposable Drip Collar  1  is shown where the collar  10  has a multi-layered construction. In this embodiment, the absorbent collar  10  has three layers: an inner layer  50  that is in contact with the drinking vessel  2 , a middle layer  52 , and an outer layer  54 . 
         [0026]    The inner layer  50  is made of a porous material that is absorbent or waterproof. The middle layer  52  is made of paper towel, cardboard, cloth, or other suitably absorbent material. The outer layer  54  is made of a non-absorbent, non-slip material to allow for a better grip. Ideally the inner layer  50  is a wicking material, drawing moisture away from the drinking vessel and channeling it toward the middle layer  52 . Additionally, the outer layer  54  is a wicking material, drawing moisture away from the user&#39;s hand and channeling it toward the middle layer  52 . The result is that the outer layer  54  feels dry to the touch. 
         [0027]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0028]    It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.