Detachable spill guard for a blender cup or other container

A spill guard device for preventing unwanted spillage of material from a container. The device comprises a body shaped to fit on the rim of the container, the body having a U-shape in cross-section, and having a flange extending inwardly and adjacent the spout of the container, the flange preventing the material from spilling from the container as it is poured out via the spout. A notch in the underside of the body cooperates with a ridge formed on the exterior of the container, parallel and adjacent to the rim, to secure the device on the rim in proper location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When drinks having a high viscosity, such as smoothies and frozen drinks, are poured from a blender cup or other container into smaller containers or glassware, the “thick” liquid tends to flow slowly. If the blender cup is tipped at an angle that will cause a faster flow, the liquid will pour out from a wider area at the front of the blender cup and may spill around, rather than into, the smaller container or glassware. The device of the instant invention is intended to prevent such spills. It is particularly helpful when used, for instance, in connection with an apparatus for preparing frozen drinks utilizing an ice dispensing machine and a blender having a blender cup for receipt of the drink ingredients and the dispensed ice, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,030 entitled “Apparatus for Making Frozen Drinks,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,677 entitled “Magnetic Drive Blender,” both owned by Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc., of Walpole, Mass.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for preventing unwanted spills while pouring liquid or other material from a container, and particularly to a device that may be securely and removably affixed to the rim of the container to permit the liquid or other material to be poured into a receptacle such as a glass, without the material spilling out around instead of pouring into the receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2depict a spill guard device10according to the instant invention, mounted on the top rim30of blender cup12, which is here shown as having translucent sides. The top of the blender cup is open (seeFIG. 4), except that flanges14of device10, located adjacent spout16, project inwardly to restrict the flow of liquid or other material as it is poured from the cup. Also shown inFIG. 1are blender cup handle18and base20.

Turning toFIGS. 3 and 4, the underside of spill guard device10includes notches or cut-out areas22that mate with ridges24running parallel to and located just below the rim of the cup, on either side of blender cup12, As the device is fitted onto the rim of the cup, the ridges24and notches22ensures that spill guard device10is properly situated and fits snugly and securely on the blender cup.

As seen inFIGS. 5 through 9, the spill guard device10has a U-shaped lower edge26that fits over the rim30of blender cup12. The lower edge26includes notches22that correspond with ridges24, as discussed above. Perhaps as best seen inFIGS. 8 and 9, these notches are directed radially outwardly and extend a short distance along the circumference of spill guard device10. InFIG. 9can be seen a cross-sectional view showing ridge24of the blender cup nestled within notch22of spill guard device10. The inclusion of these ridges24on the side of the cup that mate with notches22on the underside of the device is optional.

Finally,FIGS. 6 and 7show a cut-out area28formed at the back edge of spill guard device10, which allows spill guard device10to fit around handle18of blender cup12. Of course, this particular cut-out section may not be needed with a cup having a different handle design.

It is important that the flanges on the spill guard device are not too large so that they do not hinder the making of a smoothie or frozen drink. For example, if the blender cup is used in connection with the making of a drink using the machine depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,313 (incorporated herein by reference), there must be an opening that will allow introduction into the cup of the ingredients of the drink, including the shaved ice delivered by the machine. The device of the instant invention may be positioned on the top rim of the blender cup before the cup is introduced into the drink making machine and may remain on the cup throughout the making and pouring of the drink, because it leaves ample room for the introduction of the flavoring ingredients and the delivery of the shaved ice by the machine. When desired, the device may be readily removed from the blender cup to facilitate cleaning.

The particular embodiment of the spill guard device here described is made from plastic, and is fairly rigid. Other materials, such as rubber, might be employed instead. The device here shown is approximately 6 inches in its outer diameter and about one-half inch in height. The groove on the underside of the device is about ⅛thinch wide and about ⅜ths inch deep. The opening between the flanges at the front of the device is about 2 and ½ inches wide.

The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes of illustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.