Cup holder insert

A cup holder insert includes a console and cup holder cover having a pair of cup holder depressions, ridges about the periphery of the insert and raised edges about the periphery of each cup holder. Each device is designed to snap fit over and about a given motor vehicle's console and cup holders.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a cup holder insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Among the many chores that we all must face is the task of keeping our cars clean and good-looking. For many Americans, their car is a source of personal pride and keeping it good looking is not just a chore, it is an obsession. This obsession of course includes the interior of the car as well. The upholstery and carpeting must be vacuumed and periodically cleaned to keep it looking its best. Dashes and instrument panels must be wiped down and brushed to remove all traces of dust and dirt. One other area that is prone to collecting spills and debris is that of the cup holders and small compartments in the dash and door areas.

However, no matter how much vacuuming, wiping, and brushing one does, there always seems to be some dirt and debris left behind. While passenger areas and cargo areas are provided with protective mats that can be removed for easy cleaning, cup holders and small storage compartments, which can be even dirtier, are offered no protection at all. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which cupholders and storage compartments can be provided with removable protection in the same manner as protective floor mats. The development of the protective insert for vehicle interior compartments fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention provide for a protective insert, comprises a cup holder insert which is inserted into an opening on an interior of a motor vehicle. The cup holder insert provides for a cup sidewall body, a cup bottom that is flat, and a cup rim which is circular. The cup sidewall body and the cup bottom may form a closed cup-like structure that retains liquid, condensation, and debris that tend to accumulate in a vehicle cupholder. The cup holder insert may be specifically sized and formed for the opening on the specific year, make, and model of the motor vehicle. The cup holder insert may be a one-piece waterproof configuration and may have a tubular sidewall cup body. The cup holder insert may be made of a pliable plastic. The pliable plastic may be a material selected from the group consisting of rubber-like thermoplastic elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, or nylon.

An interior of the cup sidewall body may be provided with a plurality of vertical channels that run from the cup rim to the cup bottom. The vertical channels may allow for condensate present on a cup contained within the cup holder insert to be routed to the cup bottom. The vertical channels may allow for air to exit the cup holder insert as the cup is placed inside, as well as air to enter the cup holder insert as the cup is removed from the cup holder insert.

A protective insert also comprises a storage compartment insert which is inserted into an opening on an interior of a motor vehicle. The storage compartment insert provides for a sidewall body, a bottom that is flat, and a rim. The sidewall body and the bottom may form a closed structure that retains liquid, condensation, and debris that tend to accumulate in a vehicle cupholder. The storage compartment insert may be specifically sized and formed for the opening on the specific year, make, and model of the motor vehicle. The storage compartment insert may be a one-piece waterproof configuration and may have a tubular sidewall body. The storage compartment insert may be made of a pliable plastic and may be selected from a group consisting of rubber-like thermoplastic elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, or nylon.

An interior of the sidewall body may be provided with a plurality of vertical channels that run from the rim to the bottom. The vertical channels may allow condensate present on a cup contained within the storage compartment insert to be routed to the cup bottom. The vertical channels may allow for air to exit the storage compartment insert as the cup is placed inside, as well as air to enter the storage compartment insert as the cup is removed from the storage compartment.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Referring now toFIG. 1, a perspective view of the protective insert10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The protective insert10(herein also described as the “insert”)10, includes a pliable plastic that is inserted into various openings or compartments70,80,90on the interior of a motor vehicle. These inserts include but, are not limited to: a cup holder insert15as shown, interior storage compartments70,80,90, glove boxes, console boxes, removable trays, and the like. Each insert10is specifically sized and formed for the specific opening on the specific year, make, and model, of motor vehicle. The cup holder insert15provides for a cup sidewall body20that is tubular in configuration, a cup bottom25(not shown due to illustrative limitations), that is flat in configuration, and a cup rim30which is circular in configuration. The cup holder insert15as well as all insert10made with the teachings of the present invention, are all of one-piece waterproof configuration in an injection molding process. The material of construction is envisioned to be a rubber-like Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) that is pliable and flexible as well as being completely recyclable. However, other materials such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass, or nylon may be considered as materials of construction. As such, the specific material of construction used with the insert10is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention.

The cup sidewall body20and the cup bottom25form a closed cup-like structure that retains liquid such as beverage spills and condensation as well as crumbs, dirt, and debris that tend to accumulate in vehicle cupholders. The interior of the cup sidewall body20is provided with multiple vertical channel35that run in a vertical manner from the cup rim30to the cup bottom25. The vertical channel35provide two (2) functions. First, the vertical channel35allow any condensate that may be present on a beverage cup contained within the cup holder insert15to be routed to the cup bottom25. Second, the vertical channel35allows for air to exit the cup holder insert15as a tight-fitting cup is placed inside, as well as air to enter the cup holder insert15as a tight-fitting cup is removed from the cup holder insert15.

Referring next toFIG. 2, a perspective view of the insert10, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This embodiment is that of a storage compartment insert40, such as what may be found in a door, center console, or similar location. The storage compartment insert40includes multiple sidewalls45arranged in that of a general tetrahedron as shown, or of a rectangular parallelepiped should four sides be provided. As is the case with the cup holder insert15(as shown inFIG. 1), an upper rim50is provided to engage any profiles edges of the vehicle's storage compartment to aid in securement as well as removal. As such, the storage compartment insert40provides for an interior cavity55which is only slightly smaller than the cavity into which it is inserted. It is noted that the exact size and configuration of the storage compartment insert40is virtually limited and unconstrained. It is envisioned to range from a few inches in total length for small dash mounted compartments up to several feet for large door storage compartments or storage compartments found in cargo areas of SUV's and pickup trucks.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a top view of the insert10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This view provides additional clarification on the cup holder insert15and the general arrangement of the cup bottom25, the cup rim30, and the vertical channel35upon which the cup holder insert15is comprised. It is noted that the quantity of four (4) vertical channel35is for illustrative purposes only with more or fewer complying with the teachings of the insert10in an equally effective manner. The exact number of vertical channels35is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention.

Referring next toFIG. 4, a sectional view of the insert10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown inFIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. A cup holding area60is produced between the cup sidewall body20and the cup bottom25which holds any spilled liquid (beverage) as well as crumbs and debris. The cup holder insert15is formed with the addition of the cup rim30. The cup rim30is provided with a rolled edge65around the perimeter to aid in aesthetics as well as preen inadvertent dislodgement. The vertical channel35(shown via a dashed line due to its hidden nature), allows for air movement from the cup rim30to the cup bottom25even with a tight-fitting cup located inside.

Referring toFIG. 5, a pictorial view of the insert10, according to the both the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention is depicted. A motor vehicle passenger compartment70provides typical storage locations such as drink holder75, a door storage compartment80, a center console85, a dash compartment90, a glove box95or the like. The cup holder insert15of the preferred embodiment is inserted into the drink holder75, while the storage compartment insert40is inserted into the door storage compartment80. It is noted that any and all storage compartments can benefit from the teachings of the insert10system. When dirty or otherwise contaminated, the insert10is simply removed whereupon it can be cleaned with a water hose, at a sink, or even in a dishwasher. Said insert10are simply replaced when cleaned.

2. OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the insert10would be constructed in general accordance withFIG. 1throughFIG. 5. The user would procure the insert10from conventional procurement channels such as auto part stores, mail order and internet supply houses and the like. As each cup holder insert15or storage compartment insert40must be specifically made for the specific vehicle, special attention would be paid when ordering.

After procurement and prior to utilization, the insert10would be prepared in the following manner: the original storage compartment such as the drink holder75, the door storage compartment80, the center console85, the dash compartment90or the glove box95would be cleaned if needed; next, the new or cleaned insert10such as the cup holder insert15or the storage compartment insert40would be inserted into the respective compartment where it would be held by friction fit.

During utilization of the insert10, the following procedure would be initiated: various conventional objects such as beverage glasses, bottles, cans, or the like would be placed in the cup holder insert15while personal items, such as cell phones, candy, mints, napkins, food, personal care items, loose change and the like would be placed in the insert10; any leakage, drips, crumbs, remnants, dirt, debris and the like would be retained by the insert10; when such unwanted material becomes excessive, the insert10is simply removed from the motor vehicle passenger compartment70where it can be cleaned with a hose, at a sink, in a dishwasher, or similar location.

After cleaning of the insert10, it is simply replaced in the respective storage compartment, where it can be re-used over and over in a repeating and cyclical pattern.