Abstract:
In one embodiment, a device for collecting and absorbing drips on an exterior of a fluid container comprises an elongated strip of laminated construction. A material substantially impervious to the fluid in the container is adhesively bonded to a layer of absorbent material. A further layer of adhesive is applied to the other side of the absorbent material so that a strip of desired length may be secured to the exterior of the fluid container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/549,905 filed Apr. 14, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of fluid containers and, more particularly, to a device for collecting and absorbing drips of fluid that run down the side of a container after fluid is dispensed therefrom.  
           [0004]    2. Background  
           [0005]    Fluid dripping down the side of a fluid container is a common everyday annoyance. Virtually all consumers have experienced the resulting stains and rings on hands, floors, shelves and tables and the inevitable unsightly container sides and illegible labels. A number of approaches have been taken to solve this problem. A common solution, frequently used in restaurants, is the use of a cloth to cradle a bottle as the contents are poured. The cloth collects any inadvertent drips and can be used to wipe the outside of the bottle before the bottle is placed on the table. This is a less than ideal solution, since the cloth then becomes stained and will likely need to be discarded. Another common solution is the use of a coaster. This is also less than ideal since drips deposited on the coaster may nevertheless find their way to the table surface.  
           [0006]    A number of devices have been proposed for absorbing drips on the neck of a bottle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 447,635 discloses an absorbent bottle collar made of a strip of blotting paper or the like, which is held in place around the neck of a bottle with a wire or other tie. U.S. Pat. No. 1,182,993 discloses a drip guard for a bottle comprising an absorbent elastic band. U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,590 discloses a drip arrester for a bottle in which an absorbent inner layer is laminated to a relatively non-absorbent outer layer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,583 discloses a dribble ring made of an absorbent foam having a plastic or rubber coating on the outer circumference and bottom of the ring. U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,635 discloses a drip catcher in the form of a waterproof pocket filled with an absorbent material that is adhesively secured to the outside of a fluid container.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention represents an improvement over the drip-catching devices of the prior art. In one embodiment, a device for collecting and absorbing drips on an exterior of a fluid container comprises an elongated strip of laminated construction. A material substantially impervious to the fluid in the container is adhesively bonded to a layer of absorbent material. A further layer of adhesive is applied to the other side of the absorbent material so that a strip of a desired length may be secured to the exterior of the fluid container.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken through line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 illustrates a method for manufacturing the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 illustrates a dispenser for the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment  10  of the present invention applied to the neck of a fluid container  12 , such as a bottle of cooking oil. The invention is also applicable to containers for other fluids, including, for example, household products, such as glue, paint, oil, bleach, solvents, cleaners, etc. and kitchen products such as honey, catsup, vinegar, sauces, dressings, etc.  
         [0015]    The layered construction of device  10  is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. The outermost layer  20  comprises a thin, elongated strip of a material that is substantially impervious to the fluid in the container. For most applications, strip  20  may be made of a semi-rigid plastic material, such as Mylar® or the like. Strip  20  may have a plurality of slits or notches  21  along its lower edge so that it can conform to a container having a tapered neck. Next to strip  20  is a layer  22  of an adhesive material, such as a double-sided adhesive tape. Layer  24  comprises an absorbent material. A variety of materials may be used, depending upon the characteristics and volume of the fluid to be absorbed. For many applications, a paper material, such as commonly used for paper towels, tissues or blotters, may be used. Woven materials, such as felt or cotton gauze and open-cell foam materials may also be suitable. Layer  26  again comprises an adhesive, such as a double-sided adhesive tape.  
         [0016]    Layers  22 ,  24  and  26  may be narrower than strip  20  so that a channel or gutter  14  is created along one or both edges of device  10  adjacent to the outer surface of fluid container  12 . This aids in the collection of drips as they descend the side of container  12  and guides them to the layer of absorbent material  24 . This is one reason why it is desirable to make strip  20  of a material that is substantially impervious to the fluid. Strip  20  also acts as a barrier for fluid collected in absorbent layer  24  so that an individual handling fluid container  12  will not be directly exposed to the collected fluid. The outer surface of strip  20  may be imprinted with a decorative design, a logotype or an advertising message.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a method by which device  10  may be conveniently manufactured. Each layer is fed from a corresponding spool and laminated to make the final product. The material for layer  20  is fed from spool  30  and a double-sided adhesive tape for layer  22  is fed from spool  32 . These are laminated under pressure roller  42 . Next, the absorbent material for layer  24  is fed from spool  34  and laminated to adhesive layer  22  under pressure roller  44 . Finally, a double-sided adhesive tape for layer  26  is fed from spool  36  and laminated to absorbent layer  24  under pressure roller  46 . Adhesive layer  26  preferably includes a backing material  28  to protect the adhesive until device  10  is applied to a fluid container. After all the layers are laminated, the resulting strip  40  is wound onto spool  38 . Guillotine chopper  48  cuts the laminated strip to the appropriate length. The laminated strip  40  is preferably packaged and sold in bulk lengths of, for example, 36 inches. The user then removes a piece  10  suitable for application to a container. Device  10  may completely encircle a container, as in the case of a bottle, or may be applied to only a portion of a container adjacent to a location from which the contents will be poured, as in the case of a paint can.  
         [0018]    With reference to FIG. 4, the laminated strip  40  may be packaged in a dispenser  50  having a cutting edge  52  similar to dispensers commonly used for household tape products to facilitate removal of a desired length. Alternatively, the laminated strip  40  may be scored or perforated at intervals, such as shown at  54 , so that a desired length may be torn from the strip along one of the score lines or perforations. It is also contemplated that the laminated strip may be packaged in pre-cut lengths, which may be uniform or assorted.  
         [0019]    The width of device  10  is not critical, provided that there is a sufficient quantity of absorbent material to absorb the amount of fluid that may be anticipated to drip down the fluid container. For most household applications, the width of device  10  is preferably in the range of approximately ⅜ inch to 1 inch. The preferred thickness of absorbent material  24  is likewise a function of the anticipated volume of absorbed fluid. However, it is important that the thickness be sufficient so that the gutter  14  will be large enough to receive a drip of fluid. If the gutter is too narrow (i.e., if absorbent layer  24  is too thin), drips will have a tendency to flow across the gutter and down the side of layer  20 , thereby defeating the purpose of device  10 .  
         [0020]    In some applications, particularly for relatively viscous fluids such as paint, honey, syrup, etc., a layer of absorbent material  24  may not be necessary. A gutter  14  alone may be sufficient to collect drips of such viscous fluids. Fluid that collects in the gutter may then be removed with a sponge or towel. In such case, absorbent material  24  may be replaced with a non-absorbent material that simply serves to space strip  20  away from the surface of the fluid container. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a strip  120  may be curved or bent in cross section to create gutter  114 . Here, only a single adhesive layer  122  is needed to adhere strip  120  to fluid container  112 .  
         [0021]    It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.