Abstract:
A method of advertising is provided in which a stopper having substantially parallel sides is inserted into a hole in a container, and a message is displayed on, a surface of the stopper towards a thicker end of the stopper and external to the container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent application No. U.S. 60/742,645, filed on Dec. 6, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a stopper and message display, and method for displaying a message and preventing spills. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When a customer gets coffee to go, the coffee often comes with a lid with a small opening in it from which the customer can sip the coffee. While the lid keeps much of the coffee from spilling, coffee still escapes from the opening when the cup is jostled. This can happen when a person is walking, getting into a car, or driving, for example. As a result, the coffee can burn the person or spill in their car. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A stopper can be used to reduce the likelihood of liquid spilling from a vessel. The stopper can also provide a way to advertise. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, a method of advertising includes inserting a stopper having substantially parallel sides into a hole in a container, and displaying a message on a surface of the stopper towards a thicker end of the stopper and external to the container. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, an apparatus includes a stopper with substantially parallel length sides and width sides that are narrower than the length sides, the width sides becoming progressively smaller from one end of the stopper to the opposite end. In certain embodiments, the apparatus can include a message on a surface of the stopper towards the thick end. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, the hole in the container can be a hole in a lid. The method can also include stopping a liquid from exiting the hole in the lid with the stopper. The stopper can be inserted by placing a thin end of the stopper into the hole. The stopper can include a thick end outside the hole. The message can include a logo or an advertisement. One end or each end of the stopper can be rounded, for example, substantially oval-shaped. The message can include an advertisement or a logo. The message can be embossed on the surface of the stopper, embedded in the surface of the stopper, or printed on the surface of the stopper. The stopper can be plastic or wood. 
         [0008]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of the stopper. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a view from the thick end of the stopper. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a view from the narrow end of the stopper. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the stopper. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view of the stopper in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]    A stopper can be used in a method of keeping a hot coffee product inside a cup and preventing it from spilling out of the sipping hole at the top of the lid by plugging the hole. In addition, the stopper can provide a way for vendors to advertise, because the name of the coffee vendor is displayed on a surface of the stopper. 
         [0015]    One advantage of the method and device is that it keeps coffee from spilling out of the cup so a customer who transports the coffee via an automobile isn&#39;t concerned about the coffee product staining the carpet or dripping into a cup holder. 
         [0016]    Another advantage is that customers don&#39;t have to drive with their fingers over the hole in the lid and therefore the coffee won&#39;t burn their fingers. 
         [0017]    When transporting coffee in a cup that utilizes a lid, the stopper is wedged in to the sipping hole in the coffee cup lid and acts as a barrier to keep the coffee from exiting the hole in the coffee cup lid. 
         [0018]    The stopper can be created from a food grade plastic instead of a food grade resin. It can also be created in different sizes, and different styles of advertisement can be utilized on the body of the stopper. 
         [0019]    The stopper can also be used as a way for the coffee vendor to track how many coffees a customer has purchased. When a customer accumulates enough stoppers, they may be redeemed for more coffee products sold by the vendor. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the stopper  100  includes a front surface  102 , a first side  104 , a second side  105 , a first end  106 , and a second end  107 . Each side  104  and  105  can be straight or rounded so that they do not have sharp edges. Each end  106  and  107  can be straight or rounded into oval or semi-circular shapes. The ends  106 ,  107  can also be  5  square, hexagonal, or any other similar shape. The length of the stopper  100  is long and narrow relative to the width. The ratio or the average length to the average width of the stopper  100 , the lengthwise aspect ratio, can be 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1 or greater. A message  108 , such as a logo, is printed or engraved on the wider end of the front surface. 
         [0021]    Along its length, stopper  100  tapers in width in at least one dimension so that it is slightly wider at one end than the other. In some embodiments, the stopper  100  can taper in width in two dimensions. Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the two ends  106  and  107  of the stopper  100  can have different cross-sectional areas, tapering from wide to small. The front surface  102  and back surface  110  of the stopper  100  can be substantially flat and substantially parallel. In certain embodiments, the front surface  103  and back surface  110  can also form a taper which narrows along the dimension from the end  106  to the end  107 . The sides  104 ,  105  can be rounded.  FIG. 2A  represents an end view of stopper  100  showing end  106 , the wider of the two ends.  FIG. 2B  represents an end view of stopper  100  showing end  107 , the narrower of the two ends. The wide end  106  may be seen from the narrow end  107 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of stopper  100  shows ends  106  and  107 , each of which can be rounded so that it does not have sharp comers, and the front surface  102  and back surface  110  of the stopper can be flat and can be substantially parallel. The depth of the stopper is narrow compared to the length. For example, the ratio, or the average length to the average depth, of the stopper  100  can be 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1 or greater 
         [0023]    The stopper can be made of a light weight material, such as a plastic, a rubber, a foam, wood, glass, a ceramic or a metal. A number of plastics may be used to form the stopper such as styrenes, polyolefins, polyesters, phenolics, cellulosics, or amino resins. Also, a number of methods may be used to make the stopper such as injection molding, compression molding, or cutting. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates the stopper  100  in use. The narrow end of the stopper  100  is inserted into an opening  112  in a container  114 . For example, the container can be a coffee cup with a lid, and the opening is the narrow slit in a coffee-cup lid. Since one end of the stopper is wider, it does not fit in the opening  112 , and it prevents the stopper from completely entering the container  114 . It also prevents liquids, such as coffee in a coffee-cup, from spilling out of the container. This is possible because the cross-section of the stopper  100  is the same size and shape as the opening  112  in the container  114 . Thus, when the narrow end  107  of the stopper  100  is inserted, it forms a seal, preventing spillage. 
         [0025]    The wider end  106  of the stopper  100  has a message  108 , such as a logo, imprinted on it, and the logo remains outside the container  114 . The message  108  can be added in a number of ways. For example, it can be engraved, embossed, or printed on the surface. Also, the message  108  can be a logo, advertisement, a personalized message, or any other message. When the narrow end  107  of the stopper  100  is placed in the opening  112 , the wider end  106  sticks out. The wider end  106  of the stopper  100  can be designed to extend a certain distance from the opening  112  in the container  114  so that the message  108  remains visible to the person-using the container  114 . The width and depth of the stopper  100  can be designed so that only 50% of the stopper  100  enters the opening  112 , the protruding 50% having the message  108  visible. For a longer message  108 , the stopper  100  can be designed so that 10% or 20% of the stopper  100  enters the opening  112 ; for a shorter message  108 , more than 50% of the stopper  100  can enter the opening  112 . Thus, a company can advertise by imprinting a name or slogan on a stopper  100 , and the stopper  100  can simultaneously prevent coffee or another liquid from spilling out of the container  114 . 
         [0026]    While the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention.