Abstract:
An elevated coaster includes a base section that has a generally square cross-sectional shape. A first side of the base section has walls forming an open-top container for containing objects. An opposing second side of the base section is for resting on a surface. A pillar has a first end and a distal second end; the first end is connected to and depends centrally from the first side of the base section. The elevated coaster includes an elevated section that has a generally circular cross-sectional shape. The upper surface of the elevated section has a rim sized to contain the glass or the cup and an opposing lower surface of the elevated section is connected to the second end of the pillar, thereby elevating the elevated section above the surface on which the base section rests.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of utensils for serving food and more particularly to a coaster that is elevated above a surface on which it rests. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Drink coasters are well known. Drink coasters are typically used as a “go between,” protecting a surface on which a cup or glass is placed. Drink coasters perform several functions, including reducing wear on surfaces such as counters, tables, and reducing moisture contact with such surfaces, especially in humid climates when cold drinks are contained within the cup or glass. In a very low-cost form, typical coasters are simple thick sheets of cardboard or cork, cut either square or round, and being slightly wider than the expected cup or glass. Other types of coasters are more decorative, sometimes made of plastic, wood, or ceramic and often having a soft material on a lower surface to protect the counter/table from scratches. Some such coasters have an absorbent material on a top surface to absorb moisture (e.g., cork, paper, cloth). 
         [0003]    Prior coasters are typically between ⅛ inch thick and ½ inch thick and being so, these coasters usually don&#39;t elevate the glass or cup to any significant height above the surface on which they rest. As such, the glass or cup is basically at table level. On a crowded table, it may be difficult to grasp the glass or cup that is surrounded by other objects, presenting a spilling or breakage issue, etc. Further, when moving the glass or cup from one place to another, it is difficult to relocate the coaster along with the glass or cup. 
         [0004]    What is needed is an elevated coaster that will raise the cup or glass to a height above a surface as well as provide simplified transport features in addition to carrying items while providing more table real estate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, an elevated coaster is disclosed including a base section for resting on a surface (and optionally containing objects) and a pillar having a first end and a distal second end. The first end of the pillar is connected to and depends from a first side of the base section. An elevated section is connected to the second end of the pillar. An upper surface of the elevated section is sized to contain a glass or a cup. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, an elevated coaster is disclosed including a base section that has a generally square cross-sectional shape. The base section is for resting on a surface and, optionally, holding objects. A cylindrical pillar has a first end and a distal second end; the first end connected to and depending from a first side of the base section. An elevated section that has a circular cross-sectional shape is connected to the second end of the pillar. An upper surface of the elevated section is sized to contain a glass or a cup, positioning the glass or cup at an elevation above the surface. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, an elevated coaster is disclosed including a base section that has a square cross-sectional shape. A first side of the base section has walls forming an open-top container for containing objects. The base section is for resting on a surface and optionally holding objects. A cylindrical pillar has a first end and a distal second end; the first end is connected to and depends centrally from the first side of the base section. The elevated coaster includes an elevated section that has a circular cross-sectional shape. The upper surface of the elevated section has a rim sized to contain the glass or the cup and an opposing lower surface of the elevated section is connected to the second end of the pillar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    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: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an elevated coaster holding a cup and assorted items. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the elevated coaster holding a glass and different assorted items. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the elevated coaster. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top perspective view of the elevated coaster. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the elevated coaster in disassembled form and packed into a compact shipping package. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an elevated coaster  10  holding a cup  30  and assorted items  32  is shown. As often happens on smaller tables, especially in restaurants, it is difficult to reach a glass  40  (see  FIG. 2 ) or cup  30 , as the glass  40  or cup  30  is often surrounded by other serving items such as salt/pepper shakers, bread baskets, serving bowls, center pieces, candles, etc. Often, one must pick up the glass  40  or cup  30  between their fingers, grasping at the rim of the glass  40  or cup  30 . This often leads to discomfort when the glass  40  or cup  30  contains hot liquids or spilling, as when the glass  40  or cup  30  contains cold liquids, condensation often forms on the outer surfaces of the glass  40  or cup  30 . Further, there are sanitary reasons for not touching the rim of the glass  40  or cup  30  with one&#39;s fingers. 
         [0016]    The elevated coaster  10  performs the function of lifting the glass  40  or cup  30  to a height that enables better grasping of the glass  40  or cup  30  by holding the body of the glass  40  or placing one or two fingers in the handle of a cup  30 . 
         [0017]    The elevated coaster  10  includes an elevated section  12  upon which the glass  40  or cup  30  is placed, a base section  16  that rests on a surface such as a counter or table, and a pillar  14  that separates the elevated section  12  from the base section  16 . In some embodiments, the pillar is between three and six inches in length to provide approximately three to six inches of height to the elevated section. Although not required, the base section  16  has walls (as shown) to help contain the contents such as assorted items  32  (e.g. sugar packets, salt and pepper shakers, etc.). This provides additional table real estate, eliminating the need for a separate container for holding such assorted items  32 . 
         [0018]    The elevated coaster  10  is graspable from beneath the elevated section  12 , enabling carrying of the glass  40 /cup  30  along with the coaster  10  and any contents of the base section  16 . In this way, when one moves, for example to change tables, they are able to carry their glass  30 /cup  30  along with the contents (e.g., assorted items  32 ) by carrying the elevated coaster  10 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the elevated coaster holding a glass  40  (e.g., a wine glass) and different assorted items  44  is shown. As often happens on smaller tables, especially in restaurants, it is difficult to reach a glass  40  (see  FIG. 2 ), as such is often surrounded by other serving items such as salt/pepper shakers, bread baskets, cheese plates, additional glasses, center pieces, candles, etc. Often, one must pick up the glass  40  between their fingers, grasping at the rim of the glass  40 . This often leads to spilling or breaking, as when the glass  40  contains liquids, some liquids wind up on the outside of the glass  40  or condensation forms on the outer surfaces of the glass  40 . 
         [0020]    The elevated coaster  10  performs the function of lifting the glass  40  to a height that enables better grasping of such by holding the glass  40  by a stem, etc. 
         [0021]    The elevated coaster  10  includes an elevated section  12  upon which the glass  40  is placed, a base section  16  that rests on a surface such as a counter or table, and a pillar  14  that separates the elevated section  12  from the base section  16 . In some embodiments, the pillar is between three and six inches in length to provide approximately three to six inches of height to the elevated section. Although not required, the base section  16  has walls to help contain the contents such as other assorted items  44  (e.g. chunks of cheese, crackers, bread, chocolates, etc.). This provides additional table real estate, eliminating the need for a separate container for holding such other assorted items  44 . 
         [0022]    Note, there is no limitation on the types of items that are carried in the base section  16 , nor the shape of the base section  16 . For example, the base section is sized to hold a salt and pepper shaker, peanuts, popcorn, edamame, fruits and any other food items, pens, pencils, paper clips, sticky-back notes, etc. 
         [0023]    The elevated coaster  10  is graspable from beneath the elevated section  12 , enabling carrying of the glass  40  along with the coaster  10  and any contents of the base section  16 . In this way, when one moves about, for example at a wine tasting or dinner social, they are able to carry their glass  30  along with the contents (e.g., other assorted items  44  such as cheese and crackers) by carrying the elevated coaster  10 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a bottom perspective view of the elevated coaster  10  is shown. The elevated coaster  10  includes an elevated section  12  upon which the cup  30  or glass  40  (or any suitable object) is placed, a base section  16  that rests on a surface such as a counter or table, and a pillar  14  that separates the elevated section  12  from the base section  16 . It is fully anticipated that the elevated section  12 , the base section  16 , and the pillar  14  be made of the same, similar or different materials. For example, the base section  16  is made of stone and the elevated section  12  and the pillar  14  are made of wood; or in another example, the elevated section  12 , the base section  16 , and the pillar  14  are made of wood. Other suitable materials are also anticipated, for example but not limited to, ceramic, plastic, glass, stone, etc. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments a bottom surface of the base section  16  includes a section or multiple sections of a sheet of soft material  18  such as rubber or cork. This sheet of soft material  18  helps protect a surface on which the elevated coaster  10  rests from scratches and marring, especially when the base section  16  is made of an abrasive, hard material such as stone or ceramic. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a top perspective view of the elevated coaster  10  is shown. The elevated coaster  10  includes an elevated section  12  upon which the glass  40  is placed. In some embodiments an upper surface of the elevated section  12  includes a section or multiple sections of a sheet of soft and/or absorbent material  19  such as cork, cloth, or felt. This sheet of soft material  19  helps protect the bottom surface of the cup  30  or glass  40  from scratches and marring, especially when the elevated section  12  is made of an abrasive, hard material such as stone or ceramic. The sheet of soft material  19  also changes the sound when the cup  30  or glass  40  is placed on the elevated coaster  10  and reduces sliding of the cup  30  or glass  40  on the elevated section  12  when the width of the cup  30  or glass  40  is smaller than the width of the elevated section  12 . Note, in a preferred embodiment, the elevated section  12  includes walls to help contain the cup  30  or glass  40 , though this is not required. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the elevated coaster  10  in disassembled form and packed into a compact shipping package is shown. Although, in some embodiments, the elevated coaster  10  is provided in assembled form, to better facilitate shipping, storage, inventory, etc., in some embodiments, the elevated coaster  10  is provided in separate pieces including a separate piece for the elevated section, a separate piece for the base section  16 , and a separate piece for the pillar  14 . In some embodiments, the base section  16  has a cross-sectional width that is large enough to accept the elevated section  12  within the base section  16  (as shown in the lower portion of  FIG. 5 ), or visa versa. In some embodiments, the pillar section  14  is sized to fit within the elevated section  12  (as shown in the lower portion of  FIG. 5 ) or sized to fit within the base section  16 . In this, a smaller package as in the lower portion of  FIG. 5  is provided for shipping, stocking, etc., and erected by the end user. Any form of assembly is anticipated including the use of an adhesive or a dowel-like fitting of the pillar section  14  into holes within the bottom of the elevated section  12  and the top surface of the base section  10 . 
         [0028]    Further, it is anticipated that in some embodiments, a first end of the pillar section  14  removably snaps or press-fits into a hole within the bottom of the elevated section  12  and, likewise, a distal, second end of the pillar section  14  removably snaps or press-fits into a hole in the top surface of the base section  10 . There is no limitation as to the mechanism used to removably hold the ends of the pillar section  14  within the elevated section  12  and the base section  10 . Further, there is no limitation that holes are required, as other removable attachment mechanisms are equally anticipated. In embodiments in which the pillar section  14  is removable, so that when not in use, the elevated coaster  10  is easily disassembled and organized as shown in the bottom of  FIG. 5  for storage. 
         [0029]    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. 
         [0030]    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.