Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an improved cup cover that includes a base having a slit extending from an edge, and a protrusion extending from the base. The slit can be configured to receive a string associated with a teabag. The protrusion can be divided into a first half and a second half by a through-slot which may be configured to receive the string associated with the teabag. The first half and the second half of the protrusion may be configured to releaseably secure the string associated with the teabag therebetween.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/379,998, filed on Nov. 29, 2010, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a teacup cover, and, more specifically, to a teacup cover for holding and securing a teabag string, and for facilitating squeezing liquid from a teabag after use. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    When drinking tea, a teabag is placed within the hot liquid contained within the teacup, and a string and tag attached to the teabag can be used to bob the teabag in and out of the hot liquid, or the string and tag can be draped over the teacup edge, leaving the teabag in the teacup. The purpose of the string and tag is to allow the drinker to easily bob and/or remove the teabag in/from the hot liquid without having to scoop the teabag out with a spoon. However, the teabag often sinks to the bottom of the teacup and pulls the string and tag into the water, leaving the drinker helpless and unable to bob the teabag in the water or remove the teabag without using a spoon. 
         [0004]    Once a drinker does remove the teabag from the teacup, after determining that it has been properly steeped, there is often an attempt to squeeze the remaining liquid out of the teabag and into the cup. A common approach is that the teabag is pressed against the inside of the cup by a spoon, or is held on a spoon while the string is wrapped around the teabag and the spoon. However, both of these approaches are generally inadequate and difficult to perform; often resulting in liquid being spilled. 
         [0005]    Once the majority of the liquid has been extracted from the teabag, the drinker faces the problem of disposing the teabag. In many instances, this involves placing the teabag on a plate or elsewhere, allowing the remaining liquid to leak out of the teabag and creating potential for a further mess. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art by providing an improved cup cover. 
         [0008]    In preferred embodiments, the cup cover comprises a base having a first slit extending from an edge of the base toward a center of the base; and a protrusion extending from the base, the first slit is configured to receive a string, the protrusion is divided into a first half and a second half by a through-slot, the through-slot is configured to receive the string, and the first half and the second half secure the string therebetween. 
         [0009]    One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a cup cover which can secure the string of a teabag. Another advantage is that the cup cover can be used to squeeze liquid from a teabag into the teacup. Yet another advantage is that the cup cover can retain excess liquid that may drip from the teabag. 
         [0010]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention and/or of the currently preferred embodiments thereof will become more readily apparent in view of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the teacup cover of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the teacup cover of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the teacup cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the teacup cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a right side elevational view of the teacup cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of the teacup cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the teacup cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the teacup cover of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the teacup cover of  FIGS. 1-8  taken along section line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a teacup cover in use with a teacup and teabag; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a user removing the teacup cover from a teacup; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing a user removing the teacup cover from a teacup and securing a teabag thereto; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a user squeezing the teacup cover and the associated teabag; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing a bottom of the teacup cover after use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , a teacup cover  100  is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The teacup cover  100  includes a base  102  and a divided protrusion  104 , which is separated into a first protrusion half  104   a  and a second protrusion half  104   b , each of which will be discussed below in detail. 
         [0027]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-9 , the base  102  comprises a top surface  106 , an edge  108 , a bottom surface  110 , a radial slit  112 , and a fillet  116 . The teacup cover  100  is generally monolithic in form including the base  102 , which generally slopes downward, with a frustoconical shape, from the fillet  116  toward the edge  108 . The base  102  is substantially circular in shape and sized to have a diameter larger than a standard teacup diameter; however, it should be understood that the base  102  can have varying shapes and sizes. For example, the base  102  can be square shaped, diamond shaped, star shaped, or any other geometric figure, while the diameter, or size, of the base  102 , can be designed to match and accommodate cups of varying sizes. Having a diameter larger than a standard teacup diameter allows the teacup cover  100  to be placed on a teacup such that the entire top of the teacup is covered, thus allowing the teacup cover  100  to securely sit on top of the teacup. When placed on a teacup, the bottom surface  110  acts to engage the top of the teacup. 
         [0028]    The radial slit  112  extends from the edge  108  radially inward toward the center of the base  102 . Specifically, the radial slit  112  extends through the base  102 , from the top surface  106  to the bottom surface  110  thereof, which allows an object, e.g., a teabag string, to extend through the base  102 . In some embodiments, the radial slit  112  extends inward approximately ¾ of an inch and is a few millimeters wide. The radial slit  112  is configured to accommodate a teabag string. The teabag string can be inserted into the radial slit  112  whereby the teabag is below the base  102  while a portion of the teabag string is above the base  102 . Thus, the teabag string can extend through the base  102 . In some embodiments, the radial slit  112  includes a plurality of chamfered edges  114  connecting the edge  108  with the radial slit  112 . The chamfered edges  114  provide an opening towards the radial slit  112  to facilitate inserting a teabag string into the radial slit  112 . 
         [0029]    The divided protrusion  104  extends from the central portion of the base  102 , and the divided protrusion  104  is connected to the base  102  by the fillet  116 . Preferably, the divided protrusion  104  and the base  102  are monolithically formed as a single unit. The divided protrusion  104  generally acts as a handle for the teacup cover  100 , facilitating handling of the teacup cover  100 . Specifically, the divided protrusion  104  can be grasped to place the teacup cover  100  on a teacup or to remove the teacup cover  100  from a teacup. The divided protrusion  104  is generally cylindrical in shape and separated into a first protrusion half  104   a  and a second protrusion half  104   b . The first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  are generally half-cylindrical in shape and are separated by a through-slot  122 . In the exemplary embodiment, the first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  are mirrored structures, and, as such, have identical and matching elements. However, it should be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, that the first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  do not have to be identical structures but may each have their own respective design based on a particular use or need. For example, the first protrusion half  104   a  may be contoured to include a singular imprint, while the second protrusion half  104   b  may be contoured to include multiple imprints which would facilitate in gripping the divided protrusion  104 . The top of the divided protrusion  104  could include indicia or a design. 
         [0030]    The first protrusion half  104   a  includes a first radial wall  124 , a first top  126 , and a first inner wall  128  (see  FIG. 2 ). In the exemplary embodiment, the first radial wall  124  and the first inner wall  128  are connected and form an extruded semicircle. A first end of the extruded semicircle is adjacent and attached to the base  102  by the fillet  116  which integrally forms the first radial wall  124  with the base  102 . The distal end of the extruded semicircle, which is away from the base  102 , is sealed by the first top  126 . In some embodiments, the attachment edges, where the first radial wall  124  is formed with the first inner wall  128 , and where the first radial wall  124  and the first inner wall  128  are formed with the first top  126 , may be rounded or beveled so as to form a smooth surface. 
         [0031]    The second protrusion half  104   b  includes a second radial wall  132 , a second top  134 , and a second inner wall  136  (see  FIG. 9 ). In the exemplary embodiment, the second radial wall  132  and the second inner wall  136  are connected and form an extruded semicircle. A first end of the extruded semicircle is adjacent and attached to the base  102  by the fillet  116 , which integrally forms the second radial wall  132  with the base  102 . The distal end of the extruded semicircle, which is away from the base  102 , is sealed by the second top  134 . In some embodiments, the attachment edges, where the second radial wall  132  is formed with the second inner wall  136 , and where the second radial wall  132  and the second inner wall  136  are formed with the second top  134 , may be rounded or beveled so as to form a smooth surface. 
         [0032]    It should be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that while the first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  are shown, and described, to have a semicircular shape, in other embodiments, they may have varying shapes and/or sizes. For example, there may be any one of a numerous amount of geometric shapes or contoured shapes, all of which would be appropriate and are considered herein. Further, the through-slot  122  of the divided protrusion  104  may be a vertical slot, a horizontal slot, or a slanted slot, or may be in the form of a retaining member such as a recess or a notch. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view of the present invention is shown. The first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  in the exemplary embodiment define, respectively, a first void  130  and a second void  138 . Specifically, the first void  130  is defined by the first radial wall  124 , the first top  126 , and the first inner wall  128 , while the second void  138  is defined by the second radial wall  132 , the second top  134 , and the second inner wall  136 . The first void  130  and the second void  138  provide a space for liquid to be retained when the teacup cover  100  is utilized, which is discussed in greater detail below. The first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  may be solid structures such that no voids are present. In such an arrangement, the sloping walls of the base  102  may define a void which provides a space for liquid to be retained when the teacup cover  100  is utilized. 
         [0034]    The first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  are configured to be adjacent such that the first inner wall  128  and the second inner wall  136  are substantially parallel, a first end  129  of the first inner wall  128  and a first end  131  of the second inner wall  136  are connected by a connecting member  140 . The connecting member  140  acts to connect the first protrusion half  104   a  with the second protrusion half  104   b , so as to integrally form a single divided protrusion  104  which is liquid tight and attached to the base  102 . The connecting member  140  further provides a location at which the base  102  can bend. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the teacup cover  100  is monolithically formed from a flexible material such as silicone, which may be achieved through injection molding. However, it should be understood that any other material may be utilized. Such a construction, and material, provide a flexibility to the teacup cover  100  that is advantageous during use. Specifically, the base  102  can be folded and bent at the connecting member  140 . This allows a user to squeeze an associated teabag with the teacup cover  100 . When the teacup cover  100  is bent, the first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  separate while the connecting member  140  keeps the two halves connected. Another benefit of using silicone is the heat insulating characteristics it possesses. Specifically, an aspect of the present invention is that the teacup cover  100  retains heat within the beverage. Silicone will act to minimize the heat loss of an associated beverage. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-14 , in use, the teacup cover  100  acts as a holder for a teabag  160  that secures a teabag string  162 . First, the teabag  160  is placed in a teacup  150  filled with a liquid to steep the teabag  160 . A user  170  then places the teacup cover  100  on top of the teacup  150  and places the teabag string  162  in the radial slit  112  and the through-slot  122 , allowing the teabag  160  to remain in the teacup  150  while the teabag string  162  is held in place. The first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b  clench the teabag string  162 , such that the first inner wall  128  and the second inner wall  136  engage the teabag string  162 , restricting the string  162  from falling into the teacup  150  under the weight of the teabag  160 . Further, the position of the teabag string  162  can be adjusted within the through-slot  122  and the radial slit  112 , allowing the amount of string  162  within the teacup  150  to be adjusted, and subsequently allowing the height of the teabag  160  within the teacup  150  to be adjusted. 
         [0037]    When a user  170  has determined that the teabag  160  has been in the teacup  150  for enough time, the user can remove the teacup cover  100  by first gripping the first protrusion half  104   a  and the second protrusion half  104   b , and then lifting the teacup cover  100  up. This motion will result in the teabag  160  being lifted with the teacup cover  100 , while the teabag  160  is held over the teacup  150  and allowed to drip. The teabag string  162  can then be pulled so that the teabag  160  is held tight to the teacup cover  100 . The teacup cover  100  can then be tilted, as shown in  FIG. 12 , and turned upside down such that the teabag  160  sits on the bottom surface  110  of the base  102 , thereby causing any free flowing excess liquid contained in the teabag  160  to run off the teacup cover  100  and into the teacup  150 , or into the first void  130  and second void  138  where it is retained. At this point, the user  170  can squeeze the teacup cover  100  such that the base  102  is folded, thus squeezing the teabag  160  and causing any liquid contained in the teabag  160  to run off the teacup cover  100  and into the teacup  150 , or into the first void  130  and the second void  138  where it is retained, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The liquid retained in the first void  130  and the second void  138  can then be poured into the teacup  150 , or discarded. 
         [0038]    At this point, the majority of the liquid  152  has been removed from the teabag  160  and the teabag  160  can be disposed. Due to the shape of the teabag cover  100 , the teabag  160  can be held therein and any remaining liquid  152  will be caught in the first void  130  and the second void  138  while the teabag  160  is transported to a garbage. Thus, no liquid  152  is spilled or dripped during disposal of the teabag  160 . 
         [0039]    It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example, the present invention could include any retaining mechanism to hold the string in place. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.