Abstract:
Embodiments include combination coaster drink covers which serve as an ordinary bar coaster and absorb moisture from the outside of a drink glass, protect the bar surface from moisture, and furthermore serve to cover and adhere to the top of the drink glass, thereby indicating the intention of the drink owner to resume possession and preventing adulteration of or tampering with the drink during the owner&#39;s temporary absence. Embodiments include an upper coaster layer, adhesive layer, release layer, and lower coaster layer. Other embodiments include an upper coaster layer, adhesive layer and release layer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments relate to combination coasters and devices for use in a public drinking establishment for indicating that a drink has not been abandoned and for preventing the introduction of foreign substances into the drink. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to meeting two recently recognized needs. The introduction of smoking restrictions in public places such as clubs, bars, and taverns including private clubs has created the need for a simple means of indicating that a drink owner has temporarily absented himself or herself from the establishment in order to smoke, or for other purposes, and intends to return. By indicating an intention to return, the combination coaster and drink cover of the present disclosure serves to reserve the drink owner&#39;s seat at the bar, and also prevents the bartender removing the glass. In addition, reports of the surreptitious introduction of date rape drugs into a person&#39;s drink creates the need for a simple means of protecting a drink from adulteration or introduction of foreign substances during the owner&#39;s absence. Embodiments of the present disclosure meet both needs, as well as serve the customary function of a coaster. 
     In the present disclosure the term “bar” means a counter in which food or especially alcoholic beverages are served, as well as a table used for the same purpose. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,162 discloses a multi-layer coaster. 
     US 2006/0151413 discloses a security device which allows fluid to be removed from a bottle while preventing the introduction of contaminants. 
     US 2007/0178284 discloses a date rape drug preventing closure for glasses consisting of a thin film on a carrier. The thin film is removed from the carrier and used to seal the glass. 
     US 2008/0072412 discloses a thin film mounted on a cut-out on a frame which is pressed over the mouth of a glass, sealing the opening and indicating that the drink has not been abandoned. 
     US 2008/0302794 discloses a security closure for a container which secures a lid using a combination lock. 
     US 2009/0020546 discloses a tamper resistant closure for containers which prevents introduction of drugs into a drink. 
     None of the discovered prior art devices provide the advantages of the present disclosure, that of combining the customary functions of a coaster along with means for indicating that a partially consumed drink has not been abandoned and, at the same time, protecting the drink against adulteration. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. 
     Embodiments include a combination coaster and cover for a drink glass which comprises a top coaster layer having an upper and a lower surface and an adhesive layer fixedly attached to the lower surface of the coaster layer. A release sheet is removable attached to the adhesive layer. A bottom coaster layer having an upper and a lower surface is fixedly attached to the release sheet at the upper surface of the bottom coaster layer. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment combination coaster and cover. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the combination coaster and cover of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment combination coaster and cover. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the combination coaster and cover of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a drink with embodiment combination coaster and cover. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the process of indicating a drink glass has not been abandoned and protecting the drink from adulteration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment combination coaster and cover  10 . Visible in  FIG. 1  is a top coaster layer  12  which may have indicia indicating the intention of a drink owner to return  13  and may also have indicia advertising products  15  on the upper surface. An adhesive layer  14  is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the top coaster layer. A release sheet  16  is removable attached to the adhesive layer. A bottom coaster layer  18  is fixedly attached to the release sheet  16 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the first combination coaster and cover of  FIG. 1 . Embodiments are circular in shape, but embodiments of other shapes, such as rectangles or triangles, are specifically anticipated. Visible in  FIG. 2  are the top coaster layer  12 , adhesive layer  14  on the lower surface of the upper coaster layer, release layer  16  below the adhesive layer, and the bottom coaster layer. Although  FIG. 2  shows the release layer  16  as transparent, in embodiments the release layer is not transparent or is colored. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment combination coaster and cover  20 . The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except the second embodiment has the release layer combined with the bottom coaster layer. Visible in  FIG. 3  is the top coaster layer  22  which may have indicia  23  showing an intention to return or for advertising  25  as customarily is found on coasters. Also visible is the adhesive layer  24  and the release layer  26  which may be combined with a bottom coaster layer. The release layer may serve as a bottom coaster layer. The release layer may be manufactured of any material with the ability to reversibly adhere to the adhesive layer. A suitable coaster can be used as a release layer in embodiments. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the combination coaster and cover of  FIG. 3 . Visible in  FIG. 4  is the top or upper coaster layer  22 , adhesive layer  24 , and release layer  26 . 
     Embodiments fulfill the functions of conventional coasters, that of absorbing moisture which is condensed on the sides and bottom of cool drinks, and that of protecting the bar or horizontal surfaces upon which a drink container is placed. Accordingly, the top and bottom coaster layers of embodiments are manufactured of materials widely used in conventional coasters. In embodiments coaster layers are manufactured of paper, blotting paper, absorbent paper, cork, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, glass, stainless steel, aluminum, copper or soapstone. 
     In embodiments either or both sides of the coaster layers are colored or printed with indicia such as advertisings, slogans, logos, trademarks, etc. as are conventional coasters. In addition, indicia which enhance the informative function of embodiments may be printed on the coasters. Such indicia make clear that the owner of a drink intends to return and that the drink has not been abandoned. 
     In embodiments the adhesive layer is comprised of food grade adhesives. One function of the adhesive layer is to attach the top coaster layer to the mouth or opening of a drink container such as a glass or mug, and thereby to indicate the drink has not been abandoned as well as to prevent the adulteration of or introduction of foreign substances into a drink when the owner is temporarily absent. When the drink owner recovers his or her property the top coaster can be removed and discarded or the adhesive layer and release layer can be recombined and the coaster-cover can be reused. The owner then can consume the drink with confidence that it has not been tampered with. In embodiments the adhesive layer is comprised of food grade materials, including silicone, epoxy, polyisobutylene, synthetic rubber or dextrin based adhesive. 
     In embodiments the release layer is manufactured of plastic film, but any material which adheres to the adhesive layer yet is easily detached from the adhesive layer may be used. It may be necessary to treat the release layer to insure its release from the adhesive layer; for example, a wax layer may allow an otherwise unsuitable material to be useful as a release layer. The suitability of the release layer depends on the nature of the adhesive layer. In embodiments release layers are comprised of suitably treated plastic film, paper, blotting paper, absorbent paper, cork, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, glass, stainless steel, aluminum, or soapstone. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a drink with embodiment combination coaster and cover. Visible in  FIG. 5  is a glass  30  containing a drink  32 . The release layer  16  has been detached from the adhesive layer  14 . The release layer  16  with attached bottom coaster  18  has been placed between the base  33  of the glass  30  and the bar  34 . The top coaster layer  12  rests on the mouth or rim  31  of the glass  30  with the adhesive layer  14  in contact with the rim (indicated by  31  but not visible in  FIG. 5 ) of the glass. The top coaster layer  12  has been sealed to the rim  31  of the glass  30 . Optionally, the release layer  16  with attached bottom coaster  18  may be inverted with bottom coaster  18  in contact with the base  33  of the glass  30 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the process of indicating a drink glass has not been abandoned and protecting the drink from adulteration and, optionally, protecting the bar or table using the lower coaster layer. In step  42  the user obtains a combination coaster and cover of the present disclosure. In step  44  the user detaches the release sheet from the adhesive layer. In step  46  the user places the adhesive layer on the mouth or rim of the class containing the drink. This step seals the mouth of the drink and simultaneously indicates to the bartender and others that the user has momentarily stepped out but intends to return and resume possession of the drink. In step  48  the user places the bottom coaster layer with attached release layer under the base or bottom of the drink glass, in order to protect the bar from moisture from the drink glass. The bottom coaster layer or the release layer may be uppermost. Step  48  may be done at anytime after step  44 , and may proceed step  46 . Step  48  is optional. 
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. The applicant or applicants have attempted to disclose all the embodiments of the invention that could be reasonably foreseen. There may be unforeseeable insubstantial modifications that remain as equivalents.