Patent Publication Number: US-2013228585-A1

Title: Guard for a drinking vessel

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a guard for a drinking vessel. In particular, it relates to a spill or splash resistant guard for a drinking vessel. This invention also relates to an anchoring device for use in combination with a drinking vessel having a base with a recess. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional drinking vessels in the form of cups or glasses are susceptible to being accidentally knocked over when for example placed on a surface, or being bumped when for example being held in the hand of a user, resulting in spilling of the drink. Accidental spilling of drinks is most likely to occur when infants, toddlers or young children are in close proximity or in a social environment where patrons may be under the influence of alcohol. Unintentional spilling of drinks can also be a problem for elderly people and those who have a medical condition that limits their ability to hold a cup or glass in a steady manner. 
     Also, when travelling in a moving vehicle, if a cup or glass of drink is placed down, any movement of the vehicle will be translated to the contents of the cup or glass. As such, even a slight swerve or bump can lead to the drink slopping over the edge of the cup, or the entire cup tipping over, as the weight of the drink shifts and the cup overbalances. In the event of travelling in a ferry or boat, the cup or glass is particularly susceptible to tipping over when a wave or swell hits, The same problem exists on a plane when there is an encounter with turbulence. Even when travelling in a calm and stable environment, drinks will need to be held in the hand of the consumer at all times, which is inconvenient. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a guard adapted to permit drinking out of a drinking vessel which overcomes or at least ameliorates the foregoing disadvantages, or which at least provides a useful alternative. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a guard for a drinking vessel having an opening, the guard including a web adapted to at least partially seal the opening, the web having at least one gap with first and second edges; 
     wherein the first and second edges are not on the same plane. 
     It will be appreciated that the drinking vessel of the present invention may include any suitable drinking vessel, including one of the following: a cup, a glass, a bowl, a flute and a mug. The drinking vessel usually includes a wall defining the opening. The wall may be in any desired shape or form and will normally define the opening which accordingly may be any selected shape. Most commonly, the opening is circular. Preferably, the drinking vessel includes a bottom. Optionally, the bottom is curved and in this case may be included in the wall. 
     It should be noted that the web may include one or a plurality of gaps. In one preferred embodiment, the web includes three gaps spaced apart from one another. In another preferred embodiment, the web includes four gaps spaced apart from one another. The web is preferred to be concave in shape so as to guide the flow of any liquid poured into the drinking vessel towards the bottom of the vessel. Preferably, the web is made of plastics or a combination of different polymers. The polymers may be polypropylene (PP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). Alternatively, the web is made of a Bisphenol A (BPA) free material. Optionally, the guard is made of glass or carbon fibre. 
     The web may include a border adapted to abut and grip the wall of the drinking vessel. Optionally, the border is made of a rubbery or resilient material. The border is preferably designed to fit closely within the opening so as to achieve a tight seal and keep the guard at a desired location within the drinking vessel. The rubbery or resilient border may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). TPE offers the advantage of being capable of being made colourless and hence substantially invisible when in use. 
     Optionally, the web is made in any selected colour or combination of colours so that it is aesthetically pleasing. 
     Preferably, the or each gap extends radially. The or each gap may extend towards a periphery of the web. Preferably that gap widens towards the periphery. 
     Preferably the first edge is located above the second edge. In a preferred embodiment, the first edge partially defines a first portion of the web whilst the second edge partially defines a second portion of the web and the first portion at least partially overlaps the second portion. If and when there are three gaps in the web, the overlaps preferably cover about 50% of the web. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the guard includes an aperture. Preferably the aperture is located in the centre of the web. The guard may also include an elongate stabiliser. The stabiliser is preferred to be in the form of a downwardly extending hollow shaft. The dimension of the shaft may vary depending on the size of the drinking vessel. Preferably, the stabiliser has a lower end, at least part of which is adapted to make contact with the bottom of the drinking vessel when in use. As such, the stabiliser may assist in reducing the likelihood of the web wobbling or tilting within the glass. The lower end may be convex or concave in shape. 
     The stabiliser may include one or more slots. Preferably, the slots are in communication with the aperture. This allows the glass to receive a supply of liquid when the guard is in use. The slots may be configured so as to serve as vents or outlets for minimising the movement of the guard when the liquid is in motion. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anchoring device for a drinking vessel having a base, the anchoring device including: a first element adapted in use to engage the base; and 
     a second element capable of removably or permanently attaching to a surface. 
     Preferably, the base includes a recess adapted in use to receive the first element. The base is preferred to include a stem and a support portion. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first element is in the form of a knob. The knob is shaped such that it fits snugly into at least part of the recess. The knob is preferred to have a tapering external surface and a threaded internal bore. The second element is preferred to include a suction cup. The second element may include other suitable attaching means capable of removably or permanently attaching the anchoring device to the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the second element also includes a shaft having one end stemming from or connected to the suction cup and another end in use threadably engaging the threaded internal bore of the knob. 
     The anchoring means is also preferred to include a spacer located between the knob and the suction cup. The spacer may be independent of or form part of the first element. The spacer is preferred to be frusto-conically shaped. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the first and second elements may be integrally connected. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drinking vessel having a base adapted in use to engage an anchoring means. 
     Preferably, the base includes a recess configured in use to receive the anchoring means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view from above of a guard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the guard of  FIG. 1  from a first location; 
         FIG. 3  is another side elevation of the guard of  FIG. 1  from a second location; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the guard of  FIG. 1  from above; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the guard of  FIG. 1  from below; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation of the guard of  FIG. 1  being in use in a glass; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a guard in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view from above of a guard in accordance with a yet further embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation of the guard of  FIG. 8  from a first location; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation of the guard of  FIG. 9  from a second location; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view from above of the guard of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the guard of  FIG. 8  having a pattern on the surface of its web; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of a guard in accordance with a yet further embodiment of the present invention having a web with a plane surface; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an anchoring device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation of the anchoring device of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of the anchoring device of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of the anchoring device of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view from above of a glass adapted to be used in combination with the anchoring device of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the glass of  FIG. 18  being used in combination with anchoring device of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the glass of  FIG. 18  being used in combination with the guard of  FIG. 1  and the anchoring means of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     It will be appreciated that although a wine glass is used herein for the purpose of s providing a description of the invention, the drinking vessel may include any suitable drinking vessel, including one of the following: a cup, a straight glass, a bowl, a flute and a mug. The drinking vessel usually includes a receptacle having a wall defining the opening. The wall may be in any desired shape or form and will normally define the opening which accordingly may be any selected shape. Most commonly, the opening is circular. The exemplary embodiments of the guard described below are for drinking vessels in the form of a glass (see  FIG. 6 ) and a flute (not shown), each having a circular opening defined by a wall including a curved bottom. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a guard  10  for a drinking vessel (not shown) having an opening (not shown) includes a web  12 . The web  12  has an aperture  14  and hence only partially seals the opening of the drinking vessel. In this exemplary embodiment, the web  12  has three gaps  16 ,  18  and  20 . For ease of reference, only gap  16  will be described herein and it should be appreciated that the construction of the other two gaps  18  and  20  is identical with that of gap  16 . Gap  16  has first and second edges  22  and  24 . The first and second edges  22  and  24  are not on the same plane. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the three gaps  16 ,  18  and  20  are spaced apart from one another. The gaps  16 ,  18  and  20  allow the consumer to drink out of the drinking vessel. The web  12  is concave in shape. The gap  16  extends radially towards the centre of the web  12  where the aperture  14  is located. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the gap  16  also extends in an opposite direction towards a periphery  26  of the web  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the gaps  16 ,  18  and  20  widens towards the periphery  26 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first edge  22  is located above the second edge  24 . The first edge  22  partially defines a first portion  28  of the web  12  whilst the second edge  24  partially defines a second portion  30  of the web. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the second edge  24  does not extend all the way to the periphery  26 . It will however be appreciated that the second edge  24  operates equally well and efficiently when it covers the full length between the centre and the periphery  26  of the web  12 . The first portion  28  partially overlaps the second portion  30 . It can be observed from  FIGS. 4 and 5  that the overlaps cover about 50% of the web  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the main body of the web  12  is made of a Bisphenol A (BPA) free material. As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the web  12  has a rubbery or resilient border  32  which abuts and grips the wall of the drinking vessel when in use. Turning to  FIG. 6 , the border  32  fits closely within the opening  34  of the glass  36  so as to achieve a tight seal and keep the guard  10  at a desired location within the glass  36 . The rubbery or resilient border  32  is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is colourless and hence substantially invisible when in use. It should be noted that the web  12  may be made of polypropylene (PP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) which has the benefit of being recyclable. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the aperture  14  is located in the centre of the web  12 . The guard  10  also has an elongate stabiliser. The stabiliser is in the form of a hollow shaft  38  extending downwardly and being in contact with the bottom  40  of the glass  36 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hollow shaft  38  has a bulging rounded lower end  45 . Being in contact with the bottom of the glass  36 , the shaft  38  functions to keep the web  12  at a desired level and reduce the likelihood of the guard  10  wobbling or tilting when in use. The shaft  38  has five slots  42  which run along the majority of the length of the shaft  38 . Each of the slots  42  is in communication with the aperture  14 . The aperture  14  allows a supply of liquid to be poured into the glass  36  after the guard  10  is put in place. The slots  42  serve as vents or outlets which minimise movement of the guard  10  when the liquid is in motion. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the guard  10 A has a stabiliser which is longer than that shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 . This stabiliser has a relatively longer shaft  38 A which is designed to suit the height of the interior of a champagne glass or flute. The other components of the guard  10 A are identical to those of guard  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
     In use, the guard  10 ,  10 A is to be inserted into the interior of a glass or flute with the shaft  38  or  38 A pointing downward. The guard  10 ,  10 A should be lowered until either the periphery  26  of the web  12 , being restricted by the wall of the glass  36 , does not allow the guard to go any further, or the lower end of the shaft  38 ,  38 A touches the bottom  40  of the glass  36 . The glass  36  may be pre-filled or topped up after the guard  10  or  10 A is put in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , a further embodiment of the guard  10 B has a web  12 B with an aperture  14 B. The web  12 B has four gaps  17 ,  19 ,  21  &amp;  23 . Similar to the embodiment  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , each gap  17 ,  19 ,  21 ,  23  has first and second edges which are not on the same plane. The configuration of each gap  17 ,  19 ,  21 ,  23  is identical to those  16 ,  18  &amp;  20  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . In comparison with the embodiment  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the extra gap provided in guard  10 B allows more liquid out of the drinking vessel when the drinking vessel is tilted and hence may be more suitable for use in larger drinking vessel such as a red wine glass or a big mug. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 8 to 11 , the guard  10 B has a stabiliser which is in the form of a hollow shaft  38 B. Similar to that  38  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the shaft  38 B has five slots  42 B, each running along the majority of the length of the shaft  38 B. Each slot  42 B is in communication with the aperture  14 B. The shaft  38 B is relatively shorter than shafts  38  and  38 A and hence more suitable for use in drinking vessels with a shallow receptacle such as cups. The shaft  38 B has an indented lower end  45 B with a domed surface  47 . This in effect provides five toes  49  which facilitates steady standing on for example drinking vessels having an irregularly shaped bottom. 
     Turning to  FIG. 12 , the web  12 B has curved lines which are provided for decorative purposes. As shown in  FIG. 13 , another embodiment of the guard  10 C has a web  12 C with a plane upper surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 to 17 , an anchoring device  80  for use in combination with a drinking vessel  36 A having a base  82  (see  FIGS. 18 to 20 ) is shown. The anchoring device  80  has a first element in the form of a knob  86  which in use engages part of the base  82  and a second element which is capable of removably attaching to a surface on which the drinking vessel  36 A is to be placed when not in use. The second element has a suction cup  92 . The base  82  has a stem  88 , a support portion  90  and a recess  84 , as best shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , for receiving the knob  86 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 20 , the knob  86  is shaped such that it fits snugly into at least part of the recess  84 . The knob  86  has a tapering external surface  96  and a threaded internal bore  98  (see  FIGS. 17 and 19 ). The second element also includes a shaft  100  (see  FIGS. 17 and 19 ) having one end stemming from the suction cup  92  and another end threadably engaging the threaded internal bore  98  of the knob  86 . 
     The anchoring means also has a spacer  102  located between the knob  86  and the suction cup  92 . The spacer  102  is frusto-conically shaped and independent of the knob  86 . 
     In use, clockwise rotation of the knob  86  effects downward movement of the knob  86  relative to the shaft  100 . As the knob  86  is moved downward, a pressure is applied onto the suction cup  92  resulting in firm attachment of the suction cup  92  to the surface. Conversely, anti-clockwise rotation of the knob  86  results in a release of the applied pressure. The suction cup  92  may therefore be detached from the surface by way of lifting the edge  104  of the suction cup  92 . 
     Although not shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that the knob  86  and spacer  102  may be integrally connected. 
     Now that preferred embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that the guard of the present invention at least in some embodiments offers at least one or more of the following advantages:
         1. it prevents liquid within a glass from splashing out when the drinking vessel is bumped or at least slows down spilling when the drinking vessel is knocked over. This allows the user to have sufficient time to ‘come to the rescue’ and put the glass back in the desired position;   2. it allows drinking out of the glass whilst preventing splashing;   3. when the drink is a carbonated, fizzy, sparkling or effervescent drink, it keeps the drink bubbly for a longer period of time; and   4. it functions as an marker which allows the user to know when to stop filling the drinking vessel.       

     Also, it will be appreciated that the anchoring means of the present invention when used in combination with a glass with a recess at least offers the advantage of preventing the glass rested thereon from tipping over which may result in spillage of the drink or breaking of the glass. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the guard may be made of different materials or combination of materials. Also, the guard may have different number of gaps. The length of the shaft (if present) may vary and need not necessarily make contact with the bottom of the glass. The shaft may be in different shapes and forms in order to make contact with either the wall or bottom of the glass. Furthermore, the anchoring means may be provided in one piece with other suitable adhering means or method for bonding with the surface. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The guard of the present invention is industrially applicable in that it is capable of preventing liquid within a glass from splashing out when the drinking vessel is bumped or at least slows down spilling when the drinking vessel is knocked over. This allows the user to have sufficient time to put the glass back in the desired position. The anchoring means is industrially applicable in that when used in combination with a glass with a recessed base, it is capable of preventing accidental or unintentional tipping over of the glass,