Abstract:
A coaster for use in conjunction with a beverage container so as to absorb associated moisture or heat, and that is foldable into multiple sections and attachable to an attachment device such as a key chain so that the coaster may be carried compactly from one location to another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/640,848, filed May 1, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to beverage coasters and more particularly to a foldable beverage coaster that can be carried in its folded position on a keychain or the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to structures for absorbing and/or preventing liquid or associated heat from coming into contact with an adjacent surface, and more specifically, to a beverage coaster that is attachable to a keychain or the like so as to protect furniture or the like from liquid and/or from heat from a beverage container being placed on the furniture. 
         [0004]    Ordinarily, beverage coasters enabling the absorption and/or prevention of contact of moisture or heat that are used in conjunction with a beverage container are sold in packages, in which a particular one of the coasters is intended for repeated usage in a household or eatery. That is, the coaster is intended to be used and reused in the same location so as to be used within the confines of only that location. As such, the coaster, as will be understood, remains the property of the homeowner or the owner of the establishment, typically a restaurant or a bar. 
         [0005]    As will also be understood, it is within the discretion of the homeowner or eatery owner to provide such a coaster. Thus, a beverage consumer wishing to obtain the moisture or heat absorbing advantage of a coaster needs to ordinarily ask to obtain such a coaster, if not already provided. A homeowner may not have a coaster and without one there is a danger of harm to the furniture of the homeowner. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, an opportunity exists to provide a coaster that can be easily carried by a consumer and is therefore available to the consumer no matter the location and ability of a provider to supply such a coaster. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    As described herein below, there is provided a coaster that is easily transportable with the user thereof within or between one or more locations. With such portability, a user is able to obtain the advantages of preventing moisture or heat contact with an adjacent surface, such as a tabletop, without concern as to whether such a coaster will be provided by another or be otherwise available. 
         [0008]    Further the coaster is sufficiently small and inexpensive that it could be a give away item carrying advertisement for a beverage supplier or the like. 
         [0009]    In order to provide such portability, the coaster of the present invention is foldable into sections and attachable to an attachment device such as a keychain or the like so as to be easily carried by the user. In providing such foldability and attachment, the coaster is easily transportable and containable on a user&#39;s person. In particular, the coaster may be carried within a purse, satchel or even a pants or coat pocket, similarly to other items as may be carried on a keychain. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, there is provided a coaster enabling a user to easily and independently provide the above-discussed advantages at any location where such coaster is to be used. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of the coaster of the present invention in unfolded position ready for use; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the coaster of  FIG. 1  but showing the coaster in a an intermediate folded position; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the coaster of  FIG. 1  in a final folded position ready to be put in a pocket or the like to be carried by the user. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an elevational front view of the beverage coaster of the present invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the coaster  10  is shown in its non-folded state and comprises a coaster body  12 . The coaster  10  is optionally provided in a square configuration made up of sections  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20 . As will be apparent as the description proceeds configuration other than square can be used as well for the configuration of the body  12 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 2  the sections  14 ,  16 , are foldable along a fold line  22  to rest atop sections  18  and  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Once folded in half, the coaster  10  is configured into a substantially rectangular shape whereby one half, sections  14  and  16  of the coaster  10  is folded onto the remaining coaster half, sections  18  and  20 . 
         [0016]    To make the coaster  10  compact for portability the sections  14  and  18  are folded onto sections  16  and  20  along a fold line  23  to the folded position shown in  FIG. 3 . To facilitate folding of the coaster body  12  channels, shown in phantom in  FIGS. 3  at  30  and  31 , are formed on the back side of the coaster body  12 . The channels  30  and  31  coincide with the fold lines  23  and  22  respectively 
         [0017]    The coaster  10  further includes holes  24  defined therein that extend through the corners of each of the sections  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20 . The holes  24  align with each other so that a keychain ring  26  may be inserted and attached in order to enable safekeeping and transportability of the coaster  10 . Grommets  28  may be provided to reinforce the holes  24 . Thus, the coaster  10  may be attached to the keychain ring  26  in its folded and non-folded states. 
         [0018]    As can best be seen  FIG. 4  indicia  32  can be provided on at least one face of the sections  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  of the coaster  10 . The indicia  32  can be in the form of advertising or the like. 
         [0019]    Thus, there is provided a coaster that is foldable into multiple sections and which is attachable to a keychain ring, and thus to a keychain, in its folded condition in order to enable compact sizing and transportability of the coaster. Other attachments which are passable through the holes of the coaster are also contemplated, and include, for example, a string or chain, so as to allow linkage of the coaster to an item that is carryable on a user&#39;s person. Such item or items may include, for example, a purse or satchel. 
         [0020]    The coaster of the present invention may be constructed of, optionally, paper, plastic, cork, or any combination thereof including lamination of one or more of the same, together with any layered combination of the same. 
         [0021]    Alternative embodiments are also contemplated, wherein the description appearing hereinabove is not to be limited by the claims appearing below. For example, it is contemplated that the coaster may be configured in a non-circular or non-square configuration. Further, it is also contemplated that the coaster of the present invention may be foldable into multiple other configurations than those discussed herein so as to be suitable to varying sizing requirements and/or desires.