US3357590A - Cup-saucer insert to absorb drippings - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 12, 1967 E. SAM-0R5 3,357,590

CUP-SAUCER INSERT TO ABSORB DRIPPINGS Filed Sept. 12. 1966 /9 INYVENTOR EARLY SAFFORD BY v (low, M, 5%

AT.TO RN EYS United States Patent Qfitice 3,357,590 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 3,357,590 CUP-SAUCER INSERT T ABSORB DRIPPINGS Earl Saiford, 1958 Lawrence, Detroit, Mich. 48206 Filed Sept. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 578,540 1 Claim. (Cl. 220-23.83)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A unit cup-saucer insert of paper, cellular plastic, or sponge rubber, to absorb drippings, including a perforate disc having an outer peripheral ring and a circular centrally depressed portion to receive a cup, a series of spaced peripheral legs depending from the ring edge to engage a saucer, and a plurality of drain apertures.

The present invention relates to cups and saucers, and more particularly, to a cup-saucer insert adapted to absorb drippings.

It is well-known that accumulated drippings in a saucer often fall from the lifted cup onto the users apparel and that various make-shift efforts have been tried to overcome this difficulty, as for example, the insertion of a paper napkin or the like. I

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive cup-saucer insert interposed between the cup and saucer for the purpose of catching and absorbing drippings.

This and other objects will be seen from the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present cupsaucer insert with a cup shown in phantom thereabove in exploded view.

FIG. 2 is a section taken in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a slightly different form of ring segment for the cup support or insert.

It will be understood that the above drawing illustrates merely a preferred embodiment of the invention, and that other inventions are contemplated within the scope of the claims hereafter set forth.

Referring to the drawing, the present cup-saucer insert is generally indicated at 11, FIG. 1, for the purpose of absorbing cup drippings and is adapted for mounting, centrally, upon and within the saucer 12, FIG. 2, and is adapted to supportably receive the cup 13.

The present insert includes a substantially flat web or disc 14 which has therearound a slightly enlarged outer p r he a annular r g 5.-

A series of short legs 16 depend from and are spaced around said ring and are adapted to rest upon saucer 12 for supportably spacing the cup 13 thereabove.

The present disc 14 has a circular centrally depressed portion 17 adapted to cooperatively receive the annular base of cup 13 in the manner of use illustrated in FIG. 2.

The disc 14 and the integral ring 15 are normally constructed of a perforate, absorbent material which may be paper, cellular plastic, or sponge rubber or the like, and which has a spongy, moisture absorbent characteristic.

As shown in FIG. 1, there are a plurality of spaced legs 16 which depend from the annular ring 15 forming a part of the disc 14 and these legs may be of any desired shape.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating a slightly different form of ring forming a part of the centrally arranged disc wherein a series of circularly arranged legs are spaced more closely together as the support for the said insert.

The centrally depressed portion 17 has a plurality of drain apertures 20 extending therethrough.

Having described my invention reference should now be had to the following claim.

I claim:

A cup-saucer insert to absorb drippings comprising:

a substantially fiat disc of a perforate, absorbent ma terial;

an outer peripheral ring around and a part of said disc;

there being a circular, centrally depressed portion in said disc adapted to receive the base of a cup;

and a series of short legs integral with, depending from and spaced around said ring at its outer edge adapted to rest upon a saucer for supportably spacing a cup thereabove;

the material of said disc selected from the group consisting of paper, cellular plastic, and sponge rubber;

said centrally depressed portion having a plurality of drain apertures therethrough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,670,615 3/1954- Dworak 215- 2,787,897 4/ 1957 Taylor 22023.83 3,018,014 1/1962 Opolion 220-23.83

FOREIGN PATENTS 932,694 8/1955 Germany. 422,249 1/ 193 5 Great Britain.

THERON E. CONDO'N, Primary Examiner. GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Examiner.

Images