Vertically draining container having off-surface lip

Abstract

An open-ended container for holding a liquid has sides, a horizontal lip at the open end, and at least one projection that extends above the lip, where the upper surface of the at least one projection is horizontal. When the container is inverted it is supported on a horizontal surface in a vertical position by the at least one projection and the lip does not contact the surface.

1 . An open-ended container for holding a liquid, said container having sides, a horizontal lip at said open end, and at least one projection that extends above said lip and that has a horizontal upper surface, whereby when said container is inverted it is supported on a horizontal surface in a vertical position by said at least one projection and said lip does not contact said surface.  
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1  having a handle on the side.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one projection extends from said handle.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one projection is a horizontal plate.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 4  wherein said handle is sufficiently heavy so that said plate supports said container when said container is inverted.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 2  wherein said handle has a vertical aperture that extends into said handle from its base, whereby the handle of a toothbrush can fit into said aperture when said container is inverted.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 6  inverted with the handle of a toothbrush in said aperture.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1  made of plastic.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one projection extends from said lip.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 9  wherein said at least one projection is three spaced-apart buttons.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 9  wherein said at least one projection extends for over half the distance around said lip.  
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 9  wherein said at least one projection is two opposing projections.  
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one projection extends about 1 to about 3 mm above said lip.  
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 1  that has no handle.  
     
     
         15 . A container according to  claim 14  made of glass.  
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the walls of said container are vertical.  
     
     
         17 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein a cross-section through said container is a circle.  
     
     
         18 . A drinking cup comprising a cylindrical container having a sealed base, vertical sides, an open top with a lip therearound, a handle on a side, and at least one projection that extends about 1 to about 3 mm above said lip, whereby when said cup is inverted and is placed on a horizontal surface it is supported in a vertical position by said at least one projection so that said lip does not contact said horizontal surface.  
     
     
         19 . A cup according to  claim 18  wherein said handle has a vertical aperture that extends into said handle from its base, whereby the handle of a toothbrush can fit into said aperture when said container is inverted.  
     
     
         20 . A drinking glass comprising a container of circular cross-section with a vertical centerline that is sealed at the base, has an open top with a lip around the edge, and has at least one projection that extends upward from said lip, whereby when said glass is inverted and placed on a horizontal surface it is held with its centerline vertical by said at least one projection with said lip about 1 to about 3 mm above said surface.