Device for preventing bugs and debris from entering a beverage container

Abstract

A device for preventing bugs and debris from entering a beverage container includes a dome adapted to releasably rest upon and engage with the rim of the container so as to create a near-seal and cover the opening of the container. The dome includes a fine mesh material that generally prevents debris from entering the container yet allows the beverage in the container to breath. A knob is attached to a highest point of a convex side of the dome, adapted for a user to pick up and set down the device. The device may be stainless steel, and may include a circular, non-mesh dome rim around a perimeter of the mesh material.

1 . A device for a container having an opening and a rim around the opening, the device comprising:
 a dome adapted to engage with the rim of the container; and   a knob, attached to the dome, adapted for a user to pick up and set down the device;   wherein, when the device is set down upon the container, the dome engages with the rim of the container and covers the opening of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome includes a fine mesh material that generally prevents debris from entering the container yet allows a beverage in the container to breath. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome includes a mesh material having from 15 to 100 meshes per linear inch. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome includes a stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the knob has a bulge so that a user's fingers can grasp the knob to pick up and set down the device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome is releasably held to the rim of the container by gravity. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome is circular with a highest point at a center of the circle, and the knob is located on a convex side of the dome at the highest point. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the knob is removably attached to a convex side of the dome for use with the container, and the knob can be repositioned on a concave side of the dome to use the device in an inverted orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome has a circular edge that is from 6 to 15 centimeters in diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome has a height that is from 1.5 to 3.0 centimeters. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rim of the container forms a circle, the dome is a circular dome, and the dome engages with the rim of the container to form a near-seal so that the device encloses the opening of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a non-mesh dome rim around an edge of the dome.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mesh material forming the dome; and   a circular, non-mesh dome rim around a perimeter of the mesh material;   wherein, when the device is set down upon the container, either the dome rim or the mesh material rests upon the rim of the container.   
     
     
         14 . A device for a beverage container having an opening and a circular rim around the opening, the device comprising:
 a dome adapted to releasably rest upon and engage with the rim of the container so as to create a near-seal and cover the opening of the container, the dome including a fine mesh material that generally prevents debris from entering the container yet allows the beverage in the container to breath; and   a knob, attached to a highest point of a convex side of the dome, adapted for a user to pick up and set down the device.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a circular, non-mesh dome rim around a perimeter of the mesh material;   wherein, when the device is set down upon the container, either the dome rim or the mesh material rests upon the rim of the container.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the dome includes a mesh material having from 15 to 100 meshes per linear inch. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh material includes stainless steel. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the dome has a circular edge that is from 6 to 15 centimeters in diameter and the dome has a height that is from 1.5 to 3.0 centimeters. 
     
     
         19 . A method for preventing debris from entering an opening of a container having a rim, the method comprising:
 lifting a fine-mesh dome utilizing a knob attached to the top of the dome; and   placing the dome upon the rim of the glass, thereby creating a near-seal so that the dome covers the opening of the container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the container rim is circular and the dome further includes a circular, non-mesh dome rim around an edge of the dome.