Coaster

Abstract

A support, such as a coaster, for a beverage container, having a resilient lip for use in attaching the support to the beverage container. The lip can have ribs for maintaining separation between the lip and the beverage container for catching condensate within the support. Recessed channels can also be provided on an inside surface of the support for directing condensate flow to a bottom portion of the support. Methods of supporting beverage containers and collecting condensate are also provided.

1 . A coaster comprising:
 a base portion;   a circumferential sidewall; and   a resilient circumferential lip extending inwardly from a top portion of the circumferential sidewall, the circumferential lip having a width that extends radially inward at least a distance of one third of the radius of the coaster, when the circumferential lip is in a resting position.   
     
     
         2 . The coaster of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ribs positioned on an inside surface of the circumferential lip. 
     
     
         3 . The coaster of  claim 2  wherein a vertical thickness of ribs is equal to a thickness of an inner lip portion of the circumferential lip. 
     
     
         4 . The coaster of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of recessed channels formed on a surface of the coaster. 
     
     
         5 . The coaster of  claim 4  wherein the recessed channels extend from a surface of the circumferential lip to the base portion of the coaster. 
     
     
         6 . The coaster of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart ribs positioned on an inside surface of the circumferential lip. 
     
     
         7 . The coaster of  claim 6  wherein the recessed channels are disposed between the spaced apart ribs. 
     
     
         8 . A method of supporting a beverage container comprising:
 providing a circular coaster having a base portion, a circumferential sidewall, and a circumferential lip extending inwardly from a top portion of the circumferential sidewall, the circumferential lip having a plurality of spaced apart ribs formed on an inside wall of the circumferential lip;   placing a wall portion of a beverage container beneath a surface of the circumferential lip and displacing the circumferential lip;   gripping the wall portion of the beverage container with the spaced apart ribs using a biasing force of the circumferential lip;   allowing condensate to flow from the wall portion through a plurality of gaps between the spaced apart ribs.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a radial width of the circumferential lip is at least one third the radius of the coaster. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising collecting the condensate in at least one channel formed on the coaster, 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the channel directs the condensate to a base portion of the coaster. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the channel extends from the circumferential sidewall to the base portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the channel extends from the circumferential lip to the circumferential sidewall. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the channel is disposed between spaced apart ribs. 
     
     
         15 . A support for a beverage container comprising:
 a base portion;   a circumferential sidewall;   a resilient circumferential lip extending inwardly from a top portion of the support; and   a plurality of spaced apart ribs from on an inner surface of the circumferential lip.   
     
     
         16 . The support of  claim 15  further comprising a plurality of channels that are recessed into a surface of the support. 
     
     
         17 . The support of  claim 16  wherein the channels extend from the circumferential lip, to the circumferential sidewall, to the base portion. 
     
     
         18 . The support of  claim 16  wherein the channels are disposed between spaced apart ribs formed on the circumferential lip. 
     
     
         19 . The support of  claim 16  wherein the channels are positioned in pairs with a midpoint between each pair being disposed at each of the following relative positions on the support: zero degrees, ninety degrees, one hundred and eighty degrees, and two hundred and seventy degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The support of  claim 15 , further comprising an insert panel which can be removably inserted beneath the circumferential lip to rest against a top surface of the base portion, the insert panel having indicia marked thereon.