Guard for a drinking vessel

Abstract

This invention relates to a guard ( 10 ) for a drinking vessel ( 36 ) having an opening ( 34 ). The guard ( 10 ) includes a web ( 12 ) adapted to at least seal the opening ( 34 ). The web ( 12 ) has at least one gap (eg. 16 ) with first and second edges ( 22 & 24 ). The first and second edges ( 22 & 24 ) are not on the same plane. The invention also relates to an anchoring means 80 for use in combination with a glass ( 36 A) with a recess ( 84 ) in its base ( 82 ).

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A guard for a drinking vessel having an opening, the guard including a web adapted to at least partially seal the opening, the web having at least one gap with first and second edges;
 wherein the first and second edges are not on the same plane.   
     
     
         48 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the web includes a plurality of gaps being spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         49 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the at least one gap extends radially. 
     
     
         50 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the at least one gap extends towards a periphery of the web. 
     
     
         51 . The guard of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one gap widens towards the periphery. 
     
     
         52 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the first edge is located above the second edge. 
     
     
         53 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the first edge partially defines a first portion of the web whilst the second edge partially defines a second portion of the web, and the first portion at least partially overlaps the second portion. 
     
     
         54 . The guard of  claim 53 , wherein if and when there are three gaps in the web, the overlaps cover about 50% of web. 
     
     
         55 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the web is concave in shape. 
     
     
         56 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the drinking vessel includes a wall defining the opening, the web including a border adapted to abut and grip the wall. 
     
     
         57 . The guard of  claim 56 , wherein the border is made of a rubbery or resilient material. 
     
     
         58 . The guard of  claim 56 , wherein the border is designed to fit closely within the opening so as to achieve a tight seal and keep the guard at a desired location within the drinking vessel. 
     
     
         59 . The guard of  claim 47 , which includes an aperture. 
     
     
         60 . The guard of  claim 59 , wherein the aperture is located in the centre of the web. 
     
     
         61 . The guard of  claim 47 , which includes an elongate stabiliser. 
     
     
         62 . The guard of  claim 61 , wherein the stabiliser is in the form of a hollow shaft. 
     
     
         63 . The guard of  claim 62 , wherein the shaft has a dimension which varies depending on the size of the drinking vessel. 
     
     
         64 . The guard of  claim 63 , wherein the stabiliser has an end, at least part of which is adapted to make contact with a base or bottom of the drinking vessel when in use. 
     
     
         65 . The guard of  claim 64 , wherein the end is convex or concave in shape. 
     
     
         66 . The guard of  claim 61 , wherein the stabiliser includes one or more slots. 
     
     
         67 . The guard of  claim 66 , wherein each slot is in communication with the aperture. 
     
     
         68 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the drinking vessel includes any one of the following: a cup, a glass, a bowl, a flute and a mug. 
     
     
         69 . The guard of  claim 56 , wherein the opening is circular and the bottom is curved being included in the wall. 
     
     
         70 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the web is made of plastics or a combination of different polymers. 
     
     
         71 . The guard of  claim 47 , which is made of glass or carbon fibre. 
     
     
         72 . The guard of  claim 47 , wherein the web is made in a selected colour or combination of colours. 
     
     
         73 . An anchoring device for a drinking vessel having a base, the anchoring device including:
 a first element adapted in use to engage the base; and   a second element capable of attaching to a surface.   
     
     
         74 . The anchoring device of  claim 73 , wherein the second element is capable of removably attaching to the surface. 
     
     
         75 . The anchoring device of  claim 73 , wherein the base includes a recess adapted in use to receive the first element. 
     
     
         76 . The anchoring device of  claim 73 , wherein the base includes a stem and a support portion. 
     
     
         77 . The anchoring device of  claim 73 , wherein the first element is in the form of a movable knob. 
     
     
         78 . The anchoring device of  claim 77 , wherein the knob is shaped such that it fits snugly into at least part of the recess. 
     
     
         79 . The anchoring device of  claim 73 , wherein the second element includes a suction cup. 
     
     
         80 . The anchoring means of  claim 79 , which includes a spacer located between the knob and the suction cup. 
     
     
         81 . The anchoring means of  claim 80 , wherein the spacer is adapted to be dictated by the movable knob to engage or disengage the suction cup.