Handle and a lid for a drinking receptacle

Abstract

A handle and lid combination for a drinking receptacle has at least one upper ring adapted to retain sides of the receptacle, a coaster base for supporting a drinking receptacle, a handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper ring extends from the upper portion, and the coaster base extends from the lower portion, a lid adapted to extend over the top of the drinking vessel, and a hinge pivotally connecting the lid to the upper ring. The coaster base may grip the bottom of the drinking receptacle and provide support to the drinking receptacle. In an embodiment, the upper ring and coaster base have an interior lining of rubber or plastic with a high coefficient of friction. In an embodiment, the lid, the ring and the coaster base are each generally coaxial.

1 . A handle and lid combination for a drinking receptacle, comprising:
 a. at least one upper ring adapted to retain sides of the receptacle;   b. a coaster base for supporting a drinking receptacle;   c. a handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper ring extends from the upper portion, and the coaster base extends from the lower portion;   d. a lid adapted to extend over the top of the drinking vessel; and   e. a hinge pivotally connecting the lid to the upper ring.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the coaster base grips the bottom of the drinking receptacle and provides support to the drinking receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the upper ring and lower coaster have an interior lining of rubber or plastic with a high coefficient of friction to grip the vessel more securely. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the handle is generally C-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the lid, the ring and the coaster base are each generally coaxial. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the lid is positioned on an arm extending up and away from the hinge, and the hinge is pivotally connected to the arm. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the shape of the arm is selected from the group consisting of L-shaped, C-shaped, angular or curved, 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the arm extends the lid to coincide with and cover the top of the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the lid, ring and coaster base are each connected to the handle by a removable fastener, and are separable from the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 1  further comprising a lip at the edges of the lid adapted to engage with a top of the drinking receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the lip is made from a material selected from the group consisting of silicone, foam, rubber, plastic and metal. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the coaster base is mounted to the handle by a hinge, wherein the base is pivotable against the lower portion of the handle, and the ring is mounted to the handle by a hinge, wherein the ring is pivotable against the upper portion of the handle, and the lid is pivotable against the ring when the ring is against the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein in a folded position the ring is folded against the handle, the coaster base is folded against the handle, and the lid is folded against the ring. 
     
     
         14 . A handle and lid combination for a disposable cup, comprising:
 a. at least one upper ring adapted to retain sides of the cup;   b. a coaster base for supporting a drinking receptacle;   c. a handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper ring extends from the upper portion, and the coaster base extend from the lower portion;   d. a lid adapted to extend over the top of the cup; and   e. a hinge pivotally connecting the lid to the upper ring.   
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the one or more lower rings are adapted to engage a circumferential indent on a disposable cup base. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 15 , wherein the coaster base is mounted to the handle by a hinge, wherein the base is pivotable against the lower portion of the handle, and the upper ring is mounted to the handle by a hinge, wherein the ring is pivotable against the upper portion of the handle, and the lid is pivotable against the upper ring when the upper ring is against the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 15 , wherein in a folded position the ring is folded against the handle, the lower ring is folded against the handle, and the lid is folded against the ring.