Spill Containment Device

Abstract

A spill containment device for use with a beverage cup includes a panel that is configured to be selectively coupled to a cup proximate to a rim of the cup and an opening in a lid that is coupled to the cup. The panel, which is pliable and absorbent, extends past the rim and the opening. The panel is configured to abut a chin of a user as the user positions the user's lips on the lid proximate to the opening. The panel is configured to absorb liquid that escapes from the opening as the cup is tilted to dispense the liquid past the lips of the user.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A spill containment device comprising a panel configured for selectively coupling to a cup proximate to a rim of the cup and an opening in a lid coupled to the cup such that the panel extends past the rim and the opening, the panel being pliable and absorbent wherein the panel is configured for abutting a chin of a user as the user positions the user's lips on the lid proximate to the opening wherein the panel is configured for absorbing liquid that escapes from the opening as the cup is tilted to dispense the liquid past the lips of the user. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including the panel comprising tissue paper such that the panel is pliable and absorbent. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further including the panel being pleated wherein the panel is configured for retaining a configuration wherein the panel extends past the rim. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further including the panel comprising an upper section and a lower section of the panel, the lower section of the panel being nonpliable, the upper section of the panel being coupled to and extending from the lower section of the panel, the lower section of the panel being configured for selectively coupling to the cup proximate to the rim of the cup and the opening in the lid such that the upper section of the panel extends past the rim and the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , further including the lower section of the panel comprising paperboard. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , further including a fastener coupled to an inner face of the lower section of the panel wherein the fastener is configured for coupling to the cup proximate to the rim of the cup and the opening in the lid for coupling the lower section of the panel to the cup such that the upper section of the panel extends past the rim and the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further including the fastener comprising an adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further including the adhesive comprising a first layer positioned on a first face of a first strip and a second layer positioned on a second face of the first strip, the first layer of adhesive being coupled to the inner face of the lower section of the panel. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further including a second strip removably coupled to the second layer of adhesive wherein the second strip is configured for preventing inadvertent adhesion of the second layer of adhesive and such that the second strip is positioned for separating from the second layer of adhesive positioning the second layer of adhesive for coupling the lower section of the panel to the cup proximate to the rim of the cup and the opening in the lid such that the upper section of the panel extends past the rim and the opening in the lid. 
     
     
         10 . A spill containment device, cup, and lid combination comprising:
 a cup;   a lid coupled to a rim of the cup;   an opening positioned in the lid; and   a panel coupled to the cup proximate to the rim of the cup and the opening in the lid such that the panel extends past the rim and the opening, the panel being pliable and absorbent wherein the panel is configured for abutting a chin of a user as the user positions the user's lips on the lid proximate to the opening wherein the panel is configured for absorbing liquid that escapes from the opening as the cup is tilted to dispense the liquid past the lips of the user.   
     
     
         11 . A spill containment device comprising:
 a panel configured for selectively coupling to a cup proximate to a rim of the cup and an opening in a lid coupled to the cup such that the panel extends past the rim and the opening, the panel being pliable and absorbent wherein the panel is configured for abutting a chin of a user as the user positions the user's lips on the lid proximate to the opening wherein the panel is configured for absorbing liquid that escapes from the opening as the cup is tilted to dispense the liquid past the lips of the user, the panel comprising tissue paper such that the panel is pliable and absorbent, the panel being pleated wherein the panel is configured for retaining a configuration wherein the panel extends past the rim, the panel comprising an upper section and a lower section, the lower section of the panel being nonpliable, the upper section of the panel being coupled to and extending from the lower section of the panel, the lower section of the panel being configured for selectively coupling to the cup proximate to the rim of the cup and the opening in the lid such that the upper section of the panel extends past the rim and the opening, the lower section of the panel comprising paperboard;   a fastener coupled to an inner face of the lower section of the panel wherein the fastener is configured for coupling to the cup proximate to the rim of the cup and the opening in the lid for coupling the lower section of the panel of the panel to the cup such that the upper section of the panel extends past the rim and the opening, the fastener comprising an adhesive, the adhesive comprising a first layer positioned on a first face of a first strip and a second layer positioned on a second face of the first strip, the first layer of adhesive being coupled to the inner face of the lower section of the panel; and   a second strip removably coupled to the second layer of adhesive wherein the second strip is configured for preventing inadvertent adhesion of the second layer of adhesive and such that the second strip is positioned for separating from the second layer of adhesive positioning the second layer of adhesive for coupling the lower section of the panel to the cup proximate to the rim of the cup and the opening in the lid such that the upper section of the panel extends past the rim and the opening in the lid.