Drip Stopper Device

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/637,396, which was filed on Apr. 23, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of drip stopper devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a silicone ring lined in an absorbent cloth. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in drip stopper devices. Generally, when pouring contents from a bottle, such as olive oil, salad dressing, etc., it is common for the liquid to drip down the sides of the bottle after each pour. Individuals often deal with slippery or sticky bottles, and/or messy rings on the resting surface. Further, wiping down the bottle and surface after each use is time consuming and inconvenient.

Accordingly, a stopper constructed in accordance with the invention can easily keep drips from running down the exterior of the bottle and onto the surface below. Further, it is often necessary for people to require a dishwasher-safe option to absorb drippage. It is best to catch the drippage before it can drip down the entire container, so as to avoid excessive cleaning. Accordingly, an absorbent ring near the opening of the container is necessary to catch dripping before it can even travel downward on the bottle.

Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved drip stopper device that allows users to protect kitchen surfaces and bottles from sticky messes. More particularly, there is a demand for a drip stopper device that users can wash in the dishwasher and is eco-friendly.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that provides a drip stopper for the neck of a bottle that combines a high-quality silicone ring with absorbent cloth. There is also a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that prevents the contents of a bottle from dripping down the sides of a bottle and the surface below. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that absorbs the drips to prevent the exterior of the bottle from becoming wet or sticky. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that prevents liquid drips from leaving messy rings on the counter, tabletop, refrigerator shelf, or other surface. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that eliminates the need to line the surface below the bottle or wipe down the exterior of the bottle after each use. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that is dishwasher safe and eco-friendly.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a drip stopper device. The device is designed to slide onto the neck of a bottle to keep drips from running down the exterior of the bottle and onto the surface below. The drip stopper device comprises a body component in a cylindrical shape with two open ends. The body component is comprised of silicone and is lined in absorbent cloth. Further, the bottom of the ring is tight to the bottle while the top of the ring is open to the cloth to allow for the absorption of drips. Thus, the device easily fits over a variety of standard bottlenecks to catch the drips of different products and prevent messes on countertops, tables, refrigerator, and cupboard shelves. The body component is rounded on the bottom and flat on the top. Further, the device is dishwasher safe and has an eco-friendly product design.

In this manner, the drip stopper device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that fits on the neck of a bottle combining a high-quality silicone ring and absorbent cloth. The device is a cylinder with two open ends which is rounded on the bottom and flat on the top. The device is dishwasher safe and eco-friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a drip stopper device. The device is a ring lined with absorbent cloth. The ring is elastic enough to be stretched around the neck of a bottle. Further, the ring sits near the bottle opening with the absorbent cloth lining pressed against the bottle to absorb any drips that begin to slide down the bottle. Thus, the body component is relatively small and dishwasher safe. Further, the ring prevents liquid from causing a mess on the sides of the bottle or on the surface the bottle is placed on.

In one embodiment, the drip stopper device allows users to stretch the device over the neck of a bottle to catch the drops that escape from the bottle lip. Further, the device contains an absorbent cloth pressed against the bottle to absorb the liquid. Accordingly, users can wash the device in the dishwasher safely.

In one embodiment, the drip stopper device comprises a body component that is configured in a cylindrical shape with open ends at the top and the bottom. The body component comprises an elastic exterior surface and an absorbent interior surface. However, the body component can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the body component is sized and shaped to be tight to the neck of the bottle.

In one embodiment, the body component is comprised of elastic material to allow the bottom of the body component to stretch out and then tighten around the neck of the bottle. In all these embodiments, the elasticity allows the body component to conform to the varied sizes of different bottle necks. Typically, the body component would stretch out around the bottom edge to allow for easy application onto the bottle neck.

In one embodiment, the interior surface of the body component is lined with an absorbent material. This absorbent material sits flush to the exterior of the bottle. In this way, when the liquid drips down the side of the bottle it collects into the absorbent cloth so as not to continue down the side of the bottle and onto the surface below.

In one embodiment, the body component is made of a silicone rubber material to allow it to be elastic and variable in size and shape. Further, the device can come in any size or shape suitable in the art depending on the bottle neck it is being used on.

In one embodiment, the absorbent material covers the top edge or lip of the body component so as to catch drips that do not slip down the side of the bottle exactly. In this way, the top edge of the body component is covered in the absorbent cloth even though the rest of the exterior side of the body component is made of silicone rubber material.

In one embodiment, the body component is completely dishwasher safe including the silicone rubber exterior side and the absorbent cloth interior side. This allows the device to be easily cleaned and sanitized after each use.

In one embodiment, the drip stopper device is made of material that allows it to be eco-friendly because the silicone rubber material and absorbent material are more durable than simple plastics and release less chemicals when disposed of.

In one embodiment, the drip stopper device can be comprised of a plurality of colors and designs as is known in the art to allow it to be more decorative and pleasing to the user.

In yet another embodiment, the drip stopper device comprises a plurality of indicia.

In yet another embodiment, a method of preventing a mess from a dripping bottle is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a drip stopper device comprising a body component with an absorbent interior side. The method also comprises adjusting the width of the device on the bottom edge. Further, the method comprises stretching the bottom edge of the device over the mouth of the bottle. The method also comprises sliding the device down onto the neck of the bottle. Finally, the method comprises adjusting the device on the neck of the bottle so it is sitting tight to the bottle neck and near the mouth of the bottle to catch the drips.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the drip stopper device of the present invention in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the drip stopper device of the present invention showing the exterior side and interior side of the body component in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the drip stopper device of the present invention showing the use of the absorbent material in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the drip stopper device of the present invention showing the elasticity of the body component in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the drip stopper device of the present invention in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of preventing a mess from a dripping bottle in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that provides a drip stopper for the neck of a bottle that combines a high-quality silicone ring with an absorbent cloth. There is also a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that prevents the contents of a bottle from dripping down the sides of a bottle and the surface below. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that absorbs the drips to prevent the exterior of the bottle from becoming wet or sticky. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that prevents liquid drips from leaving messy rings on a counter, tabletop, refrigerator shelf, or other surface. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that eliminates the need to line the surface below or wipe down the exterior of the bottle after each use. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a drip stopper device that is dishwasher safe and eco-friendly.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel drip stopper device. The drip stopper device comprises a body component that is configured in a cylindrical shape with an open top end and open bottom end as well. The exterior side of the body component is comprised of silicone rubber material and the interior side of the body component is comprised of an absorbent material. The body component is elastic and allows the bottom edge of the body component to expand in order to fit over the mouth of the bottle. Further, the body component comprises an absorbent cloth on the interior side to collect and absorb all of the liquid coming from the mouth of the bottle. The present invention also includes a novel method of preventing a mess from a dripping bottle. The method includes the steps of providing a drip stopper device comprising a body component with an absorbent interior side. The method also comprises adjusting the width of the device on the bottom edge. Further, the method comprises stretching the bottom edge of the device over the mouth of the bottle. The method also comprises sliding the device down onto the neck of the bottle. Finally, the method comprises adjusting the device on the neck of the bottle so it is sitting tight to the bottle neck and near the mouth of the bottle to catch the drips.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the drip stopper device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the drip stopper device 100 is an improved drip stopper device 100 that provides a way to prevent liquid 106 from dripping down the bottle 108. Specifically, the drip stopper device 100 comprises a body component 102 and an absorbent interior side 104. Thus, the body component 102 is relatively small, dishwasher safe, and adjustable via the elastic exterior side 110.

Generally, the drip stopper device 100 allows for liquid 106 to absorb into the absorbent interior side 104 before spilling down the bottle 108. Further, the elastic exterior side 110 can be used to stretch the device 100 around the bottle's mouth 112. Accordingly, the device 100 can be adjusted onto the bottle's neck 114, preventing the liquid 106 from getting far down the bottle 108.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drip stopper device 100 comprises a body component 102 that is configured in a cylindrical shape with an open top end 200 and an open bottom end 202. The body component 102 comprises an elastic exterior side 110 and an absorbent interior side 104. However, the body component 102 can be any suitable shape and size as is known in the art, as long as the body component 102 is sized and shaped to closely fit to the bottle's neck 114.

As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent interior side 104 is utilized when liquid 106 is dripping down from the bottle's mouth 112. The absorbent interior side 104 is secured to the bottle's neck 114 via the tightness of the elastic exterior side 110. Further, the absorbent interior side 104 extends over the upper edge 300 of the elastic exterior side 110 to enclose the entire upper edge 300 so that no liquid 106 escapes from the device 100 and onto the bottle 108. Further, the length and diameter of the absorbent interior side 104 and elastic exterior side 110 may vary widely, as it is important only that it fits the bottle's neck 114 and allow manipulation of the device 100 with relative ease. Additionally, the elastic exterior side 110 comprises a gripping texture area 302 or other suitable non-slip resistant areas to provide a non-slip grip. Along with the gripping texture area 302, the elastic exterior side also is covered in an antimicrobial coating 304 to keep the device 100 sanitary.

As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic exterior side 110 of the body component 102 extends to allow the device 100 to fit over the bottle's mouth 112 so it can settle on the bottle's neck 114. In this way, the elastic exterior side 110 stretches at the open bottom end 202. This extension allows the device 100 to fit over the bottle's mouth 112 while still being tight enough to have a close fit on the bottle's neck 114. Specifically, the open bottom end 202 of the elastic exterior edge 110 extends outward while allowing the open top end 200 of the elastic exterior edge 110 to remain tight and thus, tighten around the bottle's neck 114 to secure it.

As shown in FIG. 5, the drip stopper device 100 is manufactured from silicone rubber material 500 for the elastic exterior side 110 and an absorbent material 502 for the absorbent interior side 104, or other suitable materials as is known in the art, or a combination of such materials.

Further, the body component 102 including the absorbent interior side 104 are completely dishwasher safe and eco-friendly. Specifically, the device 100 can safely be washed and sanitized very easily and the silicone rubber material 500 allows for the device to be durable and environmentally sustainable as well.

In one embodiment, the drip stopper device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 504. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the net component 102, or any other indicia 504 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 504 as is known in the art can be included, such as but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be bottle, dripping, or brand related.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method preventing a mess from a dripping bottle. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a drip stopper device comprising a body component with an absorbent interior side. The method also comprises at 602, adjusting the width of the device on the bottom edge. Further, the method comprises at 604, stretching the bottom edge of the device over the mouth of the bottle. The method also comprises at 606, sliding the device down onto the neck of the bottle. Finally, the method comprises at 608, adjusting the device on the neck of the bottle so it is sitting tight to the bottle neck and near the mouth of the bottle to catch the drips.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “drip stopper device”, “drip device”, “stopper device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the drip stopper device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the drip stopper device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the drip stopper device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the drip stopper device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the drip stopper device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the drip stopper device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.