Hygienic protective cover for fitting onto the rim of a drinking vessel

Abstract

Hygienic protective cover (10; 10') for fitting onto an edge area (2) of a drinking vessel (1), at least comprising a lip protection element (11; 11') formed from a flexible material for contact with a vessel edge area (2) of the drinking vessel (1), characterized by - that the lip protection element (11; 11') is made of a soft elastomeric material; - that the lip protection element (11; 11') can be applied to the outer circumference of the vessel edge area (2) without extending beyond a vessel edge (3); - that the hygiene protection cover (10; 10') has a holding area (12; 12') adjoining the lip protection element (11; 11') on both sides to produce an endless configuration of the hygiene protection cover (10; 10') and - that the lip protection element (11; 11') and / or the holding area (12; 12') are elastically stretchable to adapt the circumference of the hygiene protection cover (10; 10') to the circumference of the vessel rim area (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hygienic protective coating for application to an edge area of ​​a drinking vessel, having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] When drinking from glasses, cups, cans, mugs, or similar containers, the lower lip in particular touches the rim of the vessel. Beverage cans are offered unpackaged in retail outlets and can be touched by anyone, even in areas that will later come into contact with the lips when drinking. Glasses in restaurants and bars are often only cleaned of beverage residue with non-sterile, often cold, dishwater, without any sanitizing cleaning process.

[0003] During subsequent use, contact with lipstick residue, saliva, or even blood from the previous user's injured lips is possible, and these contaminants may also contain bacteria, fungal spores, and viruses. Especially during a pandemic, direct contact with bacteria and viruses must be avoided.

[0004] Hygienic protective covers are known, for example, from AT366250B or DE123940A. These covers are placed over the rim of a drinking glass from above. They extend over a portion of the circumference and are tall enough to ensure that the lips have full contact with the cover without directly touching the glass. The disadvantage is that a portion of the cover extends over the rim into the interior of the glass, thus making direct contact with the beverage. Removing the cover may require reaching into the glass if it has not been completely emptied. The cover's inherent rigidity is intended to clamp it to the rim, but this also prevents a tight seal on drinking vessels with varying radii of curvature. Furthermore, such hygienic protective covers are not suitable for use with beverage cans.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to improve a hygienic protective coating in such a way that the above-mentioned disadvantages are avoided and, in particular, universal use on various types of drinking vessels, including beverage cans, and with different radii of curvature is possible.

[0006] This problem is solved by a hygienic protective coating for application to an edge area of ​​a drinking vessel with the features of claim 1.

[0007] The main advantage is that the lip protector is made of a soft, elastomeric material that fits snugly around the outer edge of the drinking vessel without overlapping it. The material can be, for example, silicone or natural rubber, making it dishwasher-safe, and is as elastic as the skin of a balloon or a medical glove. This allows the lip protector to conform fully to the outer surface of the drinking vessel, even on non-cylindrical surfaces such as wine glasses, beer glasses, etc. This prevents liquid from seeping underneath the lip protector. The fact that the lip protector has no part extending into the interior of the drinking vessel also contributes to this effect.Due to its soft elastomeric design, application is very easy, as the material, due to its properties and an applied pre-tension, adheres flat to the outer circumference of the drinking vessel.

[0008] The lip protection element designed to secure the lower lip extends further downwards from the upper edge and therefore has a greater width than a subsequent holding area.

[0009] A preferred embodiment provides that the lip protector has an integrally formed angled profile section on one upper edge, which rests only on the upper edge of the rim area and does not extend beyond it into the interior. This allows for continued use with beverage cans. The angled profile section directs the liquid even more towards the mouth and prevents it from getting between the glass and the product. However, even in this embodiment, the lip protector does not extend beyond the rim of the drinking vessel, so as not to disturb, for example, the head of a beer or the foam of a coffee. Removing the hygienic protective coating does not require reaching into the beverage.

[0010] In this embodiment, the hygienic protective cover with the lip protection element and a preferably two-part holding area looks like a size-adjustable wristband that can be placed around the rim of a drinking vessel.

[0011] In addition to the elasticity of the lip protection element, at least in sections, which is necessary for a tight seal against the drinking vessel, the holding area can also be designed to be elastically stretchable, resulting in a larger adjustment range for the circumference and thus better adaptability to different glasses, cans, etc.

[0012] The holding area allows, on the one hand, width adjustment to the circumference of the drinking vessel and, on the other hand, the application of a tangential tensile stress to the lip protection element.

[0013] The circumference of the hygienic lip protector is therefore preferably set to a slightly smaller circumference than that of the drinking vessel, so that the elastomeric lip protector is pre-stretched when placed on the drinking vessel, facilitating a full-surface, sealing contact with the outer surface of the drinking vessel. This adjustment is achieved either by presetting the hygienic lip protector for specific common glass diameters or by using adjustable devices such as length-adjustable straps, cords, etc.

[0014] Preferably, a retaining area section is attached to both sides of the lip protection element, the material of which is somewhat harder and less elastic than the lip protection element, so that the two retaining area sections can be connected by further mechanical means to form a length-variable retaining area.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, a band or cord is provided for size adjustment, which is incorporated into the material of the holding area sections or otherwise connected to it.

[0016] The connection can be designed similarly to a watch strap with a pin and buckle.

[0017] The width of the lip protection element is greater than the width of the retention area, specifically at least twice as wide. This greater width provides a sufficiently large surface for lip contact. The narrower retention area, which transitions into the lip protection element in a funnel shape, allows the tensile forces for pre-tensioning to be concentrated. Furthermore, a narrow retention area can easily be created or supplemented using straps or cords.

[0018] The band can also be made of an elastomeric material and have a solid, preferably rectangular, cross-section so that it can fit snugly around the circumference of the drinking vessel and prevent any liquid from passing between the holding area and the outer circumference of the drinking vessel.

[0019] It is also possible to use textile cords with a round cross-section, connected to each other via a cord stopper, as holding area sections.

[0020] The straps or cords, as well as the lip protection element and the retaining section, are dishwasher-safe, so that the hygiene cover can be easily and hygienically cleaned.

[0021] It is also possible to tie a knot in the ribbon or cord that can be tightened with one hand and that does not come undone on its own.

[0022] The entire circumference of the lip protector and the adjoining elastomeric retention sections is preferably chosen so that the hygienic protective cover can be attached to champagne glasses with a circumference of approximately 5 to 6 cm, as well as to beer glasses with a circumference of approximately 6 to 8 cm. This size is also suitable for beverage cans. This creates a universally applicable product.

[0023] To be used on even larger drinking vessels, the embodiment with the additional straps is preferably employed. In this case, the retaining sections that connect laterally to the lip guard can be short and serve only to attach the straps. The width adjustment is then achieved via the length of the straps, so that, for example, use on a beer stein with a diameter of approximately 11 to 12 cm is also possible.

[0024] The hygienic protective cover, including any existing straps, cords and / or cord stoppers, is designed to be dishwasher-safe to allow for quick and effective hygienic cleaning.

[0025] The hygienic protective cover can be stored in a protective cover after use, through which any residual liquid can drain away.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures are each shown in perspective view: Fig. 1 a wine glass with a first embodiment of a hygienic coating according to the invention and Fig. 2 a second embodiment of a hygiene coating according to the invention.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a drinking vessel shaped like a wine glass 1 with a rim 3. Below this, part of the outer surface forms a rim area 2, which, due to the bulbous shape of the wine glass, is neither cylindrical nor cone-shaped.

[0028] A hygienic cover 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention adheres to parts of the rim area 2. The hygienic cover 10 comprises a lip protection element 11 made of a soft elastomeric material, which can be applied to the outer circumference of the vessel rim area and does not extend beyond the vessel rim 3 into the interior of the glass.

[0029] In order to achieve an endless configuration for the hygiene protection cover, the circumference of which is adjustable, a holding area 12 is attached to the lip protection element 11.

[0030] Fig.Figure 2 shows a hygiene cover 10' according to a second embodiment of the invention, which adheres to parts of the edge region 2. A lip protection element 11' made of a soft elastomeric material is provided in the middle. Retaining area sections 12.1', 12.2', 12.3' adjoin on both sides, forming a retaining area 12'.

[0031] The rear holding area sections 12.3' are formed by cords 12.4' which are connected to each other at a cord stopper 12.5'.

[0032] The front retaining section sections 12.1' each form a transition zone in which the width decreases from front to back. Like the lip protection element 11', the retaining section sections 12.1' are made of a soft elastomeric material. The narrower, central retaining section sections 12.2' are each made of a less elastic elastomeric material such as rubber or silicone to enable a firm mechanical connection with the ends of the cords 12.4'. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] AT 366250B

[0004] DE 123940A

[0004]

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