Epoxy rock coaster

Abstract

An epoxy rock coaster is provided that absorbs and contains the condensation from drinking glasses, bottles and cans and excess water from plant pots. The epoxy coaster includes a composition of different sized stone aggregates mixed with an epoxy resin system. The composition is added to an open top plastic vessel having a flat bottom and upwardly extending side wall, completely filling the vessel wherein the composition surface is tooled to a flat exterior finish and cured. The composition solidifies, bonding to the interior bottom and side of the vessel forming a porous structure therein which creates voids and pockets within the structure providing openings to contain condensation and excess water from the drinking containers and plant pots.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to coasters, and in particular, to an epoxy rock coaster composition of stone aggregate with an a epoxy resin system cured within plastic vessel which absorbs and contains condensation from the exterior of containers such as glasses, bottles and cans, and also catches and contains excess water from plant and flower pots. [0002] Coasters for liquid containers such as glasses, bottles and cans are well known in protecting the surfaces of furniture and other surfaces upon which the containers have been placed. Generally, most coasters are adequate in protecting the support surfaces for a period of time but eventually the coasters become saturated with the buildup of condensation and spillage which then overflow onto and soak the supporting surfaces. Many of these known coasters include soft absorbent material, such as a fabric or other absorbent material, or other supporting material in direct contact with the container which ini...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003] In accordance with the invention an epoxy rock coaster is provided that overcomes the deficiencies of prior art coasters for absorbing and containing the condensation formed on the exterior of glasses, bottles and cans and scaled up in size to absorb and contain the excess water when placed under flower and plant pots. The epoxy rock coasters of the invention are a composition of different sized small particles of stone aggregate mixed with an epoxy resin system. The composition is added to an open top plastic vessel having a flat bottom and an upwardly extending side thereby completely filling the vessel where it is then tooled with a mason's trowel to a flat exterior finish and cured. The composition solidifies to bond the composition to the interior bottom and side of the vessel and to bond the aggregates to one another forming a porous structure. The porous structure creates air voids between the aggregates which provide openings to contain the excess liquid from the drinking container or plant pot. As this liquid is drawn down through the voids into the epoxy rock, it is then trapped and held by the plastic vessel. The damaging liquid is contained in the coaster preventing it from contacting the furniture or other surface and the plastic vessel protects delicate surfaces from abrasive damage. Since every aggregate is coated with epoxy during the mixing process, the epoxy rock coaster surface is extremely hard and stain resistant. The hard surface provides a solid and non-adhering support for large and small drink containers and heavy plant pots and the plastic vessel protects delicate surfaces from abrasive damage.

Problems solved by technology

Generally, most coasters are adequate in protecting the support surfaces for a period of time but eventually the coasters become saturated with the buildup of condensation and spillage which then overflow onto and soak the supporting surfaces.

Many of these known coasters include soft absorbent material, such as a fabric or other absorbent material, or other supporting material in direct contact with the container which initially often adheres to, and then, separates from the container when picked-up resulting in spillage and splashing of the drink.

There are also known coasters of open top trays having hard surfaces which collect and contain the condensation in order to overcome the adhering of the drinking container to the coaster but in many situations the tray remains wet resulting in dripping from the pool of condensation remaining on the surface of the tray.

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