Saucer

Abstract

To realize a saucer which is lightweight, has excellent design, and prevents water droplets from flowing down even when a cup or the like is lifted up by allowing the water droplets attached to the outer surface of the cup or the like to be received by the saucer.SOLUTION: A saucer 10 being the saucer for a cup or the like C includes: a bottom surface part 1; a side surface part 2 continuously arranged from the bottom surface part in the whole periphery; and a top surface part 3 continuously arranged from the side surface part in the whole periphery. A holding part 4 of the cup or the like to hold the outer surface of the cup or the like is arranged on the inner side of the bottom surface part. In the top surface part, a water droplet fall prevention part 3 is formed toward the bottom surface part over the whole periphery at a position closer to the side surface part than to the holding part of the cup or the like in a top surface view. A water droplet storage part 5 is formed in the space between the holding part of the cup or the like and the water droplet fall prevention part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a saucer for receiving water droplets adhering to the outer surface of a cup or the like so that they do not drip off.

Background Art

[0002] When a cold beverage is contained in a cup or the like such as a cup, a can, or a bottle of canned beer, due to the difference from the warm outside air temperature, water vapor in the air may condense and water droplets may adhere to the outer surface of the cup or the like. Then, these water droplets may flow onto a table or the like on which the cup or the like is placed, and it becomes necessary to wipe off the moisture on the table or the like, which is troublesome. Further, when a cup or the like is received by a conventional saucer, although some water droplets can be received by the saucer, water droplets adhering to the bottom of the cup or the like may fall when the cup or the like is lifted. Furthermore, when lifting a cup or the like to drink the beverage inside, there is also a risk that the saucer may stick to the cup or the like and be lifted and dropped.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes that a plurality of ridges are provided on the saucer to make it easier for water droplets to accumulate on the saucer by lifting the cup on the saucer, and a fixing portion ridge is provided so that the position of the cup or the like does not shift. Patent Document 2 describes that pumice is spread on the saucer to absorb water droplets with the pumice.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-142980 Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 02-092770

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the case of the one described in Patent Document 1, since the side surface of the cup is supported by the fixed part ridges, it inhibits the water droplets adhering to the outer surface of the cup from flowing into the tray provided with the ridges, and there is a risk that the water droplets will accumulate at the side edge of the tray. Also, in that case, there is a problem that when the tray adheres to the cup and is lifted, the water accumulated at the side edge of the tray will spill. In addition, the one described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that it becomes a heavy and thick tray for laying pumice stones, lacking in design. Furthermore, there is a problem that when the tray adheres to the cup and is lifted, the water accumulated in the tray will spill.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and realize a tray that is light, has excellent design, receives water droplets adhering to the outer surface of a cup or the like into the tray, and does not allow the water droplets to flow down even when the cup or the like is lifted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a tray for a cup or the like, comprising: a bottom surface portion; a side surface portion provided continuously from the bottom surface portion over the entire circumference; a top surface portion provided continuously from the side surface portion over the entire circumference, and a cup or the like holding portion for holding the outer surface of the cup or the like is provided inside the bottom surface portion, a water droplet falling prevention portion is provided on the top surface portion, which is formed in the direction of the bottom surface portion over the entire circumference at a position closer to the side surface portion than the cup or the like holding portion in a top surface view, and a water droplet accumulation portion is formed in the space between the cup or the like holding portion and the water droplet falling prevention portion, characterized by the tray.

[0008] With this configuration, it has excellent design, receives water droplets adhering to the outer surface of a cup or the like into the water droplet accumulation portion of the tray from between the water droplet falling prevention portion and the cup or the like, and holds the cup or the like, so that the tray does not fall even when lifted and tilted, and a tray in which water droplets do not flow down from the water droplet accumulation portion can be realized. In addition, since the tray holds a cup or the like, after an elderly person or a child drinks from the cup or the like, water droplets dripping from the mouth can also be received by the tray along the outer surface of the cup or the like.

[0009] The tray may be configured to be made of rubber-like silicone.

[0010] With this configuration, a tray that is light and has excellent design can be realized. Also, when holding a cup or the like in the cup or the like holding portion, the tray can be pulled to greatly distort the inner diameter of the cup or the like holding portion, making it easier to hold. Also, by distorting the side surface portion, the water droplets accumulated in the water droplet accumulating portion can be easily discharged to the outside, and the dirt in the water droplet accumulating portion can be easily cleaned.

[0011] The tray may be configured such that the cross-sectional shapes of the side surface portion and the top surface portion have a shape obtained by vertically cutting a substantially heart shape in half.

[0012] With this configuration, a tray with a soft and gentle image can be obtained, and a tray with excellent design can be realized.

[0013] The tray may be configured such that the end portion of the cup or the like holding portion in the direction opposite to the bottom surface portion has a recess partially in the bottom surface portion direction.

[0014] With this configuration, the water droplets adhering to the outer surface of the cup or the like can be easily made to flow into the water droplet accumulating portion.

[0015] The tray may be configured to have an opening provided in the bottom surface portion inside the cup or the like holding portion.

[0016] With this configuration, the tray formed of rubber-like silicone becomes even easier to bend, and it becomes easier to hold the cup or the like in the cup or the like holding portion. Also, by spreading the side surface portion outward, the water droplets accumulated in the water droplet accumulating portion can be easily discharged to the outside, and the dirt in the water droplet accumulating portion can be easily cleaned.

[0017] The tray may be configured such that a protrusion is provided on the outer side of the bottom surface portion in the end direction from the opening.

[0018] With this configuration, when a cup or the like is received by the tray, it can be stably held.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] With the tray of the present invention, a tray that is lightweight, has excellent design, receives water droplets adhering to the outer surface of a cup or the like, and does not allow the water droplets to flow down even when the cup or the like is lifted can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Examples

[0021] Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the tray in Example 1 of the present invention, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a bottom view. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the state in which a cup is held on the tray in Example 1 of the present invention, and the tray 10 shows a cross section. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the state in which the cup is held on the tray in Example 1 of the present invention and tilted, and the tray 10 shows a cross section. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the state in which the cup is held on the tray in Example 1 of the present invention and tilted largely, and the tray 10 shows a cross section.

[0022] The tray 10 in Example 1 is made of rubber-like silicone, and includes a bottom portion 1 that is circular in bottom view, a side portion 2 that is provided substantially linearly perpendicular to the bottom portion continuously from the end of the bottom portion 1 around the entire circumference of the circle, and a top portion 3 that is provided continuously from the end of the side portion 2 around the entire circumference of the circle. Further, inside the bottom portion 1, a holding portion 4 for holding the outer surface of a cup or the like C on the inner surface is provided. By holding the lower end of the cup or the like C inside the holding portion 4 for the cup or the like, when the cup or the like C is lifted, the tray 10 can be lifted together and prevented from falling. At this time, since the tray holds a cup or the like, water droplets dripping from the mouth after an elderly person or a child drinks from the cup or the like can also be received on the tray along the outer surface of the cup or the like.

[0023] In the present application, unless otherwise specified, "cup or the like" refers to a cup, a can, a bottle, or the like.

[0024] In Example 1, the bottom portion of the tray is circular, but it is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be a polygonal shape such as a quadrilateral. In that case, the side portion and the top portion can have shapes corresponding to the bottom portion. Also, in Example 1, the side portion is configured to be substantially linear and perpendicular to the bottom portion, but it is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the side portion may be configured to curve between the bottom portion and the top portion, or the side portion may be provided with concavities and convexities.

[0025] The cup holding part 4 is configured to have an inner diameter of 60 mm so that it is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cup C, etc., enabling it to hold a standard cup. However, the inner diameter of the cup holding part 4 may be 60 mm or more or less than 60 mm, as long as it has an inner diameter capable of holding a cup, can, or bottle. Also, the height of the cup holding part 4 is about 5 mm, but it may be 4 mm or 6 mm or more.

[0026] The top surface part 3 of the tray 10 has a size limited near the outer peripheral end, and a water droplet prevention part 8 formed toward the bottom surface part 1 at a position closer to the side surface part 2 than the cup holding part 4 in a top view is provided over the entire circumference. The inner diameter of the water droplet prevention part 8 is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the cup C, etc., whereby the water droplets W adhering to the outer surface of the cup C, etc. easily flow into the tray 10. Also, a water droplet accumulation part 5 is formed in the space between the outer wall of the cup holding part 4 and the outer wall of the water droplet prevention part 8. Water droplets W formed by the condensation of water vapor in the air and adhering to the outer surface of the cup C, etc. pass between the water droplet prevention part 8 and the outer surface of the cup C, etc. held by the cup holding part 4, and the water droplets W accumulate in the water droplet accumulation part 5 outside the cup holding part 4 (see Fig. 2), and no water droplets leak outside the tray 10.

[0027] Also, when drinking the beverage in the cup C, etc. held by the cup holding part 4, even if the cup C, etc. and the tray 10 are tilted slightly, the liquid accumulates at the lowest position in the circumferential water droplet accumulation part 5. As shown in Fig. 3, the water droplets W accumulate in the water droplet accumulation part 5 formed between the cup holding part 4 and the water droplet prevention part 8 and do not flow out to the outside.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, even if the cup C, etc. and the tray 10 are tilted greatly, the water droplets are blocked by the water droplet prevention part 8 and accumulate in the water droplet accumulation part 5 without flowing out to the outside. Moreover, even if the tray 10 is turned upside down so that the top surface part 3 is parallel to the ground, no water droplets W flow out from the tray 10.

[0029] In Example 1, the water droplet prevention part 8 is provided substantially perpendicular to the direction of the bottom surface part 1 over the entire circumference from the top surface part 3, and its length is about 3 mm. However, it is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the length of the water droplet prevention part 8 may be about 2 mm or may be 4 mm or more.

[0030] In the bottom surface part 1, a circular opening 7 is provided inside the cup holding part 4 or the like. Thereby, when holding the cup C or the like in the cup holding part 5, the tray 10 made of rubber-like silicone is easily distorted, making it easier to hold the cup C or the like in the cup holding part 4. Also, the side surface part can be widened outward to easily discharge the water droplets accumulated in the water droplet accumulation part to the outside, and the dirt in the water droplet accumulation part can be easily cleaned.

[0031] Also, a circumferential projection 6 is provided at the outer bottom part of the bottom surface part 1 outside the opening 7 in the bottom surface part view. Thereby, the tray 10 can be stably placed on a table or the like. In Example 1, the projection 6 is provided in a circumferential shape, but it is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, a cut may be provided in the circumferential projection 6, or it may be square instead of circumferential. Furthermore, the projection 6 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0032] In Example 1, in the bottom surface part 1, the opening 7 is provided inside the cup holding part 4 or the like, but it is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the structure may be such that the opening 7 is not provided in the bottom surface part 1. Also, when the opening 7 is provided, its size and shape may be arbitrary.

[0033] Also, in Example 1, the tray 10 is made of rubber-like silicone, but it is not necessarily limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be made of rubber, or may be made of a soft resin, as long as the tray 10 is made of a material that can be easily distorted by pulling it by hand.

[0034] Thus, in Example 1, it is a tray for a cup or the like, a bottom surface part, a side surface portion continuously provided around the entire circumference from the bottom surface portion, and a top surface portion continuously provided around the entire circumference from the side surface portion, a cup or the like holding portion for holding the outer surface of the cup or the like is provided inside the bottom surface portion, a water droplet dripping prevention portion formed in the direction of the bottom surface portion across the entire circumference at a position closer to the side surface portion than the cup or the like holding portion in a top surface view is provided on the top surface portion, A saucer characterized in that a water droplet accumulation portion is formed in the space between the cup or the like holding portion and the water droplet dripping prevention portion has excellent design properties, receives water droplets adhering to the outer surface of the cup or the like from between the water droplet dripping prevention portion and the cup or the like into the water droplet accumulation portion of the saucer, and holds the cup or the like, so that the saucer does not fall even when lifted and tilted, and water droplets do not flow down from the water droplet accumulation portion, can be realized.

Example

[0035] The saucer in Example 2 of the present invention is different from Example 1 in that it partially has a concave portion at an end portion in the direction opposite to the bottom surface portion in the cup or the like holding portion. Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining the saucer in Example 2 of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the saucer 20 in Example 2 partially has a gently inclined concave portion 21 at an end portion in the direction opposite to the bottom surface portion 1 in the cup or the like holding portion 24, and the end portion is cut off toward the bottom surface portion 1. A plurality of concave portions 21 may be provided. Thereby, the water droplets W adhering to the outer surface of the cup or the like C can be made to flow easily into the water droplet accumulation portion 5.

[0037] In addition, in Example 2, although a gently inclined concave portion is used, it is not necessarily limited to this and can be appropriately changed. For example, it may be a sharply inclined concave portion having a triangular shape. Also, the number of concave portions can be arbitrarily selected.

[0038] Thus, in Example 2, the end portion of the cup holding portion and the like in the direction opposite to the bottom surface portion has a concave portion, so that water droplets adhering to the outer surface of the cup and the like can easily flow into the water droplet accumulating portion.

Example

[0039] The saucer in Example 3 of the present invention is different from Examples 1 and 2 in that the top surface portion and the water droplet falling prevention portion continuous from the side surface portion have a cross-sectional shape obtained by vertically cutting a substantially heart shape in half. Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the saucer in Example 3 of the present invention, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a bottom view.

[0040] The saucer 30 in Example 3 has a cross-sectional shape in which the top surface portion 33 and the water droplet falling prevention portion 38 continuous from the side surface portion 32 have a shape obtained by vertically cutting a substantially heart shape in half. Thereby, a saucer with a soft and gentle image can be realized.

[0041] Thus, in Example 3, since the cross-sectional shapes of the side surface portion and the top surface portion have a shape obtained by vertically cutting a substantially heart shape in half, a saucer with a soft and gentle image can be realized.

Industrial Applicability

[0042] The saucer in the present invention can be widely used in the field of drinking with a cup or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1: Bottom surface portion 2: Side surface portion 3: Top surface portion 4: Cup holding portion etc. 5: Water droplet accumulating portion 6: Projection 7: Opening 8: Water droplet falling prevention portion 10: Saucer 20: Saucer 21: Concave portion 24: Cup holding portion etc. 30: Tray 32: Side surface 33: Top surface 38: Water droplet prevention part C: Cup etc. W: Water (water droplet)

Claims

1. A saucer such as a cup, comprising: a bottom portion; a side portion continuously provided around the entire circumference from the bottom portion; a top portion continuously provided around the entire circumference from the side portion, wherein a cup or the like holding portion for holding the outer surface of the cup or the like is provided inside the bottom portion, a water droplet dripping prevention portion is provided on the top portion, extending in the direction of the bottom portion over the entire circumference at a position closer to the side portion than the cup or the like holding portion when viewed from above, and a water droplet accumulation portion is formed in a space between the cup or the like holding portion and the water droplet dripping prevention portion.

2. The saucer according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of rubber-like silicone.

3. The saucer according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional shapes of the side portion and the top portion have a shape obtained by vertically cutting a substantially heart shape in half.

4. The saucer according to claim 1, characterized in that an end portion of the cup or the like holding portion in a direction opposite to the bottom portion has a recess partially in the direction of the bottom portion.

5. The saucer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an opening is provided in the bottom portion inside the cup or the like holding portion.

6. The saucer according to claim 5, characterized in that a protrusion is provided on the outside of the bottom portion in the direction of the end portion from the opening.

Images