Drip Stopper Device

Abstract

A drip stopper device is disclosed which 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.

Claims

1. A drip stopper device that provides a way for drips to stop from rolling down a bottle and creating a mess, the drip stopper device comprising: a body component; and an absorbent interior side; wherein the absorbent interior side is secured to the body component and can act to catch and absorb any liquid dripping from a bottle's mouth; and further wherein the body component and the absorbent interior side sits tight around a bottle's neck.

2. The drip stopper device of claim 1, wherein the body component is configured in a cylindrical shape with an open bottom end and an open top end.

3. The drip stopper device of claim 2, wherein the body component comprises an elastic exterior side and the absorbent interior surface.

4. The drip stopper device of claim 3, wherein the body component is adjustable for width by widening the elastic exterior side to fit the drip stopper device over the bottle's mouth in order to get it on the bottle's neck.

5. The drip stopper device of claim 4, wherein the body component is comprised of a silicone rubber material for the elastic exterior side and an absorbent material for the absorbent interior side.

6. The drip stopper device of claim 5, wherein the absorbent interior side extends onto an upper edge of an elastic exterior side in order to catch droplets that don't slide directly down a side of a bottle.

7. The drip stopper device of claim 6, wherein the open bottom end of the elastic exterior side extends widthwise while the open top end of the elastic exterior side remains tight to the bottle so that the device remains tight to the bottle's neck after pulled on.

8. The drip stopper device of claim 7, wherein the body component is dishwasher safe and eco-friendly because of material used.

9. The drip stopper device of claim 8, wherein the body component discloses a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the shape and size of the bottle being used.

10. The drip stopper device of claim 9, wherein the elastic exterior side of the body component comprises a gripping texture area to provide a non-slip grip.

11. The drip stopper device of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

12. The drip stopper device of claim 11, wherein the body component, specifically the absorbent interior side, is covered in an antimicrobial coating.

13. A drip stopper device that provides a way for drips to stop from rolling down a bottle and creating a mess, the drip stopper device comprising: a body component configured in a cylindrical shape with an open bottom end and an open top end; and an absorbent interior side; wherein the body component comprises an elastic exterior side and the absorbent interior side; and further wherein the body component is adjustable by stretching of the elastic exterior side.

14. The drip stopper device of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

15. The drip stopper device of claim 13, wherein the body component is comprised of silicone rubber material for the elastic exterior side and an absorbent material for the absorbent interior side.

16. The drip stopper device of claim 15, wherein the open bottom end of the elastic exterior side extends widthwise while the open top end of the elastic exterior side remains tight to the bottle so that the device remains tight to the bottle's neck after pulled on.

17. The drip stopper device of claim 16, wherein the elastic exterior side of the body component is comprised of a gripping texture area so that the surface is easily slipped on and off the bottle without slipping.

18. The drip stopper device of claim 17, wherein the elastic exterior side is covered in an antimicrobial coating to protect the device and keep it clean because it is around food often.

19. The drip stopper device of claim 13, wherein the body component is available any suitable size or shape to fit tightly around the neck of the bottle.

20. A method of preventing a mess from a dripping bottle, the method comprising the following steps: providing a drip stopper device comprising a body component with an absorbent interior side; adjusting the width of the drip stopper device on the bottom edge; stretching the bottom edge of the drip stopper device over the mouth of the bottle; sliding the drip stopper device down onto the neck of the bottle; and adjusting the drip stopper 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 drips.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0025] 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;

[0026] 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;

[0027] 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;

[0028] 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;

[0029] 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

[0030] 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

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.