# US 6,715,604 B2 · Liquid container with liquid absorbent base > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,715,604 B2 - Document ID: US6715604B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/895,841 - Filed: 2001-06-28 - Published: 2002-02-07 - Granted: 2004-04-06 - Earliest claimed: 2000-06-29 - Assignees: IPX, Inc. - Inventors: Paul Taylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6715604B2 ## CPC - A47G 23/032: made of paper, board, or the like, e.g. beermats - B65D 23/00: Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - Y10T 29/49908: Joining by deforming - Y10T 29/49915: Overedge assembling of seated part - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A liquid absorbent base for a liquid beverage container used in the Food and Beverage Industry. A liquid absorbent wafer is provided that is secured onto the base of the container. The liquid-absorbent base and beverage container are used in combination as a liquid-absorbent substrate for cleaning up spillage and liquid condensate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid-absorbent wafer in combination with a liquid container having a base and an upstanding sidewall attached to the base, said base dividing the container into an inner portion forming a liquid containing vessel for liquids and an outer portion, the wafer comprising: a top surface and a bottom surface, said top and bottom surfaces defining a wafer thickness and a wafer dimension; wherein the top surface is secured to said base; and wherein the bottom surface is made of a liquid absorbent material that makes contact with liquid on a surface upon which the container rests and absorbs the liquid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein the container further includes a recess formed between the outer portion of the base and the upstanding sidewall, wherein the wafer fits into the recess. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein the wafer has a substantially rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein the wafer has a substantially circular cross-section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The wafer of claim 4, wherein the base is circular and the upstanding sidewall follows the base forming a substantially cylindrical container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The wafer of claim 5, wherein the circular wafer is secured within a recess on the cylindrical container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein the container further includes a lid removably attached to the upstanding sidewall, said lid having an upper surface for covering the container and making the beverage container substantially liquid impermeable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The wafer of claim 7, wherein the lid further includes a beverage sipping groove formed on the upper surface of the lid for drinking liquid within the container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The wafer of claim 3, wherein the base is rectangular and the upstanding sidewall follows the base forming a rectangular container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The wafer of claim 9, wherein the rectangular container includes a top portion fashioned with the rectangular container to form a closed container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The wafer of claim 10, wherein the top portion of the rectangular container has a straw hole for the insertion of a straw therein. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The wafer of claim 9, wherein the rectangular wafer is secured onto the outer portion of the base of the rectangular container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein at least the bottom surface of the wafer is made of a sponge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein at least the bottom surface of the wafer is made of a liquid-absorbent fibrous paper product. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein the wafer has at least one liquid absorbent portion that is contact with liquid on a surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein the wafer has substantially the same surface area as the base of the container. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The wafer of claim 1, wherein the wafer is secured to the container with an adhesive substance. ### Claim 18 A liquid-absorbent wafer in combination with a beverage container, comprising: a wafer dimension having a geometry; a wafer thickness forming a liquid containing surface for absorbing and holding liquid; a top portion that is secured onto the outer portion of the container; and a bottom portion that is made of a liquid absorbent material that makes contact with liquid on a surface upon which the container rests and absorbs the liquid. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The wafer of claim 18, wherein the wafer thickness is greater than or equal to a recess dimension formed in a base of the container, said base having an outer portion and inner portion formed by the base and an upstanding sidewall, wherein the container sits on the wafer when the wafer is secured into the recess. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The wafer of claim 18, wherein the wafer geometry is substantially circular such that the wafer has a wafer diameter and wafer circumference. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The wafer of claim 20, wherein the recess has a substantially circular cross section and a recess diameter such that the wafer circumference closely follows the recess diameter when the wafer is secured within the recess. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The wafer of claim 18, wherein the wafer geometry is substantially rectangular having a wafer length and a wafer width. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The wafer of claim 22, wherein the container is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional area across the base having a container base length and container base width such that the wafer length and wafer width is substantially equal to the container base length and container base width.