DISPOSABLE SLEEVE FOR A CONTAINER

A disposable sleeve for a container includes a liner for contacting the container and defining an inner surface and an outer surface. The disposable sleeve also includes a heating element disposed between the inner and outer surfaces to provide heat to the container via a heat-generating reaction, and a frictional material having a coefficient of static friction between 0.5 and 2. The frictional material is disposed on the inner surface for direct contact with the container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a disposable sleeve for a container. The sleeve typically preserves the temperature of heated contents via a heat-generating reaction.

BACKGROUND

Presently, in the field of drink insulators, there exists many phase change insulators that use vacuum-insulation technology, or a variety of insulating substances, to keep the contents within a container at a desired temperature for a certain period of time. However, while these insulators preserve the temperature of the contents within the container, most of these insulators do not produce their own heat. Furthermore, there are many disposable beverage sleeves that offer temporary protection to a user from heated contents within a container, but are not designed to effectively preserve the temperature of the heated contents. Therefore, there remains an opportunity for improvement.

SUMMARY

A disposable sleeve for a container including a liner for contacting the container and defining an inner surface and an outer surface, a heating element disposed between the inner and outer surfaces to provide heat to the container via a heat-generating reaction, and a frictional material having a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2, wherein the frictional material is disposed on the inner surface for direct contact with the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A disposable sleeve12in accordance with the present disclosure is designed to contact a container16. The container16, which can be of a multitude of shapes and sizes, is typically a beverage cup, e.g. a coffee cup, which may be disposable itself. The disposable sleeve12includes a liner14, a heating element40, and a frictional material26. The liner14defines an inner surface22and an outer surface24for contacting the container16. The heating element40is disposed between the inner surface22and the outer surface24and is typically enclosed by the liner14. In this way, a user of the sleeve typically never comes into direct contact with the heating element40. The frictional material26is typically disposed in contact with the inner surface22of the liner14for direct contact with the container16.

The liner14of the disposable sleeve12is, in different embodiments, formed from different materials. In one embodiment of the disposable sleeve12, the liner14is formed from a stretchable material36having a Young's modulus less than 5 GPa. In another embodiment, the stretchable material36has a Young's modulus from 1 to 2 GPa. In a further embodiment, the stretchable material36has a Young's modulus from 2 to 3 GPa. In an additional embodiment, the stretchable material36has a Young's modulus from 3 to 4 GPa. In yet another embodiment, the stretchable material36has a Young's modulus from 4 to 5 GPa. The stretchable material36may be cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, rubber, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the stretchable material36is cotton. In another embodiment the stretchable material36is polyester. In a further embodiment the stretchable material36is spandex. In an additional embodiment the stretchable material36is vinyl. In another embodiment the stretchable material36is nylon. In a further embodiment the stretchable material36is rubber. In yet another embodiment the stretchable material36is a combination of two or more of cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, and rubber.

In another embodiment of the disposable sleeve12, the liner14is formed from a porous material34having an average voids volume from 25% to 90% and an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 50 μm. In one embodiment, the porous material34has an average voids volume from 25% to 50%. In another embodiment, the porous material34has an average voids volume from 50% to 75%. In a further embodiment, the porous material34has an average voids volume from 75% to 90%. In an additional embodiment, the porous material34has an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 20 μm. In another embodiment, the porous material34has an average pore diameter from 20 μm to 35 μm. In a further embodiment, the porous material34has an average pore diameter from 35 μm to 50 μm. The porous material34may be chosen from cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, plastic, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the porous material34is cardboard. In another embodiment, the porous material34is Styrofoam. In a further embodiment, the porous material34is cork. In an additional embodiment, the porous material34is wood. In another embodiment, the porous material34is plastic. In yet another embodiment, the porous material34is a combination of two or more of cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, and plastic.

In an additional embodiment of the disposable sleeve12, the disposable sleeve12includes an attachment mechanism32coupled to the liner14. Typically, the attachment mechanism32is coupled to the liner14using an adhesive. The attachment mechanism32allows the disposable sleeve12to adjustably contact the container16by extending around the container16and fastening to itself. The attachment mechanism32may be chosen from a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, an interlocking tab fastener, and combinations thereof In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a Velcro fastener. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a belt fastener. In an additional embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a single hook and loop fastener. In a further embodiment, the attachment mechanism is an adhesive fastener. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is an interlocking tab fastener. In yet another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a combination of two or more of a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, and an interlocking tab fastener.

The heating element40of the disposable sleeve12is typically disposed between the inner surface22and the outer surface24of the liner14and utilizes a heat-generating reaction to produce heat. This heating element40further heats the contents within the container16to preserve their temperature for a period of time. Furthermore, the liner14and heating element40may simultaneously protect the user from the extreme heat of the contents within the container16, while providing a lesser amount of heat to safely warm the user's hands.

In a typical embodiment, the heat-generating reaction utilized by the heating element40can be an oxygen-activated reaction. This oxygen-activated reaction can occur in the presence of one or more of cellulose, iron, water, activated carbon (evenly distributes heat), vermiculite (water reservoir) and salt (catalyst). In such reaction, heat can be produced from the exothermic oxidation of iron when exposed to air. Such reactions typically emit heat for 1 to 10 hours. However, it is contemplated that the heating element40may use other heat-generating reactions such as crystallization type reactions wherein heat is generated via an exothermic crystallization of a supersaturated salt solution (e.g. sodium acetate). For example, such a heating element40may be reusable and may be charged/recharged by immersing the heating element40in hot water until the contents are uniformly fluid and then allowing the heating element40to cool. The release of heat can then be triggered by flexing a small metal disk in the heating element40, which typically generates nucleation centers that initiate crystallization, thereby releasing heat. Heat is typically required to dissolve the salt in the solution (to form the supersaturated salt solution) and it is this heat that is released when crystallization is initiated.

The frictional material26disposed on the inner surface22of the liner14typically has a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2. In one embodiment, the frictional material26has a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 1. In another embodiment, the frictional material26has a coefficient of static friction from 1 to 1.5. In a further embodiment, the frictional material26has a coefficient of static friction from 1.5 to 2. The frictional material26directly contacts the container16and typically prevents the disposable sleeve12from sliding up and down the container16. The frictional material26may be chosen from an epoxy-resin, a rubber, a wax, and combinations thereof In one embodiment, the frictional material26is an epoxy-resin. In another embodiment, the frictional material26is a rubber. In a further embodiment, the frictional material26is a wax. In yet another embodiment, the frictional material26is a combination of two or more of an epoxy-resin, a rubber, and a wax. In various embodiments, the frictional material26is silica gel, sand, salt, or combinations thereof.

Any type of epoxy-resin, rubber, or wax may be utilized for the frictional material26. For example, epoxy resins typically must be cross linked in order to develop desired characteristics. This cross linking process can be achieved by chemically reacting the resin with a suitable curing agent or hardener. Any type of resin, curing agent, or hardener may be used. For example, bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin may be used. Alternatively, one or more polyamine curing agents, e.g. aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, polyamine adduct, etc, may be used. Relative to the rubber, any type may be used. For example, one or more of the following types of rubbers may be used: acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, polyacrylate rubber, ethylene acrylic rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyester urethane/polyether urethane rubber, natural rubber, and/or combinations thereof. Similarly, any type of wax may be used. Waxes are organic compounds that characteristically include long alkyl chains. Synthetic waxes are long-chain hydrocarbons (alkanes or paraffins) that lack substituted functional groups. Natural waxes may include unsubstituted hydrocarbons, such as higher alkanes, but may also include various types of substituted long chain compounds, such as fatty acids, primary and secondary long chain alcohols, ketones and aldehydes. They may also contain esters of fatty acids and long chain alcohols. The wax may be a plant or animal wax. For example, those of animal origin typically include wax esters derived from a variety of carboxylic acids and fatty alcohols. In waxes of plant origin, mixtures of unesterified hydrocarbons may be present. The wax may be beeswax, lanolin, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the wax may be carnauba wax, candelilla wax, or ouricury wax. The way may be a petroleum derived wax such as a paraffix wax, montan wax, etc. Moreover, the wax may be derived from polyethylene and related derivatives.

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a system10for retaining heat within the container16is shown generally inFIG. 1. The system10includes the container16and the disposable sleeve12for contacting the container16. A cap18covers the container16in this embodiment.

FIG. 2is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the disposable sleeve12attached to the container16. Here, the disposable sleeve12includes the liner14defining the inner surface22and the outer surface24, the heating element40disposed between the inner surface22and the outer surface24, and the frictional material26disposed on the inner surface22of the liner14. Also shown inFIG. 2, a liquid20may be disposed in the container16.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the disposable sleeve12shown inFIG. 2. In this embodiment, the liner14is formed from the stretchable material36. As a result, the disposable sleeve12includes two separate parts of the same liner14, creating a void wherein the heating element40can be disposed.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the disposable sleeve12. In this embodiment of the disposable sleeve12, the liner14is formed from the porous material34. In contrast to the previous embodiment, this embodiment does not require two separate parts of the same liner14. Here, the liner14already contains voids, in the form of pores38, wherein the heating element40can be disposed. Therefore, when the liner14is formed from the porous material34, the disposable sleeve12need only include one layer of the liner14.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5cfeature three perspective views of the inner surface22of the disposable sleeve12with varying embodiments of the frictional material26. In these three figures, the disposable sleeve12is unfolded to better depict the frictional material26. InFIG. 5a, the frictional material26is a singular entity, extending across the inner surface22. InFIG. 5b, the frictional material26is broken-up into separate lines. InFIG. 5c, the frictional material26is further broken-up into individual dots.FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5cfeature three of many possible non-limiting embodiments of the frictional material26.

FIG. 6features two views of the disposable sleeve12wherein the liner14of the disposable sleeve12is formed from the stretchable material36. In the first of the two views, the disposable sleeve12is off the container16. In the second of the two views, the disposable sleeve12is affixed to the container16. It is observable that the disposable sleeve12typically stretches in order to accommodate the shape of the container16.

In other embodiments, the disposable sleeve12further includes an attachment mechanism32chosen from a Velcro fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, and combinations thereof.FIG. 7aillustrates an embodiment wherein a Velcro fastener includes two separate parts28and30where the first part is a hook part28of the Velcro fastener and the second part is a loop part30of the Velcro fastener.FIG. 7billustrates an embodiment wherein the interlocking fastener includes two separate parts42and44where one of the interlocking tabs is42and the other of the interlocking tabs is44.FIG. 7cillustrates an embodiment wherein the belt fastener includes two separate parts46and48where the first part46is to fit within the second, belt part48of the fastener.

The subject disclosure also includes a method of forming the disposable sleeve12for the container16. This method includes the step of forming the liner14from the stretchable material36or the porous material34. This can be accomplished by cutting a truncated conical shape with concentric top and bottom arcuate edges from a larger piece of the stretchable material36or the porous material34. If the liner14is to be formed from a non-porous material, the step of forming the liner14, as previously stated, may be repeated in order to obtain two separate parts of the liner14. Once the liner14has been formed, the inner surface22and the outer surface24of the liner14are typically defined. After the liner14has been formed and the inner surface22and the outer surface24have been defined, the heat element40is then disposed between the inner surface22and the outer surface24. The heating element40may be disposed completely or partially between the inner surface22and the outer surface24. The frictional material26is then typically disposed onto the inner surface22using an adhesive or the already adhesive qualities of the frictional material26.

In an embodiment of the method, the method further includes a step of coupling the attachment mechanism32to the liner14using an adhesive. In yet another embodiment, the method further includes a step of sealing the liner14after disposing the heating element40between the inner surface22and outer surface24. Additionally, the method may include a step of fastening a part of the disposable sleeve12to itself, creating a void where the disposable sleeve12can contact the container16.

All combinations of the aforementioned embodiments throughout the entire disclosure are hereby expressly contemplated in one or more non-limiting embodiments even if such a disclosure is not described verbatim in a single paragraph or section above. In other words, an expressly contemplated embodiment may include any one or more elements described above selected and combined from any portion of the disclosure.

One or more of the values described above may vary by ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, ±20%, ±25%, etc. so long as the variance remains within the scope of the disclosure. Unexpected results may be obtained from each member of a Markush group independent from all other members. Each member may be relied upon individually and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent and dependent claims, both singly and multiply dependent, is herein expressly contemplated. The disclosure is illustrative including words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.