Abstract:
A foldable air insulating sleeve for insulating beverage and food containers is herein provided. More particularly, the foldable air insulating sleeve secures a cup in a manner that leaves a pocket of air surrounding the cup. This provides for improved temperature regulation and sufficient thermal insulation to assist the user in firmly grasping and handling the cup despite excess heat or condensation caused by the temperature of the cup&#39;s contents. Because the bases of most disposable cups are narrower than their respective rims, more air and thus greater insulation is found towards the bottom of cups secured by foldable air insulating sleeves. The wider base also gives such cups more stability. Printable material can also be affixed on the foldable air insulating sleeve&#39;s outer surface for advertising or other purposes. Some embodiments of the foldable air insulating sleeve include a lid to further improve thermal insulation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/459,337 filed Jun. 11, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,679, entitled FOLDABLE AIR INSULATING SLEEVE. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to insulating devices for beverage containers and more particularly, to insulating beverages and foods by using air as the insulator. 
   2. Background and Related Art 
   Disposable cups are routinely used in fast food and roadside restaurants to contain both hot and cold drinks. Because such cups have relatively thin walls, insulation is poor. As a result, the cups in which hot beverages are served are often too hot to hold comfortably, and the outside surface of cups in which cold beverages are served often accumulate moisture also making the cups difficult to hold, thus causing the holder&#39;s hand and the table to become wet. In addition, cold drinks warm quickly and hot drinks lose heat rapidly. 
   In response to the need for a better beverage insulator, various types of disposable cardboard and paper sleeves have been used. The sleeves are sized to slide onto the outside of a beverage cup and are held in place by friction. The wide-diameter end of the typical beverage cup prevents the sleeve from sliding off the cup while the cup is being held. However, such devices are poor insulators because they are generally thin. Moreover, the close contact with the cup causes additional heat transfer to the outside of the insulator. Additional insulation is needed at the bottom of beverage cups because the fluid has been there for a longer period of time. Also, such devices typically cover any printable material on the outside of the cup, resulting in a lost opportunity for advertising. While some transparent insulators have been created, they also lose effectiveness as insulators because of the close contact with the cups and the conductive material out of which they are typically made. Some of the more effective insulators are too bulky and take up too much storage space in small convenience stores, thus making the disposable cups too big to fit in most cup-holders. Another problem with most disposable cups is that since typical cups have narrow bases, they are unstable. Thus, there is a great need in the beverage industry for cups with better insulation and overall improvement. 
   To solve the problem of difficulty in gripping either hot drinks or cold drinks that accumulate moisture on the outside of the cup, some disposable cups include handles. Unfortunately, the problem with handles is that they are typically made out of paper or other sheet-like material and they lack sufficient strength to hold the cup in an upright position when the user is holding the cup by the handle. In other words, the weight of the cup can cause the handle to sag or tear such that the cup will tilt, spilling the beverage. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to insulating devices for beverage containers and more particularly, to insulating beverages and foods by using air as the insulator. 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention involves a foldable air insulating sleeve configured to slidably receive and secure a beverage cup. The foldable air insulating sleeve secures the cup in a manner that allows for a pocket of air to surround the cup. This pocket of air insulates the beverage. The user can hold the cup by grasping the outer surface of the foldable air insulating sleeve, thus avoiding contact with a hot or wet cup surface. Because the bases of most disposable cups are narrower than their respective rims, more air and thus greater insulation is possible, especially towards the bottom of cups secured by the foldable air insulating sleeve. The wider base also gives the cup greater stability. Furthermore, the material out of which the foldable air insulating sleeve is made allows for advertisements or other printable material to be affixed on its outer surface. The foldable air insulating sleeve can be made out of many materials, including plastic or paper. The foldable air insulating sleeve is also foldable into a substantially flat position. 
   In this embodiment, the base of the cup rests on an inner base of the foldable air insulating sleeve. The inner base is connected to an outer base, which is in contact with the outer surface and supports the entire sleeve-cup configuration. The space between the inner and outer base is filled with air and further acts to insulate the contents of the cup. 
   In another embodiment, the foldable air insulating sleeve&#39;s outer base is in contact with the outer surface and supports the entire sleeve-cup configuration. 
   In yet another embodiment, the foldable air insulating sleeve&#39;s inner base has an opening through which the cup enters until the cup is either too wide and is stopped from further passage or until the cup meets the outer base of the foldable air insulating sleeve and is supported by it. 
   In even another embodiment, the foldable air insulating sleeve&#39;s outer base, while wider than the cup it supports, is narrow enough to fit into most cup holders. 
   In an additional embodiment, the foldable air insulating sleeve includes a lid that attaches to the top rim of the cup. The lid is substantially hollow, providing an air chamber, which further insulates the contents of the cup. When the foldable air insulating sleeve is used with food, the lid has no openings. When used with a cold drink, the lid has an opening through which a straw is placed. Finally, when used with a hot drink, the lid has a rounded mouth piece and a cap. 
   While the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in association with beverage containers, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods and processes can be used in a variety of different applications to insulate a variety of different kinds of temperature sensitive substances (e.g. soups and other foods). 
   These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  provides an illustration of a representative embodiment of the present invention, wherein a foldable air insulating sleeve comprises a rim, an inner base and an outer base, where the inner base and outer base are connected. 
       FIG. 2  provides an illustration of a representative embodiment of the present invention that houses a cup. 
       FIG. 3  provides an illustration of a representative foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position. 
       FIG. 4  provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve with cup where the foldable air insulating sleeve includes an inner base but no outer base. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative illustration of foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position without outer base. 
       FIG. 6  provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve with cup that includes a modified inner base. 
       FIG. 7  provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with modified inner base in folded position. 
       FIG. 8  provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow food container lid. 
       FIG. 9  provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow cold drink lid. 
       FIG. 10  provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow hot drink lid and cap. 
       FIG. 11  provides a transparent illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow hot drink lid and cap. 
       FIG. 12  provides a transparent illustration of a representative foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position. 
       FIG. 13  provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve with cup. 
       FIG. 14  provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve that includes a modified inner base in folded position. 
       FIG. 15  provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve that includes a modified inner base. 
       FIG. 16  provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve with cup. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to insulating devices for beverage containers, and more particularly, to insulating beverages and foods by using air as the insulator. 
   In the disclosure and in the claims the term “cup” shall refer to any container used to house consumable liquids and solids. Examples of cups include disposable cups, small soup bowls and any other similarly shaped container from which one drinks or eats that is in need of insulation. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a transparent view of a foldable air insulating sleeve  20  that includes a substantially tubular outer shell  30 , a rim  32 , an inner base  34 , a first base connection strip  38  and a second base connection strip  40 . The substantially tubular outer shell  30  has a first longitudinal fold  42  and a second longitudinal fold  44 . The first base connection strip  38  has a first base connection strip fold  46  and the second base connection strip  40  has a second base connection strip fold  48 . Finally, the inner base  34  has an inner base fold  50 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a transparent view of foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with a cup  60 , where the cup  60  has a top rim  62 , a bottom edge  64  and a supporting wall  66 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rim  32  of the foldable air insulating sleeve  20  connects to the top rim  62  of the cup  60 . The bottom edge  64  of the cup  60  is supported by the inner base  34  of the foldable air insulating sleeve  20 . Once the cup  60  is connected to the foldable air insulating sleeve  20 , a first pocket of air  68  is created, which together with a second pocket of air  70 , insulates the contents of the cup  60 . Once connected, a user can carry the cup  60  by grasping the substantially tubular outer shell  30 . As may be appreciated from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second pocket of air  70  may be formed in conjunction with an object upon which rests the foldable air insulating sleeve  20  and cup  60 , wherein the object forms the lower boundary of the second pocket of air  70 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a transparent view of a foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position  80 . In this embodiment, inner base  34  is folded along inner base fold  50 , first base connection strip  38  is folded along first base connection strip fold  46 , second base connection strip  40  is folded along second base connection strip fold  48  and substantially tubular outer shell  30  is folded along first longitudinal fold  42  and second longitudinal fold  44  so that foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position  80  is in a substantially flat condition. When folded, the inner base fold  50  is parallel to the rim  32  and when open, the inner base fold  50  is perpendicular to the rim  32 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with cup  60 , where foldable air insulating sleeve  20  includes inner base  34  but does not include outer base  36 . In this embodiment, inner base  34  supports both cup  60  and foldable air insulating sleeve  20 . Inner base  34  also folds along inner base fold  50 , first base connection strip fold  46  and second base connection strip fold  48 . 
     FIG. 5  shows an alternative illustration of foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position  80  without outer base  36 . In this embodiment, inner base  34  is folded along inner base fold  50 , first base connection strip  38  is folded along a first base connection strip fold line  52 , second base connection strip  40  is folded along a second base connection strip fold line  54  and substantially tubular outer shell  30  is folded along first longitudinal fold  42  and second longitudinal fold  44  so that foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position  80  is in a substantially flat condition. When folded, inner base fold  50  is parallel to the rim  32  and when open, inner base fold  50  is perpendicular to rim  32 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with cup  60 , where foldable air insulating sleeve  20  includes modified inner base  90 . Modified inner base  90  comprises a base portion  92  and an opening  94 . In this embodiment, cup  60  protrudes through opening  94  until supporting wall  66  of cup  60  prohibits further travel or until bottom edge  64  of cup  60  reaches outer base  36 . 
     FIG. 7  shows foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with modified inner base  90  in folded position. Modified inner base  90  folds along first modified inner base fold  96 , second modified inner base fold  98 , first base connection strip fold  46  and second base connection strip fold  48 . When folded, first modified inner base fold  96  and second modified inner base fold  98  are parallel to rim  32  and when open, first modified inner base fold  96  and second modified inner base fold  98  are perpendicular to rim  32 . 
     FIG. 8  shows foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with a hollow food container lid  100  that attaches to top rim  62  of cup  60  and includes an air insulating chamber  101 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with a hollow cold drink lid  102  that attaches to top rim  62  of cup  60  and has a straw opening  104  through which a straw  106  is placed. Hollow cold drink lid  102  also includes air insulating chamber  101  that insulates contents of cup  60 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with a hollow hot drink lid  108 , a rounded mouth piece  110 , a hollow hot drink lid opening  112  and a cap  114 . Hollow hot drink lid  108  attaches to top rim  62  of cup  60 . Cap  114  covers hollow hot drink lid opening  112 , insulating the contents of cup  60 . 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a transparent view of foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with hollow hot drink lid  108  where first pocket of air  68 , insulating air chamber  101  and a third pocket of air  116  insulate the contents of cup  60 . In this illustration, cap  114  is coupled to rounded mouth piece  110 , covering hollow hot drink lid opening  112  and further insulating the contents of cup  60 . 
     FIG. 12  illustrates a transparent view of a foldable air insulating sleeve  20  in folded position  80 . In this embodiment, inner base  34  is folded along inner base fold  50 , outer base  36  is folded along outer base fold  58 , first base connection strip  38  is folded along first base connection strip fold  46 , second base connection strip  40  is folded along second base connection strip fold  48  and substantially tubular outer shell  30  is folded along first longitudinal fold  42  and second longitudinal fold  44  so that foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position  80  is in a substantially flat condition. When folded, the inner base fold  50  and outer base fold  58  are parallel to the rim  32  and when open, the inner base fold  50  and outer base fold  58  are perpendicular to the rim  32 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates a transparent view of foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with cup  60 . In this embodiment, cup  60  rests on inner base  34 , and inner base  34  and outer base  36  form second pocket of air  70 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates a transparent view of foldable air insulating sleeve  20  in folded position  80  with modified inner base  90  and outer base  36 . Modified inner base  90  folds along first modified inner base fold  96 , second modified inner base fold  98 , first base connection strip fold  46  and second base connection strip fold  48 . Outer base  36  folds along outer base fold  58 , first base connection strip fold line  52 , and second base connection strip fold line  54 . Substantially tubular outer shell  30  is folded along first longitudinal fold  42  and second longitudinal fold  44  so that foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position  80  is in a substantially flat condition. When folded, outer base fold  58 , first modified inner base fold  96 , and second modified inner base fold  98  are parallel to rim  32  and when open, outer base fold  58 , first modified inner base fold  96 , and second modified inner base fold  98  are perpendicular to rim  32 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 15 , another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as foldable air insulating sleeve  20  with cup  60 , where foldable air insulating sleeve  20  includes modified inner base  90 . Modified inner base  90  comprises a base portion  92  and an opening  94 . In this embodiment, cup  60  protrudes through opening  94  until supporting wall  66  of cup  60  prohibits further travel or until bottom edge  64  of cup  60  reaches outer base  36 . 
     FIG. 16  illustrates a transparent view of a foldable air insulating sleeve  20  similar to the foldable air insulating sleeve  20  of  FIG. 1 . The foldable air insulating sleeve  20  of  FIG. 16  includes a substantially tubular outer shell  30 , a rim  32 , an inner base  34 , an outer base  36 , a first base connection strip  38  and a second base connection strip  40 . The substantially tubular outer shell  30  has a first longitudinal fold  42  and a second longitudinal fold  44 . The first base connection strip  38  has a first base connection strip fold  46  and the second base connection strip  40  has a second base connection strip fold  48 . Finally, the inner base  34  has an inner base fold  50 , and the outer base  36  has an outer base fold  58 . 
   Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention embrace the field insulating devices for beverage containers. In particular, the present invention relates to insulating disposable cups by using air as the insulator. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.