Abstract:
A cup insulating system, comprising a layer of elastomer formed into a homogeneous seamless conical sleeve, the conical sleeve having an exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is configured for receiving a beverage cup, and the inner surface of the conical sleeve is configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage cup.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/839,259 which was filed Aug. 23, 2008, entitled BEVERAGE CUP SLEEVING SYSTEM AND METHOD, the entirety of which is hereby Incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a conical sleeve to surround a cup containing a hot beverage, more particularly to systems and methods for an improved insulation sleeve having a configuration that facilitates easier handling of hot beverages. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Disposable hot beverage cups are customarily utilized in coffee houses, fast food restaurants, take-out restaurants, concession stands, and the like. These cups typically are manufactured in standard sizes, are conical in shape, have an open top lip adapted to receive various plastic lids, for example. These cups are often made of treated paper, paperboard, polystyrene, styrofoam, and the like. Polystyrene, for example is an excellent thermal insulator and yet it has several drawbacks, for example, it is not easily recycled nor is it biodegradable, it can effect the coffee taste and is not seen as trendy by consumers, to name a few. In contrast, paper and paperboard are easily recyclable and/or biodegradable hut are poor thermal insulators. Paper based coffee cups are often preferred by the public because they overcome the taste issues mentioned supra, they are trendy, they overcome recycling and biodegradable issues, but when filled with a hot liquid, soup, coffee, and tea they are difficult to handle. In addition they can be uncomfortable to handle when cold and become slippery due to condensation. 
         [0004]    As a result of the handling issues, many sellers of such hot and cold beverages provide an additional paper sleeve or a second cup, for example to the buyer. A second cup, a sleeve,, and the like is environmentally unsound, adds additional cost to the product, results In more waste, etc. There are many versions of insulating sleeves available for consumers to be able to handle paper cups containing hot and cold beverages. These sleeves are commonly made from paperboard that is configured to loosely match the contours of the paper cup. These sleeves provide some protection to the user from high temperatures, however that protection is often inadequate If the sleeves get wet, if the beverage is extremely hot, if a cold beverage “sweats”, and the like. Fabric sleeves exist, however they require relatively long manufacturing times and the sewing of seams, for example. 
         [0005]    It is therefore desirable to provide an insulating cup sleeve that is effective when wetted, effective against extremely high and low temperatures, is reusable and easily manufactured. Thus, there exists a need for an improved system and method for sleeving hot and cold beverages in a paper or thin walled plastic cup. 
       SUMMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of one or more aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention, and is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention, nor to delineate the scope thereof. Rather, the primary purpose of the summary is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. The present Invention is directed to a system and method of sleeving a hot or cold beverage associated with a paper or thin wailed plastic cup. 
         [0007]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a cup insulating system, comprising a layer of elastomer formed into a homogeneous seamless conical sleeve, the conical sleeve having an exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is configured for receiving a beverage cup, and the inner surface of the conical sleeve is configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage cup. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, is a thermal cup protector comprising an elastomeric and fabric composite sleeve, a conical configuration and with opposed open top end and open bottom end, an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface configured for receiving a beverage container with a frusto-conical shape. 
         [0009]    The following description and annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects and implementations of the invention. These are indicative of only a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side isometric view illustrating a beverage cup sleeve system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side isometric view illustrating another beverage container sleeving system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]    FIG,  3  is an isometric view of an empty beverage or liquid cup insulating enclosure with a bottom according to yet another embodiment of this invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial side view of a corrugated sleeve illustrating a cup insulation system in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating an elastomeric ring insulating system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary sleeving system that facilitates placing an elastomeric sleeve on a beverage cup; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating a metal lip and an integrated sleeve system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating a sleeve insulating system with internal vertical ribs according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a side view illustrating a sleeve insulating system with internal horizontal ribs according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a side view illustrating a sleeve insulating system with internal vertical ribs and a key tab according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11-12  are views illustrating a folding sleeve insulating system according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view illustrating an sleeve insulating system with a pouch according to another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view illustrating a Velcro sleeve insulating system according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    One or more implementations of the present invention will now he described with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. The invention relates to a beverage cup sleeving system and associated method wherein a reusable coffee cup sleeve can be fitted over hot or cold beverage cup. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a coffee cup sleeving system  100 , wherein a disposal hot beverage or liquid cup  102  can be held within an insulating elastomeric sleeve assembly  110 , as shown. The cup  102  can be formed of paper, paperboard and the like, and has a wider top portion  104  and a smaller diameter bottom portion  106 . While the beverage cup  102  illustrated can be made of paper, cellulose material, and the like, it may also be made of any suitable plastic, for example, Styrofoam. The lid  108  employed is typically manufactured in plastic, such as polystyrene. 
         [0025]    The sleeve assembly  110 , can be slid over the bottom portion  106  of the cup  102  and slid upwardly toward the top portion  104  of the cup  102  until the sleeve assembly  110  inner surface  114  fully or partially engages the cup  102  outer surface. The sleeve assembly  110  can be made of an elastomeric, for example silicone, rubber, Butyl, Ethylene-propylene (EPDM), perfluoropolyether (PFPE), thermoplastic polyurethanes, and the like. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sleeve assembly  110  can he formed from a continuous silicon or elastomeric sleeve  112  having an inner surface  114  and an outer surface  116 . The inner surface  114  and the outer surface  118  can be formed with hemispherical protrusions/bumps  118  covering essentially the entire inner surface  114  and the entire outer surface  116  to provide additional insulation qualities for the silicone or elastomeric sleeve  112  by trapping air between the inner surface  114  of the sleeve assembly  110  and the outer cup surface  120 . The sleeve assembly  110  is defined by a sleeve mounted on and encircling a beverage cup or liquid food cup  102 . The sleeve  112  has an open top  122  and an open bottom  124  through which the cup  102  extends and an inner surface  114  adjacent the cup outer surface  120 . 
         [0026]    With respect to the sleeve assembly  110 , liquid crystal technology is well known by those individuals skilled in the art. As is commonly known, liquid crystal material formulations display a color change at temperatures above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, an average normal body temperature. Additionally, such a temperature level generally represents a lowest safe-zone reading in that it is equal to the normal body temperature reading. In liquid crystal technology, chloresteric liquid crystals can preferred over others since such chloresteric liquid crystals have been determined non-toxic and can readily pass through the body if accidentally ingested by a user. For example, a chloresteric liquid crystal exhibiting a color change display at 100 degree F. is a mixture of p-n-Pentylphenyl-p-methoxybenzoate and p-n-Pentylphenyl-p-n-pentylbenzoate. Other chloresteric liquid crystal materials exhibiting similar display temperatures are disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,831 to Fergason. The elastomeric sleeve assembly  110  can be manufactured with a chloresteric liquid crystal in the elastomer so that a user can determine the temperature range of the beverage by the color of the sleeve, for example. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a sleeve assembly  110  around a cup  102  having a wider top  104  and a smaller diameter bottom  106  which are formed integrally with the outside surface of the cup  120 . A logo  204  can be printed on one side or opposite sides of a cup sleeve  202 , for example, so that the logo  204  can be seen when the sleeve  202  is positioned on the beverage cup  102 . It should be appreciated that instructions, advertisements, personal names, company logos, graphical representations, and the like, can be placed on the sleeve  202 , thereby visible to a user, customer, employee, and the like. In one example, each coffee sleeve  202  can have a logo  204  associated therewith, wherein the logo  204  can, for example, be pad printed, molded, screen printed, embossed, a tape application, a label, lithography, microcontact printing, pressure sensitive label printing, and the like. The cup sleeve  202  can protect a consumer from both hot or cold liquids, beverages, soups, freezes, and the like. The cup sleeve  202  in addition can provide insulative properties, keeping cold fluids cold and hot fluids hot, for example as well as providing a non-slip type surface for the user to hold. The sleeve  202  can be cast, compression molded, injection molded, blow molded, extruded, rotational cast, and the like. It should he appreciated that any process that converts raw resin into a finished product is considered part of this invention and is contemplated herein. 
         [0028]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a cup sleeve  302  can include a sleeve bottom  304 . The bottom of a users cup  102  ( FIG. 2 ), for example, coffee in a paper cup, hot tea in a paper cup, cup of hot chocolate, etc., can be inserted into the wider opening  308  of the cup sleeve  302  while the user is holding the sleeve outside surface  308 . As the cup (not shown) is inserted deeper into the insulating sleeve  302 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the sleeve  302  inner and outer surfaces,  310  and  308 , are forced farther apart, horizontally (or circumferentially), creating a hoop stress in the circumference of sleeve  302 . This permits the cup to be held firmly in the sleeve  302 . The cup  102  ( FIG. 2 ) bottom outside surface can actually come into contact with the sleeve  302  bottom inside surface, for example. The beverage cup and the sleeve  302  can be easily inserted into a car or truck cup carrier, for example, or set on a fable or flat surface. The beverage cup bottom can actually rest on the bottom surface of the sleeve or above the sleeve bottom. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4  is a corrugated elastomeric cup insulation system  400  that employs a corrugated cup sleeve  402 , shaped into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves. The alternating ridges and grooves allow the cup sleeve  402  to expand and contract in diameter to allow a paper cup  416  to be inserted into the sleeve  402 . This embodiment of the system  400  as well as  100  ( FIG. 1 ),  200  ( FIG. 2) and 300  ( FIG. 3 ) can be referred to as the single hand design in that if is principally tailored for use with one hand by the user rather than both hands. The sleeve  402  comprises an open top end  404  that is wider in diameter than the open bottom end  408  and adapted to receive the liquid or beverage container, for example, the paper coffee cup  414  that is designed to hold hot coffee, a container made to contain an iced drink, a frusto-conical shaped cup, and the like. As may be readily seen, the sleeve  402  is readily adapted for receiving a cup or container inside the sleeve  402 . The height of the sleeve  402 , that is, the length of the sleeve  408 , as well as the open top end and open bottom end diameters  404  and  408 , respectively can be determined by measuring the height and conical shape of the beverage containers normally to be associated therewith such that a significant external surface area of the container is enclosed by the sleeve  402 . The design can also take into consideration the height of one&#39;s hand utilizing, that is, grasping, the sleeve  402  as well as the container positioned therein. 
         [0030]    The sleeve  402  can foe formed of a single elastomeric, for example, silicon, rubber, and the like, or multiple layers of elastomerics, and the like. Such material is microwaveable, dishwasher safe, stain resistant, reusable and environmentally friendly since it is generally reusable and the elastomeric sleeve eliminates the need for consumers to use an additional cup for a hot beverage, disposable paper insulative sleeves, and the like. Also by generally forming the device from such material, the device can also be easily manufactured in the forming process. Also, it is preferable that the sleeve can keep hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold for longer periods of time. Elastomerics also offer a non-slip surface with a pleasant tactile feel. The sleeve  402  being flexible is easily folded so that It can be easily be shipped, folded up into a persons pocket, and the like. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cup ring Insulating system  500  Is configured to surround a beverage cup  102  with an insulating ring  502 , wherein the elastomeric ring  502  can have a groove  504  to accept a user&#39;s fingers and thumb. The ring  502  is then employed with each cup  102  to prevent the user&#39;s hand from coming into contact with a hot or cold beverage or liquid in a paper cup, a thin plastic cup, and the like. Consequently, the present invention eliminates the need for a second insulating cup, a paper insulating sleeve, etc. In addition, since each elastomeric ring  502  can be washed in the dishwasher, is microwaveable, s reusable, and the like, it represents “green technology” by eliminating other disposable products. Further, since the ring  102  can be designed in various ring configurations thereto, the elastomeric ring  502  can be low cost or given away as promotional products. Various printed matter  503 , for example advertisements, logos, name brand, and the like can be printed, embossed, etc., on the outer surface  504  of the ring  502 . 
         [0032]    The ring  502  can be placed against the cup outer surface  120  by sliding the cup bottom surface  106  into the wide end  508  of the ring  502 . The cup  102  can be slid further into the ring  502  until the ring elastomeric expands capturing the outside surface  120  of the cup  102  against the inner surface  114  of the ring  502 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart diagram  600  that illustrates various modes in which the cup insulating sleeve system  100  of  FIG. 1  may be placed on a cup according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. For example, initially the cup insulating sleeve can be in a relaxed state, wherein the insulating sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ) associated with, for example a paper cup is not positioned on the cup and is an un-stretched mode. In the un-stretched mode, the sleeve open bottom portion  122  ( FIG. 2 ) can be placed over the arms or fingers of a spreader mechanism (not shown). The sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ) can be slid down so that a portion of elastomeric wrap inner surface  114  ( FIG. 2 ) is in contact with the fingers. In the resting position the fingers can extend out a top portion  124  (FIG..  2 ) of the sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0034]    Once the sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ) is fully engaged on the spreader mechanism, in other words the employee, customer, and the like has dropped the sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ) over the fingers, a lever can be moved, activated, and the like to spread out or open up the sleeve to a wider diameter that the sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ) would be in the relaxed position. The paper cup, for example, that is filled with hot coffee and with a lid attached can then be placed into the expanded sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ) and rested on a platform (not shown). 
         [0035]    Once the beverage cup is placed on the platform in step  830 , the spreading mechanism at step  840  can be released so that the fingers and the sleeve  110  ( FIG. 2 ) either come into contact with the cup  102  ( FIG. 2 ) or close proximity to the outside surface  120  ( FIG. 2 ) of the cup  102  ( FIG. 2 ). For example, because the sleeve is an elastomer and the cup is relatively rigid when the cup  102  ( FIG. 2 ) and sleeve are removed from the spreader mechanism the sleeve  112  ( FIG. 2 ) is under stress and holds firmly to the cup. Spreading type mechanisms for elastomerics are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this cup assembly  700  the upper open lip  702  of a sleeve  704  can be made of metal, for example, stainless steel, tin, aluminum and the like. The body  706  of the sleeve  704  can foe a molded elastomeric, for example silicon, rubber, and the like. The molded elastomeric can be molded over a portion of the metal upper open lip using techniques that are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art. A logo  708  can be pad printed, embossed, and the like on the elastomeric body  708 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows a sleeve assembly  802  having a wider open top  804  for receiving a cup or beverage container and a smaller diameter open bottom  806 . A logo, as discussed supra, can be printed on one side or opposite sides of the sleeve assembly  802 , for example, so that the logo can be seen when the sleeve assembly  802  is positioned on the beverage cup. It should be appreciated that instructions, advertisements, personal names, company logos, graphical representations, and the like, can be placed on the sleeve assembly  802 , thereby visible to a user, customer, employee, and the like. In one example, each coffee sleeve assembly  802  can have a logo associated therewith, wherein the logo can, for example, be pad printed, molded, screen printed, embossed, a tape application, a label, lithography, microcontact printing, pressure sensitive label printing, and the like. The cup sleeve assembly  802  can protect a consumer from both hot or cold liquids, beverages, soups, freezes, and the like. The cup sleeve assembly  802  in addition can provide Insulative properties, keeping cold fluids cold and hot fluids hot, for example as well as providing a non-slip type surface for the user to hold. The sleeve assembly  802  can be cast, compression molded, injection molded, blow molded, extruded, rotational cast, and the like, it should be appreciated that any process that converts raw resin into a finished product is considered part of this invention and is contemplated herein. 
         [0038]    The inner surface of the sleeve assembly  802  can have vertical ribs  812  as illustrated that run from the top surface  814  of the sleeve assembly to the bottom surface  816  or any portion thereof, it should also be appreciated that the ribs can be horizontal, diagonal or any moldable pattern either on the internal surface  828  of the sleeve assembly  802  or the external surface  828  of the sleeve assembly  802 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a sleeve assembly  900  similar to the sleeve assembly  800  in  FIG. 8  except the ribs are horizontal.  FIG. 10  illustrates a sleeve assembly similar to  FIG. 8  except the sleeve assembly  1000  can have a molded tab  1002  with a through hole  1004  for attaching keys, check out bar code cards, and the like. 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  illustrates an elastomeric sleeve assembly  1100  similar to the sleeve assembly  800  in  FIG. 8  except the sleeve assembly  1100  has no ribs but rather two indents  1102  that run the length of the sleeve assembly  1100  so that the sleeve assembly  1100  can be folded as illustrated in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  Illustrates a sleeve assembly  1200  in a partially folded position. The sleeve assembly  1300  shown in  FIG. 13  is similar to the sleeve assembly  200  shown in  FIG. 2  except the sleeve assembly  1300  can have a molded pouch  1302  for holding keys, coins, dollar bills, and the like. 
         [0040]      FIG. 14  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve  1402  comprises a band of elastomeric material, for example silicon, rubber and the like. Velcro hooks  1404  are attached to the one end of the sleeve  1402  and Velcro eyes  1408  are attached to the opposite side of the sleeve  1402  as illustrated. The sleeve  1402  can then be wrapped around a cup with the Velcro ends  1404  and  1408  fastened together to wrap around the cup. 
         [0041]    Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the Illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”.