Abstract:
An insulated sleeve for a container is disclosed. A flat rectangular strip of flexible, thermal insulating material having high elastic properties has a pair of opposing side surfaces defined by a pair of parallel, opposing end edges that are contiguous with a pair of opposing parallel side edges. The end edges are adorned with an over edge stitch and side edges are butted together and attached creating a cylindrical open ended sleeve constructed with one flat seam running the length of sleeve. In use, the sleeve assumes the shape of a cylindrical frustum for fitting tightly over the sidewall of a multitude of containers of various shapes and sizes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is an application for a patent which is also disclosed in Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/823,727, filed on May 15, 2013 by the same inventor, namely Frank W. Arnold, and entitled “BEVERAGE SLEEVE INSULATOR,” the benefit of the filing date of which is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to beverage and food container insulators, and more particularly, is directed towards an insulated sleeve for a multitude of sized and shaped containers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventional beverage container insulators, commonly referred to as “koozies,” are used to thermally insulate a hot or cold beverage and allow a user to comfortably grasp the container regardless of the temperature of the beverage and container. Such insulators are well known in the art. A few examples of conventional insulators are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,381,922, 5,653,124, and 4577474. Although each of these prior art provide good beverage insulation, they are specifically designed to fit beverage containers of a very limited size and shape and, thus, are not adaptable for different sized containers. 
         [0004]    A few attempts have been made to overcome the adaptability limitations of these conventional insulators. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,543 is formed from a two curved panel design and incorporates elastic bands on the top and bottom edges. This design has adaptability with beverage containers of limited shapes and sizes consisting of, “(1) a plurality of elastic panels, the top and bottom edges of the panels are substantially straight, and each of the panels also has two side edges that are curved. (2) each of which consists of a single sheet of neoprene. (4) and elastic band on each of the upper and lower ends.” The curved panels create a loose fitting bulbous center around containers with a continuous top to bottom circumference while the edges fit snugly around container top/bottom by means of elastic bands. Neoprene panels lack elastic properties necessary to conform to the size and shape of containers of a multitude of sizes and shapes while the complex construction is unnecessary and burdensome for manufacturing. 
         [0005]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0084460 is a beverage container sleeve containing numerous expanding slits throughout and having inexpensive disposable construction while one embodiment is constructed with environmentally friendly foams. Insulating ability is greatly reduced by means of a purposely porous sleeve and its construction is not environmentally friendly lacking cited materials and because it is inheritably disposable consisting of, “(1) An insulating sleeve for a beverage container having a sidewall, comprising: wherein the beverage container is received within the passageway through the first or second opening, expanding the plurality of slits into an open position such that the sleeve conforms to the sidewalls of the container, [0019] In still another embodiment, other known types of insulating foam can be used to form the sleeve. Advantageously these foams are environmentally friendly, [0027] Additionally, the sleeve is disposable due to its relatively low manufacturing cost and [0018] In one embodiment the sleeve is constructed from an insulating polyethylene foam material.” The invention is undesirable for insulation due to accelerated temperature exchange through said slits when compared to sleeves without slits. One embodiment makes and unsupported statement claiming the advantage of being made from environmentally friendly foams but lacks any examples of such materials while an disposable polyethylene foam product is not considered environmentally friendly. 
         [0006]    Further, the prior art container sleeves have the disadvantage of having a protruding seam making it undesirable for reversibility for reasons of unpleasing aesthetics and comfort. It is desirable for an insulating beverage sleeve to be aesthetically pleasing and comfortable or as result of lacking these attributions it will likely go unused. Furthermore multiple decorative displays resulting from reversibility of the sleeve is desirable. 
         [0007]    Clearly, than there is need for a sleeve insulator, and more particularly, for a reversible cylindrical shaped insulator for beverage containers, such those universally used for canned or bottled beverage containers. Further, such a needed invention would be easy to manufacture and use, and would include two uniquely distinct patterns on each side. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is an insulated sleeve for a cylindrical shaped container. A flat strip of flexible, thermal insulating material has a pair of opposing side surfaces defined by a pair of parallel, opposing end edges that are contiguous with a pair of opposing, parallel side edges. A butt seam edge joining means in included, one of each part being fixed to each one of the side edges adjacent to each one of the opposing end edges forming a butt seam by use of crochet stitch. 
         [0009]    The present invention is a beverage container insulator that is effective for use with a multitude of shaped and sized containers. The present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and readily incorporates reversibility. Further, the invention may be easily carried in pocket or stored under or between objects as it will recover shape. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the beverage sleeve insulator in accordance with the current invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view depiction of the beverage sleeve insulator in accordance with the current invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the beverage sleeve insulator in accordance with the current invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an interior side view with the location of the view being marked in  FIG. 3  in accordance with the current invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of the panel forming the beverage sleeve insulator in accordance with the current invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the beverage sleeve insulator in accordance with the current invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates the beverage sleeve insulator mounted on a beverage with a rectangular prism shaped body. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates the beverage sleeve insulator mounted on a beverage with a cylindrical shaped body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the present invention is shown as beverage sleeve insulator  12 . Beverage sleeve insulator  12  is an improved beverage insulation sleeve, which is commonly referred to by the generic name, “koozie”. The beverage sleeve insulator may be constructed in many size configurations to accommodate a wide range of container sizes with each configuration having applications on a range of sizes and shapes. For example, comparing  FIGS. 7 ,  8  the same insulator  12  may be used interchangeably on a 10 oz. rectangular prism shaped container body and on the cylindrical shaped body of a 12 oz. glass bottle container. Insulator  12  also fits and conforms to a standard 12 ounce can and 250 ml. oblong containers. Other embodiments may include but are not limited to size configurations for small cylindrical 8 oz. cans, 40 oz. glass bottles of multiple shapes and 1-2 liter bottles of multiple shapes. FIGS.  7 , 8  show insulator  12  conforming to contours of beverage container corners  13  and container walls  14 . Beverage sleeve  12  is a true conforming “koozie” that mimic&#39;s container size and shape. 
         [0020]    Beverage sleeve Insulator  12  has a tubular shape with open upper and lower ends  15  containing no bottom support ( FIG. 2 ). In the preferred embodiment the insulator  12  is formed from a singular rectangular panel comprised of highly elastic material such as natural rubber (NR) that has a thickness ranging from 2 to 4 mm thick. The sleeve is reversible (see  FIG. 4 ) since each surface  16  ( FIG. 3 ),  17  ( FIG. 4 ) of the highly elastic panel  24  ( FIG. 5 ) is covered and bonded with a patterned elastic fabric  22 ,  23  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0021]    The highly elastic panel ( FIG. 5 ) is comprised of a flat strip of rectangular flexible thermally insulating material  24  bonded with elastic fabric  22 ,  23  halving a pair of opposing side surfaces  16  ( FIG. 3 ),  17  ( FIG. 4 ) defined by a pair of parallel, opposing end edges  18 ,  19  ( FIG. 1 ) that are contiguous with a pair of opposing, parallel side edges  20 ,  21  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0022]    The side edges of the highly elastic rectangular panel  20 ,  21  are adorned with an over edging stitch  25  ( FIG. 6 ). The over edging stitch  25  can be made with a variety of thread yarn types including but not limited to size 5/2 pearl cotton yarn. An over edging stitch  25  made with yarn creates a surface that enhances grip for the users fingers while mounting beverage sleeve insulator on containers. 
         [0023]    The adjacent end edges  18 ,  19  are joined together by stitching  26  ( FIG. 6 ) forming a butt seam  27  ( FIG. 2 ). Joining the adjacent end edges  18 ,  19  of the highly elastic rectangular panel by means of a butt seam  27  creates a cylindrical tube shaped apparatus ( FIG. 6 ). The non-protruding butt seam  27  creates a comfortable non-overly protruding seam on both interior and exterior surfaces which is ideal for reversibility of the beverage sleeve insulator. When the butt seam stitching  26  is created using yarn it offers grip similar to laces found on a footballs or baseballs. 
         [0024]    While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims. 
         [0025]    The embodiment of the present invention  12  has a panel with a rectangular shape containing four ninety degree angles, a pair of parallel side edges  20 ,  21  each running perpendicular to a pair of end edges  18 , 19 . The side edge of the rectangular panel  20 ,  21  measures approximately 7.25 inches in width between the ends while the end edges  18 ,  19  measures approximately 3.75 inches. The side edges  20 ,  21  make up the respective “top and bottom” of the insulator while the invention is in “traditional use”. In this description the phrase “traditional use” refers to the insulator being used on a beverage container maintaining a roughly vertical position. 
         [0026]    The two side edges  20 ,  21  of the panel are adorned with an over edging stitch created with sufficient tension and style to allow the panel to stretch to its maximum capabilities. The side edges  20 ,  21  with the over edging stitch returns to its original shape and style after being repeatedly stretched and manipulated. The over edge stitching on the side edges  20 ,  21  has aesthetically pleasing attributes in regards to overall appearance of stitch and function of covering raw/unfinished edges which prevents peeling and fraying of bonded elastic fabric  22 ,  23 . 
         [0027]    The panel has a pair of side ends  18 ,  19  that extend perpendicular between the top and bottom edges creating four ninety degree angles that make up the rectangular panel. The highly elastic panel with perpendicular side ends  18 ,  19  allows for a true conforming fit over contours of beverage container shapes with examples being but not limited to perfect cylindrical  14 , bulbous, square  13  and oblong shaped containers. 
         [0028]    To form the insulator the ends are attached to each other by means of stitching  26  that creates a butt seam  27 . This seam is created by sewing, fusing or any other method that does not produce overly protruding seams which would create undue discomfort to the hands of the individuals using the invention. The open ended nature  15  of the invention does not restrict the height of beverage container that can be used. The entire panel  23  of the invention is made from an highly elastic material such as vulcanized natural rubber which allows the insulator to conform with the dimensions of a wide variety of beverage sizes and shapes. 
         [0029]    In use the beverage sleeve is placed around a beverage to better insulate the beverage, and to create a comfortable layer between the user&#39;s hand and the beverage while also enhancing the beverage container&#39;s aesthetic appearance. The invention can be made in a variety of sizes with each size having the capability to properly fit a range of shapes and sizes. “Properly fit” is used to describe the state in which the beverage sleeve fits a beverage container by means of a tight fit in which the sleeve contours completely to the shape of the container and does not create a void between the sleeve and container which can be described as “loose fitting”. Loose fitting beverage insulators are not an attractive feature for the end user of such invention because of the discomfort they cause. The present embodiments of the invention may be fitted with a optional loop found at one of the sleeve edges which would be used to assist in the removal or installation of the sleeve with a beverage container. 
         [0030]    The beverage sleeve design of the present invention is reversible where the opposing surfaces  16  ( FIG. 3 ),  17  ( FIG. 4 ) are illustrated with unique indicia. The one panel design allows for panoramic illustration to be used without interrupting the illustration with multiple seams. One panel construction is ideal for decoration applications for a sleeve insulator because of its minimal interruption of any pattern or illustration that would otherwise be caused by multiple seams. 
         [0031]    The present invention has qualities making it ideal for storage and in pocket possession. The streamline design of a beverage sleeve made of a 2 mm-4 mm thick panel makes condensing the sleeve for storing in various sized pockets as traditionally found in clothing, handbags, car seats, etc. easily attainable. The present invention&#39;s highly elastic one panel construction allows the sleeve to regain its shape after long storage times under significant pressure that would render other sleeves created from other material types flat, wrinkled or otherwise malformed. 
         [0032]    The present invention has many advantages as described thoroughly throughout this disclosure. A main aforesaid advantage of the present invention is the ability to insulate a beverage and create a barrier between the users hand and beverage container by preventing direct contact with a cold or hot surface. Another advantage of the present invention is the simple one panel design which makes manufacturing easily obtainable and creates minimal interference with patterns and or illustrations that adorn the invention. The streamline panel thickness is an attractive feature for in pocket storage while the ability of the highly elastic panel to regain its shape after being under pressure allows for it to be stored flat without compromising the integrity or shape of the sleeve. The highly elastic panel allows one single embodiment of the beverage sleeve invention to accommodate a range of sizes and shapes of beverage containers by means of stretch. Other materials used in prior art such as neoprene, polypropylene and other foam substrates lack the superior compression set and elongation properties as found in vulcanized natural rubber (NR) sheeting. Therefore the aforesaid materials do not have the ability to stretch and truly conform around a range of beverage container sizes and shapes that is achieved by vulcanized NR sheeting. The excellent compression set properties found in vulcanized NR sheeting allow for the beverage sleeve to return to its original size/shape after its use or prolonged flat storage and the elongation properties allow for a single embodiment to stretch around containers of various sizes. Height of the beverage sleeve is easily adjusted by rolling up one or both edges of the invention reducing its height for use on shorter beverage containers. 
         [0033]    The bottomless design in collaboration with an aesthically appealing, comfortable to the touch over edging stitch allows the beverage sleeve to be conveniently reversible. This over edging stitch also simulates “laces” like those found on a football which enhances gripping of the beverage sleeve by the users hand. Each broadside of the panel can be decorated with its own unique artwork without multiple interruptions that is caused by stitching found with a multiple panel design. The beverage sleeve insulators design made from specified highly elastic material allows for the invention to properly fit/conform to a wide variety of shaped and sized containers. The beverage sleeves simple design feature allows for the device to be manufactured easily and cost effectively by not requiring multiple elements in its construction as described in prior designs. 
         [0034]    All of the embodiments of the beverage sleeve insulator have not been described in full and it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is susceptible to changes without deviating from the scope of the invention. 
         [0035]    The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.