Patent Publication Number: US-2018044082-A1

Title: Insulating cup sleeve system

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cut-away view showing the components for an INSULATING CUP SLEEVE SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sleeve segment for an INSULATING CUP SLEEVE SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an elastic gusset for an INSULATING CUP SLEEVE SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to enable someone skilled in the prior art to make and use this invention, but is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention described herein is an insulating cup sleeve system  100  preferably comprising a sleeve segment  110 , where an inner surface  120  and an outer surface  130  cover an insulating material  140 , where an upper edge  150  and a lower edge  160  couple the inner surface  120  to the outer surface  130 , and where a first end  170  and a second end  180  of the sleeve segment  110  couple the inner surface to the outer surface; and an elastic gusset  190  couples the first end  170  to the second end  180  of the sleeve segment  110  to form a tubular shape. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sleeve segment partially wraps around a cup  230  to provide protection from the heat or cold temperatures escaping through the sidewall of the cup  230 . The upper edge  210  and the lower edge  220  of the sleeve segment  240  are preferably further comprised of rolled seams extending the entire circumference of the sleeve segment  240 . The rolled seams are preferably stitched to the inner surface and the outer surface to fully encompass the insulating material within the sleeve segment  240 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sleeve segment  310  further comprises a first end  330  and a second end  340  to further enclose the insulating material in between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sleeve segment  310 . The sleeve segment first end  330  preferably further comprises a seam where the inner surface is preferably coupled to the outer surface and an elastic gusset  320  first end. Also, the sleeve segment second end  340  preferably further comprises a seam where the inner surface is preferably coupled to the outer surface  310  and an elastic gusset  320  second end. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the elastic gusset is coupled to the sleeve segment first end  330  and the sleeve segment second end  340  such that the combination of the sleeve segment coupled to the elastic gusset provides a continuous sleeve system in a tubular shape structured and arranged to completely circumscribe a cup  350 , or other liquid vessel. The sleeve segment  310  comprises approximately two-thirds (⅔) to three-quarters (¾) of the total circumference of the insulating cup sleeve system. The elastic gusset  320  comprises approximately one-quarter (¼) to one-third (⅓) of the total circumference of the insulating cup sleeve system. Additionally, the elastic gusset  320  is preferably the same width as the sleeve segment  310  extending from the sleeve segment upper edge  360  to the sleeve segment lower edge  370 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the sleeve segment  240  is preferably comprised of a combination of flexible fabric materials and fabricated using common stitching techniques. The sleeve segment inner surface and sleeve segment outer surface are preferably a flexible fabric material. Such various flexible fabric materials include cotton, polyester, nylon, and any combination thereof. Other fabrics not enumerated herein may also be used to fabricate the insulating cup sleeve system. Additionally, the outside surface may contain a graphic design. The graphic design may be applied in any number of ways including, but not limited to, stitching, printing, or heat applied decals. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the elastic gusset  320  is preferably structured and arranged to allow the insulating cup sleeve system to adapt to various cup  350  shapes and sizes. The elastic gusset  320  preferably allows the insulating cup sleeve system to expand as necessary to fit snugly over most cup sizes. Additionally, the elastic gusset preferably allows the insulating cup sleeve system to adapt and conform to various cup sidewall shapes such as semi-conical, curvy, or other non-conventional cup shapes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the insulating material  140  is preferably positioned between the segment sleeve inner surface  120  and the segment sleeve outer surface  130 . The insulating material  140  is preferably not secured to either the segment sleeve inner surface  120  or the segment sleeve outer surface  130 . Not being secured to either fabric surface allows the insulating material to conform more evenly as the insulating cup sleeve system  100  is applied to a cup. 
     The insulating material is preferably comprised of a material with insulative properties to protect a user&#39;s hand from the heat or cold transferring through the sidewall of a cup, or liquid vessel. Types of insulative material include, but are not limited to, various fabric batting materials, such as cotton, neoprene rubber material, or any type of insulation material not enumerated herein. 
     Alternately preferably, the insulating material may be secured to either the segment sleeve inner surface or the outer surface using a fabric adhesive, or secured to both surfaces using a fabric adhesive. Alternately preferably, the insulating material may be secured to either of the segment sleeve inner and/or outer surfaces by stitching the insulating material directly to the surfaces.