Patent Publication Number: US-2012024875-A1

Title: Insulating cup sleeve

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of insulating sleeves and more specifically to an insulating sleeve for a hot beverage cup. 
     Hot beverages sold at coffee or tea shops are often poured into paper cups. Because of the hot nature of the drinks, the shops often offer the user an insulated sleeve to slide onto the cup so that the user does not burn his or her hand while holding the beverage. These sleeves are usually made of a paper type material and are meant to be disposed of after use. 
     There is a deficiency in the prior technology in that disposable sleeves help to deplete our natural resources as well as adding cost to the price of each drink served. Some reusable foam wrap type insulating sleeves are available in the marketplace, however they are not designed to be folded into a compact shape for storage in a purse or pocket. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that allows users to grasp paper cups holding hot drinks without burning their fingers. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that is reusable. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that folds flat for compact storage. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that can be cleaned with soap and water and re-used. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that uses a secondary loop to hold the sleeve in the flat storage position. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an insulating cup sleeve comprising: a non-woven polyester fabric panel, a thin polyethylene foam panel, a panel retaining loop portion, said fabric panel and said foam panel overlapping each other, said fabric panel and said foam panel wrapped into a circular configuration to form a sleeve, said fabric panel and said foam panel sewn together by standard sewing means to form said sleeve, said loop portion sewn in a vertical orientation to the outside of said sleeve, and said sleeve capable of being folded by a user allowing one end of said folded sleeve to be slipped into said loop portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the invention in a flattened position. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the invention in a flattened position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention in the use position. 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention in use. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention in the partially folded position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the invention in the fully folded position. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the invention in the folded position. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the invention in the folded position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  we see a front view of the invention in the flat position. Outer layer  2  is made of a non woven polyester fabric. Dashed lines  4 ,  6  are sewing lines that hold the folded seam of the fabric in place. A loop portion  8  can be partially seen in this view. 
       FIG. 2  shows a rear flat view of the invention. Loop portion  8  can be clearly seen sewn in place in a vertical orientation with respect to the sleeve portion  2 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the invention while in the open sleeve, or intended use position. The sleeve is conically shaped to fit snuggly onto the outer surface of a standard paper coffee cup. An inner layer  10  can be seen as it fully overlaps the outer layer  2 . The inner layer is formed of thin polyethylene foam sheeting which has an insulating quality. The foam layer  10  is sewn in place as the polyester layer  2  is folded over  2 A to form a cuff that can be sewn to lock the foam panel  10  to the polyester non woven panel  2  by standard sewing thread  4 ,  6 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a section view that bisects the invention. The overlapping nature of outer panel  2  and inner panel  10  can be seen. Sewing locations  4  and  6  can also be easily seen as they retain folded over cuff portions  2 A and  4 A. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the invention in the use position. The sleeve  2  is used in a similar way as standard disposable sleeves are used. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the invention as it is being folded into the storage positron. The folded edge  2 B is getting ready to be inserted into loop  8 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the invention in the fully folded position. Dotted line  2 C shows the folded edge of the invention as it is held in place by loop  8 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a front view of the invention in the fully folded position. 
       FIG. 9  shows a rear view of the invention in the fully folded position. 
     The above described and illustrated invention allows a user to re-use an insulated sleeve over and over so that it does not have to be disposed of after each use. The sleeve of the present invention can be washed and cleaned by standard means so that it remains in a sanitary condition for repeated use. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.