Abstract:
A sleeve for a cup includes a shape that reduces the overall surface area of the sleeve. The sleeve contains an enlarged surface area for the thumb and another enlarged surface area for one or more fingers of the hand for thermally insulating the hand from the cup. The sleeve includes a narrow portion of material connecting these areas. The overall size of the sleeve is such that it reduces the amount of material used in the sleeve, while providing the same thermal insulative effect of a larger sleeve.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    Applicants hereby claim the priority benefits under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119, basing said claim of priority on commonly assigned, related U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/031,948 filed Aug. 1, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly to a sleeve for a cup, such as those commonly employed in vending machines and in stores and restaurants for dispensing liquids. Liquids, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soup, etc., can be dispensed and served in a container. The liquids are typically heated or cooled before or during dispensing. Many of these containers are either a paper or plastic cup. Because paper and plastic cups typically do not provide sufficient thermal insulating properties when filled with a hot or cold liquid, the handling of such containers may be uncomfortable to the consumer. Protective sleeves have been used to allow a person to hold the cup without burning one&#39;s fingers yet retaining heat in the cup for preventing the liquid from cooling too quickly. Similarly, a sleeve can be used to thermally insulate a person&#39;s hand from a cup containing a cold beverage or a frozen food or beverage. 
         [0003]    The cups used by coffee shops, stores, and vending machines are typically disposable cups made from inexpensive and typically biodegradable materials. Similarly, the sleeves are also disposable and made of recyclable materials. The ideal cup and sleeve would protect a person&#39;s hand from excessive heat or cold while keeping the beverage hot or cold for an extended period of time. The sleeves may be made of multiple layers to increase the level of thermal insulation. In addition, the sleeve may be corrugated, such as corrugated paperboard or cardboard, to create air spaces around the cup to provide a certain degree of insulation. While the sleeves can provide insulation, they add to the cost of the beverage and increase the material that is disposed of when the consumer is done with the cup. 
         [0004]    Thus, a sleeve that reduces the material that is used in the sleeve while maintaining the thermal insulation properties of the sleeve would be advantageous and is desired. A product that solves these problems and a method of making such a product are described herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One object of the present invention is a cup sleeve that utilizes less material than the prior art sleeves while maintaining the thermal insulating effects of the sleeve. The sleeve is configured to provide the surface area necessary to grasp the sleeve and to maintain thermal insulation between the hand and the cup, while minimizing the amount of material that is not within the area of the grasp. 
         [0006]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a cup sleeve, wherein the number of sleeves that can be obtained from a single piece of material is increased due to the shape of the sleeve and the ability to cut more sleeves from the same amount of material. 
         [0007]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sleeve for use with a cup with a combination of one or more of the following features:
       wherein the amount of adhesive that is used is reduced   wherein the surface area of the sleeve is reduced   wherein the sleeves have a shape that allows more sleeves to be cut from the same amount of material   where the reduced size and weight of the sleeve allows the sleeve to be shipped and/or stored at a lower cost       
 
         [0012]    These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a prior art sleeve on a cup; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a prior art sleeve of  FIG. 1  on a cup; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a sheet of material with the cut pattern for multiple prior art sleeves, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , depicted thereon; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front view of one embodiment of the inventive sleeve on a cup; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the sleeve and cup shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a sheet of material with the cut pattern for multiple sleeves, shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , depicted thereon; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front view of another embodiment of the inventive sleeve on a cup; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the sleeve and cup shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a sheet of material showing the cut pattern for multiple sleeves, shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , depicted thereon; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the sleeve shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , in an unassembled condition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the attached drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a prior art sleeve  100 . The sleeve  100  includes a slightly curved or arcuate portion with a lower concave edge and an upper convex edge, as shown in  FIG. 3 . When the prior art sleeve  100  is placed on a cup  104 , it gives the appearance of a sleeve  100  with generally parallel top and bottom edges. Thus, the upper and lower edges of the sleeve  100  allow the sleeve  100  to look straight when placed on a cup  104  that has a tapered diameter that increases from the bottom to the top of the cup  104 . The sleeve  100  is assembled prior to placement on the cup  104  by having two lateral edges connected by adhesive to form a joint  110  or by other means, such as overlapping slots. The sleeve  100  is cut from a piece of stock material  106 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0025]    One illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . The cup  4  is typically formed of paperboard, cardboard, or other cellulose material and may include multiple layers of material, such as the materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,771 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference. The cellulose material can include recycled and/or post-consumer material. The cup  4  may also be made of or include a suitable plastic and/or foam material. Similarly, the sleeve  2  is made up of a cellulose material, such as paperboard and/or cardboard, and can include multiple layers of material, which can include recycled and/or post-consumer material. The sleeve  2  can also be made of or include a suitable plastic or foam material. The sleeve  2  can also be made from a biodegradable material. The material can be generally flat or can include texture on one or more surfaces. For example, the sleeve  2  can be made from fluted stock material  12  like that shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 . The sleeve  2  can also be made from a honeycomb or any other texturized material, like those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,425,497 and 6,863,644. The texture can assist in the gripping ability of the sleeve  2  as well as the thermal insulating properties of the sleeve  2 . 
         [0026]    The sleeve  2  is shaped so that there are two enlarged areas  6  with narrow connecting portions  8  in between. The narrow connecting portions  8  can be approximately one-third of the width of the enlarged areas  6 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 , the enlarged areas  6  are approximately the same width  3  as the width  105  of the prior art sleeve  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . However, the enlarged areas  6  could have a narrower or even slightly larger width  3  than the width  105  of the prior art sleeve  100 . When assembled, the two enlarged areas  6  will be generally opposite each other when the sleeve  2  is placed on a cup  4 . A person&#39;s thumb can be positioned on one enlarged area  6  with one or more fingers being positioned on the opposite enlarged area  6 , thus providing insulation to a person&#39;s fingers when the combined cup  4  and sleeve  2  are held. As such, the width  3  of the enlarged areas  6  may also be the same approximate size or slightly larger than the width of two fingers. 
         [0027]    The narrow connecting portions  8  of material between these enlarged areas  6  permit the reduction of material used in the sleeve  2  while maintaining the thermal insulation properties of the sleeve  2 . The width  5  of the narrow connecting portions  8  is approximately one-third the width  3  of the enlarged area  6 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the narrow connecting portions  8  connect and/or overlap to create a connection  13  when the sleeve  2  is assembled. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the narrow connecting portions  8  can include a first portion  22 , a second portion  18 , and a third portion  20 . When the adhesive is placed between the overlap of the second portion  18  and third portion  20 , the amount of adhesive used on the sleeve  2  is reduced in comparison with the prior art sleeve  100 . Any suitable adhesive, such as glue or strips of adhesive, may be used. The sleeve  2  may also use some form of mechanical connection, such as interlocking slits, tongue and groove, etc., alone or in combination with the adhesive. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the enlarged areas  6  of the sleeve  2  can taper down to the narrow portions  8 . 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the shape of the sleeve  2  allows more sleeves  2  to be made from the same amount of material as compared to prior art sleeves  100 , thereby decreasing the cost and environmental impact of the sleeve  2 . The sleeve  2  may have a design such that a tessellated and/or mosaic pattern is cut into the stock material  12  so as to reduce the amount of unused material. In this manner, more sleeves  2  can be obtained from the same amount of stock material  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, one hundred twelve sleeves  2  are obtained instead of seventy-six from the same sized piece of stock material  106 ,  12  when comparing the cut pattern of  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 3 . This results in approximately 33% more sleeves  2  from the same amount of stock material  106 ,  12 . 
         [0029]    Another embodiment of the sleeve  22  is shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . This sleeve  22  is similar to the sleeve  2  shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , allowing more sleeves  22  to be made from the same amount of stock material  12  as compared to the prior art sleeve  100 . In addition, the mosaic-cut pattern of the sleeve  22  allows for more sleeves  22  to be obtained from the same amount of stock material  12 , while reducing the amount of unused stock material  12 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , one hundred twelve sleeves  22  are obtained from the same amount of stock material  12  that produces seventy-six prior art sleeves  100 . 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 7-10 , the width  23  of the enlarged areas  26  is approximately three times the width  25  of the narrow portions  28  of the sleeve  22 .  FIG. 10  illustrates where the adhesive  24  may be placed before portions are overlapped to create the assembled sleeve  22 . In this illustrated embodiment, the adhesive  24  is used to connect the narrow portions  28  of the sleeve  22 . The narrow portions  28  include a first portion  34  between the two enlarged areas  26 , a second portion  32 , and a third portion  30 . When the adhesive  24  is placed between the overlap of the second portion  32  and the third portion  30 , the amount of adhesive  24  is reduced. However, the adhesive  24  may be used in the enlarged areas  26  of the sleeve  22 . This can be accomplished by sizing and cutting one of the enlarged areas  26  with a seam that allows the two portions of the enlarged area  26  to overlap. Alternatively, one of the narrow portions  28  can include an extension that is adhered or otherwise connected to one of the enlarged areas  26 . 
         [0031]    While the embodiments show the connection at the ends of the narrow connecting portions  8 ,  28  of sleeves  2 ,  22 , the sleeves  2 ,  22  may be cut in a manner where the connection takes place anywhere on the sleeves  2 ,  22 . The sleeves  2 ,  22  are configured to closely embrace a cup  4  while protecting the user&#39;s fingers from the temperature of the cup  4 . The sleeves  2 ,  22  may also be used on any container. While the illustrated embodiments show the sleeves  2 ,  22  being used on a tapered cup  4 , the container may be of any shape. 
         [0032]    The methods for cutting the sleeves  2 ,  22  from the stock material  12  can include any traditional method of cutting shapes from stock material  12 , including, but not limited to, die cutting. A blank in the shape of the sleeves  2 ,  22  may be applied to the stock material  12  in order to maximize the number of sleeves  2 ,  22  from the stock material  12 . This includes arranging the blanks in a rotational manner, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , such that the enlarged areas  6 ,  26  are above a narrow portion  8 ,  28 . When the sleeves  2 ,  22  are to be used on tapered cups  4 , the sleeves  2 ,  22  will have concave  16 ,  27  and convex  14 ,  28  sides. By having concave  16 ,  27  and convex  14 ,  28  sides above each other on the stock material  12  (as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 ), the stock material  12  is maximized. A tessellated and/or mosaic pattern can be created by arranging the blanks in this matter. The blanks can be arranged so that the tessellated and/or mosaic pattern is rotated to maximize the number of blanks on the stock material  12 . 
         [0033]    It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
         [0034]    It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of textures and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
         [0035]    It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
         [0036]    In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.