U.S. patent application number 11/300791 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for drink sleeve.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen S. Bradley, Michael S. Brunner, Tamara Mace, Rodney McKee, Cecilia Berger Sharp.
Application Number | 20070138188 11/300791 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37814137 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070138188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mace; Tamara ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
Drink sleeve
Abstract
The present invention relates to a drink sleeve that includes a
first layer, a second layer and a tab. The first layer includes a
top end, a bottom end and lateral edges. The second layer also
includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges. The lateral
edges of the first layer are bonded to the lateral edges of the
second layer such that a pocket is formed between the first and
second layers. The pocket is adapted to receive a beverage
container that is inserted between the top ends of the first and
second layers. The tab extends between the bottom end of the first
layer and the bottom end of the second layer. The tab includes a
fold which unfolds as the beverage container is inserted into the
pocket. Once the beverage container is fully inserted into the
pocket, the tab forms a coaster.
Inventors: |
Mace; Tamara; (Marietta,
GA) ; McKee; Rodney; (Woodstock, GA) ; Sharp;
Cecilia Berger; (Atlanta, GA) ; Brunner; Michael
S.; (Roswell, GA) ; Bradley; Stephen S.;
(Roswell, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG, WOESSNER & KLUTH, P.A.
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37814137 |
Appl. No.: |
11/300791 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31D 5/0086 20130101;
B65D 81/3876 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A drink sleeve for holding a beverage container, the drink
sleeve comprising: a first layer that includes a top end, a bottom
end and lateral edges; a second layer that includes a top end, a
bottom end and lateral edges, the lateral edges of the first layer
being bonded to the lateral edges of the second layer such that a
pocket is formed between the first and second layers, the pocket
being adapted to receive a beverage container that is inserted
between the top ends of the first and second layers, wherein the
top end of the first layer and the top end of the second layer each
include a cuff; and a tab extending between the bottom end of the
first layer and the bottom end of the second layer; the tab
including a fold which unfolds as the beverage container is
inserted into the pocket such that the tab forms a coaster once the
beverage container is inserted into the drink sleeve.
2. The drink sleeve of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the
second layer have a substantially identical shape.
3. The drink sleeve of claim 1, wherein the lateral edges of the
first and second layers are bonded together by thermal bonding.
4. (canceled)
5. The drink sleeve of claim 1, wherein the tab includes a first
section and a second section, the fold being between the first and
second sections.
6. The drink sleeve of claim 5, wherein the first section and the
second section of the tab have a substantially identical shape.
7. The drink sleeve of claim 6, wherein the first section of the
tab becomes wider as the first section extends further from the
bottom end of the first layer, and the second section of the tab
becomes wider as the second section extends further from the bottom
end of the second layer.
8. The drink sleeve of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second
layer and the tab are formed of a nonwoven laminate material.
9. The drink sleeve of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second
layer and the tab are an elastic material that is able to stretch
to greater than 20 percent of an original length in a direction
that is parallel to the fold and then recover at least 50 percent
of the elastic deformation.
10. A drink sleeve for holding a beverage container, the drink
sleeve comprising: a first layer that includes a top end, a bottom
end and lateral edges; a second layer that includes a top end, a
bottom end and lateral edges, the lateral edges of the first layer
being bonded to the lateral edges of the second layer such that a
pocket is formed between the first and second layers, the pocket
being adapted to receive a beverage container that is inserted
between the top ends of the first and second layers; and a tab
extending between the bottom end of the first layer and the bottom
end of the second layer; the tab including a fold which unfolds as
the beverage container is inserted into the pocket such that the
tab forms a coaster once the beverage container is inserted into
the drink sleeve, wherein the first layer, the second layer and the
tab are an elastic material that is able to stretch to greater than
20 percent of an original length in a direction that is orthogonal
to the fold and then recover at least 50 percent of the elastic
deformation while being substantially inelastic in a direction that
is parallel to the fold.
11. The drink sleeve of claim 1, wherein the tab is integral with
the first layer and the second layer.
12. A method of fabricating a drink sleeve, the method comprising:
moving a web in a machine direction; forming a plurality of
openings in the web; folding the web to form a first layer, a
second layer that overlaps the first layer and a plurality of tabs
that extend between the first layer and the second layer; and
bonding the first layer to the second layer in a cross direction to
form lateral edges of each drink sleeve.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising cutting the web to
form individual drink sleeves.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein bonding the first layer to the
second layer in a cross direction includes placing parallel bonds
in the cross direction and then cutting perforations in the web
between the parallel bonds.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein forming a plurality of openings
in the web includes forming openings such that the tab in each
drink sleeve includes a first section that extends from a bottom
end of the first layer and a second section that extends from a
bottom end of the second layer, the tab further including a fold
that is between the first and second sections.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein moving a web in a machine
direction includes folding both edges of the web to form cuffs on
both edges of the web.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein moving a web in a machine
direction includes joining a first cuff with the web at one edge of
the web and joining a second cuff with the web at an opposing edge
of the web.
18. A method of fabricating a drink sleeve, the method comprising:
moving a first layer in a machine direction; bonding a second layer
to the first layer in the machine direction and a cross direction
to form lateral edges on each drink sleeve and a bottom end of each
drink sleeve; forming a plurality of openings in the first and
second layers to form a plurality of tabs that extend between the
first layer and the second layer; and cutting the first and second
layers to form a plurality drink sleeves such that each drink
sleeve is joined to at least one other drink sleeve along one of
the lateral edges of each drink sleeve.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein forming a plurality of openings
in the first and second layers is done simultaneously with cutting
the web to form a plurality drink sleeves.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein forming a plurality of openings
in the first and second layers includes forming openings such that
the tab in each drink sleeve includes a first section that extends
from a bottom end of the first layer and a second section that
extends from a bottom end of the second layer, the tab including a
fold that is between the first and second sections.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising folding the
plurality of drink sleeves along the joined lateral edges to form a
z-folded stack of drink sleeves.
22. The method of claim 18, further comprising: placing a first
cuff in the cross direction along the first layer; and placing a
second cuff in the cross direction along the second layer, wherein
the first and second cuffs end up at a top end of each drink sleeve
once the first and second layers are cut to form a plurality of
drink sleeves.
23. A method of fabricating a drink sleeve, the method comprising:
moving a web in a machine direction; forming a plurality of
openings in the web; cutting the web to form a cut section that
will eventually include at least one drink sleeve; folding the cut
section to form a first layer, a second layer that overlaps the
first layer and a tab that extends between the first layer and the
second layer on each control sleeve; and bonding the first and
second layers to form lateral edges on each drink sleeve.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein cutting the web to form a cut
section includes cutting the web to partially form a plurality of
drink sleeves such that each drink sleeve is adjacent to at least
one other drink sleeve.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein bonding the first and second
layers to form lateral edges on each drink sleeve includes forming
perforations between the lateral edges of adjacent drink sleeves.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a drink sleeve for a
beverage container, and in particular to a drink sleeve that
provides thermal insulation to a beverage container.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Drink sleeves are commonly used to thermally insulate a
beverage container. In addition, many drink sleeves provide
protection against discomfort or burning that can occur when an
individual holds a beverage container which is too hot or cold due
to the temperature of the liquid inside the beverage container.
[0003] One example of when a container may be too hot relates to
when a person attempts to hold a hot cup of coffee. Depending on
the temperature of the coffee, the cup may get too hot for someone
to comfortably hold the cup.
[0004] Many individuals typically try to form a crude beverage
holder by wrapping a napkin around a hot beverage container.
Napkins typically provide inadequate thermal insulation unless so
many napkins are used that the container becomes difficult to
handle. In addition, napkins will not usually stay in place when
the container is set down such the napkins must be manipulated each
time the container is picked up.
[0005] An example of when a container may be too cold relates to
when a person attempts to hold a cold soft drink. Depending on the
temperature of the soft drink, and the temperature and humidity of
the ambient air, condensation may form on the container.
Condensation is undesirable because it will often times drip or
flow onto hands, clothes and/or surfaces. In addition, cold
beverages are often subject to rapid warming (e.g., on a hot summer
day) such that the beverage quickly becomes less refreshing.
[0006] Coasters are often used to keep surfaces from getting wet
due to condensation which can drip or flow from containers that are
used to hold cold beverages. One drawback with coasters is that
they provide limited thermal insulation to a beverage
container.
[0007] Some drink sleeves are made from insulating materials in
order to help maintain the temperature of the beverage. One
drawback with many insulating drink sleeves is that it is often
difficult to fit them over containers which have different sizes
and/or shapes.
[0008] Another drawback with many drink sleeves is that they are
relatively bulky in size such that it can be difficult to store the
drink sleeves when they are not in use. In addition, it is often
difficult to place such drink sleeves into cup holders. The size of
many drink sleeves typically makes it impractical to carry the
drink sleeves from one location to another (e.g., in a bag or
purse).
[0009] In addition, the cost of many drink sleeves and coasters is
often high enough such that it is hard to justify throwing the
device away if it becomes dirty or difficult to store. When drink
sleeves and coasters are made cheap enough to be readily
disposable, they typically lack sufficient desirable qualities.
[0010] There is a need for an insulating drink sleeve that is
comfortable to hold and is easily positioned on a beverage
container. The drink sleeve should be able to fit onto a variety of
different types of beverage containers and have the ability to be
folded for storage when the drink sleeve is not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to a drink sleeve that is able
to provide thermal insulation to a variety of different types of
beverage containers. The configuration of the drink sleeve allows
many types of beverage containers to be readily inserted into the
drink sleeve and easily removed from the drink sleeve. In addition,
the drink sleeve may be semi-durable but still manufactured
relatively cheaply so that the drink sleeve may be reused if
desired or readily replaced if the drink sleeve becomes dirty or is
lost.
[0012] The drink sleeve includes a first layer and a second layer.
The first layer includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges.
The second layer also includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral
edges.
[0013] The lateral edges of the first layer are bonded to the
lateral edges of the second layer such that a pocket is formed
between the first and second layers. The pocket is adapted to
receive a beverage container that is inserted between the top ends
of the first and second layers.
[0014] The drink sleeve further includes a tab that extends between
the bottom end of the first layer and the bottom end of the second
layer. The tab includes a fold which unfolds as the beverage
container is inserted into the pocket. Once the beverage container
is fully inserted into the pocket, the tab forms a coaster.
[0015] The tab includes a first section and a second section with
the fold positioned between the first and second sections. It is
contemplated that the tab may be any type of tab that is capable of
forming a coaster once the beverage container is inserted into the
drink sleeve.
[0016] As an example, the first section of the tab may become wider
as the first section extends further from the bottom end of the
first layer. In addition, the second section of the tab may become
wider as the second section extends further from the bottom end of
the second layer.
[0017] One or more of the first layer, the second layer and the tab
may be formed of an elastic material that is able to stretch to
greater than 20 percent of an original length in every direction
and then be able to recover at least 50 percent of the elastic
deformation. Forming one or more of the first layer, the second
layer and the tab of an elastic material may facilitate placing the
drink sleeve onto a variety of types of beverage containers.
[0018] In some embodiments, one or more of the first layer, the
second layer and the tab may be formed of an elastic material that
is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length
in a direction that is parallel to the fold and then recover at
least 50 percent of the elastic deformation. The first and second
layers and the tab in such embodiments may be relatively less
elastic in other directions.
[0019] In other embodiments, one or more of the first layer, the
second layer and the tab may be formed of an elastic material that
is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length
in a direction that is orthogonal to the fold and then recover at
least 50 percent of the elastic deformation. The first and second
layers and the tab in such embodiments may be relatively less
elastic in other directions.
[0020] The present invention also relates to a method of
fabricating a drink sleeve. The method includes moving a web in a
machine direction and forming a plurality of openings in the web.
The method further includes folding the web to form a first layer,
a second layer that overlaps the first layer and a plurality of
tabs that extend between the first layer and the second layer. The
method further includes bonding the first layer to the second layer
in a cross direction to form lateral edges of each drink
sleeve.
[0021] In some embodiments, bonding the first layer to the second
layer may include placing parallel bonds in the cross direction and
then cutting perforations in the web between the parallel bonds.
Positioning the perforations between each of the drink sleeves
allows a plurality of drink sleeves to be held together for
shipment and or packaging. When a drink sleeve is required to hold
a beverage container, one of the drink sleeves may be torn away
from the rest of the drink sleeves.
[0022] Another example method of fabricating a drink sleeve
includes moving a first layer in a machine direction and bonding a
second layer to the first layer in the machine direction and a
cross direction to form lateral edges of each drink sleeve, and a
top and bottom of each drink sleeve. The method further includes
forming a plurality of openings in the first and second layers to
form a plurality of tabs that extend between the first layer and
the second layer. The method further includes cutting the first and
second layers to form a plurality of drink sleeves such that each
drink sleeve is joined to at least one other drink sleeve along one
of the lateral edges of each drink sleeve.
[0023] In some embodiments, forming a plurality of openings in the
first and second layers may be done simultaneously with cutting the
first and second layers to form a plurality of drink sleeves.
Simultaneously forming the openings and cutting the first and
second layers may promote efficient fabrication of the drink
sleeves.
[0024] The method may further include folding the plurality of
drink sleeves along the joined lateral edges to form a z-folded
stack of drink sleeves. It should be noted that the number of drink
sleeves that get z-folded will depend in part on the size of each
drink sleeve and the width of the first and second layers.
[0025] Another example method of fabricating a drink sleeve
includes moving a web in a machine direction and forming a
plurality of openings in the web. The method further includes
cutting the web to form a cut section that will eventually include
at least one drink sleeve. The method further includes folding the
cut section to form a first layer, a second layer that overlaps the
first layer and a tab that extends between the first layer and the
second layer on each drink sleeve. The method further includes
bonding the first layer to the second layers to form lateral edges
on each drink sleeve.
[0026] Additional features of the invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following
detailed description of illustrated embodiments exemplifying the
best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an example drink sleeve.
[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates another example drink sleeve.
[0029] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate example methods of fabricating a drink
sleeve.
DEFINITIONS
[0030] As used herein, the term "web" refers to any substrate,
layer or film. A web may also be formed of multiple layers that are
made from the same or different materials.
[0031] As used herein, the term "machine direction" refers to the
direction along the length of a web, layer or film in which it is
produced, and the term "cross-machine direction," refers to the
direction that is generally perpendicular to the machine
direction.
[0032] As used herein, the term "elastic material" refers to a
material that upon application of a biasing force is stretched in
at least one direction by at least 20 percent and which will
recover at least 50 percent of its elongation upon release of the
biasing force after about a minute.
[0033] As used herein, the term "elongation" refers to the amount
that an elastic material is stretched.
[0034] As used herein, the term "retract" refers to relaxation of a
stretched material upon removal of a biasing force. As an example,
if a material has an unbiased length of one (1) inch and was
elongated by 50 percent (0.5 inch), the material would have a
stretched length that is 50 percent greater than the relaxed
length. If after releasing the biasing force the material recovers
to a length of one and one quarter (1.25) inches, the material
would have recovered 50 percent (0.25 inch) of its elongation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0035] FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an example drink sleeve 10 of the
present invention. The drink sleeve 10 includes a first layer 20
and a second layer 30. The first layer 20 includes a top end 21, a
bottom end 22 and lateral edges 23A, 23B. The second layer 30
includes a top end 31, a bottom end 32 and lateral edges 33A,
33B.
[0036] The lateral edges 23A, 23B of the first layer 20 are bonded
to the lateral edges 33A, 33B of the second layer 30 such that a
pocket P (see FIGS. 1 and 8) is formed between the first and second
layers 20, 30. The pocket P is adapted to receive a beverage
container C (see FIGS. 1-3) that is inserted between the top ends
21, 31 of the first and second layers 20, 30.
[0037] The drink sleeve 10 further includes a tab 40 that extends
between the bottom end 22 of the first layer 20 and the bottom end
32 of the second layer 30. The tab 40 includes a fold 44 which
unfolds as the beverage container C is inserted into the pocket P
(see FIGS. 2 and 6). Once the beverage container C is fully
inserted into the pocket P, the tab 40 forms a coaster (see FIGS. 1
and 2). It should be noted that that the tab 40 may cover some (or
all) of the bottom of the beverage container C.
[0038] The lateral edges 23A, 23B of the first layer 20 may be
bonded to the lateral edges 33A, 33B of the second layer 30 by any
method that is known now or discovered in the future. As examples,
lateral edges 23A, 23B of the first layer 20 may be bonded to the
lateral edges 33A, 33B of the second layer 30 by ultrasonic
bonding, thermal bonding or the use of adhesives (among
others).
[0039] In the example embodiment that is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7,
the first layer 20 and the second layer 30 have a substantially
identical shape. It should be understood that the first layer 20
and the second layer 30 may be different shapes and are not
restricted to a particular size, shape and/or type.
[0040] The tab 40 includes a first section 45 and a second section
46 with the fold 44 positioned between the first and second
sections 45, 46 (see FIG. 2). In the illustrated example
embodiments, the first and second sections 45, 46 of the tab 40
have a substantially identical shape.
[0041] It is contemplated that the tab 40 may be any type of tab 40
that is capable of forming a coaster once the beverage container C
is inserted into the drink sleeve 10. In some embodiments, the tab
40 may be integral with the first layer 20 and the second layer 30,
while in other embodiments the tab 40 may be separately attached to
the first and second layers 20, 30.
[0042] As an example, the first section 45 of the tab 40 may become
wider (see dimension W in FIG. 4) as the first section 45 extends
further from the bottom end 23 of the first layer 20. In addition,
the second section 46 of the tab 40 may become wider as the second
section 46 extends further from the bottom end 33 of the second
layer 30.
[0043] It should be understood that the tab 40 is not restricted to
a particular size, shape or type. The type of tab 40 that is used
in the drink sleeve 10 will depend in part on the material which is
used for the drink sleeve 10 and the types of beverage containers
that are to be held by the drink sleeve 10 (among other
factors).
[0044] In some embodiments, the first layer 20, the second layer 30
and the tab 40 may be formed of the same the material while in
other embodiments the first layer 20, the second layer 30 and the
tab 40 may be formed from different materials. One example material
that may be used for the first layer 20, the second layer 30 and
the tab 40 is a nonwoven laminate (among other materials). Other
example materials are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos., which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0045] One or more of the first layer 20, the second layer 30 and
the tab 40 may be formed of an elastic material that is able to
stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length in every
direction and then be able to recover at least 50 percent of the
elastic deformation. It should be noted that the elasticity for the
various parts of the drink sleeve 10 will depend in part on the
material that is used for the drink sleeve 10 and the types of
beverage containers that are likely to be held by the drink sleeve
10 (among other factors). Forming one or more of the first layer
20, the second layer 30 and the tab 40 of an elastic material may
facilitate placing the drink sleeve 10 onto a variety of types of
beverage containers C.
[0046] In some embodiments, one or more of the first layer 20, the
second layer 30 and the tab 40 may be formed of an elastic material
that is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original
length in a direction that is parallel to the fold 44 and then
recover at least 50 percent of the elastic deformation. The first
and second layers 20, 30 and the tab 40 in such embodiments may be
relatively less elastic in other directions.
[0047] In other embodiments, one or more of the first layer 20, the
second layer 30 and the tab 40 may be formed of an elastic material
that is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original
length in a direction that is orthogonal to the fold 44 and then
recover at least 50 percent of the elastic deformation. The first
and second layers 20, 30 and the tab 40 in such embodiments may be
relatively less elastic in other directions.
[0048] FIG. 8 shows an example embodiment of the drink sleeve 10
where the top end 21 of the first layer 20 and the top end 31 of
the second layer 30 each include cuffs 49A, 49B. The cuffs 49 may
be included in the drink sleeve 10 to provide support to the drink
sleeve 10 at the top ends 21, 31 of the first and second layers 20,
30.
[0049] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example method 100 of fabricating a
drink sleeve 10. The method 100 includes 110 moving a web 101 in a
machine direction M and 120 forming a plurality of openings 122 in
the web 101. The method 100 further includes 130 folding the web
101 to form a first layer 20, a second layer 30 that overlaps the
first layer 20 and a plurality of tabs 40 that extend between the
first layer 20 and the second layer 30. The method 100 further
includes 140 bonding the first layer 20 to the second layer 30 in a
cross direction D to form lateral edges of each drink sleeve
10.
[0050] It should be noted that the openings 122 may be formed at
any time during the method 100. In the example embodiments that are
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the openings 122 are formed before
the web 101 is folded. In other embodiments, the openings 122 may
be formed after web 101 is folded or after the first layer 20 and
the second layer 30 are bonded together.
[0051] The type of bonding that is between the first layer 20 and
the second layer 30 will depend in part on (i) the material of the
web 100; (ii) the configuration of the first and second layers 20,
30; and (iii) the desired strength of the bonding (among other
factors). Some example types of bonding include ultrasonic bonding,
thermal bonding or the use of adhesives (among others).
[0052] In some embodiments, 140 bonding the first layer 20 to the
second layer 30 may include placing parallel bonds 146A, 146B in
the cross direction D and then cutting perforations 147 in the web
101 between the parallel bonds 146A, 146B. Positioning the
perforations 147 between each of the drink sleeves 10 allows a
plurality of drinks sleeves 10 to be held together for shipment and
or packaging (e.g., in a z-fold or a roll). When a drink sleeve 10
is required to hold a beverage container C, one of the drink
sleeves 10 may be torn away from the rest of the drink sleeves
10.
[0053] One alternative to cutting perforations 147 in the web 101
may include cutting the web 101 to form individual drink sleeves 10
(not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). It should be noted that web 101 may
be cut by any method that is known now or discovered in the
future.
[0054] In the example embodiment that is shown in FIG. 9, 110
moving a web 101 in a machine direction M may include folding both
edges 102A, 102B of the web 101 to form cuffs 49A, 49B along both
edges of the web 101. It should be noted the edges 102A, 102B of
the web 101 may be folded by any method that is known now or
discovered in the future.
[0055] In the example embodiment that is shown in FIG. 10, 110
moving a web 101 in a machine direction M may include joining a
first cuff 49A with the web 101 at one edge 102A of the web 101 and
joining a second cuff 49B with the web 101 at an opposing edge 102B
of the web 101. The cuffs 49A, 49B eventually end up at a top end
of each drink sleeve 10. The type of attachment between the first
and second cuffs 49A, 49B and the web 101 will depend in part on
the material of the web 101 and the material of the first and
second cuffs 49A, 49B (among other factors).
[0056] FIG. 11 shows another example method 200 of fabricating a
drink sleeve 10. The method 200 includes 210 moving a first layer
20 in a machine direction M and 220 bonding a second layer 30 to
the first layer 20 in the machine direction M and a cross direction
D to form lateral edges 223 of each drink sleeve 10 and a top and
bottom of each drink sleeve 10. The method 200 further includes 230
forming a plurality of openings 232 in the first and second layers
20, 30 to form a plurality of tabs 40 that extend between the first
layer 20 and the second layer 30. The method further includes 240
cutting the first and second layers 20, 30 to form a plurality
drink sleeves 10 such that each drink sleeve 10 is joined to at
least one other drink sleeve 10 along one of the lateral edges 223
of each drink sleeve 10.
[0057] In some embodiments, 230 forming a plurality of openings 232
in the first and second layers 20, 30 may be done simultaneously
with 240 cutting the first and second layers 20, 30 to form a
plurality drink sleeves 10. Simultaneously 230 forming the openings
232 and 240 cutting the first and second layers 20, 30 may promote
efficient fabrication of the drink sleeves 10.
[0058] In addition, 230 forming a plurality of openings 232 in the
first and second layers 20, 30 may include forming openings 232
such that the tab 40 in each drink sleeve 10 includes a first
section 45 that extends from a bottom end 22 of the first layer 20
and a second section 46 that extends from a bottom end 32 of the
second layer 30 (only the first section 45 is visible in FIG. 11).
The tab 40 includes a fold 44 that is between the first and second
sections 45, 46.
[0059] The method may further include 250 folding the plurality of
drink sleeves 10 along the joined lateral edges 223 to form a
z-folded stack 255 of drink sleeves 10. It should be noted that the
number of drink sleeves 10 that get z-folded will depend in part on
the size of each drink sleeve 10 and the width of the first and
second layers 20, 30. In other embodiments, the plurality of drink
sleeves 10 may be cut to form individual drink sleeves 10.
[0060] In the example embodiment that is illustrated in FIG. 11,
210 moving a first layer 20 in a machine direction M may include
placing a first cuff 49A in the cross direction D along the first
layer 20, and placing a second cuff 49B in the cross direction D
along the second layer 30 (only the second cuff 49B is visible in
FIG. 11). The first and second cuffs 49A, 49B eventually end up at
a top end of each drink sleeve 10 once the first and second layers
20, 30 are cut to form a plurality of drink sleeves 10.
[0061] FIG. 12 shows another example method 300 of fabricating a
drink sleeve 10. The method 300 includes 310 moving a web 301 in a
machine direction M and 320 forming a plurality of openings 312 in
the web 301. The method 300 further includes 330 cutting the web
301 to form a cut section 315 that will eventually include at least
one drink sleeve 10. The method further includes 340 folding the
cut section 315 to form a first layer 20, a second layer 30 that
overlaps the first layer 20 and a tab 40 that extends between the
first layer 20 and the second layer 30 on each drink sleeve 10. The
method 300 further includes 350 bonding the first and second layers
20, 30 to form lateral edges 343 on each drink sleeve 10.
[0062] In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, 330
cutting the web 301 may include cutting the web 301 to partially
form a plurality of drink sleeves 10 such that each drink sleeve 10
is adjacent to at least one other drink sleeve 10. In other
embodiments, 330 cutting the web 301 may include cutting the web
301 to form individual drink sleeves 10.
[0063] In some embodiments, 350 bonding the first layer 20 to the
second layer 30 may include forming perforations 347 between the
lateral edges 343 of adjacent drink sleeves 10. The method 300 may
further include folding the plurality of drink sleeves 10 between
the lateral edges 343 of adjacent drink sleeves 10 to form a
z-folded stack of drink sleeves 10.
[0064] It should be noted that the method 300 may include adding
cuffs to the top of each drink sleeve 10 in any manner that is
described or referenced above relative to methods 100 and 200. In
addition, the cuffs may be added at any time during the method 300.
The means by which the cuffs are added to each drink sleeve 10 as
part of the method 300 will depend in part on the material of the
web 301 and the desired size of the cuffs (among other
factors).
[0065] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain illustrated embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the present
invention as defined in the following claims.
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