U.S. patent application number 11/368762 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for beverage cup sleeve or holder for improved containment of drips, spills, and condensation.
Invention is credited to Theresa Marie Novak.
Application Number | 20070205204 11/368762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38470611 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070205204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Novak; Theresa Marie |
September 6, 2007 |
Beverage cup sleeve or holder for improved containment of drips,
spills, and condensation
Abstract
This invention is a beverage cup sleeve or holder that intended
for the retail beverage industry. The invention's main objective is
to contain the spills, drips, or condensation that occur when
drinking coffee, tea, soda, or other beverages. This improved
beverage cup sleeve or holder may take various forms during
shipping and distribution; but, when installed, the improved
beverage cup sleeve or holder provides a cuff to gather spills,
drips, and/or condensation. In the case of the beverage cup holder,
a retaining bottom provides for additional opportunities for
absorption and containment. Both the sleeve (without retaining
bottom) and holder (with bottom) designs should be made from an
absorbent material and separate the beverage drinker from the
drips, spills, and/or condensation.
Inventors: |
Novak; Theresa Marie;
(Laona, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard S. Missimer
PO Box 486
Butler
WI
53007-0486
US
|
Family ID: |
38470611 |
Appl. No.: |
11/368762 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/737 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0216
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/737 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product that
comprises: (a) a cuff that is made from an absorbent material that
derives from the groups of materials from which napkins are made,
including, but not limited to, the group of paper, the group of
cardboards and the group of cloths; and said cuff encircles the
circumference of the beverage cup or similar product; and (b) a
body made from said absorbent material; and said body encircles the
circumference of the beverage cup or similar product; whereby said
device for improved containment of drips, spills, and condensation
emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of claim 1 can
absorb and/or channel drips, spills, and condensation in a manner
that (i) prevents the beverage drinker's hands from either being
burned, or getting wet; and (ii) protects the beverage drinker's
clothing, vehicle, etc. from being stained by the beverage's drips,
spills, and condensation.
2. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 1 wherein said cuff is shaped as an arc that creates a
rounded space between the beverage cup or similar product and said
material; and said arc is shaped by hand, machine, or
otherwise.
3. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 1 wherein said cuff is shaped like a slope that creates an
angular space between the beverage cup or similar product and said
material; and said slope is shaped by hand, machine, or
otherwise.
4. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 1 wherein said body is folded, pleated, indented, or
otherwise shaped by hand, machine, or otherwise into a plurality of
radially-spaced channels that run vertically along the length of
said material.
6. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 1 wherein said absorbent material has designs, advertising,
logos, pictures, numbers, letters, etc. incorporated into it.
7. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 1 wherein said device is tailored to a length that is shorter
than the entire length of the beverage cup or similar product.
8. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 1 wherein said body is tailored to a length that is equal to
or longer than the entire length of the beverage cup or similar
product, yet does not interfere with the beverage drinker's ability
to drink.
9. A device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product that
comprises: (a) a cuff that is made from an absorbent material that
derives from the groups of materials from which napkins are made,
including, but not limited to, the group of paper, the group of
cardboards and the group of cloths; and said cuff encircles the
circumference of the beverage cup or similar product; and (b) a
body made from said absorbent material; and said body encircles the
circumference of the beverage cup or similar product; and (c) a
bottom made from said absorbent material; and said bottom
encompasses the bottom of the beverage cup or similar product;
whereby said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 9 can absorb and/or channel drips, spills, and condensation
in a manner that (i) prevents the beverage drinker's hands from
either being burned, or getting wet; and (ii) protects the beverage
drinker's clothing, vehicle, etc. from being stained by the
beverage's drips, spills, and condensation; and whereby said device
for improved containment of drips, spills, and condensation
emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of claim 9
provides for extra containment and absorption when a space is
allowed between the bottom of the beverage cup or similar product
and said bottom of claim 9.
10. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 9 wherein said cuff is shaped like an arc that creates a
rounded space between the beverage cup or similar product and said
material; and said arc is shaped by hand, machine, or
otherwise.
11. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 9 wherein said cuff is shaped like a slope that creates an
angular space between the beverage cup or similar product and said
material; and said slope is shaped by hand, machine, or
otherwise.
12. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 9 wherein said body is folded, pleated, indented, or
otherwise shaped by hand, machine, or otherwise into a plurality of
radially-spaced channels that run vertically along the length of
said material.
13. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 9 wherein said absorbent material has designs, advertising,
logos, pictures, numbers, letters, etc. incorporated into it.
14. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 9 wherein said device is tailored to a length that is shorter
than the entire length of the beverage cup or similar product.
15. Said device for improved containment of drips, spills, and
condensation emanating from a beverage cup or similar product of
claim 9 wherein tailored to a length that is equal to or longer
than the entire length of the beverage cup or similar product, yet
does not interfere with the beverage drinker's ability to drink.
Description
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
[0001] In the past two decades, coffee houses great and small have
taken over the United States. Businesses such as Starbucks and
Steamers, as well as small, trendy coffee houses, have been popping
up every few blocks. For years, the United States has been the
largest coffee importer; and just about every public place
countrywide has one or more coffee carts or stands, selling a
variety of coffees, drinks, and snacks. Indeed, Americans just
cannot seem to get enough of their "coffee culture."
[0002] During the rise of this coffee culture, certain
inconveniences manifested themselves and interfered with the coffee
culture's enjoyment of its chosen beverage. First, coffee culture
discovered that the heat from the coffee would emanate through the
cups and burn their hands. In response to this discovery, many
different types of insulated cups and sleeves were invented. These
sleeves were designed to fit around the coffee cups and act as heat
barriers to prevent the coffee drinkers' hands from being
burned.
[0003] Second, American coffee culture discovered that spilling hot
coffee could have both minor and dire consequences. For who could
forget Stella Liebich and the infamous McDonald's "scalding coffee"
case? The prior art, such as, U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,091 to Bell
(2001), has been designed to insulate the coffee cup and protect
the coffee drinker's hand from the coffee's heat. However, none of
the prior art attempts to protect the coffee drinker's lap,
clothing, vehicle, etc. from drips and spills. Moreover, the prior
art can do little, if anything to stave off a more than minor
amount of condensation around a cool or cold beverage cup. In U.S.
Pat. No. 5,385,260 to Gatcomb (1995), for example, the rim of the
cup covers over the gaps in the folds of the sleeve. This causes
drips and spills to run down the sides of the sleeve and onto the
beverage drinker's hands, lap, clothes, vehicle, etc.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,363 to Rule, Jr. (2000) comprises a
sleeve full of air holes that allow heat to escape; this neither
protects the beverage drinker's hands from heat, nor prevents
drips, spills, and/or condensation from interfering with the
beverage drinker's enjoyment. In fact, any drips, spills, or
condensation that happened to be caught by this sleeve would leak
through the air holes and greatly inconvenience the beverage
drinker.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,709 to Hudson (2001) is a general,
fabric based sleeve that is machine washable and reusable. Drips,
spills, and/or condensation, however, might ruin the fabric of this
invention. Further, any consistent drips, spills, and/or
condensation might gather around the rim of the sleeve and slide
down the side that is being held by the beverage drinker's
hands.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,735 to Cai (2002) comprises a sleeve
with air gaps at several points. Although the air gap points (which
were originally designed to insulate the cup and protect the
beverage drinker's hands only) do create channels in which drips
and spills may flow, the air gaps also prevent the bottom of the
sleeve from fitting snugly around the cup. Hence, any drips or
spills channeled into the air gaps would leak through and
inconvenience the beverage drinker.
[0007] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,082 to Nickel (2004) merely
secures a napkin to an insulating sleeve. In Nickel, the napkin
acts as a bib, and prevents drips, spills, and/or condensation to a
limited extent and only in the areas where the napkin is secure,
which would generally not encircle the entire beverage cup.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The main benefit of this invention is that the beverage
drinker can enjoy his/her other beverage without fear that his/her
professional appearance will be marred; for, the invention prevents
beverage spillage from soiling the beverage drinker's clothes, car,
bag, documents, etc. Further, objects and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings
and ensuing description.
[0009] This improved beverage cup sleeve (without a bottom) or
holder (with a bottom) is specifically designed to contain a
substantial amount of drips, spills, and/or condensation by
absorbing and/or capturing them, and in so doing, protecting the
drinker.
[0010] This beverage cup sleeve (or holder) is preferably made from
an absorbent material, including, but not limited to, the group of
materials that napkins are made of, including the groups of paper,
cardboard, and cloth. And although the main object of this
invention is to contain drips, spills, and/or condensation, it
will, by its very nature, provide a heat barrier or condensation
barrier that protects the beverage drinker's hands.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] This improved beverage cup sleeve (without bottom) or holder
(with bottom) has either two (2), or three (3) main components. In
the case of the sleeve, there is the (1) cuff, and (2) sleeve body;
and in the case of the holder, this is the (1) cuff, (2) holder
body, and (3) retaining bottom. Both the sleeve and the holder may
take various forms.
[0012] The cuff is a gathering device that absorbs the liquid
and/or moves it towards other absorbent areas and/or the retaining
bottom. The cuff takes two forms, either an arc away from the cup
or a slope towards the cup. The arc design acts like an absorber
and contains the liquid in itself and the body of the sleeve (or
holder). The slope design allows the drippage to be channeled into
the body of the sleeve (or holder) where it can be absorbed more
efficiently and/or held in the retaining bottom.
[0013] The sleeve or holder body consists of a napkin like material
that may or may not be pleated, folded, or indented. The sleeve or
holder body is made from the same material as the cuff. Any pleats,
folds or indents in the body would increase the surface area of the
absorbent material.
[0014] The retaining bottom for the holder allows for additional
absorption, and can provide space for advertising at the preference
of the customer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1--assembly of cup and sleeve with arced cuff
[0016] FIG. 2--cup and sleeve with arced cuff
[0017] FIG. 3--assembly of cup and holder with arced cuff
[0018] FIG. 4--perspective view of a cup and holder with arced
cuff
[0019] FIG. 5--perspective view of a cup and holder with sloping
cuff
[0020] FIG. 6--cut away view of cup and holder with sloping
cuff
[0021] FIG. 7--perspective view of a cup and holder with arced cuff
and
[0022] FIG. 8--cut away view of cup and holder with arced cuff
[0023] FIG. 9--cut away view of upper corner of cup with arced
cuff
[0024] FIG. 10--perspective view of a cup bottom with optional
advertisement
[0025] FIG. 11--perspective view of a cup with minimally sloped
holder
[0026] FIG. 12--perspective view of a cup with hand formed
holder
DRAWINGS--REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0027] 100--customer supplied cup [0028] 101--flat sleeve wrapper
[0029] 102--pre-formed holder [0030] 103--arced cuff [0031]
104--sloping cuff [0032] 105--body [0033] 106--customer supplied
sleeve cover [0034] 107--holder bottom w/advertisement
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] This invention's purpose may be accomplished in many ways;
but, the inventor's preferred embodiment consists of a arced (103)
or sloping (104) cuff that attracts or gathers the drips, spills,
and/or condensation, and a sleeve (101) or holder (102) body that
absorbs (or contains) the drips, spills, or condensation. These
elements of the invention can take many forms and be shipped or
distributed in various ways. The forms and ways that would be the
most effective will depend upon the manufacturer's equipment and
processes, and the beverage retailer's preferences.
[0036] When the beverage retailer prefers, advertisement can be
incorporated either on the cuff of the sleeve (101) or holder
(102); or advertisement (105) can be placed on the bottom of the
holder (102) as shown in FIG. 10.
* * * * *