U.S. patent application number 11/844173 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for beverage cup sleeving system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Andhow Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to Howard Lee Loewenthal, Andrew Raymond Spriegel.
Application Number | 20080078824 11/844173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39260147 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080078824 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spriegel; Andrew Raymond ;
et al. |
April 3, 2008 |
BEVERAGE CUP SLEEVING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A cup insulating system, comprising a layer of elastomer formed
into a homogeneous seamless conical sleeve, the conical sleeve
having an exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening
and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is configured for
receiving a beverage cup, and the inner surface of the conical
sleeve is configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage
cup.
Inventors: |
Spriegel; Andrew Raymond;
(Massillon, OH) ; Loewenthal; Howard Lee;
(Hinckley, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ESCHWEILER & ASSOCIATES, LLC;NATIONAL CITY BANK BUILDING
629 EUCLID AVE., SUITE 1000
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Assignee: |
Andhow Innovations, LLC
|
Family ID: |
39260147 |
Appl. No.: |
11/844173 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60839259 |
Aug 23, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/403 ;
206/459.5; 220/738; 220/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3876
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/403 ;
206/459.5; 220/738; 220/739 |
International
Class: |
B65D 3/06 20060101
B65D003/06; B65D 25/00 20060101 B65D025/00; B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 25/20 20060101 B65D025/20 |
Claims
1. A cup insulating system, comprising: a layer of elastomer formed
into a homogeneous seamless conical sleeve; the conical sleeve
having an exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening
and a lower opening; wherein the upper opening is configured for
receiving a beverage cup; and the inner surface of the conical
sleeve is configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage
cup.
2. The cup insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical sleeve
is changed from a folded configuration to an open configuration by
exposing the upper opening of the conical sleeve for inserting a
container therein.
3. The cup Insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical sleeve
comprises at least one of the following: silicon, rubber, and
Butyl.
4. The cup insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical sleeve
is configured to display printed matter on the exterior surface of
the seamless conical sleeve.
5. The cup insulating system of claim 4, wherein the printed matter
comprises: decorative insignia, a persons name, a logo, team
information, store information, a coffee shop name, company
information, a photo and a picture.
6. The cup insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical sleeve
comprises: a heat responsive body having a chamber, a liquid
sealingly disposed in the chamber and a liquid crystalline
composition disposed in the liquid, wherein the liquid crystal
composition displaying a color change visually through the body at
a temperature above 98.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. The cup Insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical sleeve
comprises at least one of the following: a single continuous
elastomeric conical sleeve with a bottom, and an elastomeric wrap
with integral Velcro straps that is wrapped around the cup and the
Velcro straps on a first side of the wrap are non-fixedly attached
to Velcro connectors on a second side of the wrap.
8. The cup insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical sleeve
is configured is corrugated.
9. The cup insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical sleeve
is configured as microwave safe.
10. The cup insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical
sleeve is shippable in an approximately flattened condition.
11. The cup insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein the exterior
surface has surface features comprising at least one of the
following: a smooth surface, a textured surface, vertical ribs,
horizontal ribs, diagonal ribs and distributed raised surfaces.
12. The cup insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein the interior
surface has surface features comprising at least one of the
following: a smooth surface, a textured surface, vertical ribs,
horizontal ribs, diagonal ribs and distributed raised surfaces.
13. The cup insulating system of claim 1, wherein the conical
sleeve Is configured with an integral tab, wherein the tab has a
through hole for attaching keys, a key ring and a spring loaded
attachment.
14. A thermal cup protector comprising; an elastomeric and fabric
composite sleeve; an conical configuration and with opposed open
top end and open bottom end: an exterior surface and an interior
surface; the interior surface configured for receiving a beverage
container with a frusta-conical shape.
15. The thermal cup protector of claim 14, wherein the interior
elastomeric surface is configured to permit the composite sleeve to
conform to a frusto-conical configuration of each of a family of
thermal cups.
16. The thermal cup protector of claim 14, wherein the composite
sleeve is compatible with a family of dimensionally different
frusta-conical drinking cups, with each having a common top
dimension and with varying height dimensions to accommodate
different capacities within the family of beverage cups.
17. The thermal cup protector of claim 14, wherein the composite
sleeve is configured be cleaned in a dishwasher.
18. An insulating ring for beverage containers, the insulating ring
comprising; an elastomeric ring; an outer surface; an inner surface
configured to receive and secure a beverage cup.
19. The insulating ring of claim 18, wherein the elastomer
comprises; silicone and rubber.
20. The insulating ring of claim 17, further having printed matter
on the exterior surface of the ring.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/839,259 which was filed Aug.
23, 2008, entitled BEVERAGE CUP SLEEVING SYSTEM AND METHOD, the
entirety of which is hereby Incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a conical sleeve
to surround a cup containing a hot beverage, more particularly to
systems and methods for an improved insulation sleeve having a
configuration that facilitates easier handling of hot
beverages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Disposable hot beverage cups are customarily utilized in
coffee houses, fast food restaurants, take-out restaurants,
concession stands, and the like. These cups typically are
manufactured in standard sizes, are conical in shape, have an open
top lip adapted to receive various plastic lids, for example. These
cups are often made of treated paper, paperboard, polystyrene,
styrofoam, and the like. Polystyrene, for example is an excellent
thermal insulator and yet it has several drawbacks, for example, it
is not easily recycled nor is it biodegradable, it can effect the
coffee taste and is not seen as trendy by consumers, to name a few.
In contrast, paper and paperboard are easily recyclable and/or
biodegradable hut are poor thermal insulators. Paper based coffee
cups are often preferred by the public because they overcome the
taste issues mentioned supra, they are trendy, they overcome
recycling and biodegradable issues, but when filled with a hot
liquid, soup, coffee, and tea they are difficult to handle. In
addition they can be uncomfortable to handle when cold and become
slippery due to condensation.
[0004] As a result of the handling issues, many sellers of such hot
and cold beverages provide an additional paper sleeve or a second
cup, for example to the buyer. A second cup, a sleeve,, and the
like is environmentally unsound, adds additional cost to the
product, results In more waste, etc. There are many versions of
insulating sleeves available for consumers to be able to handle
paper cups containing hot and cold beverages. These sleeves are
commonly made from paperboard that is configured to loosely match
the contours of the paper cup. These sleeves provide some
protection to the user from high temperatures, however that
protection is often inadequate If the sleeves get wet, if the
beverage is extremely hot, if a cold beverage "sweats", and the
like. Fabric sleeves exist, however they require relatively long
manufacturing times and the sewing of seams, for example.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide an insulating cup
sleeve that is effective when wetted, effective against extremely
high and low temperatures, is reusable and easily manufactured.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved system and method for
sleeving hot and cold beverages in a paper or thin walled plastic
cup.
SUMMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of one or more aspects of the
invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention, and is neither intended to identify key or critical
elements of the invention, nor to delineate the scope thereof.
Rather, the primary purpose of the summary is to present some
concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the
more detailed description that is presented later. The present
Invention is directed to a system and method of sleeving a hot or
cold beverage associated with a paper or thin wailed plastic
cup.
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a cup
insulating system, comprising a layer of elastomer formed into a
homogeneous seamless conical sleeve, the conical sleeve having an
exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening and a lower
opening, wherein the upper opening is configured for receiving a
beverage cup, and the inner surface of the conical sleeve is
configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage cup.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, is a thermal cup protector comprising an elastomeric and
fabric composite sleeve, a conical configuration and with opposed
open top end and open bottom end, an exterior surface and an
interior surface, the interior surface configured for receiving a
beverage container with a frusto-conical shape.
[0009] The following description and annexed drawings set forth in
detail certain illustrative aspects and implementations of the
invention. These are indicative of only a few of the various ways
in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side isometric view illustrating a beverage cup
sleeve system according to one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side isometric view illustrating another
beverage container sleeving system according to another embodiment
of the invention;
[0012] FIG, 3 is an isometric view of an empty beverage or liquid
cup insulating enclosure with a bottom according to yet another
embodiment of this invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a corrugated sleeve
illustrating a cup insulation system in accordance with yet another
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an elastomeric ring
insulating system according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary sleeving
system that facilitates placing an elastomeric sleeve on a beverage
cup;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a metal lip and an
integrated sleeve system according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a sleeve insulating
system with internal vertical ribs according to another embodiment
of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a sleeve insulating
system with internal horizontal ribs according to another
embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a sleeve insulating
system with internal vertical ribs and a key tab according to
another embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIGS. 11-12 are views illustrating a folding sleeve
insulating system according to another embodiment of the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating an sleeve insulating
system with a pouch according to another embodiment of the
invention; and
[0022] FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating a Velcro sleeve
insulating system according to another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] One or more implementations of the present invention will
now he described with reference to the attached drawings, wherein
like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements
throughout. The invention relates to a beverage cup sleeving system
and associated method wherein a reusable coffee cup sleeve can be
fitted over hot or cold beverage cup.
[0024] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a coffee
cup sleeving system 100, wherein a disposal hot beverage or liquid
cup 102 can be held within an insulating elastomeric sleeve
assembly 110, as shown. The cup 102 can be formed of paper,
paperboard and the like, and has a wider top portion 104 and a
smaller diameter bottom portion 106. While the beverage cup 102
illustrated can be made of paper, cellulose material, and the like,
it may also be made of any suitable plastic, for example,
Styrofoam. The lid 108 employed is typically manufactured in
plastic, such as polystyrene.
[0025] The sleeve assembly 110, can be slid over the bottom portion
106 of the cup 102 and slid upwardly toward the top portion 104 of
the cup 102 until the sleeve assembly 110 inner surface 114 fully
or partially engages the cup 102 outer surface. The sleeve assembly
110 can be made of an elastomeric, for example silicone, rubber,
Butyl, Ethylene-propylene (EPDM), perfluoropolyether (PFPE),
thermoplastic polyurethanes, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the
sleeve assembly 110 can he formed from a continuous silicon or
elastomeric sleeve 112 having an inner surface 114 and an outer
surface 116. The inner surface 114 and the outer surface 118 can be
formed with hemispherical protrusions/bumps 118 covering
essentially the entire inner surface 114 and the entire outer
surface 116 to provide additional insulation qualities for the
silicone or elastomeric sleeve 112 by trapping air between the
inner surface 114 of the sleeve assembly 110 and the outer cup
surface 120. The sleeve assembly 110 is defined by a sleeve mounted
on and encircling a beverage cup or liquid food cup 102. The sleeve
112 has an open top 122 and an open bottom 124 through which the
cup 102 extends and an inner surface 114 adjacent the cup outer
surface 120.
[0026] With respect to the sleeve assembly 110, liquid crystal
technology is well known by those individuals skilled in the art.
As is commonly known, liquid crystal material formulations display
a color change at temperatures above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, an
average normal body temperature. Additionally, such a temperature
level generally represents a lowest safe-zone reading in that it is
equal to the normal body temperature reading. In liquid crystal
technology, chloresteric liquid crystals can preferred over others
since such chloresteric liquid crystals have been determined
non-toxic and can readily pass through the body if accidentally
ingested by a user. For example, a chloresteric liquid crystal
exhibiting a color change display at 100 degree F. is a mixture of
p-n-Pentylphenyl-p-methoxybenzoate and
p-n-Pentylphenyl-p-n-pentylbenzoate. Other chloresteric liquid
crystal materials exhibiting similar display temperatures are
disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,831 to Fergason. The elastomeric
sleeve assembly 110 can be manufactured with a chloresteric liquid
crystal in the elastomer so that a user can determine the
temperature range of the beverage by the color of the sleeve, for
example.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a sleeve assembly 110 around a cup 102 having a
wider top 104 and a smaller diameter bottom 106 which are formed
integrally with the outside surface of the cup 120. A logo 204 can
be printed on one side or opposite sides of a cup sleeve 202, for
example, so that the logo 204 can be seen when the sleeve 202 is
positioned on the beverage cup 102. It should be appreciated that
instructions, advertisements, personal names, company logos,
graphical representations, and the like, can be placed on the
sleeve 202, thereby visible to a user, customer, employee, and the
like. In one example, each coffee sleeve 202 can have a logo 204
associated therewith, wherein the logo 204 can, for example, be pad
printed, molded, screen printed, embossed, a tape application, a
label, lithography, microcontact printing, pressure sensitive label
printing, and the like. The cup sleeve 202 can protect a consumer
from both hot or cold liquids, beverages, soups, freezes, and the
like. The cup sleeve 202 in addition can provide insulative
properties, keeping cold fluids cold and hot fluids hot, for
example as well as providing a non-slip type surface for the user
to hold. The sleeve 202 can be cast, compression molded, injection
molded, blow molded, extruded, rotational cast, and the like. It
should he appreciated that any process that converts raw resin into
a finished product is considered part of this invention and is
contemplated herein.
[0028] Now referring to FIG. 3, a cup sleeve 302 can include a
sleeve bottom 304. The bottom of a users cup 102 (FIG. 2), for
example, coffee in a paper cup, hot tea in a paper cup, cup of hot
chocolate, etc., can be inserted into the wider opening 308 of the
cup sleeve 302 while the user is holding the sleeve outside surface
308. As the cup (not shown) is inserted deeper into the insulating
sleeve 302, as shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve 302 inner and outer
surfaces, 310 and 308, are forced farther apart, horizontally (or
circumferentially), creating a hoop stress in the circumference of
sleeve 302. This permits the cup to be held firmly in the sleeve
302. The cup 102 (FIG. 2) bottom outside surface can actually come
into contact with the sleeve 302 bottom inside surface, for
example. The beverage cup and the sleeve 302 can be easily inserted
into a car or truck cup carrier, for example, or set on a fable or
flat surface. The beverage cup bottom can actually rest on the
bottom surface of the sleeve or above the sleeve bottom.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4 is a corrugated elastomeric cup
insulation system 400 that employs a corrugated cup sleeve 402,
shaped into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves.
The alternating ridges and grooves allow the cup sleeve 402 to
expand and contract in diameter to allow a paper cup 416 to be
inserted into the sleeve 402. This embodiment of the system 400 as
well as 100 (FIG. 1), 200 (FIG. 2) and 300 (FIG. 3) can be referred
to as the single hand design in that if is principally tailored for
use with one hand by the user rather than both hands. The sleeve
402 comprises an open top end 404 that is wider in diameter than
the open bottom end 408 and adapted to receive the liquid or
beverage container, for example, the paper coffee cup 414 that is
designed to hold hot coffee, a container made to contain an iced
drink, a frusto-conical shaped cup, and the like. As may be readily
seen, the sleeve 402 is readily adapted for receiving a cup or
container inside the sleeve 402. The height of the sleeve 402, that
is, the length of the sleeve 408, as well as the open top end and
open bottom end diameters 404 and 408, respectively can be
determined by measuring the height and conical shape of the
beverage containers normally to be associated therewith such that a
significant external surface area of the container is enclosed by
the sleeve 402. The design can also take into consideration the
height of one's hand utilizing, that is, grasping, the sleeve 402
as well as the container positioned therein.
[0030] The sleeve 402 can foe formed of a single elastomeric, for
example, silicon, rubber, and the like, or multiple layers of
elastomerics, and the like. Such material is microwaveable,
dishwasher safe, stain resistant, reusable and environmentally
friendly since it is generally reusable and the elastomeric sleeve
eliminates the need for consumers to use an additional cup for a
hot beverage, disposable paper insulative sleeves, and the like.
Also by generally forming the device from such material, the device
can also be easily manufactured in the forming process. Also, it is
preferable that the sleeve can keep hot beverages hot and cold
beverages cold for longer periods of time. Elastomerics also offer
a non-slip surface with a pleasant tactile feel. The sleeve 402
being flexible is easily folded so that It can be easily be
shipped, folded up into a persons pocket, and the like.
[0031] FIG. 5 is in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
present invention, the cup ring Insulating system 500 Is configured
to surround a beverage cup 102 with an insulating ring 502, wherein
the elastomeric ring 502 can have a groove 504 to accept a user's
fingers and thumb. The ring 502 is then employed with each cup 102
to prevent the user's hand from coming into contact with a hot or
cold beverage or liquid in a paper cup, a thin plastic cup, and the
like. Consequently, the present invention eliminates the need for a
second insulating cup, a paper insulating sleeve, etc. In addition,
since each elastomeric ring 502 can be washed in the dishwasher, is
microwaveable, s reusable, and the like, it represents "green
technology" by eliminating other disposable products. Further,
since the ring 102 can be designed in various ring configurations
thereto, the elastomeric ring 502 can be low cost or given away as
promotional products. Various printed matter 503, for example
advertisements, logos, name brand, and the like can be printed,
embossed, etc., on the outer surface 504 of the ring 502.
[0032] The ring 502 can be placed against the cup outer surface 120
by sliding the cup bottom surface 106 into the wide end 508 of the
ring 502. The cup 102 can be slid further into the ring 502 until
the ring elastomeric expands capturing the outside surface 120 of
the cup 102 against the inner surface 114 of the ring 502.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a flow chart diagram 600 that illustrates various
modes in which the cup insulating sleeve system 100 of FIG. 1 may
be placed on a cup according to one exemplary embodiment of the
invention. For example, initially the cup insulating sleeve can be
in a relaxed state, wherein the insulating sleeve 110 (FIG. 2)
associated with, for example a paper cup is not positioned on the
cup and is an un-stretched mode. In the un-stretched mode, the
sleeve open bottom portion 122 (FIG. 2) can be placed over the arms
or fingers of a spreader mechanism (not shown). The sleeve 110
(FIG. 2) can be slid down so that a portion of elastomeric wrap
inner surface 114 (FIG. 2) is in contact with the fingers. In the
resting position the fingers can extend out a top portion 124
(FIG.. 2) of the sleeve 110 (FIG. 2).
[0034] Once the sleeve 110 (FIG. 2) is fully engaged on the
spreader mechanism, in other words the employee, customer, and the
like has dropped the sleeve 110 (FIG. 2) over the fingers, a lever
can be moved, activated, and the like to spread out or open up the
sleeve to a wider diameter that the sleeve 110 (FIG. 2) would be in
the relaxed position. The paper cup, for example, that is filled
with hot coffee and with a lid attached can then be placed into the
expanded sleeve 110 (FIG. 2) and rested on a platform (not
shown).
[0035] Once the beverage cup is placed on the platform in step 830,
the spreading mechanism at step 840 can be released so that the
fingers and the sleeve 110 (FIG. 2) either come into contact with
the cup 102 (FIG. 2) or close proximity to the outside surface 120
(FIG. 2) of the cup 102 (FIG. 2). For example, because the sleeve
is an elastomer and the cup is relatively rigid when the cup 102
(FIG. 2) and sleeve are removed from the spreader mechanism the
sleeve 112 (FIG. 2) is under stress and holds firmly to the cup.
Spreading type mechanisms for elastomerics are well known by those
of ordinary skill in the art.
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present
invention. In this cup assembly 700 the upper open lip 702 of a
sleeve 704 can be made of metal, for example, stainless steel, tin,
aluminum and the like. The body 706 of the sleeve 704 can foe a
molded elastomeric, for example silicon, rubber, and the like. The
molded elastomeric can be molded over a portion of the metal upper
open lip using techniques that are well known by those of ordinary
skill in the art. A logo 708 can be pad printed, embossed, and the
like on the elastomeric body 708.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a sleeve assembly 802 having a wider open top
804 for receiving a cup or beverage container and a smaller
diameter open bottom 806. A logo, as discussed supra, can be
printed on one side or opposite sides of the sleeve assembly 802,
for example, so that the logo can be seen when the sleeve assembly
802 is positioned on the beverage cup. It should be appreciated
that instructions, advertisements, personal names, company logos,
graphical representations, and the like, can be placed on the
sleeve assembly 802, thereby visible to a user, customer, employee,
and the like. In one example, each coffee sleeve assembly 802 can
have a logo associated therewith, wherein the logo can, for
example, be pad printed, molded, screen printed, embossed, a tape
application, a label, lithography, microcontact printing, pressure
sensitive label printing, and the like. The cup sleeve assembly 802
can protect a consumer from both hot or cold liquids, beverages,
soups, freezes, and the like. The cup sleeve assembly 802 in
addition can provide Insulative properties, keeping cold fluids
cold and hot fluids hot, for example as well as providing a
non-slip type surface for the user to hold. The sleeve assembly 802
can be cast, compression molded, injection molded, blow molded,
extruded, rotational cast, and the like, it should be appreciated
that any process that converts raw resin into a finished product is
considered part of this invention and is contemplated herein.
[0038] The inner surface of the sleeve assembly 802 can have
vertical ribs 812 as illustrated that run from the top surface 814
of the sleeve assembly to the bottom surface 816 or any portion
thereof, it should also be appreciated that the ribs can be
horizontal, diagonal or any moldable pattern either on the internal
surface 828 of the sleeve assembly 802 or the external surface 828
of the sleeve assembly 802. FIG. 9 illustrates a sleeve assembly
900 similar to the sleeve assembly 800 in FIG. 8 except the ribs
are horizontal. FIG. 10 illustrates a sleeve assembly similar to
FIG. 8 except the sleeve assembly 1000 can have a molded tab 1002
with a through hole 1004 for attaching keys, check out bar code
cards, and the like.
[0039] FIG. 11 illustrates an elastomeric sleeve assembly 1100
similar to the sleeve assembly 800 in FIG. 8 except the sleeve
assembly 1100 has no ribs but rather two indents 1102 that run the
length of the sleeve assembly 1100 so that the sleeve assembly 1100
can be folded as illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 Illustrates a
sleeve assembly 1200 in a partially folded position. The sleeve
assembly 1300 shown in FIG. 13 is similar to the sleeve assembly
200 shown in FIG. 2 except the sleeve assembly 1300 can have a
molded pouch 1302 for holding keys, coins, dollar bills, and the
like.
[0040] FIG. 14 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present
invention. The sleeve 1402 comprises a band of elastomeric
material, for example silicon, rubber and the like. Velcro hooks
1404 are attached to the one end of the sleeve 1402 and Velcro eyes
1408 are attached to the opposite side of the sleeve 1402 as
illustrated. The sleeve 1402 can then be wrapped around a cup with
the Velcro ends 1404 and 1408 fastened together to wrap around the
cup.
[0041] Although the invention has been illustrated and described
with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or
modifications may be made to the Illustrated examples without
departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In
particular regard to the various functions performed by the above
described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits,
systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used
to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless
otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs
the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is
functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent
to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the
herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the invention. In
addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been
disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the
other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any
given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that
the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or
variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and
the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner
similar to the term "comprising".
* * * * *