U.S. patent application number 11/955568 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for container holder.
Invention is credited to Mark Chaperon, Russell A. Puerini.
Application Number | 20080164270 11/955568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39593391 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080164270 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Puerini; Russell A. ; et
al. |
July 10, 2008 |
CONTAINER HOLDER
Abstract
An insulating holder for a hot or cold drink cup including a
tubular sleeve member that is made of a cellulosic paper material
and has top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve
member to be fitted over the liquid container. The tubular sleeve
member has its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a
frusto-conic shape when fitted on the cup. The tubular sleeve
member is provided with a plurality of folds that each extend in a
direction between the top and bottom circular openings and that
each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced
fold. Each fold defines an air channel that is formed on an inner
surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each
fold for providing insulation by virtue of the air passage between
the holder and cup. The folds extend in a direction that includes a
transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the user at
the fold. The holder also includes microscopic air chambers which
are used to absorb and retain moisture.
Inventors: |
Puerini; Russell A.;
(Middletown, RI) ; Chaperon; Mark; (Chester,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SALTER & MICHAELSON;THE HERITAGE BUILDING
321 SOUTH MAIN STREET
PROVIDENCE
RI
029037128
US
|
Family ID: |
39593391 |
Appl. No.: |
11/955568 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60879118 |
Jan 8, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 ;
220/737; 229/403 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3865
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 ;
220/737; 229/403 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/00 20060101
B65D025/00; B65D 3/02 20060101 B65D003/02 |
Claims
1. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a liquid
container, said insulating holder comprising: a tubular sleeve
member that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having top
and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be
fitted over the liquid container; a plurality of folds in the
tubular sleeve member that each extend substantially in parallel
with an adjacently spaced fold; each said fold defining an air
channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve
member and that extends along each fold; each said fold extending
in a direction between said top and bottom circular openings; at
least some of said folds extending in a direction that is diagonal
to a vertical axis on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve
member.
2. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein each channel is
substantially triangular in cross-section.
3. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein the tubular sleeve
member is constructed of a paper product.
4. The insulating holder of claim 3 wherein the tubular sleeve
member has imbedded microscopic air molecules to enhance the
insulation property of the tubular sleeve member.
5. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein the tubular sleeve
member is of frustro-conic shape and includes one or more apertures
connected with the air channel.
6. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein the diagonal is at an
angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees.
7. The insulating holder of claim 6 wherein the angle is between
forty five and 90 degrees to the vertical.
8. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or
cold drink cup, said insulating holder comprising: a tubular sleeve
member that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having top
and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be
fitted over the liquid container; said tubular sleeve member having
a frusto-conic configuration when fitted on the cup; a plurality of
folds in the tubular sleeve member that each extend in a direction
between said top and bottom circular openings and that each extend
substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold; each said
fold defining an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of
the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold; said
folds extending in a direction that is non-parallel to a vertical
axis on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member.
9. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein each air channel is
substantially triangular in cross-section.
10. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein the tubular sleeve
member is constructed of a paper product and further includes holes
that interconnect with the air channel.
11. The insulating holder of claim 10 wherein the tubular sleeve
member has imbedded microscopic air molecules to store accumulating
moisture in the tubular sleeve member.
12. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein the tubular sleeve
member has its top circular opening of larger diameter than its
bottom circular opening.
13. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein each fold is at an
angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees.
14. The insulating holder of claim 13 wherein the angle is between
forty five and 90 degrees to the vertical.
15. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or
cold drink cup, said insulating holder constructed of a tubular
sleeve member that is made of a cellulosic paper material and
having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve
member to be fitted over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve
member having its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a
frusto-conic shape when fitted on the cup, the tubular sleeve
member provided with a plurality of folds that each extend in a
direction between said top and bottom circular openings and that
each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced
fold, each said fold defining an air channel that is formed on an
inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along
each fold for providing insulation by virtue of the air passage
between the holder and cup, the folds extending in a direction that
includes a transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the
user at the fold.
16. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein each air channel is
substantially triangular in cross-section.
17. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein the tubular sleeve
member has imbedded microscopic air molecules to store moisture in
the tubular sleeve member.
18. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein the tubular sleeve
member has at least one hole therethrough that communicates with
the air channel.
19. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein each fold is at an
angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees.
20. The insulating holder of claim 19 wherein the angle is between
forty five and 90 degrees to the vertical.
21. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or
cold drink cup, said insulating holder constructed of a tubular
sleeve member that is made of a cellulosic paper material and
having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve
member to be fitted over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve
member having its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a
frusto-conic shape when fitted on the cup, said paper material
characterized by a mixture of a plurality of microscopic moisture
storage or air chambers surrounded by paperboard fibers to provide
a liquid absorbency by the holder.
22. The insulating holder of claim 21 with the tubular sleeve
member provided with a plurality of folds that each extend in a
direction between said top and bottom circular openings and that
each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced
fold, each said fold defining an air channel that is formed on an
inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along
each fold for providing insulation by virtue of the air passage
between the holder and cup, the folds extending in a direction that
includes a transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the
user at the fold.
23. The insulating holder of claim 21 wherein the mixture has the
fibers containing not more than 90% of the total volume and not
less than 10% of the total volume.
24. The insulating holder of claim 21 wherein the mixture has the
air chambers containing not more than 90% of the total volume and
not less than 10% of the total volume.
25. The insulating holder of claim 21 wherein the moisture storage
chambers hold and retain moisture or water, equaling as much as
150% of the weight of the paperboard material when it is dry, or
60% of the total weight of the paperboard material when fully
saturated.
26. The insulating holder of claim 21 in combination with a cup to
form a one-piece cup and holder.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Priority for this application is hereby claimed under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to commonly owned and co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/879,118 which was filed on
Jan. 8, 2007. The content of all of the aforementioned application
is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a container
holder that may be used for a variety of different applications.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved
holder that is preferably in the form of a sleeve member that can
be used for both hot and cold container applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There exist various types of sleeves or holders but these
are mainly for hot cups. However, the above sleeves and holders are
found wanting when it comes to the problems unique to cold cup
applications. The purpose of current holders is to keep the users'
hand comfortable and to insulate one's hand from excessive heat
that radiates from a hot drink cup, but do little or nothing for
uncomfortable cold, drippy, wet cups. Examples of previous holders
are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,205,473; 5,669,553; 6,152,363 and
6,412,686. Although these patents show the use of fold lines and
apertures in holder sidewalls, they still do not provide an
effective holder for cold applications.
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved container holder and particularly an improved
holder arrangement that may be used for both hot and cold container
applications.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved cup sleeve that is of relatively simple construction and
provides a solution to the problem of reducing or eliminating
container sweating and wetness for cold container applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of the present
invention there is provided an insulating holder that is adapted
for fitting over a liquid container. The insulating holder
comprises a tubular sleeve member that is constructed of a
cellulosic material and having top and bottom circular openings
that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid
container and a plurality of folds in the tubular sleeve member
that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently
spaced fold. Each fold defines an air channel that is formed on an
inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along
each fold. Each fold extends in a direction between the top and
bottom circular openings and at least some of the folds extend in a
direction that is diagonal to a vertical axis on the outer surface
of the tubular sleeve member.
[0007] In accordance with other aspects of the present invention
the insulating holder may provide each channel as substantially
triangular in cross-section; the tubular sleeve member may be
constructed of a paper product; the tubular sleeve member may have
imbedded microscopic air molecules to store accumulating moisture
in the tubular sleeve member; the tubular sleeve member is
preferably of frustro-conic shape and includes one or more
apertures connected with the air channel; the diagonal is
preferably at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty
five degrees and the angle is preferably between forty five and 90
degrees to the vertical.
[0008] Further, in accordance with the invention there is provided
an insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or cold
drink cup. The insulating holder includes a tubular sleeve member
that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having top and
bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted
over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve member having a
frusto-conic configuration when fitted on the cup. A plurality of
folds are provided in the tubular sleeve member that each extend in
a direction between the top and bottom circular openings and that
each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced
fold. Each fold defines an air channel that is formed on an inner
surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each
fold. The folds extend in a direction that is non-parallel to a
vertical axis on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve
member.
[0009] In accordance with still other aspects of the present
invention the insulating holder may provide each air channel as
substantially triangular in cross-section; the tubular sleeve
member may be constructed of a paper product and further includes
holes that interconnect with the air channel; the tubular sleeve
member may have imbedded microscopic air molecules to store
accumulating moisture in the tubular sleeve member; the tubular
sleeve member preferably has its top circular opening of larger
diameter than its bottom circular opening; each fold is preferably
at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees
and the angle is preferably between 45 and ninety degrees to the
vertical.
[0010] Moreover, in accordance with the invention there is provided
an insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or cold
drink cup, said insulating holder constructed of a tubular sleeve
member that is made of a cellulosic paper material and having top
and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be
fitted over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve member having
its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a frusto-conic
shape when fitted on the cup, the tubular sleeve member provided
with a plurality of folds that each extend in a direction between
said top and bottom circular openings and that each extend
substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold, each said
fold defining an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of
the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold for
providing insulation by virtue of the air passage between the
holder and cup, the folds extending in a direction that includes a
transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the user at
the fold.
[0011] In accordance with other aspects of the present invention
the insulating holder may be provided with each air channel as
substantially triangular in cross-section; the tubular sleeve
member may have imbedded microscopic air molecules to store
accumulating moisture in the tubular sleeve member; the tubular
sleeve member may have at least one hole therethrough that
communicates with the air channel; each fold is preferably at an
angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees and
the angle is preferably between 45 and ninety degrees to the
vertical.
[0012] In accordance with still a further aspect of the present
invention the holder may be formed integrally with the cup itself
in a single one-piece structure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] It should be understood that the drawings are provided for
the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the
limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and
advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent
with reference to the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder of the present
invention as fitted on a hot or cold drink cup;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view like that shown in FIG. 1 but
showing only the insulating holder;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the initial blank that is used
in forming the holder shown in the drawings;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the manner in
which the holder can be folded for storage purposes;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the holder as positioned on a
cup;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the
construction of the paper product with the fibers and air chambers;
and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the
paper product showing the microscopic moisture storage chambers or
air chambers surrounded by paperboard fibers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The holder of the present invention is particularly adapted
for effective use with both hot and cold containers which are
typically cups. There is illustrated herein a cylindrical sleeve or
holder which is constructed of a fibrous material, preferably a
recycled paper product. The holder is used for the purpose of
preventing beads of water from accumulating on the outer surface of
a cold beverage container, and is also constructed as a hand heat
insulator for use on hot beverage containers. The final holder
construction has flat panels that are defined by diagonal fold
lines or creases. The holder is preferably formed from a single
continuous sheet of material, although it may also be formed using
a double layer material.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the holder in an initial stage before having
been folded together to form the frusto-conic shape as illustrated
in, for example, FIG. 2. The final shape is achieved by folding the
blank shown in FIG. 3 and gluing the end edges 25 together. Refer
also to FIG. 7 that shows the edges 25. Once the shape is formed
the holder can be placed on the hot or cold cup, to prevent either
excessive heat from radiating off a hot cup, or, in the case of a
cold cup, sweat from accumulating either on the outer surface of
the holder itself or between the cup and holder.
[0024] Reference is now made to the drawings for an illustration of
a preferred embodiment of the holder of the present invention. FIG.
1 is a perspective view of the holder 10 of the present invention
as fitted on a hot or cold drink cup 20. FIG. 2 is a perspective
view like that shown in FIG. 1 but showing only the insulating
holder 10. FIG. 3 is an illustration of the initial blank 30 that
is used in forming the holder 10 shown in the drawings. FIG. 4 is a
view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the manner in which the holder
10 can be folded for storage purposes. Each holder may be folded
along creases 32. Although FIG. 4 shows a somewhat open holder, for
storage purposes each folded holder is preferably flattened. FIG. 5
is a bottom view of the holder as positioned on a cup and FIG. 6 is
a cross-sectional view as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7
illustrates the one-piece embodiment in which the cup and holder
are formed together.
[0025] The cup 20 may be considered as of a conventional cup shape
having tapered side surfaces and being of generally frusto-conic
shape. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the holder in its in-use state. The
insulating holder comprises a tubular sleeve member 12 that is
constructed of a cellulosic material and having a top substantially
circular opening 12A and a bottom substantially circular opening
12B. With both ends open this enables the tubular sleeve member 10
to be readily fitted over the liquid container or cup 20. The
tubular sleeve member 10 is provided with a plurality of folds 14
in the tubular sleeve member that each extend substantially in
parallel with an adjacently spaced fold, such as is illustrated in
FIG. 1. In the drawing eight such folds are illustrated. However,
it is understood that fewer or greater numbers of fold lines or
creases may be employed.
[0026] Each fold 14 defines an air channel 16 that is formed on an
inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along
each fold 14. Each of the channels 16 is disposed between the
holder and the outer surface of the cup. Each channel 16, as shown
in FIG. 5, is of substantially triangular cross-section. Each fold
14 extends in a direction between the top and bottom circular
openings and at least some of the folds 14 extend in a direction
that is diagonal to a vertical axis 15 on the outer surface of the
tubular sleeve member 10. In the embodiment that is illustrated all
of the fold lines 14 extend in a diagonal direction D. The folds
extend in a direction that is non-parallel to the vertical axis 15
on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member. The vertical
axis is considered to be a line on the outer holder surface that
extends between like points of the top and bottom substantially
circular holder openings. This line is vertical when the cup is
disposed on a flat horizontal surface.
[0027] Each of the adjacent fold lines or creases 14 is also
defined by adjacent panels 17 that are preferably flat panels as
shown in FIG. 5. Each of the panels 17 provide a minimum contact
area, shown at 19 in FIG. 5. The material of the holder itself is
preferably a recycled paper product that has the characteristic of
providing imbedded or entrapped microscopic air molecules used to
store undesirable moisture accumulation within the holder itself of
the present invention.
[0028] One of the important features of the present invention
relates to the particular fold or crease arrangement that is used
in the holder. These folds each form air channels that comprise a
ventilation system that allows fresh air to pass between the inside
surface of the holder sleeve and the cup. This air passes down
through each of the channels 16. The flat panels 17 provide a
minimum amount of contact between the holder and cup surfaces.
These diagonal folds also provide an external surface that is an
improved gripping surface. The folds are diagonal or non-parallel
to the vertical axis 15 which has been found to provide a somewhat
more rigid contact surface for the users hand, particularly in
comparison the a fold line that is vertical, such as shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,412,686. Refer to FIG. 2 for an illustration of the
vertical axis 15, the horizontal axis H and the angle "A" that is
formed between the horizontal axis H and the fold line 14. When a
vertical fold line is used that tends to collapse when the user
grasps the cup and holder, whereas, by providing a diagonal fold
line there is then a transverse component (in the circular
direction of the cup) that makes the fold somewhat more rigid.
This, in turn, helps to maintain the air channels more open so as
to provide better insulation characteristics for the holder. The
angle "A" in FIG. 2 is preferably in a range of from 45 up to close
to 90 degrees.
[0029] Another feature of the present invention is to provide one
or more holes or apertures in the holder sidewall. This is
illustrated in the drawings by the apertures 40. It is preferred
that each aperture communicate with a fold line 14 such as
illustrated in FIG. 1. In this way there is provided additional air
circulation, not only through the channels 16, but also through the
apertures 40 that are in fluid communication with their
corresponding air channel. The apertures 40 are preferably near the
bottom of each fold line 14. One aperture is shown on each fold
line, but it is understood that more than one aperture may be used
or alternatively an aperture may be used with every other fold
line. In another embodiment a series of apertures may be provided
along at least one fold line. These series of apertures can be used
to view the level of beverage in the container. Apertures may also
be provided in the side panels 17, but are preferred in the fold
line for maximum insulation.
[0030] Another important feature of the present invention relates
to the particular material for the holder. It has been found that a
paperboard product provides unexpected results from the standpoint
that, it has the characteristics of providing both insulation
qualities when the holder is used with a hot drink, and the
characteristic of providing liquid absorption when particularly
used with a cold drink. In other words when used with a cold drink
the plurality of microscopic moisture storage chambers or air
chambers surrounded by paperboard fibers provides a means by which
any evaporating liquid on the outer surface of the cup or holder is
absorbed by the holder without any liquid felt by the user on the
outer surface of the holder. When used with a hot drink cup, the
plurality of microscopic moisture storage chambers or air chambers
surrounded by paperboard fibers provides a plurality of moisture
storage or air chambers which enable a much higher level of comfort
for the user. In this regard refer to FIG. 8 herein that
illustrates a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the
paper product showing the microscopic moisture storage chambers or
air chambers at 70 surrounded by paperboard fibers at 52.
[0031] In FIG. 8 the air molecules 50 have the interwoven
paperboard fibers 52 disposed throughout and around the air
chambers. The air molecules are at a microscopic level. The
cross-section of FIG. 8 shows a mixture of ground-up and blended
paperboard materials and fibers containing not more than 90% of the
total volume being of air chambers and not less than 10% of the
total volume being of air chambers. The microscopic chambers are
thus interwoven and continuous within the surrounding material, and
likewise the chambers consist of air molecules which are surrounded
by paperboard fibers. Similarly, the paperboard fibers are thus not
more than 90% of the total volume and not less than 10% of the
total volume, limited by and relative to corresponding air chamber
percentage variations as expressed above. The paper product fibers
52 are juxtaposed to, adjacent to and completely surround the air
chambers 50.
[0032] The fibrous absorbent material of the paper product is
comprised of a mix of recycled paperboard materials including
ground-up and pulverized cardboard, corrugated box material, virgin
paperboard material originating from wood, recycled board and
recycled paper materials, and air. Many different types of
pulverized and blended materials may be used to make the paper
product, and as a result of one or more of these materials being
blended together, trapped air molecules result in the drying
process, whereas the trapped air molecules enable the high
absorbency characteristic of the material. The air molecules 50
fill in the void spaces between the blended mixture of recycled
paperboard and paper fibers 52 once the process of manufacturing is
complete.
[0033] The paper product is made in a typical paper recycling plant
by blending various types of pulverized and liquified recycled
paper and paperboard materials together using water and a blending
process to create a mix of a liquified pulpous substance, being
that it is a blend of both liquid and solid materials and also air.
The cumulative air chambers makes up a range preferably of from 30%
to 60% of the total volume of the resulting paper material. Air in
the form of air chambers is a result of the mixture being blended
together, pressed into sheets and finally dried out. As the water
and liquid part of the mix evaporates, the water is displaced by
air, namely microscopic air chambers. These chambers are
co-existent and interwoven throughout the fibers of the paper
product on a microscopic level.
[0034] What is new in the art and thus previously not utilized is
the use of the described aerated fibrous paperboard mixture shown
in FIG. 8 as a means for absorbing moisture. The following
experiments have been made. For example, the moisture storage
chambers have been found to hold and retain moisture or water,
equaling up to as much as 150% of the weight of the paperboard
material when it is dry, or up to 60% of the total weight of the
paperboard material when fully saturated. This is advantageous to a
person holding a cold sweaty beverage container whereas the
person's hand need not become wet, cold or uncomfortable. When the
paperboard mixture is utilized in this unique way, it becomes
impossible for sweat beads to occur on the materials surface,
thereby demonstrating the importance and unique application of the
holder of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates the one-piece version of the present
invention in which the cup and holder are integrally formed. Note
in FIG. 7 the cup ends at 52 where the cup 50 is joined. The holder
ends 25 are also joined as previously discussed. One end 25 is
attached to one end of the cup as shown in FIG. 7.
[0036] Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the
present invention, numerous other embodiments and modifications
thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, although
straight fold lines have been illustrated herein it is to be
understood that these lines could also be somewhat spiraled or
curved, as long as they have some transverse component.
* * * * *