U.S. patent application number 12/804762 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-02 for insulating cup sleeve.
Invention is credited to Irene Okonski-Fernandez, Deborah A. Zerda.
Application Number | 20120024875 12/804762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45525670 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120024875 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zerda; Deborah A. ; et
al. |
February 2, 2012 |
Insulating cup sleeve
Abstract
An insulating cup sleeve with a non-woven polyester fabric
panel, a thin polyethylene foam panel and a panel retaining loop
portion. The fabric panel and the foam panel overlap each other.
The fabric panel and the foam panel are wrapped into a circular
configuration to form a sleeve. The fabric panel and the foam panel
are sewn together by standard sewing means to form the sleeve. The
loop portion is sewn in a vertical orientation to the outside of
the sleeve. The sleeve is capable of being folded by a user
allowing one end of the folded sleeve to be slipped into the loop
portion. A preferred embodiment includes the sleeve can be washed
by standard means and re-used.
Inventors: |
Zerda; Deborah A.; (Novato,
CA) ; Okonski-Fernandez; Irene; (Richmond,
CA) |
Family ID: |
45525670 |
Appl. No.: |
12/804762 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3886
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/739 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/20 20060101
B65D025/20 |
Claims
1. insulating cup sleeve comprising: a non-woven polyester fabric
panel; a thin polyethylene foam panel; a panel retaining loop
portion; said fabric panel and said foam panel overlapping each
other; said fabric panel and said foam panel wrapped into a
circular configuration to form a sleeve; said fabric panel and said
foam panel sewn together by standard sewing means to form said
sleeve; said loop portion sewn in a vertical orientation to the
outside of said sleeve; and said sleeve capable of being folded by
a user allowing one end of said folded sleeve to be slipped into
said loop portion.
2. insulating cup sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve
can be washed by standard means and re-used.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates generally to the field of insulating
sleeves and more specifically to an insulating sleeve for a hot
beverage cup.
[0005] Hot beverages sold at coffee or tea shops are often poured
into paper cups. Because of the hot nature of the drinks, the shops
often offer the user an insulated sleeve to slide onto the cup so
that the user does not burn his or her hand while holding the
beverage. These sleeves are usually made of a paper type material
and are meant to be disposed of after use.
[0006] There is a deficiency in the prior technology in that
disposable sleeves help to deplete our natural resources as well as
adding cost to the price of each drink served. Some reusable foam
wrap type insulating sleeves are available in the marketplace,
however they are not designed to be folded into a compact shape for
storage in a purse or pocket.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary object of the invention is to provide an
insulating sleeve that allows users to grasp paper cups holding hot
drinks without burning their fingers.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide an insulating
sleeve that is reusable.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an insulating
sleeve that folds flat for compact storage.
[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide an
insulating sleeve that can be cleaned with soap and water and
re-used.
[0011] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an
insulating sleeve that uses a secondary loop to hold the sleeve in
the flat storage position.
[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of
illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed.
[0013] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
there is disclosed an insulating cup sleeve comprising: a non-woven
polyester fabric panel, a thin polyethylene foam panel, a panel
retaining loop portion, said fabric panel and said foam panel
overlapping each other, said fabric panel and said foam panel
wrapped into a circular configuration to form a sleeve, said fabric
panel and said foam panel sewn together by standard sewing means to
form said sleeve, said loop portion sewn in a vertical orientation
to the outside of said sleeve, and said sleeve capable of being
folded by a user allowing one end of said folded sleeve to be
slipped into said loop portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention in a flattened
position.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the invention in a flattened
position.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in the use
position.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a section view of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention in use.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention in the
partially folded position.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention in the fully
folded position.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front view of the invention in the folded
position.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the invention in the folded
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a front view of the invention
in the flat position. Outer layer 2 is made of a non woven
polyester fabric. Dashed lines 4, 6 are sewing lines that hold the
folded seam of the fabric in place. A loop portion 8 can be
partially seen in this view.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a rear flat view of the invention. Loop portion
8 can be clearly seen sewn in place in a vertical orientation with
respect to the sleeve portion 2.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the invention while in
the open sleeve, or intended use position. The sleeve is conically
shaped to fit snuggly onto the outer surface of a standard paper
coffee cup. An inner layer 10 can be seen as it fully overlaps the
outer layer 2. The inner layer is formed of thin polyethylene foam
sheeting which has an insulating quality. The foam layer 10 is sewn
in place as the polyester layer 2 is folded over 2A to form a cuff
that can be sewn to lock the foam panel 10 to the polyester non
woven panel 2 by standard sewing thread 4, 6.
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a section view that bisects the invention. The
overlapping nature of outer panel 2 and inner panel 10 can be seen.
Sewing locations 4 and 6 can also be easily seen as they retain
folded over cuff portions 2A and 4A.
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the invention in the use
position. The sleeve 2 is used in a similar way as standard
disposable sleeves are used.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the invention as it is
being folded into the storage positron. The folded edge 2B is
getting ready to be inserted into loop 8.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the invention in the
fully folded position. Dotted line 2C shows the folded edge of the
invention as it is held in place by loop 8.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the invention in the fully
folded position.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of the invention in the fully
folded position.
[0034] The above described and illustrated invention allows a user
to re-use an insulated sleeve over and over so that it does not
have to be disposed of after each use. The sleeve of the present
invention can be washed and cleaned by standard means so that it
remains in a sanitary condition for repeated use.
[0035] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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