AU2005203649A1 - An insulating sleeve for a beverage container - Google Patents

Description

55625 JOM:MN P/00/009 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INVENTION ENTITLED Invention Title: AN INSULATING SLEEVE FOR A BEVERAGE

CONTAINER

Name of Applicant: DETMOLD PACKAGING PTY LTD Address for Service: COLLISON CO. 117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 The invention is described in the following statement: AN INSULATING SLEEVE FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER This invention relates to an insulation sleeve for a beverage container and more particularly to insulating jackets, sleeves or the like for glasses containing hot beverages.

It is well known in the prior art to utilize mugs and glasses with exterior side handles for containing hot and cold beverages, for example coffee and tea. As these types of containers include a handle, a user of such a container tends to avoid direct contact with the hot or cold external surface of the container, thereby avoiding discomfort and potential hazard. Nonetheless not all mugs and glasses come with handles.

One of the more conventional beverage containers used particularly in restaurants without a handle is a glass cup for serving caf6 latte, hot chocolate or other like beverages. These hot beverages generally require some form of insulation when served in glass, as glass readily conducts and exposes the heat of the beverage to the outside environment on its exterior surfaces.

For this reason the glass containing the hot beverage is often served with a napkin or the like, especially fabricated or formed about the glass, affording limited insulation to the hands of the user when such a user seeks consumption of the beverage contained within the glass.

However, the placement of the napkin or the like about the glass is generally time consuming and at least troublesome. The main reason being is that these napkins are not purely designed to act as an appropriate insulator to the hands of the user when placed around the glass.

Further, such arrangements also have the tendency to slip off the glass when grasped, presenting real hazards of hot spillage and the like.

For this reason another type of insulator is often placed around the glass which is made up of a simple band which is wrapped or placed around the exterior of the glass.

These types of symmetrically circled bands are simply strips of paper or similar type wood pulp which are low cost and cut into lengths whereby opposite ends are then adhered to each other so as to form an elongated type ring or column.

Such tubular rings when used as the insulator then have the base of the glass inserted there into the ring so that the upper end of the band ultimately provides for a frictional force fit engagement with the glass as the dimensions of the upper end of the glass exceed those of the band wrapping around the glass.

Such arrangements also have only a single point of contact which means that they drop off when not being firmly held by a user. As expected this is troublesome, inconvenient, hazardous and unsightly.

While these bands provide for some insulation they have no means to adequately fix or fasten more securely to the beverage container so as to provide for a comfortable and stable fit for the user.

As the strip has had the respective ends secured to a specific circumferential dimension, such sleeves are only adaptable for general use with cups of roughly the same dimensions.

It would therefore be an advantage to provide a single insulating sleeve for a variety of beverage container of varying dimensions that affords effective thermal insulation and is yet more conveniently fixed and secured to the container so as to provide confidence of use by a user.

Also preferably to provide for a means of enhanced insulation that would be expected from simple direct contact of a sleeve that would normally be in direct abutting contact with the exterior of the beverage container.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an insulating sleeve placeable around a beverage container that can overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate some of the disadvantages and shortcomings of sleeves or methods discussed above that insulate a user from the effects of hot or cold contents contained within a beverage container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the purchasing public with at least an insulating sleeve for a beverage container that is an improvement or a least an alternative to those that currently exist in the relevant market today.

Still further secondary objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent on a complete reading of this specification.

Accordingly, in one form of the invention there is provided an insulating sleeve adapted for placement around a beverage container, said sleeve including: a band wrappable around the periphery of said beverage container to conform roughly to the exterior shape of said container; at least one reversibly foldable fitting tab in communication with an upper edge of said band; such that when the band is placed around the beverage container, the or each foldable fitting tab secures the sleeve to the cup.

In preference the or each foldable tab when placed on the container is positioned substantially in vertical alignment with said band to define a space in between said band and the exterior periphery of the beverage container.

An advantage of such an arrangement is that the sleeve by including not only a band wrappable roughly around the exterior shape of the container, but also a foldable fitting tabs allows that the band when positioned on the container to frictionally engage and fix the sleeve to the container.

Advantageously, if the sleeve is grasped in the hands of a user, the user will feel confident that the sleeve remains fixed and firm to the beverage container providing confidence in use when beverage in the container requires consumption by the user.

A further advantage is that though the prior art may include wrappable bands placeable around the beverage container, as they do not include the foldable fitting tab, the engagement of any such band or sleeve would be quite insecure, and at best acceptable only for use with just the one dimension of a beverage container to which it was designed to be used with.

Advantageously, in the sleeve provided for in this invention the or each reversibly foldable fitting tab provide a frictional point and fixing between the band and the cup, thereby providing greater versatility to conform roughly to the exterior shape of a wide variety of sizes of beverage containers.

A still further advantage of the insulating sleeve provided for in this invention, is that as the sleeve is placed around the beverage container, the foldable fitting tab or tabs by actually providing the securement between the sleeve and the beverage container, also inherently define a spacing between the band and the exterior surface of the beverage container.

Advantageously, as the user of the beverage cup makes contact with the sleeve this defined spacing provides for enhanced insulation so that the temperature of the beverage contained within the container is not immediately conducted directly into the sleeve and then onto or into the hands of the user.

A still further advantage of the sleeve provided for in the invention is that as the foldable fitted tab or tabs provide for securement and are positioned substantially in vertical alignment with the band when in use, the almost abutting engagement between the tabs and the band when placed on the beverage container provides for almost a double sleeve in that overlapping region, for an even greater insulation.

In preference, the band of the sleeve is formed of a single double ended sheet with means for securing opposite ends of said band onto the other.

In preference, the securing means includes an adhesive disposed on the opposite ends, or alternatively the said band includes a tab formed on a first end of said band and a slot formed in a second end of said band, said slot being sized to receive said tab therein for interlocking engagement there between.

In preference, the band when secured at opposite ends is folded such that when expanded a substantially tetrahedral or four sided configuration is constructed.

In preference, the or each side of the tetrahedral, rectangular or the like shape sleeve includes a corresponding foldable fitting tab with a lip type profile that extends from a fold between the boundary of the band and the tab itself.

In preference, each lip when orientated inwards provides for an open end aperture into an internal passage or chamber defined by an interior wall or surface of the band.

In preference, the base of the beverage container is aligned with the open ended aperture with the respective lips of the fitting tabs having a substantial degree of inward orientation. As the base of the beverage container moves through the internal passage defined by the interior of the band, the lips continue to fold inwards providing a wedge between the band of the sleeve and the beverage container.

This wedging provides a force fit at the upper end of the band to provide securement of the sleeve onto the beverage container.

An advantage of such a construction is that as the fitting tabs take the form of a lip arrangement, such a profile provides for the creation of the open ended aperture once said lips show a degree of inward orientation.

Alternatively, if the lips took on the configuration of standard rectangular type flaps, of which is often the case in a carton or box to which standard items are stored and transported there into, such rectangular type folds when at a substantial degree of inward orientation tend to abut an adjacent flap preventing the further inward collapsible folding of the flap or tab to allow the beverage container to enter into and substantially pass there through the passage defined by the interior surface of the band or sleeve.

Advantageously, the lips acting as the foldable fitting tabs with a curved profile will not obstruct nor abut with an adjacent or opposite flap as they are inclined inwards as the wedging action creates the frictional force fit between the beverage container and the sleeve, as the sleeve is placed around the beverage container.

In preference, the band includes additional folds creased into said band, such that when the sleeve is placed around a beverage container including undulating, corrugated or the like exterior surfaces, these additional folds in the band provide for improved conformity about the exterior shape of the beverage container for an enhanced comfortable and fixed insulating sleeve to said beverage container.

In preference, the beverage container is a glass, the kind of which is characterized or often associated for the holding of hot beverages such as coffee, and in particular cafe latte.

In preference, the exterior sides of the sleeve includes indicia so as to provide a media of public attention to the general purchasing public.

An advantage of such an arrangement is that the sleeve not only forms a functional purpose to provide insulation, comfortable firm fit and enhanced usability of the beverage container, but also a means to promote, develop and identify additional information and the like by the exposure of the indicia on the sleeve around the container.

To assist with a further understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an insulated sleeve placed around the beverage container which in this embodiment is a glass normally used in serving a caf6 latte.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sleeve of the figure 1, shown in a planar configuration of the type used before fastened end to end.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insulated sleeve shown with opposite ends of the band fastened together and folded in a configuration of the type used for storage, shipping and handling.

Figure 4 is a side elevational cross sectional view of the insulated sleeve placed on the glass of figure 1 taken along lines X-X thereof and illustrating its placement about the caf6 latte glass in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective top and side angle view of the insulating sleeve with the glass engaging lips substantially inclined inwardly to configure an open ended aperture for access for placement of the glass therein or there through the sleeve.

Figure 6 is a side view of the insulating sleeve.

Figure 7 is a top view of the insulating sleeve placed on the glass as it would appear in a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in figure 1 a perspective view of an insulating sleeve 10 placed around a glass 12 of the type used for containing a hot beverage therein, which in the preferred embodiment would be a cafe latte.

The glass 12 may be formed of conventional generally slightly heat resistant glass or the like, which is commonly used for the serving of coffee and other hot beverages whether it be in the home, restaurant or other similar commercial dining establishments.

As illustrated in figure 1 in a preferred embodiment of this invention there is provided an insulating sleeve 10 that provides a low cost, safe, readily fitted insulating sleeve for the glass 12, so as to avoid the use of a napkin, straw or the like, so that the contents of the glass 12 can be consumed by a user without discomfort.

A band 14 includes opposite ends 16, 18 secured to one another with an adhesive or the like.

As best seen in figure 6, the band 14 may be constructed with a desired indicia formed on the external surface 22 thereof the band 14 for imparting advertising or other commercial purposes so as to promote information and the like.

As shown in figure 2 the sleeve 10 of figure 1 is presented as a planar body 24 as it may appear subsequent from its initial production.

As described above the ends 16 and 18 of the band 14 are adhered with one another so as to present an expandable and foldable configuration, preferably tetrahedral rectangular or the like.

The sleeve 10 in the expandable folded position as illustrated in figure 3 provides for a configuration of a generally planar body, making the sleeve particularly easy for handling during shippage and storage as it is easily stackable.

As detailed in figure 3 once the band 14 has opposite ends 16 and 18 secured to one another, said band 14 includes at least 4 main folds so as to expand the band 14 out into a configuration which is substantially tetrahedral. Each side 30, 32, 34, 36 of the tetrahedral arrangement at the boundary of the upper edge 28 of the band 14 includes a reversible foldable lip or tab 38.

As seen in both figures 2 and 3 the planar body of the band 14 is stamped or cut into an arcurate shape having a curved bottom edge 26 and also a curved top folded edge 28 (shown as the broken lines in figure 2).

As shown in figure 5 when the band 14 is expanded out into the tetrahedral configuration so as to provide for sides 30, 32, 34, 36 the respective four lips or tabs 38, also of a substantially arcurate form incline generally inward or if required with gentle frictional force on the fold, each lip will move towards an adjacent lip 38 inwardly so as to provide for an open ended aperture 40 that defines access into a passage or chamber defined by the interior sides 44 of the respective sides 32, 34, 36 of the band 14 As the base 46 of the glass 12 has the insulating sleeve roughly placed around the exterior shape of the glass 12, the base 46 of the glass 12 first engages or abuts the respective lips 38 as it seeks access through opening 40 into the passage 42 defined by the interior sides 44 of the respective sides of the band 14.

As the base 46 of the glass 12 makes it way through the passage 42, the lips 38 form a wedge, or at least some type of frictional abutting contact with the exterior of the glass so as to provide a forced fit to enable the sleeve 10 to be secured around the glass 12.

As best seen in the cross sectional view of figure 4, these inwardly folded lips 38 are positioned in a substantially vertical alignment with the longitudinal arrangement of the band 14, so as to define a space 54 inbetween the band 14 and the exterior 48 of the glass.

This defined spacing also improves the insulation capabilities of the sleeve 10 as heat remains trapped within this space and not immediately passed on into the sleeve 10 for further dissipation of the heat either directly to the external environment or alternatively into the fingers or thumbs of a user making contact with the glass 12.

As is to be appreciated the lips 38 provide for versatility of the sleeve to be used with a wide variety of glasses of different dimensions. Depending on the size of the glass will be relative to the amount of inward folding of the lips 38 to provide for the force fit of the sleeve 10 on to the glass 12.

Without the lips 38 providing this force frictional fit the band 14 would not enjoy the same securement on the exterior surface of the glass.

Further, without the lips 38 there will be a tendency of the band 14 to simply move both laterally and longitudinally when grasped by the hand of a user seeking consumption of the beverage contained within the glass.

The lips or tabs 38 advantageously fits the insulating sleeve 10 to the glass and as described above also provide a spacing between a portion of the sleeve and the exterior of the glass to improve or at least enhance insulating properties inherently part of the sleeve.

As best seen in figure 7 the band 14 includes additional folds 52 which help align the sleeve with the undulations appearing on the exterior of the glass 12. These additional folds 52 provide for enhanced conformity of the insulating sleeve 10 to take on the shape of the exterior surface of the glass 12.

It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the preferred embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the invention as described and defined by the claims hereafter.

The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. An insulating sleeve adapted for placement around a beverage container, said sleeve including: a band wrappable around the periphery of said beverage container to conform roughly to the exterior shape of said container; at least one reversibly foldable fitting tab in communication with an upper edge of said band; such that when the band is placed around the beverage container, the or each foldable fitting tab secures the sleeve to the cup.

2. The insulating sleeve of claim 1 wherein the band of the sleeve is formed of a single double ended sheet with means for securing opposite ends of said band onto the other.

3. The insulating sleeve of claim 2 wherein the securing means includes an adhesive disposed on the opposite ends, or alternatively the said band includes a tab formed on a first end of said band and a slot formed at a second end of said band, said slot being sized to receive said tab therein for interlocking engagement between ends.

4. The insulating sleeve of claim 3 wherein the band when secured at opposite ends is folded such that when expanded a substantially upstanding configuration of divided folded sides is constructed.

The insulating sleeve of claim 4 wherein the or each side of the folded band includes a corresponding foldable fitting tab.

6. The insulating sleeve of claim 5 wherein each tab includes a curved outer edge profile that extends around from a fold between the boundary of the band and the tab itself.

7. The insulating sleeve of claim 6 wherein the curved outer edges are curved such that rotational movement of the or each tab about the fold between the band and the tab itself, will not abut or make contact with an adjacent curved outer edge of a corresponding tab.

8. The insulating sleeve of claim 7 wherein the respective curved profiled edge of each fitting tab have a substantial degree of inward orientation such that as a base of the beverage container moves through the sleeve, the tabs continue to fold inwards providing a wedge between the band of the sleeve and the beverage container.

9. The insulating sleeve of claim 8 wherein the inwardly inclined tabs when folded inwards as a beverage container is inserted through the sleeve, is such that said tabs are positioned in a substantially vertical alignment with the longitudinal arrangement of the band, so as to define a space in between the band and the exterior of the glass.

10. The insulating sleeve of claim 9 wherein the beverage container is a glass, the kind of which is characterized or often associated for the holding of hot beverages such as coffee, and in particular cafe latte.

11. The insulating sleeve of anyone of the above claims wherein an exterior side of the sleeve includes indicia so as to provide a media for public attention to the general purchasing public. Dated this 16th day of August 2005 DETMOLD PACKAGING PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys COLLISON CO