AU2006100808A4 - Beverage cup sleeve and method of assembly thereof - Google Patents

Description

BEVERAGE CUP SLEEVE AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY THEREOF SFIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in a beverage cup sleeve and a method of assembly thereof.

00 00 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Conventional beverage sleeves are generally designed with the main Spurpose of insulating the temperature of the contents of the cup from which the sleeve is intended to be used. To achieve this purpose, many conventional sleeves use corrugated cardboard, which provides good insulation using an inexpensive material. However, there are disadvantages associated with these types of sleeves. For example, corrugated sleeves require extra shipping space because of the corrugations. Conventional sleeves are often configured for single use only. Many conventional sleeves are perforated along the fold lines, which creates an inherent area of weakness. Many conventional sleeves are assembled so that one end of the sleeve overlaps the exterior surface a distance that is spaced apart from the fold line, thereby limiting the amount of exterior surface area which may be used for printing. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an improved beverage sleeve.

The present invention seeks to reduce these problems by providing a beverage sleeve which has good structural strength and surface area available for print and/or advertising without sacrificing significant insulation.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION e The present invention in one preferred aspect provides for a beverage cup sleeve including a sleeve body having an interior surface adapted for placement against a beverage cup, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, a first end, a second end, a first fold joint and a second fold joint. The first end is o00 attached to a portion of the exterior surface at the second fold joint. The second 00 end is attached to a portion of the interior surface. The sleeve body is non- _corrugated. The sleeve may further include a pre-configured removable surface that when removed exposes graphics and/or text, where the removable surface is Speelable or a scratch-off surface.

In a further preferred aspect, the invention provides for a method of creating a beverage cup sleeve including printing graphics and/or text on at least one surface of a length of non-corrugated paperboard; forming from the length of non-corrugated cardboard a sleeve body having a first end, a second end, a length from the first end to the second end, a top, a bottom and two side surfaces along the length, the top and bottom being arcuate along a majority of the length, at least one of the side surfaces having print thereon; folding the sleeve body at least twice to create at least two folds so that one of the side surfaces forms an exterior surface, the other of the side surfaces forms an interior surface, and one of the ends of the sleeve body forms a tab extending from one of the folds; and attaching a majority of the tab to the interior surface of the sleeve body. The method may further include printing graphics and/or text on both of the side surfaces of the sleeve body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 is side elevation view of a beverage cup sleeve in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the interior of the beverage cup sleeve of Fig. 1.

SFig. 3 is a side elevation view of the beverage cup sleeve in an e unassembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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00oo Alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled 00oo in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention _disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by Sthe claims which follow.

Figs. 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of a beverage cup sleeve Sleeve 10 includes a sleeve body 100 having an interior surface 102 adapted for placement against a beverage cup, an exterior surface 104 opposite interior surface 102, a first end 106, a second end 108, a top 110 and a bottom 112.

Sleeve body 100 preferably includes a first fold joint 114 and a second fold joint 116 along which sleeve body 100 is configured to be folded for easy delivery to an end destination for use as a beverage cup sleeve.

First fold joint 114 is preferably oriented along the height of sleeve body 100 from top 110 to bottom 112 and is preferably positioned slightly to one side of the centre of the length between first and second ends 106, 108. Second fold joint 116 is preferably oriented along the height of sleeve body 100 from top 110 to bottom 112 and is preferably positioned proximate second end 108 to form a tab 118. The fold joints are preferably non-perforated to enhance the strength of the fold joint.

As shown in Fig. 2, tab 118 is preferably formed as an oblique tetrahedron, which is generally trapezoidal in shape. Tab 118 preferably includes an upper side 120, a lower side 122, a base 124, and an end 126. Preferably, upper and lower sides 120, 122 have a different length relative to one another. More preferably, upper side 120 of tab 118 has a reduced length and increased slope Srelative to the length and slope of lower side 122 of tab 118. Preferably, upper

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Sside 120 has a length of approximately 1.5 mm. Lower side 122 preferably has a length of approximately 3.3 mm. Tab end 126 preferably has a length of r) approximately 4.9 mm. Base 124 preferably has a length generally the same as 0 5 the height of sleeve body 100. A preferred height of sleeve body 100 is described

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below. Base 124 and tab end 126 are preferably non-parallel relative to one 00oo another. The configuration of tab 118 provides a more economic distribution of 0 00 material for enhanced attachment between tab 118 and first end 106. The size _and configuration of the tab may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the base and the tab end may be parallel to each other.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, either or both of interior surface 102 and exterior surface 104 may include print such as graphics and/or text. At least one of interior and exterior surfaces 102, 104 preferably includes an identification means such as a web internet address, phone number, bar code and/or physical address. The number, placement and type of printing may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Surfaces 102, 104 may include a number of colours. Preferably, exterior surface 104 includes between four to six colours, more preferably at least five colours. Manufacturing a beverage sleeve in a variety of colours enhances the visual appeal of the sleeve, attracting greater notice from surrounding people.

Interior surface 102 preferably includes at least two colours and may include as many or more colours than exterior surface 104. For example, both interior surface 102 and exterior surface 104 may include five colours. Preferred interior colours include a white background with black print. The colour scheme (if any) of the exterior and interior surfaces may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Sleeve 10 is preferably constructed from a long grain triplex board having a weight distribution of 450 gsm. An example of such a material is Asia board.

Using a long grain triplex board provides a sleeve made of a higher quality Smaterial with a relatively flat and stable printing surface on each side of the

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Ssleeve, characteristics which are desirable when using the sleeve as an advertising medium. Preferably, the material is suitable to permit multiple use of r. the sleeve. Sleeve 10 may be constructed from other materials without departing 5 from the scope of the present invention. For example, sleeve 10 may be

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manufactured from plastic or a paperboard material such as a corrugated 00 cardboard material.

0 _Sleeve body 100 preferably has a height from top 110 to bottom 112 in the range of 6 to 8 mm, more preferably in the range of 6.8 mm to 7.5 mm, and most preferably approximately 7.1 mm. A sleeve having a height of at least 6.8 mm is advantageous for providing a better fit with the beverage cup, more surface area for printing and greater insulation. It will be appreciated that the height of sleeve body 100 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Having described preferred structural aspects of sleeve 10, a preferred method of assembly will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. A design is created to appear on the beverage sleeve using conventional graphics design software. The design preferably includes a combination of graphics and text with an identification means such as a web address. The material for the beverage sleeve is selected and the design is printed on the selected material.

Preferably, the design is printed on a length of non-corrugated cardboard such as Asia board. The sleeve body is separated from the board sheet using conventional separation techniques. The sleeve body may be embossed with a symbol such as an advertising logo or trade mark. Embossing the sleeve body creates a texture that provides a beverage user with additional grip. The area that is to become the tab (described below) is preferably left un-embossed.

Two inverted fold joints are created in the sleeve body to permit the sleeve body to be folded along a predetermined path. The first fold joint is created slightly to one side of the centre of the length between first and second ends 106, 108. The second fold joint is preferably created proximate second end 108 to Sform tab 118. Sleeve body 100 is folded at least twice so that one of the side

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Ssurfaces forms an exterior surface, the other of the side surfaces forms an interior a surface, and a portion of second end 108 forms tab 118. Preferably a majority, r. and more preferably the entire exterior surface of tab 118 is attached to interior surface 102 of sleeve body 100. Attaching generally the entire exterior surface of the tab to the interior surface of the sleeve body provides a smooth, uninterrupted 00 exterior surface that maximizes the amount of available printing area. Tab 118 is 00 preferably attached to the interior surface of sleeve 100 using a conventional _adhesive. Other means of attaching tab 118 may be used, whether mechanical or chemical, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

To ready the beverage sleeve for insertion of a beverage cup, the user may pinch the fold joints to "bow out" the sides and create the opening into which the beverage cup may be inserted. An example of a sleeve engaged with a beverage cup is shown in the graphics pictured in Fig. 1.

It will be appreciated that the steps described above may be performed in a different order, varied, or selected steps omitted entirely without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the step of creating fold joints prior to folding the sleeve may be omitted. The sleeve may be embossed before the sleeve is separated from the sheet. Alternatively, the step of embossing may be omitted entirely if desired. The method may be used with a variety of materials such as corrugated paperboard or plastic. Both sides of the sleeve may be printed.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example only, the beverage sleeve may include a shape memory material that conforms to the beverage cup with the application of heat, such as radiated from a hot beverage inside the beverage cup. Upon the cooling of the beverage, the beverage sleeve may be disassociated from the cup. One example of a temperature sensitive shape memory material is Nitinol.

The beverage sleeve may include a "scratch-off surface" with graphics and/or text hidden under the scratchable surface so that the beverage sleeve may be used as part of a contest with prizes. Alternatively, a peel-off surface may be r. incorporated into the sleeve so that peeling off a portion of the beverage sleeve will reveal hidden graphics and/or text on either the surface peeled off or the surface newly exposed on the exterior of the sleeve body as a result of the 00 peeling. A peel-off surface may used as part of a contest or advertising 00 promotion. The scratch-off and peel-off surfaces may be used to reveal coupons.

The present invention may also include a method of disseminating information such as advertising information on a local, national, or international scale. For example, the beverage sleeve may be printed according to the specifications of an advertiser wanting to advertise a product or service associated with or entirely distinct of the beverage or beverage provider that the beverage sleeve is intended to be used with. Commercial entities may be solicited and sold advertising space on a beverage sleeve. The beverage sleeves may then be printed and distributed according to the specifications of the advertiser. The beverage sleeves may be distributed to one or more distinct chains or individual providers of beverages, such as coffee or hot chocolate.

Beverage distributors may be compensated in order to entice beverage distributors to distribute beverage sleeves with advertising thereon.

The present invention in a preferred form provides the advantages of a tighter fit with a beverage cup, increased strength and additional space for advertising where desired.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims (3)

1. 2. The beverage cup sleeve of claim 1, further including a pre-configured removable surface that when removed exposes graphics and/or text, said removable surface being peelable.
2. 3. The beverage cup sleeve of claim 1, further including a pre-configured removable surface that when removed exposes graphics and/or text, said removable surface being a scratch-off surface.
3. 4. A method of creating a beverage cup sleeve, the method including: printing graphics and/or text on at least one surface of a length of non- corrugated paperboard; forming from the length of non-corrugated cardboard a sleeve body having a first end, a second end, a length from the first end to the second end, a top, a bottom and two side surfaces along the length, the top and bottom being arcuate along a majority of the length, at least one of the side surfaces having print thereon; folding the sleeve body at least twice to create at least two folds so that one of the side surfaces forms an exterior surface, the other of the side surfaces forms an interior surface, and one of the ends of the sleeve body forms a tab extending from one of the folds; and attaching a majority of the tab to the interior surface of the sleeve body. I 5. The method of claim 4, further including printing graphics and/or text on Sboth of the side surfaces of the sleeve body. (N Qr DATED THIS 20 th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2006 DARREN POPE. LUKE SLATTERY AND SIMON BARTOLD By 00 PIZZEYS PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS 0o IO 0O