AU2019101371A4 - Customised reusable cup sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

A drink container sleeve 10 adapted to receive a drink container 50 to be disposed around the side wall of the drink container 50. The sleeve 10 acts as gripping means for the drink container 50 and insulation from the typically hot wall of the drink container 50 when a new hot drink is received therein. The drink container 50 is for example a reusable coffee cup. The sleeve 10 includes marking 20 formed in the side wall 18, the marking 20 being identification means of the person's drink order.

Description

CUSTOMISED REUSABLE CUP SLEEVE

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a sleeve for a drink container, typically a coffee drink container. The present invention further relates to a system for ordering drinks utilizing the sleeve.

Background of the Invention [2] Take away coffees from cafes have become part of a daily routine for many people. Long queues for take away coffee are now a common occurrence, particularly in the mornings and during working hours.

[3] The long queues and high demand have increased the wait time of customers, the difficulty in recording names with orders, and the chances of mistakes, all of which contribute to customer frustration, a more negative customer experience, material and ingredient wastage, and financial losses.

[4] With the growth of reusable takeaway cups, the ordering process has adapted but not in an effective or efficient way. It is laborious and there is a huge room for error.. Paper cups and lids are written on directly however this is not possible with reusable cups. Bits of paper are cumbersome and difficult to adhere to reusable cups and the process is slowed down when reusable cups are in the same line as paper cups.

[5] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[6] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [7] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a drink container sleeve to receive a drink container such that the sleeve is disposed around the drink container, the sleeve comprising:

a round band shaped body having a top edge, a bottom edge and a side wall therebetween, wherein the side wall comprises markings being customised identification means of the person’s drink order.

[8] Preferably, the side wall is tapered from the top edge to the bottom edge.

2019101371 07 Nov 2019 [9] Preferably, the side wall has a height to cover a majority of the drink container.

[10] Preferably, the sleeve is made from resilient rubber material.

[11] Preferably, the sleeve includes additional markings selected from one or more of:

- Customer name

- Company or advertising name/logo

- A second alternative customised order

- A bar code, other scannable digital or electronic code, or RFID chip for scanning the customised order

- Decoration, image or text [12] The invention also provides a drink container having the sleeve of any one of the above.

[13] The invention also provides a reusable coffee cup having the sleeve of any one of the above.

[14] The invention also provides a sleeve ordering method for ordering a sleeve according to any one of the above, the method comprising

- the user logging on to a website to order their customised drink sleeve

- the customer choosing the sleeve colour, size, and specific drink order as marking for the side wall

- making each customised sleeve with the required markings engraved, printed or otherwise marked to the side wall of the sleeve, and

- sending the sleeve to the customer.

[15] The invention also provides a lid for a drink container, the lid comprising markings being customised identification means of the person’s drink order.

[16] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [17] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[18] Fig. 1 shows (a) front view and (b) rear view of a drink container sleeve in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

2019101371 07 Nov 2019 [19] Fig. 2 shows a front view of a reusable drink container received in the drink container sleeve.

Description of Embodiments [20] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[21] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a drink container sleeve 10 according to a first aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The sleeve 10 is adapted to receive a drink container 50 to be disposed around the side wall of the drink container 50. The sleeve 10 acts as gripping means for the drink container 50 and insulation from the typically hot wall of the drink container 50 when a new hot drink is received therein.

[22] The drink container 50 is for example a reusable coffee cup with a lid 52, but can be any other container such as a bottle or mug.

[23] The sleeve 10 comprises a body 12 shaped as a round band, having a circular top edge 14, a circular bottom edge 16 and a side wall 18 therebetween. The side wall 18 is tapered from the top edge 14 to the bottom edge 16. That is, the top edge 14 has a larger diameter than the bottom edge 16. The side wall 18 has a height typically sufficient for gripping of the user’s fingers.

[24] The sleeve 10 is typically made from resilient material, such as silicone rubber. The sleeve 10 can however be also made from other suitable material such as plastic, cardboard, cork, bamboo, rice husk, paper, etc.

[25] The sleeve 10 in the present invention includes marking 20 formed in the side wall 18, the marking 20 being identification means of the person’s drink order. In the example shown in Figure 1, the marking 20 comprises the words “QUAD SHOT MOCHA LACTOSE FREE MILK NO MARSHMALLOWS”. In the example shown in Figure 2, the marking 20 comprises the words “CHAI LATTE SKINNY DOUBLE SHOT EXTRA HOT”. The marking 20 thus specifies to the coffee shop barista the specific customised order by that customer [26] Each sleeve 10 will be customised to have the specific customised order by that customer. Each sleeve 10 can also include additional markings as desired such as:

• Customer name or nickname • Company or advertising name/logo • A second alternative customised order • A bar code, other scannable digital or electronic code, or RFID chip for scanning the customised order

2019101371 07 Nov 2019 • Decoration, image, text, messages [27] In use, the customer places a drink container 50 into the sleeve 10, which the user can then hand over to a coffee shop worker when ordering their drink. The worker can readily read the order which avoids mistakes.

[28] Also disclosed herein is a sleeve ordering system, where the user can log on to a website to order their customised drink sleeve 10. Each customer can choose the sleeve colour, size, specific drink order as marking 20, and they can add their name, logo, alternative order, and any other desired information as additional markings 20. Each customised sleeve 10 is then made with the required markings 20 engraved, printed or otherwise marked to the side wall of the sleeve 10, and sent to the customer. The sleeve can also be purchased and made onsite at specific locations, such as over the counter at a shop, shopping centre kiosk, or exhibition kiosk.

[29] The invention thus provides a personalised, custom silicon sleeve with printed and/or engraved drink order to sit on reusable takeaway cups. The sleeve can be made in any size and to fit any specific drink container, including 8oz and 12/16oz size cuff in silicone with the order engraved and/or printed.

[30] These sleeves also replaces the need for paper with every order, particularly thermal paper which usually contains BPA. If reusable cups are the solution to reducing the 500 billion single-use cup waste problem, then these sleeves are the solution to 500 billion single use pieces of paper.

[31] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. The sleeve can be used for other customised drinks such as milkshakes, protein shakes, juices, etc. The sleeve can be in a different shape to fit different shape drink containers, such as tubular (not tapered), or other shape to wrap around the specific container. The sleeve can also be minimal and not cover the majority of the container wall.

[32] The sleeve can also be provided with standard markings, such as LATTE, CAPPUCINO, etc.

[33] In another aspect, the invention provides a customised lid for a reusable drink container. The lid can include the markings for the specific customer order.

[34] The customised sleeve or lid provides the following advantages:

• Reduce potential health impacts from thermal paper receipts • Reduce paper costs and incidents of ‘printer roll replacement’ issues during service

2019101371 07 Nov 2019 • Streamline the ordering process with no room for order mis-communications between staff and customers • No more disappointed customers with names spelt incorrectly • No more awkward name call outs from staff unsure of pronunciations • Allow staff to focus on the quality of coffee and customer service; the two critical performance points that increase customer return and positive reviews • No more makeshift solutions for keeping orders together with the reusable cups [35] The sleeve provides the following advantages for the environment:

• Eliminate potential environmental impacts from thermal paper receipts. · Eliminate the environmental impact of single-use receipts • Reduce the environmental impact of single-use takeaway cups • Reduce the amount of scrap of paper that is not recycled

Claims (9)

1. Claims

   The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. A drink container sleeve to receive a drink container such that the sleeve is disposed around the drink container, the sleeve comprising:

   a round band shaped body having a top edge, a bottom edge and a side wall therebetween, wherein the side wall comprises markings being customised identification means of the person’s drink order.
2. 2. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the side wall is tapered from the top edge to the bottom edge.
3. 3. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the side wall has a height to cover a majority of the drink container.
4. 4. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made from resilient rubber material.
5. 5. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes additional markings selected from one or more of:

   • Customer name • Company or advertising name/logo • A second alternative customised order • A bar code, other scannable digital or electronic code, or RFID chip for scanning the customised order • Decoration
6. 6. A drink container having the sleeve of any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. 7. A reusable coffee cup having the sleeve of any one of claims 1 to 5.
8. 8. A sleeve ordering method for ordering a sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the method comprising

   - the user logging on to a website to order their customised drink sleeve

   - the customer choosing the sleeve colour, size, and specific drink order as marking for the side wall

   - making each customised sleeve with the required markings engraved, printed or otherwise marked to the side wall of the sleeve, and

   - sending the sleeve to the customer.

   2019101371 07 Nov 2019
9. 9. A lid for a drink container, the lid comprising markings being customised identification means of the person’s drink order.