Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
  • B65D81/3876—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc.
  • B65D81/3881—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc. formed with double walls, i.e. hollow
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D25/20—External fittings
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/40—Details of walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D3/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines
  • B65D3/22—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines with double walls; with walls incorporating air-chambers; with walls made of laminated material

Definitions

• the present invention relates to insulating devices for beverage containers and more particularly, to insulating beverages and foods by using air as the insulator.
• Disposable cups are routinely used in fast food and roadside restaurants to contain both hot and cold drinks. Because such cups have relatively thin walls, insulation is poor. As a result, the cups in which hot beverages are served are often too hot to hold comfortably, and the outside surface of cups in which cold beverages are served often accumulate moisture also making the cups difficult to hold, thus causing the holder's hand and the table to become wet. In addition, cold drinks warm quickly and hot drinks lose heat rapidly.
• various types of disposable cardboard and paper sleeves have been used. The sleeves are sized to slide onto the outside of a beverage cup and are held in place by friction.
• the wide- diameter end of the typical beverage cup prevents the sleeve from sliding off the cup while the cup is being held.
• such devices are poor insulators because they are generally thin.
• the close contact with the cup causes additional heat transfer to the outside of the insulator. Additional insulation is needed at the bottom of beverage cups because the fluid has been there for a longer period of time.
• such devices typically cover any printable material on the outside of the cup, resulting in a lost opportunity for advertising. While some transparent insulators have been created, they also lose effectiveness as insulators because of the close contact with the cups and the conductive material out of which they are typically made.
• Some of the more effective insulators are too bulky and take up too much storage space in small convenience stores, thus making the disposable cups too big to fit in most cup- holders.
• Another problem with most disposable cups is that since typical cups have narrow bases, they are unstable. Thus, there is a great need in the beverage industry for cups with better insulation and overall improvement.
• some disposable cups include handles.
• the problem with handles is that they are typically made out of paper or other sheet-like material and they lack sufficient strength to hold the cup in an upright position when the user is holding the cup by the handle. In other words, the weight of the cup can cause the handle to sag or tear such that the cup will tilt, spilling the beverage.
• the present invention relates to insulating devices for beverage containers and more particularly, to insulating beverages and foods by using air as the insulator.
• the preferred embodiment of the present invention involves a foldable air insulating sleeve configured to slidably receive and secure a beverage cup.
• the foldable air insulating sleeve secures the cup in a manner that allows for a pocket of air to surround the cup. This pocket of air insulates the beverage.
• the user can hold the cup by grasping the outer surface of the foldable air insulating sleeve, thus avoiding contact with a hot or wet cup surface.
• the bases of most disposable cups are narrower than their respective rims, more air and thus greater insulation is possible, especially towards the bottom of cups secured by the foldable air insulating sleeve.
• the wider base also gives the cup greater stability.
• the material out of which the foldable air insulating sleeve is made allows for advertisements or other printable material to be affixed on its outer surface.
• the foldable air insulating sleeve can be made out of many materials, including plastic or paper.
• the foldable air insulating sleeve is also foldable into a substantially flat position. In this embodiment, the base of the cup rests on an inner base of the foldable air insulating sleeve.
• the inner base is connected to an outer base, which is in contact with the outer surface and supports the entire sleeve-cup configuration.
• the space between the inner and outer base is filled with air and further acts to insulate the contents of the cup.
• the foldable air insulating sleeve's outer base is in contact with the outer surface and supports the entire sleeve-cup configuration.
• the foldable air insulating sleeve's inner base has an opening through which the cup enters until the cup is either too wide and is stopped from further passage or until the cup meets the outer base of the foldable air insulating sleeve and is supported by it.
• the foldable air insulating sleeve's outer base while wider than the cup it supports, is narrow enough to fit into most cup holders.
• the foldable air insulating sleeve includes a lid that attaches to the top rim of the cup.
• the lid is substantially hollow, providing an air chamber, which further insulates the contents of the cup.
• the lid has no openings.
• the lid has an opening through which a straw is placed.
• the lid has a rounded mouth piece and a cap.
• Figure 1 provides an illustration of a representative embodiment of the present invention, wherein a foldable air insulating sleeve comprises a rim, an inner base and an outer base, where the inner base and outer base are connected.
• Figure 2 provides an illustration of a representative embodiment of the present invention that houses a cup.
• Figure 3 provides an illustration of a representative foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position.
• Figure 4 provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve with cup where the foldable air insulating sleeve includes an inner base but no outer base.
• Figure 5 shows an alternative illustration of foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position without outer base.
• Figure 6 provides an illustration of another representative foldable air insulating sleeve with cup that includes a modified inner base.
• Figure 7 provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with modified inner base in folded position.
• Figure 8 provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow food container lid.
• Figure 9 provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow cold drink lid.
• Figure 10 provides an illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow hot drink lid and cap.
• Figure 11 provides a cross-sectional illustration of the foldable air insulating sleeve with a hollow hot drink lid and cap.
• Figure 12 provides a cross-sectional illustration of a cup with a hollow food container lid where the air chamber is placed above the lid.
• Figure 13 provides a cross-sectional illustration of a cup with a hollow cold drink lid where the air chamber is placed above the lid.
• Figure 14 provides a cross-sectional illustration of a cup with a hemispherical hollow cold drink lid.
• Figure 15 provides a cross-sectional illustration of a cup with a hollow hot drink lid and cap where the air chamber is placed above the lid.
• FIG 16 provides a cross-sectional illustration of a cup with an alternate hollow hot drink lid and cap where the air chamber is placed above the lid.
• the present invention relates to insulating devices for beverage containers, and more particularly, to insulating beverages and foods by using air as the insulator.
• the term "cup” shall refer to any container used to house consumable liquids and solids. Examples of cups include disposable cups, small soup bowls and any other similarly shaped container from which one drinks or eats that is in need of insulation.
• Figure 1 illustrates a transparent view of a foldable air insulating sleeve 20 that includes a substantially tubular outer shell 30, a rim 32, an inner base 34, an outer base 36, a first base connection strip 38 and a second base connection strip 40.
• the substantially tubular outer shell 30 has a first longitudinal fold 42 and a second longitudinal fold 44.
• the first base connection strip 38 has a first base connection strip fold 46 and the second base connection strip 40 has a second base connection strip fold 48.
• the inner base 34 has an inner base fold 50.
• Figure 2 illustrates a transparent view of foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with a cup 60, where the cup 60 has a top rim 62, a bottom edge 64 and a supporting wall 66.
• the rim 32 of the foldable air insulating sleeve 20 connects to the top rim 62 of the cup 60.
• the bottom edge 64 of the cup 60 is supported by the inner base 34 of the foldable air insulating sleeve 20.
• a first pocket of air 68 is created, which together with a second pocket of air 70, insulates the contents of the cup 60.
• a user can carry the cup 60 by grasping the substantially tubular outer shell 30.
• Figure 3 illustrates a transparent view of a foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position 80.
• inner base 34 is folded along inner base fold 50
• first base connection strip 38 is folded along first base connection strip fold 46
• second base connection strip 40 is folded along second base connection strip fold 48
• substantially tubular outer shell 30 is folded along first longitudinal fold 42 and second longitudinal fold 44 so that foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position 80 is in a substantially flat condition.
• the inner base fold 50 is parallel to the rim 32 and when open, the inner base fold 50 is perpendicular to the rim 32.
• FIG 4 another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with cup 60, where foldable air insulating sleeve 20 includes inner base 34 but does not include outer base 36.
• inner base 34 supports both cup 60 and foldable air insulating sleeve 20.
• Inner base 34 also folds along inner base fold 50, first base connection strip fold 46 and second base connection strip fold 48.
• Figure 5 shows an alternative illustration of foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position 80 without outer base 36.
• inner base 34 is folded along inner base fold 50
• first base connection strip 38 is folded along a first base connection strip fold line 52
• second base connection strip 40 is folded along a second base connection strip fold line 54
• substantially tubular outer shell 30 is folded along first longitudinal fold 42 and second longitudinal fold 44 so that foldable air insulating sleeve in folded position 80 is in a substantially flat condition.
• FIG. 6 Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with cup 60, where foldable air insulating sleeve 20 includes modified inner base 90.
• Modified inner base 90 comprises a base portion 92 and an opening 94.
• cup 60 protrudes through opening 94 until supporting wall 66 of cup 60 prohibits further travel or until bottom edge 64 of cup 60 reaches outer base 36.
• Figure 7 shows foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with modified inner base 90 in folded position.
• Modified inner base 90 folds along first modified inner base fold 96, second modified inner base fold 98, first base connection strip fold 46 and second base connection strip fold 48. When folded, first modified inner base fold 96 and second modified inner base fold 98 are parallel to rim 32 and when open, first modified inner base fold 96 and second modified inner base fold 98 are perpendicular to rim 32.
• Figure 8 shows foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with a hollow food container lid 100 that attaches to top rim 62 of cup 60 and includes an air insulating chamber 101.
• Figure 9 illustrates foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with a hollow cold drink lid 102 that attaches to top rim 62 of cup 60 and has a straw opening 104 through which a straw 106 is placed.
• Hollow cold drink lid 102 also includes air insulating chamber 101 that insulates contents of cup 60.
• Figure 10 illustrates foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with a hollow hot drink lid 108, a rounded mouth piece 110, a hollow hot drink lid opening 112 and a cap 114.
• Hollow hot drink lid 108 attaches to top rim 62 of cup 60.
• Cap 114 covers hollow hot drink lid opening 112, insulating the contents of cup 60.
• Figure 11 illustrates a transparent view of foldable air insulating sleeve 20 with hollow hot drink lid 108 where first pocket of air 68, insulating air chamber 101 and a third pocket of air 116 insulate the contents of cup 60.
• cap 114 is coupled to rounded mouth piece 110, covering hollow hot drink lid opening 112 and further insulating the contents of cup 60.
• Figure 12 illustrates a cup with a hollow food container lid that attaches to top rim of cup and includes an insulating air chamber placed above the lid.
• Figure 13 shows a cup with a hollow cold drink lid that attaches to top rim of cup and has a straw opening through which a straw is placed where the insulating air chamber is placed above the lid.
• Figure 14 illustrates a cup with a hemispherical hollow cold drink lid that attaches to top rim of cup and has a straw opening through which a straw is placed and an insulating air chamber.
• Figure 15 illustrates a cup with a hollow hot drink lid, a rounded mouth piece, and a cap. Hollow hot drink lid attaches to top rim of cup and cap covers hollow hot drink lid opening. The insulating air chamber is placed above the lid.
• Figure 16 shows a cup with an alternate hollow hot drink lid, rounded mouth piece, and a cap. Hot drink lid attaches to top rim of cup and cap covers hollow hot drink lid opening. The insulating air chamber is placed above the lid.
• the embodiments of the present invention embrace the field insulating devices for beverage containers.
• the present invention relates to insulating disposable cups by using air as the insulator.
• the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.
• the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
• the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. What is claimed is:

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
• Insulators (AREA)
• Table Equipment (AREA)
• Building Environments (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
• Air Bags (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (3)

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Family Applications (1)

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Citations (4)

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• 2004
  • 2004-05-28 RU RU2006100300/12A patent/RU2369546C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-05-28 DE DE602004024677T patent/DE602004024677D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-05-28 BR BRPI0411320-9A patent/BRPI0411320B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-05-28 ES ES04753930T patent/ES2338328T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-05-28 KR KR1020057023735A patent/KR101314024B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-05-28 EP EP04753930A patent/EP1633643B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-05-28 AU AU2004251648A patent/AU2004251648B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2004-05-28 JP JP2006533535A patent/JP4578479B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-05-28 AT AT04753930T patent/ATE452074T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-05-28 MX MXPA05013561A patent/MXPA05013561A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2004-05-28 CA CA2529000A patent/CA2529000C/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-05-28 WO PCT/US2004/017209 patent/WO2005000038A2/fr active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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