WO2008000041A1

WO2008000041A1 - An insulating sleeve for a beverage container

Info

Publication number: WO2008000041A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000909
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Koolen
Original assignee: Koolen Investments Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-29
Filing date: 2007-06-29
Publication date: 2008-01-03

Abstract

An insulating sleeve for a beverage container, the sleeve adapted for placement about an outer surface of a beverage container, said sleeve including a band adapted to be wrapped about at least a portion of the beverage container to substantially conform to the shape of the outer surface of the beverage container, the band provided with a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air.

Description

AN INSULATING SLEEVE FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to insulated containers and particularly sleeves to be used in conjunction with beverage containers to insulate the containers when held by a user.

Background Art.

Containers and sleeves for use in conjunction with beverage containers to insulate the contents of the beverage container from the user holding the container are available in the art, and the art has advanced much in recent times. One known prior art container is disclosed in United States Patent No.

5205473 to Coffin and this document also contains an excellent summary of the problems to be overcome by devices in the art. A portion of the "Background Art" description from US Patent No. 5205473 follows and has been reproduced verbatim:

"Hot beverage containers have traditionally been constructed of two materials: wax-coated paper and polystyrene. Although both products have received wide spread implementation by fast food restaurants and consumers, they each have their own specialized draw-backs which have yet to be overcome.

Polystyrene is an excellent insulator, and because of its unique moldability, can be formed into a myriad of different shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, however, polystyrene is neither easily recyclable nor biodegradable, and must be disposed in a sanitary landfill. Landfills have become extremely expensive to use and are rapidly being filled to capacity. Polystyrene can also be incinerated, but this disposal method requires a significant amount of environmental safeguards because of the toxic fumes polystyrene emits while burning. Wax-covered paper products have been used in beverage containers for years, and have increasingly been replacing polystyrene as the material of choice. This material is generally recyclable, and is more readily degraded by environmental exposure than polystyrene. Unfortunately, because of its low insulation qualities, containers made of this material are very difficult to handle." US Patent No. 5205473 then provides "a recyclable, corrugated containers and container holders which can be made fi'om existing cellulosic materials, such as paper. The preferred recyclable, corrugated hot beverage container includes a lip and an internal cavity for containing a hot or cold medium. The container includes fluting means, such as fluting adhesively attached to one or more liners, for thermally spacing the hands of the user from the harsh temperatures of the contents of the container.

In the preferred holders of this invention, a corrugated tubular member is provided having at least a first opening for receiving and retaining a cup, or the like. The tubular member's corrugation, like that for the container above, includes fluting means for providing insulating air pockets. The holder can also be fashioned to be collapsible about two or more pivot points for flat storage.¹"

These corrugated sleeves or beverage containers with corrugations have more or less constituted the state of the art to date and two forms of this type of sleeves attached to cups are illustrated in Figure 6. One disadvantage of corrugated sleeves or beverage containers with corrugations is that the corrugations are relatively weak and prone to crushing whilst being held by the user. Crushing the corrugations basically forces the outer portion of the corrugation to abut the outer surface of the cup and does not maintain the layer of insulating air between the holder's hand. As heat transfer by conduction is much more effective than heat transfer through convection, this crushing of the corrugations lessens the effectiveness of the insulating offered by the corrugations.

It would therefore be advantageous if an insulating sleeve for a beverage container was provided with means to trap insulating air but which were also dimensionally stable and less crushable.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to an insulating sleeve for a beverage container, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an insulating sleeve for a beverage container, the sleeve adapted for placement about an outer surface of a beverage container, said sleeve including a band adapted to be wrapped about at least a portion of the beverage container to substantially conform to the shape of the outer surface of the beverage container, the band provided with a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air.

The invention provides recyclable, insulating sleeves and beverage containers which can be made from existing materials such as cellulosic materials such as paper but which effectively insulate the beverage from the user's hand.

There are at least two embodiments of the present invention each of which has substantially the same inventive features. According to a first preferred embodiment, the invention may be provided in the form of a container with a sleeve having a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air permanently attached thereto. According to this embodiment, the recyclable, hot beverage container includes a lip and an internal cavity for containing a hot or cold medium. The container includes a plurality of closed cells attached to one or more liners, such as by adhesively attaching the plurality of closed cells to the liners for thermally spacing the hands of the user from the harsh temperatures of the contents of the container. An alternative embodiment of the invention is in the form of a tubular member having at least a first opening for receiving and retaining a cup, or the like and a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air, said sleeve being placed about a cup in order to insulate the beverage from the user's hand. The holder of this embodiment can also be fashioned to be collapsible about two or more pivot points for flat storage.

Typically, the tubular member of the second preferred embodiment is removable from the beverage container and the main difference between the first and second preferred embodiments is that according to the first preferred embodiment, the tubular member of the second preferred embodiment is attached to the container and the container with the tubular member are produced and sold together as a unit rather than as separate units, as in the second preferred embodiment. Indeed, the tubular member of the second preferred embodiment will generally be used in the manufacture of the container of the first preferred embodiment.

The containers of this invention can be used for comfortably holding a variety of beverages, such as hot chocolate, soup, or coffee. The provided tubular members can be used in conjunction with paper cups, aluminum cans, or other beverage containers, without the discomfort associated with condensation and extreme temperatures. It is preferred that the plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air are arranged in an array and preferably a regular array over the insulating sleeve of the present invention.

The tubular members of these present invention preferably include a generally tapered or conical structure, typical of beverage containers. The plurality of closed cells can be made of cellulosic materials, including craft paper, sulfite paper, or recycled paper. Ideally, the cell structure and liners of this invention are adhered to one another with a recyclable, and preferably, a biodegradable adhesive.

The cell structure is preferably formed from a sheet of material virgin kraft or similar easily recycled cellulosic material, which is heated and moistened by a steam shower and then fluted in one direction by passing it between a pair of rollers, then in a second direction to form the cells. After formation of the cells, the tips of the cells are suitably glued, preferably employing a recyclable, and more preferably employing a biodegradable adhesive, to a sheet of inner liner, such as a single face of paperboard or kraft. At least the surface of the liner that is intended to contact the beverage container is desirably treated with a water-resisting or water-proofing agent, such as wax or silicone, for minimizing the absorption of condensation and other liquids into the cellulosic material. The above-described method produces a single face sheet of cardboard with a plurality of cells arrayed on one side. The cardboard can then be folded flat, or scored, along its inner liner and cut into an arcuate shape, depending upon the application. The arcuate shape, which is preferably concave at the top and convex at the bottom, permits the holder to be opened into a generally conical configuration.

Depending upon the location of the fold line, one or both of the longitudinal sides of the flattened and cut cellular material are adhered so as to form a tube when the structure is opened. Preferably, the inner liner is adhered or scored to form at least two longitudinally folding axes, which are preferably located 180° apart on the resulting circumference of the open tube. These axes do not interfere with either the radial expansion or the resulting conical shape formed by the tube. Alternative constructions for the cellular structures of this invention can include circular, square, or rectangular shaped cells in each of cross-sectional shape, all of which contain insulating air. It is particularly preferred that the closed cells are generally rectangular in shape. Generally rectangular shaped cells are preferred due to their resistance to crushing and their 3 -dimensional shape retention characteristics. Finally, the shape of the "tubular member" of this invention can be round, square, rectangular, star-shaped, or any other desirable configuration.

Double-faced cells can also be employed. Such cellular pattern is typically found in cardboard boxes, and includes an outer liner in addition to an inner liner. The liners preferably are constructed with paperboard or kraft and are adhered to the tips of the cells on opposite contacting points. The cellular board is thereafter preferably coated with a water-proofing agent, cut, scored, and adhesively joined to provide a similar construction as described above for the single face sheet. This embodiment promotes a smoother, more aesthetically appealing exterior which facilitates printing of advertising logos, slogans, and the like.

The normal direction of the orientation of the cellular materials of this invention is vertical from the top to the bottom of the holder or container, but it is expected that the cells can be disposed horizontally, or in a direction which is oblique to the central axis of the cup or expanded holder.

The beverage container contains a drinking lip, cellular patterned material, inner liner, and an optional exterior liner. Preferably, the inner liner is coated with a water-resisting or water-proof agent at least on the surface that is to be exposed to a beverage, as disclosed earlier. The construction techniques known in the industry for making paper cups can be readily adapted to the preferred materials of this invention for manufacturing the preferred beverage container.

It is further expected that the cells of holder could be reversed so that they are located on the inside of the holder and the liner is located on the exterior of the holder. In such a variation, printing could be more readily provided on the smooth liner, hi further embodiments of this invention, it is expected that water-proof polyethylene coatings could be used in place of the silicone and wax compositions disclosed above. The industrial application of polyethylene coatings is readily available to known artisans.

Brief Description of the Drawings. Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a beverage container with an insulating sleeve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a section view through a cup according to a preferred embodiment illustrating the cross-sectional shape of the cells.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a member according to a preferred embodiment including a plurality of closed cells.

Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve with inner liner according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4b is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve with both inner and outer liner according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve with inner liner according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve with both inner and outer liner according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of three beverage containers, two prior art beverage containers and a beverage container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to the illustrated embodiment, a beverage container with an insulating sleeve is provided, but it is to be noted that the present invention relates to the sleeve itself as a beverage container of any configuration can be used.

There are at least two embodiments of the present invention each of which has substantially the same inventive features.

The sleeve of the invention is adapted for placement about an outer surface of a beverage container, and includes a band adapted to be wrapped about at least a portion of the beverage container to substantially conform to the shape of the outer surface of the beverage container, the band provided with a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air as illustrated in Figure 1.

According to a first preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1, the invention may be provided in the form of a cup 10 with a sleeve according to the invention permanently attached thereto. The sleeve has a plurality of closed cells 11 for containing insulating air. According to this embodiment, the recyclable, hot beverage container includes a lip 12 and an internal cavity 13 for containing a hot or cold medium. The sleeve, which is attached to the cup 10, includes a plurality of closed cells 11 attached to one or more liners 14, such as by adhesively attaching a sheet of material folded or creased to form the plurality of closed cells 11 to the liners 14 for thermally spacing the hands of the user from the harsh temperatures of the contents of the cup 10. An alternative embodiment of the invention which is not illustrated is in the form of a tubular member having an opening for receiving and retaining a cup, or the like and a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air, the sleeve being placed about a cup in order to insulate the beverage from the user's hand.

It is preferred that the plurality of closed cells 11 for containing insulating air are arranged in a regular array as illustrated in Figure 1.

The plurality of closed cells 11 in the illustrated embodiment are made of cellulosic materials, including craft paper, sulfite paper, or recycled paper. Ideally, the cell structure and liners of this invention are adhered to one another with a recyclable, and preferably, a biodegradable adhesive.

According to the preferred embodiment, the cell structure is preferably formed from a sheet of paper or similar easily recycled cellulosic material, which is heated and moistened by a steam shower and then fluted in one direction by passing it between a pair of rollers, then in a second direction to close portions of the fluting to form the cells 11.

After formation of the cells 11, the tips of the cells 11 are glued, preferably employing a biodegradable adhesive, to a sheet of inner liner 14, such as a single face of paperboard or kraft leaving shaped sidewalls 21, 41 of the cells 11 to maintain the separation of the user's hand from the outside surface of the cup. At least the surface of the liner that is intended to contact the beverage container is then normally treated with a water-resisting or water-proofing agent, such as wax or silicone, for minimizing the absorption of condensation and other liquids into the cellulosic material.

The above-described method produces a single face sheet of cardboard with a plurality of cells arrayed on one side generally to be attached more or less permanently to a cup. Alternative constructions for the cellular structures of this invention can include circular, square, or rectangular shaped cells in each of cross-sectional shape, all of which contain insulating air. Finally, the shape of the "tubular member" of this invention can be round, square, rectangular, star-shaped, or any other desirable configuration.

Double-faced cellular liners can also be employed. Such cellular pattern is typically found in cardboard boxes, and includes an outer liner in addition to an inner liner as illustrated for example on Figures 4b and 5b. The liners are constructed with paperboard or kraft and are adhered to the tips of the cells on opposite contacting points. The cellular board is thereafter preferably coated with a water-proofing agent, cut, scored, and adhesively joined to provide a similar construction as described above for the single face sheet. This embodiment promotes a smoother, more aesthetically appealing exterior which facilitates printing of advertising logos, slogans, and the like directly thereon. The normal direction of the orientation of the cellular materials of this invention is vertical from the top to the bottom of the holder or container as illustrated in Figure 1.

A further alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3 in which a single liner 14 has cellular structures 11 attached to each face of the liner 14 using an adhesive layer 15 to form a double cell-sided sleeve 16.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims:

1. An insulating sleeve for a beverage container, the sleeve adapted for placement about an outer surface of a beverage container, said sleeve including a band adapted to be wrapped about at least a portion of the beverage container to substantially conform to the shape of the outer surface of the beverage container, the band provided with a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air.

2. An insulating sleeve according to claim 1 wherein the band includes a tubular sleeve member having at least a first opening for receiving and retaining a beverage container and a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air, said sleeve being placed about a beverage container in order to insulate the beverage from the user's hand.

3. An insulating sleeve according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the band is provided with two or more pivot points to be collapsible for flat storage.

4. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air are arranged in an array.

5. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the band includes a generally tapered or conical structure.

6. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of closed cells are formed of cellulosic materials, including craft paper, sulfite paper, or recycled paper.

7. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein alternative constructions for the closed cells include circular, or irregular shaped cells

8. An insulating sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the closed cells are rectangular shaped cells.

9. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the shape of the band is chosen from the group including round, square, rectangular, or star-shaped.

10. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the band includes an outer liner and an inner liner with the closed cells located between the respective liners.

11. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein closed cells are oriented inwardly and a liner is oriented outwardly.

12. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a liner is provided with the closed cells mounted relative thereto.

13. An insulating sleeve according to any one of the preceding claims formed by fluting a cellulosic material in one direction by passing it between a pair of rollers, then in a second direction to form the closed cells.

14. A container including a lip and an internal cavity for containing a liquid and an insulating sleeve attached thereto, said sleeve including a band adapted to be wrapped about at least a portion of the beverage container to substantially conform to the shape of the outer surface of the beverage container, the band provided with a plurality of closed cells for containing insulating air.