CONTAINER HOLDER

Abstract

An insulating holder for a hot or cold drink cup including a tubular sleeve member that is made of a cellulosic paper material and has top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container. The tubular sleeve member has its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a frusto-conic shape when fitted on the cup. The tubular sleeve member is provided with a plurality of folds that each extend in a direction between the top and bottom circular openings and that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold. Each fold defines an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold for providing insulation by virtue of the air passage between the holder and cup. The folds extend in a direction that includes a transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the user at the fold. The holder also includes microscopic air chambers which are used to absorb and retain moisture.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

Priority for this application is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/879,118 which was filed on Jan. 8, 2007. The content of all of the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to a container holder that may be used for a variety of different applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved holder that is preferably in the form of a sleeve member that can be used for both hot and cold container applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist various types of sleeves or holders but these are mainly for hot cups. However, the above sleeves and holders are found wanting when it comes to the problems unique to cold cup applications. The purpose of current holders is to keep the users' hand comfortable and to insulate one's hand from excessive heat that radiates from a hot drink cup, but do little or nothing for uncomfortable cold, drippy, wet cups. Examples of previous holders are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,205,473; 5,669,553; 6,152,363 and 6,412,686. Although these patents show the use of fold lines and apertures in holder sidewalls, they still do not provide an effective holder for cold applications.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container holder and particularly an improved holder arrangement that may be used for both hot and cold container applications.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cup sleeve that is of relatively simple construction and provides a solution to the problem of reducing or eliminating container sweating and wetness for cold container applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of the present invention there is provided an insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a liquid container. The insulating holder comprises a tubular sleeve member that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container and a plurality of folds in the tubular sleeve member that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold. Each fold defines an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold. Each fold extends in a direction between the top and bottom circular openings and at least some of the folds extend in a direction that is diagonal to a vertical axis on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member.

In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the insulating holder may provide each channel as substantially triangular in cross-section; the tubular sleeve member may be constructed of a paper product; the tubular sleeve member may have imbedded microscopic air molecules to store accumulating moisture in the tubular sleeve member; the tubular sleeve member is preferably of frustro-conic shape and includes one or more apertures connected with the air channel; the diagonal is preferably at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees and the angle is preferably between forty five and 90 degrees to the vertical.

Further, in accordance with the invention there is provided an insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or cold drink cup. The insulating holder includes a tubular sleeve member that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve member having a frusto-conic configuration when fitted on the cup. A plurality of folds are provided in the tubular sleeve member that each extend in a direction between the top and bottom circular openings and that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold. Each fold defines an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold. The folds extend in a direction that is non-parallel to a vertical axis on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member.

In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention the insulating holder may provide each air channel as substantially triangular in cross-section; the tubular sleeve member may be constructed of a paper product and further includes holes that interconnect with the air channel; the tubular sleeve member may have imbedded microscopic air molecules to store accumulating moisture in the tubular sleeve member; the tubular sleeve member preferably has its top circular opening of larger diameter than its bottom circular opening; each fold is preferably at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees and the angle is preferably between 45 and ninety degrees to the vertical.

Moreover, in accordance with the invention there is provided an insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or cold drink cup, said insulating holder constructed of a tubular sleeve member that is made of a cellulosic paper material and having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve member having its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a frusto-conic shape when fitted on the cup, the tubular sleeve member provided with a plurality of folds that each extend in a direction between said top and bottom circular openings and that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold, each said fold defining an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold for providing insulation by virtue of the air passage between the holder and cup, the folds extending in a direction that includes a transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the user at the fold.

In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the insulating holder may be provided with each air channel as substantially triangular in cross-section; the tubular sleeve member may have imbedded microscopic air molecules to store accumulating moisture in the tubular sleeve member; the tubular sleeve member may have at least one hole therethrough that communicates with the air channel; each fold is preferably at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees and the angle is preferably between 45 and ninety degrees to the vertical.

In accordance with still a further aspect of the present invention the holder may be formed integrally with the cup itself in a single one-piece structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder of the present invention as fitted on a hot or cold drink cup;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view like that shown in FIG. 1 but showing only the insulating holder;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the initial blank that is used in forming the holder shown in the drawings;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the manner in which the holder can be folded for storage purposes;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the holder as positioned on a cup;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the construction of the paper product with the fibers and air chambers; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the paper product showing the microscopic moisture storage chambers or air chambers surrounded by paperboard fibers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The holder of the present invention is particularly adapted for effective use with both hot and cold containers which are typically cups. There is illustrated herein a cylindrical sleeve or holder which is constructed of a fibrous material, preferably a recycled paper product. The holder is used for the purpose of preventing beads of water from accumulating on the outer surface of a cold beverage container, and is also constructed as a hand heat insulator for use on hot beverage containers. The final holder construction has flat panels that are defined by diagonal fold lines or creases. The holder is preferably formed from a single continuous sheet of material, although it may also be formed using a double layer material.

FIG. 3 shows the holder in an initial stage before having been folded together to form the frusto-conic shape as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 2. The final shape is achieved by folding the blank shown in FIG. 3 and gluing the end edges 25 together. Refer also to FIG. 7 that shows the edges 25. Once the shape is formed the holder can be placed on the hot or cold cup, to prevent either excessive heat from radiating off a hot cup, or, in the case of a cold cup, sweat from accumulating either on the outer surface of the holder itself or between the cup and holder.

Reference is now made to the drawings for an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the holder of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder 10 of the present invention as fitted on a hot or cold drink cup 20. FIG. 2 is a perspective view like that shown in FIG. 1 but showing only the insulating holder 10. FIG. 3 is an illustration of the initial blank 30 that is used in forming the holder 10 shown in the drawings. FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the manner in which the holder 10 can be folded for storage purposes. Each holder may be folded along creases 32. Although FIG. 4 shows a somewhat open holder, for storage purposes each folded holder is preferably flattened. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the holder as positioned on a cup and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 illustrates the one-piece embodiment in which the cup and holder are formed together.

The cup 20 may be considered as of a conventional cup shape having tapered side surfaces and being of generally frusto-conic shape. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the holder in its in-use state. The insulating holder comprises a tubular sleeve member 12 that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having a top substantially circular opening 12A and a bottom substantially circular opening 12B. With both ends open this enables the tubular sleeve member 10 to be readily fitted over the liquid container or cup 20. The tubular sleeve member 10 is provided with a plurality of folds 14 in the tubular sleeve member that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold, such as is illustrated in FIG. 1. In the drawing eight such folds are illustrated. However, it is understood that fewer or greater numbers of fold lines or creases may be employed.

Each fold 14 defines an air channel 16 that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold 14. Each of the channels 16 is disposed between the holder and the outer surface of the cup. Each channel 16, as shown in FIG. 5, is of substantially triangular cross-section. Each fold 14 extends in a direction between the top and bottom circular openings and at least some of the folds 14 extend in a direction that is diagonal to a vertical axis 15 on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member 10. In the embodiment that is illustrated all of the fold lines 14 extend in a diagonal direction D. The folds extend in a direction that is non-parallel to the vertical axis 15 on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member. The vertical axis is considered to be a line on the outer holder surface that extends between like points of the top and bottom substantially circular holder openings. This line is vertical when the cup is disposed on a flat horizontal surface.

Each of the adjacent fold lines or creases 14 is also defined by adjacent panels 17 that are preferably flat panels as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the panels 17 provide a minimum contact area, shown at 19 in FIG. 5. The material of the holder itself is preferably a recycled paper product that has the characteristic of providing imbedded or entrapped microscopic air molecules used to store undesirable moisture accumulation within the holder itself of the present invention.

One of the important features of the present invention relates to the particular fold or crease arrangement that is used in the holder. These folds each form air channels that comprise a ventilation system that allows fresh air to pass between the inside surface of the holder sleeve and the cup. This air passes down through each of the channels 16. The flat panels 17 provide a minimum amount of contact between the holder and cup surfaces. These diagonal folds also provide an external surface that is an improved gripping surface. The folds are diagonal or non-parallel to the vertical axis 15 which has been found to provide a somewhat more rigid contact surface for the users hand, particularly in comparison the a fold line that is vertical, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,686. Refer to FIG. 2 for an illustration of the vertical axis 15, the horizontal axis H and the angle “A” that is formed between the horizontal axis H and the fold line 14. When a vertical fold line is used that tends to collapse when the user grasps the cup and holder, whereas, by providing a diagonal fold line there is then a transverse component (in the circular direction of the cup) that makes the fold somewhat more rigid. This, in turn, helps to maintain the air channels more open so as to provide better insulation characteristics for the holder. The angle “A” in FIG. 2 is preferably in a range of from 45 up to close to 90 degrees.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide one or more holes or apertures in the holder sidewall. This is illustrated in the drawings by the apertures 40. It is preferred that each aperture communicate with a fold line 14 such as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this way there is provided additional air circulation, not only through the channels 16, but also through the apertures 40 that are in fluid communication with their corresponding air channel. The apertures 40 are preferably near the bottom of each fold line 14. One aperture is shown on each fold line, but it is understood that more than one aperture may be used or alternatively an aperture may be used with every other fold line. In another embodiment a series of apertures may be provided along at least one fold line. These series of apertures can be used to view the level of beverage in the container. Apertures may also be provided in the side panels 17, but are preferred in the fold line for maximum insulation.

Another important feature of the present invention relates to the particular material for the holder. It has been found that a paperboard product provides unexpected results from the standpoint that, it has the characteristics of providing both insulation qualities when the holder is used with a hot drink, and the characteristic of providing liquid absorption when particularly used with a cold drink. In other words when used with a cold drink the plurality of microscopic moisture storage chambers or air chambers surrounded by paperboard fibers provides a means by which any evaporating liquid on the outer surface of the cup or holder is absorbed by the holder without any liquid felt by the user on the outer surface of the holder. When used with a hot drink cup, the plurality of microscopic moisture storage chambers or air chambers surrounded by paperboard fibers provides a plurality of moisture storage or air chambers which enable a much higher level of comfort for the user. In this regard refer to FIG. 8 herein that illustrates a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the paper product showing the microscopic moisture storage chambers or air chambers at 70 surrounded by paperboard fibers at 52.

In FIG. 8 the air molecules 50 have the interwoven paperboard fibers 52 disposed throughout and around the air chambers. The air molecules are at a microscopic level. The cross-section of FIG. 8 shows a mixture of ground-up and blended paperboard materials and fibers containing not more than 90% of the total volume being of air chambers and not less than 10% of the total volume being of air chambers. The microscopic chambers are thus interwoven and continuous within the surrounding material, and likewise the chambers consist of air molecules which are surrounded by paperboard fibers. Similarly, the paperboard fibers are thus not more than 90% of the total volume and not less than 10% of the total volume, limited by and relative to corresponding air chamber percentage variations as expressed above. The paper product fibers 52 are juxtaposed to, adjacent to and completely surround the air chambers 50.

The fibrous absorbent material of the paper product is comprised of a mix of recycled paperboard materials including ground-up and pulverized cardboard, corrugated box material, virgin paperboard material originating from wood, recycled board and recycled paper materials, and air. Many different types of pulverized and blended materials may be used to make the paper product, and as a result of one or more of these materials being blended together, trapped air molecules result in the drying process, whereas the trapped air molecules enable the high absorbency characteristic of the material. The air molecules 50 fill in the void spaces between the blended mixture of recycled paperboard and paper fibers 52 once the process of manufacturing is complete.

The paper product is made in a typical paper recycling plant by blending various types of pulverized and liquified recycled paper and paperboard materials together using water and a blending process to create a mix of a liquified pulpous substance, being that it is a blend of both liquid and solid materials and also air. The cumulative air chambers makes up a range preferably of from 30% to 60% of the total volume of the resulting paper material. Air in the form of air chambers is a result of the mixture being blended together, pressed into sheets and finally dried out. As the water and liquid part of the mix evaporates, the water is displaced by air, namely microscopic air chambers. These chambers are co-existent and interwoven throughout the fibers of the paper product on a microscopic level.

What is new in the art and thus previously not utilized is the use of the described aerated fibrous paperboard mixture shown in FIG. 8 as a means for absorbing moisture. The following experiments have been made. For example, the moisture storage chambers have been found to hold and retain moisture or water, equaling up to as much as 150% of the weight of the paperboard material when it is dry, or up to 60% of the total weight of the paperboard material when fully saturated. This is advantageous to a person holding a cold sweaty beverage container whereas the person's hand need not become wet, cold or uncomfortable. When the paperboard mixture is utilized in this unique way, it becomes impossible for sweat beads to occur on the materials surface, thereby demonstrating the importance and unique application of the holder of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the one-piece version of the present invention in which the cup and holder are integrally formed. Note in FIG. 7 the cup ends at 52 where the cup 50 is joined. The holder ends 25 are also joined as previously discussed. One end 25 is attached to one end of the cup as shown in FIG. 7.

Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, although straight fold lines have been illustrated herein it is to be understood that these lines could also be somewhat spiraled or curved, as long as they have some transverse component.

Claims

1. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a liquid container, said insulating holder comprising:

a tubular sleeve member that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container;

a plurality of folds in the tubular sleeve member that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold;

each said fold defining an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold;

each said fold extending in a direction between said top and bottom circular openings;

at least some of said folds extending in a direction that is diagonal to a vertical axis on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member.

2. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein each channel is substantially triangular in cross-section.

3. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein the tubular sleeve member is constructed of a paper product.

4. The insulating holder of claim 3 wherein the tubular sleeve member has imbedded microscopic air molecules to enhance the insulation property of the tubular sleeve member.

5. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein the tubular sleeve member is of frustro-conic shape and includes one or more apertures connected with the air channel.

6. The insulating holder of claim 1 wherein the diagonal is at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees.

7. The insulating holder of claim 6 wherein the angle is between forty five and 90 degrees to the vertical.

8. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or cold drink cup, said insulating holder comprising:

a tubular sleeve member that is constructed of a cellulosic material and having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container;

said tubular sleeve member having a frusto-conic configuration when fitted on the cup;

a plurality of folds in the tubular sleeve member that each extend in a direction between said top and bottom circular openings and that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold;

each said fold defining an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold;

said folds extending in a direction that is non-parallel to a vertical axis on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve member.

9. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein each air channel is substantially triangular in cross-section.

10. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein the tubular sleeve member is constructed of a paper product and further includes holes that interconnect with the air channel.

11. The insulating holder of claim 10 wherein the tubular sleeve member has imbedded microscopic air molecules to store accumulating moisture in the tubular sleeve member.

12. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein the tubular sleeve member has its top circular opening of larger diameter than its bottom circular opening.

13. The insulating holder of claim 8 wherein each fold is at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees.

14. The insulating holder of claim 13 wherein the angle is between forty five and 90 degrees to the vertical.

15. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or cold drink cup, said insulating holder constructed of a tubular sleeve member that is made of a cellulosic paper material and having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve member having its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a frusto-conic shape when fitted on the cup, the tubular sleeve member provided with a plurality of folds that each extend in a direction between said top and bottom circular openings and that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold, each said fold defining an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold for providing insulation by virtue of the air passage between the holder and cup, the folds extending in a direction that includes a transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the user at the fold.

16. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein each air channel is substantially triangular in cross-section.

17. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein the tubular sleeve member has imbedded microscopic air molecules to store moisture in the tubular sleeve member.

18. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein the tubular sleeve member has at least one hole therethrough that communicates with the air channel.

19. The insulating holder of claim 15 wherein each fold is at an angle to the vertical that is greater than forty five degrees.

20. The insulating holder of claim 19 wherein the angle is between forty five and 90 degrees to the vertical.

21. An insulating holder that is adapted for fitting over a hot or cold drink cup, said insulating holder constructed of a tubular sleeve member that is made of a cellulosic paper material and having top and bottom circular openings that enable the sleeve member to be fitted over the liquid container, the tubular sleeve member having its top and bottom openings sized so as to form a frusto-conic shape when fitted on the cup, said paper material characterized by a mixture of a plurality of microscopic moisture storage or air chambers surrounded by paperboard fibers to provide a liquid absorbency by the holder.

22. The insulating holder of claim 21 with the tubular sleeve member provided with a plurality of folds that each extend in a direction between said top and bottom circular openings and that each extend substantially in parallel with an adjacently spaced fold, each said fold defining an air channel that is formed on an inner surface of the tubular sleeve member and that extends along each fold for providing insulation by virtue of the air passage between the holder and cup, the folds extending in a direction that includes a transverse component so as to inhibit compression by the user at the fold.

23. The insulating holder of claim 21 wherein the mixture has the fibers containing not more than 90% of the total volume and not less than 10% of the total volume.

24. The insulating holder of claim 21 wherein the mixture has the air chambers containing not more than 90% of the total volume and not less than 10% of the total volume.

25. The insulating holder of claim 21 wherein the moisture storage chambers hold and retain moisture or water, equaling as much as 150% of the weight of the paperboard material when it is dry, or 60% of the total weight of the paperboard material when fully saturated.

26. The insulating holder of claim 21 in combination with a cup to form a one-piece cup and holder.