Insulating cup sleeve
An insulating cup sleeve with a non-woven polyester fabric panel, a thin polyethylene foam panel and a panel retaining loop portion. The fabric panel and the foam panel overlap each other. The fabric panel and the foam panel are wrapped into a circular configuration to form a sleeve. The fabric panel and the foam panel are sewn together by standard sewing means to form the sleeve. The loop portion is sewn in a vertical orientation to the outside of the sleeve. The sleeve is capable of being folded by a user allowing one end of the folded sleeve to be slipped into the loop portion. A preferred embodiment includes the sleeve can be washed by standard means and re-used.
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to the field of insulating sleeves and more specifically to an insulating sleeve for a hot beverage cup.
Hot beverages sold at coffee or tea shops are often poured into paper cups. Because of the hot nature of the drinks, the shops often offer the user an insulated sleeve to slide onto the cup so that the user does not burn his or her hand while holding the beverage. These sleeves are usually made of a paper type material and are meant to be disposed of after use.
There is a deficiency in the prior technology in that disposable sleeves help to deplete our natural resources as well as adding cost to the price of each drink served. Some reusable foam wrap type insulating sleeves are available in the marketplace, however they are not designed to be folded into a compact shape for storage in a purse or pocket.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that allows users to grasp paper cups holding hot drinks without burning their fingers.
Another object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that is reusable.
Another object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that folds flat for compact storage.
A further object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that can be cleaned with soap and water and re-used.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an insulating sleeve that uses a secondary loop to hold the sleeve in the flat storage position.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an insulating cup sleeve comprising: a non-woven polyester fabric panel, a thin polyethylene foam panel, a panel retaining loop portion, said fabric panel and said foam panel overlapping each other, said fabric panel and said foam panel wrapped into a circular configuration to form a sleeve, said fabric panel and said foam panel sewn together by standard sewing means to form said sleeve, said loop portion sewn in a vertical orientation to the outside of said sleeve, and said sleeve capable of being folded by a user allowing one end of said folded sleeve to be slipped into said loop portion.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring now to
The above described and illustrated invention allows a user to re-use an insulated sleeve over and over so that it does not have to be disposed of after each use. The sleeve of the present invention can be washed and cleaned by standard means so that it remains in a sanitary condition for repeated use.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. insulating cup sleeve comprising:
- a non-woven polyester fabric panel;
- a thin polyethylene foam panel;
- a panel retaining loop portion;
- said fabric panel and said foam panel overlapping each other;
- said fabric panel and said foam panel wrapped into a circular configuration to form a sleeve;
- said fabric panel and said foam panel sewn together by standard sewing means to form said sleeve;
- said loop portion sewn in a vertical orientation to the outside of said sleeve; and
- said sleeve capable of being folded by a user allowing one end of said folded sleeve to be slipped into said loop portion.
2. insulating cup sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve can be washed by standard means and re-used.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 29, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2012
Inventors: Deborah A. Zerda (Novato, CA), Irene Okonski-Fernandez (Richmond, CA)
Application Number: 12/804,762