Insulated drink sleeve

Abstract

The present invention is an insulated wrap around drink sleeve with an interior with a bottom and a bottom side that is placed on a can or a bottle containing a cold beverage. The drink sleeve includes a built-in coaster that is disposed on the bottom of the insulated drink sleeve, a recessed bottom edge that receives the built-in coaster on the bottom while providing added structure and stability to the insulated drink sleeve and a logo. The drink sleeve is initially provided in an unfolded form and is squeezed at the sides to pop open into a cylindrical shaped insulated drink sleeve.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

Cold drinks from bottles or cans can often form condensation and moisture on their exterior during warm weather. This moisture and condensation can be annoying and uncomfortable when holding the bottle or can. Currently drink cozies can provide some relief but can be bulky and inconvenient to carry.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated drink sleeve that is a single-use and disposable wrap-around sleeve utilized with a bottled or a canned beverage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated drink sleeve that has a built-in coaster that also withstands and prevents condensation from the bottled or canned beverage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an insulated drink sleeve that is formed from a flat object that is squeezed together.

What is really needed is an insulated drink sleeve that is a single-use and disposable wrap-around sleeve utilized with a bottled or a canned beverage that has a built-in coaster that also withstands and prevents condensation from the bottled or canned beverage and that is formed from a flat object that is squeezed together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front environmental perspective view of an insulated drink sleeve, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a diagonal side perspective view of an insulated drink sleeve, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates an overhead side perspective view of a flat unformed insulated drink sleeve, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1D illustrates an overhead perspective view of a flat unformed insulated drink sleeve, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front environmental perspective view of an insulated drink sleeve 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The insulated drink sleeve 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1A and is utilized with a can 110 to keep the contents of the can 110 cold, which typically is a standard 12 ounce, 16 ounce or 20 ounce can although other suitable sized cans can be used with the insulated drink sleeve 100. The insulated drink sleeve 100 can also be used with any suitable standard sized bottles as well. The insulated drink sleeve 100 is a single-use, disposable wraparound sleeve that can be made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard, a corn-based polymer or other suitable materials. The insulated drink sleeve 100 can optionally include a logo 105 which can be a decorative logo, an advertising logo, a slogan or any suitable type of logo or slogan.

FIG. 1B illustrates a diagonal side perspective view of an insulated drink sleeve 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The insulated drink sleeve 100 includes a built-in coaster 120 and a recessed bottom edge 130. The insulated drink sleeve 100 has an interior 102 with a bottom 104 and a bottom side 106. The built-in coaster 120 is disposed on the bottom 104 of the insulated drink sleeve 100 that eliminates wet rings from the can or bottle being contained in the insulated drink sleeve 100. The recessed bottom edge 130 is disposed on the bottom sides 106 of the insulated drink sleeve 100 as well and accommodates the built-in coaster 120 on the bottom 104 of the insulated drink sleeve 100 while providing added structure and stability to the insulated drink sleeve 100. Specifically, the built-in coaster 120 rests on the recessed bottom edge 130 of the insulated drink sleeve 100 and accommodates the bottom of a can or bottle being insulated by the insulated drink sleeve 100. The recessed bottom edge 130 extends inward approximately ¾ of an inch although the recessed bottom edge 130 can extend any suitable dimension.

FIG. 1C illustrates an overhead side perspective view of an insulated drink sleeve 100 in an unfolded form 140, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The unfolded form 140 is squeezed at its sides 142 to pop open the insulated drink sleeve 100. The built-in coaster 120 previously described in FIG. 1B folds out as the unfolded form 140 is squeezed at its sides 142 and is folded inward when the insulated drink sleeve 100 is in an unfolded form 140. The built-in coaster 120 and the insulated drink sleeve 100 are one piece of material and the built-in coaster 120 is folded inward and hot-glued to the interior of the insulated drink sleeve 100 during manufacturing.

FIG. 1D illustrates an overhead perspective view of an insulated drink sleeve 100 in an unfolded form 140, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As previously described in the FIG. 1C description, the built-in coaster 120 and the insulated drink sleeve 100 are one piece of material. As previously described in the FIG. 1A description, the insulated drink sleeve 100 illustrated in FIG. 1D is made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard or a corn-based polymer. The built-in coaster 120 is also made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard, a corn-based polymer or other suitable material. The unfolded form 140 of the insulated drink sleeve 100 can also be packaged in any suitable number in a bulk pack 150 for convenience.

Persons holding an ice-cold soda can or bottle in their hand, or placing it on a table or countertop and experience the bottle or can to start dripping with condensation and getting warm, can conveniently slide an insulated drink sleeve under and around the held bottle or can. The insulated drink sleeve is initially flat, but by squeezing the sides the insulated drink sleeve pops open into a cylindrical-shaped casing. By inserting the soda can or bottle into the insulated drink sleeve, the beverage in the bottle or can stays cold, without dripping moisture and condensation all over a user's hands and clothes, the floor and other surrounding areas. The insulated drink sleeve also features a built-in foldout circular bottom piece that serves as a coaster when placed on a table, to eliminate unsightly wet rings left by the uninsulated can or bottle. A sturdy recessed edge or lip at the bottom of the insulated drink sleeve provides extra support and stability when the insulated drink sleeve is set down. The sleeve could be made out of wax-corrugated cardboard or a corn-based polymer, and can be easily disposed or recycled after a single use. The insulated drink sleeve is also convenient to use while drinking a cold can or bottle of soda at a desk at work.

The insulated drink sleeve is flat when not in use and the sides can be squeezed so the insulated drink sleeve pops opens into a cylindrical shaped sleeve. Use of the insulated drink sleeve is straightforward. First the can or bottle containing the cold drink is inserted into the sleeve. The can or bottle stays protected and insulated, keeping the can or bottle cold. The bottom circular piece integral to the insulated drink sleeve serves as an insulator too, and prevents wet can rings from forming on a surface where the can or bottle is placed on. The insulated drink sleeve also provides additional sleeve structure and support. When a user is finished with the beverage protected by the insulated drink sleeve, the insulated drink sleeve is slid off of the can or bottle and disposed of. Because the insulated drink sleeve is made of recyclable materials, the insulated drink sleeve can be disposed of in a cardboard recycling bin or other suitable container.

The insulated drink sleeve can be sold in packs by retail and convenience stores, as well as be made available by cafes, and other businesses that serve bottled or canned beverages. The insulated drink sleeve can have various color pallets or patterns, to allow the sleeve to be customized according to corporate or business-branding campaigns, store logos and slogans, and much more. The sleeve can conveniently be used for advertising space as well.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Claims

1. An insulated drink sleeve with an interior with a bottom and a bottom side perimeter that is placed on a can or a bottle containing a cold beverage, said insulated drink sleeve is initially flat and in a folded form with sides, but is squeezed at said sides to pop open into a cylindrical-shaped casing, said insulated drink sleeve comprising:

a built-in coaster that is disposed on said bottom of said insulated drink sleeve, said built-in coaster folds out as said folded form is squeezed at said sides; and

a recessed bottom edge that receives said built-in coaster on said bottom while providing added structure and stability to said insulated drink sleeve when said insulated drink sleeve is set down.

2. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said built-in coaster rests on said recessed bottom edge.

3. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is a single-use and disposable sleeve.

4. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard or a corn-based polymer.

5. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is a wrap-around sleeve.

6. (canceled)

7. An insulated drink sleeve with an interior with a bottom and a bottom perimeter that is placed on a can or a bottle containing a cold beverage, said insulated drink sleeve is initially flat and in a folded form with sides, but is squeezed at said sides to pop open into a cylindrical-shaped casing, said insulated drink sleeve comprising:

a built-in coaster that is disposed on said bottom of said insulated drink sleeve, said built-in coaster folds out as said folded form is squeezed at said sides;

a recessed bottom edge that receives said built-in coaster on said bottom while providing added structure and stability to said insulated drink sleeve when said insulated drink sleeve is set down; and

a logo.

8. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein said built-in coaster rests on said recessed bottom edge.

9. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein said logo is a decorative logo, an advertising logo or a slogan.

10. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein said sleeve is a single-use and disposable sleeve.

11. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein said sleeve is made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard or a corn-based polymer.

12. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein said sleeve is a wrap-around sleeve.

13. (canceled)

14. An insulated wrap around drink sleeve with an interior with a bottom and a bottom side perimeter that is placed on a can or a bottle containing a cold beverage, said insulated drink sleeve is initially flat and in a folded form with sides, but is squeezed at said sides to pop open into a cylindrical-shaped casing, said insulated drink sleeve, comprising:

a built-in coaster that is disposed on said bottom of said insulated drink sleeve, said built-in coaster folds out as said folded form is squeezed at said sides and said built-in coaster is folded inward when said insulated drink sleeve is in said folded form;

a recessed bottom edge that receives said built-in coaster on said bottom while providing added structure and stability to said insulated drink sleeve when said insulated drink sleeve is set down;

a decorative logo, an advertising logo or a slogan.

15. The sleeve according to claim 14, wherein said built-in coaster rests on said recessed bottom edge.

16. The sleeve according to claim 14, wherein said recessed bottom edge extends inward approximately ¾ths of an inch.

17. The sleeve according to claim 14, wherein said sleeve is a single-use and disposable sleeve.

18. The sleeve according to claim 14, wherein said sleeve is made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard or a corn-based polymer.

19. (canceled)

20. The sleeve according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of said sleeves is provided in a pack in said unfolded folded form.