Beverage Sleeve with Finger Portals

Abstract

A disposable cup sleeve having a wider top side and narrower bottom side formed from a trapezoid-shaped planar material is disclosed herein. On the exterior side, there are two different finger holders to keep the fingers warm by protecting them from the elements. One finger holder is sized to fit a thumb, and another, having an opening facing a substantially opposite direction from the first finger holder, is sized to fit the four non-thumb digits of the hand, or at least a part thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to a beverage sleeve and, more specifically, to one with finger portals.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

A person holding a cup of coffee or other hot beverage subjects his/her hands to two different temperatures: 1) the temperature of the beverage (excepting for insulation provided by the cup), and 2) the temperature of the ambient air. The first issue has largely been solved by the use of well insulated cups to avoid being burned by the hot liquid. Hot beverages are typically served at temperatures between 165 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit and consumed at temperatures between 141.7 and 161.8 degrees Fahrenheit. The skin pain threshold for hot liquids is 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Cup sleeves have also been used which wrap around the outside of the cup and further thermally distance one's hands from the hot temperatures inside the cup. The other issue, however, that of the ambient air temperature, has largely remained unsolved.

When the ambient air is cold, such as in the winter or at a very extreme latitude or altitude even in other seasons, people typically wear protection on their hands, such as gloves or mittens. Or, one can keep his/her hands in a pocket. However, when one is carrying a hot beverage, each solution has its drawbacks. One person might want ready access to his/her beverage without the cumbersome use of a glove. This is especially true for commuters who might need ready access to change, a credit card, a ticket, or a key. Removing a glove, or trying to grasp an object in one's pocket, wallet, or purse while wearing a glove, are less than convenient.” On the other hand, one going without a glove must expose his/her hands to the elements in cold or inclement weather. This, too, is no pleasure.

What is needed is a way to maintain a comfortable hand temperature without the drawbacks and problems mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology solves the aforementioned problems by providing a cup sleeve formed from a trapezoidal sheet of material. At least one portal is fixed to a first side of the trapezoidal sheet, with a generally rectangular interior which opens facing generally towards a first side of two sides of the trapezoidal sheet. The “side” refers to the angled region of a trapezoid between the two parallel sides which define such a shape. The “side” also refers to the lateral size facing neither the top or bottom of a cup when wrapped around it. The trapezoidal sheet has a top side longer than a bottom side, such that the trapezoidal sheet is adapted to cover a conical cup. Such conical cups have bottom sides narrower than top sides, the top side being defined by an opening into the interior, and the bottom side being defined by being sealed and at a side opposite to that of the top side.

The two sides of the trapezoidal sheet overlap each other, forming a ring with a circular cross-section there-in, in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The two sides of the trapezoidal sheet, in such an embodiment, can overlap each other, such that the two sides are parallel to one another, and the circular cross-section is one of a plurality of cross-sections, each with a different diameter, with a smallest diameter along the bottom side of the trapezoidal sheet and a largest diameter along the top side of the trapezoidal sheet.

The at least one portal can be made up of four generally rectangular and parallel interior sections, each opening generally towards the first side, and each sharing at least one wall with another such rectangular interior section of the four generally rectangular interior sections. There is also an additional portal in embodiments of the disclosed technology, this additional second portal having a single interior section with a width wider than each of the four generally rectangular interior sections. The two portals, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, can fold flat against the trapezoidal sheet.

When there is a thumb portal and a non-thumb digits portal, they can be disposed at substantially opposite angles to one another, and each open towards a side of the trapezoidal sheet.

Another way of explaining embodiments of the disclosed technology is as follows. A disposable cup sleeve can have a conical sleeve joined by two overlapping sides thereof. A first finger portal is angled towards a top widest side of the conical sleeve. A second finger portal is angled towards the top widest side of the conical sleeve. In such an embodiment, a closed end of each respective first and second finger portal on a side opposite their respective openings point generally towards each other.

The first finger portal, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, has four sections divided by three parallel layers of material running substantially a length of each of the four sections. The second finger portal can have a single portal with a width wider than any of the four sections of the first finger portal.

The conical sleeve, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, is formed from a trapezoidal sheet of material having the first finger portal and the second finger portal fixedly connected to a single surface of the trapezoidal sheet. The conical sleeve, the first finger portal, and the second finger portal all fold flat against one another, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, meaning that the interior area is reduced by greater than 90%, and opposite sides of a “folded flat” portal touch each other when in the folded configuration.

A disposable cup sleeve, described another way, has a first and second finger portal spaced apart, and each with a portal facing towards a side and bottom of the cup sleeve. Both first and second finger portals are fixedly attached to, and extend outward from, a planar surface defining the cup sleeve. The planar cup sleeve, in embodiments, is flat in a first configuration and conical in a second configuration, such that the cup sleeve is attached to itself at either end. Further, in embodiments, the cup sleeve is trapezoidal in the first configuration and attaches to itself at either side to form the conical second configuration. The first portal can be adapted (designed for) and sized to fit four non-thumb digits, and the second portal can be adapted and sized to fit a thumb.

“Substantially” and “substantially shown,” for purposes of this specification, are defined as “at least 90%,” or as otherwise indicated. Any device may “comprise” or “consist of” the devices mentioned there-in, as limited by the claims.

It should be understood that the use of “and/or” is defined inclusively such that the term “a and/or b” should be read to include the sets: “a and b,” “a or b,” “a,” “b.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a cup sleeve with portals of an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the cup sleeve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a trapezoidal length of material used to create cup sleeves of embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 4 shows a first side elevation view of a cup sleeve of embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 5 shows a second side elevation view of a cup sleeve of an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a person holding a cup via a cup sleeve of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

A disposable cup sleeve having a wider top side and narrower bottom side formed from a trapezoid is disclosed herein. On the exterior side are two different finger holders to keep the fingers warm by protecting them from the elements. One finger holder is sized to fit a thumb and another, having an opening facing a substantially opposite direction from the first finger holder, is sized to fit the four non-thumb digits of the hand, or at least a part thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view of the following description of the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a cup sleeve with portals of an embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the cup sleeve of FIG. 1. A cup sleeve 10 is shown formed from a length of material joined together at an overlapping seam 12. This is, of course, one way of producing the cup sleeve 10, which is a length of material with a circular cross-section and opening in the middle. That is, the length of material extends along the diameter of the circle. The diameter and circumference of the circle, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, increase at upper elevations of the sleeve 10/decrease at lower elevations of the sleeve 10, such that the cross-sectional area of the sleeve 10 does likewise.

One or two handles can be affixed to the sleeve 10, such as finger portals 20 with interior space 22, and thumb portal 30 with interior space 21. The portals are fixedly attached (not removable without causing irreversible destruction to one of the devices) to the sleeve 10, or removably attached (removable and re-applicable repeatedly and removably at different locations (at least three times). The portals 20 and 30 each have a side which is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the exterior side of the body of the cup sleeve 10, which is spaced apart from the body of the sleeve 10 by one, two, or three of a bottom side, top side, and end side. The end side, such as end side 24, is opposite a side which opens into the respective portal. The end side further functions as a “stop,” allowing a finger to be inserted no further. In this manner, the portal or portals 20 and/or 30 allow a person to slide his/her fingers between the cup and walls of the portal, while holding on to the cup via the sleeve 10. One then protects one's fingers from the elements at the same time.

FIG. 3 shows a trapezoidal length of material used to create cup sleeves, in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The trapezoid shown has two parallel sides 15 and 17, with 15 being the longer side that corresponds to a higher portion of a cup (such as cup 98 shown in FIG. 5). The parallel side 17 is the shorter of the two parallel sides that corresponds to a portion of a cup that is lower than the upper side. When the trapezoid is wrapped such that sides 11 and 13 are adjacent, abutting, or overlapping with each other, they can form the seam 12 shown in FIG. 1.

The thumb portal 30 and finger portal 20 are also shown. Note that they are angled such that the openings are substantially parallel to the side (non-parallel) edges 11 and 13 of the trapezoidal sleeve 10. The portals 20 and 30 are angled downward, meaning that the openings face more toward the bottom side 15 than the top side 17 of a cup formed from the trapezoidal sleeve shown. Note also that, for the portal 20 adapted for the fingers, there are, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, four separate subsections within the portal separated by walls 28. In the example shown, there is one sub-portal for each finger. The walls 28 can extend from an end wall of the portal towards the opening, partially or fully. The two portals 30 and 20, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, are angled towards each other at their end walls. In this manner, a person who inserts his/her hand into the portals does so with fingers pointing somewhat upward, towards the top side of the cup on which the sleeve 10 is wrapped there-around (towards side 17 of the sleeve).

FIG. 4 shows a first side elevation view of a cup sleeve of embodiments of the disclosed technology. FIG. 5 shows a second side elevation view of a cup sleeve of an embodiment of the disclosed technology. To form the cup sleeve 10 as shown, the trapezoid of FIG. 3 is connected on either non-parallel side, such that the non-parallel ends are made parallel to each other. In this manner, the trapezoid becomes conical, while a flat elevation view, as shown in FIG. 5, which shows a trapezoid projection on each side.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a person holding a cup via a cup sleeve of the disclosed technology. Here, the full conical shape of the sleeve 10 is apparent around a cup 98 (a “cup” being defined as “a vessel which holds at least 3 ounces of water). The cup has at least a bottom and side walls, and the beverage sleeve, in embodiments, extends around the side walls, such as a circular sleeve extending around circular walls of a cup. One inserts one's thumb into the thumb portal 30 and the rest of one's fingers into the finger portal 20 and holds the cup. In this manner, the fingers are insulated from elements by the finger portals 20 and/or 30, and insulated from the contents of the cup by the cup 98 itself, the cup sleeve 10, and, in some embodiments, an extra layer of a respective portal between the cup sleeve and interior space/fingers within such a portal.

In specific embodiments, the beverage sleeve can have a length and/or a width of between 4 to 10 inches, inclusive, having variations at every quarter inch. The term “and/or” is inclusive of one of, or both, terms on either side of the “and/or.” When laid flat and viewed from above, such as for storage or shipping, a right-handed version has a compartment for the right thumb extending from the right edge, and a compartment for the remaining digits of the hand extending from the left edge. The reverse can be true for a left-handed version. The portals for the fingers (the term “fingers” is inclusive of the “thumb” for this purpose) can be created by blowing air or molding layers of insulation. A layer of webbed material reinforces the sleeve, in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The portals can be flattened during shipping or storage and made wider by a user of the device, or can come with pre-opened such portals.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods and apparatuses described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A disposable cup sleeve comprising:

a trapezoidal sheet of material;

at least one portal fixed to a first side of said trapezoidal sheet, with a generally rectangular interior and opening facing generally towards a first side/two sides of said trapezoidal sheet;

wherein said trapezoidal sheet comprises a top side longer than a bottom side, such that said trapezoidal sheet is adapted to cover a conical cup.

2. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 1, wherein said two sides of said trapezoidal sheet overlap each other, forming a ring with a circular cross-section there-in.

3. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 2, wherein said two sides of said trapezoidal sheet overlap each other, such that said two sides are parallel to one another, and said circular cross-section is one of a plurality of cross-sections, each with a different diameter, with a smallest diameter along said bottom side of said trapezoidal sheet, and a largest diameter along said top side of said trapezoidal sheet.

4. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 1, wherein said at least one portal comprises four said generally rectangular and parallel interior sections, each opening generally towards said first side, and each sharing at least one wall with another said rectangular interior section of said four generally rectangular interior sections.

5. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 4, wherein said at least one portal is two portals, a second portal of said two portals comprising a single interior section having a width wider than each of said four generally rectangular interior sections.

6. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 5, wherein said two portals fold flat against said trapezoidal sheet.

7. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 1, wherein said at least one portal comprises a thumb portal and a non-thumb digit portal disposed at substantially opposite angles to one another, and each opening towards a side of said trapezoidal sheet.

8. A disposable cup sleeve comprising:

a conical sleeve joined by overlapping two sides thereof;

a first finger portal angled towards a top widest side of said conical sleeve; and

a second finger portal angled towards said top widest side of said conical sleeve;

wherein a closed end of each said first and second finger portals on a side opposite an opening into respective said first and second finger portals point generally towards each other.

9. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 8, wherein said first finger portal comprises four sections divided by three parallel layers of material running substantially a length of each of said four sections.

10. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 9, wherein said second finger portal comprises a single portal having a width wider than any of said four sections of said first finger portal.

11. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 8, wherein said conical sleeve is formed from a trapezoidal sheet of material having said first finger portal and said second finger portal fixedly connected to a single surface of said trapezoidal sheet.

12. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 11, wherein said conical sleeve, said first finger portal, and said second finger portal all fold flat against one another.

13. A disposable cup sleeve, comprising:

a first and second finger portal spaced apart, and each with a portal facing towards a side and bottom of said cup sleeve, and wherein each of said first and second finger portals is fixedly attached to, and extends outwards from, a planar surface defining said cup sleeve.

14. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 13, wherein said planar cup sleeve is flat in a first configuration and conical in a second configuration, wherein said cup sleeve is attached to itself at either end.

15. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 14, wherein said cup sleeve is trapezoidal in said first configuration, and attaches to itself on either side to form said conical second configuration.

16. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 15, wherein each of said first and second finger portals folds flat against said cup sleeve.

17. The disposable cup sleeve of claim 16, wherein said first portal is adapted and sized to fit four non-thumb digits, and said second portal is adapted and sized to fit a thumb.