INSULATING CUP SLEEVE SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention described herein is an insulating cup sleeve system comprising a sleeve segment, where an inner surface and an outer surface cover an insulating material, where an upper edge and a lower edge couple the inner surface to the outer surface, and where a first end and a second end of the sleeve segment couple the inner surface to the outer surface, and an elastic gusset couples the first end to the second end of the sleeve segment to form a tubular shape. The elastic gusset allows the sleeve segment to adjust to various cup shapes and sizes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cut-away view showing the components for an INSULATING CUP SLEEVE SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve segment for an INSULATING CUP SLEEVE SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an elastic gusset for an INSULATING CUP SLEEVE SYSTEM according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to enable someone skilled in the prior art to make and use this invention, but is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the invention described herein is an insulating cup sleeve system 100 preferably comprising a sleeve segment 110, where an inner surface 120 and an outer surface 130 cover an insulating material 140, where an upper edge 150 and a lower edge 160 couple the inner surface 120 to the outer surface 130, and where a first end 170 and a second end 180 of the sleeve segment 110 couple the inner surface to the outer surface; and an elastic gusset 190 couples the first end 170 to the second end 180 of the sleeve segment 110 to form a tubular shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve segment partially wraps around a cup 230 to provide protection from the heat or cold temperatures escaping through the sidewall of the cup 230. The upper edge 210 and the lower edge 220 of the sleeve segment 240 are preferably further comprised of rolled seams extending the entire circumference of the sleeve segment 240. The rolled seams are preferably stitched to the inner surface and the outer surface to fully encompass the insulating material within the sleeve segment 240.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve segment 310 further comprises a first end 330 and a second end 340 to further enclose the insulating material in between the inner surface and the outer surface of the sleeve segment 310. The sleeve segment first end 330 preferably further comprises a seam where the inner surface is preferably coupled to the outer surface and an elastic gusset 320 first end. Also, the sleeve segment second end 340 preferably further comprises a seam where the inner surface is preferably coupled to the outer surface 310 and an elastic gusset 320 second end.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the elastic gusset is coupled to the sleeve segment first end 330 and the sleeve segment second end 340 such that the combination of the sleeve segment coupled to the elastic gusset provides a continuous sleeve system in a tubular shape structured and arranged to completely circumscribe a cup 350, or other liquid vessel. The sleeve segment 310 comprises approximately two-thirds (⅔) to three-quarters (¾) of the total circumference of the insulating cup sleeve system. The elastic gusset 320 comprises approximately one-quarter (¼) to one-third (⅓) of the total circumference of the insulating cup sleeve system. Additionally, the elastic gusset 320 is preferably the same width as the sleeve segment 310 extending from the sleeve segment upper edge 360 to the sleeve segment lower edge 370.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the sleeve segment 240 is preferably comprised of a combination of flexible fabric materials and fabricated using common stitching techniques. The sleeve segment inner surface and sleeve segment outer surface are preferably a flexible fabric material. Such various flexible fabric materials include cotton, polyester, nylon, and any combination thereof. Other fabrics not enumerated herein may also be used to fabricate the insulating cup sleeve system. Additionally, the outside surface may contain a graphic design. The graphic design may be applied in any number of ways including, but not limited to, stitching, printing, or heat applied decals.

As further shown in FIG. 3, the elastic gusset 320 is preferably structured and arranged to allow the insulating cup sleeve system to adapt to various cup 350 shapes and sizes. The elastic gusset 320 preferably allows the insulating cup sleeve system to expand as necessary to fit snugly over most cup sizes. Additionally, the elastic gusset preferably allows the insulating cup sleeve system to adapt and conform to various cup sidewall shapes such as semi-conical, curvy, or other non-conventional cup shapes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the insulating material 140 is preferably positioned between the segment sleeve inner surface 120 and the segment sleeve outer surface 130. The insulating material 140 is preferably not secured to either the segment sleeve inner surface 120 or the segment sleeve outer surface 130. Not being secured to either fabric surface allows the insulating material to conform more evenly as the insulating cup sleeve system 100 is applied to a cup.

The insulating material is preferably comprised of a material with insulative properties to protect a user's hand from the heat or cold transferring through the sidewall of a cup, or liquid vessel. Types of insulative material include, but are not limited to, various fabric batting materials, such as cotton, neoprene rubber material, or any type of insulation material not enumerated herein.

Alternately preferably, the insulating material may be secured to either the segment sleeve inner surface or the outer surface using a fabric adhesive, or secured to both surfaces using a fabric adhesive. Alternately preferably, the insulating material may be secured to either of the segment sleeve inner and/or outer surfaces by stitching the insulating material directly to the surfaces.

Claims

1. An insulating cup sleeve system comprising: a sleeve segment, wherein an inner surface and an outer surface cover an insulating material, wherein an upper edge and a lower edge couple said inner surface to said outer surface, and wherein a first end and a second end of said sleeve segment couple said inner surface to said outer surface; and an elastic gusset couples said first end to said second end of said sleeve segment to form a tubular shape.

2. The insulating cup sleeve system of claim 1 wherein said elastic gusset allows said sleeve segment to adjust to various cup shapes and sizes.

3. The insulating cup sleeve system of claim 1 wherein said upper edge further comprises a rolled seam extending from said inner surface to said outer surface of said sleeve segment.

4. The insulating cup sleeve system of claim 1 wherein said lower edge further comprises a rolled seam extending from said inner surface to said outer surface of said sleeve segment.

5. The insulating cup sleeve system of claim 1 wherein said insulating material further comprises a neoprene material.

6. The insulating cup sleeve system of claim 1 wherein said insulating material further comprises a fabric batting material.

7. The insulating cup sleeve system of claim 1 wherein said elastic gusset is a full width of said sleeve segment.

8. The insulating cup sleeve system of claim 1 wherein said outer surface further comprises a graphic design.