Absorbent Insulated Beverage Sleeve

Abstract

An absorbent insulated beverage sleeve that is able to provide a moisture absorptive and thermal insulation to a variety of different types of beverage containers. The configuration of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve allows many types of beverage containers to be readily inserted into the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve. More specifically, absorbent insulated beverage sleeve is comprised of two layers of material. The outer layer is an absorbent material and may have a woven textured to aid in grasping the container. The inner layer fabric absorbs the condensation forming on the beverage container and wicks the moisture away from the surface of the beverage container and the lid. The outer layer and inner layer includes a top elastic strip, a bottom elastic strip and lateral edge elastic strip. The outer layer and inner layer may be bonded together by an overlapping seam construction as known in the sewing arts.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a moisture absorbent and insulator sleeve for variety of different types of beverage container, more particularly a reusable sleeve that can expands and stretch to fit any size beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers of cold beverages have been faced with a frustrating problem, that of condensation on the outside of the cup or glass. This is particularly pronounced with iced beverages. In effect, the glass or cup “sweats” moisture on the external surface of the container. This moisture becomes bothersome if the cup is left on furniture, potentially creating a ring or water spot. Consumers on the go also face problems.

Condensation buildup on the side of beverages can make it difficult and uncomfortable to grab a drink and take a sip. Additionally, beverages may accidentally spill over the sides of the cup or leak out of the straw, creating a wet, sticky mess on clothes, tables, or other surrounding objects. Further, people with long hair may often find themselves out and about without any way to tie their hair back, out of their face. A suitable solution is desired.

When coffee, tea, iced tea, and other drinks commonly sold and dispensed in disposable paper cups are carried, in many instances the temperature of the contents of the cup is such as to create discomfort in the hands and fingers of the holder. In the case of iced drinks condensation on the outside surface of the cup also wets the hands and fingers of the holder.

More recently, a number of persons have designed and provided disposable sleeves which slip over the outside surface of the drink cup to provide insulation between the contents of the cup and the hands and fingers of the holder. These sleeves take numerous forms and are made of paper. Some also incorporate “corrugation” features to help provide additional insulation. However, they only add to the disposable waste material that must be recycled or placed in a landfill.

In addition, the cost of many drink sleeves and coasters is often high enough such that it is hard to justify throwing the device away if it becomes dirty or difficult to store. When drink sleeves and coasters are made cheap enough to be readily disposable, they typically lack sufficient desirable qualities.

Another drawback with many drink sleeves is that they are relatively bulky in size such that it can be difficult to store the drink sleeves when they are not in use. In addition, it is often difficult to place such drink sleeves into cup holders. The size of many drink sleeves typically makes it impractical to carry the drink sleeves from one location to another (e.g., in a bag or purse).

An example of when a container may be too cold relates to when a person attempts to hold a cold soft drink. Depending on the temperature of the soft drink, and the temperature and humidity of the ambient air, condensation may form on the container. Condensation is undesirable because it will often times drip or flow onto hands, clothes and/or surfaces. In addition, cold beverages are often subject to rapid warming (e.g., on a hot summer day) such that the beverage quickly becomes less refreshing.

The typical automobile, boat, bus, light truck, tractor-trailer, or van typically comes equipped with at least one integrated beverage holder. Usually, this beverage holder is molded into the material of the dashboard, center console, door, or the like. Repeated use of the beverage holder to hold a beverage leaves a variety of residues in the holder, including spilt beverage, condensation, and the like. Over time, the buildup of such residue may lead to mold development, as well as being a gathering point for lint, paper, or other debris common to moving vehicles.

Many people enjoy drinking beverages. The present invention absorbs excess moisture on a beverage cup and soaks up spilled liquid from the straw. This prevents condensation or liquid from dripping down onto people's clothes, making a mess. It saves a considerable amount of time and frustration. This further eliminates the need to constantly wipe down a beverage to prevent it from dripping. The present invention doubles as an ultra-convenient hair tie when not in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an absorbent insulated beverage sleeve that is able to provide a moisture absorptive and thermal insulation to a variety of different types of beverage containers. The configuration of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve allows many types of beverage containers to be readily inserted into the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve. In addition, the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve provides a more enjoyable and less messy way to sip on beverages.

More particularly, the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve may be semi-durable but still manufactured relatively cheaply so that the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve may be reused if desired or readily replaced if the think absorbent insulated beverage sleeve becomes dirty or is lost.

One object of the present invention is the material can be offered in a wide range of colors, designs, and patterns to accommodate user preferences.

Another object of the present invention is one or more of the first layer, the second layer and the tab may be formed of an elastic material that is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length in every direction and then be able to recover at least 50 percent of the elastic deformation. Forming one or more of the first layer, the second layer and the tab of an elastic material may facilitate placing the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve onto a variety of types of beverage containers.

A further object is to provide an absorbent insulated beverage sleeve including a body. The body of the self-absorbent sleeve includes at least one layer of at least absorbent rigid material and an exterior surface. The body is characterized by an exterior diameter that substantially corresponds to an interior diameter of an associated beverage cup. The associated beverage cup is at least one of a plurality of different sized associated beverage cups, and includes an interior surface. The body of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve is adapted for being removably inserted into an associated beverage cups such that a non-adhesive contact is enabled between at least a part of the bottom of the exterior surface of the body and a respective part of an interior surface of an associated beverage cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve showing the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve position around a beverage cup according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve of FIG. 1, showing the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve unfolded around a beverage cup according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve of FIG. 2, in an unfolded configuration according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of absorbent insulated beverage sleeve of FIG. 2, showing a number of layers of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a close up detail view absorbent insulated beverage sleeve in a assembled condition, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7, is a top view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve, showing one embodiment of a layered construction of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of absorbent insulated beverage sleeve according to another illustrated embodiment, in use on a beverage container.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve according to another illustrated embodiment, providing an example of a different type of beverage container

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention in a storage configuration in accordance with various embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention shown in FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage container and absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 encircles the beverage container 20. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 is sized to accept standard beverage container of the type typically used for iced or cold beverages. Different sizes, having different diameters may be available for the various sized of beverage container. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 is cylindrical and is sized and placed where a consumer would normally grasp the container and just covering the beverage lid 21. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 includes means for absorption of condensation on an outer layer 24 and means for absorption of condensation on an inner layer 23. The means for absorption of condensation on an inner layer 23 attached to the means for non-absorption on an outer layer 24 and formed into a cylinder, the cylinder placed over an exterior surface of the beverage cup wherein the inner layer 23 is in contact with the exterior surface of the beverage container 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates the formed and ready for use absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 before applying to a beverage container. The ends are over lapped, as shown at item 22. The inner layer 23 placed against the beverage container surface, while outer layer 24 faces outward. More particularly, the invention resides in the stiffening elastic band 29 on the top portion of the Inner layer 23 wall that holds the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 in an open position so that a beverage cup may be inserted. Wherein the top end 26 of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 is moved outwardly by the elastic action of the elastic strip 29 of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 to detach from the top of the beverage container body so that a user can use the beverage container body. An alternative use for the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 of this embodiment is to attach the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 to the consumer, for example, as a ponytail holder, bracelet or anklet.

as shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 inner layer 23 is an absorbent material and may be reusable. Inner layer 23 absorbs the condensation forming on the beverage container 20 and wicks the moisture away from the surface of the beverage container 20 and the beverage lid 21. This material retains the condensation and in conjunction with outer layer 24 allows the user to hold the beverage without being troubled by the condensing moisture.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 is a front view illustrates the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 in unassembled or flat condition. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 is comprised of two layers of material. The outer layer 24 is in contact with the consumer's hand. Outer layer 24 is an absorbent material and may have a woven textured to aid in grasping the container. The outer layer 24 includes a top end 26, a bottom end 27 and lateral edges 28. The inner layer 23 also includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges. The outer layer 24 and inner layer (not Shown) may be bonded together by an overlapping seam construction 25 as known in the sewing arts. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 includes an elastic band 29 that extends between the top end 26 of the first layer and the top end of the second layer bonded together by a single sided seam 30 that may include a raw edge.

As Shown in FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 showing the relationship between components including a 100% polyester, woven, oxford fabric outer layer 24, elastic band 29, 100% french terry cloth inner layer 23, draw string 31 with an overlapping 100% polyester, woven, oxford fabric 32.

FIG. 6 is a close up detail view absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10, as shown cut to the desired height and are formed into hollow cylinders with the over lapped lateral edges 28 bonded together. The ends of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 may also be fastened with drawstring enclosure seam 34 in lieu of overlapping seam construction 25 including a drawstring 31 with a cord lock 33 attached. An extension of the outer layer 24 may also allow for an overlap, with the bottom ends 27 of inner layer 23 butted together.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, is a top view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10, showing one embodiment of a layered construction of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10. One embodiment of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 comprises an outer layer 24 fabric. Fabric for the outer layer 24 may include 100% polyester, woven, oxford fabric and/or 100% French cotton terry cloth or any other suitable fabric. The fabric may be patterned, plain or textured. A middle layer 35 is sandwiched between the outer layer 24 and an inner layer 23, and is preferably an elastic strip 29 layer to provide additional elastic action to the user. The inner layer 23 may include cotton, silks, velvet, wool, fleece, neoprene, or other suitable insulating fabric. Alternative embodiments include more or less than the three layers 23, 24, 35 illustrated in FIG. 7.

As best shown in FIG. 8 absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 may be formed of an elastic material that is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length in every direction and then be able to recover at least 50 percent of the elastic deformation. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 may be any desired height but will typically be less than the height of the beverage container 20 the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 onto variety types of beverage containers.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 referring to FIG. 8 providing an example of a different type of beverage container, a bottle 36 with the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 attached.

In some embodiments, absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 can be compactly rolled or folded for storage into a compact configuration. FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the storage tote bag 37, comprising a drawstring 31 with a cord lock 33 extending there through. The drawstring 31 provides a securing mechanism for wrapping around the rolled or folded absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 when storing the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10. Alternatively, the absorbent insulated beverage sleeve 10 may employ an elastic strip in place of the drawing string and cord lock. An alternative fastening device may be used, such as a carabiner clip 38 for easy of storages of the present invention.

Claims

1. A absorbent insulated beverage sleeve comprising:

A) A moisture-absorbent, machine washable fabric that feature loops and soft piles of yarn on one side, and a smooth, soft surface on the other side.

B) An apparatus with one or more layers of absorbent fabric material that formed of an elastic material that is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length in every direction and then be able to recover at least 50 percent of the elastic deformation.

C) An inner layer of absorbent fabric material attached to the outer layer of absorbent fabric material having the outer layer and the inner layer attached to the outer layer formed into a cylindrical shape and ends secured.

2. The apparatus includes at least one layer of absorbent fabric material, wherein the body is characterized by an exterior diameter that generally complies with an interior diameter of an associated beverage holder, which associated beverage holder is at least one of a plurality of different sized associated beverage holders.

3. The absorbent insulated beverage can be stretched around a lid to catch any leaks or spills or pulled down around the sides of a cup to absorb condensation.

4. The absorbent insulated beverage sleeve can also functions as a thermal insulator for hot and cold drinks and also firmly secures the lid, preventing it from popping off while drinking or transporting a beverage or if it was not installed properly.