Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paper or paperboard cup – Including handle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-10
2001-08-14
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paper or paperboard cup
Including handle
C220S738000, C220S739000, C220S758000, C229S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273333
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to beverage container handling. More particularly, the invention relates to a combination coaster and cup holder that may be formed from sheet material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various designs have been developed for cup holders formed from various materials and coasters in one form or another have been in common use for a considerable period. U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,826 issued to Libit et al. is cup holder formed from a single sheet of paperboard or similar material with a slit cut through a central portion of the sheet. The sheet is folded about the slit and along crease lines extending from the slit to provide an opening for a cup. The edges of the slit bear against the cup lip to support it. Edges of the cup holder opposite the slit provide a platform upon which the cup is supported on a horizontal surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,315 issued to Shelby, is for a beverage sleeve formed from substantially rigid paperboard sheet. The sheet includes a number of creases that allow it to be folded into a rectangular sleeve. A bottom portion is included that spans the lower portion of the sleeve to prevent a beverage container from sliding through the sleeve.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,983, issued to Graham describes a combination beverage container sleeve and coaster formed from a single sheet of cardboard or similar material. The sheet is scored and folded to form a hexagonal sleeve. A hexagonal “coaster portion” is attached to the lower edge of the sheet and fastens across the bottom of the sleeve to prevent damage to surfaces upon which the container is placed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,615 issued to Rose discloses a container holder formed from a single sheet of material. The sheet has a pair of tabs die-cut into one end of the sheet and a pair of slits cut into the opposite end. The holder wraps around a beverage container and the tabs are inserted into the slits to fasten the holder in place. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,473 issued to Coffin, Sr. describes a truncated cone-shaped beverage container holder formed of corrugated material to insulate the user's hand from hot or cold beverages. The patent also discloses an integral beverage container and holder of similar construction.
While other variations exist, the above-described designs for beverage container holders and coasters are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a combination coaster and cup holder that can be constructed from a minimal amount of material. It is a further objective to provide a cup holder adaptable to cups of a variety of sizes and configurations. It is a further objective to provide a cup holder and coaster that will insulate the user and delicate surface from heat, cold, and moisture. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a cup holder that can be easily and quickly attached to a cup with minimal assembly. It is yet a further objective to provide a combination coaster and cup holder that is capable of displaying advertising. Finally, it is an objective of the invention to provide a cup holder that will conform easily to the curved shape of a cup.
While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior coasters and cup holders and satisfies all of the objectives described above.
A combination coaster and cup holder providing the desired features may be constructed as follows. A planar panel formed from thin, flexible material is provided. The panel has an upper surface and a lower surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. A slit extends from the upper surface to the lower surface. The slit is located between the top edge and the bottom edge, and extends from a point spaced inwardly from the first side edge to a point spaced inwardly from the second side edge. The slit has an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end and a second end. The slit has a length equal to one half of a circumference of a tapered cup for which the cup holder is intended. The circumference is measured at a point between an upper rim of the cup and a base of the cup.
In use, when the combination coaster and cup holder is placed beneath the cup it will serve as a coaster. When the combination coaster and cup holder is folded along the slit and the upper edge is separated from the lower edge and the cup is introduced between the upper edge and the lower edge from the upper surface, the panel will form a cup holder located about the circumference of the cup. The cup holder will fit frictionally about the cup between the rim and the base, adapting automatically to a taper of the cup.
In a variant of the invention, first and second stress-relief orifices are provided. The first and second orifices are circular cut-out openings located at the first and second ends of the slit, respectively. The orifices serve to prevent tearing of the planar panel when the cup is introduced between the upper edge and the lower edge from the upper surface.
In a further variant of the invention, first and second stress-relief cuts are provided. The first and second cuts are perpendicular to and extend from at least one edge of the first and second ends of the slit, respectively. The cuts serve to prevent tearing of the planar panel when the cup is introduced between the upper edge and the lower edge from the upper surface.
In still a further variant, the lower surface of the combination coaster and cup holder includes insulating material to prevent transmission of either of heat and cold through the panel.
In yet another variant of the invention, the panel is formed of corrugated paperboard and corrugations are located upon the lower surface of the panel.
In another variant, the planar panel includes a series of cuts. The cuts are perpendicular to the slit and extend from points spaced downwardly from the top edge to points spaced upwardly from the upper edge of the slit and from points spaced downwardly from the lower edge of the slit to points spaced upwardly from the bottom edge. The cuts permit the cup holder to conform to a curved surface of the cup.
In still another variant, the planar panel is formed from material selected from the group comprising: paperboard, cardboard, plastic, cellulose fiber and wood.
In a final variant of the invention, the combination coaster and cup holder is formed from a one-piece, planar, paperboard blank.
An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1866805 (1932-07-01), Haywood
patent: 2060781 (1936-11-01), Annen
patent: 4685583 (1987-08-01), Noon
patent: 4938411 (1990-07-01), Rizzuto
patent: 5205473 (1993-04-01), Coffin, Sr.
patent: 5445315 (1995-08-01), Shelby
patent: 5857615 (1999-01-01), Rose
patent: 5868310 (1999-02-01), Leszczynski
patent: 6026983 (2000-02-01), Graham
patent: 6032826 (2000-03-01), Llbit et al.
patent: 6116503 (2000-09-01), Varano
Beehler & Pavitt
Belasco David A.
Elkins Gary E.
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