Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paper or paperboard cup – Insulated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-31
2001-06-26
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paper or paperboard cup
Insulated
C220S592170, C220S737000, C220S739000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250545
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to insulative sleeves for protecting the holder of a hot drink cup from discomfort due to heat transfer through the side wall of the cup. In general this is achieved by providing a sleeve of tapered frustoconical configuration which slips onto the outside of the hot drink cup and may be reused with other cups as desired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When coffee, 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.
To combat this problem, convenience stores and fast food retail outlets often “double cup” coffee and other hot drinks. Another approach employed by some manufacturers of hot drink cups is to provide an integral band of synthetic material which is foamed in the manufacturing process to provide an insulative layer. Both of these approaches tend to be expensive.
More recently, a number of persons have designed and provided disposable sleeves which slip over the outside surface of a 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. One characteristic common to most or all of these sleeves is the fact that they are opaque and, for this reason, obscure the trade dress and ornamental designs which the manufacturers of the hot drink cups take pains to provide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an insulative protective sleeve which can be readily slipped onto the outside surface of a conventional tapered hot drink cup and which is effective to insulate the fingers to the user from the heat of the cup contents. The sleeve of the present invention is made of thermoformed plastic; preferably but not necessarily of such transparency that it does not obscure the trade dress and ornamental designs which are printed on the outside surface of the underlying drink cup. In general, the invention and its advantages are provided in the form of a sleeve of thermoformable plastic into which a pattern of raised features is impressed by thermoforming to provide an insulative character. The pattern may for example, comprise flutes or ridges which are thermoformed into the material in sheet form during the manufacturing process. Other patterns are possible.
Preferably, the manufacturing process involves extruding a sheet of clear thermoformable plastic material, thermoforming portions of said sheet to define arcuate bands of raised patterns such as longitudinal flutes or ridges and thereafter die cutting the bands from the sheet material. The sleeves may be stocked and boxed and shipped to users in large quantities at low cost.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 25618 (1964-07-01), Goodman
patent: 4548349 (1985-10-01), Tunberg
patent: 4685583 (1987-08-01), Noon
patent: 5102036 (1992-04-01), Orr et al.
patent: 5205473 (1993-04-01), Coffin, Sr.
patent: 5385260 (1995-01-01), Gatcomb
patent: 5425497 (1995-06-01), Sorensen
patent: 5454484 (1995-10-01), Chelossi
patent: 5669553 (1997-09-01), Smith
patent: 5765716 (1998-06-01), Cai et al.
patent: 5857615 (1999-01-01), Rose
patent: 6053352 (2000-04-01), Cai
Cerasani Vince S.
Mazzarolo Ugo
Elkins Gary E.
M&N Plastics, Inc.
Young & Basile P.C.
LandOfFree
Insulative sleeve for disposable hot drink cup does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Insulative sleeve for disposable hot drink cup, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Insulative sleeve for disposable hot drink cup will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2453008