DISPOSABLE SLEEVES FOR CONTAINERS, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING DISPOSABLE SLEEVES

Abstract

A disposable sleeve for containers and systems and methods using such a disposable sleeve. The disposable sleeve includes a liner having inner and outer surfaces, a housing coupled to the inner surface of the liner with the housing defining a pocket and an opening to access the pocket, a heating element disposed within the pocket, and a cover disposed over the opening and coupled to the housing to enclose the pocket. The cover is at least partially removable from the housing to uncover at least a portion of the opening and to enable activation of the heating element to generate heat upon exposure to air.

Claims

1. A disposable sleeve for a container, the sleeve comprising: a liner having inner and outer surfaces and configured such that the inner surface of the liner is adapted to contact the container; a housing coupled to the outer surface of the liner, the housing comprising a first surface, a second surface, a pocket defined between the first and second surfaces of the housing, and a continuous opening in the second surface of the housing so as to provide air access to the pocket and to expose a majority of the pocket at the second surface of the housing; a heating element disposed within the pocket and covered by the first surface of the housing, the heating element being formed from a piece of heat-generating material that is larger than the continuous opening and smaller than the pocket so that the pocket defines a void between the first and second surfaces of the housing and the void at least partially surrounds the heating element within the pocket, the continuous opening providing air access to the void within the pocket; a housing liner disposed within the pocket between the heating element and the continuous opening so that the heating element is completely covered by the housing liner within the continuous opening, the housing liner being porous so as to enable air to pass therethrough to the heating element; and a cover disposed over the continuous opening and coupled to the housing to contact, cover, and seal the housing liner and enclose the heating element in the pocket within an air-tight encapsulation formed by the cover and the first and second surfaces of the housing, wherein the cover is at least partially removable from the housing to uncover at least a portion of the continuous opening and to enable air to pass through the housing liner to the heating element and thereby enable activation of the heating element to generate heat upon exposure to air.

2. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing has a housing perimeter and the housing liner has a liner perimeter aligned with the housing perimeter with the first and second surfaces coupled to one another along the housing perimeter and the housing liner coupled to the first and second surfaces along the liner perimeter to secure the housing liner between the first and second surfaces.

3. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing defines a longitudinal axis and the continuous opening has lengthwise and widthwise dimensions with the lengthwise dimension extending along the longitudinal axis.

4. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heating element is a single piece of the heat-generating material and further comprising a support directly coupled to the heating element to retain the heating element as the single piece once the heating element has been activated.

5. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heat-generating material of the heating element is configured to generate the heat by a heat-generating reaction upon exposure to air.

6. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a first material and the cover has inner and outer layers with the inner layer formed of a second material, with the second material is the same as the first material.

7. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 6, wherein each of the continuous opening of the housing and the inner layer of the cover has a configuration, with the configuration of the inner layer the same as the configuration of the continuous opening such that the inner layer fits within the continuous opening.

8. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 6, wherein the outer layer of the cover has opposing first and second surfaces with the inner layer directly attached to a portion of the first surface aligned with the continuous opening of the housing.

9. The disposable sleeve as set forth in claim 8, further comprising an adhesive material disposed on the first surface of the outer layer of the cover to removably attach the outer layer to the second surface of the housing and form the air-tight encapsulation of the heating element disposed within the pocket of the housing.

10. A system comprising: a container; and the sleeve of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the liner contacts the container.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the cover has inner and outer layers with the outer layer having opposing first and second surfaces, and wherein the inner layer is directly attached to a portion of the first surface aligned with the continuous opening of the housing, and further comprising an adhesive material disposed on the first surface of the outer layer of the cover to removably attach the outer layer to the second surface of the housing and form the air-tight encapsulation of the heating element disposed within the pocket of the housing.

12. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the container is a beverage container having an outer surface and the sleeve is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the beverage container.

13. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the container is chosen from the group consisting of takeout containers, bowls, soup containers, deli containers, microwavable containers, and food storage containers.

14. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the container is configured to hold contents without covering the contents.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the container is chosen from the group consisting of plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, and cups.

16. The system as set forth in claim 15, wherein the container is a plate or a bowl and the disposable sleeve is affixed to a bottom of the plate or to a bottom or sidewall of the bowl.

17. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the container is a hinged-lid takeout container or a hinged-lid soup bowl.

18. The system as set forth in claim 17, wherein the disposable sleeve is affixed to a bottom of the hinged-lid takeout container or to a bottom or sidewall of the hinged-lid soup bowl.

19. A method of heating a container utilizing the disposable sleeve of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: at least partially removing the cover from the housing to thereby at least partially uncover the housing liner within the continuous opening of the housing, expose the heating element to air, and activate the heating element to generate heat; disposing the liner over at least a portion of the container; and heating the container with the heat generated by the heating element.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the heat generated by the heating element is produced by an exothermic reaction of the heating element with oxygen in the air.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that the figures are merely illustrative and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Additionally one or more features of the sleeve and/or the container may be generically or schematically shown.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable sleeve contacting a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the disposable sleeve contacting the container.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disposable sleeve including a liner formed from a stretchable material.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disposable sleeve including the liner formed from a porous material.

[0012] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C feature three perspective views of various embodiments of an inner surface of an unfolded disposable sleeve with a frictional material disposed thereon.

[0013] FIG. 6 features two perspective views of the disposable sleeve wherein the liner of the sleeve is formed from a stretchable material.

[0014] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C feature three perspective views of an unfolded disposable sleeve including various embodiments of a hook-and-loop (such as a VELCRO®-style) attachment mechanism (FIG. 7A), an interlocking tab style attachment mechanism (FIG. 7B), and a belt-style attachment mechanism (FIG. 7C).

[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the disposable sleeve in an unfolded position according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the disposable sleeve taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the cross-sectional view of the portion of the disposable sleeve of FIG. 9.

[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a system including an example of a container and the disposable sleeve disposed on the container.

[0019] FIGS. 12-15 are perspective views of a system including various alternative examples of the container and the disposable sleeve disposed on the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A disposable sleeve 12 in accordance with the present disclosure is designed to contact a container 16. The container 16, which can be of a multitude of shapes and sizes, may in certain embodiments be a beverage cup, e.g., a coffee cup, which may be disposable itself. In other embodiments, the container 16 may be any other type of container that may hold heated contents. For example, in some embodiments, the container 16 may be a food container such as a takeout container, a soup container, a deli container, a microwavable container, a food storage container, or any other such container. In still other embodiments, the container 16 may be a container that holds heated contents without covering the heated contents. For example, in some embodiments, the container 16 may be a plate, a bowl, a mug, a cup, or any other such container.

[0021] A first embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12 is described below with reference to FIGS. 1-7C. As best shown in FIG. 2, the disposable sleeve 12 includes a liner 14, a heating element 40, and a frictional material 26. The liner 14 defines an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 24 for contacting the container 16. The heating element 40 is disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 and is typically enclosed by the liner 14. In this way, a user of the sleeve typically never comes into direct contact with the heating element 40. The frictional material 26 is typically disposed in contact with the inner surface 22 of the liner 14 for direct contact with the container 16.

[0022] The liner 14 of the disposable sleeve 12 is, in different embodiments, formed from different materials. In one embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, and with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, the liner 14 is formed from a stretchable material 36 having a Young's modulus less than 5 GPa. In another embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 1 to 2 GPa. In a further embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 2 to 3 GPa. In an additional embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 3 to 4 GPa. In yet another embodiment, the stretchable material 36 has a Young's modulus from 4 to 5 GPa. The stretchable material 36 may be cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, rubber, or a combination thereof In one embodiment, the stretchable material 36 is cotton. In another embodiment the stretchable material 36 is polyester. In a further embodiment the stretchable material 36 is spandex. In an additional embodiment the stretchable material 36 is vinyl. In another embodiment the stretchable material 36 is nylon. In a further embodiment the stretchable material 36 is rubber. In yet another embodiment the stretchable material 36 is a combination of two or more of cotton, polyester, spandex, vinyl, nylon, and rubber.

[0023] In another embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, and with reference to FIG. 4, the liner 14 is formed from a porous material 34 having an average void volume from 25% to 90% and an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 50 μm. In one embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average void volume from 25% to 50%. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average void volume from 50% to 75%. In a further embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average void volume from 75% to 90%. In an additional embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average pore diameter from 5 μm to 20 μm. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average pore diameter from 20 μm to 35 μm. In a further embodiment, the porous material 34 has an average pore diameter from 35 μm to 50 μm. The porous material 34 may be chosen from cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, plastic, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the porous material 34 is cardboard. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 is Styrofoam. In a further embodiment, the porous material 34 is cork. In an additional embodiment, the porous material 34 is wood. In another embodiment, the porous material 34 is plastic. In yet another embodiment, the porous material 34 is a combination of two or more of cardboard, Styrofoam, cork, wood, and plastic.

[0024] In an additional embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, and with reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, the disposable sleeve 12 includes an attachment mechanism 32 coupled to the liner 14. Typically, the attachment mechanism 32 is coupled to the liner 14 using an adhesive. The attachment mechanism 32 allows the disposable sleeve 12 to adjustably contact the container 16 by extending around the container 16 and fastening to itself. The attachment mechanism 32 may be chosen from a belt fastener, a hook and loop fastener (such as a VELCRO® fastener), an adhesive fastener, an interlocking tab fastener, and combinations thereof In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a VELCRO® fastener (as shown in FIG. 7A). In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a belt fastener (as shown in FIG. 7C). In an additional embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a single hook and loop fastener. In a further embodiment, the attachment mechanism is an adhesive fastener. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is an interlocking tab fastener (as shown in FIG. 7B). In yet another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a combination of two or more of a VELCRO® fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, and an interlocking tab fastener.

[0025] The heating element 40 of the disposable sleeve 12 is typically disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 of the liner 14 and utilizes a heat-generating reaction to produce heat. This heating element 40 further heats the contents within the container 16 to preserve their temperature for a period of time. Furthermore, the liner 14 and heating element 40 may simultaneously protect the user from the extreme heat of the contents within the container 16, while providing a lesser amount of heat to safely warm the user's hands.

[0026] In a typical embodiment, the heat-generating reaction utilized by the heating element 40 can be an oxygen-activated reaction. This oxygen-activated reaction can occur in the presence of one or more of cellulose, iron, water, activated carbon (evenly distributes heat), vermiculite (water reservoir) and salt (catalyst). In such reaction, heat can be produced from the exothermic oxidation of iron when exposed to air. Such reactions typically emit heat for 1 to 10 hours. However, it is contemplated that the heating element 40 may use other heat-generating reactions such as crystallization type reactions wherein heat is generated via an exothermic crystallization of a supersaturated salt solution (e.g., sodium acetate). For example, such a heating element 40 may be reusable and may be charged/recharged by immersing the heating element 40 in hot water until the contents are uniformly fluid and then allowing the heating element 40 to cool. The release of heat can then be triggered by flexing a small metal disk in the heating element 40, which typically generates nucleation centers that initiate crystallization, thereby releasing heat. Heat is typically required to dissolve the salt in the solution (to form the supersaturated salt solution) and it is this heat that is released when crystallization is initiated.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 5A-5C, the frictional material 26 disposed on the inner surface 22 of the liner 14 typically has a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 2. In one embodiment, the frictional material 26 has a coefficient of static friction from 0.5 to 1. In another embodiment, the frictional material 26 has a coefficient of static friction from 1 to 1.5. In a further embodiment, the frictional material 26 has a coefficient of static friction from 1.5 to 2. The frictional material 26 directly contacts the container 16 and typically prevents the disposable sleeve 12 from sliding up and down the container 16. The frictional material 26 may be chosen from an epoxy-resin, a rubber, a wax, and combinations thereof In one embodiment, the frictional material 26 is an epoxy-resin. In another embodiment, the frictional material 26 is a rubber. In a further embodiment, the frictional material 26 is a wax. In yet another embodiment, the frictional material 26 is a combination of two or more of an epoxy-resin, a rubber, and a wax. In various embodiments, the frictional material 26 is silica gel, sand, salt, or combinations thereof.

[0028] Any type of epoxy-resin, rubber, or wax may be utilized for the frictional material 26. For example, epoxy resins typically must be cross linked in order to develop desired characteristics. This cross linking process can be achieved by chemically reacting the resin with a suitable curing agent or hardener. Any type of resin, curing agent, or hardener may be used. For example, bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin may be used. Alternatively, one or more polyamine curing agents, e.g., aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, polyamine adduct, etc., may be used. Relative to the rubber, any type may be used. For example, one or more of the following types of rubbers may be used: acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, polyacrylate rubber, ethylene acrylic rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyester urethane/polyether urethane rubber, natural rubber, and/or combinations thereof. Similarly, any type of wax may be used. Waxes are organic compounds that characteristically include long alkyl chains. Synthetic waxes are long-chain hydrocarbons (alkanes or paraffins) that lack substituted functional groups. Natural waxes may include unsubstituted hydrocarbons, such as higher alkanes, but may also include various types of substituted long chain compounds, such as fatty acids, primary and secondary long chain alcohols, ketones and aldehydes. They may also contain esters of fatty acids and long chain alcohols. The wax may be a plant or animal wax. For example, those of animal origin typically include wax esters derived from a variety of carboxylic acids and fatty alcohols. In waxes of plant origin, mixtures of unesterified hydrocarbons may be present. The wax may be beeswax, lanolin, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the wax may be carnauba wax, candelilla wax, or ouricury wax. The way may be a petroleum-derived wax such as a parafix wax, montan wax, etc. Moreover, the wax may be derived from polyethylene and related derivatives.

[0029] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an embodiment of a system 10 for retaining heat within the container 16 is shown generally in FIG. 1. The system 10 includes the container 16 and the disposable sleeve 12 for contacting the container 16. A cap 18 covers the container 16 in this embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the disposable sleeve 12 attached to the container 16. Here, the disposable sleeve 12 includes the liner 14 defining the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24, the heating element 40 disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24, and the frictional material 26 disposed on the inner surface 22 of the liner 14. Also shown in FIG. 2, a liquid 20 may be disposed in the container 16.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12 shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the liner 14 is formed from the stretchable material 36. As a result, the disposable sleeve 12 includes two separate parts of the same liner 14, creating a void wherein the heating element 40 can be disposed. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12. In this embodiment of the disposable sleeve 12, the liner 14 is formed from the porous material 34. In contrast to the previous embodiment, this embodiment does not require two separate parts of the same liner 14. Here, the liner 14 already contains voids, in the form of pores 38, wherein the heating element 40 can be disposed. Therefore, when the liner 14 is formed from the porous material 34, the disposable sleeve 12 need only include one layer of the liner 14.

[0032] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C feature three perspective views of the inner surface 22 of the disposable sleeve 12 with varying embodiments of the frictional material 26. In these three figures, the disposable sleeve 12 is unfolded to better depict the frictional material 26. In FIG. 5A, the frictional material 26 is a singular entity, extending across the inner surface 22. In FIG. 5B, the frictional material 26 is broken-up into separate lines. In FIG. 5C, the frictional material 26 is further broken-up into individual dots. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C feature three of many possible nonlimiting embodiments of the frictional material 26.

[0033] FIG. 6 features two views of the disposable sleeve 12 wherein the liner 14 of the disposable sleeve 12 is formed from the stretchable material 36. In the first of the two views, the disposable sleeve 12 is off the container 16. In the second of the two views, the disposable sleeve 12 is affixed to the container 16. It is observable that the disposable sleeve 12 typically stretches in order to accommodate the shape of the container 16.

[0034] In other embodiments, the disposable sleeve 12 further includes an attachment mechanism 32 chosen from a VELCRO® fastener, a belt fastener, a single hook and loop fastener, an adhesive fastener, and combinations thereof. FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment wherein a hook and loop fastener (such as a VELCRO® fastener) includes two separate parts 28 and 30 where the first part is a hook part 28 of the VELCRO® fastener and the second part is a loop part 30 of the VELCRO® fastener. FIG. 7B illustrates an embodiment wherein the interlocking fastener includes two separate parts 42 and 44 where one of the interlocking tabs is 42 and the other of the interlocking tabs is 44. FIG. 7C illustrates an embodiment wherein the belt fastener includes two separate parts 46 and 48 where the first part 46 is to fit within the second, belt part 48 of the fastener.

[0035] The subject disclosure also includes a method of forming the disposable sleeve 12 for the container 16. This method includes the step of forming the liner 14 from the stretchable material 36 or the porous material 34. This can be accomplished by cutting a truncated conical shape with concentric top and bottom arcuate edges from a larger piece of the stretchable material 36 or the porous material 34. If the liner 14 is to be formed from a non-porous material, the step of forming the liner 14, as previously stated, may be repeated in order to obtain two separate parts of the liner 14. Once the liner 14 has been formed, the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 of the liner 14 are typically defined. After the liner 14 has been formed and the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 have been defined, the heat element 40 is then disposed between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24. The heating element 40 may be disposed completely or partially between the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24. The frictional material 26 is then typically disposed onto the inner surface 22 using an adhesive or the already adhesive qualities of the frictional material 26.

[0036] In an embodiment of the method, the method further includes a step of coupling the attachment mechanism 32 to the liner 14 using an adhesive. In yet another embodiment, the method further includes a step of sealing the liner 14 after disposing the heating element 40 between the inner surface 22 and outer surface 24. Additionally, the method may include a step of fastening a part of the disposable sleeve 12 to itself, creating a void where the disposable sleeve 12 can contact the container 16.

[0037] A second embodiment of the disposable sleeve 112 for a container 16 is described below with reference to FIGS. 8-11. The disposable sleeve 112 includes a liner 114 having inner and outer surfaces 122, 124. The outer surface 124 is opposite the inner surface 122. At least a portion of the inner surface 122 is adapted to contact the container 16 and the outer surface 124 is exposed when the disposable sleeve 112 is in a position of use. This is best shown in FIG. 11. In one embodiment, the liner 114 is formed from the stretchable material 36 described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. In another embodiment, the liner 114 is formed from the porous material 34 described above with reference to FIG. 4. In another embodiment, the liner 114 is formed from a paper-based material, such as paperboard or textured paperboard. In a nonlimiting example, the liner 114 is formed from paperboard that is corrugated and/or the inner surface 122 of the liner 114 forms a plurality of ribs adapted to directly contact the container 16.

[0038] The disposable sleeve 112 further includes a housing 150 coupled to the inner surface 122 of the liner 114. In an embodiment, the housing 150 defines a longitudinal axis A that follows the contour of the housing 150 and has a width W transverse to the longitudinal axis A. The housing 150 further has first 152 and second 154 opposing surfaces with the first surface 152 of the housing 150 facing toward the inner surface 122 of the liner 114. The first surface 152 of the housing 150 is coupled to the inner surface 122 of the liner 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the first surface 152 of the housing 150 is directly attached to the inner surface 122 of the liner 114. Direct attachment of the first surface 152 of the housing 150 to the inner surface 122 of the liner 114 may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as with an adhesive, a double-sided tape, etc. Alternative methods for coupling the housing 150 to the liner 114 are also contemplated.

[0039] The housing 150 defines a pocket 156 and an opening 158 to access the pocket 156. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 150 has a housing perimeter P.sub.H and the first 152 and second 154 housing surfaces are coupled to one another about the housing perimeter P.sub.H to define the pocket 156. Alternatively, attachment of the first 152 and second 154 housing surfaces could be spaced inwardly from the housing perimeter P.sub.H to define the pocket 156.

[0040] In an embodiment, the housing 150 defines a center axis C, and the pocket 156 may be defined about the center axis C of the housing 150. In another embodiment, a center of the pocket 156 is aligned with the center axis C of the housing 150. Alternatively, the center of the pocket 156 could be offset from the center axis C of the housing 150. Additionally, the pocket 156 may have any size and/or configuration.

[0041] The second surface 154 of the housing 150 faces away from the inner surface 122 of the liner 114 and defines the opening 158. As previously mentioned, the opening 158 provides access to the pocket 156 of the housing 150. In an embodiment, opening 158 has lengthwise D.sub.L and widthwise D.sub.W dimensions with the lengthwise dimension D.sub.L extending along the longitudinal axis A of the housing 150. The widthwise dimension D.sub.W of the opening 158 is smaller than the lengthwise dimension D.sub.L of the opening 158, rendering the opening 158 to have a configuration generally resembling a rectangle. It should be appreciated that the opening 158 could have any size and/or configuration, not limited to a rectangular configuration. For example, the opening 158 could have a circular configuration, an oval configuration, a slit-like configuration, etc. Additionally, the opening 158 has a center aligned with the center axis C of the housing 150. Alternatively, the center of the opening 158 could be offset from the center axis C of the housing 150.

[0042] Additionally, the housing 150 is formed from a first material. In an embodiment, the first material may be any suitable housing material. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials for the housing 150 include polymeric materials, coated cellulose or paper-based materials, coated fabrics, etc. In one embodiment, the housing 150 is formed from a nonwoven cellulose material coated with a plastic film.

[0043] In an embodiment, the disposable sleeve 112 further includes a housing liner 184 sandwiched between the first 152 and second 154 surfaces of the housing 150. The housing liner 184 serves to retain or cage the heating element 140 within the pocket 156. The housing liner 184 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic material, a cellulose or paper-based material, a fabric, a mesh, etc. As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the housing liner 184 has a liner perimeter P.sub.L aligned with the housing perimeter P.sub.H. The housing liner 184 is coupled to the first 152 and second 154 surfaces of the housing 150 about the liner perimeter P.sub.L to secure the housing liner 184 between the first 152 and second 154 surfaces of the housing 150. In an embodiment, the housing liner 184 is coupled to the first 152 and second 154 surfaces in any suitable fashion, such as by using an adhesive, a double-sided tape, etc. Alternative methods for coupling the housing liner 184 to the first 152 and second 154 surfaces of the housing 150 are also contemplated.

[0044] The disposable sleeve 112 further includes the heating element 140 disposed within the pocket 156 of the housing 150. In embodiments where the sleeve 112 includes the housing liner 184, the heating element 140 is disposed between the first surface 152 of the housing 150 and the housing liner 184. The heating element 140 may have any size and/or configuration as long as the heating element 140 fits within the pocket 156. In an embodiment, the heating element 140 is smaller in size compared to the pocket 156 such that the heating element 140 fits but remains stationary within the pocket 156.

[0045] The heating element 140 is formed from a heat-generating material configured to generate heat by a heat-generating reaction upon exposure to air. The heat generated by the heating element 140 may be used for heating the container 16 and/or the contents within or held by the container 16, or to maintain a then-current temperature of container 16 and/or the contents within or held by the container 16. As described above in connection with the first embodiment of the heating element 140, the heat-generating reaction is an oxygen-activated reaction that can occur in the presence of one or more of cellulose, iron, water, activated carbon, and vermiculite, and a salt. In an embodiment, the heating element 140 includes zinc, carbon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), water, and a salt. These components are combined in a predetermined composition to form the heating element 140, and the heating element 140 is configured to generate heat by an exothermic reaction when the heating element 140 is exposed to oxygen. The oxygen may come from any source, such as air.

[0046] The exothermic reaction that occurs when the heating element 140 is exposed to air generates enough heat (or energy) to heat or maintain a then-current temperature of the container 16 and/or the contents of the container 16. The degree or amount of heat generated by the exothermic reaction heats and/or maintains the container 16 and/or the contents of the container 16 to a temperature of 100° F. (about 38° C.) to 160° F. (about 71° C.). It should be appreciated that the heating element 140 could be configured to generate more or less heat depending on how the sleeve 112 is to be used. For example, the size and/or weight of the heating element 140 could be increased to generate more heat or decreased to generate less heat. Additionally, the size of the heating element 140 compared to the size of the pocket 156 is a contributing factor for determining how much heat is generated by the heating element 140. For example, a small heating element 140 in the pocket 156 tends to lose a larger amount of heat compared to a larger heating element 140 in the same-sized pocket 156. In an embodiment, the heating element 140 may have any desirable size or area so long as the heating element 140 generates the desirable amount of heat and fits within the pocket 156.

[0047] The heating element 140 may have any size or area as long as the heating element 140 fits within the pocket 156. In an embodiment, the heating element 140 could be configured to generate more or less heat depending on the weight of the heating element 140. The heating element 140 may have any weight as long as the heating element 140 fits within the pocket 156.

[0048] The heating element 140 tends to be brittle, often forming a powder or residue during the heat-generating reaction. In an embodiment, the heating element 140 is formed from a single piece of the heat-generating material, and the sleeve 112 includes a support 182 directly coupled to the heating element 140. The support 182 at least partially covers one side of the heating element 140. The support 182 serves to retain the heating element 140 as the single piece once the heating element 140 has been activated while the heating element 140 is retained within the pocket 156 of the housing 150. The heating element 140 may be coupled to the support 182 by any suitable means, such as with an adhesive. Alternative means for coupling the heating element 140 to the support 182 are also contem plated.

[0049] The disposable sleeve 112 further includes a cover 162 disposed over the opening 158 of the housing 150 to enclose the pocket 156 and encapsulate the heating element 140 include the pocket 156. As the heating element 140 is activatable upon exposure to air, it is important that the cover 162 forms an air-tight encapsulation of the heating element 140 until generation of heat is desired. The cover 162 is also removable from the housing 150 to expose the opening 158 and the heating element 140 to air and activate the heat-generating reaction described above.

[0050] As best shown in FIGS. 8-10, the cover 162 has inner 170 and outer 164 layers. The outer layer 164 has opposing first 166 and second 168 surfaces with the inner layer 170 directly attached to a portion of the first surface 166. In an embodiment, the inner layer 170 is directly attached to the first surface 166 of the outer layer 164 by any suitable means, such as with an adhesive. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner layer 170 is aligned with the opening 158 of the housing 150. Additionally, the inner layer 170 of the cover 162 has a configuration. As shown, the configuration of the inner layer 170 of the cover 162 is the same as the configuration of the opening 158 such that the inner layer 170 fits within the opening 158 when the cover 162 is disposed on the housing 150.

[0051] The inner layer 170 of the cover 162 is formed from a second material. In an embodiment, the second material of the inner layer 170 is the same as the first material of the housing 150. In this embodiment, the inner layer 170 may be said to be a cut-out of the second surface 154 of the housing 150. Alternatively, the inner layer 170 could be formed from any suitable material, not limited to the same material as the housing 150.

[0052] In an embodiment, the sleeve 112 further includes an adhesive material 165 disposed on the first surface 166 of the outer layer 164 of the cover 162 to removably attach the outer layer 164 to the second surface 166 of the housing 150 and form an air-tight encapsulation of the heating element 140 within the pocket 156 of the housing 150. The adhesive material 165 may be coated, sprayed, painted, or otherwise formed on the first surface 166 of the outer layer 164. The adhesive material 165 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as a layer. It should be appreciated that the thickness of the layer 165 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is exaggerated for purposes of illustration. Alternatively, the adhesive material 165 could be formed as a film, coating, and/or the like. The adhesive material 165 may be chosen or selected from any adhesive material that enables the outer layer 164 to suitably adhere to the second surface 154 of the housing 150, yet allows the outer layer 164 to be removable from the housing 150. The adhesive material 165 should be selected from an adhesive material that is strong enough to hold the outer layer 164 of the cover 162 in position, yet allows the cover 162 to be removed from the housing 150 without damaging the second surface 154 of the housing 150. Alternative means for coupling the outer layer 164 of the cover 162 to the housing 150 such that the cover 162 is still removable from the housing 150 are also contemplated.

[0053] The removable cover 162 is at least partially removable from the housing 150 to uncover at least a portion of the opening 158 and to enable activation of the heating element 140 to generate heat upon exposure to air. As described further below in connection with a method of heating the container 16, when heat is desired, the cover 162 is removed (by the user) to expose the heating element 140 to air which activates the heating element 140 to generate heat.

[0054] In addition to the features described above, the second embodiment of the sleeve 112 could include any of the additional features of the first embodiment of the sleeve 12 described in connection with FIGS. 1-7C.

[0055] The present disclosure further provides a system including the container 16 and the sleeve 112 removably coupled to the container 16. In an embodiment, the container 16 is further defined as a beverage container 16 having inner 192 and outer 194 surfaces and the sleeves 12 and 112 are disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface 194 of the beverage container 16. It should be appreciated that the sleeves 12 and 112 could be removably coupled to any type of container, not limited to the beverage container shown in FIG. 1. Other containers may include takeout containers (such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15), soup containers, deli containers, microwavable containers, food storage containers, etc. In still other embodiments, the container 16 may be configured to hold heated contents without covering the heated contents. Nonlimiting examples of such containers include plates (such as shown in FIG. 14), bowls, mugs, glasses (such as shown in FIG. 13), cups, etc. In such embodiments, the disposable sleeves 12 and 112 may have a different shape than the disposable sleeves 12 and 112 described in detail above. For instance, the disposable sleeves 12 and 112 may be sized to fit a hinged-lid takeout container or a soup bowl. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the disposable sleeves 12 and 112 may contact the container 16 without being wrapped around the container 16 as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. For example, the disposable sleeves 12 and 112 may be affixed to a bottom of a dinner plate using an adhesive or to a bottom or sidewall of a bowl using an adhesive.

[0056] A method of heating the container 16 utilizing the disposable sleeve 112 is described below with reference to FIGS. 8-15. The method includes the steps of at least partially removing the cover 162 from the housing 150, and at least partially uncovering the opening 158 of the housing 150 simultaneous with the step of at least partially removing the cover 162 from the housing 150. The cover 162 is at least partially removed, by the user, by grasping a corner or an edge of the cover 162 and pulling the cover 162 to detach at least a portion of the cover 162 from the second surface 154 of the housing 150. In other words, the cover 162 is at least partially removed by peeling at least a portion of the cover 162 off from the second surface 154 of the housing 150.

[0057] The method includes the steps of exposing the heating element 140 to air when the opening 158 is at least partially uncovered, and activating the heating element 140 to generate heat simultaneously with the step of exposing the heating element 140 to air. The step of activating the heating element 140 includes activating an exothermic reaction of the heating element 140 with oxygen in the air to generate the heat.

[0058] With the cover 162 at least partially peeled off, the method further includes the steps of disposing the liner 114 over at least a portion of the container 16 and heating the container 16 with the heat generated by the heating element 140. Typically, the heating element 140 generates heat from 1 to 10 hours.

[0059] It should be appreciated that once the heating element 140 has been activated, the heating element 140 cannot be recharged. To this end, the disposable sleeve 112 is designed for single or one-time use. Additionally, all of the materials of the disposable sleeve 112 (including the liner 114, the housing 150, and the heating element 140) are formed from environmentally safe or “green” materials such that the disposable sleeve 112 can be easily disposed of.

[0060] All combinations of the aforementioned embodiments throughout the entire disclosure are hereby expressly contemplated in one or more nonlimiting embodiments even if such a disclosure is not described verbatim in a single paragraph or section above. In other words, an expressly contemplated embodiment may include any one or more elements described above selected and combined from any portion of the disclosure.

[0061] One or more of the values described above may vary by ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, ±20%, ±25%, etc. so long as the variance remains within the scope of the disclosure. Unexpected results may be obtained from each member of a Markush group independent from all other members. Each member may be relied upon individually and/or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent and dependent claims, both singly and multiply dependent, is herein expressly contemplated. The disclosure is illustrative including words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

[0062] It is also to be understood that any ranges and subranges relied upon in describing various embodiments of the present disclosure independently and collectively fall within the scope of the appended claims, and are understood to describe and contemplate all ranges including whole and/or fractional values therein, even if such values are not expressly written herein. One of skill in the art readily recognizes that the enumerated ranges and subranges sufficiently describe and enable various embodiments of the present disclosure, and such ranges and subranges may be further delineated into relevant halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, and so on. As just one example, a range “of from 0.1 to 0.9” may be further delineated into a lower third, i.e., from 0.1 to 0.3, a middle third, i.e., from 0.4 to 0.6, and an upper third, i.e., from 0.7 to 0.9, which individually and collectively are within the scope of the appended claims, and may be relied upon individually and/or collectively and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, with respect to the language which defines or modifies a range, such as “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “no more than,” and the like, it is to be understood that such language includes subranges and/or an upper or lower limit. As another example, a range of “at least 10” inherently includes a subrange of from at least 10 to 35, a subrange of from at least 10 to 25, a subrange of from 25 to 35, and so on, and each subrange may be relied upon individually and/or collectively and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. Finally, an individual number within a disclosed range may be relied upon and provides adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. For example, a range “of from 1 to 9” includes various individual integers, such as 3, as well as individual numbers including a decimal point (or fraction), such as 4.1, which may be relied upon and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.