Sleeve for holding and carrying cups and containers having hot or cold contents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover which is also known under the name sleeve and serves for picking up and insulating thin-walled cups and containers. This sleeve prevents the user from burning his fingers when hot drinks such as coffee, tea or hot broth, bouillon, are introduced into the thin-walled cup and that the warm hands of the user heat a cold drink that was filled into the cup. Furthermore, by the materials used it supports the cleaning and through the attached joints a space-saving transportation is possible. The construction and the materials used allow for a long-term reuse.

Claims

1. A sleeve for holding and carrying different sized cups or containers, the holder comprising: a first sleeve part including a first hinge part located on a first lateral edge thereof, and a second hinge part located on a second lateral edge thereof opposite the first lateral edge; and a second sleeve part including a first hinge part located on a first lateral edge thereof, and a second hinge part located on a second lateral edge thereof opposite the first lateral edge; wherein the first hinge part of the first sleeve part is operably engaged with the second hinge part of the second sleeve part, and the second hinge part of the first sleeve part is operably engaged with the first hinge part of the second sleeve part, so as to form an assembled conical sleeve for receiving a cup or container from therebelow when pressure is applied to the first and second lateral edges of the first and second sleeve parts; wherein the first and sleeve parts being made of various layered material combinations configured to create tension through the layered material combinations to collapse the assembled conical sleeve, the layered material combinations include a first layer, an intermediate layer, and a second layer, with the first and second layers being on opposite sides of the intermediate layer; wherein first and second lateral edges of the intermediate layer of each of the first and second sleeve parts define a cut-out open to an exterior of the first and second lateral edges of the intermediate layer, respectively, the cutout being configured to receive a part of the first and second hinge parts, respectively, so that the part of the first and second hinge parts received in the cut-out is adjacently between the first and second layers, respectively, and wherein the first and second layers extend over the part of the first and second hinge parts received in the cut-out, respectively.

2. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is a first bonded leather layer, the intermediate layer is a cork layer, the second layer is a second bonded leather layer.

3. The sleeve according to claim 2, further comprising a varnish layer applied to an exterior of the first and second bonded leather layers.

4. The sleeve according to claim 2, further comprising a polyurethane (PU) leather layer bonded to the first bonded leather layer.

5. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is a PU leather layer bonded to a leather layer, the intermediate layer is a PU foam, the second layer is a PU leather layer.

6. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the first and second hinge parts of the first and second sleeve parts are connected to the first and second lateral edges, respectively, by way of rivets.

7. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the part of the first and second hinge parts of the first and second sleeve parts is riveted to the first and second layers, respectively, by rivets.

8. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein the first and second layers of the first and second sleeve parts define countersunk cut-outs for receiving a head of the rivets, respectively.

9. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is bonded by an adhesive to a first side of the intermediate layer over a whole surface thereof, and the second layer is bonded by an adhesive to a second side of the intermediate layer over a whole surface thereof.

10. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sleeve parts each include a first and second longitudinal edges being curved when the first and second sleeve parts are in a flat state.

11. The sleeve according to claim 10, wherein the first and second lateral edges of the first and second sleeve parts are angled toward each other when in the flat state.

12. A sleeve for holding and carrying different sized cups or containers, the holder comprising: a first hinge and a second hinge each including a first part and a second part; a first sleeve part including a first layer, an intermediate layer, and a second layer, the intermediate layer including first and second lateral edges each defining a cut-out open to an exterior of the intermediate layer, one of the cut-outs being configured to receive the first part of the first hinge and the other of the cut-outs being configured to receive the first part of the second hinge; and a second sleeve part a first layer, an intermediate layer, and a second layer, the intermediate layer of the second sleeve part including first and second lateral edges each defining a cut-out, one of the cut-outs of the second sleeve part being configured to receive the second part of the first hinge and the other of the cut-outs of the second sleeve part being configured to receive the second part of second hinge; wherein the first and second sleeve parts are assembled by way of the first and second hinges forming an assembled conical sleeve for receiving a cup or container from therebelow when pressure is applied to the first and second lateral edges of the first and second sleeve parts; wherein the first and second layers of the first and second sleeve parts extend over the first part and the second part of the first and second hinge parts received in the cut-out, respectively; wherein the first layer, the intermediate layer, and the second layer of the first and sleeve parts being made of various material combinations configured to create tension to collapse the assembled conical sleeve.

13. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein the first layer is a first bonded leather layer, the intermediate layer is a cork layer, the second layer is a second bonded leather layer.

14. The sleeve according to claim 13, further comprising a varnish layer applied to an exterior of the first and second bonded leather layers.

15. The sleeve according to claim 13, further comprising a polyurethane (PU) leather layer bonded to the first leather layer.

16. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein the first layer is a PU leather layer bonded to a leather layer, the intermediate layer is a PU foam, the second layer is a PU leather layer.

17. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein the first part and the second part of the first and second hinges are riveted to the first and second layers of the first and second sleeve parts, respectively, by rivets.

18. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein the first and second sleeve parts each include a first and second longitudinal edges being curved when the first and second sleeve parts are in a flat state.

19. The sleeve according to claim 18, wherein the first and second lateral edges of the first and second sleeve parts are angled toward each other when in the flat state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following drawings are provided:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sleeve on a cup;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front plane view of the sleeve in a completely unfolded state;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front plane view of the sleeve outer face with hinges;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front plane view of the sleeve outer face without hinges with holes;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front plane view of the sleeve inner layer with cut-outs;

(7) FIG. 6 is a front, left, right, top and bottom plane view of placement of the hinges; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT TECHNOLOGY

(9) Hereby the FIGS. 1 to 5 show the arrangement of the sleeve unfolded, lateral view, hinge position, riveting position and the inner layer of a sleeve with cut-outs for the placement of the hinges. When assembling the layered materials, the following layer configurations from the outside inwards result for sleeve 1. a. Bonded leather (1 mm)-adhesive-cork (1 mm)-adhesive-leather fiber (1 mm)=a total of about 3 mm, since the bonding agent is negligible in its thickness. b. PU leather (0.2 mm)-adhesive-bonded leather (1 mm)-adhesive-cork (1 mm)-adhesive-bonded leather (0.8 mm)=a total of about 3 mm, since the bonding agent is negligible in its thickness.

(10) Hereby however, significantly different compositions of the individual layer configurations are also conceivable, in particular through the use of polyurethane foam, cork, PE foam, PU leather, bonded leather, leather, synthetic leather, etc.

(11) For example, the following possibilities are given: PU leather-adhesive-bonded leather-adhesive-PU foam-adhesive-PU leather; also, varnish can be used in place of PU leather, and another variant: PU leather-adhesive-bonded leather-adhesive-cork-adhesive-PU leather.

(12) Here, the PU foam or cork are only used for heat protection. The other layers support this, but also fulfill other important properties of flexibility and stability for the product.

(13) The following thermal conductivity values have been identified for given materials:

(14) TABLE-US-00001 PU foam 0.04 W/mK cork 0.045 to 0.06 W/mK PE foam 0.035 W/mK

(15) For PU leather and bonded leather no thermal conductivity value is known. In long-term tests good values were achieved here. The use of PE-foam proved to be advantageous because it is capable of withstanding the long-term influence of heat of 60 C., and the mechanical stress was fulfilled.

(16) Also a variant is given where the bonded leather is already applied on the PU leather layer and can be used as a cover layer.

(17) A further possible application is the use of poly-epoxy resin layers, polymeric films, etc., which are mounted inside and outside. In this process, there is the problem that the hinge 4 must be accommodated in the coating. Since it does not have the surface of the sleeve 1 and may not have it, otherwise a bending of the outer faces would be impossible, it cannot receive a separate layer, but must be embedded in another layer. Here a possible cork layer is being used. It will receive cut-outssee FIG. 4in comparison to the bonded leather where the hinge 4 is embedded. Since the hinges 4 with its hinge faces are rigid and thus do not cling directly to the hot drink, there is no need for additional insulation here. When selecting another layer, it is to be considered that the hinge 4, if it is closer to the cup and container 10, can also absorb and transport more heat. If you fold the hinge 4 together, so that the suspending faces of the sleeve 1 are parallel, only a maximum clearance of 2 mm exists.

(18) Another option would be to create a mold on the inside of one side of the sleeve 1 and embedding it there. However, the hinge metal faces are 0.9 to 1.2 mm thick, and the bonded leather layers also, if not smaller.

(19) In the selection of the hinges 4 there are various possibilities. First, there are metal hinges in a given adapted form. It is therefore possible, to use various shapes and designs of the hinges 4. Also, various colors of the hinges 4 are possible. There are also hinges 4 made of other materials than metal. In particular, the material of polymers has to be considered.

(20) Another way of treating the hinges 4 is given by coating the hinges 4 with a material layer, and attaching these then with rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 on the side faces of the sleeve 1. The hinges 4 are not glued in the outer faces of the sleeve 1 but firmly fixed therein with rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 and/or eyelets. In particular hollow rivets are used. But also, other forms of rivets or decorative rivets can be used. Here, a bonding of the hinges 4 and the outer edge respectively is possible.

(21) You can manufacture the sleeve 1 also in a way so that the rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 are no longer visible from the outside, when a so-called optical shutter is installed over the entire outer surface of the respective side of the sleeve 1. This outer surface can also be used as a promotional item or for identifying the product or personal identification.

(22) Furthermore, corresponding eyelets for hanging the sleeve 1 on and up can be given. These eyelets can be incorporated in the riveting process.

(23) Another embodiment is in that realizable that the sleeve 1 when setting the cup and container 10 down does not slip from the cup and container 10. Here, a corresponding profile is incorporated in the inner surface of the sides of the sleeve 1 in a way that the slipping of the sleeve 1 when setting down the cup and container 10 is not taking place. This embossment additionally supports the adhesion. Furthermore, the surface, which has direct contact with the cup, is reduced in this way. Thus, less heat or cold is transported and reaches a better protection of the hands and a preservation of the temperature of the drink.

(24) Particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in conjunction with FIG. 4 it can be seen that at the outer edges of the respective sleeve sides of the sleeve 1 a per se known hinge 4 is allocated.

(25) In FIG. 3 it can be seen that a sleeve side of the sleeve 1 on the right and left outer edge are firmly connected with a hinge 4 through rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, and 6. These hinges 4 of the side of the sleeve 1 are then firmly connected with the other side of the sleeve 1 with the sleeve part 3 through the holes for rivets 5, 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 with rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3. The two hinges existing right and left 4 at the outer edge of the sleeve 1 now serve for folding and unfolding the sleeve 1, as visible in FIG. 1, and placing it on a cup and container 10 from below. When the cup and container 10 is taken out from the sleeve 1, it folds the sleeve 1 into itself, and produces only one sleeve 1 in a folded, planar state.

(26) From FIG. 3 it is visible, how the sleeve unfolded 2 is given in an unfolded state with the help of the hinges 4. Here the functional configuration of the sleeve 1 is clearly visible that through the outer edges with the hinges 4 and a fixed connection through rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 and holes 5, 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 a flexible sleeve 1 for cups and containers 10 to place on from below, exists.

(27) Through the arrangement of the two hinges 4 and the flexibility of the layered materials the sleeve 1 can be bend in a conical shape which adapts to paper cups and containers 10. The incorporated layers serve in its rigidity when in the use in order to have adhesion on the cups and containers 10. When the sleeve 1 is not used, it supports the return to the idle state, a parallel state of the faces of the sleeve 1. An integrated embossment on the inner surfaces enhances the adhesion of the sleeve 1 on a corresponding cup and container wall 10. The user can decide on the individual components of a sleeve 1, the shape and color interactively as well as let engravings and patterns be incorporated. Also, the rivets are variable, for example, rivets with logo or rhinestone rivets.

(28) Furthermore, the inner rivets can be countersunk into the inner leather fiber material layer with a larger cut-out in size of the head, whereby again the contact is reduced.

(29) In FIG. 6 the embedding of the hinges 4 in the sleeve 1 in the individual sleeve unfolded 2 and the sleeve part 3 is visible. Here, cut-outs 8 in the intermediate layers of the sleeve unfolded 2 and the sleeve part 3 are given. In these cut-outs 8 for hinge 4 each hinge leaf is inserted and the rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 firmly locked. In the above representation of FIG. 6 the cut-outs 8 for the hinge leaves of the hinge 4 in the intermediate layer at the respective outer edges of the sleeveunfolded 2 and the sleeve part 3 are visible. So, it is worth mentioning no bonding process takes place, but that only through the intermediate layer on the outer edges of the respective sleeve parts the hinge leaves and rivets 6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 are locked firmly.

(30) FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the sleeve 1 in a slightly opened state. Here the hinges 4 left and right of the outer edges of the sleeve unfolded 2 and the sleeve part 3 of the sleeve 1 are given. Also, the conical shape of the sleeve 1 can be recognized.

(31) The advantage of the inventive solution is based on the fact that a constant reuse of the sleeve 1 for use even for cups and containers 10 is possible. The application of a varnish layer on the sleeve 1 adds a noble quality optic. Here, the varnish layer with a leather fiber material layer is reinforced, so that the incorporation of an engraving on the outer surface is possible.

(32) A sleeve 1 according to the invention is described again below. The sleeve 1 consists in its composition of seven layers and a surface coating which combines to a total thickness of approximately 2 to 3 mm. Since the sleeve 1 has two sides, it results in a total thickness of about 4 to 6 mm.

(33) The structure is described below:

(34) Varnish layer

(35) Bonded leather layer

(36) Bonding agent

(37) Cork layer

(38) Bonding agent

(39) Bonded leather layer

(40) Varnish layer

(41) The functionality of the individual layers is shown below. The surface coating of varnish is used for protection and easier cleaning. The outer varnish layer gives the sleeve 1 its high-quality optics and is used for the choice of color. When incorporating an engraving this is removed and possibly replaced with paint of another color. The bonded leather layer is used for returning into a planar state and the incorporation of an engraving, and insulation. The middle bonding agent is used to connect the bonded leather layer with the cork layer. The cork layer is used exclusively for thermal insulation. The inner bonding agent is used to connect the cork layer to the inner bonded leather layer. The inner bonded leather layer is used to return to a planar state and the incorporation of a profile for better adhesion on the cup and container 10 and the insulation. The inner varnish layer gives the sleeve 1 a high-quality optic. The surface coating of varnish is used for protection and easier cleaning.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(42) 1 sleeve 2 sleeve unfolded 3 sleeve part 4 hinge 5 hole for rivets 5.1 hole for rivets 5.2 hole for rivets 5.3 hole for rivets 6 rivets 6.1 rivets 6.2 rivets 6.3 rivets 7 sleeve with cut-outs 8 cut-outs for hinge 4 10 cups and containers