DECORATIVE CONTAINER SLEEVES TO MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE FOR FOOD PRODUCTS

Abstract

A sleeve for displaying prepared food acquired from a provider in a disposable container or a beverage in a can or bottle needing temperature control is formed of a thermally insulating material such as neoprene or a silicone-based material that has been sized and dimensioned to receive a disposable container from a food provider, or a beverage container. The sleeve may have a bottom portion, and has non-commercial decorative indicia on its outer side to provide an enhanced and decorative appearance to shield from view the logo or advertising of the provider, or a message such as Congratulations or other message of support. The sleeve also may have a gel pack that can be inserted within to provide a cooling or heated effect for the contained food or beverage.

Claims

1. A sleeve to be used for displaying prepared food acquired from a provider in a disposable container, or a beverage, includes a sleeve formed of a thermally insulating material sized and dimensioned to receive such disposable container, said sleeve having non-commercial indicia on an outer surface to provide an enhanced appearance and has an interior gel pack to provide a cooling or heated effect for the food contained in the disposable container; said sleeve being made from a material able to be flattened yet regain its shape when desired.

2. A sleeve as set forth in claim 1, said material being a silicone based material.

3. A sleeve as set forth in claim 2, said indicia being decorative.

4. A sleeve as set forth in claim 2, said indicia indicating support for a team at a sporting event.

5. A sleeve as set forth in claim 1, said material being neoprene.

6. A sleeve as set forth in claim 5, said indicia being decorative.

7. A sleeve as set forth in claim 5, said indicia indicating support for a team at a sporting event.

8. A sleeve as set forth in claim 1, said indicia being decorative.

9. A sleeve as set forth in claim 1, said indicia indicating support for a team at a sporting event.

10. A sleeve as set forth in claim 1, said sleeve having spaced interior and exterior surfaces and a gel pack being inserted therebetween.

11. A sleeve as set forth in claim 10, said material being a silicone based material.

12. A sleeve as set forth in claim 11, said indicia being decorative.

13. A sleeve as set forth in claim 11, said indicia indicating support for a team at a sporting event.

14. A sleeve as set forth in claim 10, said material being neoprene.

15. A sleeve as set forth in claim 14, said indicia being decorative.

16. A sleeve as set forth in claim 14, said indicia indicating support for a team at a sporting event.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a decorative sleeve of the present invention having a bottom portion to receive a food container;

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a decorative sleeve of the present invention in a sleeve format without a bottom;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the gel pack that may be used with a decorative sleeve of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the insertion of the gel pack into a decorative sleeve of the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, decorative sleeves 10 of the present invention may be made of a flexible material such as neoprene or a silicone-based material well known in the food container and implement industry, and can easily be flattened to be inserted in packages for shipment, retail sale or storage. The decorative sleeve of FIG. 1 has a bottom 12, and may be fitted with a top 14. As shown, a food container 16 may be fitted into the sleeve 10.

[0016] The decorative sleeve of FIG. 1 has an inner surface 13 preferably formed of the flexible material such as neoprene or a silicone-based material and has an inner layer 19 of gel material that may, as known in the trade, be cooled, frozen or even heated to provide some temperature control of the food product in the container 16 and held interiorly within the sleeve 10.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows how a decorative sleeve 20 without a bottom portion. The decorative sleeve 20 is formed of two layers of a flexible material such as neoprene or a silicone-based material well known in the food container and implement industry that may be sealed at its upper and lower edges to provide an envelope that may receive a gel pack 22 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The gel pack may be if desired kept in place by sewing or hook-and-loop materials at the sleeve ends; or the sleeve ends may be kept open to allow the gel pack itself to be cooled or heated for use. The decorative sleeve 20 can be wrapped around a food container of various sizes and secured in place by mating hook-and-loop materials 23 and 24.

[0018] As understood by one skilled in the field, various designs and indicia can be supplied to the sleeves 10 or 20 as desired; and it is an important part of the present invention to provide decorative sleeves that have non-commercial indicia, including symbols chosen by the end user, such as a sports team logo, and are thermally insulating with temperature control and can be flattened for packaging. Yet, the containers can be easily cleaned, usually a simple rinsing will be sufficient, and can be reused.

[0019] The material of the decorative sleeves is itself thermally insulating; and gel packs may be inserted between layers of the insulating material so that the insulating material of the sleeve itself can more evenly apply temperature control to the food or beverage contents.

[0020] These and other objects, features and advantages to my invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the field, and my invention is not considered limited by the above detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, and I define my invention by the appended claims.