WO2004103854A2

WO2004103854A2 - Drinking vessel holders

Info

Publication number: WO2004103854A2
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002236
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Rokov; Stephen Peter Rokov
Original assignee: David Rokov; Stephen Peter Rokov
Priority date: 2003-05-23
Filing date: 2004-05-24
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Also published as: WO2004103854A3

Abstract

The invention relates to drinking vessel holders for engaging around a tapered cup. In one embodiment the holder comprises a sleeve (20) formed from a band (21) of material with the ends of the band joined together. Sleeve (20) has a taper angle different to that of the cup, whereby one annular edge (20A) of the sleeve engages the cup and the other annular edge (20B) of the sleeve is spaced from the cup so creating an air gap between the sleeve and the cup. In another embodiment a drinking vessel holder comprises a sleeve (110) formed from a band (111) of a material with the ends of the band joined together. Sleeve (110) has at least one cutout (112) whereby, when said sleeve is mounted on a cup printed information, such as 'X' is visible through the or each sleeve cutout.

Description

Improvements in or relating to drinking vessel holders

Background

The present invention relates to improvements in, or relating to, drinking vessel holders, more particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to drinking vessel holders for use with tapered paper or plastics cups of the type used to hold hot and/or cold drinks.

It is well known to provide hot and cold drinks in paper or plastic cups. Typically these cups have no handle. Such paper and plastic cups are widely used in cafes, both for on site consumption and for take away sales, where beverages or drinks are consumed at a different place from where they were purchased. Such cups are usually tapered and also come in a variety of sizes.

Because such cups have no handles, it can be difficult to hold such a cup in the hand, particularly whijst the beverage is hot. In addition the problem of holding a cup may exist with extremely cold drinks for some people.

Prior Art

Attempts have! been made to overcome these problems, for example, by the provision of a tapered annular sleeve, formed from a band of generally uniform width, which can slide up the outside of a tapered cup to provide an insulation layer between the cup and the user's hand. Examples of such sleeves are described and shown in US Patent Numbers US-A-5 205473 and US-A-5425497.

Other cups holders, comprising an arcuate band of flexible material, have inter engaging slots and tabs which enable the sleeve to be formed and are described in US Patents US-A-5842 633 and US-A-5 746 372. Some types of sleeves have a number of disadvantages. One disadvantage is that with very hot drinks, for example, when coffee does not have milk and is particularly hot, often two sleeves are required.

The invention seeks to provide a drinking vessel holder which avoids the above as well as other problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a drinking vessel holder for engaging around a tapered cup comprising: a sleeve formed from a band of material, the band having first and second ends, said ends being adapted to be joined, so as to form a sleeve having a taper angle different to that of the cup, whereby, in use, one annular edge of the sleeve engages the outer surface of the cup and the other annular edge of the sleeve is spaced from the cup so creating an air gap between the sleeve and the cup.

Preferably the sleeve tapers outwards when mounted on a cup such that the edge of the sleeve nearest the base of the cup engages the cup and the edge of the sleeve nearest the top of the cup is spaced from the cup. Thus the angle of taper of the sleeve is slightly greater than the angle of taper of the cup.

One way of achieving a taper in the sleeve is to form the sleeve from a sheet of material in a generally "boomerang" or C-shaped form, wherein a convex side edge is of greater radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of a concave edge.

Preferably the sleeve has an extension that includes a hole to receive a finger or thumb. Preferably the hole is formed by folding out a flap formed from a slot in the sleeve extension. Preferably the slot is C-shaped to create a D-shaped flap. Ideally the extension is formed integrally with the sleeve. In one particularly preferred embodiment ends of the band of material overlap one another over a substantial portion of the arcuate length of the sleeve. Clips, flaps or other engagement means are placed around, or at distil ends, of the band in order to facilitate inter engagement of the ends of the band. Alternatively an adhesive, which may be a thermally activated adhesive, may be placed on opposite surfaces of the band. In yet a further embodiment VELCRO (Trade Mark) or tabs may be disposed on opposite surfaces of the band to enable them to interengage.

The band of strengthening material may be formed from paper or card and can include an interior sheet or film of plastics material, laminate or other material in order to add strength to the sleeve.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a drinking vessel holder comprising a sleeve adapted for use with a cup having fins disposed on an outer surface, whereby in use the sleeve fits around the cup and a gap is defined between the outer surface of the cup and the sleeve.

The cup, its fins and the sleeve are preferably formed from a biodegradable material so that over time the cup and sleeve can degrade.

Another disadvantage with existing tapered annular sleeves, for holding cups, was that they required the cup to be held using an entire hand; this prevented the person holding the cup from carrying anything else, such as multiple purchases, without the use of a tray or paper carrier bag.

Secondly, existing sleeves tended to hide any logo printed on the cup. This required the additional printing of the logo on the sleeve and created a problem where the sleeves had already been used for advertising and subsequent printing on them was no longer possible.

Thirdly, in general one size of cup holder was used for all cups. On larger cups, this sometimes meant the sleeve did not extend far enough up the cup. In addition the required tapering (for stacking purposes) made the cup harder to hold and the sleeve does nothing to address this issue as it simply follows the line of the taper.

Fourthly, the uniform width of the band with convex and concave elongate edges is not as efficient as it could be from a cutting. There is therefore a waste of material.

Fifthly, in order to carry cups containing very hot drinks, (coffee without milk), often two sleeves were required as there was insufficient insulation provided by a single sleeve.

In another aspect, the invention also seeks to provide a drinking vessel holder that overcomes at least some of the above problems.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a drinking vessel holder for engaging around a tapered cup comprising: a sleeve formed from a band of material with the ends joined together, said sleeve having at least one cutout whereby, when said sleeve is in use on a cup, printed information on the cup is visible directly through the, or each, cutout.

An advantage of the cutout is that it enables the sleeve to fit a greater variety of cup widths and sizes. This is because the cut away portion of the drinking vessel holder releases tension in the sleeve, therefore allowing it to flex and expand to accommodate different cup widths, in a manner that a uniform band has not been able previously to achieve.

The fact that the logo, or other printed matter, is viewable without any interruption means that in use the logo of a particular vendor can be seen, for example passers by. Thus, provided that the sleeve is placed correctly around the cup, the portions of the sleeve that are held by the user are oriented in such a way that the cutout section reveals the logo or brand of the beverage, supplier or other advertising literature, for general viewing. This aspect of the invention is a felt to be of particularly beneficial marketing feature. Preferably the, or each, cutout is dimensioned and arranged, such that, in use, printed information on the cup is directly visible generally from a central surface portion of the cup. The fact that it is directly visible enables information or a logo on the cup to be viewed without interruption provided that the cutout is positioned over the part of the cup of interest.

The sleeve may include a sleeve extension above said cutout which, when the sleeve is mounted on a cup, extends above the cup to act as a carrying handle.

Preferably the sleeve extension includes a hole to receive a finger.

Advantageously the hole is formed by folding out a flap formed from a slot in the sleeve extension. Preferably the slot is C-shaped to create a D-shaped flap. The slot may be formed by perforating or cutting.

Ideally cutting of corners is performed using a rounded cutter so as to prevent stress concentrations occurring at sharp or angled corners. This therefore reduces the risk of inadvertent tearing.

In one particularly preferred embodiment the sleeve is formed from a generally Y- shaped band, with the arms of the Y-shaped band are joined together at their ends to create a sleeve with a single cutout; the stem of the Y-shaped band forming a sleeve extension.

In another embodiment the sleeve is formed from a generally W-shaped band, with the arms of the W-shaped band joined together at their ends to create a sleeve with two cutouts generally diametrically opposite each other.

Preferably one end of the band, when formed to create a sleeve, projects from the sleeve to create a support to engage a user's finger. According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a drinking vessel holder comprising a cup sleeve for engaging around a tapered cup and first and second insulating flaps depending from said sleeve.

Means may be provided in order to ensure the flaps remain in contact with the cup. The means may include spikes or clips, which engage with an outer surface of the cup or a deformable hinge that connects the flaps to the sleeve.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Brief description of the Figures

Figures 1 A and 1 B show front and side views of a first embodiment of a holder;

Figure 1C shows the shape of a band from which the sleeve of Figures 1A and 1 B is formed;

Figures 2A and 2B show front and side views of a second embodiment of a holder;

Figure 2C shows the shape of a band from which the sleeve of Figures 2A and 2E is formed;

Figures 3A and 3B show front and side views of a third embodiment;

Figures 3C and 3D show side and end views of a further embodiment of a cup holder for use with a cup having insulating fins and a cup sleeve;

Figure 4A and 4B show front and side views of a first embodiment of a holder;

Figure 4C shows a cutting profile of the first embodiment; Figures 5A and 5B show front and side views of a second embodiment of a holder;

Figure 5C shows a cutting profile of the second embodiment;

Figures 6A and 6B show front and side views of a third embodiment of holder;

Figure 6C shows a cutting profile of the third embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a rear view of an embodiment with a finger support;

Figures 8A and 8B show front and side views of an embodiment with added insulation;

Figures 9 and 10 are front and side elevations respectively of a further alternative embodiment of the invention having deformable insulating flaps; and

Figure 11 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10.

Detailed Description of preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1A and 1 B there is shown a tapered paper cup 10 with a removable plastics lid 11. Cup 10 with lid 11 is of a type well known in the art and is used for hot and cold beverages.

Figures 1A, 1B and 1C show a drinking vessel holder 20 for engaging around tapered cup 10. The holder is in the form of a sleeve formed from a band 21 of material with the overlapping ends 21 A and 21 B of the band joined together.

Sleeve 20 tapers outwards when mounted on a cup such that the edge 20A of the sleeve nearest the base of the cup engages the cup and the edge 20B of the sleeve nearest the top of the cup is spaced from the cup. As shown in Figure 1C band 21 , in its unfolded, flat state, is generally C-shaped and has one convex side edge 20B of greater radius of curvature to the radius of curvature of the other concave edge 20A.

Band 21 may be formed from any suitable material such as embossed paper/card, plain card or corrugated card or other card or material with insulating properties.

In use the sleeve can be held by a user, with the air gap between the sleeve and the cup insulating the hand of the user from the temperature (hot or cold) of any beverage in the cup.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B there is shown a tapered paper cup 30 with a removable plastic lid 31. Cup 30 with lid 31 is of a type well known in the art and is used for hot and cold beverages.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a drinking vessel holder for engaging around tapered cup 30. The holder is in the form of a sleeve 40 formed from a band 41 of material. In use ends 41 A, 41 B of the band overlap together and surround the sleeve. Sleeve 40 tapers outwards when mounted on cup 30 such that the edge 40A of the sleeve nearest the base of the cup 30 engages the cup 30 and the edge 40B of the sleeve nearest the top of the cup is spaced from the cup 30.

As shown in Figure 2C, band 41 is generally C-shaped and has one convex side edge 40B of greater radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the concave edge 40A.

A pair of fold lines 42A, 42B are provided so that the sleeve can be folded flat for stacking and packaging purposes. In this respect the embodiment shown in Figures 1A and 1B could also have fold lines.

Band 41 may be formed from any suitable material such as embossed paper/card, plain card or corrugated card or other card or material with insulating properties. Again, as before the sleeve can be held by the user, with the air gap between the sleeve and the cup insulating the hand of the user from the temperature (hot or cold) of any beverage in the cup. The overlapping ends of band 41 create a spring effect so that the sleeve stands away from the wall of the cup, thereby creating an insulating gap.

In accordance with another embodiment there is provided a drinking vessel holder for engaging around tapered cup 50. The holder is in the form of sleeve 60 similar to the sleeve shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, but may be extend above the cup 50 with an aperture 61 by which to hold the cup with a finger. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B there is shown a tapered paper cup 50 with a removable plastics lid 51. Cup 50, with lid 51 , is of a type well known in the art and is used for hot and cold beverages.

The sleeve of the invention may be constructed as a single piece, without the need for gluing, with the aid of a clipping or other interengaging system, such as a tab and flap, or other mechanism or profile (not shown). This interengaging system requires the user or vendor to "clip" the sleeve together, prior to use, to form a band to slide over the cup, as it is expected that usually the bands would be supplied flat and in an unassembled state in order to occupy less storage space.

Figures 3C and 3D show side and end views of another embodiment of a cup and cup sleeve in which like parts bear the same reference numerals as shown in Figures 2. Referring to Figures 3C and 3D there is shown a tapered paper cup 50, which may be formed from a biodegradable material. Cup 50 has fins 55 disposed around its outer surface. The fins 55 may extend only partly along the length of the cup 50, or they may extend the full length of the cup. A drinking vessel holder, in the form of a sleeve 60 (which may be formed from card or biodegradable plastics material), in use surrounds the tapered cup 50. The holder 60 is in the form of sleeve 60 similar to the sleeve shown in Figure 1 A. It will be appreciated that an air gap is defined between the sleeve 60 and the cup 50 by the fins 55 acting on an inner surface of the sleeve 60, thus again a user's hands are protected from the contents of the cup. Referring to Figures 4A and 4B there is shown a tapered paper cup 101 with a removable plastics lid 102. Cup 101 and lid 102 are of a type well known in the art.

A drinking vessel holder is provided for engaging around cup 101. The holder is in the form of a sleeve 110 formed from a band 111 of material with the ends of the band overlapping and joined together. Sleeve 110 has one or more cutouts 112 whereby, when said sleeve is mounted on cup 101, printed information such as a logo on the cup, e.g. the letter "X" (visible generally from a central surface portion of the cup), is visible through the sleeve cutout 112.

The cup holder shown in Figures 4A and 4B thus allow visibility of the logo on the cup, thereby preventing the necessity to print a logo on the sleeve. Also the sleeve is able to travel further up a larger cup, as by reducing the width of material on one side of the sleeve the sleeve is able to flex more than has been possible with existing sleeves. Furthermore, it is more practical for the sleeve, shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, to fit around a wider range of cup sizes than was the case with known holders.

Band 111 may be cut from a single sheet of material such as cardboard. A possible cutting profile is shown in Figure 4C which depicts six separate sleeves 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 being cut from a larger sheet of material. It will be appreciated that such a cutting profile results in low wastage of material, with the "hatched" areas showing the waste.

Referring now to Figures 5A and 5B there is shown a tapered paper cup 101 with a removable plastics lid 102. Cup 101 and lid 102 are of a type well known in the art.

A drinking vessel holder is provided for engaging around cup 101. The holder is in the form of a sleeve 120 formed from a "Y-shaped" band 121 of material with the arms 121A, 121 B of the band overlapping and joined together. The stem of the Y-shaped band forms a sleeve extension 121C. Sleeve 120 has one cutout 122 whereby, when said sleeve is mounted on a cup, printed information such as a logo on the cup, e.g. the letter "X" (visible generally from a central surface section of the cup), is visible through the sleeve cutout 122.

Sleeve extension 121C is above said cutout 122 and includes a hole 123 to receive a finger to act as a carrying handle. Hole 123 is formed by folding out a D-shaped flap 124 formed from a C-shaped slot in the sleeve extension 121 C.

The cup holder of Figures 5A and 5B thus allows visibility of the logo on the cup, preventing the necessity to print a logo on the sleeve. Also the sleeve is able to travel further up a larger cup, by reducing the width of material on one side of the sleeve, making it more practical to hold, and also more useful for a wider range of cup sizes than with known holders. The holder allows multiple cups to be carried by inserting a number of fingers each into a hole 123 of different holders. Flap 124 serves in addition to insulate the finger from the heat of the lid.

Band 121 may be cut from a single sheet of material such as cardboard. A possible cutting profile is shown in Figure 12C. It will be appreciated that such a cutting profile results in little or no wastage of material.

Referring now to Figures 6A and 6B there is shown a tapered paper cup 101 with a removable plastics lid 102. Cup 101 and lid 102 are of a type well known in the art. A drinking vessel holder is provided for engaging around cup 101.

In use arms of the W-shaped band overlap and are joined together at their ends to create a sleeve with two cutouts 132A, 132B generally diametrically opposite each other. Cutouts 132A and 132B, when said sleeve is mounted on a cup, allow opposing printed information such as a logo on the cup, e.g. the letter "X" (visible generally from a central surface portion of the cup), to be visible through each sleeve cutout.

Thus as with other embodiments described above the cup holder of Figures 6A and 6B allows visibility of the logo on the cup, preventing the necessity to print a logo on the sleeve. Also the sleeve is able to travel further up the cup making it more practical to hold, and also more useful for a wider range of cup sizes than with known holders.

The holder is in the form of a sleeve 130 formed from a generally W-shaped band 131. A plurality of sleeves, are shown more clearly in Figure 6C, being cut from a larger sheet of material in a partially tessellating pattern. Band 131 may be cut from a single sheet of material such as cardboard. A possible cutting profile is shown in Figure 6C. It will be appreciated that such a cutting profile results in low wastage of material, with the "hatched" area showing the waste.

The invention may take a form different from that described above. For example, as shown in Figure 7, one end 142 of band 141 , when formed to create a sleeve 140, may project from the sleeve to create a support to engage a user's finger, similar to a handle of a cup.

The sleeve may include fold lines so that the sleeve can be packed flat prior to use. Also extra insulation could be created on areas of the sleeve where maximum hand contact is present, e.g. as shown in Figure 8, which depicts a sleeve 150 (on a cup 1 with lid 2) formed from a band 151 with areas of insulation 52.

All the aforementioned holders may support printed information, such as advertising messages and/or attachments, such as coupons or product samples, and may include the attachment of an electronic device or tag for use with computers and the Internet.

In addition or alternatively the sleeve may be constructed in one piece, without the need for gluing, with the aid of a clipping mechanism and profile. This requires that a user or vendor "clips" the sleeve together, prior to use, to form a band for sliding over the cup. The sleeve of the invention may have a taper which is less than the taper of the cup, whereby to reduce the tapered feel of the cup in the hand. This may be especially relevant to small cups which tend to have a greater degree of taper to them. Figures 9, 10 and 11 show a further embodiment of the invention. A cup holder 300 comprises a moulded (or pressed) synthetic plastics material and comprises a sleeve 305 and two insulating flaps 310 and 312. Flaps 310 and 312 are connected to the sleeve 305 at hinges 306 and 308.

Figures 9 and 10 show the cup holder 300 deployed around a cup 200. Flaps 310 and 312 are folded at hinges 306 and 308 so that the cup 200 is insulated from a user. Barbs 302 and 304 prevent the sleeve from sliding from the cup and also an air gap between the cup and the flaps. Figure 11 shows the cup holder 300 in an unfolded (flat) state. Cup holder 300 could be fabricated from a biodegradable material.

It will be understood that variation may be made to the cup holder, which may support printed information such as advertising messages, and/or attachments such as coupons or product samples and could include the attachment of an electronic device or tag for use with computers and/or the Internet.

The cup holder of the invention may be formed from any suitable material such as embossed paper/card, plain card or corrugated card, or other card or biodegradable material with insulating properties.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 A drinking vessel holder for engaging around a tapered cup comprising: a sleeve formed from a band of material, the band having first and second ends, said ends being adapted to be joined, so as to form a sleeve having a taper angle different to that of the cup, whereby, in use, one annular edge of the sleeve engages the outer surface of the cup and the other annular edge of the sleeve is spaced from the cup so creating an air gap between the sleeve and the cup.

2. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 1 , wherein the sleeve tapers outwards when, in use, on a cup such that the edge of the sleeve nearest the base of the cup engages the cup and the edge of the sleeve nearest the top of the cup is spaced from the cup.

3. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the band of material is generally C-shaped and has one convex side edge of greater radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the other concave edge.

4. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the ends of the band of material overlap over a substantial arcuate length of the sleeve.

5. A drinking vessel holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve supports an aperture, in use, above a cup to act as a finger holder.

6. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 5, wherein the aperture is in the form of a C-shaped groove.

7. A drinking vessel holder for engaging around a tapered cup comprising: a sleeve formed from a band of material, in the use the ends of the band are adapted to be joined together, said sleeve having at least one cutout whereby, when said sleeve is mounted on a cup, printed information on the cup is visible through the or each cutout.

8. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 7, wherein the cutout is such that printed information is visible generally from a central surface portion of the cup.

9. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sleeve includes a sleeve extension above said cutout which, when the sleeve is mounted on a cup, extends above the cup to act as a carrying handle.

10. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 9, wherein the sleeve extension includes a hole to receive a finger.

11. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 10, wherein the hole is formed by folding out a flap formed from a slot cut in the sleeve extension.

12. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 11, wherein the slot is C-shaped to create a D-shaped flap.

13. A drinking vessel holder according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the sleeve is formed from a generally Y-shaped band with the arms of the Y-shaped band being joined together to create a sleeve with a single cutout, and the stem of the Y-shaped band forms a sleeve extension.

14. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sleeve is formed from a generally W-shaped band, with the arms of the W-shaped band being joined together at their ends to create a sleeve with two cutouts generally diametrically opposite each other.

15. A drinking vessel holder according to any of claims 7 to 14, wherein one end of the band, when formed to create a sleeve, projects from the sleeve to create a support, which in use, engages a user's finger.

16. A drinking vessel holder comprising a cup sleeve for engaging around a tapered cup and first and second insulating flaps depending from said sleeve.

17. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 16 has means provided to ensure the flaps remain in contact with the cup.

18. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 17 wherein the means to ensure the flaps remain in contact with the cup, includes spikes, bars or clips which engage with an outer surface of the cup.

19. A drinking vessel holder according to claim 17 wherein the means includes a permanently deformable hinge that connects the flaps to the sleeve.

20. A drinking vessel holder comprising a sleeve, adapted for use with a cup having fins disposed on an outer surface, whereby in use the sleeve fits around the cup and a gap is defined between the outer surface of the cup and the sleeve.

21. A drinking vessel holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the holder is formed from a biodegradable material.

22. A drinking vessel holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the Figures.