Beverage container insulators and methods for making the same

Abstract

A beverage container insulator comprising: A molded pulp cylinder formed from a polysaccharide and having an inside surface, an outside surface, a first end having a first opening, a second end having a second opening, and a body portion between the two ends wherein each opening is defined by a perimeter that joins the inside surface to the outside surfaces.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] In the field of disposable hot or cold beverage containers, such as paper coffee cups, a common consumer complaint relates to the undesired transfer of heat from the container to a user's hand. Common solutions to this complaint have involved the use of a second container to surround the beverage holding container, corrugated or embossed sleeves encircling the beverage container such as found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,205,473 and 5,425,497, and expanded (mesh) material sleeves encircling the beverage container such as manufactured by Pactiv Corporation. [0002] With respect to the use of a second container, it is well known that beverage vendor costs are increased by the use of a second container and that more raw materials are used for a single beverage serving. With respect to the use of corrugated or embossed sleeves, such sleeves reduce the use of raw materials by about 45% when compared to the use of a second container, however, they are not as effic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is about creating insulators for beverage containers that provide a convenient way to isolate the user's hand from the container. The insulators can be made from molded pulp or multiple layer insulators. The insulators can be in the form of a molded hollow cylinder with a conical opening, or a collapsed cylinder that can be expanded before use. The insulators can be designed to fit different types of beverage containers by adding or removing material. The invention provides an improved way to insulate beverage containers, making them more comfortable for the user and reducing heat transfer."

Problems solved by technology

In the field of disposable hot or cold beverage containers, such as paper coffee cups, a common consumer complaint relates to the undesired transfer of heat from the container to a user's hand.

With respect to the use of a second container, it is well known that beverage vendor costs are increased by the use of a second container and that more raw materials are used for a single beverage serving.

With respect to the use of corrugated or embossed sleeves, such sleeves reduce the use of raw materials by about 45% when compared to the use of a second container, however, they are not as efficient at insulation as desirable, do not employ the least costly materials, slip from cup too easily, have glue joint failures, etc.

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