INSULATING HOLDER FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

An insulating holder for a beverage container has a cylindrical or frusto-conical sleeve having a lower end, an open upper end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve is made of a resilient elastomer having heat-sensitive tackiness, for example a thermoplastic elastomer such as thermoplastic polyurethane and/or polyurea.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the scope of the invention will be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container holder;

FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 holder;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the FIG. 1 holder; and,

FIG. 4 is a side view of the FIG. 1 holder, operativelty engaging a coffee cup.

Claims

1. An insulating holder for a beverage container, comprising: a sleeve, of a cylindrical or frusto-conical shape, having a lower end, an open upper end, and inner and outer surfaces,wherein the sleeve comprises a resilient elastomer exhibiting heat-sensitive tackiness.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the elastomer comprises at least one of: recycled rubber, thermoplastic elastomer and a mixture thereof.

3. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the elastomer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

4. The holder of claim 3, wherein: the thermoplastic elastomer is a multi-block polymer.

5. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the elastomer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane and/or polyurea.

6. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the elastomer exhibits tackiness at a temperature above about 50° C.

7. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the sleeve is a molded, seamless monolithic structure.

8. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the lower end is open, permitting a bottom of the container to protrude therethrough.

9. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the inner surface comprises protrusions to provide an air gap between the container and the sleeve.

10. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the outer surface is textured.

11. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the sleeve comprises fold lines at which the sleeve is thinner, the fold lines comprising grooves in the outer surface extending from the lower end to the upper end of the sleeve.

12. The holder of claim 1, wherein: the outer surface comprises indicia.

13. The holder of claim 12, wherein: the indicia are formed into the outer surface by a process selected from at least one of: molding and incising.

14. An insulating holder for a beverage container, comprising: a molded, seamless, monolithic frusto-conical sleeve having an open lower end, an open upper end, an inner surface and an outer surface, the sleeve comprising a resilient thermoplastic elastomer having heat-sensitive tackiness;wherein the open lower end allows a bottom of the cup to protrude therethrough.

15. The holder of claim 14, wherein: the thermoplastic elastomer comprises thermoplastic polyurethane/polyurea.

16. The holder of claim 15, wherein: the elastomer becomes tacky at a temperature above about 50° C.

17. The holder of claim 14, wherein: the elastomer becomes tacky at a temperature above about 50° C.

18. The holder of claim 14, wherein: the sleeve further comprises fold lines, comprising grooves in the outer surface extending substantially from the lower end to the upper end of the sleeve, the grooves effectively thinning a thickness of the sleeve.

19. The holder of claim 14, wherein: the inner surface further comprises protrusions to provide an insulating gap between the container and the sleeve.

20. The holder of claim 14, wherein: the outer surface is textured.