SQUARE FOLDABLE INSULATED CUP SLEEVE

Abstract

An insulating cup sleeve is provided. The sleeve can be formed from a blank sheet of material and has a plurality of connected sidewall panels formed into a trapezoidal shape. The formed sleeve has an open top and a bottom end configuration. The end configuration can include major end flaps and minor end flaps, each connected to a lower edge of one of the plurality of sidewall panels. The major end flaps include locking means for placing the end configuration into a locked position. The sleeve can be configured for receiving a container such that when the container is inserted into the sleeve, one or more air gaps are created between the sleeve and container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to insulating jackets and sleeves commonly used with food or drink containers, and in particular, food or drink containers suitable for holding products that are served hot, such as coffee, tea, soups and the like. Such insulating jackets and sleeves can also be used for containers suitable for holding products that are served cold as well.

Several different types of insulating sleeves or jackets are well known in the art. Such sleeves are typically configured to transition from a folded or flat configuration (for efficient storage and transportation) to an opened or use configuration (for use with a particular food or drink container). When in a use configuration, the sleeves are placed around the exterior sidewall of the container and act as a thermal barrier between the user and the hot or cold contents of the container. Such sleeves are commonly made from paper or plastic materials and have company logos, advertisements and other indicia printed thereon.

Insulating sleeves gain their insulation properties from the insulation “R” values of the material that they are made from as well as the thickness of the sleeve construction itself. Because insulating sleeves currently known in the art are constructed from paper and plastic materials, they require a thicker amount of material in order to serve as an efficient insulator, and therefore are bulky and can be more expensive to manufacture.

Insulating sleeves commonly known in the art also have limitations regarding fitting snuggly with multiple cup or container sizes. A family of cup sizes generally has the same diameter at the top of the cup. However, the taper angle of each cup is generally different so that the cup height and volume of each cup can be different while using the same lid. For example, 12 oz, 16 oz, and 20 oz cups are all popular industry sizes and are generally all sized within a family to fit the same lid size. The problem with folded insulating sleeves currently known in the art is that they can only be designed to fit well with one taper angle, meaning that the sleeve may fit well with one cup in a family but not the others. This makes the sleeve uncomfortable for users to hold because a gap between the bottom portion of the sleeve and the container prevents the sleeve from snuggly fitting against the cup.

Air gaps are also commonly known to serve as efficient insulation for holding containers suitable for hot or cold products. Insulating sleeves commonly known in the art cannot effectively incorporate air gaps between the sleeve and the container because of the desire for a snug fit between the sleeve and container.

Thus, a need exists for an insulating cup sleeve or jacket that is foldable into a flat configuration, that may be made of a thin material and be configured for effectively using air gaps between the sleeve and container while still providing for a snug an conforming fit. A need also exists for an insulating sleeve or jacket that can conform to several different containers having several different shapes, sizes, and taper angles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to an insulating container sleeve for use with a container or cup. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating sleeve can include an open top end, a bottom closure configuration and a sleeve sidewall. The sleeve sidewall can comprise a plurality of sidewall panels hingedly attached to one another by longitudinal fold lines extending the height of sleeve. The insulating sleeve can be constructed so as to form a sidewall having a generally rectangular cross section. Other shapes and configurations are also considered within the scope of the present invention. The intersection of each sidewall panel to an adjacent sidewall panel can form a longitudinal ridge extending the height of the sleeve. The longitudinal ridges can facilitate creating air gaps between the sleeve and a container when inserted into the sleeve. The bottom end closure configuration can include a plurality of major and minor end flaps, each hingedly connected to a lower edge of a sidewall panel. According to one embodiment, the major and minor end flaps are arranged in an alternating fashion. In such an embodiment, the major end flaps include a notched edge that is configured to interlocking with notched edge of the opposing major end flap.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating sleeve can be configured for transitioning between a storage position and a use position. When in the storage position, the insulating sleeve can be folded generally flat so that the sidewall panels are generally parallel to one another. When in the use position, the sleeve can be extended into an opened configuration so that the sidewall panels are generally orthogonal to one another. When in the use position, the major end flaps of the bottom end closure configuration can be interlocked with one another in order to hold the insulating sleeve in the use position.

The insulating sleeve can be configured for receiving a container, such as a cup. In particular, the insulating sleeve can be designed for use with containers holding foods or beverages typically served hot (such as coffee and soups) or cold (such as iced coffee and other foods and beverages). The insulating sleeve can be configured to receive and partially conform to the container while still maintaining an insulating barrier. When the container is inserted into the insulating sleeve, the sleeve sidewall can partially conform to the container sidewall near the upper region of the sleeve while maintaining a generally rigid cross section near the bottom end closure configuration due to the interlocking end flaps. Along the longitudinal ridges of the insulating sleeve, air gaps can be created between the sleeve and container. Additional air gaps can also be created near the lower region of the sleeve due to the differing cross-sectional geometries of the sleeve and container. The longitudinal ridges provide a sturdy and convenient location for the user of the sleeve/container combination to hold the sleeve during use with the container.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insulating sleeve and a container nested together in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulating sleeve configured into an open position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank used to form an insulating sleeve in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view an insulating sleeve configured into a flat position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the insulating sleeve and container of FIG. 1, illustrating the insulating sleeve prior to insertion of the container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the insulating sleeve and container of FIG. 5A, illustrating the insulating sleeve after the container has been fully inserted into the insulating sleeve in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the insulating sleeve and container of FIG. 1, illustrating the interior positioning of the container within the insulating sleeve in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a bottom plan view of a bottom end closure of an insulating sleeve in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7B is a top perspective view of an insulating sleeve illustrating a bottom end closure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present invention is directed generally toward an insulating sleeve 10, as illustrated in the several figures, which can be used in combination with a cup or container 100. Insulating sleeve 10 can be used by inserting container 100 into sleeve 10 such that container 100 is generally nested with sleeve 10. The shape and configuration of sleeve 10 creates small air gaps in various locations along the sidewall 12 of sleeve 10 and the sidewall 102 of container 100, forming a thermally insulating barrier between a user of the sleeve 10-container 100 combination and the contents of container 100. The novel and advantageous aspects of insulating sleeve 10, according to different embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail below and illustrated in the several figures of the drawing.

Container 100 can comprise any number of different types of cups or containers known in the art. Container 100 is not necessarily intended to represent a novel aspect of the present invention. Container 100 can be constructed from any number of suitable materials, such as paperboard, cardboard, laminated paperboard, thermoplastic materials and the like. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, container 100 comprises a sidewall 102, a bottom panel 104, a top edge 106, and bottom edge 108. Sidewall 102 can be a circumferential sidewall having an inner surface 110 and an outer surface 112. Top edge 106 can have a rolled upper lip, such as depicted in FIG. 1, creating an upper perimeter rim and defining an opening at the top of container 100. Bottom panel 104 can have a generally circular shape conforming to the lower portion of sidewall 102. Sidewall 102 of container 100 can also have a general frustoconical shape such that the diameter of container 102 at top edge 106 is greater than the diameter of container 100 at bottom edge 108. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that shapes different from the above-mentioned construction for container 100 may serve equally as well as may be required by a desired application.

Insulating sleeve 10 can be constructed from any number of different materials, such as paperboard, paper, cardboard, corrugated paperboard, laminated paperboard, plastic, or any other suitable material. As discussed in greater detail below, the structure and configuration of sleeve 10 allows sleeve 10 to be constructed from thin materials not having substantial inherent thermal insulating properties. Sleeve 10 can be formed from a blank 11, as shown in FIG. 3. Sleeve 10 can be coated with waterproof or water resistant material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or other types of coatings now known or hereinafter developed. Sleeve 10 can also have logos, graphics or other indicia applied thereto. The use of thin materials, such as paperboard, can allow for better quality printing and graphics.

The structure of sleeve 10 will now be described with reference to the numerous figures.

As shown in FIG. 2, insulating sleeve 10 can comprise a sidewall 12, an open top end 14, and a bottom end closure 16. When constructed, sleeve 10 can transition between a flat (or storage) position and an open (or use) position as described in further detail below. When in the open position, sleeve 10 can have a general polyhedron shape with a generally rectangular or square cross section. Alternative shapes are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, according to one embodiment, sleeve 10 can have a triangular or other polygonal cross section. In one embodiment, sleeve 10 has a polyhedral shape with four trapezoidal sides and a slightly tapered angle from the top end 14 to bottom end 16. The cross-sectional area or perimeter of open top end 14 can be roughly similar to the cross-sectional area or perimeter of the upper edge 106 of a standard container 100 such that container sidewall 102 and sleeve sidewall 12 have a generally conforming fit when nested together. However, as described in greater detail below, sleeve 10 may be configured to be used with containers 100 of all shape and sizes, including containers 100 much larger than sleeve 10. Thus, the upper edge 106 of container 100 can enable a generally conforming fit with top end 14 of sleeve 10 even when container 100 is larger than sleeve 10.

Sleeve top end 14 can comprise a sidewall upper perimeter edge 20 that can define an opening suitable for receiving container 100 as best shown in FIG. 2. Top end 14 can also comprise an outwardly-rolled upper lip or similar projecting edge (not shown) in alternative embodiments. This lip or projecting edge (not shown) can generally conform to the lip, rim or upper section of container 100. Bottom end closure 16 can comprise major and minor end flaps 22 and 24, respectively that facilitate an automatic forming end configuration as described in greater detail below.

Sidewall 12 can comprise a plurality of sidewall panels 18, which may have various shapes depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. The figures illustrate panels 18 having a generally trapezoidal or rectangular configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention. Panels 18 with alternative shapes can also be used in alternative embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, sidewall panels 18 can be at least partially connected to one another by longitudinally-extending fold lines 26. In alternative embodiments, sidewall panels 18 can be at least partially connected to one another by adhesives or other suitable means. Each sidewall panel 18 includes an upper edge 28 and lower edge 30. Upper edge 28 can have a length slightly larger than the length of lower edge 30 providing each panel 18 with a tapered profile, which collectively creates the tapered configuration of sleeve 10. In such an embodiment, the cross-sectional area of top end 14 is greater than the cross-sectional area of bottom end closure 16.

Bottom end closure 16 can be configured to transition between locked and unlocked positions corresponding to the flat and open positions of sleeve 10 as described in greater detail below. When in the unlocked position, bottom end closure 16 can be configured to fold substantially flat, while in the locked position, bottom end closure 16 can allow sleeve 10 to maintain its open position and stabilize the lower portion of sleeve 10 such that air gaps remain between sleeve sidewall 12 and container sidewall 102 when the sleeve 10-container 100 combination is held by a user. Bottom end closure 16 can include major and minor end flaps 22 and 24, respectively, arranged in an alternating fashion as illustrated by FIG. 3. Each major and minor end flap 22 and 24 can be hingedly connected to a lower edge 30 of a corresponding sidewall panel 18 by a flap fold line 32 as shown in FIG. 3. The two major end flaps 22 can be attached to opposite sidewall panels 18 at sidewall panel lower edges 30 by flap fold lines 32 and the two minor end flaps 24 can be attached to the two remaining sidewall panels 18 at sidewall panel lower edges 30 by flap fold lines 32 so that each major end flap 22 is adjacent to the two minor end flaps 24.

Each major end flap 22 can be defined by opposing first and second lateral edges 34 and 36, respectively, and a distal edge 38, as best shown in FIG. 3. Opposing first and second lateral edges 34 and 36 can be angled slightly inward from flap fold line 32 to distal edge 38 as best shown in FIG. 3. This configuration can prevent flaps 22 from obstructing bottom end closure 16 when transitioning between the locked and unlocked positions in certain embodiments. Lateral edges 34 and 36 can also remain substantially parallel to one another in alternative embodiments.

Each distal edge 38 of major end flaps 22 can include a locking channel 40 that, in conjunction with the locking channel 40 of the opposing major end flap 22, can secure bottom end closure 16 in the locked position when sleeve 10 is in its open position. Locking channel 40 can extend inward from the center region of distal edge 38 and into major end flap 22, as best shown in FIG. 3. Each locking channel 40 can be defined by two diagonal edges 42 and 44 extending inward from distal edge 38 and an interior edge 46 located within major end flap 22. Interior edge 46 can include a notched corner 48 at the intersection between interior edge 46 and diagonal edge 42, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Notched corner 48 can be configured to interlock with the notched corner 48 of the opposing major end flap 22 when sleeve 10 is in the open position and bottom end closure is in the locked position.

Each major end flap 22 can also include an intermediate fold line 50. As best shown in

FIG. 3, intermediate fold line 50 can span diagonally across major end flap 22 from an interior corner of major end flap 22 (where flap fold line 32 and lateral edge 36 intersect) to the notched corner 48 defined within locking channel 40. Intermediate fold lines 50 can further be configured to intersect one another and form a diagonal fold line extending across the entire bottom end closure 16 when it is in the locked position, as best shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Minor end flaps 24 can be hingedly connected to sidewall panel lower edges 30 by a flap fold lines 32. Minor end flaps 24 can be defined by opposing first and second lateral edges 52 and 54 respectively, and a distal edge 56. As shown in FIG. 3, first and second lateral edges 52 and 54 can extend diagonally away from flap fold lines 32. In alternative embodiments, minor end flaps 24 can have a more orthogonal configuration.

Bottom end closure 16 can be configured by partially securing each major end flap 22 to an adjacent minor end flap 24 after sidewall 12 of sleeve 10 has been formed. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7A, major end flap 22 can include a securing portion 58, defined by intermediate fold line 50, distal edge 38 and first lateral edge 34, that can be attached to a securing portion 60 of minor end flap 24. Securing portions 58 and 60 can be connected by an adhesive or other suitable means. In an alternative embodiment, securing portions 58 and 60 can be connected to one another by a gusset panel (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, major and minor end flaps 22 and 24, respectively, can be in an alternating arrangement such that each major end flap 22 is positioned above one adjacent minor end flap 24 and below the other adjacent minor end flap 25. In this embodiment, major end flap securing portions 58 are positioned below minor end flap securing portions 60, while the free ends of major end flap 22 are positioned above the free ends of minor end flaps 24. Each major end flap's intermediate fold line 50 allows both major and minor end flaps 22 and 24 to collectively fold about flap fold lines 32 when transitioning between the locked and unlocked positions. Several alternative configurations for bottom end closure are also within the scope of the present invention.

Sleeve 10 can be constructed from a blank 11 as illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, blank 11 can include an overlapping panel 62 hingedly connected to an exterior edge of an exterior sidewall panels 18 of blank 11 by a longitudinal fold line 26. Overlapping panel 62 can have any width and height not greater than the width and height of sidewall panels 18. As shown in FIG. 3, overlapping panel 62 can have a width substantially less than that of sidewall panels 18. Overlapping panel 62 can also have a tapered bottom edge 64 and/or tapered top edge 66.

To form sleeve 10, sidewall panels 18 and overlapping panel 62 can be folded along fold lines 26 and attaching overlapping panel 28 to the interior (or exterior) surface of the opposite exterior sidewall 18 to form overlapping side-seam (not shown). Overlapping panel 62 can be secured using adhesive, an adhesive strip or any other suitable means. Major and minor end flaps 22 and 24 may then be secured together as described above.

Once sleeve sidewall 12 and bottom end closure 16 are configured, sleeve 10 can be selectively maneuvered between its flat (storage) position and its open (use) position. When in the flat position, two of the sidewall panels 18 can be arranged generally parallel to one another and overlap the two remaining sidewall panels 18, which can also be arranged generally parallel to one another, as best shown in FIG. 4 (by folding sidewall panels 18 about longitudinal fold lines 26). While in the flat position, the interior surface of one sidewall panel 18 may face the interior surface of the opposing sidewall panel 18. When sidewall panels 18 are selectively placed into this flattened configuration, major and minor end panels 22 and 24 are urged into an inward folded orientation due to the secured arrangement between the attached major and minor end panels 22 and 24 and intermediate fold lines 50. Each major end flap 22 is folded along intermediate fold line 50 in addition to folding inward along flap fold line 32 as sidewall panels 18 are folded flat along longitudinal fold lines 26. Minor end flaps 24 fold upward about flap fold lines 32 along with major end flaps 22 due to the connection between securing portions 58 and 60.

To transition sleeve 10 into its open position, sidewall panels 18 are lifted apart from one another and pivoted about longitudinal fold lines 26 to form sidewall 12 into a generally orthogonal configuration. As panels 18 are forming sidewall 12, major and minor end flaps 22 and 24 are urged downward about flap fold lines 32 into a generally perpendicular orientation with respect to sidewall panels 18. The flaps 22 and 24 are automatically urged into this position partially because of the secured overlapping configuration of panels 22 and 24 and intermediate fold lines 48. As major end flaps 24 rotate downward, they unfold at intermediate fold lines 50 to allow minor end flaps 22 to rotate downward along with major end flaps 22. As major end panels 22 approach a perpendicular orientation with respect to sidewall panels 18, notched corners 48 of the opposing major end flaps 22 interlock with one another, as best shown in FIG. 7B, placing bottom configuration 18 into its locked configuration. Intermediate fold lines 50 can align to form collective diagonal fold line spanning diagonally across bottom end closure 16. Container 100 can then be inserted into the open top end 14 of sleeve 10.

When in the open position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, sleeve 10 can have a generally rectangular cross section while container 100 can have a generally circular cross section. The differing cross-sectional geometries between sleeve 10 and container 100 create air gaps 70 and 72 between sleeve 10 and container 100 when container 100 is inserted into and nested within sleeve 10, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. When container 100 is inserted into sleeve 10, the sleeve sidewall 12 can engage the exterior surface 112 of the container sidewall 102 along certain portions of the sleeve sidewall 12 while maintaining the one or more air gaps 70 and 72 along other portions of sleeve sidewall 12. Sleeve 10 can create air gaps 70 and 72 for containers 100 having heights and cross-sectional diameters due to the rectangular geometry of sleeve 10 and the locking mechanism of bottom end closure 16. The rectangular configuration of sleeve 10 also creates excess material near the longitudinal fold lines 26 to allow the sleeve sidewall 12 to conform to container sidewall 102 at any elevation of container 100. Air gaps 70 can be located in ridges 74 formed near the corners of sleeve sidewall 12 along longitudinal fold lines 26 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Air gaps 70 can extend partially or the entire length of the ridges 74. Air gaps 72 can be located between container sidewall 100 and sleeve sidewall 12 near the lower region of sleeve 10 where the cross-sectional diameter of container sidewall 10 becomes less than the length of sleeve sidewall 12, as best shown in FIG. 6.

When container 100 has a cross-sectional diameter greater than a length of sleeve sidewall 12, sleeve sidewall panels 18, and particularly the upper portions of the sleeve sidewall panels 18, can bow outwardly to conform to sidewall 102 of container 100, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5B. In such an embodiment, ridges 74 may be generally less pronounced near the top of sleeve 10; however air gaps 70 can extend the entire height of sleeve sidewall 12 and become larger as ridges 74 become more pronounced near the lower region of sleeve 10. Air gaps 70 can remain along ridges 74 due to the rigidity of sleeve's 10 rectangular geometry, as best shown in FIG. 1. As also shown in FIG. 1, sleeve 10 can maintain its generally orthogonal structure near bottom end closure 16 even when sidewall panels 18 have a slight outward bow because of the increased rigidity of bottom end closure 16. Air gaps 72 can remain in the lower portion of sleeve 10 due to the rigidity of bottom end closure 16 while in its locked position when container bottom edge 108 contacts bottom end closure 16 or when container 100 is positioned such that a space remains between container bottom edge 108 and bottom end closure 16. When container 100 does not extend completely into sleeve 10, air gaps 72 are also formed in the space between bottom end closure 16 and container bottom edge 108. The configuration of sleeve 10 also allows for air gaps 70 and 72 to remain whether container 100 is fully or partially inserted into sleeve 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, when sleeve 10 is in its open position prior to container 100 being inserted therein, the ridges 74 can form approximately 90 degree angles along the entire longitudinal height of sleeve 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, when container 100 is inserted into sleeve 10, ridges 74 can continue to form approximately 90 degree angles near the bottom of sleeve 10, but can form angles approximately greater than 90 degrees near the upper portion of sleeve 10 due to the size and shape of container 100. However, even with angles approximately greater than 90 degrees, ridges 74 can still allow for air gaps 70 to form between sleeve 10 and container 100.

The configuration of sleeve 10 can allow for sleeve 10 to accommodate containers 100 much larger than sleeve 10. The ridges 74 formed between sidewall panels 18 enable sidewall panel upper edges 28 to grip sidewall 102 of container 100 while still providing air gaps 70 and 72. The rigid structure of sleeve 10 created by the locking position of bottom end closure 16 creates a stable fit even when container 100 cannot be fully inserted into sleeve 10 due to its larger size. The rectangular configuration of sleeve 10 also provides a sturdier base than that of container 100.

Air gaps 70 and 72 create thermal insulating barriers between the contents of container 100 and exterior of sleeve 10. Air gaps 70 enable a user to hold the sleeve10-container 100 combination along ridges 74 at any height along sleeve 10. Air gaps 72 enable a user to hold the sleeve10-container 100 combination at the lower region of sleeve 10. The structural integrity of sleeve 10 created by the locking position of bottom end closure 16 and ridges 74 allows users to comfortably hold sleeve 10 at the lower portion of sleeve 10 or along ridges 74. Additionally, this structural integrity allows sleeve 10 to be constructed from a thin material without substantial inherent thermally insulating properties because sleeve 10 maintains its structure and air gaps 70 and 72 remain in place while being held by the user. The material can have a small enough thickness to enable sidewall panels 18 to bend and flex to conform to the container sidewall 102 while maintaining air gaps 70 and 72.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. An insulating sleeve for a container, the sleeve comprising: a sidewall foamed from a plurality of hingedly connected sidewall panels;a plurality of longitudinal ridges, each longitudinal ridge defined longitudinally between two hingedly connected sidewall panels;a plurality of conformable sidewall panel upper edges, each panel upper edge defined between two longitudinal ridges;a plurality of generally rigid sidewall panel lower edges, each panel lower edge defined between two longitudinal ridges; anda bottom end closure comprising at least one end flap.

2. The insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sidewall panels has a quadrilateral shape with perimeter defined by two of the longitudinal ridges, one of the conformable sidewall panel upper edges, and one of the generally rigid lower edges.

3. The insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conformable sidewall panel upper edges define a generally rectangular opening of the insulating sleeve.

4. The insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a generally rectangular lower portion.

5. The insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein the bottom end closure comprises two minor end flaps and two major end flaps.

6. The insulating sleeve of claim 5, wherein each minor end flap is connected to a portion of an adjacent major end flap, and wherein each major end flap includes a notched edge configured for interlocking with the notched edge of the opposing major end flap.

7. The insulating sleeve of claim 1, wherein the insulating sleeve is adapted for being maneuvered between a flat position and an open position, wherein the insulating sleeve is in the flat position when the sidewall panels are in an overlapping configuration, and wherein the insulating sleeve is in the open position when the sidewall of the sleeve has a generally rectangular cross section.

8. The insulating sleeve of claim 7, wherein the insulating sleeve is configured for receiving the container when the insulating sleeve is in the open position.

9. The insulating sleeve of claim 8, wherein the conformable sidewall panel upper edges at least partially conform to a container sidewall of the container when the container is received within the insulating sleeve.

10. The insulating sleeve of claim 9, wherein an air gap is defined between at least one of the longitudinal ridges and the container when the container is received by the insulating sleeve.

11. The insulating sleeve of claim 10, wherein the air gap extends an entire height of the longitudinal ridge.

12. The insulating sleeve of claim 8, wherein each of the longitudinal ridges form an angle between the two hingedly connected sidewall panels along an entire height of the longitudinal ridges when the insulating sleeve is in the open position.

13. The insulating sleeve of claim 12, wherein the angle is approximately 90 degrees.

14. The insulating sleeve of claim 12, wherein the angle is greater near the sidewall panel upper edges than near the sidewall panel lower edges when the container is received by the insulating sleeve.

15. An insulating sleeve for a container having a generally frustoconical sidewall, the insulating sleeve comprising: a generally rectangular base having perimeter edges;a plurality of sidewall panels, each of the sidewall panels connected to one of the perimeter edges of the rectangular base and extending upwards therefrom;a plurality of longitudinal ridges connecting adjacent sidewall panels to one another; anda generally rectangular open top defined by the sidewall panels;wherein each of the sidewall panels includes a sidewall upper edge defining the perimeter of the open top and are adapted for generally conforming to the frustoconical sidewall of the container when the container is inserted into the insulating sleeve.

16. The insulating sleeve of claim 18, wherein a plurality of air gaps are created along the longitudinal ridges when said container is inserted into said insulating sleeve.

17. The insulating sleeve of claim 19, wherein the air gaps are larger near the rectangular base than near the open top.

18. A foldable blank for forming an insulating sleeve for a container, the blank comprising: a plurality of sidewall panels connected to one another by longitudinal fold lines;a bottom end configuration comprising: two major end flaps, each hingedly connected to a bottom edge one of the sidewall panels; andtwo minor end flaps, each hingedly connected to a bottom edge of one of the sidewall panels;wherein each major end flap includes a notched edge.

19. The foldable blank of claim 15 further comprising an overlapping panel hingedly connected to one of the sidewall panels.

20. The foldable blank of claim 15, wherein each of the major end flaps includes an intermediate fold line diagonally extending from the bottom edge of the sidewall panel to the notched edge.