Patent Application
20230085293
The present invention relates generally to the field of container sleeves. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel cover for covering mason jars and other similar containers for protecting food and beverages stored in the container, jar or other vessel from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. The cover is in the form of a sleeve, wrap or covering that is made from UV light blocking material. The cover or sleeve also provides insulation and protects the covered container and the contents from physical damage. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, prolonged sun exposure is not only harmful for humans as it causes serious skin problems, but is also harmful for products or items exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. Generally, people store homegrown products like fruits, vegetables, cannabis, alcohol, and other items, in a mason jar, canning jar, or other similar container. These products are sensitive to light and can lose their effectiveness and potency when left unprotected from harmful UV rays. The mason or canning jar and other similar containers are usually manufactured using glass or other transparent material that permits all types of light, including UV rays, to easily pass through the container and reach the items stored inside the container. Whenever the container is stored in a bright area or overexposed to sunlight, the items are susceptible to damage via UV rays.
The items, when exposed to UV rays, are damaged and degraded. For certain light sensitive products, the exposure to harmful UV rays can speed up the rate of oxidation and degradation, and greatly compromise the quality and potency of the products.
Containers made up of other materials also allow the UV rays to pass through the container body and damage the products stored inside the container or jar. Each time the products are exposed to UV light, their shelf life is slowly depleted. Therefore, protection against UV rays is desired for items such as vegetables, fruits, and other foods that are stored by canning practices such as sauces, preserves and relishes whose quality can be easily degraded when exposed to UV rays. UV protection will eventually help in maintaining the quality of light-sensitive products, prolonging their effectiveness, potency and shelf life.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device which enables those engaged in the practice of canning and preserving foods to safely store light sensitive products such as fruits, vegetables, cannabis, alcohol, relishes, sauces, and other consumable products while protecting the stored products from being overexposed to harmful UV rays. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents the products from being overexposed to UV rays while the container is stored in a bright area or in direct sunlight. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a UV protection cover for jars and containers that prevents the UV light from passing through the walls or sides of the container and, therefore, prevents the items stored inside the container from becoming damaged or suffer a deterioration in quality or usefulness. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a protective device that prevents the homegrown products from harmful effects of prolonged UV exposure. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a protective sleeve, cover or wrap for jars, containers, vessels and bottles, that maintain the shelf life of products and ensure that individuals do not have to compromise on the quality of products when engaging in the practice of canning and preserving foods. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a UV protection sleeve, cover or wrap for jars, bottles, or containers that prevents the products from being ruined when stored in jars for long periods of time and exposed to sunlight. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a UV protective device that prevents UV light from penetrating the exterior walls of the canning jar and causing damage to the internal product and can be conveniently used with the conventional jars and containers.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an ultraviolet (UV) light protecting sleeve for mason jars, bottles and other containers. The sleeve is sized and configured to cover a canning jar or other container while allowing users to access the contents stored within the jar. The sleeve features a flexible cylindrical body having a base to cover at least the sidewalls of the jar, or approximately 60-90 percent of the exposed surface area of the body and has a top opening through which the jar or container is inserted and removed. The cylindrical body includes a neoprene outer layer for providing insulation, a Mylar material middle layer for preventing ultraviolet light from passing therethrough and a synthetic rubber interior layer for securely gripping the jar, bottle or container. The exterior surface of the outer layer has a pocket for receiving and accommodating a label that can be used for uniquely identifying the sleeve and/or covered jar, bottle or container. The sleeve may also contain a UV sensor to provide a visual cue to the owner that the jar is receiving too much sunlight and should be moved to prevent further damage.
In this manner, the UV light protecting sleeve of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users an easy-to-use cover, wrap or sleeve that can be used to cover jars, bottles and containers to block UV light from reaching the fruits, vegetables, cannabis, alcohol, and other items stored in the jars, bottles or containers. The sleeve, wrap or cover helps in maintaining the shelf life of products and ensures the individuals do not have to compromise on the quality or potency of the products. The sleeve also provides insulation to maintain optimum storage temperature for items stored in the jars, bottles or containers.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an ultraviolet light protecting sleeve, wrap or cover for jars, bottles and containers. The sleeve has a body that is shaped to cover the container on which it is applied and the body has a base. The body has a top opening through which a jar or container is inserted into the body, and the body is configured to cover the portion of the jar, excluding the lid of the container, and substantially covers the side wall or walls of the container. If a round container is used, then the sleeve has a cylindrical shape, and if the container is square or rectangular, then a similarly-shaped body is provided to cover the container. The body has multiple layers forming a laminate, and in one embodiment, includes a neoprene outer layer for providing insulation and a gripping surface to a user, a Mylar material middle layer for preventing ultraviolet light from passing through, and a synthetic rubber interior layer for holding the jar, bottle or container and providing a coefficient of friction in the range 0.4-0.6 allowing secure storage of the jar, bottle or container inside the sleeve such that the outer layer, the middle layer and the interior layer are sewn or otherwise fused together along edges to form a single, laminated structure.
In another embodiment, the laminate may have top and bottom edges and side edges.
The side edges of the laminate are provided with hook and loop-type fasteners or adhesive strips to allow the laminate to be secured around different sizes of containers and also allows easy removal of the wrap so that the contents can be inspected.
In yet another embodiment, the exterior surface of the outer layer has a pocket sewn thereon for accommodating a label for unique identification of the container.
In yet another embodiment, the sleeve has a drawstring routed in a channel along the top edge to help pull the sleeve taut against the container or jar.
In yet another embodiment, the base is made of three layers.
In yet another embodiment, the base is made from soft rubber.
In yet another embodiment, the base of the cylindrical body is thicker than other portions of the body for allowing the sleeve to stand upright on a surface without a container stored inside the sleeve.
In yet another embodiment, the base of the cylindrical body prevents the sleeve and the container positioned in the sleeve from sliding and falling off a shelf.
In yet another embodiment, an ultraviolet protective covering for jars and containers is disclosed. The covering is comprised of a sleeve having a cylindrical body with a base, the sleeve having a neoprene outer shell for providing insulation, a middle mylar shell made from polyethylene terephthalate for providing protection from ultraviolet light, and an inner shell made from natural or synthetic rubber for providing a secure grip to a jar accommodated in the sleeve. The outer shell has a thickness of ¼ to % inches, the middle shell has a thickness of ¼ to ½ inches and the inner shell has a thickness of ¼ to ½ inches for providing adequate stiffness, flexibility, and thickness to the covering.
In yet another embodiment, a beverage ultraviolet (UV) light protection system is disclosed. The UV light protection system is in the form of a sleeve for a container storing the beverage. The sleeve includes a container body cover and a lid cover wherein said body cover and the lid cover are fastened using a zipper; Said body cover and lid cover are made of three layers, including an outer neoprene layer, a middle mylar layer and an inner rubber layer wherein said layers provide insulation and 99.9% protection from UV light.
In yet another embodiment, the fastener is a zipper that has interlocking teeth for fastening.
In yet another embodiment, the beverage can be one or more from juices, alcohol, medication and more.
In yet another embodiment, the UV light protection system is used for protecting fruits, vegetable, cannabis, meat and other consumable products.
In another embodiment, a UV light sensitive material is provided on the exterior of the sleeve to show UV exposure amounts.
In another embodiment a temperature sensor is provided on the sleeve so that the user is aware if the contents have not been maintained at an adequate temperature.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device which enables the individuals to safety store light sensitive products such as fruits, vegetables, cannabis, alcohol, and other consumable products while protecting the stored products from being exposed to harmful UV rays. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents the products from being exposed to UV rays while the container is stored in a bright sunlit area. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a UV protection cover for jars, bottles and containers, that prevent the UV light from passing through the container and therefore prevent the items stored inside the container from being damaged, losing its potency, nutritional value and deteriorating over the storage life. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a protective device that prevents the homegrown products from harmful effects of prolonged UV exposure. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a protective sleeve, wrap or cover for jars that maintains the shelf life of products and ensures that individuals do not have to compromise on the quality of products that have been placed in storage. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a UV protection sleeve for jars that prevents the products from being damaged when stored in canning jars and other storage containers for long periods of time. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a UV protective device that prevents UV light from penetrating the exterior and causing damage to the internal product and can be conveniently stored? with the conventional jars and containers.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a mason jar and other canning jars, bottles and containers with a protective covering for blocking ultraviolet light. The covering is in the form of a sleeve, cover or wrap that fits around a container using the walls and an integrated base of the container. The sleeve has a neoprene outer shell for providing insulation and maintaining optimum temperature of the container, a middle mylar shell made from polyethylene terephthalate or other polyester resin for blocking ultraviolet light from reaching the interior of the container, can, bottle or jar, and an inner shell made from natural or synthetic rubber for providing a secure grip to the jar accommodated in the sleeve. The sleeve has a pocket for receiving a label to identify the stored container. Alternatively, a patch of film may be provided on the exterior surface, having an erasable surface such that erasable markers may be used to identify the contents and can be changed as needed such as when the contents change.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The sleeve 100 has a multi-layer structure that has an inner diameter 108 which is roughly equal to the diameter of conventional containers. The body 102 can be stretched to snugly fit around a container. The sleeve 100 of the present embodiment is designed to cover, for example, the cylindrical body of a container such as a canning jar or bottle, and therefore allow users to access the lid of the container without having to remove the sleeve 100 as illustrated in
The sleeve 100 has a label area, such as a pocket or patch 110, disposed on the exterior surface 112 for holding a label or for creating a written label such as may be accomplished by erasable markers. The pocket 110 has a top opening 114 for receiving the label which can be used for identification of the container accommodated by the sleeve 100. The label area, pocket or patch 110 can be transparent or translucent and can be sewn, stapled, glued or removably attached, such as with a removable or repositionable adhesive, for creating a cavity to accommodate a label or patch to provide an identifier. The patch is generally made from a material which allows the indicia placed on the surface to be easily erased. The cover 100 may also be provided with one or more removable labels 117 which can be used to identify the contents of the container.
The sleeve 100 is specifically designed to protect the contents stored in a container covered by the sleeve 100 from UV damage using the multilayer structure. An outer layer 116 provides insulating properties, and may be made from a polyurethane, neoprene or other suitable material and provide shape to the sleeve, and in one exemplary embodiment, is preferably made of a flexible and fabric-like material such as neoprene. The outer layer 116 is about ¼ to % inches thick that provides an easy and ergonomic tactile sensation and grip to a user. The outer surface 112 of outer layer or shell 116 may be textured or have other features to enhance gripping 230 (see
A middle layer 118 is made of PET or Mylar and blocks UV light from reaching the container covered by the sleeve 100. The middle layer 118 also acts as odor barrier and helps in maintaining the original odor of the contents stored in the container. More specifically, the Mylar material used for making the middle layer 118 is made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The middle layer 118 helps in blocking up to 99.9% UV light and thus protects the contents of the container from UV damage. The middle layer 118 is about ¼ to ½ inches thick for providing an adequate protection from UV light.
The interior layer 120 is made from either synthetic or natural rubber and helps in establishing a firm grip to the jar or container thereby securing the container or jar. In alternative embodiments, the inner layer may simply be provided as strips of rubberized material near the top and bottom edges or a single strip centrally disposed of the layer to reduce cost of the sleeve while at the same time providing the anti-slip characteristics. The sleeve 100 does not fall even when the container is held by the lid or uncovered portion (portion of the container not covered by the sleeve 100). The middle layer 118 is about ¼ to ½ inches thick. The outer layer 116, the middle layer 118 and the interior layer 120 are of substantially the same size and can be sewn along common seams of the body 102 or can be attached along their surfaces using glue or any other fastening means, such as heat sealing, for making a one-piece structure of the sleeve 100.
The base 104 of the sleeve 100 is made thicker by, in comparison to the walls, allowing the sleeve 100 to stand on the base 104 even without a container positioned therein. Further, the thick base 104 helps in preventing a container from being broken when the container covered in the sleeve 100 is accidentally placed with force on a surface and also prevents slipping, sliding and falling off shelves.
The sleeve 100 is flexible, foldable and can be stretched and bent over the contours of the container. Further, the sleeve 100 regains the original shape (shape shown in
The layers 116, 118, 120 in the present embodiment are sewn using conventional straight stitching, zigzag stitching and more along all four edges. The base 104 (as described in
The interior layer 120 touches and engages with the container 300 and allows a strong grip for protecting the container 300 even from physical damage. The exterior surface 112 of the outer layer 116 is visually exposed of the sleeve 100 from outside. As stated earlier, the inner diameter of the sleeve 100 (formed by the interior layer 120) is substantially the same or slightly larger than the diameter of the container 300 allowing the container 300 to be easily stored inside the sleeve 100. The sleeve 100 may be provided with removable labels 311 to help in identifying the contents or other personalization that the user wishes to add to the container.
The sleeve 100 holds the container 300 such that the container 300 does not fall when the container 300 covered by the sleeve 100 is turned upside down. The rubber layer 120 is configured to provide a high coefficient of friction in the range of about 0.4-0.6 for secure insertion and removal of the container 300 from the sleeve 100.
The lid cover 504 is coupled to the body cover 502 through a sewn hinge 512 thereby allowing the cover 500 to provide protection from ultraviolet light even when the lid cover 504 is unfastened.
It should be noted that the cover/sleeve of various embodiments of the present invention allow users to store their food items in bright light/sunlight without fear of damage due to harmful UV light. The cover/sleeve increases the shelf life of the products and also allows users to easily carry containers and contents during commute and more.
Alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the dimensions of the various components of the sleeves/covers described can be modified to adapt to work with cans, containers, and jars of varying sizes.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “beverage ultraviolet (UV) light protection system,” “ultraviolet light protective covering for jars and containers,” “ultraviolet light protecting sleeve,” “sleeve,” and “cover” are interchangeable and refer to the ultraviolet light protecting sleeve 100,400,500 of the present invention for jars and containers.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ultraviolet light protecting sleeve 100,400,500 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the ultraviolet light protecting sleeve 100,400,500 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the ultraviolet light protecting sleeve 100,400,500 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the ultraviolet light protecting sleeve 100,400,500 are important design parameters for user convenience, the ultraviolet light protecting sleeve 100,400,500 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/244,420, which was filed on Sep. 15, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63244420 | Sep 2021 | US |
