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CA2309621A1 - Cup-holder napkin - Google Patents

Cup-holder napkin Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2309621A1
CA2309621A1 CA002309621A CA2309621A CA2309621A1 CA 2309621 A1 CA2309621 A1 CA 2309621A1 CA 002309621 A CA002309621 A CA 002309621A CA 2309621 A CA2309621 A CA 2309621A CA 2309621 A1 CA2309621 A1 CA 2309621A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cup
liquid
holder
container
sleeve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002309621A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul A. Taylor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA002309621A priority Critical patent/CA2309621A1/en
Priority to US09/896,180 priority patent/US20020000446A1/en
Publication of CA2309621A1 publication Critical patent/CA2309621A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G23/00Other table equipment
    • A47G23/02Glass or bottle holders
    • A47G23/0208Glass or bottle holders for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like
    • A47G23/0216Glass or bottle holders for drinking-glasses, plastic cups, or the like for one glass or cup
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G11/00Table linen
    • A47G11/001Table napkins

Landscapes

  • Table Equipment (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A liquid-absorbent cup-holder and cup in combination is provided to be used in the Food and Beverage Industry. The cup-holder is removable from the cup and used to clean-up spillage and liquid condensate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cup and cup-holder for heated beverages, and in particular, to a cup-holder having an absorbent portion for cleaning up spillage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common in the Food and Beverage Industry when serving heated beverages to provide a cup with a cup-holder portion for insulating the hand of the user when 1 o holding the cup containing the heated beverage. For example, United States Patent No.
5,205,473 issued to Y describes one embodiment of a cup and cup-holder in combination.
The cup-holder is typically comprised of a sleeve having inner and outer portions.
The inner portion is formed with small air-gaps to insulate the hand of the user. The cup-holder is typically made from corrugated cardboard which has a leading edge to engage the outer wall of the cup and fasten the cup-holder securely to the cup.
Up to the present, the cup and cup-holder was intended for generally the purpose mentioned above. The cup and cup-holder represent a major source of waste since they are generally discarded after use. Notwithstanding the associated waste of discarding the cup and cup-holder there is a compounded waste problem associated with using disposable napkins and the like for cleaning-up spillage. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a cup and cup-holder in combination having a liquid-absorbent portion which maybe used to replace napkins used to clean-up spillage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, in an apparatus form, an absorbent cup-holder is provided in combination with a cup for containing heated beverages.
Generally, the cup-holder is comprised o~
~ a sleeve having inner and outer portions;
~ an inner portion forming a heat insulative barrier between the heated beverage and the hand of the user to protect the hand of the user from heat conduction across the cup; and ~ an outer portion having a liquid-absorbent portion for cleaning up spillage of liquid beverage contained therein.
In a method form, the invention contemplates a process for producing a liquid absorbent cup-holder for a cup and cup-holder in combination. Generally, the process of producing the cup-holder is comprised of:
~ forming a sleeve from a liquid-absorbent material, which sleeve has an outer portion formed from the liquid-absorbent material;
and 0 attaching the cup-holder to the cup so that the cup-holder supports the weight of the cup when by the hand of the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
3o In Figure l, a cup-holder (1) is shown having both an inner portion (5) and an outer portion ( 10);
Figure 2 is a first embodiment of the cup engagement member (7) of the inner portion (5);
Figure 3 is a second embodiment of the cup engagement member (7) of the inner portion (5);
Figure 4 is a first embodiment of the outer portion (10) showing the fibrous liquid-absorbent material (11);
Figure 5 is a second embodiment of the outer portion (10) showing the sponge-like liquid-absorbent material ( 12);
In Figure 6, the cup (20) and cup-holder ( 1 ) is shown in combination for wiping-up liquid condensate (22) from the hand (25) of the user;
In Figure 7, the cup-holder ( 1 ) is shown removed from the cup (20) and used to clean-up spillage (22) from a surface (23);
Figure 8 shows the cup-holder (1) discarded within the cup (20);
In Figure 9, the cup-holder (1) is shown with both free ends (35) and (36);
and In Figure 10, the cup-holder (1) is shown with a slit (32) on free end (35) which is intended to be mated with a groove (31) on the other free end (36) to form the cup-holder (1).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with Figure l, a cup-holder (1) is provided. The cup-holder is comprised of an inner portion (5) and an outer portion (10).
The inner portion (5) has an inner wall (6) having a plurality of cup engagement members (7). In one embodiment, the cup engagement members (7) may be nubbins (8), as shown in Figure 2. In a second embodiment, the cup engagement members (7), may be ribbed members (9), as shown in Figure 3. The invention contemplates any shape, or any combination of cup engagement members (7), as long as the cup (20) is located in a shaped relationship with the cup-holder (1). The spaced relationship between the cup (20) and the cup-holder (1) is used to form an air-gap between the cup (20) and cup-holder (1) which limits the conduction of heat between the heated beverage and the hand of the user.
Preferably, the invention includes a cup engagement member (7) as mentioned previously, although this feature is not essential if the cup-holder ( 1 ) is made from a material which is sufficiently limiting in terms of heat conduction between the heated (29) beverage and the hand of the user (25).
Having reference to Figure 1, an outer portion (10) of the cup-holder (1) is shown.
1 o The outer portion ( 10) is comprised of a liquid-absorbent material ( 11 ) such as recycled paper such as the variety commonly used as napkins. Preferably, the outer portion (10) is made from the same material as the napkin material mentioned previously, however, this is not essential as long as the material is liquid-absorbent.
In Figure 4, a first embodiment of the outer portion (10) is shown. The outer portion (10) is comprised of a fibrous liquid-absorbent paper product (12) of the kind commonly found in napkins used in the Food and Beverage Industry to clean-up spillage.
The outer portion (10) maybe individually fixedly attached to the inner portion (5) to form the cup-holder portion. Alternatively, the inner portion (10) maybe made from a 2o liquid-absorbent material so that the outer portion ( 10) and the inner portion (5) are comprised of an integral one-piece design.
In Figure 5, a second embodiment of the outer portion (10) is shown. The outer portion (10) is comprised of a sponge-like liquid-absorbent material of the kind commonly used in the Food and Beverage Industry to clean-up spillage. The outer portion (10) maybe individually fixedly attached to the inner portion (5) to form the cup-holder portion.
Alternatively, the inner portion ( 10) maybe made from a liquid-absorbent sponge so that the outer portion (10) and the inner portion are comprised of an integral one-piece design. The only essential features of the integral design is that the sponge-like material be sufFciently densely packed to not tear or splay when inserted over the cup, while still maintaining sufficient insulating qualities.
The invention contemplates that the inner and outer portions may be separately or integrally constructed. What is important is that a rigid one-piece cup-holder is achieved that may be securely fastened to the cup (20) for insulating the cup. As shown in Figure 7, the cup-holder (1 ) may be torn away from the cup prior to disposal of the cup and used to clean spillage or condensate (22) from the surface (23) such as a tabletop.
Alternatively, the cup-holder (1) may be left on the cup (20) and used as a liquid-absorbent substrate for wiping-up liquid condensate (22) from the hand (25) as shown in Figure 6. Having reference to Figure 8, the cup-holder (1) may be disposed of inside the cup (1), thereby eliminating the need for separate individual napkins.
Although, the aforementioned cup (20) and cup-holder (1) is intended primarily to ~5 be used in conjunction with heated beverages, the invention contemplates the use of unheated beverages with the cup (20) and cup-holder ( 1 ) in accordance with the invention as disclosed. In which case, the inner portion (5) of the cup-holder (1) may or may not be comprised of an insulative material. Generally, for unheated beverages, both inner (5) and outer portions (10) made from the same or similar liquid-absorbent material.
In a method form, the invention contemplates a process for producing a liquid absorbent cup-holder for a cup and cup-holder in combination. Generally, the process of producing the cup-holder is comprised of:
o forming a sleeve from a liquid-absorbent material, which sleeve has an outer portion formed from the liquid-absorbent material;
and attaching the cup-holder to the cup so that the cup-holder supports the weight of the cup when by the hand of the user.

In one aspect, the step of forming a sleeve involves cutting a strip from a liquid absorbent material. Preferably, the strip will be rectangular (30) to compass around the entire circumference of the cup. Also, the free ends (35) and (36) of the rectangular strip (30) may be glued together using an adhesive substance. Any adhesive which will glue the free ends of the strip together is contemplated by the invention. However, the adhesive must not degrade or interfere with the absorptive qualities of the cup-holder.
In another aspect of the invention, the step of forming a sleeve may also be comprised of producing a rectangular strip (30) having a slit (31) on one free end (35) that is engaged by a groove (32) on the other free end (36). The groove (32) is engaged 1 o into the slit (31 ) for holding the sleeve together.
The step of attaching the cup-holder to the cup involves sliding the sleeve over the upstanding wall of the cup. Alternatively, the step of attaching the cup-holder ( 1 ) to the cup (20) may include inserting the groove (31 ) into the slit (32) directly on the cup (20) in accordance with the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A container for beverages having a base and an upstanding sidewall attached to the base, said base and upstanding sidewall forming a liquid containing vessel for liquid beverages, which container is comprised of:
a sleeve having an inner and outer portion;
an inner portion which closely follows the upstanding side wall of the container, said inner portion having a surface for fixedly securing the sleeve to the upstanding side wall of the container; and an outer portion attached to the inner portion, said inner and outer portions forming a liquid absorbent substrate.
2. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner portion is comprised of a liquid absorbent substrate.
3. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer portion is comprised of a liquid absorbent substrate.
4. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein both inner and outer portion are comprised of a liquid absorbent substrate.
5. A container, as claimed in claim 2, 3, or 4 , wherein the surface of the inner portion is comprised of a cup engagement member, said cup engagement member engaging a surface on the upstanding sidewall.
6. A container, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cup engagement member brings the inner surface and upstanding wall into a spaced relationship with each other.
7. A container, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cup engagement member is comprised of a plurality of individual nubbins, said nubbins forming a spaced-relationship between the inner portion of the sleeve and the upstanding sidewall of the container.
8. A container, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cup engagement member is comprised of a plurality of substantially vertical strips, said strips forming a spaced relationship between the inner portion of the sleeve and the upstanding sidewall of the container.
9. A process for producing a liquid-absorbent cup-holder used in combination with a cup having a base and an upstanding sidewall attached to the base, said base and upstanding sidewall forming a liquid containing vessel for liquid beverages, which process is comprised of the following steps:
(a) forming a sleeve from a liquid-absorbent material, said sleeve having an outer portion which is liquid absorbent; and (b) attaching the cup-holder to the cup so that the cup-holder supports the weight of the cup when held by the hand of the user.
10. A process for producing a liquid absorbent cup-holder, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of forming a sleeve, is comprised of:
(a) cutting a rectangular strip from the liquid-absorbent material having first and second ends which are attached together to form the sleeve.
11. A process for producing a liquid absorbent cup-holder, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of forming the sleeve, is comprised of:
(a) forming a slit on the first end of the strip;
(b) forming a groove on the second end of the strip; and (c) inserting the groove of the second end into the slit of the first end to form the sleeve.
12. A process for producing a liquid-absorbent cup-holder used in combination with a a cup, wherein the step of cutting a rectangular strip is comprised of:
(a) cutting a rectangular strip of prescribed length such that the rectangular strip when formed into the sleeve has a diameter less than the diameter of the cup to engage a portion of the upstanding wall of the container and secure the sleeve to the cup.
CA002309621A 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Cup-holder napkin Abandoned CA2309621A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002309621A CA2309621A1 (en) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Cup-holder napkin
US09/896,180 US20020000446A1 (en) 2000-06-29 2001-06-28 Cup-holder napkin

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002309621A CA2309621A1 (en) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Cup-holder napkin

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2309621A1 true CA2309621A1 (en) 2001-12-29

Family

ID=4166264

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002309621A Abandoned CA2309621A1 (en) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Cup-holder napkin

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20020000446A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2309621A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070184734A1 (en) * 2006-02-06 2007-08-09 Ramsay Hamish A Moisture absorbing wrap
WO2007146026A2 (en) * 2006-06-08 2007-12-21 Dsi Products, Llc Container wrap
CA2664625C (en) * 2006-09-29 2012-09-11 International Paper Company Double wall container with internal spacer
US20080164270A1 (en) * 2007-01-08 2008-07-10 Puerini Russell A Container holder
US7614523B1 (en) 2007-04-13 2009-11-10 Fixler Don S Beverage cup drip collar
US20130001289A1 (en) * 2011-06-28 2013-01-03 International Paper Company Paperboard cup with moisture absorbing protection
TW201309241A (en) * 2011-08-18 2013-03-01 Ting-Yu Yang Manufacturing method of cup sleeve and finished product thereof
GR1009172B (en) * 2016-09-12 2017-12-08 Νικολαος Αντωνιου Καραταρακης Additional heat- inulating inlated polystyrene ring-crown adaptable to disposable glasses
RU2020101615A (en) * 2017-07-06 2021-08-06 Юми Хомма CUFF FOR A CONTAINER FOR A BEVERAGE AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING A CUFF
US11945641B2 (en) 2018-04-13 2024-04-02 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Container with insulating features
WO2019200188A1 (en) 2018-04-13 2019-10-17 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Container with insulating features
US11814236B2 (en) * 2021-03-12 2023-11-14 Jared DOMINGOS Sleeve for cups and other containers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20020000446A1 (en) 2002-01-03

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued