WO2021159179A1 - A sleeve for a beverage container - Google Patents

A sleeve for a beverage container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2021159179A1
WO2021159179A1 PCT/AU2021/050114 AU2021050114W WO2021159179A1 WO 2021159179 A1 WO2021159179 A1 WO 2021159179A1 AU 2021050114 W AU2021050114 W AU 2021050114W WO 2021159179 A1 WO2021159179 A1 WO 2021159179A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
edge portion
sleeve
end portions
sheet
beverage container
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2021/050114
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeff McEachern
Original Assignee
Jeff Mceachern Atf The Jacoah Investments Trust
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
Priority claimed from AU2020900356A external-priority patent/AU2020900356A0/en
Application filed by Jeff Mceachern Atf The Jacoah Investments Trust filed Critical Jeff Mceachern Atf The Jacoah Investments Trust
Priority to AU2021220751A priority Critical patent/AU2021220751A1/en
Publication of WO2021159179A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021159179A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
    • B65D23/08—Coverings or external coatings
    • B65D23/0842—Sheets or tubes applied around the bottle with or without subsequent folding operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B1/00—Layered products having a non-planar shape
    • B32B1/08—Tubular products
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B29/00—Layered products comprising a layer of paper or cardboard
    • B32B29/002—Layered products comprising a layer of paper or cardboard as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
    • B32B29/005—Layered products comprising a layer of paper or cardboard as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to another layer of paper or cardboard layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B29/00—Layered products comprising a layer of paper or cardboard
    • B32B29/08—Corrugated paper or cardboard
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
    • B32B3/02—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions
    • B32B3/06—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions for securing layers together; for attaching the product to another member, e.g. to a support, or to another product, e.g. groove/tongue, interlocking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
    • B32B3/26—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer
    • B32B3/28—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet, i.e. the layer having its entire thickness deformed out of the plane, e.g. corrugated, crumpled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/05—Interconnection of layers the layers not being connected over the whole surface, e.g. discontinuous connection or patterned connection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • B65D81/3876—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation insulating sleeves or jackets for cans, bottles, barrels, etc.
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G57/00—Stacking of articles
    • B65G57/02—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack
    • B65G57/08—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack articles being tilted or inverted prior to depositing
    • B65G57/081—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack articles being tilted or inverted prior to depositing alternate articles being inverted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/02—2 layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/26—All layers being made of paper or paperboard
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
    • B32B2307/304—Insulating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/732—Dimensional properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2317/00—Animal or vegetable based
    • B32B2317/12—Paper, e.g. cardboard
    • B32B2317/127—Corrugated cardboard
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2439/00—Containers; Receptacles
    • B32B2439/40—Closed containers
    • B32B2439/60—Bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2439/00—Containers; Receptacles
    • B32B2439/40—Closed containers
    • B32B2439/66—Cans, tins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2565/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D2565/38—Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D2565/381—Details of packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D2565/385—Details of packaging materials of special type or form especially suited for or with means facilitating recycling

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a sleeve for a beverage container and a method of constructing said sleeve.
  • This invention has particular, but not exclusive application, to a sleeve for beverages contained in aluminium cans or bottles made from either a glass or a plastics material, and wherein reference will be made to same.
  • the invention may have other applications, such as a sleeve for use with drinking containers, such as a wine glass, a tumbler or a tapered cup made from glass or a plastics material.
  • Insulated sleeves for keeping a beverage contained in an aluminium can or a glass bottle cool are well known.
  • the insulated sleeves have typically comprised an open topped container having a hollow, generally cylindrically shaped body, that extends upwardly from a bottom wall.
  • the insulated sleeves initially were manufactured from expanded polystyrene and, because expanded polystyrene is rather fragile, the sleeves were sometimes housed within a second open topped container made of a rigid plastics material.
  • insulated sleeves made from expanded polystyrene were often too large to fit in a pocket of a person's clothing, purse or handbag, and they were expensive to produce.
  • neoprene sleeves can be used to hold bottles and cans having an external diameter that is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the bore of the sleeve. Further, because the stretched neoprene grips the bottle or can tighter, holding such bottles or cans in a neoprene sleeve feels less cumbersome and more secure.
  • neoprene is flexible and has good memory, persons could also carry a squashed insulated neoprene sleeve in their pocket, a large purse or a handbag. Nevertheless, it has also been observed that neoprene sleeves, when loosely stored in a cupboard, or such like, tend to take up almost as much storage space as sleeves made from expanded polystyrene.
  • neoprene sleeves like polystyrene sleeves, are expensive to produce.
  • sleeves that are used repeatedly could readily facilitate the transfer of microorganisms that cause various diseases and viruses, such as the herpes simplex virus.
  • one known biodegradable sleeve includes a hollow, substantially cylindrically shaped, body constructed from a sheet of single face corrugated cardboard, having opposed end portions that are glued together such that the corrugations face inward, that is to say the corrugations are located on the interior of the body.
  • the sleeve also includes a base consisting of a generally circular shaped piece of paper or cardboard, having two opposing tabs that are each attached to portions of the body using a suitable adhesive.
  • the biodegradable cardboard sleeve is sold in an assembled state.
  • the body includes two, generally equispaced, fold lines that each extend between an upper peripheral edge portion of the body and a lower peripheral edge portion of the body.
  • the fold lines permit the cylindrically shaped body to be folded substantially flat for storage and transportation purposes.
  • the cardboard sleeve is provided in an assembled state, not all beverage cans and bottles will be received snuggly within the cylindrically shaped body. Accordingly, it is essential that the cardboard sleeve includes a base so as to prevent loose fitting beverage cans and bottles in use slipping through the otherwise open lower end of the cardboard sleeve.
  • a loose fitting cardboard sleeve will provide minimal insulation for the beverage because the beverage container is exposed to atmospheric conditions.
  • the surfaces of the cardboard sleeve that in use may come in contact with a beverage can or bottle be coated with a hydrophobic layer so as to prevent the cardboard absorbing water and the general deterioration of the cardboard sleeve.
  • the cardboard sleeve is biodegradable and may occupy less volume when stored in a flat state, the cardboard sleeve is expensive to assemble and does not accommodate all manner of different sized beverage cans and bottles.
  • a sleeve that is inexpensive to produce and which can accommodate a wide variety of different beverage containers, including beverage containers having different external diameters, would be most desirable. Further, from a hygienic perspective, it may be preferable that the sleeve be used only once. Hence, it would be desirable that the sleeve be manufactured from a biodegradable material.
  • this invention relates to a sleeve for a beverage container, said sleeve including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that the sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means for securing together said overlying end portions.
  • the body may be constructed from a single material or a composite material and may include a combination of two or more elements, such as a first flexible membrane that is substantially flat and a second flexible membrane that is corrugated .
  • the two membranes may be made from the same material, such as paper, card stock, cardboard or a suitable plastics material.
  • the two membranes may be made from different materials.
  • the first membrane may be made from a plastics material and the second or corrugated membrane may be made from paper or cardboard.
  • the material from which the sleeve is constructed is a bio-degradable and/or recyclable material.
  • the corrugations are preferably substantially parallel and equispaced.
  • the sleeve is constructed from single face corrugated cardboard.
  • unassembled sleeves will be supplied to users either in bundles stacked one on top of the other or in a box and wherein, to save space, the crests associated with one sleeve may each be received in a respective trough of an adjacent sleeve.
  • a corrugated cardboard having flutes of a smaller depth and a smaller wavelength is preferred over flutes that are deeper and have a longer wavelength.
  • the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
  • the wavelength of the flutes (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
  • the securing means may include an adhesive that is applied to at least one of said end portions and whereby in use, the adhesive is located between the overlying end portions.
  • the adhesive may be a self adhesive.
  • an adhesive film, in the form of a strip or a circle, may be applied to one end portion and whereby, upon removal of a protective film, may then adhere to the abutting surface of an opposing end portion of the sleeve.
  • the securing means may include an adhesive tab having one end portion that is attached to the end portion of the flexible sheet and an opposing free end portion which is capable of being secured to an opposing end portion of the flexible sheet.
  • the adhesive tab may be made of a flexible material.
  • the securing means may be of a mechanical nature.
  • a piece of cord having a first end portion, that is secured to one end portion of the flexible sheet, and a second free end portion that can be releasably secured to a cleat or some other protrusion that is attached to the other end portion of the flexible sheet. It is proposed that the sleeves will be provided to users in an unassembled state and whereby users will wrap the body tightly around the curved body of a beverage container so as to form a sleeve and whereby the overlying end portions are secured to one another using the securing means provided.
  • this invention relates to a blank for constructing a sleeve for a beverage container, said blank including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and securing means for securing said end portions together in order to retain said body in the form of a sleeve.
  • the material from which the body is constructed may be a single material or a composite material and may include a combination of two or more elements, such as a first flexible membrane that is substantially flat and a second, preferably flexible, membrane that is corrugated.
  • the two membranes may be made from the same material, such as paper, card stock, cardboard or a suitable plastics material.
  • the two membranes may be made from different materials.
  • the first membrane may be made from a plastics material and the second or corrugated membrane may be made from paper or cardboard.
  • the material from which the sleeve is constructed is a bio-degradable and/or recyclable material.
  • the corrugations are preferably substantially parallel and equi- spaced.
  • the sleeve is constructed from single face corrugated cardboard.
  • unassembled sleeves will be supplied to users either in bundles stacked one on top of the other or in a box and wherein, to save space, the crests associated with one sleeve may each be received in a respective trough of an adjacent sleeve.
  • a corrugated cardboard having flutes of a smaller depth and a smaller wavelength is preferred over flutes that are deeper and have a longer wavelength.
  • the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be of the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm. Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
  • this invention relates to a plurality of unassembled sleeves for a beverage container of the type having a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations, namely, a plurality of crests that are each separated by a respective trough, that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and a second side that is substantially smooth, and securing means associated with one end portion for securing said end portions together in order to retain said body in the form of a sleeve, said plurality of unassembled, substantially flat, sleeves being arranged in groups of two whereby within each group the sleeves are arranged one on top of the other such that the crests of one sleeve are each received in a respective one of the troughs of the adjacent sleeve and wherein the groups are each arranged one on top of the other so as to form a stack.
  • the groups of sleeves in a stack are secured together by a tie, such as a strip of paper, that wraps around the stack so as to form a bundle of sleeves, and wherein the end portions of the tie are secured together.
  • a tie such as a strip of paper
  • the stack may be received within a box or similar container.
  • the sleeve is constructed from single face corrugated cardboard.
  • unassembled sleeves will be supplied to users either in bundles stacked one on top of the other or in a box and wherein, to save space, the crests associated with one sleeve may each be received in a respective trough of an adjacent sleeve.
  • a corrugated cardboard having flutes of a smaller depth and a smaller wavelength is preferred over flutes that are deeper and have a longer wavelength .
  • the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be of the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
  • the wavelength of the flutes (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
  • this invention relates to a method of constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container, said method including: providing a body consisting of a flexible sheet material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and securing means for securing together the two end portions; wrapping the flexible sheet around the body portion of the beverage container such that said corrugations press against the body portion of the beverage container and said end portions overlap, and using the securing means to prevent the separation of the overlying end portions.
  • the securing means is a self-adhesive layer that has been applied to an end portion, or a tab that is attached to an end portion
  • the self-adhesive layer may be pressed against an abutting portion of the body, such as an opposing end portion.
  • this invention relates to a method of constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container, said method including: providing a user with an unassembled sleeve that includes a flexible body; wrapping the flexible body around the body portion of the beverage container so as to form a sleeve.
  • the unassembled sleeve is of the type previously described herein.
  • this invention relates to a sleeve for a beverage container, said sleeve including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that the sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means for securing together said overlying end portions, whereby in use the sleeve shall be wrapped tightly around the beverage container such that said corrugations shall abut against an outer surface of the beverage container and shall absorb any condensation that forms on the outer surface.
  • the first side of the sheet is substantially smooth.
  • the flexible sheet is a single faced corrugated cardboard.
  • Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of an insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a pictorial view of the insulated sleeve shown in figure 1 when wrapped around a beverage can;
  • Fig. 3 is a pictorial view of the beverage can shown in figure 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the insulated sleeve shown in figure 1 when wrapped around a beverage glass
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view of another insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a pictorial view of the sleeve shown in figure
  • Fig. 7 is a pictorial view showing the sleeve shown in figure 5 when wrapped around a tapered drinking vessel;
  • Fig. 8 is a plan view of yet another insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 9 is a plan view of yet another insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a sleeve 10 for a beverage container, such as an aluminium can or a drinking glass, in an inoperative or unassembled state.
  • the sleeve 10 includes a generally rectangular shaped body 11, constructed from a flexible sheet of single face corrugated cardboard, having an upper edge portion 12 and a lower edge portion 13 and two opposing end portions 14 and 15.
  • the body 11 includes a first, flexible, thin walled, membrane 16, having an external face 17, (see figure 2), and an opposing internal face 18, and a second, flexible, thin walled, corrugated, membrane 19 that includes a plurality of substantially parallel crests or ridges 20, that extend from the upper edge portion 12 to the lower edge portion 13, and wherein adjacent ridges 20 are separated by a respective trough or valley 21.
  • Each valley 21 includes an elongate, substantially linear, mid portion 22, that extends the length of said valley, and which is secured to the internal face 18 of the of the membrane 16 using a suitable adhesive.
  • the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9 to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be of the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm. Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent quest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
  • the sleeve also includes securing means 25 for securing the two overlying end portions 14 and 15 together when the body is wrapped around a beverage container 26, such as a beverage can or a beverage glass.
  • the securing means 25 includes a rectangular shaped, flexible, securing tab 27 having a fixed end portion 28 that is secured to the end portion 14 and a free end portion 29 that extends outwardly away from said end portion 14.
  • the free end portion 29 of the tab 27 includes an external face 30 and an internal face 31 to which there is applied a self-adhesive layer 32 that is temporarily protected by a removable protective cover 33.
  • the sleeve 10 will be supplied in a generally flat, unassembled state, and whereby a plurality of sleeves 10 may be stacked one on top of the other in a box or carton. Further, in order to save space within the box or carton, the tab 27 may be folded back against the body 11.
  • advertising material may be printed or otherwise applied to the substantially smooth external face 17 of the body 10.
  • the body 11 is tightly wrapped around a continuously curved wall 41 of a beverage can 40, as shown in figures 2 and 3, such that the end portion 14 overlies the end portion 15, thereby forming an insulated sleeve 10, and wherein the ridges 20 abut an external face 42 of the curved wall 41.
  • the body 11 is retained in this operative configuration by the securing means 25.
  • the cover 33 that is attached to the tab 27, is first pealed away so as to expose the self-adhesive layer 32 and whereby the user shall, while holding the free end portion 29 between the fingers of one hand, pull on the tab lengthways, generally away from the end portion 14, so as to draw it across the surface of the body 11, as generally indicated by arrow 48, before pressing the self-adhesive layer against the external face 17 such that the free end portion 29 of the tab 27 is bonded by the adhesive to the body 11.
  • advertising material 45 applied to the external face 17 can be seen.
  • any water condensation that may form on the exterior of the curved side wall 41 will be absorbed firstly by the ridges 20 and that the damp ridges will tend to expand, causing greater surface pressure against the curved side wall 41.
  • This increase in contact pressure between the sleeve and the curved side wall produces an appearance of better adhesion or friction.
  • the insulated sleeve 10 will be a single use item. That is to say, when the beverage is consumed, the beverage can 40 along with the sleeve 10 that is attached thereto can be disposed of, such as in a recycling bin.
  • the sleeve 10 can be slid off the beverage can 40 and whereby a fresh beverage can may be located within the assembled sleeve 10.
  • Figure 4 shows a typical beverage glass 50 having a continuous curved side wall 51 including a lower necked portion having a diminishing external diameter.
  • the body 11 of the sleeve 10 is tightly wrapped around the exterior of the midportion of the beverage glass 50 such that the end portion 14 at least partially overlies the end portion 15 and whereby the body is retained in this operative state by securing end portion 14 to end portion 15 using the adhesive free end portion 29 of the tab 27 in the same manner as described above.
  • FIGs 5 to 7 show an alternative sleeve 110 which is intended for use with a drinking vessel or container having a tapered side wall, such as a tapered drinking glass 100 as shown in figure 7.
  • the sleeve 110 includes a generally rectangular shaped body 111, constructed from a flexible sheet of a single face corrugated cardboard, having opposing, curved, upper and lower edge portions 112 and 113 respectively, and two, substantially straight, opposing end portions 114 and 115.
  • the body 111 includes a first, flexible, thin walled, membrane 116, having an external face 117 and an opposing internal face, and a second, flexible, thin walled, corrugated, membrane 118 that includes a plurality of substantially parallel crests or ridges 120, that extend from the upper edge portion 112 to the lower edge portion 113, and wherein adjacent ridges 120 are separated by a respective trough or valley 121.
  • Each valley 121 includes an elongate, substantially linear, mid portion, that extends the length of said valley, and which is secured to the internal face of the of the membrane 116 using a suitable adhesive.
  • the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9 to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
  • the wavelength of the flutes (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
  • the sleeve also includes securing means 125 for securing the two overlying end portions 114 and 115 together when the body is wrapped around a drinking vessel or beverage container, such as the drinking glass 100.
  • the securing means 125 includes a rectangular shaped, flexible, securing tab 127 having a fixed end portion 128 that is secured to the end portion 114 and a free end portion 129 that extends outwardly away from said end portion 114.
  • the free end portion 129 of the tab 127 includes an external face 130 and an internal face 131 to which there is applied a self-adhesive layer that is temporarily protected by a removable protective cover 133.
  • the sleeve 110 further includes two spaced apart fold lines, (line of perforations), or scored lines 160 and 161 in the thin walled membrane that diverge away from the lower edge portion 113 and which extend between the lower edge portionll3 and the upper edge portion 112. These fold lines 160 andl61 have been included so as to make it easier for a user to deform the otherwise flat sleeve when wrapping the sleeve around the tapered wall of the drinking vessel or beverage container.
  • Figure 8 shows another sleeve 200 that is similar in construction to the sleeve 10, being made from single corrugated cardboard, such as corrugated cardboard having a thickness that lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. More preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm .
  • single corrugated cardboard such as corrugated cardboard having a thickness that lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. More preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm .
  • he wavelength of the flutes lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
  • the sleeve 200 includes a body 211, having opposing, substantially straight, upper and lower edge portions 112 and 113 respectively, and two, substantially straight, opposing end portions 114 and 115. It is intended that the sleeve 200 can be wrapped around either a drinking glass or beverage container that is substantially cylindrical in shape or which includes a tapered side wall. In the case of the latter, the user may prefer to separate the two upper pieces 250 and the lower piece 251 from the body 211 so as to create an upper edge portion that is curved and a lower edge portion that is curved.
  • the pieces 250 and 251 are each connected to the body by a respective frangible connection 252, such as a line of perforations in the outer flexible membrane 216 and the inner corrugated membrane 219.
  • Figure 9 shows an alternative sleeve 310 which is intended for use with both cylindrically shaped containers, such as a beverage can, as well as glass bottles and coffee cups having a tapered side wall.
  • the sleeve 310 includes a generally rectangular shaped body 311, constructed from a flexible sheet of a single face corrugated cardboard, having an elongate lower edge portion 312 having a substantially straight edge 313, an opposing elongate upper edge portion 314 having a curved edge 315, a first end portion 316 having a substantially straight edge 317, and an opposing second end portion 318 that resembles a trapezoid and which includes a distal straight edge 319.
  • end portions having alternative shapes would also suffice.
  • the first end portion in other embodiments might also be trapezoidal in shape.
  • the sleeve 310 when the sleeve 310 is wrapped around a tapered side wall or wall portion of a glass or drink container, that the upper edge 315 will appear to be substantially straight while the lower edge 313 will appear to curved. It is believed that in this application, the sleeve 310 will be visually quite appealing.
  • the sleeve 310 when the sleeve 310 is wrapped around a cylindrically shaped container, or a portion of a container that is cylindrically shaped, the upper edge 315 will be curved while the lower edge 313 will be straight. It is believed that in this application, the sleeve 310 will also be visually quite appealing.
  • the body 311 includes a first, flexible, thin walled, membrane having an external face 320 and an opposing internal face, and a second, flexible, thin walled, corrugated, membrane that includes a plurality of substantially parallel crests or ridges, that extend from the upper edge portion 314 to the lower edge portion 312, and wherein adjacent ridges are separated by a respective trough or valley.
  • Each valley includes an elongate, substantially linear, mid portion, that extends the length of said valley, and which is secured to the internal face of the of the membrane using a suitable adhesive.
  • the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9 to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
  • the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest) lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
  • the sleeve 310 also includes securing means for securing the two overlying end portions 316 and 318 together when the body is wrapped around a drinking vessel or beverage container.
  • the securing means includes a layer of adhesive applied to some of the corrugations on the end portion 318 and where in use, the adhesive layer may be revealed by removing a temporary protective cover.
  • a securing tab like the tab 127 may be employed to secure the two end portions 316 and 318 together so as to form a sleeve.
  • the securing tab may be rectangular in shaped, flexible, and include a fixed or first end portion that is secured to the face 320 of the end portion 318 and a free or second end portion that extends outwardly away from said end portion 318.
  • the free end portion of the tab may include an external face and an internal face 131 to which there is applied a self- adhesive layer that is temporarily protected by a removable protective cover.
  • the user when wrapping the body 311 around a tapered container, or portion thereof, it is recommended that the user place the curved edge portion 314 against the container and that the user then wrap both ends of the body around the container such that the curved edge 315 appears substantially straight and generally parallel to a base on which the upstanding container rests.
  • pictorial material such as advertising material
  • advertising material may be displayed on the smooth external face 320.
  • advertising material may be printed on the smooth external face.

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Abstract

This invention relates to a sleeve (310) for a beverage container, including a body (311) consisting of a flexible sheet of single face corrugated cardboard having an upper edge portion (314) and a lower edge portion (312) and two opposing end portions (316) and (318), said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion. The body is also provided with securing means associated with one end portion for securing together the overlying end portions (316) and (318).

Description

A SLEEVE FOR A BEVERAGE CONTAINER
This invention relates to a sleeve for a beverage container and a method of constructing said sleeve.
This invention has particular, but not exclusive application, to a sleeve for beverages contained in aluminium cans or bottles made from either a glass or a plastics material, and wherein reference will be made to same. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may have other applications, such as a sleeve for use with drinking containers, such as a wine glass, a tumbler or a tapered cup made from glass or a plastics material.
Insulated sleeves for keeping a beverage contained in an aluminium can or a glass bottle cool are well known. The insulated sleeves have typically comprised an open topped container having a hollow, generally cylindrically shaped body, that extends upwardly from a bottom wall.
The insulated sleeves initially were manufactured from expanded polystyrene and, because expanded polystyrene is rather fragile, the sleeves were sometimes housed within a second open topped container made of a rigid plastics material.
While expanded polystyrene has good insulative properties, if the bottle or can did not fit snugly within the confines of the expanded polystyrene sleeve, such as where the external diameter of the bottle or can was much smaller than the internal diameter of the sleeve, then the bottle or can was not protected from the warmer ambient air by the sleeve. Consequently, the polystyrene sleeve, as a means of keeping the beverage cool, was ineffective. Further, it has been observed that bottles and cans loosely contained within a polystyrene sleeve were free to move within the sleeve. As a consequence, holding a sleeve with a bottle or a can in this way felt clumsy and there was always the potential that the bottle or can could fall out of the sleeve spilling the contents of the bottle or can on the user and on the ground, and for the bottle to break.
It was also observed that insulated sleeves made from expanded polystyrene took up a lot of storage space and, because of the fragile nature of expanded polystyrene, it was not uncommon that the sleeves were damaged when stored in a cupboard drawer or such like.
Further, insulated sleeves made from expanded polystyrene were often too large to fit in a pocket of a person's clothing, purse or handbag, and they were expensive to produce.
Having regard for the deficiencies associated with insulated sleeves made from expanded polystyrene, it is not surprising that similar shaped sleeves made from a neoprene material have proven to be a popular alternative. The neoprene material is more robust than expanded polystyrene and is capable of being stretched. Accordingly, neoprene sleeves can be used to hold bottles and cans having an external diameter that is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the bore of the sleeve. Further, because the stretched neoprene grips the bottle or can tighter, holding such bottles or cans in a neoprene sleeve feels less cumbersome and more secure.
Because neoprene is flexible and has good memory, persons could also carry a squashed insulated neoprene sleeve in their pocket, a large purse or a handbag. Nevertheless, it has also been observed that neoprene sleeves, when loosely stored in a cupboard, or such like, tend to take up almost as much storage space as sleeves made from expanded polystyrene.
Further, neoprene sleeves, like polystyrene sleeves, are expensive to produce.
It has also been observed that many people, particularly when inebriated, display a tendency to discard or misplace insulated sleeves made from expanded polystyrene or neoprene. This can be potentially hazardous to the environment, particularly in the case of outdoor events, because expanded polystyrene and neoprene are not biodegradable materials. Further, sleeves provided to patrons by hotels, bars and similar establishments tend to be used over and over again without ever being washed. Further, while bleach may be used to clean sleeves made from a polystyrene material, it is understood that sleeves made from neoprene simply can't be cleaned.
From a hygienic perspective, sleeves that are used repeatedly could readily facilitate the transfer of microorganisms that cause various diseases and viruses, such as the herpes simplex virus.
In an effort to overcome some of the deficiencies associated with insulated sleeves made from expanded polystyrene and neoprene, sleeves made from biodegradable materials, such as cardboard, have been tried with limited success and as such have not been commercialized.
For example, one known biodegradable sleeve includes a hollow, substantially cylindrically shaped, body constructed from a sheet of single face corrugated cardboard, having opposed end portions that are glued together such that the corrugations face inward, that is to say the corrugations are located on the interior of the body. The sleeve also includes a base consisting of a generally circular shaped piece of paper or cardboard, having two opposing tabs that are each attached to portions of the body using a suitable adhesive.
The biodegradable cardboard sleeve is sold in an assembled state. For this reason, the body includes two, generally equispaced, fold lines that each extend between an upper peripheral edge portion of the body and a lower peripheral edge portion of the body. The fold lines permit the cylindrically shaped body to be folded substantially flat for storage and transportation purposes.
Because the cardboard sleeve is provided in an assembled state, not all beverage cans and bottles will be received snuggly within the cylindrically shaped body. Accordingly, it is essential that the cardboard sleeve includes a base so as to prevent loose fitting beverage cans and bottles in use slipping through the otherwise open lower end of the cardboard sleeve.
Further, a loose fitting cardboard sleeve will provide minimal insulation for the beverage because the beverage container is exposed to atmospheric conditions.
It has also been proposed that the surfaces of the cardboard sleeve that in use may come in contact with a beverage can or bottle be coated with a hydrophobic layer so as to prevent the cardboard absorbing water and the general deterioration of the cardboard sleeve.
Thus, while the cardboard sleeve is biodegradable and may occupy less volume when stored in a flat state, the cardboard sleeve is expensive to assemble and does not accommodate all manner of different sized beverage cans and bottles.
A sleeve that is inexpensive to produce and which can accommodate a wide variety of different beverage containers, including beverage containers having different external diameters, would be most desirable. Further, from a hygienic perspective, it may be preferable that the sleeve be used only once. Hence, it would be desirable that the sleeve be manufactured from a biodegradable material.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sleeve for a beverage container which will alleviate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention relates to a sleeve for a beverage container, said sleeve including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that the sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means for securing together said overlying end portions.
The body may be constructed from a single material or a composite material and may include a combination of two or more elements, such as a first flexible membrane that is substantially flat and a second flexible membrane that is corrugated . For example, the two membranes may be made from the same material, such as paper, card stock, cardboard or a suitable plastics material. Alternatively, the two membranes may be made from different materials. For example, the first membrane may be made from a plastics material and the second or corrugated membrane may be made from paper or cardboard.
Preferably, the material from which the sleeve is constructed, whether it be a single material or a composite material, is a bio-degradable and/or recyclable material.
The corrugations are preferably substantially parallel and equispaced.
Preferably the sleeve is constructed from single face corrugated cardboard.
Further, it is envisaged that unassembled sleeves will be supplied to users either in bundles stacked one on top of the other or in a box and wherein, to save space, the crests associated with one sleeve may each be received in a respective trough of an adjacent sleeve.
Further, in order to accommodate more sleeves in a bundle or a box having a predetermined size, a corrugated cardboard having flutes of a smaller depth and a smaller wavelength is preferred over flutes that are deeper and have a longer wavelength.
Preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
The securing means may include an adhesive that is applied to at least one of said end portions and whereby in use, the adhesive is located between the overlying end portions. For example, the adhesive may be a self adhesive. In other words, an adhesive that does not need to be moistened prior to it being used to adhere one end portion to another end portion. For example, an adhesive film, in the form of a strip or a circle, may be applied to one end portion and whereby, upon removal of a protective film, may then adhere to the abutting surface of an opposing end portion of the sleeve.
Alternatively, the securing means may include an adhesive tab having one end portion that is attached to the end portion of the flexible sheet and an opposing free end portion which is capable of being secured to an opposing end portion of the flexible sheet. Further, the adhesive tab may be made of a flexible material.
In other embodiments, the securing means may be of a mechanical nature. For example, a piece of cord having a first end portion, that is secured to one end portion of the flexible sheet, and a second free end portion that can be releasably secured to a cleat or some other protrusion that is attached to the other end portion of the flexible sheet. It is proposed that the sleeves will be provided to users in an unassembled state and whereby users will wrap the body tightly around the curved body of a beverage container so as to form a sleeve and whereby the overlying end portions are secured to one another using the securing means provided.
In another aspect, this invention relates to a blank for constructing a sleeve for a beverage container, said blank including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and securing means for securing said end portions together in order to retain said body in the form of a sleeve.
The material from which the body is constructed may be a single material or a composite material and may include a combination of two or more elements, such as a first flexible membrane that is substantially flat and a second, preferably flexible, membrane that is corrugated.
For example, the two membranes may be made from the same material, such as paper, card stock, cardboard or a suitable plastics material.
Alternatively, the two membranes may be made from different materials. For example, the first membrane may be made from a plastics material and the second or corrugated membrane may be made from paper or cardboard.
Preferably, the material from which the sleeve is constructed, whether it be a single material or a composite material, is a bio-degradable and/or recyclable material. The corrugations are preferably substantially parallel and equi- spaced.
Preferably the sleeve is constructed from single face corrugated cardboard.
Further, it is envisaged that unassembled sleeves will be supplied to users either in bundles stacked one on top of the other or in a box and wherein, to save space, the crests associated with one sleeve may each be received in a respective trough of an adjacent sleeve.
Further, in order to accommodate more sleeves in a bundle or a box having a predetermined size, a corrugated cardboard having flutes of a smaller depth and a smaller wavelength is preferred over flutes that are deeper and have a longer wavelength.
Preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be of the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm. Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
In another aspect, this invention relates to a plurality of unassembled sleeves for a beverage container of the type having a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations, namely, a plurality of crests that are each separated by a respective trough, that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and a second side that is substantially smooth, and securing means associated with one end portion for securing said end portions together in order to retain said body in the form of a sleeve, said plurality of unassembled, substantially flat, sleeves being arranged in groups of two whereby within each group the sleeves are arranged one on top of the other such that the crests of one sleeve are each received in a respective one of the troughs of the adjacent sleeve and wherein the groups are each arranged one on top of the other so as to form a stack.
Preferably the groups of sleeves in a stack are secured together by a tie, such as a strip of paper, that wraps around the stack so as to form a bundle of sleeves, and wherein the end portions of the tie are secured together. Alternatively, the stack may be received within a box or similar container.
Preferably the sleeve is constructed from single face corrugated cardboard.
Further, it is envisaged that unassembled sleeves will be supplied to users either in bundles stacked one on top of the other or in a box and wherein, to save space, the crests associated with one sleeve may each be received in a respective trough of an adjacent sleeve.
Further, in order to accommodate more sleeves in a bundle or a box having a predetermined size, a corrugated cardboard having flutes of a smaller depth and a smaller wavelength is preferred over flutes that are deeper and have a longer wavelength .
Preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be of the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
In still yet another aspect, this invention relates to a method of constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container, said method including: providing a body consisting of a flexible sheet material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and securing means for securing together the two end portions; wrapping the flexible sheet around the body portion of the beverage container such that said corrugations press against the body portion of the beverage container and said end portions overlap, and using the securing means to prevent the separation of the overlying end portions. For example, where the securing means is a self-adhesive layer that has been applied to an end portion, or a tab that is attached to an end portion, the self-adhesive layer may be pressed against an abutting portion of the body, such as an opposing end portion.
In still yet another aspect, this invention relates to a method of constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container, said method including: providing a user with an unassembled sleeve that includes a flexible body; wrapping the flexible body around the body portion of the beverage container so as to form a sleeve.
Preferably, the unassembled sleeve is of the type previously described herein.
In still yet another aspect, this invention relates to a sleeve for a beverage container, said sleeve including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that the sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means for securing together said overlying end portions, whereby in use the sleeve shall be wrapped tightly around the beverage container such that said corrugations shall abut against an outer surface of the beverage container and shall absorb any condensation that forms on the outer surface. Preferably the first side of the sheet is substantially smooth.
Preferably the flexible sheet is a single faced corrugated cardboard.
In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein:
Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of an insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a pictorial view of the insulated sleeve shown in figure 1 when wrapped around a beverage can;
Fig. 3 is a pictorial view of the beverage can shown in figure 2;
Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the insulated sleeve shown in figure 1 when wrapped around a beverage glass
Fig. 5 is a plan view of another insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a pictorial view of the sleeve shown in figure
5;
Fig. 7 is a pictorial view showing the sleeve shown in figure 5 when wrapped around a tapered drinking vessel;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of yet another insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a plan view of yet another insulated sleeve constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 1 shows a sleeve 10 for a beverage container, such as an aluminium can or a drinking glass, in an inoperative or unassembled state.
The sleeve 10 includes a generally rectangular shaped body 11, constructed from a flexible sheet of single face corrugated cardboard, having an upper edge portion 12 and a lower edge portion 13 and two opposing end portions 14 and 15.
The body 11 includes a first, flexible, thin walled, membrane 16, having an external face 17, (see figure 2), and an opposing internal face 18, and a second, flexible, thin walled, corrugated, membrane 19 that includes a plurality of substantially parallel crests or ridges 20, that extend from the upper edge portion 12 to the lower edge portion 13, and wherein adjacent ridges 20 are separated by a respective trough or valley 21.
Each valley 21 includes an elongate, substantially linear, mid portion 22, that extends the length of said valley, and which is secured to the internal face 18 of the of the membrane 16 using a suitable adhesive.
Preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9 to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be of the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm. Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent quest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
The sleeve also includes securing means 25 for securing the two overlying end portions 14 and 15 together when the body is wrapped around a beverage container 26, such as a beverage can or a beverage glass. The securing means 25 includes a rectangular shaped, flexible, securing tab 27 having a fixed end portion 28 that is secured to the end portion 14 and a free end portion 29 that extends outwardly away from said end portion 14. The free end portion 29 of the tab 27 includes an external face 30 and an internal face 31 to which there is applied a self-adhesive layer 32 that is temporarily protected by a removable protective cover 33.
It is envisaged that the sleeve 10 will be supplied in a generally flat, unassembled state, and whereby a plurality of sleeves 10 may be stacked one on top of the other in a box or carton. Further, in order to save space within the box or carton, the tab 27 may be folded back against the body 11.
Further, it is envisaged that advertising material may be printed or otherwise applied to the substantially smooth external face 17 of the body 10.
In use, the body 11 is tightly wrapped around a continuously curved wall 41 of a beverage can 40, as shown in figures 2 and 3, such that the end portion 14 overlies the end portion 15, thereby forming an insulated sleeve 10, and wherein the ridges 20 abut an external face 42 of the curved wall 41.
The body 11 is retained in this operative configuration by the securing means 25. In particular, the cover 33, that is attached to the tab 27, is first pealed away so as to expose the self-adhesive layer 32 and whereby the user shall, while holding the free end portion 29 between the fingers of one hand, pull on the tab lengthways, generally away from the end portion 14, so as to draw it across the surface of the body 11, as generally indicated by arrow 48, before pressing the self-adhesive layer against the external face 17 such that the free end portion 29 of the tab 27 is bonded by the adhesive to the body 11.
It this configuration, advertising material 45 applied to the external face 17 can be seen.
It is believed that air contained between each ridge 20 and the internal face 18 and between each valley and the curved side wall 41 of the beverage can will inhibit the transfer of heat from the user's hand to the beverage can 41. Similarly, it is believed that the air contained between each ridge 20 and the internal face 18, of the membrane 16, and between each valley 21 and the curved side wall 41 of the beverage can 40 will greatly inhibit any increase in the temperature of the beverage contained in the beverage can 40 due to exposure to ambient air.
Further, it is believed that any water condensation that may form on the exterior of the curved side wall 41 will be absorbed firstly by the ridges 20 and that the damp ridges will tend to expand, causing greater surface pressure against the curved side wall 41. This increase in contact pressure between the sleeve and the curved side wall produces an appearance of better adhesion or friction.
Further, it is believed that by having smaller sized crests there will be more crests per given length of single faced corrugated cardboard and consequently, a greater proportion of cardboard will abut against the beverage container. Consequently, it is believed that more condensation will be absorbed by the corrugations and because of this, the sleeve is more likely to appear to adhere to the beverage container, thus preventing the beverage container from inadvertently slipping out of the sleeve during use. In other words, there will be greater friction between the sleeve and the beverage container due to the absorption by the corrugations of the condensation.
It is envisaged that the insulated sleeve 10 will be a single use item. That is to say, when the beverage is consumed, the beverage can 40 along with the sleeve 10 that is attached thereto can be disposed of, such as in a recycling bin.
However, if little, or no condensation has collected on the exterior of the curved wall 41 of the beverage can 40, then most likely the sleeve 10, with some force applied thereto, can be slid off the beverage can 40 and whereby a fresh beverage can may be located within the assembled sleeve 10. Alternatively, it may be possible to detach the free end portion 29 of the tab 27 from the end portion 15 thereby enabling the sleeve to be easily removed from its operative position, wrapped around the beverage can 40, and subsequently wrapped around a fresh beverage can.
Figure 4 shows a typical beverage glass 50 having a continuous curved side wall 51 including a lower necked portion having a diminishing external diameter.
The body 11 of the sleeve 10 is tightly wrapped around the exterior of the midportion of the beverage glass 50 such that the end portion 14 at least partially overlies the end portion 15 and whereby the body is retained in this operative state by securing end portion 14 to end portion 15 using the adhesive free end portion 29 of the tab 27 in the same manner as described above.
Further, because of the flexibility of the two membranes 16 and 19, it is possible for the user to compress the membrane 16 between adjacent valleys 21 so as to narrow the spacing between adjacent ridges 20, particularly in the vicinity of the necked portion, and to bend the body such that it generally conforms to the shape of the beverage glass 50, as shown in figure 4. As a consequence, it is believed the user will feel that the beverage glass is held more securely within the sleeve 10 and that the glass 50, as a consequence, is unlikely to rattle about within the confines of the sleeve 10 or, worse still, possibly become dislodged. Figures 5 to 7 show an alternative sleeve 110 which is intended for use with a drinking vessel or container having a tapered side wall, such as a tapered drinking glass 100 as shown in figure 7.
The sleeve 110 includes a generally rectangular shaped body 111, constructed from a flexible sheet of a single face corrugated cardboard, having opposing, curved, upper and lower edge portions 112 and 113 respectively, and two, substantially straight, opposing end portions 114 and 115.
It is intended, when the sleeve 110 is wrapped around a tapered side wall or wall portion of a glass or drink container, that the upper and lower edge portions 112 and 113 will be substantially straight. Consequently, the centre of curvature for both curved edges will be the same, or substantially the same. The body 111 includes a first, flexible, thin walled, membrane 116, having an external face 117 and an opposing internal face, and a second, flexible, thin walled, corrugated, membrane 118 that includes a plurality of substantially parallel crests or ridges 120, that extend from the upper edge portion 112 to the lower edge portion 113, and wherein adjacent ridges 120 are separated by a respective trough or valley 121.
Each valley 121 includes an elongate, substantially linear, mid portion, that extends the length of said valley, and which is secured to the internal face of the of the membrane 116 using a suitable adhesive.
Preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9 to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm.
Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
The sleeve also includes securing means 125 for securing the two overlying end portions 114 and 115 together when the body is wrapped around a drinking vessel or beverage container, such as the drinking glass 100. The securing means 125 includes a rectangular shaped, flexible, securing tab 127 having a fixed end portion 128 that is secured to the end portion 114 and a free end portion 129 that extends outwardly away from said end portion 114. The free end portion 129 of the tab 127 includes an external face 130 and an internal face 131 to which there is applied a self-adhesive layer that is temporarily protected by a removable protective cover 133.
The sleeve 110 further includes two spaced apart fold lines, (line of perforations), or scored lines 160 and 161 in the thin walled membrane that diverge away from the lower edge portion 113 and which extend between the lower edge portionll3 and the upper edge portion 112. These fold lines 160 andl61 have been included so as to make it easier for a user to deform the otherwise flat sleeve when wrapping the sleeve around the tapered wall of the drinking vessel or beverage container.
Figure 8 shows another sleeve 200 that is similar in construction to the sleeve 10, being made from single corrugated cardboard, such as corrugated cardboard having a thickness that lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.0mm. More preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm .
Preferably he wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent quest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
The sleeve 200 includes a body 211, having opposing, substantially straight, upper and lower edge portions 112 and 113 respectively, and two, substantially straight, opposing end portions 114 and 115. It is intended that the sleeve 200 can be wrapped around either a drinking glass or beverage container that is substantially cylindrical in shape or which includes a tapered side wall. In the case of the latter, the user may prefer to separate the two upper pieces 250 and the lower piece 251 from the body 211 so as to create an upper edge portion that is curved and a lower edge portion that is curved. Preferably the pieces 250 and 251 are each connected to the body by a respective frangible connection 252, such as a line of perforations in the outer flexible membrane 216 and the inner corrugated membrane 219.
Figure 9 shows an alternative sleeve 310 which is intended for use with both cylindrically shaped containers, such as a beverage can, as well as glass bottles and coffee cups having a tapered side wall.
The sleeve 310 includes a generally rectangular shaped body 311, constructed from a flexible sheet of a single face corrugated cardboard, having an elongate lower edge portion 312 having a substantially straight edge 313, an opposing elongate upper edge portion 314 having a curved edge 315, a first end portion 316 having a substantially straight edge 317, and an opposing second end portion 318 that resembles a trapezoid and which includes a distal straight edge 319. However, it will be appreciated that end portions having alternative shapes would also suffice. For example, the first end portion in other embodiments might also be trapezoidal in shape.
It is intended, when the sleeve 310 is wrapped around a tapered side wall or wall portion of a glass or drink container, that the upper edge 315 will appear to be substantially straight while the lower edge 313 will appear to curved. It is believed that in this application, the sleeve 310 will be visually quite appealing.
Similarly, when the sleeve 310 is wrapped around a cylindrically shaped container, or a portion of a container that is cylindrically shaped, the upper edge 315 will be curved while the lower edge 313 will be straight. It is believed that in this application, the sleeve 310 will also be visually quite appealing.
The body 311 includes a first, flexible, thin walled, membrane having an external face 320 and an opposing internal face, and a second, flexible, thin walled, corrugated, membrane that includes a plurality of substantially parallel crests or ridges, that extend from the upper edge portion 314 to the lower edge portion 312, and wherein adjacent ridges are separated by a respective trough or valley.
Each valley includes an elongate, substantially linear, mid portion, that extends the length of said valley, and which is secured to the internal face of the of the membrane using a suitable adhesive. Preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm. More preferably the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 0.9 to 2.0mm. Still more preferably, the thickness of the single face corrugated cardboard lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm. Further, it is envisaged that the thickness of the cardboard material that is used to construct the first and second membranes will be the same, or substantially the same, and will be between 0.05mm and 0.15mm. Preferably the wavelength of the flutes, (distance between one crest and an adjacent crest), lies within the range of 2.6mm to 4.3mm.
The sleeve 310 also includes securing means for securing the two overlying end portions 316 and 318 together when the body is wrapped around a drinking vessel or beverage container. The securing means includes a layer of adhesive applied to some of the corrugations on the end portion 318 and where in use, the adhesive layer may be revealed by removing a temporary protective cover.
However, it will be appreciated that a securing tab, like the tab 127 may be employed to secure the two end portions 316 and 318 together so as to form a sleeve. For example, the securing tab may be rectangular in shaped, flexible, and include a fixed or first end portion that is secured to the face 320 of the end portion 318 and a free or second end portion that extends outwardly away from said end portion 318. The free end portion of the tab may include an external face and an internal face 131 to which there is applied a self- adhesive layer that is temporarily protected by a removable protective cover.
Preferably, when wrapping the body 311 around a tapered container, or portion thereof, it is recommended that the user place the curved edge portion 314 against the container and that the user then wrap both ends of the body around the container such that the curved edge 315 appears substantially straight and generally parallel to a base on which the upstanding container rests.
It will be appreciated that pictorial material, such as advertising material, may be displayed on the smooth external face 320. For example, during production of blanks, advertising material may be printed on the smooth external face.
It will of course be realised that while the foregoing description has been given by way of example of the invention, all other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. A sleeve for a beverage container, said sleeve including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of single face corrugated cardboard having a first or upper edge portion and a second or lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, said corrugations having flutes and wherein the distance separating adjacent flutes lies within the range of 2.6mm and 4.3mm, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that said sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means associated with one end portion for securing together said overlying end portions.
2. A sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the sheet of single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm and preferably lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.00mm, and more preferably lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm.
3. A sleeve as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said body is generally rectangular in shape and wherein said first edge portion is elongate and includes a curved edge, and wherein said second edge portion is elongate and includes a substantially straight edge.
4. A sleeve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said securing means includes a layer of adhesive applied to corrugations associated with said first end portion.
5. A blank for constructing a sleeve for a beverage container, said blank including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of single face corrugated cardboard having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, said corrugations having flutes and wherein the distance separating adjacent flutes lies within the range of 2.6mm and 4.3mm, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that said sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means associated with one end portion for securing together said overlying end portions in order to retain said body in the form of a sleeve.
6. A blank as claimed in claim 5, wherein the thickness of the sheet of single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm and preferably lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.00mm, and more preferably lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm.
7. A blank as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said body is generally rectangular in shape and includes an elongate first edge portion having a substantially straight edge, and an opposing elongate second edge portion having a curved edge.
8. A plurality of unassembled sleeves for a beverage container of the type having a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations, namely, a plurality of crests that are each separated by a respective trough, that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and a second side that is substantially smooth, and securing means associated with one end portion for securing said end portions together in order to retain said body in the form of a sleeve, said plurality of unassembled, substantially flat, sleeves being arranged in groups of two whereby within each group the sleeves are arranged one on top of the other such that the crests of one sleeve are each received in a respective one of the troughs of the adjacent sleeve and wherein the groups are each arranged one on top of the other so as to form a stack.
9. A plurality of unassembled sleeves as defined in claim 8, wherein groups of said stack of sleeves is secured together by a tie.
10. A plurality of unassembled sleeves as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said stack is housed within a box.
11. A method of constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container, said method including: providing a body consisting of a flexible sheet material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and securing means for securing together the two end portions; wrapping the flexible sheet around the body portion of the beverage container such that said corrugations press against the body portion of the beverage container and said end portions overlap, and using the securing means to prevent the separation of the overlying end portions.
12. A method co constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container as claimed in claim 11, wherein said sheet is constructed from single face corrugated cardboard and wherein said corrugations include flutes and wherein the distance separating adjacent flutes lies within the range of 2.6mm and 4.3mm.
13. A method of constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the thickness of the sheet of single face corrugated cardboard is not more than 2.0mm and preferably lies within the range of 0.9mm to 2.00mm, and more preferably lies within the range of 1.2mm to 2.0mm.
14. A method of constructing an insulated layer around a body portion of a beverage container as claimed in claim 13, wherein said body is generally rectangular in shape and includes an elongate first edge portion having a substantially straight edge, and an opposing elongate second edge portion having a curved edge.
15. A sleeve for a beverage container, said sleeve including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that the sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means for securing together said overlying end portions, whereby in use the sleeve shall be wrapped tightly around the beverage container such that said corrugations shall abut against an outer surface of the beverage container and shall absorb any condensation that forms on the outer surface.
16. A sleeve for a beverage container, said sleeve including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and wherein said end portions overlie one another such that the sheet generally resembles a sleeve, and securing means for securing together said overlying end portions.
17. A blank for constructing a sleeve for a beverage container, said blank including: a body consisting of a flexible sheet of material having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two opposing end portions, said sheet having a first side that is substantially smooth and an opposing second side that includes a plurality of spaced apart corrugations that extend generally from said upper edge portion to said lower edge portion, and securing means for securing said end portions together in order to retain said body in the form of a sleeve.
PCT/AU2021/050114 2020-02-10 2021-02-10 A sleeve for a beverage container WO2021159179A1 (en)

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AU2020900356A AU2020900356A0 (en) 2020-02-10 A sleeve for a beverage container

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5425497A (en) * 1993-11-09 1995-06-20 Sorensen; Jay Cup holder
US20180249853A1 (en) * 2017-02-22 2018-09-06 Lbp Manufacturing Llc Cold Cup Sleeve
WO2018195609A1 (en) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Thompson, Warren Adjustable insulator

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5425497A (en) * 1993-11-09 1995-06-20 Sorensen; Jay Cup holder
US20180249853A1 (en) * 2017-02-22 2018-09-06 Lbp Manufacturing Llc Cold Cup Sleeve
WO2018195609A1 (en) * 2017-04-28 2018-11-01 Thompson, Warren Adjustable insulator

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