Patents Galore!

I will briefly summarize similar 6 patents and 3 patent applications. Although these patents are similar in nature, they are all explained in manners that differentiate them as unique ideas. At least, this is what those who approved the patents believed.

Patent 1: The Insulating Sleeve (US 6343735 B1)

Filed by Liming Cai from Dopaco Inc on May 4^th of 2000, this patent is for an insulating sleeve for a beverage container. This sleeve is meant to keep one from burning himself while trying to pick up a hot beverage. This sleeve can also be used for either hot or cold beverages held in both paperboard and non-paper cups.

Patent 2: The Thermal Coffee Cup (US 2661889)

Surprisingly, the first thermal coffee cup was patented on July 20^th, 1948 by Delbert Phinney of Sherman, Tex. Phinney’s thermal coffee cup is described as a hand-held container that is able to withstand hot substances. Moreover, this cup is made of paper and has a cover cap that can be torn in order to allow a person to drink the hot liquid.

Patent 3: Thermal Sleeve, Method for Manufacturing a Thermal Sleeve and Combination Cup and Thermal Sleeve (US 8,251,277)

On April 15^th, 2005, John Katchko and David Raymond Uitenbroek filed this patent through Wausau Paper Mills, LLC of Wisconsin. The method for manufacturing a thermal sleeve and combination cup and thermal sleeve is, in essence, a description of what the thermal sleeve is composed of: it has a creped paper inner-lining, top and bottom openings that allow the cup to go through the sleeve, and an adhesive holding that brings both ends of the sleeve together so that they enclose the cup. Like the insulating sleeve, the thermal sleeve can be used for both warm and cool beverages. This patent also goes into depth in describing the different components of the thermal sleeve and how they are made.

Patent 4: Insulator Sleeve for a Beverage Container (US 7,922,031)

In March 1^st, 2007, Kevin R. Prince patented the insulator sleeve for a beverage container. This sleeve is referred to as a device that is disposable in nature and can be used repeatedly. Some of these sleeves are made with biodegradable material materials so as to not harm the environment. Unfortunately, they can be problematic to the barista’s creative customization, as these sleeves often hide words and images written on the cup. Unlike previous patents, this one goes further into depth about the different types of cups, such as the frusto-conical beverage cup, and sleeves, like the transparent or disposable sleeves, that can be used.

Patent 5: Temperature-indicating Sleeve and Related Container (US 8118189)

Wendy and Donald LaGuardia filed the patent for the temperature-indicating sleeve and related container on December 14^th, 2007 through New Jersey’s Cups Unlimited LLC. What distinguishes this sleeve from the rest is that it has a temperature indicator, which is labeled and drawn on the sleeve itself. Various visuals are within the patent to depict the various ways in which the temperature indicators may be displayed on the cup. Unlike the other sleeves, this one claims to be the simplest to produce, inexpensive to purchase, and most accurate in measuring the beverage’s temperature.

Patent 6: Sleeve Construction for Improved Paperboard Cup Insulation (US 6152363)

In May 3, 1999, James Arthur Rule filed the sleeve construction for improved paperboard cup insulation. The invention consists of protective sleeves for paperboard cups that have hot-melt glue dots, which improve the insulating abilities of said paper cup. The patent has detailed graphs that depict the sleeve and show the varying temperatures at which the hot-melt glue insulates air.

Application 1: Beverage cup Sleeving System and Method (US 20080078824 A1)

Filed in August of 2007, this patent application describes a cup insulating system that has a conical sleeve. The cups can be plastic or paper, while the sleeve is elastomeric and manufactured with a liquid crystal that changes color with temperature fluctuations. Moreover, the sleeve is microwave safe, shippable in a flattened condition, and may also have Velcro attached to it. The beverage containers also have an insulating ring that is made of either silicone and/or rubber and can contain printed matter on its exterior surface.

Application 2: Protective Sleeve (US 20100019023 A1)

In 2009, Barry Silverstein et al filed a patent for the protective sleeve, which has at least one arch-like shape that reduces material costs and environmental waste through the material efficiency of its manufacturing. This arch-like sleeve has at least one peak and one trough, has a blank area made of biodegradable paper, completely conceals the area of the container that it covers, and accommodates at least two fingers and a thumb of the person holding the cup.

Application 3: Hot and Cold Cup Sleeve (US 20140151385 A1)

Eugene Chun filed the patent application in 2014 for the hot and cold, disposable cup sleeve with water-absorbent lining, a water-repellent outer layer, and a coating laminate layer that is bound to this outer layer. This outer layer is made up of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, viscous rayon, acrylic, aramid, and nylon and is enclosed to provide a safe and comfortable.