Cup-holder napkin

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cup and cup-holder for heated beverages, and in particular, to a cup-holder having an absorbent portion for cleaning up spillage.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A cup-holder sleeve for use with a beverage container having a base and an upstanding sidewall attached to the base, said base and upstanding sidewall forming a liquid containing vessel for liquid beverages, the sleeve comprising: 
 an inner portion that closely follows a portion of the upstanding sidewall of the container, said inner portion having a surface for fixedly securing the sleeve to the upstanding sidewall of the container; and    an outer portion attached to the inner portion, wherein at least a portion of one of said inner and outer portions includes a liquid absorbent material.    
     
     
         2 . A cup-holder sleeve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner portion is comprised of a liquid absorbent material.  
     
     
         3 . A cup-holder sleeve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer portion is comprised of a liquid absorbent material.  
     
     
         4 . A cup-holder sleeve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein both the inner and outer portions are comprised of a liquid absorbent material.  
     
     
         5 . A cup-holder sleeve as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the inner portion includes at least one cup engagement member, said cup engagement member engaging a surface on the upstanding sidewall.  
     
     
         6 . A cup-holder sleeve as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the at least one cup engagement member brings the inner surface and upstanding sidewall into a spaced relationship with each other.  
     
     
         7 . A cup-holder sleeve as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the surface of the inner portion includes a plurality of individual nubbins, said nubbins providing a space between the inner portion of the sleeve and the upstanding sidewall of the container.  
     
     
         8 . A cup-holder sleeve as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the surface of the inner portion includes a plurality of substantially vertical strips, said strips providing a space between the inner portion of the sleeve and the upstanding sidewall of the container.  
     
     
         9 . A method of producing a liquid absorbent cup-holder sleeve used in combination with a cup having a base and an upstanding sidewall attached to the base, said base and upstanding sidewall forming a liquid containing vessel for liquid beverages, comprising: 
 (a) forming a sleeve having both an inner and outer portion, at least a portion of one of said inner and outer portions including a liquid absorbent material;    (b) attaching the sleeve to the cup such that the cup-holder supports the weight of the cup when the cup-holder is engaged by the hand of a user.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein forming a sleeve includes: 
 (a) forming a strip from the liquid absorbent material having first and second ends;    (b) attaching the first and second ends together to form the sleeve.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming a strip includes: 
 (a) cutting a predetermined length of strip material such that the strip when formed has a diameter less than the diameter of the cup, said strip engaging a portion of the upstanding sidewall of the container for securing the sleeve to the cup.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein attaching the first and second ends of the sleeve together includes: 
 (a) forming a slit on the first end of the strip;    (b) forming a groove on the second end of the strip; and    (c) inserting the groove of the second end into the slit of the first end to form the sleeve.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein attaching the first and second ends of the sleeve together includes using an adhesive to secure the first and second ends together to form the sleeve.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the strip is substantially rectangular.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein when the first and second ends of the strip are fastened together the sleeve is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the diameter of the cylindrical sleeve is less than the diameter of the outer wall of the cup, wherein the inner portion of the sleeve engages a portion of the outer wall of the cup when used in combination with the cup.  
     
     
         17 . A cup-holder sleeve in combination with a beverage container having a base and an upstanding sidewall attached to the base, said base and upstanding sidewall forming a liquid containing vessel for liquid beverages, the sleeve comprising: 
 an inner portion that closely follows a portion of the upstanding sidewall of the container, said inner portion having a surface for fixedly securing the sleeve to the upstanding sidewall of the container; and    an outer portion attached to the inner portion, wherein at least a portion of one of said inner and outer portions includes a liquid absorbent material.