Cup holder sleeve

Abstract

A cup holder sleeve comprises an elongated strip including a top edge having a top length, a bottom edge having a bottom length, a first distal edge and a second distal edge. The cup holder sleeve is assembled by attaching the first distal edge to the second distal edge and further includes a fold line extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, wherein the elongated strip is folded along the fold line for storage. In an exemplary embodiment, a cut-out notch is located on the bottom edge of the elongated strip and at the fold line, such that when a beverage container is placed within the assembled cup holder sleeve, an extrusion at the fold line and at the bottom edge of the elongated strip is substantially eliminated by the cut-out notch.

1 . A cup holder sleeve comprising:
 an elongated strip including a top edge having a top length, a bottom edge having a bottom length, a first distal edge and a second distal edge, wherein the cup holder sleeve is assembled by attaching the first distal edge to the second distal edge;   a fold line extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, wherein the elongated strip is folded along the fold line for storage; and   a cut-out notch located on the bottom edge of the elongated strip and at the fold line, wherein when a beverage container is placed within the assembled cup holder sleeve, an extrusion at the fold line and at the bottom edge of the elongated strip is substantially eliminated by the cut-out notch.   
   
   
       2 . The sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the top length is greater than the bottom length. 
   
   
       3 . The sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the cut-out notch is one of a semi-circular notch, a triangular notch, an oval notch, a rectangular notch, and a trapezoidal notch. 
   
   
       4 . The sleeve of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of fold lines, wherein a cut-out notch is located on the bottom edge and at each of the plurality of fold lines. 
   
   
       5 . The sleeve of  claim 4  comprising a second set of cut-out notches located on the top edge of the elongated strip and at each of the plurality of fold lines. 
   
   
       6 . The sleeve of  claim 1  comprising a second cut-out notch located on the top edge of the elongated strip and at the fold line. 
   
   
       7 . The sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the elongated strip comprises one of a paperboard material, a laminate of a paperboard layer and a low density polyethylene layer, and a laminate of a high density polyethylene layer and a low density polyethylene layer. 
   
   
       8 . The sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the elongated strip comprises a plurality of dimples for enabling a user to grip the cup holder sleeve. 
   
   
       9 . The sleeve of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of dimples comprise at least one of concave indentations and convex indentations. 
   
   
       10 . A sleeve for use with a conical shaped container comprising:
 an elongated strip including a top edge having a top length, a bottom edge having a bottom length, a first distal edge and a second distal edge, wherein the top length is greater than the bottom length and the sleeve is assembled by attaching the first distal edge to the second distal edge;   at least one fold line extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, wherein the elongated strip is folded along the at least one fold lines for storage; and   a cut-out notch located on the bottom edge of the elongated strip and at one or more of the at least one fold lines, wherein when a beverage container is placed within the assembled cup holder sleeve, an extrusion at the one or more fold lines and at the bottom edge of the elongated strip is substantially eliminated by the cut-out notch.   
   
   
       11 . A cup holder sleeve for a conical shaped cup comprising:
 an elongated strip including a top edge having a top length, a bottom edge having a bottom length, a first distal edge and a second distal edge, wherein the top length is greater than the bottom length and the sleeve is assembled by attaching the first distal edge to the second distal edge;   a plurality of dimples disposed on an outer surface of the elongated strip that contacts a user's hand, wherein the plurality of dimples comprise at least one of concave indentations and convex indentations;   a fold line extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, wherein the elongated strip is folded along the fold line for storage; and   a cut-out notch located on the bottom edge of the elongated strip and at the fold line, wherein when a beverage container is placed within the assembled cup holder sleeve, an extrusion at the fold line and at the bottom edge of the elongated strip is substantially eliminated by the cut-out notch.