Beverage cup sleeving system and method

Abstract

A cup insulating system, comprising a layer of elastomer formed into a homogeneous seamless conical sleeve, the conical sleeve having an exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is configured for receiving a beverage cup, and the inner surface of the conical sleeve is configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage cup.

1 . A cup insulating system, comprising:
 a layer of elastomer formed into a homogeneous seamless conical sleeve;   the conical sleeve having an exterior surface, an interior surface an upper opening and a lower opening;   wherein the upper opening is configured for receiving a beverage cup; and   the inner surface of the conical sleeve is configured to contact an outer surface of the beverage cup.   
   
   
       2 . The cup insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve is changed from a folded configuration to an open configuration by exposing the upper opening of the conical sleeve for inserting a container therein. 
   
   
       3 . The cup Insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve comprises at least one of the following: silicon, rubber, and Butyl. 
   
   
       4 . The cup insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve is configured to display printed matter on the exterior surface of the seamless conical sleeve. 
   
   
       5 . The cup insulating system of  claim 4 , wherein the printed matter comprises: decorative insignia, a persons name, a logo, team information, store information, a coffee shop name, company information, a photo and a picture. 
   
   
       6 . The cup insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve comprises: a heat responsive body having a chamber, a liquid sealingly disposed in the chamber and a liquid crystalline composition disposed in the liquid, wherein the liquid crystal composition displaying a color change visually through the body at a temperature above 98.8 degrees Fahrenheit. 
   
   
       7 . The cup Insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve comprises at least one of the following: a single continuous elastomeric conical sleeve with a bottom, and an elastomeric wrap with integral Velcro straps that is wrapped around the cup and the Velcro straps on a first side of the wrap are non-fixedly attached to Velcro connectors on a second side of the wrap. 
   
   
       8 . The cup insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve is configured is corrugated. 
   
   
       9 . The cup insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve is configured as microwave safe. 
   
   
       10 . The cup insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve is shippable in an approximately flattened condition. 
   
   
       11 . The cup insulating sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface has surface features comprising at least one of the following: a smooth surface, a textured surface, vertical ribs, horizontal ribs, diagonal ribs and distributed raised surfaces. 
   
   
       12 . The cup insulating sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface has surface features comprising at least one of the following: a smooth surface, a textured surface, vertical ribs, horizontal ribs, diagonal ribs and distributed raised surfaces. 
   
   
       13 . The cup insulating system of  claim 1 , wherein the conical sleeve Is configured with an integral tab, wherein the tab has a through hole for attaching keys, a key ring and a spring loaded attachment. 
   
   
       14 . A thermal cup protector comprising;
 an elastomeric and fabric composite sleeve;   an conical configuration and with opposed open top end and open bottom end:   an exterior surface and an interior surface;
 the interior surface configured for receiving a beverage container with a frusta-conical shape. 
   
   
   
       15 . The thermal cup protector of  claim 14 , wherein the interior elastomeric surface is configured to permit the composite sleeve to conform to a frusto-conical configuration of each of a family of thermal cups. 
   
   
       16 . The thermal cup protector of  claim 14 , wherein the composite sleeve is compatible with a family of dimensionally different frusta-conical drinking cups, with each having a common top dimension and with varying height dimensions to accommodate different capacities within the family of beverage cups. 
   
   
       17 . The thermal cup protector of  claim 14 , wherein the composite sleeve is configured be cleaned in a dishwasher. 
   
   
       18 . An insulating ring for beverage containers, the insulating ring comprising;
 an elastomeric ring;   an outer surface;   an inner surface configured to receive and secure a beverage cup.   
   
   
       19 . The insulating ring of  claim 18 , wherein the elastomer comprises; silicone and rubber. 
   
   
       20 . The insulating ring of  claim 17 , further having printed matter on the exterior surface of the ring.