Sleeve for a container or the like and blank for constructing the same

Abstract

A sleeve for a container includes a main body portion defining a primary loop that is configured to receive and surround a section of a container inserted therein. An ancillary portion is adjacent the main body portion and defines a secondary loop configured to receive and hold an ancillary item. A blank for constructing the sleeve includes an elongate strip of material having opposite free ends. The strip includes a first length extending from one of the free ends to an intermediate location between the opposite free ends and a second length extending from the intermediate location to the other of the free ends. The second length is shorter than the first length.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sleeve for a container comprising:
 a main body portion defining a primary loop, the primary loop configured to receive and surround a section of a container inserted therein; and   an ancillary portion adjacent the main body portion, the ancillary portion defining a secondary loop configured to receive and hold an ancillary item.   
     
     
         2 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the primary and secondary loops inwardly taper in a direction from top to bottom when the sleeve is upright. 
     
     
         3 . The sleeve of  claim 2 , wherein the primary loop has a generally circular, horizontal cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . The sleeve of  claim 3 , further comprising fold lines provided in the primary loop at spaced locations. 
     
     
         5 . The sleeve of  claim 4 , wherein the fold lines are perforated. 
     
     
         6 . The sleeve of  claim 2 , wherein the secondary loop has a generally rectangular, horizontal cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The sleeve of  claim 6 , further comprising fold lines provided in the the secondary loop at spaced locations. 
     
     
         8 . The sleeve of  claim 7 , wherein the fold lines are perforated. 
     
     
         9 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising fold lines provided in the primary and secondary loops at spaced locations. 
     
     
         10 . The sleeve of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is collapsible about the fold lines and wherein the sleeve is generally flat in the collapsed condition. 
     
     
         11 . The sleeve of  claim 3 , wherein the secondary loop has a generally rectangular, horizontal cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The sleeve of  claim 11 , further comprising fold lines provided in the primary and secondary loops at spaced locations. 
     
     
         13 . The sleeve of  claim 12 , wherein the fold lines are perforated. 
     
     
         14 . The sleeve of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve is collapsible about the fold lines and wherein the sleeve is generally flat in the collapsed condition. 
     
     
         15 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is of a unitary construction and the secondary loop is contiguous with the primary loop. 
     
     
         16 . A blank for constructing a sleeve, the blank comprising:
 an elongate strip of material having opposite free ends, the strip comprising a first length extending from one of the free ends to an intermediate location between the opposite free ends and a second length extending from the intermediate location to the other of the free ends, the second length being shorter than the first length;   first transverse fold lines provided in the first length at spaced locations; and   second transverse fold lines provided in the second length at spaced locations,   wherein the first length is configured to be folded into a first loop with a distal region adjacent the one free end overlying a region of the first length adjacent the intermediate location, and   wherein the second length is configured to be folded into a second loop with a distal region adjacent the other free end overlying a region of the first length adjacent the intermediate location.   
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate strip of material is arcuate. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein either (i) the first transverse fold lines are perforated, (ii) the second transverse fold lines are perforated, or (iii) both the first and second transverse fold lines are perforated. 
     
     
         19 . The blank of  claim 18 , wherein the first transverse fold lines comprise two spaced fold lines. 
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 18 , wherein the first transverse fold lines comprise four spaced fold lines.