Patent Discussion #1

The following are a list of patents and applications that I will be discussing in depth.  I will focus my summary and analysis based on the each patent and application’s background, priority date, technology, ideas, specs, and diagrams.

1.      The Insulating Sleeve (US 6343735)

·        Priority date: May 4, 2000

·        The basic use of this device is that it is a sleeve, designed to fit around a beverage container so the user is able to handle hot drinks without feeling the heat transfer to their hand. 

·        The technology involved in this patent includes strategic gaps between the sleeve and the container.  The air gaps provide an outlet for the heat to escape, rather than to be transferred to the user’s hand.                                                       

2.      The Thermal Coffee Cup (US 2661889)

·        Priority date: July 20, 1948

·        This patent describes a paper cup used for holding hot coffee and a lid that allows for easy consumption.

·        The lid has a tab which the user can tear back, as to allow coffee to flow through the cap.  The tab can be torn at a variety of lengths, according to the consumer’s preference

·        The diagram given in the patent illustrates the ease of using the product.  It also implies its cheap production costs and simplicity

3.      Thermal Sleeve, Method for Manufacturing a Thermal Sleeve, and Combination Cup and Thermal Sleeve (US 8,251,277 B1)

·        Priority date: August 28, 2012

·        The cup associated with this patent is closely associated with not only providing cup insulation, but also to have a strong “gripper”

·        It is a sleeve such that you can slide a whole coffee cup into and keep warm

4.      Insulator Sleeve for a Beverage Container (US 7922031 B1)

·        Priority date: March 1, 2006

·        The sleeve includes two sleeves: an outer frusto-conical sleeve and a frusto-conical inner sleeve

·        The inner sleeve acts as an insulating mechanism whereas the outer sleeve provides grip to the user

·        The special aspect for this device includes its ability to be reused

5.      Temperature Indicating Sleeve (US 8118189)

·        Priority date: December 15, 2006

·        The core idea to this device is that it has the ability to tell the consumer the temperature of the beverage inside

·        With cups already insulated, it’s hard for the consumer to accurately tell the temperature of the drink inside based solely of the touch of the cup.   This sleeve is able to relay to the consumer a temperature of the actual beverage, instead of the warmth of the cup

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

·        Priority date: May 3, 1999

·        This invention is designed to work in conjunction with paperboard cups.  It requires a paperboard sleeve with hot-melt glue dots in order to improve the insulation of the cup as compared to competing insulated cups

7.      Beverage Cup Sleeving System and Method (US 20080078824 A1)

·        Priority date: Aug 23, 2006

·        This patent involves an insulating cup system that is built with a layer of elastomer onto a seamless conical sleeve. 

·        The exterior surface is used for gripping purposes whereas the inner surface has an upper and lower opening.  The upper opening provides a space to receive the beverage container

8.      Protective Sleeve (US 20100019023)

·        Priority date July 25, 2008

·        This patent and its arc shape provided for easy and efficient production

·        It was patented in response to lowering cost as well as its environmental impact

·        The arc shape is the product of peaks and troughs that create air gaps to allow heat to escape

9.      Hot and Cold Cup Sleeve (US 20140151385)

·        Priority date: February 6, 2014

·        This sleeve is designed for both hot and cold temperature cups

·        The design involves three layers: an inner layer designed to absorb water and improve grip, an outer layer to keep hands dry from the absorbing inner layer, and central polyethylene film

·        This design is not only cost efficient, but is also thin, disposable and lighter than most other models