Laminated sleeve for a container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laminated sleeve for use with a container and a method for manufacturing the same. The laminated sleeve comprises a plurality of layers, wherein at least one layer is a thermal insulating layer and at least one other layer is a graphic objects display layer suitable for printing at least one graphic object thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the graphic objects display layer comprises a paper product. According to the present invention, because the graphic objects display layer is a paper material, small printing runs can be performed easily using conventional paper printing techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art. The laminated sleeve of the present invention, therefore, is cost effective for small and large printing runs, durable, compact, and possesses superior thermal insulation properties.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A laminated sleeve for use with a container, the sleeve comprising: 
 a plurality of layers, wherein 
 at least one layer of the plurality of layers is a thermal insulating layer, and  
 at least one other layer of the plurality of layers is a graphic objects display layer suitable for printing at least one graphic object thereon.  
   
     
     
         2 . The laminated sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thermal insulating layer comprises one of a foam material, a polymer material, a low density polyethylene material and an expanded polyethylene foam material.  
     
     
         3 . The laminated sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one graphic objects display layer comprises a paper product.  
     
     
         4 . The laminated sleeve of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one graphic objects display layer is disposed above the at least one thermal insulating layer, such that the at least one printed graphic object is viewable when the laminated sleeve is utilized with the container.  
     
     
         5 . The laminated sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein an outermost layer of the plurality of layers includes indentations to create a texture, thereby enhancing a user's ability to grip the container.  
     
     
         6 . A laminated sleeve for use with a container, the sleeve comprising: 
 a plurality of layers, wherein 
 at least one layer of the plurality of layers is a thermal insulating layer comprising one of a foam material, a polymer material, a low density polyethylene material and an expanded polyethylene foam material, and  
 at least one other layer of the plurality of layers is a paper product layer suitable for printing at least one graphic object thereon.  
   
     
     
         7 . A method for manufacturing a laminated sleeve for use with a container comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a graphic objects display layer;    b) transferring at least one graphic object onto the graphic objects display layer;    c) providing at least one thermal insulating layer;    d) overlaying the graphic objects display layer onto the at least one thermal insulating layer to form a sheet;    e) cutting at least one sleeve pattern from the sheet; and    f) folding and assembling the sleeve pattern to form the laminated sleeve.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the transferring step (b) includes printing the at least one graphic object onto the graphic objects display layer.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the overlaying step (d) includes the steps of: 
 (d1) applying an adhesive to either one of the graphics objects display layer or the at least one thermal insulating layer; and    (d2) laminating the graphic objects display layer to the at least one thermal insulating layer.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cutting step (e) includes die cutting the sheet into a plurality of sleeve patterns.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each of the at least one sleeve patterns cut from the sheet includes two opposing ends.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the folding and assembling step (f) includes: 
 (f1) folding each sleeve pattern along at least one designated fold line on the sleeve pattern, such that the two opposing ends meet;    (f2) attaching the two opposing ends of the sleeve pattern to one another; and    (f3) flattening the sleeve for packing.