System for providing visual information on beverage sleeves

Abstract

A beverage sleeve is configured to provide insulation for a user of a beverage container holding warm or cold beverages. The beverage sleeve encircles a beverage container and provides insulation against heat transferred through the surface of the container. In some embodiments, the sleeve is coated with a layer of thermochromatic ink. When heat is absorbed through the surface of a beverage container, it causes the thermochromatic ink to change its light response, thus causing an advertisement to be displayed on the surface of the sleeve. The designs for these advertisements can be received from a vendor of the product or service advertised. The sleeves are then shipped to venues in which beverages are sold for use with said beverages.

1 . A sleeve for holding a beverage container, the sleeve comprising: 
 a body having a top edge adapted to form a top opening and a bottom edge adapted to form a bottom opening, wherein the top and bottom openings are adapted to accept the beverage container;    an inner surface configured to sit in proximate contact with an outer surface of the beverage container and to receive heat transmitted through the outer surface of the beverage container; and    an outer surface comprising a layer of thermochromatic ink, the layer of thermochromatic ink configured to modify its visual characteristics in response to the heat transmitted through the outer surface of the beverage container.    
   
   
       2 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of thermochromatic ink modifies its visual characteristics to display an advertisement.  
   
   
       3 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of thermochromatic ink modifies its visual characteristics when heat received through the outer surface of the beverage container causes it to reach an activation temperature.  
   
   
       4 . The sleeve of  claim 3 , wherein the activation temperature is less than approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       5 . The sleeve of  claim 3 , wherein the activation temperature is greater than approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       6 . The sleeve of  claim 3 , wherein the activation temperature is greater than approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       7 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of thermochromatic ink has a thickness greater than 0.001 inches.  
   
   
       8 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein a high contrast between colors of the thermochromatic ink enables the thermochromatic ink to remain opaque with less thickness than would otherwise be needed.  
   
   
       9 . A method for manufacturing a sleeve for holding a beverage container, the method comprising: 
 providing a flat body, the flat body comprising a left edge and right edge;    printing an advertisement on the flat body using one or more thermochromatic inks;    refrigerating the flat body so as to enable the one or more thermochromatic inks to stabilize on the flat body;    embossing one or more indentations on the body so as to enable the body to more easily provide thermal insulation; and    securing the left edge to the right edge so as to form a sleeve capable of encircling the beverage container.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more thermochromatic inks are configured to display the advertisement in response to heat absorbed through a beverage container.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more thermochromatic inks are configured to modify their visual characteristics when heat received through an outer surface of a beverage container causes the inks to reach an activation temperature.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the activation temperature is less than approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the activation temperature is greater than approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the activation temperature is greater than approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more thermochromatic inks form a layer of greater thickness than 0.001 inches.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein refrigerating the flat body comprises refrigerating the body at a temperature of less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the left edge and right edge are secured together through the use of an adhesive.  
   
   
       18 . A method for providing advertising content for a vendor, the method comprising: 
 accepting from the vendor a request to provide advertising for a product or service the vendor;    preparing sleeves for encircling a beverage container, the sleeves comprising an outer layer of thermochromatic ink that, responsive to heat received from a beverage container, is configured to display an advertisement for the product or service; and    providing the sleeves to a beverage vendor for use with beverage containers provided by the beverage vendor to consumers.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the request for advertising includes a preferred design for the advertisement.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein preparing the sleeves comprises determining a design for the advertisement.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the beverage vendors comprise coffee shops.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the request is received in concert with an advertising campaign for the product or service.