Drink sleeve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drink sleeve that includes a first layer, a second layer and a tab. The first layer includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges. The second layer also includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges. The lateral edges of the first layer are bonded to the lateral edges of the second layer such that a pocket is formed between the first and second layers. The pocket is adapted to receive a beverage container that is inserted between the top ends of the first and second layers. The tab extends between the bottom end of the first layer and the bottom end of the second layer. The tab includes a fold which unfolds as the beverage container is inserted into the pocket. Once the beverage container is fully inserted into the pocket, the tab forms a coaster.

1 . A drink sleeve for holding a beverage container, the drink sleeve comprising: 
 a first layer that includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges;    a second layer that includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges, the lateral edges of the first layer being bonded to the lateral edges of the second layer such that a pocket is formed between the first and second layers, the pocket being adapted to receive a beverage container that is inserted between the top ends of the first and second layers, wherein the top end of the first layer and the top end of the second layer each include a cuff; and    a tab extending between the bottom end of the first layer and the bottom end of the second layer; the tab including a fold which unfolds as the beverage container is inserted into the pocket such that the tab forms a coaster once the beverage container is inserted into the drink sleeve.    
   
   
       2 . The drink sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second layer have a substantially identical shape.  
   
   
       3 . The drink sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral edges of the first and second layers are bonded together by thermal bonding.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The drink sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the tab includes a first section and a second section, the fold being between the first and second sections.  
   
   
       6 . The drink sleeve of  claim 5 , wherein the first section and the second section of the tab have a substantially identical shape.  
   
   
       7 . The drink sleeve of  claim 6 , wherein the first section of the tab becomes wider as the first section extends further from the bottom end of the first layer, and the second section of the tab becomes wider as the second section extends further from the bottom end of the second layer.  
   
   
       8 . The drink sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer, the second layer and the tab are formed of a nonwoven laminate material.  
   
   
       9 . The drink sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer, the second layer and the tab are an elastic material that is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length in a direction that is parallel to the fold and then recover at least 50 percent of the elastic deformation.  
   
   
       10 . A drink sleeve for holding a beverage container, the drink sleeve comprising: 
 a first layer that includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges;    a second layer that includes a top end, a bottom end and lateral edges, the lateral edges of the first layer being bonded to the lateral edges of the second layer such that a pocket is formed between the first and second layers, the pocket being adapted to receive a beverage container that is inserted between the top ends of the first and second layers; and    a tab extending between the bottom end of the first layer and the bottom end of the second layer; the tab including a fold which unfolds as the beverage container is inserted into the pocket such that the tab forms a coaster once the beverage container is inserted into the drink sleeve, wherein the first layer, the second layer and the tab are an elastic material that is able to stretch to greater than 20 percent of an original length in a direction that is orthogonal to the fold and then recover at least 50 percent of the elastic deformation while being substantially inelastic in a direction that is parallel to the fold.    
   
   
       11 . The drink sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is integral with the first layer and the second layer.  
   
   
       12 . A method of fabricating a drink sleeve, the method comprising: 
 moving a web in a machine direction;    forming a plurality of openings in the web;    folding the web to form a first layer, a second layer that overlaps the first layer and a plurality of tabs that extend between the first layer and the second layer; and    bonding the first layer to the second layer in a cross direction to form lateral edges of each drink sleeve.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising cutting the web to form individual drink sleeves.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein bonding the first layer to the second layer in a cross direction includes placing parallel bonds in the cross direction and then cutting perforations in the web between the parallel bonds.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein forming a plurality of openings in the web includes forming openings such that the tab in each drink sleeve includes a first section that extends from a bottom end of the first layer and a second section that extends from a bottom end of the second layer, the tab further including a fold that is between the first and second sections.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein moving a web in a machine direction includes folding both edges of the web to form cuffs on both edges of the web.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein moving a web in a machine direction includes joining a first cuff with the web at one edge of the web and joining a second cuff with the web at an opposing edge of the web.  
   
   
       18 . A method of fabricating a drink sleeve, the method comprising: 
 moving a first layer in a machine direction;    bonding a second layer to the first layer in the machine direction and a cross direction to form lateral edges on each drink sleeve and a bottom end of each drink sleeve;    forming a plurality of openings in the first and second layers to form a plurality of tabs that extend between the first layer and the second layer; and    cutting the first and second layers to form a plurality drink sleeves such that each drink sleeve is joined to at least one other drink sleeve along one of the lateral edges of each drink sleeve.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming a plurality of openings in the first and second layers is done simultaneously with cutting the web to form a plurality drink sleeves.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein forming a plurality of openings in the first and second layers includes forming openings such that the tab in each drink sleeve includes a first section that extends from a bottom end of the first layer and a second section that extends from a bottom end of the second layer, the tab including a fold that is between the first and second sections.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising folding the plurality of drink sleeves along the joined lateral edges to form a z-folded stack of drink sleeves.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 placing a first cuff in the cross direction along the first layer; and    placing a second cuff in the cross direction along the second layer, wherein the first and second cuffs end up at a top end of each drink sleeve once the first and second layers are cut to form a plurality of drink sleeves.    
   
   
       23 . A method of fabricating a drink sleeve, the method comprising: 
 moving a web in a machine direction;    forming a plurality of openings in the web;    cutting the web to form a cut section that will eventually include at least one drink sleeve;    folding the cut section to form a first layer, a second layer that overlaps the first layer and a tab that extends between the first layer and the second layer on each control sleeve; and    bonding the first and second layers to form lateral edges on each drink sleeve.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein cutting the web to form a cut section includes cutting the web to partially form a plurality of drink sleeves such that each drink sleeve is adjacent to at least one other drink sleeve.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein bonding the first and second layers to form lateral edges on each drink sleeve includes forming perforations between the lateral edges of adjacent drink sleeves.