Thermally insulative container sleeve

Abstract

A thermally insulative sleeve is provided. The sleeve is fabricated from a cork-based material. The sleeve is removable and, optionally, reusable. The sleeve is used on the outer surface of a beverage container to insulate the user's hand from a beverage container and the hot or cold contents therein. A method for insulating a beverage container using a cork sleeve is also provided.

1 . A thermally insulative sleeve for a beverage container, comprising: 
 a substantially planar material having opposing ends, the material capable of being radially folded into a circumferential object, and the material being fabricated from cork; and    a connector for joining the opposing ends.    
   
   
       2 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the planar material is arcuate in shape such that when the material is folded over, a frusto-conical object is formed.  
   
   
       3 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the planar material is generally rectangular in shape such that when the material is folded over, a cylindrical object is formed.  
   
   
       4 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is releasable.  
   
   
       5 . The sleeve of  claim 4 , wherein the connector is a pair of interlocking slits.  
   
   
       6 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is an adhesive.  
   
   
       7 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric liner along an inner surface of the substantially planarized material.  
   
   
       8 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a paper or cardboard material on an outer surface of the sleeve.  
   
   
       9 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar material is a sheet of substantially pure cork showing a wood grain.  
   
   
       10 . The sleeve of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is flexible and may be rolled and placed into a user's carrying device.  
   
   
       11 . The sleeve of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve may be collapsed along a pair of folding lines.  
   
   
       12 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the cork is granulated cork held together through a binder.  
   
   
       13 . The sleeve of  claim 12 , wherein the sleeve may be collapsed along a pair of folding lines.  
   
   
       14 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the cork is a mixture of cork and other cellulosic material.  
   
   
       15 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the cork includes about 20 to 40 percent by weight material from quercus suber.  
   
   
       16 . A thermally insulative sleeve for a beverage container, comprising an opening at an upper end for receiving the beverage container, the sleeve being fabricated from cork.  
   
   
       17 . The sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein the cork is a cork composition, and defines an integral, circumferential member.  
   
   
       18 . The sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein the sleeve defines two separate, substantially planar sheets of cork-based material having an upper end and a lower end, with the planar sheets being connected by a flexible, substantially permanent connector.  
   
   
       19 . The sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the planar material is arcuate in shape such that when the material is folded over, a frusto-conical object is formed.  
   
   
       20 . The sleeve of  claim 19 , further comprising a paper or cardboard material on an outer surface of the sleeve.  
   
   
       21 . The sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein the sleeve defines a cylindrical shape and has a closed lower end for engaging a bottom of the beverage container.  
   
   
       22 . A method for insulating a beverage container, comprising the steps of: 
 ordering a beverage at a restaurant;    receiving the beverage in a frusto-conical container;    placing a thermally insulative sleeve around an outer diameter of the container, the sleeve defining a frusto-conical member having an opening at an upper end and an opening at a lower end for receiving the beverage container, the member being fabricated from cork.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein: 
 the step of receiving the beverage in a frusto-conical container comprises receiving the container with a recyclable cardboard sleeve already disposed around the container; and    the step of placing a thermally insulative sleeve around an outer diameter of the container comprises placing the sleeve fabricated from cork around the sleeve fabricated from cardboard.