Stretch sleeve labeled foam container

Abstract

A food or beverage container may include an open-ended expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam body and a stretch sleeve label. The stretch sleeve label may be made of a material which may enable a high quality design to be displayed on the outside of the EPS foam body. The stretch sleeve label may be stretched over the exterior surface of the EPS foam body and released to fit the contours of the EPS foam body. The stretch sleeve label may be affixed to the EPS foam body using an adhesive. The EPS foam body, the stretch sleeve label, and/or the adhesive may comprise compostable or recyclable materials, such that the entire food or beverage container may be compostable or recyclable.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A food or beverage container comprising:
 an open-ended expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam body; and   a stretch sleeve label enveloping at least one portion of an exterior surface of the open-ended EPS foam body, wherein the stretch sleeve label comprises a material that is capable of fitting the at least one portion of the exterior surface of the open-ended EPS foam body when stretched around the exterior surface and released.   
     
     
         2 . The food or beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the stretch sleeve label enables a display of a high quality design on the exterior surface of the open-ended EPS foam body. 
     
     
         3 . The food or beverage container of  claim 1 , wherein the open-ended EPS foam body and the stretch sleeve label comprise compostable or recyclable materials. 
     
     
         4 . A method for manufacturing a shrink sleeve labeled expanded polystyrene (EPS) container, the method comprising:
 receiving an EPS container having an open-ended EPS foam body; and   applying a stretch sleeve label to at least one pre-defined portion of an exterior surface of the EPS container, wherein the stretch sleeve label comprises a material that is capable of fitting the at least one pre-defined portion of the exterior surface of the EPS container when stretched around the exterior surface and released.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the stretch sleeve label enables a display of a high quality design on the exterior surface of the EPS container. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the EPS container and the stretch sleeve label comprise compostable or recyclable materials. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for manufacturing a shrink sleeve labeled expanded polystyrene (EPS) container, the apparatus comprising:
 a container dispenser capable of dispensing an EPS container having an open-ended EPS foam body; and   a label dispenser capable of applying a stretch sleeve label to at least one pre-defined portion of an exterior surface of the EPS container, wherein the stretch sleeve label comprises a material that is capable of fitting the at least one pre-defined portion of the exterior surface of the EPS container when stretched around the exterior surface and released.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the stretch sleeve label enables a display of a high quality design on the exterior surface of the EPS container. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the EPS container and the stretch sleeve label comprise compostable or recyclable materials. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a bullet mandrel for stretching the stretch sleeve label to a diameter that exceeds the exterior surface of the EPS container.