Apparatus, system and method for cushioning an object

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method to protect an object with a sleeve has a seam extending along the sleeve wherein the sleeve folds to attach along the seam. The sleeve is inserted on an object, such as a food container or a beverage container, to surround the container. A lattice is formed by expansion of slits extending along the sleeve inserted on the container. The depth of the lattice cushions the container from breakage. A bottom extends from the sleeve to surround the container. The sleeve may be placed in a partitioned section of a crate or box and/or may be incorporated in a bag to receive and/or protect the object.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a sleeve defined by a height and a diameter wherein the height is greater than the diameter;   a seam extending along the height of the sleeve wherein the sleeve folds to attach along the seam; and   a plurality of slits extending along the height of the sleeve wherein the sleeve is inserted on a container to expand along the plurality of slits to form a lattice that substantially surrounds the container to cushion the container from impact.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bottom that extends from the sleeve to surround the container. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bag wherein the sleeve is attached to the bag to receive the container. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is made from paper with a basis weight in the range of thirty pounds to ninety pounds. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the lattice has a depth proportionate to the rigidity of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a crate with a plurality of partitioned sections wherein at least one of the plurality of partitioned sections has the sleeve. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve expands to a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second slit formed across an entrance of the sleeve wherein the second slit assists insertion of the sleeve over the container. 
 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a sleeve inserted around a bottle wherein the sleeve slides over the bottle and further wherein the sleeve is substantially made from paper;   a plurality of slits formed in the sleeve that expand on the bottle to fit the sleeve around the bottle; and   a lattice formed on the sleeve by expansion of the plurality of slits around the bottle wherein the lattice surrounds the bottle.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the lattice has a substantially hexagonal pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the lattice has a depth to absorb energy from impact of the bottle against a rigid object. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a bottom of the sleeve that extends from the sleeve to surround the bottle. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the bottle fits into a circumference of the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a box having an interior defined by partitioned sections wherein the sleeve is incorporated in at least one of the partitioned sections. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a partitioned section in a crate wherein the sleeve adheres to a side of the partitioned section to receive the bottle. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 aligning a paper sleeve with a plurality of slits extending across the sleeve with a container;   inserting the paper sleeve onto the container;   sliding the paper sleeve around the container to expand the plurality of slits to form a lattice around the container; and   cushioning the container with the lattice.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 enclosing a bottom of the container by the paper sleeve. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 adhering the paper sleeve to a bag that receives the container. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 adhering the paper sleeve to at least one partitioned section of a plurality of partitioned sections in a box. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 placing the sleeve on another sleeve to form a stack.