Patents and Applications

Issued Patents
Here I chose to evaluate 3 patents which I believe stood out to me the most and were least redundant. 

Insulating sleeve

US 6343735 B1

Filed in 2000 and approved in 2002, this patent regards to a invention known as the insulating sleeve. Previously coffee had been served in insulated cups such as styrofoam which provided excellent insulating in separating heat from the wearer's hands. however as such plastic cups have fallen out of favor due to environmental reasons, a new invention was required to protect drinker's hands. Enter the insulating sleeve. The sleeve in question is, as stated by the claims, an insulating container holder for a container having a sidewall,"  which is flexible and adaptable to the shape of the cup while still maintain insulation. 

Thermal coffee cup

US 2661889 A

One of the oldest inventions on the list, this invention took 5 years to be approved from 1948 to 1953. Unlike the previous coffee cups of the era, this one is unique in the fact that a portion of the cap is able to be torn away, allowing both heat and liquid to escape. However the majority of the cap is to remain on, allowing for the retention of heat. This patent was relatively simple, with only one major claim.

Insulator sleeve for a beverage container 

US 7922031 B1

The latest approved patent on the list, the insulator sleeve was filed in 2006 and approved only a year later. With the increase in popularity of numerous coffee chains such as Seattle's Best, Starbucks, and Peets, the number of coffee cups disposed of has increased dramatically, along with their disposable sleeves. This invention aims to reduce the amount of waste created by disposable sleeves. Unlike the patents before it, this claim specifies the sleeve is to be made of, clear material durable material (possibly silicon), allowing for wash and reuse along with the ability to read print underneath the sleeve.