U.S. patent application number 12/417267 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for round top cup with folding closure.
Invention is credited to Phillip G. Abbott.
Application Number | 20090261156 12/417267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41200288 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090261156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abbott; Phillip G. |
October 22, 2009 |
ROUND TOP CUP WITH FOLDING CLOSURE
Abstract
A closure for a round top cup, the closure including a pair of
gabled lid sections and a pair of curved lateral lid sections, the
gabled lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned and abutting
one another at the center of the cup in an end-to-end relationship
and the lateral lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned with
one another and abutting opposite sides of the gabled lid
sections.
Inventors: |
Abbott; Phillip G.;
(Louisville, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LUEDEKA, NEELY & GRAHAM, P.C.
P O BOX 1871
KNOXVILLE
TN
37901
US
|
Family ID: |
41200288 |
Appl. No.: |
12/417267 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12105725 |
Apr 18, 2008 |
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12417267 |
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29306916 |
Apr 18, 2008 |
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12105725 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/404 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 3/262 20130101;
B65D 3/28 20130101; B65D 3/20 20130101; B65D 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/404 |
International
Class: |
B65D 3/10 20060101
B65D003/10 |
Claims
1. A cup, comprising a sidewall having a substantially circular
cross-section and a folding closure inhibiting leakage or spillage
from the cup, the sidewall and the closure both formed from a
one-piece blank, the folding closure being located adjacent an edge
of the blank, being located adjacent the sidewall and being
configured to provide a substantially open passage in an unfolded
orientation and to provide a substantially closed structure in a
folded orientation that substantially inhibits leakage or spillage
from the cup, the substantially closed structure including a pair
of gabled lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned and abutting
one another in an end-to-end relationship, and a pair of lateral
lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned with one another and
each abutting opposite sides of the gabled lid sections.
2. The cup of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls and the folding closure
in an unfolded orientation have a frustro-conical shape with the
unfolded closure forming an upper edge lying in a plane.
3. The cup of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls and the folding closure
in an unfolded orientation have a frustro-conical shape with the
unfolded closure forming an upper edge that is circular and lies in
a horizontal plane.
4. The cup of claim 1, wherein the blank comprises a paperboard
blank.
5. The cup of claim 1, wherein the blank comprises a plastic
blank.
6. The cup of claim 1, wherein the cup further includes a bottom
opposite the folding closure.
7. The cup of claim 1, wherein the blank in a planar unfolded
orientation has a length, a width, and an upper edge, and includes
a plurality of longitudinal fold segments that are linear fold
segments, a plurality of lateral fold segments that are curved fold
segments, and a plurality of angled fold segments that are linear
fold segments; wherein the longitudinal fold segments are each
oriented to be substantially parallel to the length of the blank
and extend from the upper edge of the blank to an intersection with
one of the lateral fold segments which are each oriented to be
substantially parallel to the width of the blank; and wherein the
angled fold segments each extend diagonally from the upper edge of
the blank to an intersection of two of the lateral fold segments
and one of the longitudinal fold segments.
8. The cup of claim 1, wherein the lateral lid sections provide
curved surfaces.
9. The cup of claim 1, further comprising a flat rim incorporated
onto the cup.
10. The cup of claim 9, wherein the flat rim is located to be
present on the abutting portions of the gabled lid sections and on
the lateral lid sections where the lateral lid sections abut the
gabled lid sections.
11. A closure for a round top cup, the closure comprising a pair of
gabled lid sections and a pair of curved lateral lid sections, the
gabled lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned and abutting
one another at the center of the cup in an end-to-end relationship
and the lateral lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned with
one another and abutting opposite sides of the gabled lid
sections.
12. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a flat rim is
located to be present on the abutting portions of the gabled lid
sections and on the lateral lid sections where the lateral lid
sections abut the gabled lid sections.
13. A cup blank, comprising a foldable sheet material having a
foldable closure portion defined adjacent an edge of the sheet
material, the foldable closure portion having a plurality of first
fold segments which are linear fold segments, a plurality of second
fold segments which are curved fold segments, and a plurality of
third fold segments which are linear fold segments; wherein the
first fold segments extend from the edge of the sheet material to
an intersection with one of the second fold segments, wherein the
closure portion is void of any of the third fold segments
intermediate at least one pair of adjacent and spaced apart ones of
the first fold segments; and wherein the third fold segments each
extend diagonally from the edge of the sheet material to an
intersection of two of the second fold segments and one of the
first fold segments, wherein the foldable closure portion is
foldable to define a lid having a pair of gabled lid sections and a
pair of lateral lid sections, and wherein the gabled lid sections
are oriented to be linearly aligned and abutting one another in an
end-to-end relationship and the lateral lid sections are oriented
to be linearly aligned with one another and abutting opposite sides
of the aligned gabled lid sections.
14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first fold
segments comprises six first fold segments, the plurality of second
fold segments comprises six fold segments, and the plurality of
third fold segments comprises eight fold segments.
15. The blank of claim 13 wherein the blank has one edge lying in
an arc that forms a circular top edge when the blank is formed into
a cup and the foldable closure portion is not folded.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE-TO-RELATED-APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/105,725 filed Apr. 18, 2008, and entitled
CONTAINER WITH FOLDING LID, and a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 29/331,407, filed Jan. 26,
2009, and entitled CONTAINER CLOSURE, which is a
continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.
29/306,916, filed Apr. 18, 2008, and entitled CONTAINER CLOSURE,
each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of disposable cups.
More particularly, this disclosure relates to a disposable round
top cup having a folding closure that effectively encloses the cup
to inhibit leakage or spillage of the cup.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Improvement is desired in the construction of enclosable
disposable drink cups. For example, coffee and other drinks are
typically sold in round top paper or plastic cups having a separate
lid that is friction fit to the cup. The use of separate lids is
undesirable for logistics and performance reasons, such as separate
inventory of lids is required and the lids often fail to provide
adequate protection against leakage or spillage. In many instances,
the lid is not fully seated onto the cup when installed or does not
remain fully seated and simply grasping the cup when full will
cause spillage. In the event the cup is dropped, the lid typically
unseats and most if not all of the contents escape.
[0004] Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a disposable round
top cup having an improved closure to inhibit leakage and
spillage.
SUMMARY
[0005] The above and other needs are met in one aspect by a closure
for a cup that substantially inhibits leakage or spillage of liquid
contents from the cup.
[0006] The closure includes a pair of gabled lid sections and a
pair of curved lateral lid sections. The gabled lid sections are
oriented to be linearly aligned and abutting one another at the
center of the cup in an end-to-end relationship and the lateral lid
sections are oriented to be linearly aligned with one another and
abutting opposite sides of the gabled lid sections.
[0007] In another aspect of the disclosure, a cup is provided that
includes a sidewall having a substantially circular cross-section
and a folding closure inhibiting leakage or spillage from the cup,
the sidewall and the closure both formed from a one-piece blank.
The folding closure is located adjacent an edge of the blank
adjacent the sidewall and is configured to provide a substantially
open passage in an unfolded orientation and to provide a
substantially closed structure in a folded orientation that
substantially inhibits leakage or spillage from the cup. The
substantially closed structure includes a pair of gabled lid
sections oriented to be linearly aligned and abutting one another
in an end-to-end relationship, and a pair of lateral lid sections
oriented to be linearly aligned with one another and each abutting
opposite sides of the gabled lid sections.
[0008] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a blank for
making a cup. The blank is made of a foldable sheet material having
a foldable closure portion defined adjacent an edge of the sheet
material. The foldable closure portion has a plurality of first
fold segments which are linear fold segments, a plurality of second
fold segments which are curved fold segments, and a plurality of
third fold segments which are linear fold segments.
[0009] The first fold segments extend from the edge of the sheet
material to an intersection with one of the second fold segments,
and he closure portion is void of any of the third fold segments
intermediate at least one pair of adjacent and spaced apart ones of
the first fold segments. The third fold segments each extend
diagonally from the edge of the sheet material to an intersection
of two of the second fold segments and one of the first fold
segments. The foldable closure portion is foldable to define a lid
having a pair of gabled lid sections and a pair of lateral lid
sections, and the gabled lid sections are oriented to be linearly
aligned and abutting one another in an end-to-end relationship with
the lateral lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned with one
another and abutting opposite sides of the aligned gabled lid
sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by
reference to the detailed description when considered in
conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more
clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate
like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a round top cup according to a
preferred embodiment of the disclosure shown in a closed
condition.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a blank for providing the sidewall and closure of
the cup of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a blank for providing the bottom of the cup of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the blank of FIG. 2,
which does not include a flat rim.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows the cup of FIG. 1 as initially formed with an
open-top.
[0016] FIGS. 6-11 show steps in folding the lid of the cup of FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a top-end view of the cup of FIG. 1 in the closed
condition showing the round top configuration of the cup.
[0018] FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of a blank having
shorter sidewalls, and
[0019] FIG. 14 shows the resulting cup or bowl made from the
blank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] With reference to the drawings, in one aspect the disclosure
relates to a round top cup 10 having a sidewall 12 having a
substantially circular cross-section and a substantially sealing
folding closure or lid 14 that substantially inhibits leakage or
spillage from the cup. The sidewall 12 and the lid 14 of the cup 10
are formed from a one-piece blank 16 (FIG. 2).
[0021] The sidewall 12 may also be used to provide a bottom or
other enclosing surface needed opposite the lid 14. However, to
provide a bottom 18 to the cup 10 that supports the cup 10 in an
upright orientation, it is preferred to use a separate blank 20 to
provide the bottom 18. It will also be understood that the blank 20
or other structure for forming the bottom 18 may be included with
the blank 16 so as to have a cup made of a single blank.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 2, the blank 16 is a one-piece blank
made of a foldable sheet material, such as paperboard material of
the type conventionally used in the manufacture of paper cups. The
blank 16 may be made of other sheet materials, including plastics
of the type used to make plastic cups.
[0023] To render the cup 10 such that the sidewall 12 provides a
generally tapered cylindrical structure, the blank 16 is shaped to
have a bottom edge 22, an upper edge 24, and a pair of opposite
side edges 26 and 28. The bottom edge 22 and the upper edge 24 are
preferably upwardly bowed, that is the bottom edge 22 bowing toward
the upper edge 24 and the upper edge 24 is similarly bowed away
from the bottom edge 22 and parallel thereto. The side edges 26 and
28 are linear and extend from each end of the bottom edge 24 to the
upper edge 24. However, the length of the bottom edge 22 is less
than the length of the upper edge 24, such that the side edges 26
and 28 are not parallel. Thus, when the side edges 26 and 28 are
overlapped when forming the blank 16 into the cup 10, the sidewall
12 will resemble a tapered cylinder in shape. Dashed line 30 on the
blank 16 indicates an area that is overlapped by the opposite side
as the blank is wrapped into a cone shape. The area defined between
the edge 26 and the line 30 may also include a glue or adhesive to
seal the overlapped portions together if desired. In this regard,
however, it will be understood that the overlapped portions may be
joined and sealed using conventional cup making techniques and
equipment. It will be understood that the blank 16 may be
configured to have a straight cylindrical sidewall instead of a
tapered cylindrical sidewall.
[0024] To provide the desired folding closure or lid 14, portions
of the blank 16 adjacent the upper edge 24 are configured to
include generally longitudinal fold segments 32a-32f, generally
lateral curved fold segments 34a-34f, and angled fold segments
36a-36h. The fold segments described herein are desirably formed
using automated machinery of the type commonly used for making
paperboard or other sheet material blanks, and the cup thereafter
formed using automated machinery of the type commonly used for
converting blanks into cups.
[0025] The fold segments 32a-32f, 34a-34f, and 36a-36h cooperate to
enable formation of the lid 14 into the closed orientation as seen
in FIGS. 1 and 7-9 to define opposed and substantially lateral lid
sections 38a-38b and opposed and substantially gabled lid sections
40a-40b located between the lateral lid sections 38aand 38b. The
gabled lid sections 40a and 40b of the closed lid are linearly
aligned and abut one another in an end-to-end relationship, with
the lateral lid sections 38a and 38b linearly aligned with one
another and abutting opposite sides of the gabled lid sections 40a
and 40b. As will be noted, the lateral lid section 38a abuts both
of the gabled lid sections 40a and 40b on one side thereof, and the
lateral lid section 38b abuts both of the gabled lid sections 40a
and 40b on the opposite side. Thus, the integrity of the closed
orientation is maintained by the cooperating orientations of the
gabled sections and the lateral sections.
[0026] As used herein, the term "substantially lateral" will be
understood to mean that the lid sections 38a and 38b are positioned
generally laterally relative to the sidewall 12. Thus, while the
lid sections 38a and 38b may have a somewhat curved surface or a
planar surface, each lies generally laterally relative to the
sidewall 12 when the lid 14 is assembled to substantially enclose
the cup 10. The term "substantially gabled" will be understood to
mean that the lid sections 40a and 40b include a generally
triangular raised portion.
[0027] Fold segments 32a-32f are oriented to be substantially
parallel to the length of the blank 16 and the side edges 26 and 28
of the blank 16. Each fold segment 32a-32f extends from the upper
edge 24 to an intersection with one of the lateral fold segments
34a-34f. The fold segments 32a-32f are preferably substantially
linear folds or creases formed on the blank 16 with the fold made
so that the fold segment is oriented to be outward of the adjacent
material portions of the blank 16.
[0028] Fold segments 34a-34f are oriented to be substantially
parallel to the width of the blank 16 and the bottom edge 22 and
the upper edge 24 of the blank 16. The fold segments 34a-34f are
formed such that the segments of the upper edge 24 of the blank 16
extend generally toward the center of the cup 10. As shown, the
segments 34a-34f are generally scalloped or arcuate curved folds.
The use of arcuate or curved folds for the segments 34a-34f
provides additional aesthetic appearance features to the lid 14 and
also provides generally curved surfaces 42 and 44 on the lid 14
which have been observed to offer surfaces comfortable to the mouth
of a user of the cup 10. In this regard, it is desirable to provide
a perforated location that may be removed to define a slot or
aperture 46 on one or both of the surfaces 42 or 44, for
facilitating drinking of a beverage from the cup 10. In addition, a
perforated location may be provided to define an aperture 48
configured for accepting a straw or the like.
[0029] A feature in the form of a flat rim 49, discussed more fully
below, may be provided to the cup by folding along a curved fold
line 49a that extends parallel to and closely adjacent the
uppermost edge of the blank 16. As the cup is folded down along
fold line 49a it may be crimped or crushed inwardly to accommodate
the curvature of line 49a. Alternatively small cuts may be formed
along the uppermost edge of the cup to allow the cup edge to
overlap on itself as it is folded down to form the flat rim 49.
(The term "flat" is used to indicate that the flat rim 49 lies in a
plane when the blank is formed into a cup and left in an unfolded
orientation.). In this regard, it will be understood that the cup
may be made to not include the flat rim 49. With reference to FIG.
4, there is shown the blank of FIG. 2 with the fold line 49a
removed, so as to provide the cup without the flat rim 49. In
addition, it will be understood that the cup 10 described herein
may be made to have a shorter sidewall so as to resemble a hot tea
cup or a bowl in appearance. In this regard, FIG. 13 shows the
blank of FIG. 4 modified to have a shorter sidewall for use to make
a cup useful as a hot tea cup or bowl, as shown in FIG. 14. It will
be understood that the blank of FIG. 13 may be modified to include
the fold line 49a so as to include the flat rim 49.
[0030] Returning to FIG. 2, the fold segments 36a-36h are each
preferably linear folds oriented to extend diagonally from the
upper edge 24 to the intersection of two of the lateral fold
segments 34a-34f and one of the longitudinal fold segments 32a-32f.
For example, the segment 36a extends diagonally at an angle of
about 45 degrees to the intersection of the lateral segments 34a
and 34b and the longitudinal segment 32a. As will be noted (FIG.
2), the closure 14 is void of any of the fold segments 36a-36h
intermediate at least one pair of adjacent and spaced apart ones of
the fold segments 32a-32f. For example, no diagonal fold segments
are located between the pair of adjacent and spaced apart fold
segments 32c and 32d, which enables forming of the lateral lid
section 38b.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 3, the blank 20 to provide the bottom
18 is a one-piece blank made of a foldable sheet material in the
manner of the blank 16. The blank 20 includes a substantially
circular portion 50 having a sidewall 52 extending upwardly
therefrom. In the manufacture of the cup 10, the blank 20 is
married with the blank 16 to form the cup 10 as provided in an open
top configuration, such as shown in FIG. 5, which provides a
substantially open passage to the interior of the cup 10 that
facilitates loading of contents into the cup. Also, the cup 10 in
the open top configuration of FIG. 5 may be readily stacked with a
plurality of like cups for shipping, storage, and dispensing, for
example, in a retail store or fast food setting.
[0032] To use the cup 10, a user will obtain the cup in the open
configuration of FIG. 5 and fill the cup through the open passage
with a desired material, such as a beverage. In this regard, the
cup 10 may desirably include indicia, such as a fill line indicated
by dashed line 53 to indicate a desired full level of the cup 10
that cooperates with the lid 14. Next, the cup 10 is configured to
fold the segments 32a-32f, 34a-34f, and 36a-36h to form the lid 14
into the closed orientation and form the lid sections 38a-38b and
40a-40b.
[0033] With reference now to FIGS. 6-12, steps are shown in forming
the lid 14. Beginning with FIG. 6, the sheet material is initially
creased or folded about the fold lines 32b and 32e to define
triangular portions 54 and 56 formed by the abutting triangular
sections of the sheet material on opposite sides of the fold lines
32b and 32e, respectively. The flat rim 49 is provided when the
upper edge of the cup is folded about the fold line 49a. The flat
rim 49 is located on the outer perimeter of the uppermost edge of
the cup. To maintain the rim 49, adhesive may be utilized to bond
the material to itself, however, application of heat or just simple
folding pressure may be sufficient depending upon the material of
which the cup is made. In FIG. 6, the cup is shown in a very
slightly folded orientation, but when frilly not folded the flat
rim 49 lies in a circle in a horizontal plane, that is, a plane
parallel to the bottom 18 of the cup. In this unfolded orientation,
the cup is frustro-conical in shape with the lower and upper edges
of the cup lying in parallel planes joined by a conical
surface.
[0034] Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sides of each
triangular portion 54 and 56 are urged together and pressure
applied to fold the triangular portions 54 and 56 toward one
another in directions toward the center of the cup 10. As the
triangular portions 54 and 56 are urged toward one another, folding
occurs along the remaining fold segments to the point that a lower
corner of each of the triangular portions 54 and 56 abut one
another.
[0035] Next, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the triangular portions 54
and 56 are urged further until the innermost edges of the
triangular portions 54 and 56 bear against one another and are
substantially aligned with longitudinal axis L of the cup 10 to
form the gabled lid sections 40a and 40b, with the lateral lid
sections 38a and 38b being simultaneously formed to render the lid
14 in the closed condition (FIGS. 1, 11, and 12). Thus, the gabled
lid sections 40a and 40b of the closed lid are linearly aligned and
abut one another in an end-to-end relationship, with the lateral
lid sections 38a and 38b linearly aligned with one another and
abutting opposite sides of the gabled lid sections 40a and 40b.
[0036] It has been observed that the over-center application of
pressure provided by the frictional end-to-end interface of the
edges of the triangular portions 54 and 56 reinforced by the
abutting lateral lid sections 38a and 38b focused at the center of
the lid serves to maintain the lid 14 in the closed condition even
when the cup 10 is squeezed, tipped over, or dropped, with vastly
improved resistance to leakage or spilling as compared to
conventional cup lids under similar conditions. For example, if the
cup 10 is dropped and lands on its side, then some minor spillage
may occur if the cup is substantially fill through joints of the
lid 14. However, it has been observed that the lid 14 typically
remains substantially intact and that in less than full conditions
very little spillage occurs since the joints are located proximate
the center of the lid 14. The use of the blank embodiment which
provides the flat rim 49 is particularly preferred, since it has
been observed that the presence of the flat rim 49 enables a
greater force or compression to be exerted by the frictional
end-to-end interface of the edges of the triangular portions 54 and
56 reinforced by the abutting lateral lid sections 38a and 38b when
the flat rim is included, as best seen in FIG. 1.
[0037] Conversely, as will be appreciated, conventional lids seat
around the perimeter of the cup and upon the cup being squeezed,
dropped or tipped. Thus, when the seating of the lid is disrupted
at any point around the perimeter, leakage readily occurs at such
location and the lid typically becomes completely unseated and
falls off, leaving no blockage to spilling.
[0038] Another feature of the round top cup 10 relates to the use
of the curved fold segments 34a-34f. The use of the curved fold
segments enables the cup to be round at the top, as best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 12. In addition, the curved folds enable the provision
of the curved surfaces 42 and 44 on the lid 14 which are
aesthetically pleasing and provide surfaces comfortable to the
mouth of a user.
[0039] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this
disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the
best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its
practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when
interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
* * * * *