U.S. patent number 3,754,699 [Application Number 05/162,485] was granted by the patent office on 1973-08-28 for reinforced large polystyrene container.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dart Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roy Edward Moore.
United States Patent |
3,754,699 |
Moore |
August 28, 1973 |
REINFORCED LARGE POLYSTYRENE CONTAINER
Abstract
An expanded polystyrene container is described as having
capacities of between about 50 and 200 fluid ounces and having a
pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed reinforcing band positioned
adjacent its uppermost peripheral edge.
Inventors: |
Moore; Roy Edward (Phoenix,
AZ) |
Assignee: |
Dart Industries, Inc. (Los
Angeles, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
22585815 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/162,485 |
Filed: |
July 14, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/400; D7/523;
206/519; D9/500; 220/648 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
1/16 (20130101); B65D 1/46 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
1/00 (20060101); B65D 1/16 (20060101); B65D
1/40 (20060101); B65D 1/46 (20060101); B65d
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;229/1.5B,1.5R
;220/71,73,97C,97F,9F ;229/55 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schacher; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Church; Gene A.
Claims
I claim:
1. A reinforced plastic package comprising a container member of
expanded polystyrene between about a 50 and to 200 ounce capacity
and having outwardly tapering sidewall means extending from a
bottom wall member to an upper peripheral edge forming the open end
thereof, and including at least one tape strip fixedly adhered to
the exterior of said upper peripheral edge around and in close
contact with the rim of the container member so that the upper
portion thereof will retain its basic size and shape even under
tensile loading conditions.
2. A reinforced plastic package according to claim 1 wherein said
tape strip encompases substantially the entire peripheral extent of
said package.
3. A reinforced plastic package according to claim 2 wherein said
container walls are of an expanded polystreme composition of
approximately about between 0.125 and 0.250 inches thickness and
wherein said tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesively backed
material adhered to the container and is about between 0.250 and
0.500 inches wide.
4. A reinforced plastic package according to claim 1 wherein said
tape strip includes a multiplicity of pressure-sensitive tape
strips respectively spaced from one another and each encompassing
substantially the entire peripheral extent of said package.
Description
This invention relates to plastic packages and, more particularly,
to relatively large expanded polystyrene food containers. Such
containers are well known for their insulating effects and thus
their suitability in the service of both cold and hot
foodstuffs.
Prior art containers of the type noted have, for the most part,
been molded in various sizes and shapes, but usually below a
50-ounce capacity. These, therefore, have in many instances been
limited to uses related to the dispension of cold and hot drinks
and to small quantity carry-home items such as are available in
delicatessens or the like.
As is well known, expanded polystyrene containers are not
characteristically strong due, of course, to the method by which
they are formed as well as to the basic material of construction.
Therefore, containers of sizes approximating 150 fluid ounces had
until recently been thought impractical. It has, however, recently
become feasible to manufacture such containers in these
considerably larger sizes and, like their predecessors, such may
also be employed, for example, for popular carry-home food
products.
There larger containers, particularly those of a size between about
50 and 200 fluid ounces, have proven to be most satisfactory. In
some instances, nonetheless, it has been considered appropriate
that such be capable of withstanding stresses beyond those which
appear feasible for only the expanded polystyrene. Therefore, the
primary objective of this invention is to make available a
relatively large(50-150 fluid ounces) expanded polystyrene
container which is substantially strengthened by suitable
reinforcing means.
A further objective is to insure that such reinforcement is
compatible for inclusion in the basic container construction
considering cost, end usage, manufacturing technique, weight and
related problems.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more
apparent from the ensuing specification, claims and drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a container illustrating a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-section taken along line 2--2
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the container shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the
invention partially broken away.
A typical expanded polystyrene container incorporating the features
of the instant invention is designated by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1.
Such container in the preferred embodiment is approximately 9
inches in diameter and 10 inches tall. Thus, the holding cavity
thereof is about 170 fluid ounces.
As was mentioned above, polystyrene containers of this size under
loaded conditions may experience significant stresses, especially
when subjected to handling. Therefore, an economical and effective
means for reinforcing these containers was a practical necessity if
repreated failures in usage were to be avoided.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, it may be seen that container
10 is formed by an integral side wall area 12 and a bottom wall 18.
Again, in the preferred embodiment, the basic configuration of the
container is cylindrical, as is obvious from FIG. 3. However, it
should also be apparent that other shapes might be equally suitable
and might equally well incorporate the salient features of this
invention in certain circumstances.
The container shown, therefore, is for the most part similar to the
various cup constructions which are commonly used for hot and cold
drinks of various types. Thus, the sidewall area 12 tapers upwardly
and outwardly to its upper peripheral edge 14 which is of a
bead-like configuration. Similarly, an upper rim area 16 is
provided proximate the upper peripheral edge 14.
In lifting containers of the size noted, it is not uncommon for a
filled container 10 to be grasped between the thumb and forefingers
in the rim area. Despite the fact that the wall thicknesses in
these will be between about 0.125 and 0.250 inches, and preferably
about 0.1875 inches, such handling in many instances produces
tensile stresses in excess of those which the polystyrene
construction is capable of withstanding, thus resulting in the
noted failures.
The upper peripheral edge 14 and rim 16 of container 10 in
accordance with the dictates of this invention are, however,
reinforced with a band-type material 20. Such material is affixed
to the rim 16 by an adhesive composition 22 immediately under and
adjacent edge 14.
Preferably, this material is an adhesive-backed pressure-sensitive
tape of between 0.250 and 0.500 inches wide. Various tapes of this
type have been found to be satisfactory in providing the intended
reinforcement. Several typical such materials are manufactured by
the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company and are of polyester
film, cellophane, crepe and mylar constructions. Others, of course,
may be equally satisfactory and may be selected for reasons of
clarity, decorative or other effects.
The 3M polyester film material is preferred because of its clarity
and unobtrusive appearance around the container exterior. Likewise,
it is preferred to use a single 0.375 inch tape strip; however, the
width thereof may vary between 0.250 and 0.500 inches and it may
be, in certain circumstances, advantageous to employ a plurality of
strips adjacently positioned on the rim area. Tape material 20 is
also overlapped as at 24 to assure that the container or tab is
reinforced around its entire peripheral extent. This may also be
modified if, for example, a plurality of tape strips are employed.
FIG. 4 illustrates such an arrangement of plural tape strips.
The above sets forth specific embodiments of the invention having
attendant advantages characterized by increased tensile properties
for the container construction described and by which means there
is produced a wholly satisfactory product.
* * * * *