US20110180552A1 - Container apparatus and method for using the same - Google Patents
Container apparatus and method for using the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110180552A1 US20110180552A1 US13/080,912 US201113080912A US2011180552A1 US 20110180552 A1 US20110180552 A1 US 20110180552A1 US 201113080912 A US201113080912 A US 201113080912A US 2011180552 A1 US2011180552 A1 US 2011180552A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- lid
- plate
- hinge
- score line
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
- B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
- B65D21/0217—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0233—Nestable containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D3/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines
- B65D3/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines characterised by shape
- B65D3/04—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines characterised by shape essentially cylindrical
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D3/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines
- B65D3/10—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines characterised by form of integral or permanently secured end closure
- B65D3/12—Flanged discs permanently secured, e.g. by adhesives or by heat-sealing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D3/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies or peripheral walls of curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper without folding along defined lines
- B65D3/26—Opening arrangements or devices incorporated in, or attached to, containers
- B65D3/268—Opening arrangements or devices incorporated in, or attached to, containers the opening arrangement being located in a container closure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2105/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by assembling separate sheets, blanks or webs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2105/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by assembling separate sheets, blanks or webs
- B31B2105/002—Making boxes characterised by the shape of the blanks from which they are formed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2105/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by assembling separate sheets, blanks or webs
- B31B2105/002—Making boxes characterised by the shape of the blanks from which they are formed
- B31B2105/0022—Making boxes from tubular webs or blanks, e.g. with separate bottoms, including tube or bottom forming operations
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2110/00—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B31B2110/10—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers having a cross section of varying size or shape, e.g. conical or pyramidal
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00046—Drinking-through lids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00611—Profiles
- B65D2543/0062—Groove or hollow bead
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00722—Profiles
- B65D2543/00759—Flange or lip
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00824—Means for facilitating removing of the closure
- B65D2543/00833—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
- B65D2543/00842—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid
Definitions
- FIG. 6 f is a diagram illustrating an example of a plate with a hinge break.
- FIG. 8 a is a diagram illustrating an example of a side plan view of a container in a fully open position.
- FIG. 10 c is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a container.
- the body 22 and the lid 22 are intended to be permanently integral with each other. In other embodiments, the user 20 may have the option of either temporarily or permanently removing the lid 22 .
- all score lines except for the inner groove 52 and body hinge 56 are implemented prior to the securing of the top blank 102 to the bottom blank 100 .
- all score lines can be added as part of the blank preparation process that occurs prior to combining the blanks.
- the body hinge 56 can be implemented in the shape of a substantially curved arc rather than a straight line segment.
- a contrast of FIG. 7 a with FIG. 7 b illustrates this difference.
- FIG. 5 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a lid blank 104 used in the process illustrated by FIG. 4 b .
- FIG. 5 d is a diagram illustrating an example of a sidewall blank 106 used in the process illustrated by FIG. 4 b.
- Some embodiments of the container 20 can include multiple cavities 46 for separating two or more products within the container 20 .
- Such embodiments can include internal structures to mix the contents if desired, or to keep them permanently separate.
- a container 20 could be configured to hold 2 different and separate drinks, with the cavity 46 being split into two separate holding areas.
- Other containers 20 involving foodstuffs or contents having nothing to do with beverages or food can also involve partitioned cavities 46 .
- the container 20 will include two flaps 54 , one to each side of the plate 24 , to facilitate the sealing of the container 20 in a closed position.
- the flaps 54 can also assist users in moving the container 20 from one operating state to another.
- the flaps 54 can also serve to ventilate the cavity 46 of the container 20 .
- Some embodiments of the plate 24 can include one or more skid locks 58 to facilitate the ability of users to stack the containers 20 on top of each other even if the lids 28 are closed.
- Skid locks 58 in conjunction with the rim 34 serve to constrain the lower portion of the container 20 allowing the containers 20 to be vertically stacked onto each other even when the lids 28 are closed.
- Skid locks 58 can be implemented into the plate 24 using a wide variety of different manufacturing processes.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
A container apparatus and a method for using the container apparatus is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus can be implemented in a wide variety of ways, including but not limited to that of a food or beverage container. The container apparatus can include a lid and a body that are integral with each other.
Description
- This continuation-in-part utility patent application claims priority to: (1) the provisional patent application titled “PRODUCT CONTAINER CUP WITH A FOLD-DOWN HINGED LID” (Ser. No. 61/161,112) that was filed on Mar. 18, 2009; (2) the utility patent application titled “CONTAINER APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME” (Ser. No. 12/725,061) that was filed on Mar. 16, 2010; and (3) the provisional patent application titled “CONTAINER APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME” (Ser. No. 61/416,292) that was filed on Nov. 22, 2010; and the contents of all three applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- The invention relates generally to containers. More specifically, the invention is a container apparatus (the “container”) and a method for using a container.
- Containers are an important part of the modern economy. Many products cannot be stored, transported, sold, and/or used without first being secured in some type of container. Some types of products, such as many types of food products and virtually all beverage products, require some type of container for the product to be handled or consumed. In many contexts, the container is an integral part of the experiencing the product held within the container. For example, in drinking a beverage, a human being often positions the beverage by positioning the cup that contains the beverage.
- Different types of products require different types of containers. Different types of containers can have different purposes. For example, containers can be used to (1) protect the contained product; (2) protect users in utilizing the product; (3) facilitate the ability of users to experience the product, and/or combinations of (1)-(3) above. In the context of a coffee cup, the container serves to prevent the inadvertent disbursement of the coffee and in doing so prevents hot coffee from being spilled on the user.
- The attributes of a product will often impact the attributes of the container used to house the product, and vice versa. For example, a container for a beverage product will typically need to be watertight while a container used for storing office supplies need not be watertight or even fully closable. Similarly, a container suitable for use in the context of sterilized medical supplies will have different attributes than a container used to store spare change or golf tees. Even relatively similar types of products can involve significantly different types of containers. For example, at a quick service food restaurant, different types of cups are used to hold juice, milk, coffee, and soda. Different beverages have different attributes, and those different attributes can merit containers possessing different attributes.
- Different containers can also have different anticipated users possessing different skill levels and even different physical capabilities. The proper usage of a container can vary widely depending on whether or not the anticipated user of the container is a consumer. For example, a beverage container used in restaurants will need to be suitable for use by individual consumers, a wide cross section of the population that includes persons with disabilities as well as individuals of below average physical and mental capabilities. In contrast, a container used by locksmiths or mechanics to store their tools can utilize far more complex designs and operating procedures.
- Containers can also vary widely in terms of their anticipated duration of service. Many containers are disposed of after a single use. For example, a cup of ice cream sold in a grocery store or drug store is intended to be thrown away after the contents are consumed by a consumer. In contrast, a thermos can be emptied and filled over a lifetime of years or even decades.
- Many popular consumer products are sold in disposable containers that are not biodegradable or that otherwise involve negative environmental implications. Many such containers end up as litter that is both an eyesore and damaging to the environment. For example, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (which is also often referred to as the Pacific Trash Vortex) is made up of high concentrations of plastics and other debris trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. Whether or not the size of the Pacific Trash Vortex is currently as large as the state of Texas, there is no disputing the fact that the area is large and that the damage to that area is significant. Moreover, there are four other large places in the world's oceans where winds trap floating debris.
- By definition, disposable containers become waste after their intended and inevitably brief use. Plastic lids for a paper cups and plastic water bottles exist far longer as waste than they do as useful consumer articles. A consumer typically enjoys a cup of coffee in a sitting lasting between 20 and 30 minutes. That lid can require years, decades, or even centuries to fully decompose.
- Whether discarded in a landfill or on a body of water, containers can take centuries to degrade while doing significant damage to the surrounding eco-system in the interim. Billions of plastic bottles end in U.S. landfills each year. If those bottles are laid end-to-end, there are enough plastic bottles disposed of each year to circle the equator hundreds of times over or to reach the moon and back multiple times. As the population in developed countries grows and as less economically advanced nations grow economically, the environmental impact of disposable containers will only increase.
- Old habits die hard, and it is difficult to change both business and consumer behavior with regards to disposable containers. The technical and business inertia impeding innovations in container design are particularly strong in the context of disposable beverage containers. There are thousands of coffee shops in the U.S. who in the aggregate sell millions of coffee servings each year with paper or Styrofoam cups that utilize plastics lids. Moreover, the underlying economics of such disposable containers coupled with manufacturing limitations affirmatively teach away from innovative container designs. In particular, preconceived notions relating to disposable cups produced with paperboard serve to stifle innovation by teaching away from potential advances.
- It would be desirable for better containers to be used in conjunction with contained products. However, most purchasing decisions are typically based on the product, not the container. This basic and simple truth has unfortunate ramifications. Container-related attributes are often overshadowed by product-related attributes, a fact that greatly impedes innovation with respect to containers. By way of example, it is no accident that the conventional paper cup has changed very little over the course of recent decades. Such cups must be produced as inexpensively as possible. Potentially innovative designs are often too expensive to effectively manufacture. In many instances, innovative designs are literally impossible to manufacture on a mass-production basis.
- The combined impact of design limitations, manufacturing constraints, and the economic reality of razor thin margins serve to lock in the status quo. Many aspects of the container described below are counter-intuitive to those in the business of designing and making containers.
- The invention relates generally to containers. More specifically, the invention is a container apparatus (the “container”) and a method for using the same.
- The container includes a body and an attached lid. In many embodiments of the container, the body and lid are intended to be permanently attached to each other. In some embodiments, the lid can be configured in such a manner as to be removable.
- In many embodiments of the container that are intended to allow for users to open and/or close the container (as opposed to merely access the contents of the container while the container is in a closed state), a plate located between the body and the lid can be used to facilitate the opening and/or closing of the lid. Some embodiments of the container will have one hinge while other embodiments of the container will have two hinges.
- The container can be implemented in a wide variety of different embodiments. Different embodiments can be adapted to contain different types of products and user experiences. Different embodiments can utilize a wide range of different materials. Some embodiments of the container can be reusable while others are designed to be disposable. Many disposable embodiments of the container will include paperboard as one of the materials.
- The following drawings illustrate different examples of various embodiments of the apparatus:
-
FIG. 1 a is a diagram illustrating an example of rear plan view of an open container that includes a plate. -
FIG. 1 b is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear plan view of an open container that does not include a plate. -
FIG. 1 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear plan view of a rectangular container that includes a plate. -
FIG. 2 a is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevated rear view of a container in a fully closed state. -
FIG. 2 b is a diagram illustrating an example of a elevated rear perspective view of a container in a fully closed state except for an open tab passageway. -
FIG. 2 c is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevated rear view of a container in a partially open and partially closed state. -
FIG. 2 d is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevated rear view of a container in a fully open state. -
FIG. 3 a is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for opening a container. -
FIG. 3 b is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for closing a container. -
FIG. 4 a is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a container. -
FIG. 4 b is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a container. -
FIG. 5 a is a diagram illustrating an example of a top blank used in the process illustrated byFIG. 4 a. -
FIG. 5 b is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom blank used in the processes illustrated byFIG. 4 a andFIG. 4 b. -
FIG. 5 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a lid blank used in the process illustrated byFIG. 4 b. -
FIG. 5 d is a diagram illustrating an example of a sidewall blank used in the process illustrated byFIG. 4 b. -
FIG. 6 a is diagram illustrating an example of a plan view of the bottom portion of container with the internal cavity illustrated with dotted lines. -
FIG. 6 b is a geometric diagram illustrating an example of a relatively large rim arc with respect to the body hinge. -
FIG. 6 c is a geometric diagram illustrating an example of a relatively small rim arc with respect to the body hinge. -
FIG. 6 d is a diagram illustrating an example of a plate that has flaps. -
FIG. 6 e is a diagram illustrating an example of a plate that has skid locks. -
FIG. 6 f is a diagram illustrating an example of a plate with a hinge break. -
FIG. 6 g is a diagram illustrating an example of a top plan view of a lid with chevrons. -
FIG. 6 h is a diagram illustrating an example of a top plan view of a lid with a lid stiffener score line. -
FIG. 6 i is a diagram illustrating an example of a top plan view of a lid with a hinge break. -
FIG. 6 j is a diagram illustrating an example of a top plan view of a lid with flaps but no plate. -
FIG. 7 a is a geometric diagram illustrating an example of a substantially circular primary score line comprised of a substantially circular inner groove and a substantially circular body hinge. -
FIG. 7 b is a geometric diagram illustrating an example of a substantially circular primary score line comprised of a substantially circular inner groove and a substantially straight body hinge. -
FIG. 7 c is a bottom plan view diagram illustrating an example of a container with the primary score line illustrated inFIG. 7 a. -
FIG. 7 d is a bottom plan view illustrating an example of a container with the primary score line illustrated inFIG. 7 b. -
FIG. 7 e is a diagram illustrating an example of a top plan view of a lid. -
FIG. 7 f is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear plan view of a body of a container in a cylindrical shape. -
FIG. 7 g is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear plan view of a body of a container in a substantially elliptical shape. -
FIG. 8 a is a diagram illustrating an example of a side plan view of a container in a fully open position. -
FIG. 8 b is a diagram illustrating an example of side plan view of a container being moved from an fully open position. -
FIG. 8 c is a diagram illustrating an example of portion of a body that includes a rim and an inner groove. -
FIG. 8 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a side plan view of a container in a fully closed position. -
FIG. 8 d is a diagram illustrating an example of an inner groove angle. -
FIG. 8 g is a diagram illustrating an example of a tab moving from a closed position to an open position. -
FIG. 8 f is a diagram illustrating an example of a front plan view of a container in a fully closed position. -
FIG. 9 a is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of how skid locks can facilitate the stacking of containers in a fully closed position. -
FIG. 9 b is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of stack of containers in fully open positions. -
FIG. 9 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a side plan view of a stack of containers in fully open positions. -
FIG. 10 a is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a container. -
FIG. 10 b is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a container. -
FIG. 10 c is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing a container. - The invention relates generally to containers. More specifically, the invention is a container apparatus (the “container”) and a method for using the same.
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FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c illustrate examples of back plan views ofdifferent containers 20. InFIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c alid 28 is shown as attached to abody 22 of thecontainer 20 even while thecontainer 20 is in a fully open operating state. - The
container 20 can be implemented in a wide variety of different shapes and operating configurations. Different embodiments of the container can involve a wide variety of different components comprised of a wide variety of different materials. Different embodiments of thecontainer 20 are suited for different types of contents. -
FIG. 1 a is a diagram illustrating an example of rear plan view of anopen container 20 that includes aplate 24. -
FIG. 1 a is an example of container embodiment intended for use as a non-aseptic container for beverages such as coffee, water, soda, and other similar beverages. Thecontainer 20 inFIG. 1 a includes abody 22, alid 28, and aplate 24 between thelid 28 and thebody 22. Theplate 24, along with thebody hinge 56 and plate hinge 26 serve to facilitate the transition of thecontainer 20 from a fully open operating state to a fully closed operating state. Anon-aseptic cup container 20 can be implemented in both disposable and non-disposable embodiments. A disposable embodiment of thecontainer 20 inFIG. 1 a can be comprised primarily of paperboard. Score lines, cuts, rolls, and other attributes can be implemented into thecontainer 20. Adhesives and coatings of non-paperboard materials can also be used to reinforce the structure of thecontainer 20. In many embodiments, such materials are applied exclusively to the exterior surfaces of thecontainer 20 so that the beverage in thecontainer 20 does not come into contact with those materials. As illustrated inFIG. 1 a, thecontainer 20 also includes twoflaps 54, one on each side of theplate 24. - The
non-aseptic container 20 illustrated inFIG. 1 a can be implemented in both disposable and non-disposable embodiments. Whether or not a particular embodiment is disposable will be primarily impacted by the material composition of thecontainer 20. Different embodiments of thecontainer 20 can include many elements not illustrated inFIG. 1 a that are discussed below and illustrated in subsequent figures. -
FIG. 1 b is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear plan view of anopen container 20 that does not include aplate 24. - The
container 20 can be implemented to function as anaseptic container 20 for beverage products. Common examples of beverages requiringaseptic containers 20 are milk and juice. Many disposable aseptic containers in the prior art as well as theaseptic container 20 ofFIG. 1 b is configured to be filled before it is aseptically sealed. Thus, thecontainer 20 ofFIG. 1 b is not necessarily intended to be opened and closed repeatedly as thecontainer 20 ofFIG. 1 a is configured to function. As a result, thecontainer 20 ofFIG. 1 b need not include aplate 24 or aplate hinge 26. The other noticeable difference betweenFIG. 1 a andFIG. 1 b is thatFIG. 1 b discloses aflange 59 to aseptically seal the contents of thecontainer 20. In some embodiments, theflange 59 will include score lines that bisect the edge of the flange. In other embodiments, there theflange 59 can include differently oriented score lines or no score lines whatsoever. The functionality of theflange 59 can be assisted by incrementally reducing the amount of material in theflange 59 as edge of the flange is approached. - Although not visible from the drawings, the
aseptic container 20 ofFIG. 1 b requires different materials than thenon-aseptic container 20 ofFIG. 1 a.Aseptic containers 20 will be comprised of combinations of paperboard, aluminum foil, metalized film, ethylene acrylic acid, low-density polyethylene, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinylidine chloride, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and/or other suitable materials. The method of manufacturing anaseptic container 20 will also differ from the method used to manufacture anon-aseptic container 20.Aseptic containers 20 involve sterilization steps as various points in the process. - The
container 20 illustrated inFIG. 1 b is intended primarily for disposable use. However, depending on the materials use, thecontainer 20 can be implemented to support reusable use. Such embodiments will need to use a sealing mechanism different than theflange 59 illustrated inFIG. 1 b. Different embodiments of thecontainer 20 can include many elements not illustrated inFIG. 1 b that are discussed below and illustrated in subsequent figures. -
FIG. 1 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear plan view of arectangular container 20 that includes aplate 24. - The
container 20 is not limited to beverage products or even to products which are intended to be ingested or imbibed by human beings or other forms of living beings. Different embodiments of thecontainer 20 can involve vastly different shapes, sizes, and materials. As illustrated inFIG. 1 c.such containers 20 havelid 28 attached to aplate 24 that is attached to abody 22. The parameters of theplate 24 are outlined by thebody hinge 56 and theplate hinge 26. - A
container 20 can be defined with respect to a variety of different attributes. Some of those attributes are discussed below. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can be used for the storage, transportation, and/or use of a wide variety of different products. Acontainer 20 can be used to store a wide range of different food products and beverages, paper money and coins, office supplies, electronics components, tools, chemical products, cleaning detergents, fabric softeners, animals, and virtually anything else for the purposes of containment, storage, and/or transportation. Virtually any type or combination of solid, liquid, or even in certain circumstances, gas product can benefit from the use of acontainer 20. Some types of contents must be removed from a container to be accessible to the user of the contained item while in other instances such as with many liquid products, thecontainer 20 is the means by which a user controls the contents of thecontainer 20. - The configuration of a
particular container 20 will depend on the intended contents of thatcontainer 20. For example, some embodiments of thecontainer 20 can be configured for the purposes of storing beverages, food products, medicinal products, or other items intended to be ingested by a human being or other living being. Acontainer 20 for ingested items will have different operating requirements than acontainer 20 for non-ingested items. Somecontainers 20 may need to store hot liquids such as coffee while other embodiments may need to store cold solids such as ice cream as well as cold liquids such as melted ice cream. In some instances, the contents of acontainer 20 must be kept dry while in other embodiments the contents of thecontainer 20 are damp or even inherently wet. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can have widely different shapes. A variety of different factors can individually or in combination with other factors impact the shape of thecontainer 20. Examples of potential factors can include but are not limited to the contents of thecontainer 20, ease of use, material composition of thecontainer 20, operating requirements of thecontainer 20, cost concerns, durability requirements, transportation issues (including the ability to be effectively stacked), and manufacturing constraints. - For example, in the context of a cup, the
container 20 is likely to be cylindrical in shape or at least substantially cylindrical in shape as is illustrated inFIG. 1 a and 1 b. This is due primarily to user expectations and ease of use. In many other contents, a rectangular box shape as illustrated inFIG. 1 c is the most desirable shape. As illustrated inFIG. 1 a and 1 b, many embodiments ofcup containers 20 will be substantially cylindrical in shape rather than cylindrical in shape because the bottom portion of thecontainer 20 will be slightly smaller than the upper portions of thecontainer 20. This is to facilitate the ability to stacksuch containers 20 while they are in open and unfilled states. - As discussed below, the shape of the
container 20 can also be impacted by the operating state of thecontainer 20. For example, many embodiments of thecontainer 20 will have a circular or substantially circular horizontal cross-sectional shape when thecontainer 20 is an a fully open position, i.e. when thelid 28 is fully upright as illustrated inFIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c. The shape of such acontainer 20 when in a closed or partially closed state can become less circular and more elliptical in shape. The change in shape results from the motion of thelid 28, theplate 24, and portions of thebody 22 in the opening and closing of thecontainer 20. - The
container 20 can be implemented in ways that are consistent with ongoing non-disposable use, but many embodiments of thecontainer 20 will be configured for disposable embodiments. The desired lifespan of acontainer 20 can also be influenced by the intended lifespan of the contents of thecontainer 20 and the typical context of when acontainer 20 is loaded with its contents. For example, the cup inFIG. 1 a is intended for use in an environment where the cup is filled by the user of the cup (or a service provider serving the user). This is the typical context for soft drinks, coffee, tea, and other drinks. By contrast, the cup inFIG. 1 b is anaseptic container 20 that is filled and sealed prior to being distributed for consumption by users. - The innovative aspects of the
container 20 may be most beneficial in the context ofdisposable containers 20 becausedisposable containers 20 raise the most significant environmental concerns due to the sheer number ofsuch containers 20. For example, the number of disposable cups used and discarded each day is truly staggering. The high volume ofsuch containers 20 coupled with the disposable nature of disposable containers also serves to make them extremely cost sensitive components in an efficient supply chain. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can be comprised of a wide variety of different materials. Thecontainer 20 was originally designed for use in the context of paper or paperboard disposable cups. However, different materials can be used For example, in the context of acontainer 20 serving as a cup the cup could be comprised of paper, paperboard, stainless steel, metal, ceramics, plastics, or other types of materials. Different types of coatings such as polymer coatings, high barrier polymer coatings (including but not limited to high carrier silver coatings), polyethylene coatings (including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate coatings), biopolymer coatings (including but not limited to polylactide polymers), biodegradable polyester, and other types of coatings can be used with respect to thecontainer 20. Any of the materials discussed above with respect toaseptic containers 20 can also be used to reinforce the structure of acontainer 20 that is not aseptically sealed. - In many disposable embodiments of the
container 20, thecontainer 20 will be primarily comprised of paperboard or some similar material, but particular portions of thecontainer 20 may be reinforced with one or more coatings. - Different material compositions for
containers 20 can influence the different ways in which the different aspects of thecontainers 20 are shaped. For example, embossing (raising the material), debossing (recessing the material), stamping, folding, and cutting can be used to machine acontainer 20 comprised of paper, paperboard, or other materials. Such structural attributes can be critical to the functionality of thecontainer 20, but such attributes can also be very much constrained by the manufacturing constraints involved in implementing certain design features. - Many disposable containers in the prior art involve plastic lids. Such lids are not typically biodegradable and they require significant quantities of oil for their production. Such lids are used once, often for mere hours or even minutes, and then spend decades in landfills or as floating debris in the ocean. The
container 20 can be implemented in such a way as to be just as reliable as prior art containers, while being less expensive and less environmentally damaging at the same time. - In many embodiments of the
container 20, all or substantially all of the components of thecontainer 20 are integral with thecontainer 20 and are not designed to be removable from thecontainer 20. What distinguishes the boundaries of different components in such embodiments can include: geometric shapes and dimensions; relative positions within thecontainer 20; function; relative movement capabilities; and embosses, debosses, score lines, and other types of folds, grooves, cuts, serrations, etc, (collectively “score lines”). - The
container 20 can be implemented in a wide variety of different component configurations. Thecontainer 20 includes abody 22, alid 28, and abody hinge 56. All other components of thecontainer 20 are optional. - In many embodiments of the container, the
body 22 and thelid 22 are intended to be permanently integral with each other. In other embodiments, theuser 20 may have the option of either temporarily or permanently removing thelid 22. - Many embodiments of the container 20 (see
FIGS. 1 a and 1 c) will also include aplate 24 that serves as an interface between thelid 28 and thebody 22. Similarly, many of embodiments of the container 20 (seeFIGS. 1 a and 1 b) will includeflaps 54 located near the base of thelid 28 that assist the user to seal thelid 28 in a closed position. Embodiments of thecontainer 20 that are configured to be filled and sealed prior to being provided to users (such asaseptic containers 20 containing products such as juices) can include aflange 59 that is used to seal the container. - Although not illustrated in any of the Figures, a
container 20 not designed to be filled by users can include both aplate 24 and aflange 59. -
Containers 20 serve to selectively contain and selectively make accessible the contents of thecontainer 20.Different containers 20 will have different operating states, different openings being capable of open or closed, and different components that will involved in transitioning from one operating state to another. - The
container 20 has alid 28 for opening and closing thecontainer 20. Eachcontainer 20 will have two or more operating states. Theplate 24, flaps 54, tab(s) 30, passageway(s) 32, and potentially other components can individually possess operating states that transition from open to closed or closed to open as thecontainer 20 as a whole transitions from an operating state of a fully opened state to a fully closed state, and vice versa. -
FIG. 2 a is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevated rear view of acontainer 20 in a fully closed state. Thelid 28 is secured within aninner groove 52 in thebody 22, theopening 32 is blocked by thetab 30, and theplate 24 and flaps 54 are in fully closed positions. -
FIG. 2 b is a diagram illustrating an example of a elevated rear perspective view of acontainer 20 in a fully closed state except for anopen tab passageway 32. As discussed below, the passageway 32 (which can also be referred to as an opening 32) allows a user to access the contents of thecontainer 22 while thelid 28 is still in a sealed position. In the context of a cup, thepassageway 32 can be used to insert a straw, or the user can cause the contents to pour out thepassageway 32. In many embodiments, a horizontal cross section of thebody 22 inFIG. 2 b is substantially more elliptical in shape than the illustrating inFIG. 2 c. -
FIG. 2 c is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevated rear view of acontainer 20 in a partially open and partially closed state. Thelid 28 is no longer secured within theinner groove 52, and theflaps 54 andplate 24 are neither substantially parallel with abottom surface 40 of thecontainer 20 nor substantially straight up as when in a fully opened operating state. In many embodiments, a horizontal cross section of thebody 22 inFIG. 2 c is substantially more elliptical in shape than the illustrating inFIG. 2 d. -
FIG. 2 d is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevated rear view of acontainer 20 in a fully open state, such as the containers inFIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c. In many embodiments, a horizontal cross section of thebody 22 inFIG. 2 d is substantially circular in shape or at least substantially more circular in shape in comparison to the container inFIG. 2 b or evenFIG. 2 c. - Operating states are discussed in greater detail below. Different examples of operating states are illustrated in the changes from
FIGS. 2 a-2 d.FIGS. 8 a-8 c discloses similar states from a different view.FIGS. 8 a-8 c are discussed below. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can involve a variety of different methods for opening and closing thecontainer 20. Moreover, as identified above and illustrated inFIGS. 2 a through 2 d, thecontainer 20 can possess more than two operating states. Different components within thecontainer 20 are capable of having opened, closed, or partially opened/partially closed individual operating states. - There are a variety of different ways to open and close the
container 20. Different users may behave differently. For example, some users may tend to press down on thelid 28 to close thecontainer 20 while other users may tend to press down on theplate 24. Similar variations may be practiced in terms of opening thecontainer 20. - 1. Opening the Container
-
FIG. 3 a is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for opening acontainer 20. At 200, theedge 51 of thelid 28 is dislodged from theinner groove 52 of thebody 22. The process at 200 is analogous to the differences betweenFIG. 2 b andFIG. 2 c discussed above. At 200, the process unseals thecontainer 20 and permits the various components to move as they are configured to move. - At 202, the
plate 24 and flaps 54 flex. The process at 202 is illustrated by the differences betweenFIGS. 2 b and 2 d. - At 204, the
lid 28 is lifted into a straight up position as illustrated inFIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 2 d. - The loading or filling to the
container 20 could occur while in potentially any of the states identified above. - The closing/sealing process ends after the closing of the
opening 32. - 2. Closing the Container
-
FIG. 3B is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for closing acontainer 20. The process ofFIG. 3 b can be characterized as the process ofFIG. 3 a, except in reverse. - At 206, the
plate 24 and flaps 54 are flexed while thelid 28 remains substantially upright. - At 208, the
lid 28 is pressed downward. - At 210, the
edge 51 of thelid 28 is secured within theinner groove 52 of thebody 22. - Different users may close the
container 20 applying pressure in different ways. For example, users could press down on thelid 28 or theplate 24 to initiate the closing process. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can utilize different manufacturing processes and different combinations of tooling. In some instances, a single design of acontainer 20 can be manufactured in a variety of different ways. With respect to embodiments of thecontainer 20 comprised exclusively or primarily with some type of paper or paperboard, the process of manufacturing thecontainer 20 involves creating blanks, flat two dimensional cutouts that are subsequently shaped and treated to ultimately form thecontainer 20. Certain score lines, coatings, and other processing may be performed on a blank, while other processing can be performed after one or more blanks have been combined and shaped. - 1. Two Blank Configuration
-
FIG. 4 a is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing acontainer 20 from two blanks.FIG. 5 a is a diagram illustrating an example a top blank 100 andFIG. 5 b is a diagram illustrating an example of bottom blank 102. - Returning to
FIG. 4 a, at 212, a bottom blank 100 and a top blank 102 are created. - At 214, the bottom blank 100 is fused together with the top blank 102 as the
container 20 is shaped into a cup. - The manufacturing process is described in greater detail below. In many embodiments, all score lines except for the
inner groove 52 and body hinge 56 are implemented prior to the securing of the top blank 102 to the bottom blank 100. In other embodiments, all score lines can be added as part of the blank preparation process that occurs prior to combining the blanks. - There are advantages to machining the
body hinge 56 andinner groove 52 after the blanks have been fused together and shaped. By doing so on the shaped and fused shell, thebody hinge 56 can be implemented in the shape of a substantially curved arc rather than a straight line segment. A contrast ofFIG. 7 a withFIG. 7 b illustrates this difference. - In
FIG. 7 a, thecurved body hinge 56 coupled with theinner groove 52 together form asingle score line 61 that encircles all or substantially all of a horizontal cross section of thebody 22. InFIG. 7 b, thebody hinge 56 is straight, impacting the overall shape of thescore line 61. - It is counterintuitive that use of a circular tool to create a circular score line (the
combination loop 61 formed by thebody hinge 56 and inner groove 52) is desirable, but such a process can be desirable and it can lead to superior results. - As discussed in greater detail below, a substantially
circular combination loop 61 as illustrated inFIG. 7 a (in contrast to the ends of a substantially circularinner groove 52 mating with the ends of a substantially straight body hinge 56 as illustrated inFIG. 7 b) make thecontainer 20 more circular in shape when thecontainer 20 is in a fully opened state. This has useful features in terms of stackability and durability. However, the fact that such an implementation involves a circular or substantiallycircular body hinge 56 is a result that is not taught in the prior art, and is counterintuitive to those of ordinary or even superior skill in the applicable art. - By having the
inner groove 52 and body hinge 56 machined as a singular circular loop, the flexural strength and crush resistance of thecontainer 20 is enhanced as a result of the top to bottom compression strength. Various processing can be used to enhance thecombination loop 61 and further strengthen the overall structure of thecontainer 20. - 2. Three Blank Configuration
- Although the
container 20 can be manufactured using a two blank configuration as described above, there are advantages to using a three blank configuration in which theloop 61 is machined into thecontainer 20 after alid blank 104 and a sidewall blank 106 are fused together, and then shaped around thebottom blank 100. - As described above, the three blank configuration of
FIG. 4 b can also involve machining theprimary score line 61 comprising thebody hinge 56 and theprimary groove 52 after thecontainer 20 has been shaped into a substantially cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, all score lines can be machined into the blanks prior to the process of fusing them together. -
FIG. 5 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a lid blank 104 used in the process illustrated byFIG. 4 b.FIG. 5 d is a diagram illustrating an example of a sidewall blank 106 used in the process illustrated byFIG. 4 b. - There are several advantages to the 3 blank manufacturing process of
FIG. 4 b over the 2 blank manufacturing process ofFIG. 4 a. The process disclosed inFIG. 4 b can prevent lid staining and wicking. Thelid 28 can be better protected against humidity. Costs and waste is reduced by reducing the amount of scrap paper board that results because a three blank configuration requires fewer sheets of paperboard than a two blank configuration. -
FIG. 4 b is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing acontainer 20 utilizing 3 blanks. - At 216 a
sidewall blank 106 and a lid blank 104 are prepared. - At 218, the
sidewall blank 106 and the lid blank 104 are fused together into a fused blank. - At 220, a bottom blank 100 is prepared.
- At 222, the fused blank is shaped into a shell around the
bottom blank 100. - At 224, the bottom blank 100 is secured within the bottom portion of the shaped shell.
- The process of machining the
score line 61 that comprises thebody hinge 56 and theinner groove 52 can be implemented at potentially any time after thelid blank 104 and the sidewall blank 106 are combined and shaped into the shape of thecontainer 20. The shaping of the fused blank typically happens in conjunction with insertion of the bottom blank 100. - The manufacturing process is described in greater detail below.
- Although
containers 20 are used primarily with respect to the contents-related (i.e. product-related) functionality,containers 20 can be implemented in ways to serve additional functions. -
Containers 20 can provide an excellent opportunity for businesses and other organizations to facilitate communications. In many instances, thecontainer 20 can include text, graphics, and other indicia to communicate brand identity, product information, marketing information, or public service announcements. As miniature electronic components become increasingly easy and inexpensive to incorporate into containers, somecontainers 20 can be configured to provide audio communications using technology similar to that used to play music when someone opens a greeting card. Acontainer 20 can also be configured to use powered electronics to flash lights or otherwise generate visual indicia. For example, acoffee cup 20 container could be configured to play a song, flash a light, and/or generate some other response upon the opening or closing of the lid.Containers 20 can also utilize connectivity and communication technologies such as RFID technology to track the movement and usage of thecontainer 20. - Such configurations may involve specific compartments within the
container 20 for hosting the ancillary/supplemental component. In some embodiments, a multiple body wall structure could include a cap within the wall to contain the particular component. In other embodiment, a specific compartment is shaped in the applicable location within thecontainer 20 for use of the ancillary/supplemental component. - The prior art appears to affirmatively teach away from the innovative attributes of the
container 20. Many applications of container technology exhibit relatively few changes in recent years. For example, the common disposable cups of 2011 are not all that different from the disposable cups that were manufactured in 2001, 1991, 1981, or even earlier. There are significant reasons for the lack of innovation in many areas of container design such as disposable cups. Disposable cups are extremely high volume commodities that are subject to significant cost constraints and relatively high functional reliability requirements. When cost constraints and reliability requirements are coupled with intrinsic manufacturing limitations, it is easy to see why the conventional disposable cup has not changed much over the years. For example, to the extent that some individuals may have sought to design a paper cup with an attached lid not comprised of plastic, such designs were at best too expensive to manufacture or insufficiently reliable for consumer use. At worse, such approaches could actually be impossible to mass produce effectively. - The unfortunate interactions of economic, reliability, and manufacturing constraints have in many respects hampered innovation in disposable container technology. For example, the
curved hinge 56 illustrated inFIGS. 2 d, 6 b, 6 c, 7 a, 7 d, and 9 b is believed to be actively taught away from by the prior art. - In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of the container have been explained and illustrated in a variety of embodiments and configurations. However, it must be understood that this
inventive container 20 may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. -
FIG. 2 a is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevated rear view of acontainer 20 in a fully closed state. - The
container 20 illustrated inFIG. 2 a is a cup that can be machined from and/or into a single piece of paper, paperboard, or similar material. Different ways to manufacture thecontainer 20 are described in detail below. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can involve different types of products, different material compositions, and different manufacturing processes. Each embodiment of thecontainer 20 will include a container body (the “body”) 22 and alid 28. Somecontainers 20 can include more than onebody 22 and/or more than onelid 28. Thebody 22 andlid 28 can be implemented in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes using different materials and coatings. Thecontainer 20 will also include abody hinge 56. All other components in the various Figures are optional and need not be included in all embodiments of thecontainer 20. - Most embodiments of the
container 20 will include aplate 24 that is connected to both thelid 28 and to thebody 22, with one end of theplate 24 being connected to thelid 28 and the other end of the plate being connected to thebody 22. Embodiments that include aplate 24 will typically include aplate hinge 26 and flaps 54. - In some embodiments, the
lid 28 and even theplate 24 can be configured to be removable from thecontainer 20, such as through perforated edges to a paperboard or other material that can be removed by hand. In other embodiments, thebody 22,lid 28, andplate 24 are integral to each other and are not configured to be intentionally separable from each other. - The
body 22 of thecontainer 20 typically constitutes the majority of the surface area of thecontainer 22. Thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 also typically defines the shape, size, and contours of thecontainer 20. For example, in FIG. 2 d, thecontainer 20 is a cup that is substantially cylindrical in shape. The shape of thecontainer 20 inFIG. 2 d is the result of a substantiallycylindrical body 22. Thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 may include various score lines for the purposes of reinforcing the structural strength and integrity of thecontainer 20 as well as functions such as sealing thelid 28 in a closed position. As discussed both above and below, the shape of thecontainer 20 can be significantly less cylindrical when thecontainer 20 is a fully closed position. Various figures can be contrasted to visualize this attributes. For example, the containers 20 a stack ofcontainers 20 illustrated inFIG. 9 b are in a fully open state and thus substantially cylindrical in shape (which facilitates better stacking capabilities) while the overall shape of thecontainers 20 stacked inFIG. 9 a are substantially more elliptical in shape. The difference being that thecurved hinge 56 in the open position ofFIGS. 9 b and 9 c is substantially straight when thecontainer 20 is the closed position ofFIG. 9 a. - In contrast to other components of the
container 20, thebody 22 is designed to be the least impacted by the transition of thecontainer 20 from one state to another. Many portions of thebody 22 such as the bottom surface orbase 40 of thebody 22 are totally unaffected by transitions in operating states. However, the portion of the body immediately underneath thebody hinge 56 can be significantly impacted by the transition of the container from a fully opened to a fully closed state, or vice versa.FIG. 7 f (thebody 22 when thecontainer 22 is in a fully open state) andFIG. 7 g (thebody 22 when thecontainer 22 is in a fully closed state) are discussed below. - The bottom portion of the
body 22 typically serves as thebase 40 of thecontainer 20 with thelid 28 being placed in a vertical position that is higher than most or even all of thebody 22, depending on the particular embodiment of thecontainer 22 and the particular operating state of thelid 28. InFIG. 2 a, the uppermost portion of a tab 30 (which can extend off of and be part of the lid 28) represents the highest vertical point on thecontainer 20 in a conventional orientation of thecontainer 20 when thecontainer 20 is in a fully closed operating configuration/state. Conversely, the lowest vertical portion of thecontainer 20 illustrated inFIG. 2 a is abase surface 40 of thebody 22 upon which thecontainer 20 sits when placed on a substantially flat surface such as a table. The relative vertical directions of up and down, as well as the perspective of relative horizontal attributes versus relative vertical attributes are discussed from the perspective of acontainer 20 supported by thebase 40 on a substantially flat surface. - In many embodiments of the
container 20, thebody 22 will be comprised primarily of paper or paperboard. Different embodiments of thecontainer 20 may require additional linings, additional material, or entirely different material. For example, polyethylene can be used to reinforce certain portions of thebody 22 or can be used to comprise theentire body 22. Moreover, in an aseptic embodiment of thecontainer 20, the list of materials for use in thebody 22 can include but are not limited to paperboard, aluminum foil, metalized film, ethylene acrylic acid, low-density polyethylene, liner low-density polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylidine chloride, and/or ethylene vinyl alcohol. - The
body 22 of thecontainer 20 can itself be broken down further into various components and elements. Some elements such as acavity 46 are inherent to the concept of acontainer 20 while other elements such as a curledrim 34, ahead wall 36 above theinner groove 52, and the platesupport score lines 38 are optional. - 1. Cavity
- A cavity 46 (which can also be referred to as a chamber 46) is the empty space within the
body 22 of thecontainer 20 that is used to store the product. For example, in the context of acoffee cup container 20, thecavity 46 is the space within thebody 22 that houses the coffee. - The
cavity 46 is illustrated inFIG. 6 a. Dotted lines are used to illustrate the contours of thecavity 46 because thewall 42 of thebody 22 blocks thecavity 46 from view. Thecavity 46 includes a bottom boundary which can be referred to as an internal floor surface 48 (which can also be referred to a cavity bottom 48) andinterior walls 44. - In many embodiments of the
container 20, thecavity 46 will be shaped in a substantially identical manner to the outer appearance of thebody 22. However, in alternative embodiments, different shapes and configurations can be implemented, particularly if thecontainer 20 requires structural reinforcements to maintain the integrity of thebody 22. In such instances, reinforcing structures may be placed within thebody 22, altering its interior shape, i.e. the shape of thecavity 46. Different shapes may also be utilized if some of the ancillary/supplemental components discussed above implemented for a particular embodiment of thecontainer 20. - Some embodiments of the
container 20 can includemultiple cavities 46 for separating two or more products within thecontainer 20. Such embodiments can include internal structures to mix the contents if desired, or to keep them permanently separate. For example acontainer 20 could be configured to hold 2 different and separate drinks, with thecavity 46 being split into two separate holding areas.Other containers 20 involving foodstuffs or contents having nothing to do with beverages or food can also involve partitionedcavities 46. - 2. Walls
- The
cavity 46 of thebody 22 is shaped by the material surrounding thecavity 46 which can be referred to as awall 42. In the context of a cylindrically shapedcavity 46, thewall 47 will be cylindrically shaped. Some embodiments of thecontainer 20 will implement a single-layered wall architecture. Other embodiments may involve a framework involving two, three or more layers. For example, in some embodiments, a three layered approach involving two layers of material surrounding a layer of air can be used to comprise thewalls 42. Some attributes of the wall(s) 42 will be dependent upon manufacturing concerns. For example, in shaping a substantiallycylindrical container 20 from a substantially flat blank or combination of blanks, an adhesive can be used to secure the shape of the cup. Temperature, pressure, folding, embossing, debossing, and other processes can also be used in shaping and securing the wall(s) 47. Such processes will impact the attributes of the wall(s) 42. - In the context of
containers 20 used for beverage or food products, thecontainer 20 can be manufactured such that no adhesive is used on a portion of aninterior surface 44 of awall 42. This prevents such an adhesive from coming into contact with the contents of thecontainer 20, which can be desirable in terms of complying with Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regulations. - In aseptic embodiments of the
container 20, thewalls 42 will not be comprised primarily of paperboard. If paperboard is used, it will be used in conjunction with substantial portions of other materials. - 3. Rim
- As illustrated in
FIG. 2 a, a rim 34 (which can also be referred to as a top curl 34) can represent the highest vertical position of thebody 22. Therim 34 is typically a reinforced exterior surface at the top of thebody 22. Some embodiments of thecontainer 20 will not include arim 34, but therim 34 is often useful for strengthening and reinforcing the structural integrity of thecontainer 20.Rims 34 can also aid users in the use of thecontainer 20. For example, in the context of acup container 20 used to hold a beverage, therim 34 can assist a drinker in avoiding a spill as well as making the coffee cup container more comfortable to use. Therim 34 can also insulate the drinker from a beverage that is particular hot or particular cold. For example, arim 34 with a serrated edge may serve to cool a hot beverage as the user drinks from thecontainer 20. Therim 34 can also include a pinched end secured with a pinch lock. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 a, therim 34 can comprised in the shape of a tube or a close geometric proximity to a full curl. In many embodiments of thecontainer 20, therim 34 is substantially in the shape of a hollow cylinder. In some embodiments, therim 34 may have the shape of a partial cylinder with less than 360 degrees of surface - In the illustration of
FIG. 2 a, therim 34 is on top of aportion 36 of thebody 22 that is vertically higher than thelid 28 when thelid 28 is in a fully closed configuration/state (i.e. when thelid 28 is secured within an internal groove 52). Thetop portion 36 of thebody 22 often includes a variety of score lines, which can be vertical, horizontal, or a combination thereof. Theportion 36 of thebody 22 that is vertically above theinternal groove 52 can also be referred to as the head-wall 36 of thebody 22. Therim 34 resides on top of the head-wall 36. - In some embodiments of the
container 20, therim 34 will cover the entire portion of thebody 22 that is not covered by theplate 24 or aflap 54. In other embodiments of thecontainer 20, coverage of therim 34 is not comprehensive, allowing in certain embodiments, theportion 36 of thebody 22 closest to theflaps 54 to be folded inwardly to reinforce the functionality provided by theflaps 54. To maximize the flexibility of theplate 24 and or flaps 54, it is often desirable for at least a couple of millimeters of thetop portion 36 to not be covered by therim 34. - In many embodiments of the
container 20 that involve a cylindrical or substantiallycylindrical body 22, therim 34 forms anarc 41 between approximately 299 degrees and approximately 180 degrees. In alternative embodiments, thearc 41 could reach approximately 270 degrees or form significantly less than a 180 degree semi-circle. InFIG. 6 b, thearc 41 is approximately 270 degrees. InFIG. 6 c, thearc 41 is approximately 180 degrees. Any variation between those two values can be implemented in various embodiments of thecontainer 20. - 4. Head-Wall
- The head-
wall 36 underneath therim 34 can provide Insulation and a barrio for safety, making thecontainer 20 easier to use, particularly with respect to embodiments involving liquid beverages. - 5. Exterior Surfaces
- The
walls 42 of thebody 22 are made up of both exterior surfaces and interior surfaces. An exterior surface is a surface of thewall 42/body 22 that faces outward from thecontainer 20. Aninterior surface 44 is a surface of thewall 42/body 22 that faces inward towards thebody 22, typically thecavity 46 or in some embodiments, another interior surface that compartmentalizes thecavity 46.FIG. 6 a illustrates internal surfaces. The other figures focus on external surfaces. - In
FIG. 2 a, oneexterior surface 42 of thebody 22 is the portion of thebody 22 that is substantially cylindrical in shape that runs from a bottom to the top of thebody 22. A correspondinginterior surface 44 that is illustrated with a dotted line because it is not visible from the exterior of thecontainer 20 is also cylindrical in shape and runs from a bottom to the top of thecontainer 20. - The head-
wall 36 of thebody 22 that extends upwards from theclosed lid 38 includes both an exterior surface as well as an interior surface. Therim 34 rests on thevertical protrusion 36. - The bottom portion of the
body 22 includes both interior surfaces 48 (facing upwards towards the cavity 46) and exterior surfaces 40 (facing downwards towards the surface on which thecontainer 20 rests). The bottommost exterior surface of thebody 22 is referred to as abase 40. The bottommost interior surface of the body 22 (which can also be thought of as the bottommost exterior “surface” of the cavity 46) is referred to as afloor 48. Thefloor 48 of the cavity is illustrated with a dotted line inFIG. 6 a because thecavity 46 is not visible from the outside of thecontainer 20. A wide variety of different designs can be incorporated into thebase 40 of thecontainer 20. The shape of thecontainer 20 will typically impact the desirable shape and configuration of thebase 40. - 6. Score Lines
- A score line is a fold or crease in the material of the
container 20. Score lines can be implemented through the application of pressure, heat, or combinations of both. As illustrated inFIG. 2 a, thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 can include a variety of different score lines to reinforce the strength of thebody 22 or for other purposes. Other parts of thecontainer 20 such as theplate 24, theflaps 54, or thelid 28 can also include score lines for structural reinforcement purposes as well as for the purpose of facilitating the movement of thelid 28 between open and closed operating states. - In the context of the
body 22, the purpose of a score line is typically to constrain movement or deformation. Score lines can be oriented vertically (see element 38) or horizontally (see element 56). Different embodiments of thecontainer 20 can include fewer score lines or more score lines than the illustration inFIG. 2 a. - Score lines can fully encircle a cross section of the
container 20 or be only partial in scope. For example, a substantiallyhorizontal score line 61 could run across the entire circumference of acylindrical body 22. In contrast, a partial horizontal score line may be limited to running under only through the portions of thebody 22 that are directly under theplate 24, theplate 24 and flaps 54, therim 34, or some other component or element. Ahorizontal score line 56 separating thebody 22 from theplate 24 and flaps 54 can also be referred to abody hinge 56. It is often helpful to include horizontal score lines on thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 that are parallel to the score line serving as body hinge 56 between theplate 24 and thebody 22 because theconnector 56 between theplate 24 and thebody 22 is often important in supporting the ability of theplate 24 to support the movement of thelid 28. - Vertical score lines can similarly be full (running from top to bottom) or merely partial. As illustrated in
FIG. 1 a, vertical score lines 38 (which can also be referred to as plate support score lines 38) in thebody 22 can run extend upwards to theplate 38 to reinforce the structural integrity of theplate 24 and the ability of theplate 24 to assist in securing thelid 28 in a closed position. Some embodiments of thecontainer 20 may include full vertical score lines spaced evenly throughout portion of thebody 22 covered by therim 34. For example, vertical score lines could be placed below therim 34 every “X” number of millimeters to enhance the structural strength of thecontainer 20. Horizontal score lines could also be distributed throughout thebody 22 to reinforce the structure of the body. However, one particularhorizontal score line 61 is particularly important. As illustrated inFIGS. 7 a and 7 b, theprimary score line 61 can comprise thebody hinge 56 and theinner groove 52. The body hinge 56 can have a significant impact on the functionality of thecontainer 20 as well as the shape of thecontainer 20. - a. Body Hinge
- The
horizontal score line 61 can include thebody hinge 56. The body hinge 56 can divide thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 from theplate 24 and flaps 54 of thecontainer 20. The body hinge 56 it is attached to thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 and it serves as a hinge to facilitate the opening and closing of thelid 28. The body hinge 56 is one of the few components that is illustrated inFIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c. - The body hinge 56 works in conjunction with the
plate hinge 26 to facilitate the opening and closing of thelid 28. Thebody hinge 56 and the innergroove score line 52 can fully encircle a cross-section of thecontainer 20 or in other embodiments, substantially encircle a cross-section of thecontainer 20. - As discussed below, the inner
groove score line 52 is typically circular in shape or substantially circular in shape in the context of acontainer 20 that is substantially cylindrical in shape. As illustrated inFIG. 7 b, the shape of thebody hinge 56 can be in the shape of a substantially straight line segment connecting to a substantially curved innergroove score line 52. As is illustrated inFIG. 7 c, the shape of thebody hinge 56 can be that of a substantially curved/circular arc connecting a substantially curved/circular innergrove score line 52. In many embodiments of thecontainer 20, thebody hinge 56 is substantially circular in shape when thecontainer 20 is in a fully open position and substantially straight in shape when thecontainer 20 is in a fully closed position. In other embodiments, even an open state of thecontainer 20 will involve abody hinge 56 that is substantially less circular. - The shape of the
body hinge 56 will often depend on the manufacturing process. If thebody hinge 56 is machined into the blank prior to the fusing of the blanks together, thebody hinge 56 will be substantially more straight than it otherwise would be. If in contrast, theprimary score line 61 is machined after the blanks have been fused together and shaped, thebody hinge 56 can be substantially circular when thecontainer 20 is in a fully open state. - In many embodiments, the
body hinge 56 is a score line. However, in alternative embodiments of thecontainer 20, different types of processing (i.e. not necessary score lines) can be implemented into thecontainer 20 to provide for the functionality of thebody hinge 56 or other types of hinges. - b. Inner Groove Score Line
- Some embodiments of the
container 20 can include horizontal score line 52 (the “inner groove score line” 52) that connects with thebody hinge 56 to form ascore line 61 that substantially circles or even fully encircles an outer surface cross section of thecontainer 20. SeeFIGS. 7 a and 7 b. - The interior facing surface of the
inner groove 52 can be used to help seal with lid in a closed position. This can be true in both aseptic and non-aseptic embodiments of thecontainer 20. However,aseptic containers 20 with the aid of theflange 59 have less need of theinner groove 52. The exterior facing surface of theinner groove 52 serves to sustain the structural integrity of thecontainer 20. - The cavity of the inner
grove score line 52 can be referred to as theinner groove 52 or the lidchannel seat groove 52.FIG. 8 c provides an example of theinner groove 52 serving to secure thelid 28 in a closed and sealed state.FIGS. 8 d and 8 e illustrate examples of aninner grove 52. In many embodiments of thecontainer 20, aninner groove angle 64 of about 30 degrees is highly desirable. In alternative embodiments, theinner groove angle 53 can range as low as about 20 degrees and as high as about 60 degrees. In many embodiments of thecontainer 20, theinner groove 52 will have a cross section that is substantially convex in shape. - In many embodiments, the
inner groove 52 is formed as a score line. However, in alternative embodiments of thecontainer 20, different types of processing (i.e. not necessarily score lines) can be implemented into thecontainer 20 to provide for the functionality of agroove 52 that serves as a mechanism for securing thelid 28. For example aflange 59 could be used instead of theinner groove 52 or in addition to aninner groove 52. - c. Chevrons
- A chevron can be embossed or debossed into any portion of the
container 20, including thebody 22. Chevrons serve to structurally reinforce the applicable portion of thecontainer 20. No chevrons are illustrated in thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 inFIGS. 2 a-2 d.FIG. 6 g illustrateschevrons 59 on thelid 28.Similar chevrons 59 can be placed elsewhere on thecontainer 20 including thebody 22 or theplate 24 to facilitate the structural integrity of thecontainer 20. - A
plate 24 is a surface area of thecontainer 20 that is configured to support the movement of thelid 28. Theplate 24 acts as an interface between alid 28 that must move in order for thecontainer 20 to be opened or closed and abody 22 that involves far less movement. - Just as the
body 22 can have exterior surfaces facing in an outward direction and interior surfaces facing in an inward direction, theplate 24 can include both an outward surface and an inward surface. Similarly, theplate 24 can also include both vertical and horizontal score lines with the boundaries of theplate 24 being typically marked by score lines. Aplate 24 can include side score lines 55 andhorizontal score lines - The
plate 24 and twoflaps 54 that are illustrated inFIG. 2 a facilitate the ability of users to open and close thelid 28 while facilitating the strength and tightness of thecontainer 20. If thelid 28 cannot be secured in a closed position, then the ability to utilize thecontainer 20 is compromised because an unfastenedlid 28 can result in the unintended change of an operating configuration/state from closed to open. For example, in the context of abeverage container 20, acontainer 20 that cannot be closed and sealed in a watertight manner is of only limited use. - Embodiments of the
container 20 that include aplate 24 allow for thelid 28 to be open or closed without altering the structure of thelid 28. By leaving the structure oflid 28 unchanged, the structural integrity of thelid 28 and the ability of aclosed lid 28 to seal the contents of thecavity 46 are enhanced. The motion of thelid 28 is facilitated by theplate 24 or theplate 24 in conjunction with theflaps 54. A variety of score lines are typically used to delineate the boundaries of theplate 24 and flaps 54. - Just as the
body 22 can be comprised of a wide range of different materials or combinations of those materials, so can theplate 24 be similarly comprised. In some embodiments, differences in materials composition, thickness, and/or other factors relative to theplate 24 and thebody 22 can be used to enhance the functionality of theplate 24 in facilitating the movement of thelid 28 into open and closed positions. - As discussed above, different embodiments of the
container 20 can utilize different types of score lines at different locations with different attributes - 1. Body Hinge
- The body hinge 56 connects the
plate 24 to thebody 22. The body hinge 56 is discussed above. The body hinge 56 in many embodiments of thecontainer 20 represents the lowest part of thecontainer 20 that is designed to move with the opening or closing of thelid 28. As discussed above and below and as is illustrated by contrastingFIG. 7 f withFIG. 7 g orFIG. 7 c withFIG. 7 d, the movement of thebody hinge 56 involves moving the portion of thebody 22 beneath thebody hinge 56. - 2. Plate Hinge
- Returning to
FIG. 2 a, aplate hinge 26 connects theplate 24 to thelid 28. Theplate hinge 26 is a score line that traverses all or substantially all of the boundary between theplate 24 and thelid 28. It may also divide portions of the flaps 54 (if any) that may be in contact with thelid 28. - The
plate hinge 26 and thebody hinge 56 can function in conjunction with each other as a dual hinged closing/opening mechanism for thecontainer 20. Examples of plate hinges 26 are illustrated inFIGS. 1 a, 1 c, 2 a-2 d, and 6 d.FIG. 6 e illustrates an example of aplate hinge 26 that includes ahinge break 45. - 3. Side Score Lines
- Two side score lines 55 serve to connect the
plate 24 from twoexterior flaps 54 in embodiments of thecontainer 20 that include the twoflaps 54. - 4. Flaps
- Many embodiments of the
container 20 will include twoflaps 54, one to each side of theplate 24, to facilitate the sealing of thecontainer 20 in a closed position. Theflaps 54 can also assist users in moving thecontainer 20 from one operating state to another. Theflaps 54 can also serve to ventilate thecavity 46 of thecontainer 20. - A
flap 54 is a surface horizontally adjacent to theplate 24, but separate from theplate 24 by a vertical or substantially vertical score line. The boundaries of theflaps 54 are often demarcated by vertical and horizontal score lines. As discussed above, one ormore flaps 54 may be used to support and enhance the ability of theplate 24 to function as a hinge for thelid 28. Some embodiments of theflaps 54 can be configured to be further twisted or pushed in by the user to further secure thelid 28 in a closed position. Such twisting or pushing in may render thecontainer 20 undesirable for subsequent opening and refilling. - An embodiment of the
container 20 that uses aplate 24 need not include anyflaps 54, but a combination of oneplate 24 with oneflap 54 on each side is often desirable. Some embodiments of aseptic containers 20 (seeFIGS. 1 b and 6 j) will includeflaps 54 but noplate 24. - 5. Flap Bottom Score Lines
- Some embodiments of the
container 20 will include a flapbottom score line 57 that connects the bottom portion of theflap 54 to a portion of thebody 22 that is vertically higher than thebody hinge 56 and the innergroove score line 52. - In some embodiments of the
container 20, the bottomflap score line 57, thebody hinge 56, and the innergrove score line 52 intersect with each other as illustrated inFIG. 2 a. In other embodiments, either the flapbottom score line 57 or the side score lines 55 will not be long enough to intersect. - 6. Skid Locks
- Some embodiments of the
plate 24 can include one ormore skid locks 58 to facilitate the ability of users to stack thecontainers 20 on top of each other even if thelids 28 are closed. Skid locks 58 in conjunction with therim 34 serve to constrain the lower portion of thecontainer 20 allowing thecontainers 20 to be vertically stacked onto each other even when thelids 28 are closed. Skid locks 58 can be implemented into theplate 24 using a wide variety of different manufacturing processes. - The ability of
skid locks 58 to facilitate the stacking ofclosed containers 20 is illustrated inFIG. 9 a. - 7. Hinge Break
- As illustrated in
FIGS. 6 f and 6 i, some embodiments of theplate 24 may include ahinge break 45. The hinge break 45 can facilitate the transition functionality of theplate hinge 26. The hinge break 45 can also provide an opening in which thetab 30 can be pressed into when thetab 30 is in a fully opened position. For example, instead of thetab 30 point upwards inFIG. 2 b, thetab 30 could be pushed into the opening resulting from thehinge break 45. It can provide a way to secure thetab 30 in a position that will prevent thetab 30 from interfering with the use of thecontainer 20 while thecontainer 20 is being used. For example, in an embodiment of thecontainer 20 used for the purposes of storing and drinking beverages, thetab 30 can be secured in thehinge break 45 when the user is drinking from thecontainer 20. - In
FIGS. 6 f and 6 i. thehinge break 45 is a semi-circle cut out from theplate hinge 26. Many embodiments of theplate 24 will include differently shaped hinge breaks 45, differently positioned hinge breaks 45, or no hinge break 45 whatsoever. - 8. Additional Score Lines and Chevrons
- As discussed above, the purpose of the
plate 24 is to insulate thebody 22 from the magnitude of movement required to open and close thelid 28. A variety of additional score lines and/or chevrons can be used to further support the underlying functionality of theplate 24 and theflaps 54. Score lines and chevrons can also be used to facilitate the ability of users to properly seal thelid 28 in a closed position by making it easier for users of thecontainer 20 to properly manipulate thecontainer 20. - The
plate 24 and its subsidiary components act to insulate thebody 22 of thecontainer 20 relative to the significant motion by thelid 28 while at the same time facilitating the ability of thelid 28 to move in a manner that is required to open, close, and seal thecontainer 20. Theplate 24 also serves to make the opening, closing, and sealing of the lid as easy as possible for users to achieve while providing users with the features of reliability and reusability. Different embodiments of body hinges 56, lid hinges 26, flaps 54, andother plate 24 subsidiary components can be incorporated into thecontainer 20. - A
lid 28 is the means by which acontainer 20 is closed and in some cases, sealed (such as the case with watertight or substantially watertight containers). In some embodiments, agrove 52 in thebody 22 helps secure thelid 28 when it is moved to a closed/sealed position. In other embodiments, aflange 59 is used. In some embodiments, both aflange 59 and aninner groove 52 shaped for the purposes of sealing thelid 28 are used. - Although the position of the
lid 28 determines whether thecontainer 20 is in a closed state/configuration or an open state/configuration, the change in the position of thelid 32 is not achieved through any structure change to thelid 32. To the contrary, it is the plate 24 (sometimes in conjunction with the flaps 54) that serve as the hinge upon which thelid 28 can be moved. In the example ofFIG. 2 a, thelid 28 moves by being rotated around theplate hinge 26 and thebody hinge 56. - In many embodiments of the
container 20, thelid 28 is substantially circular in shape and need not be very thick. In many embodiments of thecontainer 20, thelid 28 is substantially parallel to the surface on which thecontainer 20 rests when the lid is in a closed operating configuration/state. For example, in a typical beverage cup embodiment of thecontainer 20, thelid 28 is a closed position in substantially parallel to the to the ground surface on which thebase 40 of thecontainer 20 can rest. - The
lid 28 can be in an open position, a closed position, or in some instances, a partially open/partially closed position. In many embodiments of thecontainer 20, thelid 28 is integral to theplate 24, and theplate 24 is integral to thebody 22. Thelid 28 can be comprised of the same material as theplate 24 andbody 22. Examples oflids 28 illustrated inFIGS. 1 a-1 c, 2 a-2 d, 6 g-6 j, and 7 e. - In some embodiments, the
lid 28 is thicker than other portions of the container. In other embodiments, theedge 51 of thelid 28 may be thicker than other portions of thelid 28. In still other embodiments, the thickness of thelid 38 is equal to the thickness of thewalls 42 of thecontainer 20. - The ability to machine to a separate lid blank 104 makes it easier to include a
lid 38 that is thicker than other portions of thecontainer 20. - 1. Edge
- Different embodiments of the
lid 28 can include a potentially wide variety of different subcomponents. However, one common function of thelid 28 is the ability to close thecontainer 20 and secure contents within thecontainer 20. One attribute of thelid 28 that can facilitate the ability of thelid 28 to secure a closed position is theedge 51 of thelid 28. In many cup embodiments of thecontainer 20, thelid 28 is secured within aninner groove 52 of thecontainer 20. The geometric configuration of theedge 51 and theinner groove 52 can enhance the functionality of thelid 28. For example, in some embodiments, theedge 51 of thelid 28 includes one of a wide variety of wave rule shapes. The geometry of theinner groove 52 can similarly be configured to enhance the functionality of thelid 28.FIG. 8 d illustrates an example of a lid groove geometry. In many embodiments, theinner groove 52 will have a convex shape, and anangle 64 of about 30 degrees. In different embodiments, different shapes anddifferent angles 64 can be incorporated into theinner groove 52. - In many embodiments of the
container 20, it may be useful to treat theedge 51 of thelid 28 with a material stronger than the material comprising thelid 28 generally or even thecontainer 20 generally. For example, in the example of a cup comprised primarily of paperboard, it may be desirable to treat theedge 51 with polyethylene. In other embodiments, theentire lid 28 could be treated with polyethylene or some other material. - 2. Tab
- Some embodiments of the
lid 28 can include atab 30 which serves as a handle for opening and closing thelid 28. Different embodiments of thetab 30 can include a different number of score lines. In many embodiments, the number of score lines in thetab 30 will depend on whether thetab 30 is used to seal an opening 32 (seeFIG. 2 b) in thelid 28. As illustrated inFIG. 2 a, thetab 30 includes ascore line 48 at the base of thetab 30 as well as a score line at thesegment 50 of thetab 30 that transitions from a primarily horizontal orientation to a primarily vertical orientation. This allows thetab 30 to facilitate the sealing and closing of the opening 32 (which can also be referred to as an opening 32) as well as the opening and closing of thelid 28. In many beverage embodiments of thecontainer 20, an additional third tab score line 60 (seeFIG. 7 e) can be used to facilitate the ability of the user to push thetab 30 down into the opening 32 (also referred to as a passageway 32) so that thetab 30 does not interfere with the comfort of the user in drinking the beverage in thecontainer 20. In other embodiments, thetab 30 can be secured in thehinge break 45. - Returning to
FIG. 2 a, thetab 30 is fastened to thelid 28 at atab base 48. The location of thetab base 48 can depend on whether or not thelid 28 includes anopening 32. If thelid 28 does include anopening 32, then thetab base 48 is typically the innermost edge of theopening 32. If thelid 28 does not include anopening 32, then thetab base 48 is typically located close to the outermost edge of the top surface of thelid 28. - The
container 20 illustrated inFIG. 2 a includes both atab 30 and anopening 32. The shape of thetab 30 can vary widely, but the tip of thetab 30 should serve to facilitate movement by the user and the shape of the lower portion of thetab 30 will typically depend on the shape of theopening 32. - 3. Opening/Passageway
- Some embodiment of the
lid 28 will include apassageway 32 to selectively expose the contents of thecontainer 20. Thepassageway 32 can also be referred to as anopening 32 or amovable lid partition 32. Thepassageway 32 can be open, closed, and sealed without otherwise moving thelid 28. For example, in the context of a beverage container, thepassageway 32 can allow the user to drink the contents of the container 20 (through use of a straw or by simply tipping the container in close proximity to an open mouth) while thelid 28 remains in a closed position. Thepassageway 32 can be closed/sealed using thetab 30. Thepassageway 32 inFIG. 2 a is illustrated with a dotted line because thepassageway 32 is not visible. Thepassageway 32 inFIG. 2 a is filled up and sealed by thetab 30. The bottom portion of thetab 30 inFIG. 2 a from thetab base 48 to thefold 50 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of thecontainer 20 and the top portion of thetab 30 from thefold 50 upwards protrudes straight upwards in the air where it can be most easily grasped. - The shape of the
opening 32 and of the portion of thetab 30 used to plug thepassageway 32, can vary widely from embodiment to embodiment. Some embodiments of thecontainer 20 can include more than onepassageway 32. For example, some embodiments of abeverage container 20 could include two ormore openings 32 for the insertion of straws. - Additional illustrations of the movement of the
tab 30 and theopening 32 covered by thetab 30, can be seen inFIG. 2 b andFIG. 7 e. - 4. Chevrons
- As illustrated in
FIG. 6 g, thelid 28 can also includechevrons 49.Chevrons 49 in the lid can serve a variety of purposes that relate to assisting users in closing and opening thelid 28. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6 g,chevrons 49 can assist users in centering the application of force to thelid 28 in closing thelid 28.Chevrons 49 can also serve to increase the stiffness of thelid 28 as it is being pushed or pulled by a user. - The
lid 28 of thecontainer 20 can be comprised of a wide variety of different materials or combinations of materials, as discussed with regards to thebody 22 and theplate 24. - 5. Lid Stiffener Score Lines
- As illustrated in
FIG. 6 h, one or more lidstiffener score lines 63 can be used to reinforce thelid 28 immediately to the interior of theedge 51. This can assist the sealing process, and make thelid 28 more durable (i.e. properly function after many openings and closings). - 6. Hinge Break
-
FIG. 6 i is the mirror image ofFIG. 6 f, with the hinge break being in the form a semi circle. As discussed above, thehinge break 45 is an optional component but it can perform a variety of functions. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can include a wide variety of additional elements/components. As discussed above, different score line configurations can be incorporated into thecontainer 20. In some embodiments, a tear back adhesive can be place on thelid 28 to facilitate the pulling open of thelid 28. The structure and shape of the lidchannel seat groove 52 can be modified to provide extra reinforcement analogous to that of a girdle. For example, additional structural components could be added to prevent thelid 28 from moving beyond a particular closed position. Components such aschevrons 49 can be placed at various locations of thecontainer 20 to enhance structural strength at those locations. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 b and 6 j, thelid 28 may not always be attached to aplate 24 or aplate hinge 26, but components such as aflange 59 can be added to assist the functionality of sealing thecontainer 20. - In some embodiments, an additional vertical body seam running up from the bottom of the
body 22 to the outermost portion of thelid 28 and the location of thetab 30 could be used to further strengthen thecontainer 20. In some embodiments, the vertical body seam can include a lateral tab to facilitate the opening and closing of thecontainer 20. - For embodiments involving the storage of food, the
flaps 54 can include a cold seal adhesive that is water based. Pressure from the fingers of the users can then form a bond that will enhance the ability of thecontainer 20 to satisfy specification 276.170 FDA compliance as it pertains to direct food contact with respect to aqueous and fatty foods. - Depending on the product that a
container 20 is designed to secure, thecontainer 20 can be configured in a variety of different states or positions. For example, in the context of abeverage container 20, thecontainer 20 can be in a fully closed and sealed position to minimize the ability of the beverage to escape from the container. An example of the fully closed and sealed configuration is illustrated inFIG. 2 a, where thelid 28 is closed and theopening 32 is also sealed by thetab 30 which can include a variety of score lines designed to facilitate the ability of thetab 30 to fill theopening 32. -
FIG. 2 b illustrates an example of alid 28 that is fully closed, but anopening 32 that is not blocked by thetab 30, permitting the beverage to be consumed, but otherwise limiting the ability of the beverage to be spilled. As illustrated in the Figure, thetab 30 is straightened out into a vertical or substantially vertical position as theopening 32 is unsealed. As discussed below with respect toFIG. 7 e, some embodiments of thetab 30 will include anadditional score line 60 designed to facilitate the pushing of thetab 30 into theopening 32 so that thetab 30 does not interfere with the drinking of the beverage through theopening 32. In other embodiments, ahinge break 45 is used to secure thetab 30. The transition fromFIG. 2 a toFIG. 2 b can occur solely with the movement of thetab 30. -
FIG. 2 c illustrates an example of alid 28 that is partially open. Although the position of theplate 24 inFIG. 2 c is identical to the position of theplate 28 inFIG. 2 b andFIG. 2 a because theplate 24 is fixed, thelid 28 is nonetheless not in a closed position. In many contexts, the filling or refilling of thebeverage container 20 is performed while thecontainer 20 is in the configuration ofFIG. 2 c. In some contexts, a user may drink from thecontainer 20 while in the state illustrated inFIG. 2 c. The transition fromFIG. 2 b toFIG. 2 c involves movement of thelid 28 but not the movement of theplate 24. -
FIG. 2 d illustrates an example of acontainer 20 in a state of maximum openness. The illustrated configuration can be highly desirable for the purposes of stackingempty containers 20 on top of each other. The illustrated configuration can also be desirable in the filling or refilling of thecontainer 20, and in some instances, such as trying to clear out a cup of the remaining portions of a milk shake, for consuming the contents of thecontainer 20. The transition fromFIG. 2 c toFIG. 2 d involves primarily the moving of theplate 24 from its substantially horizontal position to its substantially vertical position. -
FIGS. 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c also illustrate different operating states from different points of view. - Different embodiments of the
container 20 can include a wide variety of different positions, states, and operating configurations. - As discussed above, the transition from one operating state to another operating state can impact the shape of the
container 20 by impacting the shape of thebody 22 underneath thebody hinge 56. When thebody hinge 56 is moved forward to transition the container away from a fully opened state towards a fully closed state, the shape of thebody 22 of the container in the aggregate is impacted. -
FIG. 7 a is a geometric diagram illustrating an example of a substantially circularprimary score line 61 comprised of a substantially circularinner groove 52 and a substantiallycircular body hinge 52. In many embodiments of thecontainer 20, this is the shape of thebody 22 when thecontainer 20 is in a fully open position. The shape is also illustrated inFIG. 2 d (in contrast toFIG. 2 a), 7 c (in contrast toFIG. 7 d), 7 f (in contrast to 7 g), and 8 b and 9 c (in contrast toFIG. 9 a). -
FIG. 7 b is a geometric diagram illustrating an example of a substantially circularprimary score line 61 comprised of a substantially circularinner groove 52 and a substantiallystraight body hinge 56. In some embodiments where theprimary score line 61 is initially imprinted on a blank instead of being added on after the fused blank is shaped around the bottom blank 102, even in an open state, the shape ofcontainer 20 will be directionally closer toFIG. 7 b. However, with respect to embodiments involving aprimary score line 61 added after the fused blank is shaped,FIGS. 2 a, 7 d, 7 e, 7 g, and 9 a illustrate acontainer 20 that is substantially elliptical in shape because theplate hinge 56 is less curved than when in a fully open state. -
FIG. 7 c is a bottom plan view diagram illustrating an example of acontainer 20 with theprimary score line 61 illustrated inFIG. 7 a when thecontainer 20 is in a fully open state. -
FIG. 7 d is a bottom plan view illustrating an example of acontainer 20 with theprimary score line 61 illustrated inFIG. 7 b in a fully closed state. -
FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c illustrate examples of howsimilar containers 20 can be stacked. -
FIG. 9 a discloses astack 90 ofclosed containers 20. Skid locks 58 on theplate 24 are used to facilitate the stacking of thecontainers 20. Different numbers, locations, and configurations ofskid locks 58 can be used to facilitate the functionality ofcontainer 20 stacking. -
FIG. 9 b discloses astack 94 ofopen containers 20 in a perspective view from which the substantially circular shape of thecontainers 20 is clearly evidence.FIG. 9 c discloses asimilar stack 94 from a different view. - The ability to effectively stack
containers 20 can have important implications for how thecontainers 20 are shaped. For example, the reason why the bottom 40 of a disposable coffee cup has a smaller diameter than thelid 28 is because it is necessary to stack the cups. As discussed above, the timing in the manufacturing process by which theprimary score line 61 is machined into thecontainer 20 can have a significant impact on the shape of thecontainer 20. It is more difficult to stack cups when theprimary score line 61 is not substantially circular in shape when the cups are in fully open operating states. -
FIG. 3 a discloses an example of a method for opening acontainer 20 andFIG. 3 b discloses a mirror image ofFIG. 3 a for closing acontainer 20. - There are many different alternative embodiments for transitioning the
container 20 from a fully opened state and a fully closed state. As discussed above, different embodiments have a different number oftabs 30 located in different positions on the container.Chevrons 49 can be added in certain places to encourage users to press down on certain services rather than others. The geometries of the horizontal score lines and the thickness. Different coatings can be applied to different locations on the exterior surface of thecontainer 20 to encourage different user activities for opening and closing thecontainer 20. -
Different containers 20 can involve different components and different steps for the opening and closing of thecontainer 20. -
FIG. 7 e is a diagram illustrating an example of a top view ofcontainer 20 that is in a closed and sealed state. In this example of thecontainer 20, thetab 30 includes three score lines (48, 60, and 50) to facilitate the ability of a user to push thetab 30 down into the opening 32 (also referred to as a passageway 32) so that thetab 30 does not enter the users mouth or otherwise interfere with the consumption of the beverage. - The illustration in
FIG. 7 e also includes twoskid locks 58 to facilitate the stacking ofclosed containers 20 as illustrated inFIG. 9 a. -
FIG. 7 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom view of acontainer 20 with a substantially circularprimary score line 61 when thecontainer 20 is in an opened state.FIG. 4 d is a diagram illustrating another example of a bottom view of acontainer 20 in which the primaryhorizontal score line 61 is not substantially circular in shape because thecontainer 20 is either in a closed position and/or thescore line 61 was machined into the applicable blank prior to the shaping of the applicable blank around thebottom blank 102. BothFIGS. 7 c and 7 d show thebase 40. - As illustrated in the Figures,
different base 40 configurations can be incorporated into different embodiments of thecontainer 20. The type of material used to comprise thecontainer 20 and the type of contents anticipated to be held in thecontainer 20 can influence the appropriate design of the bottom of thecontainer 20. -
FIG. 8 a is a diagram illustrating an example of a side view of acontainer 20. Thecontainer 20 inFIG. 8 a is in a similar operating state/configuration as thecontainer 20 inFIG. 2 d, but from a different perspective. In this position, the portions of thetab 30,lid 28, andplate 28 that are most exterior to thecontainer 20 form a substantially vertical line segment extending upwards from theexterior surface 42 of thebody 22. - Although the
lid 28 is substantially flat when closed, the curvature of thecontainer 20 does not appear substantially flat as a line segment in a side view of thecontainer 20 when thelid 28 is in a full upright position.FIG. 5 a illustrates only a small portion of thebody hinge 56, but the impact of thecurved body hinge 56 does manifest itself in the fact that thelid 28 is not a simply a straight line as is illustrated inFIG. 8 b. - As illustrated in
FIG. 8 b, as thelid 28 moves more closely to a closed position, the side view of thelid 28 takes on a more two-dimensional appearance. This occurs because the originallycurved body hinge 56 becomes more straight as thelid 28 andplate 24 move forward. -
FIG. 8 c is a diagram illustrating an example of a side view of a interior body surface that includes a lidchannel seat groove 52 to secure thelid 28 in a closed position. Different geometric shapes can be incorporated into thegroove 52. Additional structures can also be added to preclude thelid 28 from moving beyond an optimal closed position.FIG. 8 d illustrates a close up view of theinner groove 52, withFIG. 8 e illustrating an example of theinner groove angle 64, which in many embodiments is about 30 degrees. In other embodiments theangle 64 can range from as low as about 15 degrees to as high as about 65 degrees. -
FIG. 8 f is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of acontainer 20 that is in a fully closed operating state. -
FIG. 8 g illustrates the different positions of thetab 30 as thecontainer 20 transitions from closed and sealed (FIG. 2 a), to closed and unsealed (FIG. 2 b), open lid/plate secure (FIG. 2 c), and fully open (FIG. 2 d). - As discussed above, the
container 20 can be manufactured in a wide variety of different ways using a wide variety of different tools. The materials used to manufacture thecontainer 20 will have a significant impact on the manufacturing processes used with respect to theparticular container 20. In the context of thedisposable containers 20, many embodiments of thecontainer 20 will be comprised primarily of some type of paper or paperboard. Various coatings and adhesives can be used to secure and/or strengthen certain portions of thecontainer 20. For example, thelid 28, theedge 51 of thelid 28, or other parts of a disposable container could be coated with polylactic acid (PLA) or some other type of material. Disposable embodiments ofaseptic containers 20 will necessarily include significant materials in substitution of or in addition to paperboard-type material. - As discussed above with respect to
FIGS. 4 a-4 b andFIGS. 5 a-5 d,containers 20 can be manufactured through the assembly of blanks. Blanks comprise flat pieces of material capable of being further shaped, such a paperboard-type material as well as plastics. - Many embodiments of the
container 20 will involve either a 2 blank manufacturing process (SeeFIG. 4 a) that comprises a top blank 100 comprising the entire surface of thecontainer 20 except for the bottom blank 102 which comprises thebottom surface 48 and/orbase 40 of thecontainer 20. - Other embodiments will involve a 3 blank configuration (See
FIG. 4 b), with alid blank 104 and a sidewall blank 106 comprising the portions of the container that would be comprised of the top blank 100 in a 2 blank configuration. - In different embodiments of the container, different processes can be performed on the
container 20 when it is in the form of blanks, while other processes are performed after the blanks have been fused together and/or shaped at least partially into the form of the container. In many embodiments of the container, theprimary score line 61 is not machined into the top blank 100 (2 blank configuration) or onto the sidewall blank 106 (3 blank configuration) until after the applicable blank has already been shaped around thebottom blank 100. By machining the primary score line 61 (which is the substantially horizontal score line which comprises thebody hinge 56 and the inner groove 52) after the blanks have been shaped, theprimary score line 61 can maintain a substantially circular shape and the overall structural integrity of thecontainer 20 is enhanced. In some embodiments, theprimary score line 61 can be machined directly into the applicable blank. In still other embodiments, multiple elements can be machined into a substantially shapedcontainer 20 rather than the flat blanks. - Paperboard blanks can be prepared in a variety of different ways that involve either punching or cutting a roll of material such as paperboard or plastic. Blanks can be formed from a roll that is subject to a coating/lamination process to reinforce certain areas of the
container 20, a print process for displaying indicia such as words or graphics on thecontainer 20, a slitting process, and then a blanking or punching machine that results in the prepared blanks. Many paperboard embodiments of thecontainer 20 can be machined from either pre-printed, pre-punched blanks, and/or optional pre-printed roll stock - A variety of different machines can be used to actually cut or punch the blanks. Rotary dies, RP rotary dies (which is sometimes referred to as crossover technology), steel-rule die cutting, solid steel blanking dies, and other suitable machines can be used. It is often desirable to avoid using tools that avoid metal to metal contact that provide a clean cut, eliminating the standard crush-type cut. Thus RP rotary dies (which can also be referred to as “Bernal” rotary dies) are often desirable. Use of a shear-type cut can reduce or eliminate chaff, slivers, ragged cuts, and other undesirable outcomes that result from a more punch-type approach.
- Many manufacturers prefer solid-steel blanking dies however tools are not well suited in many embodiments of the
container 20 for embossing, forming, and creasing/folding elements into thecontainer 20. The quality of the cut and the defects in the printing/blanking web registration can shut down a manufacturing process and render the machining of thecontainer 20 with the use of a solid-steel blanking die impracticable in some but not all embodiments of thecontainer 20. - Many different machines can be used in the process of fusing the blanks together and shaping the
container 20. Roll stands, printers, roll feeders, heating applications, pressure applications, folding applications, and other tools can be used to fuse the blanks together. In a 3 blank embodiment, thelid blank 106 and the sidewall blank 104 are typically fused together before any shaping occurs. The fusing of blanks with the bottom blank 102 typically occurs simultaneously with the shaping of either the top blank 100 or the sidewall blank 106 that has already been fused to thelid blank 104. - A variety of different tools and processes can be used in forming/shaping the
container 20. - Blank feeders, transfer turrets, shuttle table, hoppers, timing belts, bottom feeders, forming stations, mandrel turrets, bottom reformers, sealers, pre-heaters, heating stations, incurl stations, top curl stations (in some instances 3 top curl stations are used), finishing stations, rimming turrets, folding stations, tamper/lubricating stations, folding plates, clamping bars, shell distributors, rotating nozzles, calibration stamps, vacuum nozzles, and other devices are used to shape either the top blank 100 or the fused blank (comprising the
sidewall blank 106 and the lid blank 104) around thebottom blank 100. - Blanks can be precisely positioned and tightly wrapped around the folding mandrel. The design of some cup embodiments of the
container 20 allows for thebody 22 wrapping with the punched and drawn cup bottom inserted prior to sidewall sealing or optional insertion of the cup bottom after the side wall sealing. Sealing of the side-seam and bottom seam can be completed by utilizing flame, hot air or ultrasonic heating. Sealing parameters related to temperature, pressure and registration are important within the forming process. The container shells (the shaped containers 20) can be designed to facilitate easy transfer between multiple turret stations positioned on the cup forming machine. - In many embodiments of the
container 20, there are processes performed on thecontainer 20 after thecontainer 20 is fully shaped. For example, it is often desirable for the process of top curling the rim 34 (which in some instances can involve 3 iterations of curling stations) and the machining of theprimary score line 61 can both be done after thecontainer 20 is fully shaped. - The partially finished
container 20 can be transferred to the top curl turret, incorporating multiple stations to form thetop curl rim 34, lubrication, pre-curl, finishing curl and calibration. -
FIGS. 4 a and 4 b provide two examples of a method for manufacturing acontainer 20.FIG. 10 a provides a third example. - At 300, blanks are cut. This typically involves a rotary die or an RP rotary die. The number of configurations of blanks cut per
container 20 can vary from embodiment to embodiment. - At 302, a sidewall blank 106 can be top load fed onto a continuous motion conveyer. This can include a rotary pick and place feeding module that is seamlessly integrated with the
container 20 forming machine. Thesidewall blanks 106 can pass through the rotary pick and place module that includes lid hopper stations where the rotary pick motion can place the lid blank 104 in alignment with thesidewall blank 106. - At 304, the side wall blank 106 is fused to the
lid blank 104. This process can include low-density polyethylene heating and pressure technology. Forcontainer 20 embodiments involving cups for hot beverages, the inner surface of the sidewall blank 106 can be lined with a thin layer of polyethylene on the top and bottom surfaces. When thesidewall blank 106 and the lid blank 104 are fused together, the aggregate package structure can have greater strength and stability. The use ofseparate lid blanks 104 andsidewall blanks 106 has several advantages, including: (1)lid 28 staining/wicking; (2) cup stacking after filling; (3) strengthening thelid 28 generally and against humidity specifically; and (4) reduction of waste/scrap because moreaggregate containers 20 can be fit into less roll sheets. - At 306, the fused blank is shaped into a shell around the
bottom blank 102. This process usually involves both heat and pressure. - At 308, the bottom blank is secured within the bottom portion of the shell (either the shaped top blank 100 or the fused lid blank 104 and sidewall blank 105).
- At 310, the
primary score line 61 is machined into thecontainer 20. This step can be immediately preceded but is typically followed by the curling of therim 34. In some embodiments, three top curl stations can be used to curl therim 34. - Then the process ends.
-
FIG. 10 b is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a process that can be used to manufacture thecontainer 20. - At 320, the bottom blank 102 is heated. This can involve the use a mandrel turret to index the bottom blank 102 into a bottom re-former station where the bottom skirt is heated and re-formed into a shape more suitable for wrapping.
- At 322, the edges of the top blank 102 or a fused blank (the
sidewall blank 106 and the lid blank 104) are heated. This can be accomplished through the use of a transfer turret that indexes the sidewall blank 106 into a sidewall sealer and bottom preheat station where the edges of theblanks - At 324, the top/fused blank is wrapped around the bottom blank 100 forming a shell. This can be accomplished using a transfer turret to index the sidewall blank 106 into the folding station, releasing the blank after the lower clamp clamps the blank against the mandrel. The mandrel turret can index the bottom blank 102 into the folding station. The folding wings can wrap the
sidewall blank 106 around the bottom blank 102, forming the cup shell. The mandrel turret can then index the shell to the bottom heat station. - At 326, the bottom area of the shell is heated. This can involve heating the inside skirt of the bottom blank 102 and transporting the shell to the bottom incurl station.
- At 328, the bottom blank 102 is heated.
- At 330, bottom blank 102 is moved downward in the shell.
- At 332, lubricant (typically vegetable oil) is applied to the outside of the shell.
- At 334, the bottom edge of the shell is curled over the bottom skirt of the bottom blank 102. This can be done through the use of a bottom incurl station where the bottom edge of the
sidewall blank 106 is curled over the bottom skirt of the bottom blank 102. - At 336, the bottom is finished, knurled, and squared. A mandrel turret can index the shell to the bottom finishing station where this process is performed.
- At 338, the shell is moved pneumatically. This can be done using a mandrel turret that indexes the shell to the rimming turret, where the shell is pneumatically removed from the mandrel and transferred to the rimming turret.
- At 340, the shell is pushed down a pocket 340. The shell is indexed from the rimming turret to the tamper/lubricator station.
- At 342, lubricant is applied to the top of the shell.
- At 344, the first curl is applied to the top of the shell. In some embodiments, there can be three iterations of curling the
rim 34 before therim 34 is finished. - At 346, the
rim 34 is finished. - At 348, the
primary score line 61 comprising abody hinge 56 and aninner groove 52 are formed in thecontainer 20. - Then the process ends.
-
FIG. 10 c is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a process for manufacturing thecontainer 20. - At 350, the fused blanks (
blanks 104 and 106) are fanned. This can involve jacket blanks (segments) that are placed in a blank hopper with the printed side facing down. The segments are fanned using an air blast to prevent sticking - At 352, the fused blank is pre-folded. Pre-folding can be applied to the side of the blank that lies inward after being rolled.
- At 354, the fused blank is heated. The seam surface of the fused blank can be heated at the same time in which the pre-folding process at 352 is performed since the two dies of the blank are different.
- At 356, the fused blank is subjected to a final folding process. This occurs before the clamping bar closes on the side seam area.
- At 358, the bottom blank 102 is positioned with respect to the fused blank. The shell is taken off the folding turret in an upper vertical position. The clamping bar opens and the pusher moves the shell off the folding mandrel. The shell is then moved to the shell distributor.
- At 360, the bottom portion of the fused blank is heated and the bottom blank 102 is heated. This occurs after the
container 20 bottom is brought together with the shell. - At 362, the bottom shell is incurled and sealed into the shell of the fused blank.
- At 364, lubricant is sprayed by a rotating nozzle to aid the top curl processing.
- At 366, the upper edge of the
container 20 is preformed. This will ultimately become therim 34. - At 368, the
rim 34 is curled. The process can involve multiple curl processes. In some embodiments, there are three top curl stations for curling therim 34. - At 370 the
container 20 is calibrated using a calibration stamp. - At 372, the
primary score line 61 is machined into thecontainer 20. As discussed above this involves theinner groove 52 and thebody hinge 56. In many embodiments, theprimary score line 61 is circular or substantially circular in shape while thecontainer 20 is in an open position. - Then the process ends.
- The container can be implemented in a wide variety of different embodiments, configurations, and contexts. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in a variety of embodiments and configurations. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. The container and methods for using the container can be implemented in a wide variety of different components, component configurations, and component compositions.
Claims (20)
1. A container, comprising:
a body, said body including a substantially horizontal score line that substantially surrounds a cross-section of said body; and
a lid;
wherein said substantially horizontal score line is substantially circular in shape when said container is in a fully open operating state.
2. The container of claim 1 , further comprising a plate, a body hinge, a plate hinge, and an inner groove, wherein said substantially horizontal score line includes said body hinge and said inner groove, wherein said lid hinge connects said plate to said lid, and wherein said body hinge connects said body to said plate.
3. The container of claim 2 , said body further including a head-wall and a rim, wherein said rim is above said head-wall, and wherein said head-wall is above said substantially horizontal score line.
4. The container of claim 3 , wherein said rim has a serrated edge, wherein said lid has a wave rule edge, and wherein said lid is secured within said inner groove when said container is in a closed operating state.
5. The container of claim 4 , said container further comprising a plurality of flaps, a plurality of side score lines, a tab, and passageway, wherein said tab provides for blocking said passageway when said tab is in a fully closed position, wherein sad plurality of flaps are adjacent to said plate, wherein said plurality of side score lines connect said plate to said plurality of flaps, and wherein said inner groove has an inner groove angle between about 25 degrees and 35 degrees.
6. The container of claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of chevrons, a hinge break, a plurality of flap bottom score lines, wherein the thickness of said lid is greater than the thickness of said plate, wherein said lid includes said plurality of chevrons, wherein said hinge break is located on said plate hinge, wherein said container is a cup comprised primarily of a paperboard-type material, wherein said cup has a substantially circular bottom.
7. The container of claim 1 , said lid further comprising a lid edge, said substantially horizontal score line comprising an inner grove within said body, wherein said lid edge is secured within said inner grove when said lid is in a closed position.
8. The container of claim 7 , wherein said inner grove comprises a substantially convex shape, wherein said inner groove includes a base protrusion and a top protrusion, wherein at least a selected portion of said base protrusion is of horizontally greater magnitude than a corresponding portion of said top protrusion.
9. The container of claim 1 , wherein said body includes an inner wall and an outer wall separated by a layer of air.
10. The container of claim 1 , wherein said container includes a beverage and an aseptically sealed lid.
11. The container of claim 1 , wherein said container is adapted to be non-permanently closed and opened.
12. The container of claim 1 , further comprising a flange attached to said lid.
13. The container of claim 1 , further comprising a plate, wherein said plate is connected to said body, wherein said plate is connected to said lid, and wherein said lid does not touch said body when said container is in a fully open operating state.
14. The container of claim 13 , wherein said body, said plate, and said lid are integral to each other;
wherein said body, said plate, and said lid are comprised of a substantially identical degradable material;
wherein said body is substantially cylindrical in shape;
wherein a top surface of said lid is substantially circular in shape and substantially flat; and
wherein in said container is water tight; and
wherein said plate is substantially flat.
15. The container of claim 1 , said body further comprising a plurality of chevrons, said container further comprising a tear back adhesive located on a top surface of said lid, and said container further comprising a support seam attached to said body, said plate, and said lid.
16. The container of claim 1 , said lid including a lid edge, a tab, and a hinge break configured for securing said tab, said container further comprising a plurality of adhesive applications, wherein no said adhesive applications are located within the interior of said container, and wherein said lid edge is a wave rule edge.
17. A container, comprising:
a lid, said lid including an edge;
a body, wherein said body is substantially cylindrical in shape, said body including a rim protruding upward from the top of said body, wherein said rim does not form more an arc exceeding more than about 190 degrees of a circular cross section of said container;
a plate, said plate including a plurality of substantially horizontal score lines and a plurality of side score lines, wherein said plurality of substantially horizontal score lines includes a first substantially horizontal score line connecting said plate to said body and a second substantially horizontal score line connecting said plate to said lid, and wherein said plurality of side score lines includes a first side score line and a second side score line;
a plurality of side flaps connected to said body and said plate, said plurality of side flaps including a first side flap adjacent to said first side score line and a second side flap adjacent to said second side score line.
18. The container of claim 17 , wherein said substantially horizontal score lines and said side score lines are adapted to flex in the closing and opening of said lid.
19. The container of claim 17 ,
wherein said container includes no adhesives on an interior surface of said container;
wherein said lid edge is a wave rule edge;
wherein said first substantially horizontal score line forms an inner convex groove;
wherein said body, said plate, and said lid are integral to each other;
wherein said body, said plate, and said lid are comprised of a substantially identical degradable material;
wherein a top surface of said lid is substantially circular in shape and substantially flat;
wherein in said container is water tight when in a closed position; and
wherein said inner convex groove is machined after said body is shaped.
20. A method of using a container, the method comprising:
flexing a plurality of score lines surrounding a plate that connects a lid to a body;
securing a wave rule edge of the lid into an inner convex groove within the body of the container, wherein the inner convex groove of the container is formed by a substantially horizontal score line forming a substantially complete loop around the container.
Priority Applications (5)
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US13/080,912 US20110180552A1 (en) | 2009-03-18 | 2011-04-06 | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
EP11842607.1A EP2643227A4 (en) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-11-22 | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
AU2011333410A AU2011333410A1 (en) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-11-22 | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
PCT/IB2011/003267 WO2012069931A2 (en) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-11-22 | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
US13/718,811 US20150210443A1 (en) | 2009-03-18 | 2012-12-18 | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
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US41629210P | 2010-11-22 | 2010-11-22 | |
US13/080,912 US20110180552A1 (en) | 2009-03-18 | 2011-04-06 | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
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US20150210443A1 (en) * | 2009-03-18 | 2015-07-30 | George E. Sarson | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
US20190375560A1 (en) * | 2018-06-06 | 2019-12-12 | Clarity, Inc. | Cups and Containers with a Living Hinge and Sleeves |
USD873613S1 (en) * | 2018-06-07 | 2020-01-28 | Clarity, Inc. | Cup with a lid |
USD885838S1 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2020-06-02 | Clarity, Inc. | Cup with a living hinge and an attached lid having an outer lip and an inner dual seal |
US11124351B2 (en) * | 2018-04-24 | 2021-09-21 | Alan Leung | Insulated disposable paper-based cups, lids and containers |
US11254473B2 (en) | 2018-06-06 | 2022-02-22 | Clarity, Inc. | Cups and containers with a living hinge and sleeves |
US11331673B2 (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2022-05-17 | Bambi Lyn Cahilly | Reagent management apparatus |
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- 2011-04-06 US US13/080,912 patent/US20110180552A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-11-22 WO PCT/IB2011/003267 patent/WO2012069931A2/en active Application Filing
- 2011-11-22 AU AU2011333410A patent/AU2011333410A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-11-22 EP EP11842607.1A patent/EP2643227A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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Cited By (14)
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US20150210443A1 (en) * | 2009-03-18 | 2015-07-30 | George E. Sarson | Container apparatus and method for using the same |
WO2015025303A1 (en) * | 2013-08-23 | 2015-02-26 | Ed Vaes | Dual-purpose aseptic container |
US11124351B2 (en) * | 2018-04-24 | 2021-09-21 | Alan Leung | Insulated disposable paper-based cups, lids and containers |
US11254473B2 (en) | 2018-06-06 | 2022-02-22 | Clarity, Inc. | Cups and containers with a living hinge and sleeves |
US10947018B2 (en) * | 2018-06-06 | 2021-03-16 | Clarity, Inc. | Cups and containers with a living hinge and sleeves |
CN110562595A (en) * | 2018-06-06 | 2019-12-13 | 克莱锐特公司 | Cup and container with living hinge and sleeve |
US20190375560A1 (en) * | 2018-06-06 | 2019-12-12 | Clarity, Inc. | Cups and Containers with a Living Hinge and Sleeves |
USD873613S1 (en) * | 2018-06-07 | 2020-01-28 | Clarity, Inc. | Cup with a lid |
USD885838S1 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2020-06-02 | Clarity, Inc. | Cup with a living hinge and an attached lid having an outer lip and an inner dual seal |
USD893953S1 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2020-08-25 | Clarity, Inc. | Cup with a lid |
USD970964S1 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2022-11-29 | Clarity, Inc. | Cup with exterior thermal ribbing |
USD992354S1 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2023-07-18 | Clarity, Inc. | Cup with lid |
USD996902S1 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2023-08-29 | Clarity, Inc. | Container with a lid |
US11331673B2 (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2022-05-17 | Bambi Lyn Cahilly | Reagent management apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012069931A3 (en) | 2012-07-19 |
AU2011333410A1 (en) | 2013-07-04 |
EP2643227A2 (en) | 2013-10-02 |
EP2643227A4 (en) | 2014-09-03 |
WO2012069931A2 (en) | 2012-05-31 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CUP TECHNIQUES, LTD., CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SARSON, GEORGE E;REEL/FRAME:026718/0647 Effective date: 20110511 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |