CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The invention relates to a single-wall paper container, and more particularly to
a single-wall paper cup with an integrally formed embossed or debossed side wall with
improved grip-ability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The use of single-wall containers for use with hot and cold beverages and the like
has become increasingly prevalent in connection with both commercial and consumer
use. One reason for the increased demand for paper-based containers is that they allow
more detailed marketing and advertising print than plastic or polystyrene bead foam
cups. Additionally, paper-based containers are readily biodegradable, making them
more environmentally friendly than, for example, polystyrene bead foam containers.
[0005] In view of this increased demand and use, the beverage and container industries continue
to search for ways to improve paper containers while maintaining a cost effective
product. Areas which can be improved include safety, cost, design, and manufacturing
methods. Although these areas are often interrelated, these are also often at odds
with one another. For example, costs of materials and manufacturing often dictate
the other properties of a container.
[0006] Nonetheless, one area that has an increasing need for improvement is the ergonomics
associated with paper containers, particularly paper cups. This is particularly true
in view of the increased popularity of "to go" beverages. Masses of people everywhere
are walking, running, driving, commuting, and working with one or both hands wrapped
around a cup of soda, water, coffee, tea, and other beverage. One ergonomic problem
associated with traditional single-wall paper containers is the lack of grip-ability.
Unlike the exterior texture of polystyrene bead foam containers, the side walls of
single wall paper containers typically have a smooth texture. Accordingly, there is
an increased tendency for paper cups to slip while in a user's grasp. Such slippage
can ultimately result in a user dropping the container or spilling its contents. Accordingly,
it is necessary therefore that these cups provide adequate gripping ability to prevent
slippage and spillage.
[0007] One approach to solving this problem is to include raised surfaces on a second layer
of paperboard applied to the side wall of the container, whether in the form of an
exterior wrap or a double-wall paper stock. Such a technique is exemplified in U.S.
Patent No. 5,820,016 to Stopkay, in which insulative bodies are configured on the
exterior surface of a outer wrap or on the exterior surface of the side wall. While
this design may meet some degree of success in providing insulation for hot beverage
containers, the technique of applying an outer wrap can be extremely costly and wasteful
when used in connection with beverages for which insulation is not required. Instead
of constructing the side wall of the container from a single sheet of paperboard,
a second sheet of paperboard or a double-wall paperboard is required. This, of course,
substantially defeats one of the purposes of the paper-based cup, i.e., reducing unnecessary
environmental waste. Moreover, the use of a second layer of paperboard or a double-wall
paperboard increases the overall material and manufacturing costs associated with
the product.
[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a single-wall paper container with improved
grip-ability without increasing the overall material costs associated with manufacturing
the product. The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above
and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior paper
containers of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present
invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a single-wall paper container for holding hot or cold
beverages. The container has a side wall that is comprised of a single layer of paperboard.
The container also has a bottom wall affixed to the side wall such that a liquid receptacle
is thereby formed. The bottom wall and side wall both have exterior and interior surfaces.
The container also includes a plurality of non-insulating impressed patterns. The
impressed patterns are integrally formed (either embossed, debossed, or a combination
of both) into the side wall and are observable on the interior and exterior surfaces
of the side wall. Furthermore, the impressed patterns are of sufficient depth to provide
a non-uniform gripping surface on the side wall of the container.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of impressed
patterns has an insulating value that is substantially the same as adjacent non-embossed
portions of the side wall.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the impressed patterns
define a plurality of debossed surfaces having a textured substrate adhered thereto.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following
specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paper container according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the paper container shown in FIG. 1 as taken
through the line 2-2;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paper container according
to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the paper container shown in FIG. 3 as taken
through the line 4-4;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the paper container in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paper container according
to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the paper container shown in FIG. 6 as taken
through the line 6-6;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paper container according
to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the paper container shown in FIG. 8 as taken
through the line 9-9; and,
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paper container according
to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there
is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments
of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit
the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. For example, the
present invention is described and shown only as a paperboard cup for containing hot
or cold liquid beverages such as soda, water, juice, coffee, tea, etc. However, it
should be understood that the present invention may take the form of many different
types of paperboard containers used for holding hot or cold liquids.
[0025] Referring now in detail to the FIGS. 1-10, there is shown generally a liquid-tight
container 10 comprising a hollow body having a side wall 12, a bottom wall 14, and
an outwardly turned rim 16. The side wall 12 and the bottom wall 14 combine to create
a liquid receptacle. As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the container 10 is preferably a cup
having a generally frustoconical configuration. However, the beverage container 10
can take any geometric form without departing from the present invention.
[0026] According to the present invention, the side wall 12 of the container 10 is comprised
of a single layer of paperboard. Both the bottom wall 14 and side wall 12 have an
exterior surface and an interior surface. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, the single layer of paperboard forming the side wall 12 of the container
10 is made from 175 lb./ream paperboard. While it is contemplated that the paperboard
may be of any weight suitable for the given use of the container 10, it is preferable
the paperboard have a basis weight of between 50 and 400 lbs./ream. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, the container 10 is preferably made from Mead
Westvaco cupstock. However, it is contemplated that the container 10 be made from
any grade of paperboard suitable for the application in which the container 10 is
used. It is also contemplated that the paperboard cupstock be comprised of recycled
or virgin grade paperboard stock
[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the paperboard is single-sided
polyethylene coated paper-stock. The polyethylene coating generally provides a barrier
to minimize leakage of liquid held within the container 10 through the side wall 12.
In another embodiment of the invention, typically in cold beverage container applications,
a double-sided polyethylene paper stock is employed. In this embodiment the polyethylene
coating also assists in retarding formation of condensation on the side wall 12 of
the container 10. It is also contemplated by the present invention that the bottom
wall 14 of the container 10 may also be coated with a polyethylene on one or both
sides to prevent leakage and/or formation of condensation. Of course, coatings other
than polyethylene that are suitable for consumer beverage containers may also be used
on the side wall 12 and/or bottom wall 14 without departing from the scope of the
present invention. For example, the coating may be polypropylene, polyester terephthalate,
a blend of these polymers or any type of polymer that can be extruded onto paperboard
of a printing press or paper-machine applied coating, such as a water-based acrylic
emulsion. It is also contemplated that the container of the present invention use
an uncoated paperboard or other suitable paper-stock. For example, an pre-impregnated
paper-stock that does not require surface coating may be used without departing from
the present invention.
[0028] As may be seen in FIGS. 1-10, the container 10 also includes a plurality of non-insulating
impressed patterns 18 observable on the interior and exterior surfaces of the side
wall 12. According to the present invention, the impressed patterns 18 are integrally
formed into the side wall 12 of the container, and are of sufficient depth to provide
a non-uniform gripping surface on the side wall 12 of the container 10. It is contemplated
that the impressed patterns 18 may be a plurality of debossed surfaces outwardly raised
from the side wall 12 of the container 10. Alternatively, the impressed patterns 18
may be a plurality of embossed surfaces inwardly projecting from the side wall 12
of the container 10. In either instance, the impressed patterns 18 create a texture
that alters the topographical surface of the side wall 12 of the container 10. It
is preferable that the embossed or debossed patterns be impressed to a depth of between
two thousandths of an inch to fifty thousandths of an inch (.002 to .050 inches).
However, the depth of the emboss or deboss may be of any depth suitable to create
a textured surface that improves grip ability of the present container 10 over traditional
smooth-side wall paper containers.
[0029] As may be seen in FIGS. 1-10, different patterns of embossing or debossing may be
utilized. For example, FIGS. 1 and 10 illustrate an example of an embossed pattern
18 comprised of a plurality of alphanumeric identifying indicia. In FIG. 1, the identifying
indicia 18 are arranged in a vertically repeating pattern. As may be seen in FIG.
10, the embossed indicia 18 can also be arranged as a single level of texture that
provides the non-uniform surface. Alternatively, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the impressed
patterns 18 may be a plurality of debossed indicia 18 outwardly raised on the side
wall 12 of the container 10. It is also contemplated that the impressed patterns 18
be comprised of patterns other than identifying indicia. For example, the embossed
or debossed pattern 18 may be of the designs illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, or any other
pattern suitable for providing improved grip-ability as compared with smooth-side
wall paper containers. For example, the patterns may be logos for various sports teams,
universities, venues, companies, etc.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention in which the impressed surface is defined
by a plurality of debossed surfaces, at least the debossed regions of the side wall
12 are coated with a textured substrate. Preferably, the substrate is a thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE). However, the substrate may be any substrate having a coefficient
of friction greater than the uncoated surface of the side wall 12 paperboard.
[0031] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications
come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and
the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
1. A single-wall paper container for holding beverages, the paper container comprising:
a side wall having exterior and interior surfaces, the side wall comprising a single
layer of paperboard;
a bottom wall having exterior and interior surfaces, the bottom wall being affixed
to the side wall to form a liquid receptacle; and,
a plurality of non-insulating impressed patterns, the patterns being integrally formed
into the side wall and observable on the interior and exterior surfaces of the side
wall; and,
wherein the impressed patterns are of sufficient depth to provide a non-uniform gripping
surface on the side wall of the container.
2. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the impressed patterns define a plurality
of debossed surfaces outwardly raised from the side wall of the container.
3. The paper container of claim 2, wherein the debossed surfaces include a textured substrate
adhered, the textured substrate having a coefficient of friction greater than the
coefficient of friction of the paperboard.
4. The paper container of claim 3, wherein the textured substrate adhered to the debossed
surfaces is a thermoplastic elastomer.
5. The paper container of claim I, wherein the impressed patterns define a plurality
of embossed surfaces inwardly projecting into the side wall of the container.
6. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the side wall is coated
with polyethylene.
7. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of bottom wall is coated
with polyethylene.
8. The paper container of claim 1 , wherein the paperboard has a basis weight of between
50 and 400 pounds per ream.
9. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the depth of the impressed patterns are between
.002 inches and .050 inches.
10. The paper container of claim I, wherein the paperboard is comprised of recycled paperboard
stock.
11. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the impressed pattern comprises a plurality
of repeated indicia.
12. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the impressed patterns define a plurality
of embossed and debossed surfaces, wherein the embossed surfaces inwardly project
into the side wall of the container and the debossed surfaces are outwardly raised
from the side wall of the container.
13. The paper container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the exterior and interior
surfaces of the side wall are coated with a polyethylene coating.
14. A single-wall paper container for holding beverages, the paper container comprising:
a side wall having exterior and interior surfaces, the side wall comprising a single
layer of paperboard;
a bottom wall having exterior and interior surfaces, the bottom wall being affixed
to the side wall to form a liquid receptacle; and,
a plurality of non-insulating impressed patterns, the patterns being integrally formed
into the side wall and observable on the interior and exterior surfaces of the side
wall; and,
wherein the impressed patterns are of sufficient depth to provide a non-uniform gripping
surface on the side wall of the container, each of the plurality of impressed patterns
having an insulating value that is substantially the same as adjacent non-embossed
portions of the side wall.
15. The paper container of claim 14, wherein the impressed patterns define a plurality
of debossed surfaces outwardly raised from the side wall of the container.
16. The paper container of claim 15, wherein the debossed surfaces include a textured
substrate adhered thereto, the textured substrate having a coefficient of friction
greater than the coefficient of friction of the paperboard.
17. The paper container of claim 16, wherein the textured substrate adhered to the debossed
surfaces is a thermoplastic elastomer.
18. The paper container of claim 14, wherein the impressed patterns define a plurality
of embossed surfaces inwardly projecting into the side wall of the container.
19. The paper container of claim 14, wherein the impressed patterns define a plurality
of embossed and debossed surfaces, wherein the embossed surfaces inwardly project
into the side wall of the container and the debossed surfaces are outwardly raised
from the side wall of the container.
20. The paper container of claim 14, wherein at least one of the exterior and interior
surfaces of the side wall are coated with a polyethylene coating.
21. The paper container of claim 14, wherein at least one of the exterior and interior
surfaces of the bottom wall are coated with a polyethylene coating.
22. The paper container of claim 14, wherein the paperboard has a basis weight of between
50 and 400 pounds per ream.
23. The paper container of claim 14, wherein the depth of the impressed patterns are between
.002 inches and .050 inches.
24. The paper container of claim 14, wherein the paperboard is of one of either comprised
recycled and virgin grade paperboard stock.
25. The paper container of claim 14, wherein the impressed pattern comprises a plurality
of repeated indicia.