Abstract: A container comprising a wall having outer and inner sides, a closed base at one end and a curved rim at an opposite end, the rim defining a top opening of the container; a pair of arcuate crease lines formed in the wall at opposite sides of the wall below the rim that define a flap and act as a hinge allowing each flap to toggle between an open upright position in which the flap is convex and a closed lowered position in which the flap changes its shape to concave; and a closure arrangement operable to restrict at least one flap opening; the closure arrangement comprising at least one closure leaf attached to a first one of the flap so as to be movable with the first flap and to extend underneath the first flap opening when the flaps are in the closed lowered position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container (1) comprising a wall (2) having a closed base (4) at one end and a generally circular or oval rim (5) of at an opposite end, the rim defining a top opening (6) of the container. The container (1) further comprises an arrangement of flaps (70, 80) whereby the counteracting forces between a rim of a first flap (70) and the inner face of a second flap (80) are sufficient to push the respective rim and the inner face together into a tight contact. A closure arrangement (300a, 300b) is provided to restrict flap openings (100a, 100b) formed at or below the rim (5) of the container between the flaps (70, 80) to prevent splashing and reduce the rate of spillage if the container is knocked over. The present invention thus improves the spill-resistant properties for the container (1), while, if required for drinking or pouring, permitting the container to allow the passage of a liquid when tilted for drinking and pouring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container (1) comprising a wall (2) having a closed base (4) at one end and a generally circular or oval rim (5) of at an opposite end, the rim defining a top opening (6) of the container. The container (1) further comprises an arrangement of flaps (70, 80) whereby the counteracting forces between a rim of a first flap (70) and the inner face of a second flap (80) are sufficient to push the respective rim and the inner face together into a tight contact. A closure arrangement (300a, 300b) is provided to restrict flap openings (100a, 100b) formed at or below the rim (5) of the container between the flaps (70, 80) to prevent splashing and reduce the rate of spillage if the container is knocked over. The present invention thus improves the spill-resistant properties for the container (1), whilst, if required for drinking or pouring, permitting the container to allow the passage of a liquid when tilted for drinking and pouring.

Abstract: A frusto-conical cup (1, 20, 30, 40, 50) made from a flexible resilient material, having a circular rim (5) defining the top opening (6) of the cup. A pair of arcuate crease lines (7, 8) is formed at the opposing sides of the wall (2) of the cup below the rim defining a pair of flaps (70, 80) for closing the top opening of the cup by folding the flaps along the crease lines. Due to the resilience of the cup material, each flap can toggle between two stable positions on application of an initial external force on the flap, namely an open upright position in which the flap is convex and forms part of the wall of the cup, and a closed slanted position in which the flap changes its shape to concave. In the closed mode, the rim of one flap impinges against the inner face of the second flap and forms a spill-tight seal between the flaps. The seal is maintained due to static opposing forces acting between the flaps.

Abstract: A thermally insulated cup (1, 20, 30) made from paperboard, the cup comprising a tubular wall (3), a closed base (5) at a lower end (11) and an open top (6) defined at an upper end (12). A cover sheet (7, 70) made from paper or paperboard, preferably recycled, is wrapped around the tubular wall. The cover sheet has an outer face (71) and an inner face (72). A multi-ply sheet (8) of tissue paper is placed intermediate the inner face of the cover sheet and the tubular wall so that the sheet of tissue paper also wraps the tubular wall. The sheet of tissue paper is positioned under grippable areas of the cover sheet to provide enhanced thermal insulation of the grippable areas. The cover sheet is releasably fastened to the tubular wall so that the tissue paper can be easily removed and used for its direct purpose, e.g. wiping a surface.