Abstract: Insulated packaging is provided including an inner substrate and an outer substrate attached to the inner substrate to form an air gap therebetween. An expandable material including expandable microspheres is provided with the expandable material disposed between the inner substrate and the outer substrate. An adhesive material different than the expandable material is disposed between the inner substrate and the outer substrate to attach the inner substrate to the outer substrate. A method for forming the insulated packaging is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a container includes applying an insulating material in an inactive form to form a layer on a first substrate. The applied insulating material includes expandable microspheres. The method further includes joining a second substrate to the first substrate to adhere the first substrate to the second substrate and to create at least a portion of a multi-layer composite having at least one air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The method further includes heating the applied insulating material to activate expandable microspheres thereof to form expanded microspheres. The method further includes increasing the thickness of the applied insulating material layer to thereby increase the volume of the air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate of the multi-layer composite by the heating of the applied insulating material. The method further includes forming the multi-layer composite into a container having expanded microspheres.

Abstract: Insulated packaging is provided including an inner substrate and an outer substrate attached to the inner substrate to form an air gap therebetween. An expandable material including expandable microspheres is provided with the expandable material disposed between the inner substrate and the outer substrate. An adhesive material different than the expandable material is disposed between the inner substrate and the outer substrate to attach the inner substrate to the outer substrate. A method for forming the insulated packaging is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a container includes applying an insulating material in an inactive form to form a layer on a first substrate. The applied insulating material includes expandable microspheres. The method further includes joining a second substrate to the first substrate to adhere the first substrate to the second substrate and to create at least a portion of a multi-layer composite having at least one air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The method further includes heating the applied insulating material to activate expandable microspheres thereof to form expanded microspheres. The method further includes increasing the thickness of the applied insulating material layer to thereby increase the volume of the air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate of the multi-layer composite by the heating of the applied insulating material. The method further includes forming the multi-layer composite into a container having expanded microspheres.

Abstract: A sleeve for being positioned about the outside surface of a container, such as a beverage container or cup, for absorbing or collecting condensate disposed on the outside surface of the container to inhibit condensate from pooling at the base of the container, as well as to keep condensate from coming into contact with a user. In one form, the sleeve is configured to absorb the condensate with an absorbent material. In other forms, the sleeve has a non-absorbent inner surface that includes entrapment features for collecting, trapping, or dispersing condensate without absorbing the condensate. In some forms, the sleeve is provided with both absorbent and non-absorbent materials. The sleeve is formed with one or more layers of material, such as paper or polymer film.

Abstract: A flexible, insulating laminate comprising a first ply formed of paper, a second ply formed of paper, and an expandable insulating material comprising thermally activated expandable microspheres between the first ply and the second ply. An adhesive may be applied to provide a barrier between the insulating material and an outer edge of the laminate. The flexible laminate may be formed into a variety of end products such as bags, sheets, pillows, pads, and the like.

Abstract: Insulated packaging is provided including an inner substrate and an outer substrate attached to the inner substrate to form an air gap therebetween. An expandable material including expandable microspheres is provided with the expandable material disposed between the inner substrate and the outer substrate. An adhesive material different than the expandable material is disposed between the inner substrate and the outer substrate to attach the inner substrate to the outer substrate. A method for forming the insulated packaging is also provided.

Abstract: A beverage brewer having a cartridge for placement of a disposable single use filter basket filled with beverage grounds. The filter basket includes a plastic frame having a bottom, a plurality of ribs, and a top rim that define a plurality of openings covered by a non-woven or woven plastic filter material. The basket filled with beverage grounds is enclosed with a film cover. The inlet probe of the brewer pierces the cover and admits a heated liquid into the beverage grounds, and creates a brewed beverage that flows through the filter material and exits an opening in a bottom portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A disposable single-use beverage filter basket filled with beverage grounds, and a beverage brewer having a cartridge for placement of the beverage filter basket. A permeable filter basket has a rigid frame having a bottom, a plurality of ribs, and a top rim that define side openings, and a non-woven filter medium that is bonded thermally to the material of the frame to cover the side openings. The non-woven filter medium is made of recyclable or compostable plastic or bio-polymer, and frame is made of the material of the non-woven filter medium. The permeable filter basket is filled with beverage grounds and enclosed with a film cover. The inlet probe of the brewer pierces the cover and admits a heated liquid into the beverage grounds, and creates a brewed beverage that flows through the filter material and exits an opening in a bottom portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a insulating material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: A disposable single-use beverage filter basket filled with beverage grounds, and a beverage brewer having a cartridge for placement of the beverage filter basket. A permeable filter basket has a rigid frame having a bottom, a plurality of ribs, and a top rim that define side openings, and a non-woven filter medium that is bonded thermally to the material of the frame to cover the side openings. The non-woven filter medium is made of recyclable or compostable plastic or bio-polymer, and frame is made of the material of the non-woven filter medium. The permeable filter basket is filled with beverage grounds and enclosed with a film cover. The inlet probe of the brewer pierces the cover and admits a heated liquid into the beverage grounds, and creates a brewed beverage that flows through the filter material and exits an opening in a bottom portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a thermally expandable material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: A disposable single use beverage package is disclosed. The package may include an impermeable barrier surrounding a permeable single walled basket. The permeable basket may include a frame and a filter. The permeable basket may also include a lid. The permeable basket may be provided preloaded with beverage grounds or may be loaded with beverage grounds during use. The beverage packet may be manufactured of materials that are biodegradable, compostable, or otherwise environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A basket for holding beverage grounds includes a frame. The frame includes a continuous rim that defines an opening at a top of the frame, a bottom portion that is closed, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs that extend from the rim to a peripheral edge of the bottom portion. The bottom edge, plurality of ribs and rim define a plurality of openings that facilitate fluid flow. A filter material is positioned in the plurality of openings. A removable outer sleeve is formed on an outside surface of the frame. The outer sleeve is configured to cover at least the plurality of openings to thereby provide an air-tight seal within the frame.

Abstract: A method of making a container includes applying an insulating material in an inactive form to form a layer on a first substrate. The applied insulating material includes expandable microspheres. The method further includes joining a second substrate to the first substrate to adhere the first substrate to the second substrate and to create at least a portion of a multi-layer composite having at least one air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The method further includes heating the applied insulating material to activate expandable microspheres thereof to form expanded microspheres. The method further includes increasing the thickness of the applied insulating material layer to thereby increase the volume of the air gap between the first substrate and the second substrate of the multi-layer composite by the heating of the applied insulating material. The method further includes forming the multi-layer composite into a container having expanded microspheres.

Abstract: A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a thermally expandable material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: A disposable single-use beverage filter basket filled with beverage grounds, and a beverage brewer having a cartridge for placement of the beverage filter basket. A permeable filter basket has a rigid frame having a bottom, a plurality of ribs, and a top rim that define side openings, and a non-woven filter medium that is bonded thermally to the material of the frame to cover the side openings. The non-woven filter medium is made of recyclable or compostable plastic or bio-polymer, and frame is made of the material of the non-woven filter medium. The permeable filter basket is filled with beverage grounds and enclosed with a film cover. The inlet probe of the brewer pierces the cover and admits a heated liquid into the beverage grounds, and creates a brewed beverage that flows through the filter material and exits an opening in a bottom portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A disposable single use beverage package includes a frame. The frame includes a continuous rim that defines an opening at a top of the frame, a bottom portion that is closed, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs that extend from the rim to a peripheral edge of the bottom. The bottom portion, plurality of ribs and rim define a plurality of openings that facilitate fluid flow. The basket is tapered to facilitate stacking of multiple baskets. At least one rib includes a ledge positioned in a center region configured to limit an amount by which an upper basket is insertable into a lower basket to thereby define a space between respective bottoms of the upper basket and the lower basket.

Abstract: A beverage brewer having a cartridge for placement of a disposable single use filter basket filled with beverage grounds. The filter basket includes a plastic frame having a bottom, a plurality of ribs, and a top rim that define a plurality of openings covered by a non-woven or woven plastic filter material. The basket filled with beverage grounds is enclosed with a film cover. The inlet probe of the brewer pierces the cover and admits a heated liquid into the beverage grounds, and creates a brewed beverage that flows through the filter material and exits an opening in a bottom portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: Packaging containers (e.g., cups) or protective wraps may be made with two layers of sheet material and an expanded thermal insulation between the layers. The thermal insulation may be made from microencapsulated, heat-expandable particles that are expanded with a microwave heater at some point during processing substrate, building, conveying or packaging the containers. The particles may be applied to blanks formed from die cutting, expanded by heating, and then tampered. The blanks may be outer wraps to a double wall cup, formed by placing and adhering an inner cup to the outer wrap. Alternatively, an adhesive containing the particles are applied to inner cups, which may be adhered to outer wraps to complete formation of the double wall cups. The cups may then be heated with a microwave heater at a subsequent workstation as the cups are conveyed, stacked, placed in bags, the bags in cartons and the cartons stacked and palletized.