Collapsible Cup Patents (Class 229/405)
  • Patent number: 11780636
    Abstract: A method for collapsing a collapsible box can include pressing inward on a first side panel and a second side panel of the collapsible box along a lateral hinge, the collapsible box defining the lateral hinge extending at least partially across a front panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and a rear panel of the collapsible box; and pressing a top panel and a bottom panel of the collapsible box together until the collapsible box is substantially flattened, the top panel and the bottom panel being hingedly coupled to the rear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc
    Inventors: Greg Sollie, Shifeng Chen
  • Patent number: 10336499
    Abstract: Provided is a cup comprising a frusto-conical shaped wall that is narrower on top of the cup, the top of the cup having an opening for passage of liquid, the cup having a circular bottom made from a material that is different than material of the wall of the cup, the wall of the cup having at least two fold lines; wherein the cup has a stowed configuration where the cup is collapsed along the fold lines and the cup has a deployed configuration so that the cup can hold a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Charles Bernard Wambolt
  • Publication number: 20150021382
    Abstract: A vessel composed of a sheet of flexible material, cut, rolled, and affixed to form a frusto-conically shaped base region. The sheet when rolled including an upper region having two opposing flaps, each flap delineated from a remaining portion of the sheet by a path along which the sheet is scored, so that the flaps, when folded along their respective paths, define a single elevated drinking portion having a spout formed between an extension of the base region and at least one of the two flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Herman
  • Patent number: 8887945
    Abstract: A foldable container module includes a body and a foldable container. The body has a sidewall and a room. The foldable container has a panel, multiple folding line sets formed on the panel, and a joint. The foldable container can be transformed by folding along the multiple folding line sets. The joint connects to the sidewall of the body. The foldable container module can be held in one hand by a user, and the other hand of the user can swing freely or take the solid food from the foldable container, such that the user can also suck the liquid from the body by the straw at the same time. Moreover, when the foldable container module is to be stored, the user can fold the foldable container along the multiple folding line sets to reduce a volume of the foldable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Highplus International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Hung Kao
  • Patent number: 8672213
    Abstract: A food container having at least two open cone shaped spaces is formed from a sheet folded along three folding lines. The first and second folding lines intersect at a point near or in a point along a center line of the sheet to allow upper surfaces of the sheet on each side of the folding lines to be moved against each other. The third folding line extends transversally in relation to the center line and intersects the first and second folding lines substantially at the point. The third folding line allows folding of the sheet on each side of the third folding to move the surfaces on the under side of the sheet against each other thereby forming two open cones when parts respectively on each side of the third folding line are brought against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: Uno Larsson, Niklas Larsson
  • Patent number: 8631997
    Abstract: A taco holder including a rigid, foldable template that retains a crease when folded, which has portions and fold lines configured so that the taco holder is easily configurable between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The open configuration is defined by the fold lines being substantially unfolded such that front edges of the portions of the taco holder define an opening configured to receive a taco or other folded sandwich food. The folded configuration is defined by the fold lines being substantially folded such that the foldable food container is substantially flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventors: David L. Millet, Gary Millet
  • Patent number: 8333296
    Abstract: A thermally insulated foldable cup for hot or cold beverages including a flexible inner liner, an outer shell, and an insulating layer between the outer shell and inner liner. The foldable cup includes reinforcing rings at the bottom and top of the cup and two vertical reinforcing strips on opposing sides of the cup. The foldable cup can be folded from an expanded configuration, in which liquids can be poured into and held in the cup, to a folded configuration in which two sides of the cup can be folded about a vertical plane through the cup in order to reduce the size of the cup while it is not in use. The foldable cup further includes a base member and a cap member connected by a anchor strip. A locking strap extending from the base member can be used to maintain the folded cup in the folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Duncan C. Fung
  • Publication number: 20080093433
    Abstract: A condiment receptacle for use with a food container configured to hold a food item in the container's food chamber. The condiment receptacle attaches to or is integral with one of the container's upstanding sidewalls. The condiment receptacle comprises a front panel that extends outward from the sidewall by a first side panel and a second side panel when the receptacle is placed in the open position to define a condiment chamber for receiving a quantity of condiment therein. Each side panel has one or more fold lines to collapse the receptacle generally against the sidewall to place the receptacle in its closed position for transport and storage of the food container, which is also configured to collapse substantially flat. The condiment receptacle can also include a back panel that attaches to the sidewall with an adhesive material and/or a bottom panel, each of which further define the condiment chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Arthur Haroutiounian
  • Patent number: 7140532
    Abstract: A container for holding at least two items comprising at least two compartments, a first compartment and a second compartment rotatably affixed to the first compartment. The second compartment in a first position extends from the first compartment substantially in the plane of the rear panel of the first compartment and can thus be used as a scoop to scoop a first item into the first compartment. The second compartment is then rotated until it is adjacent to and extends substantially along or even abuts the rear panel of the first compartment and is expanded, and a second item is placed into the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aricoga Creative Development, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. Holt, David A. Roelle, Wayne J. Leybeck
  • Patent number: 6719190
    Abstract: A finger food container formed as a flat carton expandable into a truncated conical configuration with a substantially cylindrical lower portion extending upward to a scoop-forming upper portion. Front and rear walls of the folded carton have lower edges interconnected by a bottom wall which, upon an outward bowing of the front and rear walls, expands therebetween in close conformance thereto for a locking of the front and rear walls in the outwardly bowed positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dopaco, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Yocum
  • Patent number: 6634547
    Abstract: A new, novel and useful folding cup that fits into a cup holder. The cup is designed to fit into an array of cup holders such as the cup holders that are often built into modern motor vehicles in an arm rest or dash of such an automobile. The cup may be made from paperboard as a paperboard blank or any other suitable material that may be formed into a collapsible or expandable configuration wherein the bottom panels form a generally circular shape which may include a polygonal configuration. When the cup is in the folded condition, the cup is in a generally flat condition for economy of storage and shipping. By squeezing opposite edges of the flat structure the cup expands such that its bottom takes on its generally circular shape which may include a polygonal configuration and the top opens to accept whatever substance will be placed in the cup. This new, novel and useful folding cup that fits in a cup holder may be used as a container for french fries, chicken pieces or bread sticks, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Willis
  • Patent number: 6513704
    Abstract: The packaging box for bottles is made from a blank in a flexible foldable material that comprises two similar body panels which are foldable against each other about a lateral generatrix and that form together a side wall for said box when their remote side edges are secured together, so that said box can be shelved flat in a collapsed form. The blank further comprises two symetrical bottom elements having the shape of a half-section of the bottom face of said box, with two bottom flaps connected each along the diameter of one of said bottom elements. The two bottom flaps are securable flat on each other into a grip for pushing said bottom elements into said side wall where they are blocked by jamming, thereby erecting said box, that further constitutes a strengthening element for said bottom face of said box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Nicolas Perot
  • Patent number: 6471119
    Abstract: A collapsible, conical food scoop formed from a unitary blank of flexible material is disclosed which includes a first, food compartment and a second, condiment compartment. The condiment compartment is formed from a panel of material connected between first and second locations on the interior wall of the first compartment, and shifts between a first position overlaying the interior side wall of the food scoop when the scoop is collapsed and a second position spaced apart from the interior side wall for holding a condiment when the scoop is opened for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Dopaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Liming Cai
  • Publication number: 20020084319
    Abstract: A finger food container formed as a flat carton expandable into a truncated conical configuration with a substantially cylindrical lower portion extending upward to a scoop-forming upper portion. Front and rear walls of the folded carton have lower edges interconnected by a bottom wall which, upon an outward bowing of the front and rear walls, expands therebetween in close conformance thereto for a locking of the front and rear walls in the outwardly bowed positions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: James A. Yocum
  • Patent number: 6349874
    Abstract: A carton for co-packaging two distinct food substances in two distinct cavities within the carton. The carton is formed of a single blank of paperboard creased, folded and glued to form one major cavity and one minor cavity, said minor cavity being an integral discrete compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Bell Paper Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Hill
  • Patent number: 6290091
    Abstract: A substantially cylindrical beverage container holder manufactured from a sheet of recycled pressed paper pulp is provided. The sheet is die cut form a blank having large and small opposing substantially rectangular sides connected by a bottom portion. The large side has a center panel and two glue flaps attached to the center panel by vertical fold lines. The bottom portion is substantially circular to conform to the shape of a beverage can and has fold lines that allow the blank to be folded so that the two rectangular sides are brought together in facing relationship. The large side glue flaps are glued to the small side to form a flat holder having vertical edges. The holder is opened by gently squeezing along the vertical edges, thereby creating an open top end for receiving a beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Ray Bell
  • Patent number: 6102208
    Abstract: A disposable french-fries accommodating container assembly includes a large container that has an upper opening and that is adapted to receive French fries, and a small container, which is fixed on an outer surface of the large container and which has an upper opening. The small container is adapted to receive seasonings and sauce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Yao-Chin Huang
  • Patent number: 6102568
    Abstract: The present invention provide a collapsible, recyclable, fluid receptacle readily assembled from a either single blank or two substantially identical blanks to form an outer shell and a flexible inner liner attached to said shell having sufficient strength and properties to retain a liquid therein without leaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Heidi Comfort Davis
  • Patent number: 5938110
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular food package particularly suitable for use in the fast food industry, and more particularly to a modular package that can be used as a stand alone, open ended, scoop type, package suitable for containing food items, such as french fries, potato cakes, cookies, pies, and such, or two identical units may be combined to create a completely enclosed, and interlocking, package for a sandwich or other appropriate food items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Linda A. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 5868310
    Abstract: A collar flexibly movable between a first shape defining an opening for receiving one end of a cup and a second shape where the collar is substantially flat. A handle is flexibly connected to the collar. Tension members attach to the handle and collar on opposite sides of the handle to provide two opposing forces which prevent the handle from moving with respect to the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Tomas Leszczynski
  • Patent number: 5842634
    Abstract: A folding cup is disclosed which folds from an open pyramidal shape to a flattened folded state for easy storage. The edges of the pyramid shape form flexible hinges, and the cup can be manufactured from a planar plastic or paper blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Wayne Clinton Kieler
  • Patent number: 5799863
    Abstract: Cup made from a rectangular sheet folded to form a convex base consisting of two isosceles triangles with a common base. The ends of the common base extend into two areas in the shape of deformable lozenges for folding and unfolding the cup while leaving the base flat. When the cup is unfolded by pressing on the edges to draw them together, the ends abut on the edges of the dihedrals forming the cup sides, thereby locking the cup into an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventors: Gilbert Capy, Akiva Buchberg
  • Patent number: 5720428
    Abstract: A french fry scoop formed from a unitary blank of paperboard is provided with generally horizontally extending lower legs. The legs extend tangentially from the lower edges of the scoop and permit the filled scoop to be placed on a horizontal surface in slightly tilted, stable equilibrium. The scoop displays both economy in paperboard required and a pleasing rest position from which the consumer can withdraw product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Kurt D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5720429
    Abstract: The food container of the present invention includes a paperboard container with front and rear panels and collapsible side walls and collapsible bottom, permitting the container to be flattened to a nestable storage position. A flip-out pocket is operably mounted within the container, with a pocket panel having a forward edge mounted to the front panel, a rearward edge mounted to the rear panel, and a bottom edge mounted to the side wall. A central hinge extending from the top to the bottom of the pocket panel, and hinged connections of the edges of the pocket permit the pocket panel to be moved from a storage position flush against the side wall to an operable position with the upper edge spaced away from the upper edge of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Bradley D. Cordle
  • Patent number: 5671863
    Abstract: A clip-on straw apparatus permitting persons to drink from a cup, glass, or the like without a need to stabilize the straw by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Venes J. Uliana
  • Patent number: 5641117
    Abstract: A foldable hand-held container includes a generally frusto-conical body formed from a single sheet of foldable material having two opposed inner wall members and two opposed outer wall members each having a plurality of panels defined by a plurality of diverging, equidistant fold lines. The container may be lined with a superabsorbent material to allow the container to be used as a cuspidor. A method for forming such a container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventors: James Joseph Barker, Charles A. Walker, III, Denise Walker, Ralph E. Barker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5630544
    Abstract: This invention relates to a collapsible container for holding food products having an attached collapsible pocket for holding condiments. The container has a flat, rectangular bottom and tapered front and rear walls connected thereto. Tapered side walls are joined to the bottom and connected between the front and rear walls. The width of the tapered front and rear walls and the tapered side walls increases as they extend upwardly from the bottom to form an opening at the top of the container. The area of the opening is larger than the area of the rectangular bottom. A collapsible pocket having a rectangular bottom is secured to the outside of the front wall of the collapsible container. The pocket has a rectangular front wall spaced apart from the container by a pair of rectangular side wails and a flat, rectangular pocket bottom. The container and pocket collapse by folding flat for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Penny K. Shane
  • Patent number: 5538180
    Abstract: A paper cup comprises a cylindrical body having an open top and a bottom which is provided on the underside thereof with a plurality of waterproof tearing traces radiating from the center of the underside and is further provided centrally on the underside thereof with a handle fastened thereto and a large arrow indicating the direction in which the handle is pulled to bring about a total breakdown of the bottom of the paper cup. The bottom of the cylindrical body is still further provided centrally on the underside thereof with a plurality of small arrows serving to identify the area to be pressed with finger to bring about the tearing up of the bottom along the tearing traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Hsin-Hsin Lo
  • Patent number: 5492269
    Abstract: A collapsible or foldable container formed by sheet material comprising at least a bottom (15), a first pair of opposite side walls (12) (14) and a second pair of opposite side walls (11) (13). The bottom (15) and the second pair of side walls (11) (13) are respectively provided with folding guider means along their middle lines (42) (29) (32) which are coplanar. Also the two legs of two respective isosceles triangles defined by two isosceles triangular zones at the lower part of the two side walls (11) (13) are also provided with folding guider means. Thus the container can be easily collapsed into a planar structure to facilitate its carrying, storage, transport or disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Sunglare Merchandising Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Sung
  • Patent number: 5476215
    Abstract: A paperboard blank is provided which can be assembled into a self-supporting food holder for a pita bread sandwich or the like. The paperboard blank has a generally pentagonal main panel defined by score lines. Rear left-side and right-side rip-away extension panels are attached to the pentagonal rear main panel along a left-upper score line and right-upper score line, respectively. A left-side and right-side front panel are attached to the rear main panel along a left-lower score line and a right-lower score line, respectively. A front left-side rip-away extension panel and a front right-side rip-away extension panel are attached to the front panels along score lines. A stand panel is attached to the rear main panel along a center-lower score line, having (i) a center portion which is foldable to partially overlap the right-side and left-side front panels in the assembled food holder, and (ii) a stand portion which is foldable to form an integral stand to support the assembled food holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Inventor: Carum Baroud
  • Patent number: 5460324
    Abstract: A cup is made from sheet material. The cup has two opposite side sections for forming a cylinder with one of a gutter-like and spout-like shape in an open state of the cup, a rectangular including square bottom for serving as a base for the cup in the open state of the cup, and folding lines in the side sections that form sides and bases of two isosceles triangles. The folding lines that form the bases of the two isosceles triangles form two of four edges of the bottom. A central folding line in the bottom is parallel with the other two of the four edges of the bottom and runs along a center line of the bottom, connects to the folding lines of the bases of the two isosceles triangles and continues up along the perpendicular of the two isosceles triangles and the side sections to a rim of the side sections and cup. This divides the side sections into pairwise congruent surfaces with insides that bear upon each other when the cup is in a collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: All-Ways APS
    Inventor: Knud Vinther