Abstract: An elongated blank (10) is used to form a thermally insulated cup (30). The blank includes a pair of spaced apart smooth portions (12, 13) connected by a middle portion (11). The blanks may have chamfered or trimmed comers to reduce the amount of waste on the sheet from which they are cut. The smooth portions are folded on opposite sides of the middle portion. The middle portion is corrugated or otherwise distorted or deformed to create air space. The folded sheet is wound around a mandrel to form a cylinder or conoid. The ends of the smooth portions are joined together, and a bottom closure (14) is attached to form the cup. The finished cup includes a smooth outer shell (12S), a smooth inner shell (13S), and a middle layer (11L) sandwiched therebetween. The middle layer forms many air spaces between the shells to thermally insulate the contents of the cup, and also provide structural strength.

Abstract: An elongated sheet (10) is used to form a thermally insulated cup (30). The sheet includes a pair of spaced apart smooth portions (12, 13) connected by a middle portion (11). The smooth portions are folded on opposite sides of the middle portion. The middle portion is corrugated or otherwise distorted or deformed to create air space. The folded sheet is wound around a mandrel to form a cylinder. The ends of the smooth portions are joined together, and a bottom closure (14) is attached to form the cup. The finished cup includes a smooth outer shell (12S), a smooth inner shell (13S), and a middle layer (11L) sandwiched therebetween. The middle layer forms many air spaces between the shells to thermally insulate the contents of the cup, and also provide structural strength. The cup can be constructed of paper, which makes it biodegradable and recyclable, and its simple construction method makes it easy and inexpensive to manufacture using standard, conventional machinery. In an alternative embodiment (FIG.

Abstract: An elongated sheet (10) is used to form a thermally insulated cup (30). The sheet includes a pair of spaced apart smooth portions (12, 13) connected by a middle portion (11). The smooth portions are folded on opposite sides of the middle portion. The middle portion is corrugated or otherwise distorted to create air space. The folded sheet is wound around a mandrel to form a cylinder. The ends of the smooth portions are joined together, and a bottom closure (14) is attached to form the cup. The finishell cup includes a smooth outer shell (12S), a smooth inner shell (13S), and a middle layer (11L) sandwiched therebetween. The middle layer forms many air spaces between the shells to thermally insulate the contents of the cup, and also provide structural strength. The cup can be constructed of paper, which makes it biodegradable and recyclable, and its simple construction method makes it easy and inexpensive to manufacture using standard, conventional machinery. In an alternative embodiment (FIG.

Abstract: A disposable biodegradable insulated container includes a smooth walled frustoconical inner cup received within a frustoconical wrap. A series of angularly spaced apart fluted indentations formed in the outer surface of the wrap extend longitudinally of the wrap and terminate in spaced relation to the upper and lower edges of the wrap. The indentations define corresponding angularly spaced apart and inwardly directed ribs on the inner surface of the wrap which engage the sidewall and maintain portions of the wrap intermediate the ribs in spaced relation to the sidewall. The upper and lower marginal portions of the wrap are adhered to the sidewall. The thickness of the wrap is greater than the distance between the inner surface of the wrap and the outer surface of the sidewall measured from the central axis of the container in a radial direction and between the ribs. A method for making the container is also disclosed.