CONTAINER WITH TWO SIDE WALLS

Abstract

A container for holding beverages and foods is provided. The container can include an inner sidewall, a bottom provided at a lower end of the inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall attached to the outer circumference of the inner sidewall. The inner sidewall and the outer sidewall can include an embossed shaping. The inner sidewall can include an embossed shaping configured as a stacking means extending radially inward from the inner sidewall. The outer sidewall can include one or more embossed outer shapings that can extend radially out from the outer sidewall. An adhesive connection can be provided between the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall. One adhesive connection can be provided between the shaping on the inner sidewall and the inner surface of the outer sidewall. One adhesive connection can be provided near a lower end of the outer shapings on the outer sidewall.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. AU2016219636, filed on Aug. 25, 2016, to Peter Coleman, entitled “Improved Container with Two Side Walls,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to containers having two sidewalls, and particularly, containers including shapings on the sidewalls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers having a bottom, an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall are commonly known in the art. Such containers are described, for example, in WO 2011/023401 A1 or WO 2011/023400 A1, EP 237 1723 A1, EP 2540635 A1 or EP 2540643 A1. The containers described in these publications are however deficient in that there is a gap between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. These containers are also deficient in that additional means are needed in order to stack the containers properly and/or that the stacking means for the containers can be improved.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a container that does not have the deficiencies of containers known according to the state of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is aimed at solving the problems described above by providing a container comprising a bottom at the lower end of an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, which is attached to the outer circumference of the inner sidewall, wherein the inner sidewall and/or the outer sidewall comprises an embossed shaping, wherein an adhesive connection is provided between the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall, and wherein the adhesive connection is provided on the outer circumference of the inner sidewall and in the vicinity of the shaping. The inventive container of the present invention provides advantages over the prior art, including that it provides increased stability of the container and that it facilitates the de-stacking of two containers stacked together.

The container of the present invention can be configured as a cup, in which beverages, especially hot beverages such as coffee or tea, or food, such as soup, mash or the like can be served. The container can be made from paper, thick paper, cardboard, fiber material, plastic material, PLA materials or other suitable materials, and/or can be made from renewable and/or biodegradable raw materials or a combination thereof. According to one embodiment, the material, particularly the material from which the side walls are made, can be plastically deformable (e.g., capable of being embossed). According to one embodiment, all parts of the inventive container can be made from one material. According to other embodiments, individual parts of the container can be made from different materials. In addition, the surface of the parts of the container that are subjected to a liquid and/or vapor can be provided with means, especially a coating, an impregnation, a film or the like, that makes these parts at least temporarily resistant against for example humidity, water, aqueous solutions, oil and/or fat or a combination thereof. Preferably the above-mentioned means are also heat-sealable.

The container according to the present invention can comprise an inner sidewall that can be frustoconically shaped and that can have at its upper end a bended or rolled rim. The inner sidewall can be made from a flat segment that can be subsequently for rued, such as by rolling around a mandrel, into its, for example, frustoconical, shape. The sidewall can comprise a bottom at its lower end in order to close the container at the base. The bottom can be a separate part that can be attached, such as by gluing and/or heat-sealing, to the lower end of the sidewall of the container. The sidewall and the base can define the filling volume of the container that can be filled with a product. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner sidewall may comprise an embossed shaping, which can be configured as a stacking means, to facilitate easy separation of two or more containers from one another after being stacked (i.e., assist in the de-stacking of nested containers). This stacking means can extend around the entire inner circumference of the inner sidewall, a portion of the inner circumference of the inner sidewall and/or extend into the container.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the container can comprise an outer sidewall that can be attached to the outer circumference of the inner sidewall. The outer sidewall can extend around the entire circumference of the inner sidewall. The outer sidewall can extend essentially along the entire height of the inner sidewall, such as from the upper rim to the bottom. The second (outer) sidewall may comprise one or more embossed outer shapings. The shaping can be of any suitable shape. According to one embodiment, the shaping, together with the inner sidewall confines a volume, preferably a closed volume. According to one embodiment, the shaping in the outer sidewall can be configured as a channel. According to another embodiment, the shaping in the outer sidewall can have a round, rectangular, square, triangular, ellipsoid, and/or polygonal cross-section. In certain embodiments where there are a multitude of shapings, the shape of the shapings can be different from one another. According to one embodiment, the shapings are shaped such that they provide a knob-like (i.e., flattened) surface, that can be easy to hold by the hand of a user and/or by a machine. According to another embodiment, the shaping can have the form of a pictogram.

The first and second sidewalls may be connected to each other by an adhesive connection, which is, according to one embodiment of the present invention, provided in the vicinity of an embossed shaping in the first (inner) and/or second (outer) sidewall. The embossed shaping in the first sidewall can be configured as a stacking shoulder that can extend radially inward into the filling volume of the container. The lower end of the shaping provided in the second sidewall can be configured to cooperate with the stacking shoulder in the first sidewall. According to one embodiment, the adhesive connection is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the shaping in the second sidewall. The adhesive connection can be provided by a glue between the first and the second sidewall according to one embodiment.

The adhesive connection can be advantageous in that it can provide additional rigidity to the first and/or second sidewall in the vicinity of the embossments or shapings.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive connection is aligned with the embossed shaping (e.g., the stacking means), wherein the height of the adhesive connection parallel to the first sidewall can be equal to or smaller than the height of the stacking means in this direction. According to one embodiment, the adhesive connection can be provided into parallel strips which extend at least partially along the circumference of the inner (first) sidewall.

The adhesive connection can be provided around the entire circumference of the inner sidewall or in one or more circumferential section(s) depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment where there are two or more circumferential sections, these sections can be provided equidistantly and/or at the same height on the outer circumference of the first sidewall.

The outer (second) sidewall can comprise a multitude of embossed outer shapings that can extend radially out of the outer surface of the second sidewall. These embossments (i.e., outer shapings), together with the outer circumference of the inner sidewall, may each define a channel that is closed, and even hermetically closed in certain embodiments of the present invention. This can prevent or limit debris or the like from accumulating in the channels. The entrapped air in the channels can function as an insulation, so that the surface of the container that comes into contact with the hand of a user is neither too hot nor too cold.

The outer sidewall may be designed such that the lower end of the outer shaping does not extend to the lower end of the outer sidewall, and is rather spaced apart from the lower end of the outer sidewall. The outer sidewall can also comprise at its lower end a flat portion, which can be configured as a flat ring that can extend around the entire circumference of the inner sidewall and that can be partially or entirely attached to the outer surface of the inner sidewall.

According to one embodiment, the lower end of the outer shaping can be configured as a stacking means, which, when two containers are stacked together, rests on the inner shaping or stacking means provided at the inner sidewall of another container.

The adhesive connection may be provided in the lower end of the outer shaping.

According to one embodiment, due to the utilization of the lower end of the outer embossments as stacking means, no additional stacking means needs to be provided for the container. This can facilitate easy production of the container according to this embodiment.

The upper end of the outer shaping may also be spaced apart from the upper end of the outer sidewall. A flat ring that can extend around the entire outer surface of the inner sidewall, can also be provided at the upper end of the outer sidewall. This flat ring may be connected to the outer circumference of the inner sidewall, such as by gluing and/or sealing.

According to one embodiment, the lower end of the outer shaping, particularly the surface that is configured to contact with the stacking means at the inner sidewall of a second container can be provided in an angle of less than 120 degrees and preferably more than 80 degrees. This can facilitate in easier de-nesting of containers that are stacked together.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the accompanying drawing figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawing, which forms is a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first container stacked together with a second container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of the stacked containers of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away side view of two stacked containers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away perspective view of two stacked containers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will be appreciated that any dimensions included in the drawing figures are simply provided as examples and dimensions other than those provided therein are also within the scope of the invention.

The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The present invention is directed generally to a container 1 as shown in the several figures according to different embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate container 1 according to one embodiment where container 1 is stacked with another identical container 1. Container 1 can be configured as a paper or cardboard cup or other suitable type of container depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, container 1 can comprise a frustoconical inner sidewall 3 and a bottom 2 provided at the lower end 3.2 of inner sidewall 3. According to one embodiment, bottom 2 can be attached to the inner sidewall 3 of container 1. Bottom 2 may be glued or sealed to the inner sidewall 3. Inner sidewall 3 and bottom 2 can define the filling volume of container 1. Inner sidewall 3 can further comprise a shaping 7, which may be configured as an embossment 7 according to one embodiment as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The shaping 7 or embossment 7 can extend out of the inner surface of inner sidewall 3 and into the filling volume. According to one embodiment of the present invention, shaping 7 can be configured as a stacking means 7. In such an embodiment, stacking means 7 can extend wholly or partially around the entire inner circumference of the inner sidewall 3 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Stacking means 7 may extend generally continuously or intermittently around the inner circumference of the inner sidewall 3. According to one embodiment, inner sidewall 3 can comprise at its upper end 3.3 a rim 8, which may be bended or rolled.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3, container 1 can comprise a second or outer sidewall 4 that can also be frustoconical in shape. Outer sidewall 4 can be configured to extend around the entire circumference of the outer circumference 3.1 of inner side wall 3. As shown in FIG. 2, according to one embodiment, the length L of outer sidewall 4 may be chosen such that it extends from the upper end 3.3 of inner sidewall 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the length L of outer sidewall 4 may extend from rim 8 to essentially bottom 2 of container 1.

In one embodiment, outer sidewall 4 can comprise one or more of outer shapings or embossments 5, each of which can extend radially away from inner sidewall 3 of container 1 and/or away from the inner surface 4.3 of outer sidewall 4. As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, according to one embodiment, the outer shapings 5 need not extend over the entire length L of outer sidewall 4. The lower end 5.1 of each shaping 5 may be spaced apart from the lower end 4.1 of outer sidewall 4.

The outer sidewall 4 may comprise at its lower end 4.1 a flat ring, which may extend around the entire circumference of inner sidewall 3. This ring can be used to connect, such as by gluing and/or sealing, outer sidewall 4 to inner sidewall 3 according to one embodiment.

According to one embodiment, shapings 5, together with the outer circumference of inner sidewall 3, can each define a separate channel 6, in which a gas, such as air, is entrapped. According to one embodiment, channels 6 are closed. Channels 6 may be hermetically closed. The gas inside the channels 6 can operate as a heat/cold-insulation.

The lower end 5.1 of each shaping 5 can operate as a stacking means, which can cooperate with stacking means 7 of another container 1, when two containers 1 are stacked. This can allow the stacked containers 1 to be easily denested. According to one embodiment, the flat lower end 4.1 of outer sidewall 4 may extend below the lower end 5.1 of each shaping 5, which can allow the lower end 4.1 to also guide the other container 1 during stacking of the containers 1. The upper end 5.2 of each shaping 5 may also be spaced apart from the upper end 4.2 of outer sidewall 4. The flat ring of outer sidewall 4 can be attached to inner sidewall 3 according to one embodiment.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to one embodiment, an adhesive connection 9, 9.1, 9.2 can be provided between the outer circumference of inner sidewall 3 and the inner circumference of outer sidewall 4. The adhesive connection 9, 9.1, 9.2 can be provided as an entire ring or as one or more segments of a ring depending on the particular embodiment of container 1. The adhesive connection 9, 9.1, 9.2 can be aligned with shaping 7, which can operate as a stacking shoulder. According to one embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 4, the height I of shaping 7 can be larger than the height of the adhesive connection 9, 9.1, 9.2. It is also recognized that the height of the adhesive connection 9, 9.1, 9.2 can also be equal or greater than the height I of shaping 7 in other embodiments of container 1. As shown in FIG. 3, there can be more than one adhesive connection 9.1 and 9.2 in certain embodiments of the present invention.

As demonstrated in FIG. 4, adhesive connection 9 can also be provided at the lower end 5.1 of shaping 5. Adhesive connection 9 can have the advantage of providing additional rigidity to first sidewall 3 and/or second sidewall 4 in the vicinity of shapings 5 and 7.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of container 1. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the outer embossments/shapings 5 in second sidewall 4 can comprise one or more individual knob-like or flattened embossed structures 5.1. An adhesive 9 can be provided in the vicinity and/or in at least one of the shapings 5. According to one embodiment, a multitude of shapings 5 along one horizontal plane can be provided with an adhesive 9 as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, according to one embodiment, the adhesive 9 can be provided in the plane of the shapings 5 and at the bottom of the shapings 5. FIG. 5 illustrates container 1 with adhesive 9 shown at only one of the shapings 5; however, it is recognized that more than one of the shapings 5 in the horizontal plane can be provided with adhesive 9. The adhesive 9 can be, for example, provided by cutting one or more shapings 5, for example in half or almost in half and then provide an adhesive into the shaping. Alternatively, the adhesive 9 can be provided to the inner side of outer sidewall 4 and/or the outer circumference of inner sidewall 3, before the two sidewalls 3 and 4 are attached to each other. According to one embodiment, all or some shapings 5 next to the bottom are partially filled an adhesive 9. The adhesive 9 can also be provided as a ring, which can extend around the entire circumference of inner sidewall 3. The ring of adhesive 9 may be provided in and/or in the vicinity of shapings 5 near the bottom.

FIG. 6 illustrates container 1 according to another alternative embodiment, which can be configured similar to the embodiments of container 1 in FIGS. 1-5. As shown in FIG. 6, shapings 5.1 according to this embodiment can be configured as curved or wave-like as opposed to straight. As also shown in FIG. 6, one or more of the shapings 5.1 can include an adhesive 9 near the lower end of shapings 5.1. Adhesive 9 may be provided at the lowest end of shapings 5.1. According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, shapings 5.1 can extend to the bottom edge of second sidewall 4 of container 1.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, outer sidewall 4 may have a flat, non-embossed area located at the lower end of container 1 adjacent to shapings 5.1.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

an inner sidewall;

a bottom provided at a lower end of said inner sidewall;

an outer sidewall attached to an outer circumference of said inner sidewall;

wherein at least one of said inner sidewall and said outer sidewall comprises an embossed shaping, wherein an adhesive connection is provided between said inner sidewall and said outer sidewall, wherein said adhesive connection is provided on an outer circumference of said inner sidewall and in the vicinity of said embossed shaping.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said embossed shaping is configured as a stacking means.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein said adhesive connection is aligned with a lower end of said embossed shaping.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein said adhesive connection is provided around the entire circumference or as one or more circumferential sections.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein said outer sidewall comprises a plurality of embossed outer shapings, wherein each outer shaping extends radially out of an outer surface of said outer sidewall, wherein a lower end of said outer shaping is spaced apart from a lower end of said outer sidewall, wherein said lower end of said outer shaping is utilized as a stacking means.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein said adhesive connection is provided in the vicinity of said lower end of said outer shaping.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein an upper end of said outer shaping is spaced apart from an upper end of said outer sidewall.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a tight, two dimensional connection between a flat lower end of said outer sidewall and said outer circumference of said inner sidewall.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein at least one of said flat lower end and a flat upper end of said outer sidewall is glued or sealed to said inner sidewall.

10. The container of claim 5, wherein said outer shapings each comprise a channel, wherein each said channel is enclosed.

11. The container of claim 1, further comprising a tight connection between a flat upper end of said outer sidewall and said outer circumference of said inner sidewall.

12. The container of claim 5, wherein said lower end of each said outer shaping is at least partially provided at an angle of less than 120 degrees and greater than 80 degrees.

13. A container comprising:

an inner sidewall;

a bottom provided at a lower end of said inner sidewall;

an outer sidewall attached to an outer circumference of said inner sidewall;

at least one shaping extending from at least one of said inner sidewall and said outer sidewall; and

an adhesive connection provided between said inner sidewall and said outer sidewall, wherein said adhesive connection is provided on an outer circumference of said inner sidewall and in the vicinity of said shaping.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein said at least one shaping is a stacking shoulder extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of said inner sidewall into a filling volume of said container.

15. The container of claim 13, wherein said at least one shaping comprises:

a first shaping extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of said inner sidewall; and

a second shaping extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of said outer sidewall.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein said second shaping comprises a lower end configured for cooperating with an upper end of said first shaping of another container when two said containers are stacked.