CONTAINER AND BOTTOM END CONSTRUCTION THEREFOR

Abstract

A container and a bottom end construction for a container is provided. The container includes an inner receptacle having a bottom panel and a frustoconical sidewall with an upper edge to define an interior volume within the receptacle. The container further includes an outer sleeve wrapped around the receptacle with a lower terminal edge extending below the bottom panel of the receptacle to form a deep bottom recess within a lower portion of the container. The lower portion of the outer sleeve and lower terminal edge may form the bottom end construction of the container. The lower terminal edge may be a raw unfolded lower edge. The lower terminal edge may further have a non-uniform configuration with a plurality of alternating raised sections and lowered sections. The lowered sections include contact points that are designed to contact a resting surface when the container is placed in an upright position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/794,248, filed on Jan. 18, 2019, to Arron Smith et al., entitled “Container and Bottom End Construction Therefor,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cups and containers suitable for holding drink and/or food items are well known in the food and beverage packaging industry. Food and beverage providers often desire to have a variety of containers of different sizes in order to provide different quantity options and sizes to consumers. However, different-sized containers typically require each container to have a different top end diameter and thus require specifically sized lids for each different container size. One potential solution to this problem is to increase the height of larger containers so that the larger containers can hold a larger volume while maintaining the same top end diameter and lid size. One problem with this solution is that containers having an increased height while maintaining the same top end diameter tend to have reduced stability. The stability can be improved by decreasing the taper of the sidewall angle and making it more cylindrical. However, this can increase the likelihood that multiple stacked cups will wedge together. Accordingly, a need exists for a container design and construction having an increased height and sufficient stability while reducing the tendency of becoming interlocked when stacked or nested with other containers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a container for holding foods, beverages, and other suitable items. The present invention is further directed toward a bottom end construction for a container. The container may include an inner receptacle and an outer sleeve wrapped around the inner receptacle. The inner receptacle may be configured with any suitable standard receptacle construction for a cup or container and may include a bottom panel and a circumferential sidewall secured around the bottom panel and defining an interior volume. The inner receptacle sidewall may form a generally frustoconical shape and include an upper edge forming the opening to the receptacle and a lower edge adjacent the bottom panel.

The outer sleeve may be wrapped around the inner receptacle and secured to the inner receptacle sidewall. The outer sleeve may extend along the entirety of or a portion of the height of the inner receptacle sidewall to form an overlapping portion and may extend below the lower edge of the inner receptacle sidewall to form an extension portion. The extension portion may terminate at a lower terminal edge defining the lower boundary of the outer sleeve and defining a lower bottom edge of the container. The overlapping portion and the extension portion may form the bottom end construction of the container.

According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the lower terminal edge of the outer sleeve may be an unfolded edge. In one embodiment, the entirety of the lower terminal edge of the outer sleeve is an unfolded edge. According to one embodiment, the extension portion may extend below the lower edge of the inner receptacle by a distance of at least 0.5 inches.

The outer sleeve may have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the sidewall of the inner receptacle. The outer sleeve may be constructed so that the extension portion has a thickness greater than the thickness of the overlapping portion. The outer sleeve may also be constructed so that the thickness of the extension portion is greater than the thickness of the sidewall of the inner receptacle.

According to one embodiment, the lower terminal edge of the outer sleeve may be constructed as a non-uniform lower edge defining a plurality of contact points along the lower bottom edge of the container. The contact points along the lower bottom edge of the container may contact a resting surface (such as a tabletop or countertop) when the container is placed in an upright position along the resting surface while the remainder of the container lower bottom edge is positioned above the resting surface. According to one embodiment, the non-uniform lower edge of the outer sleeve may include three contact points.

The non-uniform lower edge of the outer sleeve may define a plurality of alternating raised sections and lowered sections. The raised sections of the outer sleeve lower terminal edge may have an elevation along the height of the outer sleeve that is greater than the elevation of the lowered sections when the container is placed on a resting surface. The lower sections may contain the plurality of contact points located along the lower bottom edge of the container when the container is placed on a resting surface while the raised sections may be spaced apart from the resting surface.

According to one embodiment, the non-uniform lower edge of the outer sleeve may be configured as a wave-type pattern having a plurality of crests and troughs configured in an alternating arrangement. The troughs of the wave-type pattern may include the plurality of contact points configured to contact a resting surface when the container is placed thereon.

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 DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are 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 container with a bottom end construction in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of a receptacle used to form the container of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic plan view of an outer sleeve used to form the container of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the container and bottom end construction of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a bottom end construction for a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the bottom end construction of FIG. 4 illustrating the container placed upright on a resting surface;

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic side sectional view illustrating two stacked containers having bottom end constructions in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a container with a bottom end construction in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the container with a bottom end construction of FIG. 7A illustrating a misaligned outer sleeve side seam in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic side view of a receptacle used to form the container of FIG. 7A in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a schematic plan view of an outer sleeve used to form the container of FIG. 7A in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side sectional view of the container and bottom end construction of FIG. 7A in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a schematic side view of a lower terminal edge configuration for a bottom end construction of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a schematic side view of a lower terminal edge configuration for a bottom end construction of a container in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10C is a schematic side view of a lower terminal edge configuration for a bottom end construction of a container in accordance with yet 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.

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.

Referring to the figures, the present invention is directed to a cup or container 10 and a bottom end construction 100 for a container 10 as illustrated in the several figures. Container 10 may be adapted for holding food and drink items; however, it will also be appreciated that container 100 may be suitably configured and used in connection with the storage and transportation of other types of items. In addition, bottom end construction 100 as described herein may be suitably utilized in connection with any type or style of cup or container 10 whether or not described specifically herein.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, bottom end construction 100 can be utilized with containers 10 having an increased sidewall height. For example, it is often desirable to have containers 10 of different sizes (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.) for use in food- and drink-service applications while maintaining a common overall upper edge diameter to allow the same lid to be used with each different sized container. One common method for providing such containers 10 is to increase the height of the sidewall of the larger containers 10. However, due to the increased height of the sidewall, the containers 10 are more susceptible to becoming stuck together when nested. Bottom end construction 100 of the present invention can provide a deep overall bottom recess at the lower end of these containers 10, which can reduce the chance that stacked containers 10 will become stuck together because the inner container 10 can rest on the bottom of the outer container 10 instead of against the sidewall of the outer container 10 (see FIG. 6). Bottom end construction 100 can also eliminate the need for a fully formed and crimped deep bottom recess in containers 10 of increased height (which can be difficult to form an effective water-tight seal) while still providing a deep overall bottom recess. As described in greater detail herein, according to one embodiment, bottom end construction 100 can utilize an extended outer sleeve that can allow the lower end of each container 10 to rest on the bottom of the outer container 10 when multiple containers 10 to be stacked or nested together, which can reduce the risk of containers 10 becoming stuck together.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, according to one embodiment of the present invention, container 10 may include an inner receptacle 12 and an outer sleeve 14 forming bottom end construction 100 of container 10. Inner receptacle 12 may be constructed as a standard tapered-sidewall type receptacle as describe herein, or any other suitable container receptacle design. As best illustrated by FIGS. 1-3, outer sleeve 14 may be wrapped around and secured to inner receptacle 12 to form a generally frustoconical container 10 having a bottom end with a diameter less than that of the opposing top end. Once wrapped around receptacle 12, the side edges of outer sleeve 14 may form a side seam 16 extending along the height of container 10. While not specifically shown herein, in certain embodiments of the present invention, container 10 may include an intermediate insulating layer positioned between inner receptacle 12 and outer sleeve 14. In addition, outer sleeve 14 may be secured to receptacle 12 using an adhesive or other securing means in a manner that spaces outer sleeve 14 from receptacle 12 and forms one or more insulating air gaps therebetween.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, according to one embodiment, inner receptacle 12 may be formed with a circular bottom panel or wall 18 and a circumferential sidewall 20. Circumferential sidewall 20 of receptacle 12 may have an upper edge 22 comprising an outwardly rolled upper lip, although other constructions for the upper edge 22 of receptacle 12 are within the scope of the present invention. Circumferential sidewall of receptacle 12 may also include a lower edge 24 forming the lower end of receptacle 12, which may be formed by folding a portion of sidewall 20 over onto bottom panel 18 as described in greater detail below. Upper edge or lip 22 of receptacle 12 may define the opening to inner receptacle 12 (and container 10 overall) and provide access to the interior volume 25 of receptacle 12 and container 10 defined by bottom panel 18 and circumferential sidewall 20, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

Receptacle 12 may be constructed of paperboard or a similar material, such as but not limited to, a coated or laminated paperboard material in order to resist migration of liquids contained within the interior volume 25 defined by sidewall 20 and bottom wall 18. It will also be appreciated that receptacle 12 and/or outer sleeve 14 may be constructed from any other suitable material or combination of materials. Depending on the particular embodiment, both bottom wall 18 and receptacle sidewall 20 may be die cut from a larger sheet or roll (not shown) or material and/or may be formed from a unitary blank or multiple component blanks depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, according to one embodiment, bottom wall 18 can include a depending skirt 26 that is secured to receptacle sidewall 20 by a reverse bend portion 28 of receptacle sidewall 20. This securement may be achieved by adhesive, sonic welding, sealants or the like. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), receptacle 12 may be constructed using any other suitable method for constructing paperboard or similar containers (even plastic containers) now known or hereinafter developed.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, inner receptacle 12 may have a generally frustoconical shape with a generally circular transverse cross sectional shape of varying diameter that increases in size from a bottom end of receptacle 12 to a top end of receptacle 12. As further shown in FIGS. 1-3, outer sleeve 14 may be configured to also have a generally conforming frustoconical shape with a generally circular transverse cross sectional shape when wrapped around receptacle 12. The taper of the sidewall of container 10 (comprising outer sleeve 14 and receptacle sidewall 20) can permit staking and nesting of multiple containers 10 for storage and shipping.

According to one embodiment, receptacle sidewall 20 can be formed from a blank and wrapped around a mandrel. Receptacle sidewall 20 may include an overlapping seam (not shown) extending generally longitudinally between the top and bottom ends of receptacle 12. The seam (not shown) can be formed by adhering the overlapping margin portions of sidewall 20 together with adhesive, sonic welding or the like. The exposed edges of sidewall 20 at the seam can be sealed to prevent the migration of liquids into the material comprising sidewall 20.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, outer sleeve 14 may be wrapped and secured around sidewall 20 of receptacle 12 along all or part of the height of receptacle 12. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate outer sleeve 14 extending upward the entire height of sidewall 20 of receptacle 12; however, it is recognized that in other embodiments, outer sleeve 14 may extend upward only a portion of the height of sidewall 20 or receptacle 12. As best shown in FIG. 1, outer sleeve 14 can include a seam 16 formed at the joint between the side ends of sleeve 14 when it is wrapped around inner receptacle 12 to form the sidewall of container 10. Side seam 16 may be configured as an overlapping seam, an end-to-end seam or any other suitable configuration. In addition, outer sleeve 14 may be secured to inner receptacle 12 using any suitable method, including but not limited to adhesives, cold glues, hot melts, sonic welding, sealants and the like. According to certain embodiments, outer sleeve 14 may be wrapped around inner receptacle 12 and seam 16 may be secured using an adhesive or other suitable securement means, and outer sleeve 14 may remain secured around receptacle 12 by frictional forces. According to additional embodiments, as insulating liner or spacer may be provided between receptacle sidewall 20 and outer sleeve 14 and/or the adhesive or other securing means used to attach outer sleeve 14 to sidewall 20 may create one or more insulating air gaps between outer sleeve 14 and receptacle sidewall 20.

As best shown in FIG. 2B, outer sleeve 14 may be configured with a generally trapezoidal shape with angled lateral side edges 30 and 32, an arcuate top edge 34, and a bottom edge or lower terminal edge 36. According to certain embodiments (as best shown in FIGS. 7-9), bottom edge 36 of outer sleeve 14 may have a generally arcuate shape to provide a container 10 with a uniform flat lower terminal edge when outer sleeve 14 is wrapped around inner receptacle 12. In alternative embodiments (as best shown in FIGS. 1-6 and described in greater detail below), bottom edge 36 of outer sleeve 14 may have a wavy or other geometrically-shaped configuration to provide container 10 with a non-uniform lower terminal edge having a plurality of contact points 108. The general shape of outer sleeve 14 may be sized and configured to enable outer sleeve 14 to generally conform to sidewall 20 of inner receptacle 12 when outer sleeve 14 is wrapped around receptacle 12, which can enable side edges 30 and 32 to be approximately aligned with one another (as illustrated in FIG. 1).

As further shown in FIGS. 1-3, according to one embodiment, top edge 34 can be configured to generally align with and be positioned just below upper edge 22 of inner receptacle 12 while bottom edge 36 can extend below the bottom end 24 of receptacle 12. According to such an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, outer sleeve 14 may be configured with a height greater than the height of receptacle 12. In alternative embodiments, outer sleeve 14 may have a height less than that of receptacle 12, where outer sleeve 14 does not extend the entire height of inner receptacle 12. In each embodiment, bottom edge 36 of outer sleeve 14 may extend below the lower end 24 of inner receptacle 12 to form a lower terminal edge of container 10.

As best shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, outer sleeve 14 may include an overlapping portion 38 and an extension portion 40. Overlapping portion 38 may be defined as the part of outer sleeve 14 that overlies and engages sidewall 20 of inner receptacle 12. As described above, overlapping portion 38 may overlie all or a portion of the height of receptacle sidewall 20 and terminate along the lower edge 24 of receptacle sidewall 20. Overlapping portion 38 may further be secured to inner sidewall 20 of receptacle 12 using any suitable method, including but not limited to adhesives, cold glues, hot melts, sonic welding, sealants and the like. As further shown in FIGS. 3-5, extension portion 40 of outer sidewall 14 may be defined as the part of outer sleeve 14 that extends below receptacle 12 (i.e., the portion of outer sleeve 14 that extends beyond lower edge 24 of receptacle sidewall 20). Extension portion 40 may terminate at bottom edge 36, which may form the lower terminal edge of container 10 and be configured to support container 10 when placed in an upright position on a surface (such as tabletop, countertop, cup holder or other type of surface on which container 10 may be placed).

According to one embodiment where container 10 is constructed from receptacle 12 and outer sleeve 14, the lower portion of outer sleeve 14 can define the bottom end construction 100 of the present invention (as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5). In such an embodiment, bottom end construction 100 may include all or a portion of overlapping portion 38 (also referred to as overlapping portion 102 of bottom end construction 100 as shown in FIG. 3) and extension portion 40 (also referred to as extension portion 104 of bottom end construction 100 as shown in FIG. 3), where bottom edge 36 of outer sleeve 14 may form the lower terminal edge 106 of bottom end construction 100, as described in greater detail below. As further illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, bottom edge 36 of outer sleeve 14 (which defines lower terminal edge 106) may be configured with a non-uniform arcuate profile in order to provide the wave-type pattern (or other suitable geometric pattern) of lower terminal edge 106 of bottom end construction 100 as further described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, container 10 can include a bottom end construction 100 at its lower end formed by outer sleeve 14. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, bottom end construction 100 can include an overlapping portion 102 of outer sleeve 14 that overlies and engages sidewall 20 of inner receptacle and an extension portion 104 of outer sleeve 14 that extends below the lower end 24 of receptacle 12 a distance D1 (as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6) to lower terminal edge 106 that defines that bottom edge of container 12. According to one embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1-5, extension portion 104 can extend below the lower end 24 of receptacle 12 a distance D1 of approximately 0.5 inches, for example. However, in other embodiments, extension portion 104 can have a height of any suitable value forming a distance D1 that is less than or greater than 0.5 inches. Extension portion 104 can assist in creating a deeper recess at the bottom end of container 10 (by forming a greater distance D2 between lower terminal edge 106 and bottom panel 18 of receptacle 12) so that when multiple containers 10 are stacked and nested together (see FIG. 6), the containers 10 are prevented from fully nesting together and are less likely to become stuck to one another. It will be appreciated that distance D2 may be approximately 0.75 inches in one embodiment, for example. However, distance D2 may certainly be less than or greater than 0.75 inches in other embodiments.

The deep well formed by bottom end construction 100 in the present invention can be particularly beneficial for stacked containers 10 having greater sidewall heights, such as containers with a sidewall height of four inches or greater (however, it is recognized that the bottom end construction 100 as described herein can be utilized with any height containers, including those having a sidewall height of less than four inches). Such containers have a tendency to become stuck together if fully nested, and the creation of a deeper well bottom of such containers can prevent full nesting of the containers. In doing so, extension portion 104 of bottom end construction 100 results in the lower terminal edge 106 (and its contact points 106 as described in greater detail below) of an inner container 10a becoming rested or seated on the bottom wall 18 of an outer container 10b to prevent the sidewalls of the containers 10a and 10b from becoming stuck together.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, lower terminal edge 106 can be configured as a free and unfolded lower edge. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the lower terminal edge 106 of the outer sleeve 14 or bottom end construction 100 may be an unfolded edge. In another embodiment, the entirety of the lower terminal edge 106 of the outer sleeve 14 or bottom end construction 100 may be an unfolded edge. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, in order to provide sufficient rigidity and stability to bottom end construction 100, lower terminal edge 106 (and outer sleeve 14 overall) can have an increased thickness relative to sidewall 20 of inner receptacle 12. This can assist in reducing the likelihood that bottom end construction 100 and lower terminal edge 106 may become deformed or bent, or become structurally weakened as a result of moisture absorption. In other embodiments of the present invention, lower terminal edge 106 can have a thickness generally equal to the thickness of the remainder of outer sleeve 14 so that outer sleeve 14 has a generally uniform thickness.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, according to one embodiment, lower terminal edge 106 (also defined as bottom edge 36 of outer sleeve 14) may be configured as a generally uniform and straight unfolded edge. When lower terminal edge 106 is configured with a uniform boundary, bottom edge 36 of outer sleeve 14 may be formed with a uniform arcuate profile (see FIG. 8B) in order to provide the level boundary of lower terminal edge 106 of bottom end construction 100. In such an embodiment, substantially all of lower terminal edge 106 is configured to engage and support container 10 when container 10 is placed in an upright position on a resting surface, such as a tabletop, countertop or other desired surface. As a result, the entirety of bottom edge 36 and lower terminal edge 106 may constitute a continuous contact point between container 10 and the surface on which container 10 is placed. Because the entirety of lower terminal edge 106 is configured to engage the resting surface on which container 10 is placed, it is important the outer sleeve 14 is properly aligned when wrapped around and secured to inner receptacle 12. As best shown in FIG. 7B, if outer sleeve 14 is not properly aligned (as represented by the misaligned or mismatched side seam 16), a portion of lower terminal edge 106 may not contact the resting surface due to uneven boundary configuration created by the misaligned outer sleeve 14. This can result in container 10 being unstable when placed upright on the resting surface.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-5, according to one embodiment, lower terminal edge 106 may be configured with a non-uniform boundary that defines a plurality of discrete contact points 108 along lower terminal edge 106. In such an embodiment, the plurality of contact points 108 are configured to contact or engage a resting surface when container 10 is placed upright thereon, while the remainder of lower terminal edge 106 (i.e., the non-contact regions) are positioned above the resting surface with a space or gap between the resting surface and non-contacting regions of lower terminal edge 106. According to one embodiment, lower terminal edge 106 may be configured with at least three contact points 108 in order to provide a structurally stable bottom end construction 100 for container 10 when container 10 is placed upright on the resting surface. As best shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of contact points 108 have an equal elevation along the height of outer sleeve 14 and container 10 overall so that when container 10 is placed upright on a resting surface, container 10 remains in a stable and level position.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-5, according to one embodiment, lower terminal edge 106 may be configured with a plurality of elevated or raised sections 110 and a plurality of lowered sections 112 arranged in an alternating arrangement. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, raised sections 110 may have an elevation along the height of outer sleeve 14 that is greater than the elevation of the lowered sections 112 such that a small space or gap is formed between the raised sections 108 and the resting surface on which container 10 is placed. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, lowered sections 112 may substantially engage and contact the resting surface and define the plurality of contact points 108 of container 10 and bottom end construction 100.

Configuring terminal edge 106 with three or more contact points 108 can facilitate stable contact with a flat surface (such as a table, countertop or other desired surface), even when the outer sleeve 14 is slightly mismatched (e.g., not constructed with a uniformly straight sides and/or edges, or inaccurately wrapped around inner receptacle 12, as described relative to FIG. 7B). The limited area or number of contact points 108 created by the non-uniform edge boundary of lower terminal edge 106 (and defined by the raised sections 110 and lowered sections 112) can also be beneficial in limiting the amount of moisture that may be absorbed through the lower terminal edge 106, as compared to if entire lower terminal edge 106 was contacting the surface (e.g., table or countertop) on which the container 10 is placed (such as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9). This is particularly beneficial if terminal edge 106 is a raw or unsealed edge that is prone to absorbing liquids or moisture.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, lower terminal edge 106 may have a wave-type pattern configuration with three contact points 106. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the crest regions (i.e., highest points) of the wave-type pattern define the plurality of raised sections 110 and the trough regions (i.e., lowest points) define the plurality of lowered sections 112, with the lowest point of the trough regions forming the plurality of discrete contact points 108.

FIGS. 10A-10C schematically illustrate additional potential configurations of lower terminal edge 104 on container 10 and bottom end construction 100 in accordance with various alternative embodiments. Each configuration shows an alternating pattern of raised sections or crests 110 and lowered sections or troughs 112, with a contact point provided 108 defined within each lowered section 112. It is also anticipated that any other suitable pattern or configuration may be used in the formation of lower terminal edge 106, and the configurations illustrated and described herein should not be considered limiting. Such alternative configurations may be configured with a repeating pattern design where each raised section 110 and lowered section 112 are similarly configured, or lower terminal edge 106 may be configured with a unique design where one or more raised sections 110 are different from the remaining raised sections 110 and/or one or more lowered sections 112 are different from the remaining lowered sections 112. In addition, while the configurations illustrated herein show lower terminal edge 104 as having three lowered sections and three contact points 108, it is recognized that any number (e.g., four or more) of lowered sections 112 and contact points 108 may be formed within lower terminal edge depending on the particular design and configuration.

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 receptacle including a bottom panel and circumferential sidewall defining an interior volume, wherein the inner receptacle has a generally frustoconical shape terminating at a receptacle lower edge;

an outer sleeve wrapped around and secured to the inner receptacle, wherein the outer sleeve includes: an overlapping portion generally overlying at least a portion of the circumferential sidewall of the inner receptacle; an extension portion that extends an extension distance below the receptacle lower edge; and a sleeve lower terminal edge defining a lower boundary of the outer sleeve; wherein the sleeve lower terminal edge defines a lower bottom edge of the container; wherein at least a portion of the sleeve lower terminal edge is an unfolded edge.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the entirety of the sleeve lower terminal edge is an unfolded edge.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the extension portion of the outer sleeve has a thickness greater than a thickness of the overlapping portion.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve has a uniform thickness and the uniform thickness is greater than a thickness of the circumferential sidewall of the inner receptacle.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the extension portion of the outer sleeve has a thickness greater than a thickness of the circumferential sidewall of the inner receptacle.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the extension distance of the extension portion of the outer sleeve is at least 0.5 inches.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the extension distance of the extension portion of the outer sleeve is less than 0.5 inches

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve lower terminal edge is non-uniform and defines a plurality of contact points on the sleeve lower terminal edge.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the sleeve lower terminal edge includes three contact points.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve lower terminal edge includes a plurality of raised sections and a plurality of lowered sections arranged in an alternating arrangement, wherein the raised sections have an elevation along the height of the outer sleeve that is greater than an elevation of the lowered sections, wherein the plurality of contact points are positioned within the lowered sections.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein when the container is placed onto a surface, the plurality of contact points engage the surface and the raised sections are spaced apart from the surface.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve lower terminal edge has a wave-type pattern comprising a plurality of crests and a plurality of troughs, wherein the plurality of troughs of the wave-type pattern defines the plurality of contact points.

13. An end construction for a container, the end construction comprising:

an outer sleeve extending around a sidewall of an inner receptacle having a bottom, the outer sleeve extending below the bottom of the inner receptacle and including: an overlapping portion generally overlying at least a portion of the sidewall of the inner receptacle; an extension portion extending below the bottom of the inner receptacle; and a lower terminal edge defining a lower boundary of the extension portion; wherein the lower terminal edge comprises an unfolded edge.

14. The end construction of claim 13, wherein the extension portion of the end construction has a thickness greater than a thickness of the sidewall of the inner receptacle.

15. The end construction of claim 13, wherein the extension portion extends beyond the bottom of the inner receptacle lower edge a distance of at least 0.5 inches.

16. The end construction of claim 13, wherein the lower terminal edge is non-uniform and defines a plurality of contact points on the lower terminal edge.

17. The end construction of claim 16, wherein the lower terminal edge includes three contact points.

18. The end construction of claim 13, wherein the lower terminal edge includes a plurality of raised sections and a plurality of lowered sections arranged in an alternating arrangement, wherein the raised sections have an elevation along the height of the outer sleeve that is greater than an elevation of the lowered sections, wherein the plurality of contact points are positioned within the lowered sections.

19. The end construction of claim 18, wherein the plurality of contact points enable the end construction to stably contact a flat surface.

20. The end construction of claim 13, wherein the lower terminal edge has a wave-type pattern comprising a plurality of crests and a plurality of troughs, wherein the plurality of troughs of the wave-type pattern defines the plurality of contact points.