DRINKING CUP WITH INTEGRATED FOLDABLE COVER

Abstract

A disposable cup includes a sidewall and a plurality of first, second, and third flaps arranged along a top end of the sidewall. The flaps are bendable along respective creases in the sidewall to a stacking configuration, an open configuration, and a closed configuration. In the stacking configuration, the first, second, and third flaps extend upward from and are aligned with the sidewall, which allows for multiple cups to be nested and stacked. In the open configuration, the first, second, and third flaps are downwardly bendable to respective positions along an exterior surface of the sidewall, which allows for full access to a liquid in the cup and drawing on the surface of the liquid contained within the cup in the form of latte art. In the closed configuration, the first, second and third flaps together define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated spout for drinking the liquid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to drinking cups, and more particularly, to drinking cups which are foldable to different configurations for stacking, receiving latte art, and providing a spill-resistant cover to a liquid beverage.

2. Description of the Related Art

Paper drinking cups generally have an open top, and thus require a detachable cover once they are filled with a liquid (e.g., coffee) and carried by the consumer to avoid spillage and help retain the temperature of the liquid. The detachable cover is usually plastic, and has a flexible edge portion that can be ripped and bent backward to create a gap in the cover at the edge of the cup for the user to drink the liquid in the cup. Other plastic covers contain pre-formed spouts that may be plugged with another plastic insert by the user as needed.

The purchase and storage of disposable cups, detachable lids, and other accouterments increases cost, takes up extra space, increases plastic consumption, and creates excess waste. Additionally, a customer or other user of a coffee cup lid typically has to pick up the lid from a second location, or is handed a coffee cup filled with coffee with the lid already on it. In either scenario, if the user wishes to drink coffee from the cup with the lid on it, then the user often has to create an opening in the lid, which may not work properly and/or which may cause spillage if the coffee is filled too closely to the lid when the user rips a portion of the lid and presses the ripped portion into the top of lid to hold it there. If the conventional lid already has an opening, then this situation can also create spillage issues during transport. The user may thus be provided with yet another piece of plastic to plug the pre-formed opening in the plastic lid (or an additional lid to cover the first lid) to ensure that the user can transport the coffee without spilling it. Manufacturing conventional coffee cup lids and other such accessories requires additional machinery, real estate, time, materials, and labor, all of which contribute to significant energy consumption and CO₂ emittance. Coffee cup lid production thus has a significantly negative impact on the environment.

As coffee shops have become increasingly common, both as standalone stores and within lobbies of buildings or shopping centers, the need for disposable coffee cups and covers has increased. As a result, the amount of trash and discarded plastic used with coffee beverages has also increased. The proliferation of coffee shops has also created competition, and incentivized baristas to improve ambience for customers, not only in the store's environment, but also in the taste, packaging, and presentation of the coffee.

One form of such presentation is latte art. Latte art is created by pouring microfoam (e.g., finely textured milk, typically made by pumping steam from an espresso machine into a pitcher of milk) into a shot of espresso. The resulting pattern or design on the surface of the latte can be created or embellished by drawing in the top layer of the foam on the coffee. Whether the latte art is created by free pouring (e.g., creating a pattern on the coffee during the pour) or etching (using a tool to create a pattern after the pour), access to the coffee in the internal space of the cup is needed in order to enhance the design on the coffee. Latte art is often presented in non-disposable, open-top cups made from glazed ceramic, which are not designed for take-out. Customers who use disposable take-out cups generally add milk and/or sugar as desired, and then snap a separate cover over the rim of the disposable coffee cup.

While a number of attempts have been made in the art to provide disposable cups with integrated covers, the operation of such cups is often complex and unintuitive. Additionally, disposable cups known in the art fail to suitably address all of the above considerations in a single integrated cup. There is a strong need in the art for a disposable cup that can (1) be stacked in a space efficient manner, (2) reduce waste, (3) provide sufficient access for latte artists to create latte art on the coffee in the cup, (4) allow for drinking by the user with an integrated cover that resists spillage when dropped, and (5) be easily and intuitively manipulated to various configurations to provide these advantages. There is also a strong need in the art for an integrally formed coffee cup lid which is configurable to allow a user to drink directly from the rim of the cup, to stir contents (e.g., coffee) inside the cup, and to add milk, sugar, or other food items to the cup's contents, all without obstructing the user's hands or making it difficult for the user to perform these common coffee drinking activities.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is not intended to identify or point to essential features or limit the scope of the subject matter claimed herein. The present invention relates to a disposable cup having a sidewall and a plurality of flaps bendable along respective creases in the sidewall to multiple configurations, with at least the following objectives:

To provide an integrated cover configurable to a stacking configuration in which the cup can be nested and stacked with a plurality of identical cups, an open configuration in which latte artists have full access to the interior portion of the cup without impediment by the flaps, and a closed configuration in which the flaps form a cover to the cup and resist spillage when the user drinks from the cup or drops the cup;

To enable a user to manipulate the cup to stacking, open, and closed configurations without ripping or removing any portions of the cup;

To enable a user to manipulate a foldable cup from one of a stacking, open, or closed configuration, to another of the stacking, open, or closed configurations using a simple, intuitive, three-step process; and

To provide a three-flap integrally formed cup design having three distinct flaps, at least two of which are provided with respective pairs of creases to facilitate folding of the cup into open and sealed configurations.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a cup comprises a sidewall and a plurality of first, second, and third flaps arranged along a top end of the sidewall. The flaps are bendable along respective creases in the sidewall to a stacking configuration and a closed configuration. In the stacking configuration, the first, second, and third flaps together at least partially define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated drinking spout. A portion of the elevated drinking spout defines an opening in communication with the interior space, and the portion of the elevated drinking spout defining the opening is elevated relative to any other point on the concave cover.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a cup comprises a sidewall having a top end, a bottom end, and a first plurality of creases disposed along the top end. The sidewall defines an interior space and a central axis extending in a longitudinal direction. First, second, and third flaps are bendable about respective creases of the first plurality of creases, radially outward of the sidewall, to an open configuration in which the first, second, and third flaps are downwardly bendable to respective positions along an exterior surface of the sidewall. The second and third flaps are movable radially inward of the sidewall to a closed configuration in which the first, second and third flaps at least partially define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated spout in communication with the interior space.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the sidewall includes a second plurality of creases formed in the sidewall below corresponding creases of the first plurality of creases, and the second and third flaps and respective portions of the sidewall are configured to bend about respective creases of the second plurality of creases to the closed configuration without bending the second and third flaps about the first plurality of creases. In another aspect of the invention, the first plurality of creases take on a linear shape during bending of the first, second, and third flaps about the first plurality of creases, while the second plurality of creases maintain an arcuate shape in both the open and closed configurations, and during bending of the second and third flaps about the second plurality of creases.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a crescent-shaped region of the sidewall between a respective one of the first plurality of creases and a corresponding one of the second plurality of creases is aligned with surrounding regions of the sidewall in the open configuration, and oriented perpendicular to and radially inward of the surrounding regions of the sidewall in the closed configuration.

In another aspect of the invention, the first, second, and third flaps may each be bendable about respective creases of the first plurality of creases, up to 180 degrees radially inward of the sidewall to an interior surface of the sidewall, and up to 180 degrees radially outward of the sidewall, to an exterior surface of the sidewall. The first, second, and third flaps may be bendable through a 360 degree range of motion, without ripping any portion of the cup.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first plurality of creases are coplanar in the open and stacking configurations, but are not coplanar in the closed configuration. In the stacking configuration, the first and second flaps may define an inverted triangular space between them, and the first and third flaps may define an inverted triangular space between them.

In certain embodiments, the sidewall and the first, second, and third flaps are integrally formed. Bending of each of the first, second, and third flaps radially outward of the sidewall pushes a respective frustoconical portion of the sidewall radially inward toward the cup's central axis against a spring bias of the sidewall, which is biased toward a convex shape. The cup may further comprise a floor defining a bottom of the interior region of the cup. The bottom end of the sidewall can define a circular edge below the floor for supporting the cup in an upright position in any of the stacking, open, and closed configurations.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of transforming a cup into different configurations comprises providing a cup having a sidewall and a plurality of first, second, and third flaps arranged along a top end of the sidewall and extending upward from and aligned with the sidewall, bending the first, second, and third flaps into an open configuration in which the first, second, and third flaps extend downwardly along an exterior surface of the sidewall, and bending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into a closed configuration in which the first, second and third flaps together define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated spout in communication with the interior space.

In certain embodiments, bending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into the open configuration includes bending the first, second, and third flaps along a plurality of creases disposed at a top end of the sidewall, and bending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into the closed configuration includes bending the first flap along one of the creases at the top end of the sidewall, and bending the second and third flaps along respective arcuate creases opposite corresponding creases at the top of the sidewall. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, bending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into the closed configuration includes bending the second and third flaps along the respective arcuate creases without bending the second and third flaps about any of the creases at the top end of the sidewall.

Various other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of related structural elements, and the combination of parts and economies of development and manufacture, will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention. Accordingly, a further understanding and a more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant aspects thereof may be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cup in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in an assembled but unfolded stacking configuration in which the flaps are aligned with and extend upward from the sidewall;

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the cup of FIG. 1, in the assembled unfolded stacking configuration;

FIG. 3 is a view of a sheet of material used to form the cup of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the cup of FIG. 1, in a folded open configuration in which the flaps extend along an outer surface of the sidewall, radially outward of the sidewall;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the cup of FIG. 1, in a folded closed configuration, in which the flaps and portions of the sidewall extend radially inward, form a cover to the cup, and define an elevated spout;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the cup in the assembled unfolded stacking configuration, showing a first flap provided with multiple creases;

FIG. 7 is side perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the cup in the assembled unfolded stacking configuration, and oriented for upside down stacking in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a view of a sheet of material used to form a third alternative embodiment of the cup in which an anti-slosh tab is provided for sealing the spout in a closed configuration;

FIG. 8B is a side perspective view of the cup of FIG. 8A, in a folded closed configuration, in which the flaps and portions of the sidewall extend radially inward, form a cover to the cup, and define an elevated spout, and in which the anti-slosh tab is inserted between two flaps to cover the spout; and

FIG. 8C is another side perspective view of the cup of FIG. 8A, in which the anti-slosh tab has been removed from the spout, and is shown extending from a drinking edge, radially outward of the sidewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner. Specific embodiments that may be practiced are shown by way of illustration and explanation. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense. In describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for sake of clarity.

The cup with integrated lid disclosed herein helps coffee sellers and customers contribute to waste reduction while retaining all the conveniences of drinking coffee out of an open cup and taking it to go. Using a simple three step, intuitive process, it can be repeatedly folded between several configurations as needed. The cup uses a folding design which can be manipulated by a user to create a stacking configuration for nestling and stacking an array of the cups, an open container with unobstructed access for drinking and receiving latte art, and a closed configuration with an integrated cover. The cup is easy to fold, hold, drink from, and reopen, allows for less spillage and sturdier holding, and provides an aesthetic appearance.

The cup also has a unique, sturdy, ergonomic shape, and provides an elevated drinking spout in the integrated lid whose slim elliptical shape naturally fits inside a person's lips to create a smoother drinking experience with less spillage than traditional cups with separate plastic lids. It will be appreciated that the various embodiments of the inventive cup disclosed herein also allow for significant cost savings as they eliminate the need to manufacture, store, or ship plastic lids, and utilize a one-piece integrated structure optimized for mass-production using either existing traditional cup-making machines or plastic molding machines.

Cup Structure & Stacking Configuration

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a cup 10 in accordance with the present invention is made from a single sheet of material 12, and includes a sidewall 14, a rear flap 16 extending from a rear section 17 of a top end 25 of sidewall 14, a side flap 18 extending from a side section 19 of top end 25 of sidewall 14, and an additional side flap 20 extending from an additional side section 21 of top end 25 of sidewall 14. Rear flap 16, side flap 18, and additional side flap 20 respectfully extend from and are bendable about a first plurality of fold lines (creases) 22a, 22b, 22c in sidewall 14. Side flap 18 and additional side flap 20 are also respectively bendable about a second plurality of fold lines (creases) 24a, 24b, as well as additional fold lines (creases) 26a, 26b in sidewall 14. The various fold lines or creases described herein may be formed in any suitable way known in the art, including, for example, embossed, debossed, or scored to predefine the depression of the fold lines on interior and/or exterior surfaces. The creases may be straight or curved as described herein.

Cup 10 also includes a floor 27 which may be separately attached to an interior surface 33 of sidewall 14 by any suitable means known in the art. Floor 27 is generally circular-shaped, water resistant, and defines a bottom boundary of an interior region 28 in which coffee or another liquid is received. Floor 27 may be made from the same material and with the same thickness as sidewall 14, and is preferably elevated relative an annular bottom section 30 of cup 10, which may be crimped to form a ring-shaped annular stand that supports cup 10 in an upright position. Floor 27 may be similar to the floor of a conventional cup, or may be formed similar to the floor described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/127,525, filed Sep. 11, 2018, titled SPILL RESISTANT DISPOSABLE CUP, and published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0077536, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Bottom section 30 may be formed an any suitable manner typical of conventional coffee cups. Sheet 12 which forms sidewall 14 and flaps 16, 18, 20 may have a curved/arcuate bottom end 11.

Sidewall 14 defines the interior region 28, as well as a central axis 29 extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction. Sheet 12 which forms sidewall 14 may be made from a relatively stiff yet flexible material of any type suitable for liquids with a water-resistant lining. For example, sheet 12 may be made of wax lined paper of the type normally used in disposable coffee cups. Other plastic or composite materials may be utilized. As shown in the assembled configurations of FIGS. 1 and 3-5, sidewall 14 may have a cylindrical or frustoconical shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the stacking configuration, rear flap 16, side flap 18, and additional side flap 20 extend longitudinally upward from and are aligned with sidewall 14 along creases 22a, 22b, 22c at top end 25 of sidewall 14. In other words, flaps 16, 18, 20 extend vertically upward along and have the same curvature as side wall 14, whereby the outer surfaces of flaps 16, 18, 20 have the same convex shape as the outer surface of sidewall 14 (e.g., slightly bowed radially outward relative to central axis 29). Thus, in this stacking configuration, creases 22a, 22b, 22c along top end 25 of sidewall 14 are arcuate-shaped in a direction perpendicular to central axis 29. However, arcuate-shaped creases 22a, 22b, 22c may also be coplanar in this stacking configuration (e.g., operatively disposed in a plane perpendicular to central axis 29).

It will be appreciated that multiple cups 10 placed in this stacking configuration may be nestled together and stacked in the same way that conventional disposable cups are nestled and stacked. Thus, despite the structure described herein and the multiple configurations to which the cup may be folded, no additional surface area or space is needed relative to the space requirements of conventionally stacked disposable cups. A plurality of cups 10 may be nestled and stacked in the orientation of FIG. 1, or upside down such that the bottom cup of the stack is supported by a support surface with the outer peripheries of flaps 16, 18, 20 touching the support surface. Cup 10 is configured to balance on such a support surface in the upside-down stacked configuration because the outermost peripheries of each of flaps 16, 18, 20 lie in a plane perpendicular to flaps 16, 18, 20 when cup 10 is in the stacked configuration. An example of this is shown with respect to an alternative cup embodiment in FIG. 7 (further discussed below), which is formed with slightly different structure. However, all embodiments of cups disclosed herein may be stacked upside down as shown in FIG. 7.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-3, rear flap 16 is trapezoidal shaped, and has a generally linear, horizontally extending top edge 32, and generally linear-shaped side edges 34, 36 extending from opposite sides of top edge 32 to top end 25 of sidewall 14. In FIG. 3, portions of rear flap 16 are labelled 16′ at flap sections 38a, 38b. Flap 16 is formed when these two sections are brought together in the assembled configurations described herein. Rear flap 16 may have the same thickness as sidewall 14, and be made from the same material thereof. Crease 22a extends across and defines the entire bottom of rear flap 16. Crease 22a is slightly bowed radially outward relative to central axis 29, but each point along crease 22a is approximately the same distance from the circular bottom of cup 10.

Rear flap 16 is formed when rear flap sections 38a, 38b of sheet 12 (FIG. 3), are brought together and sealed along longitudinally extending overlap region/seam 40, which extends from top edge 32, through seam 22a, to annular bottom section 30 of cup 14. During manufacturing, sheet 12 may be curled such that rear flap sections 38a, 38b overlap. Such overlapping surfaces may be permanently connected to each other using conventional food-safe adhesives such as a silicone-based adhesive. Alternative joining methods may be used, such as paper fusion by high compression pressure with paper edges overlapped or folded into one another.

As shown, crease 22a does not extend all the way to flaps 18, 20 (e.g., crease 22a does not intersect or overlap with crease 22b or 22c). This is because rear flap 16 and side flap 18 define an inverted triangular gap 35 therebetween, and rear flap 16 and additional side flap 20 also define an inverted triangular gap 37 therebetween. These gaps 35, 37 allows flaps 16, 18, 20 to independently bend about creases 22a, 22b, 22c.

Continuing with FIGS. 2-3, side flap 18 is trapezoidal in shape with a rounded corner. It has a top edge 42 which is relatively flat at one end 42a and curved at an opposite end 42b. Side edges 44, 46 extend from opposite sides of top edge 42 to top end 25 of sidewall 14. Side flap 18 may have the same thickness as sidewall 14, and may be made from the same material thereof. Crease 22b extends across and defines the entire bottom of side flap 18. Crease 22b is slightly bowed radially outward relative to central axis 29, but each point along crease 22b is approximately the same distance from the circular bottom of cup 10. As shown, crease 22b does not extend all the way to flap 20 (e.g., crease 22b does not intersect or overlap with crease 22c). Side flap 18 and additional side flap 20 define a gap 39 therebetween, and can independently bend about creases 22b, 22c.

As described above, creases 24a and 26 a extend below crease 22b in sidewall 14. Crease 24a is arcuate-shaped in both the direction perpendicular to central axis 29 and in the downward direction along the surface of the sidewall 14. In other words, points along crease 24a are not coplanar in any plane because in this configuration, side flap 18, through which crease 24a extends, is convex. Crease 24a is concave along sidewall 14 under crease 22b. Side flap 18 also defines slot 48, which is provided as a U-shaped opening with a flexible tab 50, and is configured to receive a tab 52 on additional side flap 20 in interlocking engagement therewith.

Additional side flap 20 is also trapezoidal in shape with a rounded corner. It has a top edge 54 which is relatively flat at one end 54a and curved at an opposite end 54b. Top edge 54 also defines the upper boundary of tab 52 as shown. Side edges 56, 58 extend from opposite sides of top edge 54 to top end 25 of sidewall 14. Additional side flap 20 may have the same thickness as sidewall 14, and may be made from the same material thereof. It will be appreciated that tab 52 may alternatively be formed with its upper boundary in line with adjacent portions of top edge 54 such that it contacts a mounting surface, along with the adjacent portions of top edge 54, when cup 10 is stacked upside down (further discussed below with respect to FIG. 7). Slot 48 may similarly be modified to accommodate tab 52. Various shapes and sizes may be utilized for tab 52 and slot 48. Crease 22c extends across and defines the entire bottom of additional side flap 20. Crease 22c is slightly bowed radially outward relative to central axis 29, but each point along crease 22c is approximately the same distance from the circular bottom of cup 10. As shown, crease 22c does not extend all the way to side flap 18 (e.g., crease 22c does not intersect or overlap with crease 22b) due to gap 39 described above.

Creases 24b and 26b a extend below crease 22c in sidewall 14. Crease 24b is arcuate-shaped in both the direction perpendicular to central axis 29 and in the downward direction along the surface of the sidewall 14. In other words, points along crease 24b are not coplanar in any plane since in this configuration, additional side flap 20 through which crease 24b extends is convex, and crease 24b is concave along sidewall 14 under crease 22c.

Operation to Open Configuration & Change in Flap Structure

The above-described structure allows cup 10 to be folded from the stacking configuration of FIGS. 1-2 to the open configuration of FIG. 4 and the closed configuration of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 4, flaps 16, 18, 20 of cup 10 have all been respectively bent 180 degrees about creases 22a, 22b, 22c, radially outward of sidewall 14, and now extend downwardly along an outer surface 60 of sidewall 14.

It will be appreciated that because creases 22a, 22b, 22c are generally linear shaped in the flattened configuration of FIG. 3, in the assembled stacking configuration of FIGS. 1-2, when they are bowed outward away from longitudinal axis 29, they each lie in a plane which cuts through top end 25 (e.g., each of their projections onto a longitudinal plane is linear, not concave). For example, in a rear (non-perspective) view of cup 10 in the stacked configuration, crease 22a appears linear because the projection thereof onto a longitudinal plane which includes central axis 29 and passes through slaps 18, 20 is linear.

Similarly, in side (non-perspective) views of cup 10 in the stacked configuration, creases 22b, 22c appear linear because projections thereof onto a longitudinal plane, which includes central axis 29 and passes through rear flap 16, are linear. Flaps 16, 18, 20 are thus free to bend 180 degrees radially outward against the convex/outward spring bias of sidewall 14 without ripping any portion of the sidewall or the flaps 16, 18, 20. Creases 22a, 22b, 22c take on an actual linear shape during bending of flaps 16, 18, 20 radially outward as convex sidewall 14 is pushed radially inward in areas underneath flaps 16, 18, 20. It will be appreciated that in this open configuration of FIG. 4, rear flap 16 and side flap 18 define a triangular gap 41 between side 34 of rear flap 16 and side 44 of side flap 18 (previously inverted triangular gap 35 in the stacked configuration), and that rear flap 16 and additional side flap 20 define a triangular gap 43 between side 36 of rear flap 16 and side 56 of additional side flap 20 (previously inverted triangular gap 37 in the stacked configuration).

The ability to bend flaps 16, 18, 20 one hundred and eighty degrees in a radially outward direction allows for complete access to interior portion 28 of cup 14 without impediment by flaps 16, 18, 20. Users can thus receive cup 14 in the stacked configuration of FIGS. 1-2 with coffee inside, in three simple motions, independently bend each of flaps 16, 18, 20 to the configuration of FIG. 4, and draw latte art on the surface of coffee in cup 14. It will be appreciated that the three flap design disclosed herein also allows the user to easily drink out of cup 10 in the open configuration. In certain embodiments, flaps 16, 18, 20 may include advertising, branding, and messaging such that while in the stacking configuration, the advertising is prominently displayed on the flaps, and while in the closed configuration, on the lid of cup 10. When the user is done drawing latte art and/or desires to leave with coffee remaining, he/she can then reconfigure cup 10 from the open configuration to a closed configuration of FIG. 5 with an integrated lid.

Closed Configuration with Integrated Lid & Change in Flap Structure

The user can transform cup 10 to the closed configuration of FIG. 5 from either the stacking configuration of FIGS. 1-2 or the open configuration of FIG. 4. Referring again to arcuate concave creases 24a, 24b defined in sidewall 14 under creases 22b, 22c—these allow for bending of sidewall 14 above each of these creases 24a, 24b below flaps 18, 20. For example, crescent-shaped region 62 of sidewall 14 under flap 18 is defined by creases 24a, 22b (FIGS. 1, 3). Similarly, crescent-shaped region 64 of sidewall 14 is defined by creases 24b, 22c.

From the stacked configuration of FIG. 1, side flap 18 may be pushed and folded downward in a radially inward direction toward central axis 29 as it bends about crease 24a in sidewall 14 while staying aligned with crescent-shaped region 62. The radially outer surface of side flap 28 and the radially outer surface of crescent-shaped region 62 change in shape from convex to concave as crescent-shaped region 62 and side flap 18 are folded ninety degrees radially inward toward central axis 29. As this folding occurs, crease 26a allows for bending of adjacent sidewall material 66 to prevent ripping of sidewall 14 or flap 18.

Similarly, from the stacked configuration of FIG. 1, additional side flap 20 may be pushed and folded downward in a radially inward direction toward central axis 29 as it bends about crease 24b in sidewall 14 while staying aligned with crescent-shaped region 64. The radially outer surface of side flap 20 and the radially outer surface of crescent-shaped region 64 change in shape from convex to concave as crescent-shaped region 64 and additional side flap 20 are folded ninety degrees radially inward toward central axis 29. As this folding occurs, crease 26b allows for bending of adjacent sidewall material 68 to prevent ripping of sidewall 14 or flap 20.

In order to reach the closed configuration of FIG. 5 from the stacking configuration of FIG. 1, the following three step methodology may be employed. First, rear flap 16 is bent ninety degrees radially inward about crease 22a, which takes on a linear shape as the convex region of sidewall 14 immediately underneath rear flap 16 is pushed radially inward. Next, crescent-shaped region 66 of sidewall 14 and side flap 18 are together folded approximately ninety degrees radially inward about crease 24a as described above, to a position which overlaps rear flap 16. Finally, crescent-shaped region 64 of sidewall 14 and additional side flap 20 are together folded approximately ninety degrees radially inward about crease 24b as described above, to a position which overlaps side flap 18 and rear flap 16. As region 64 and flap 20 are pushed downward, tab 52 of additional flap 20 is inserted into slot 48 of side flap 18 by interference fit with slot 48 and tab 50.

In this manner, rear flap 16, side flap 18, additional side flap 20, crescent-shaped region 64, and crescent-shaped region 66 together define a multi-layered cover 70 for cup 10 which seals coffee inside and minimizes or prevents spillage if cup 10 is dropped with coffee therein. As shown, cover 70 is concave and defines an elevated spout 72 from which the user may drink coffee contained in cup 10. Spout 72 is defined in the shape of a narrow opening or slit by drinking edge 74 at top end 25 of sidewall 14, and by curved side edges 46, 58 of flaps 18, 20 bent into this covered configuration.

As shown, spout 72 defines a thin elliptical opening 73. Both spout 72 and opening 73 defined thereby are elliptical shaped, elevated relative to any other point on the lid, and tilted at an upward angle (e.g., inclined in a direction where the user's mouth will be placed to drink from cup 10). A portion of spout 72 defining opening 73 is formed by double edge 75A, 75B of second and third flaps 18, 20. It will be appreciated that these structural features allow spout 72 to be easily inserted between the lips of a user, and make for a smoother drinking experience compared to plastic lids, which must be ripped and often leave asymmetric openings which are too large and/or cause spillage and user frustration. Spout 72, by defining opening 73 at an elevated location relative to the rest of the entire cup 10, does not allow coffee to easily escape, even when the lid of cup 10 is pressed or when cup 10 is shaken or quickly moved. Moreover, even if cup 10 is inadvertently dropped by the user, narrow opening 73 eliminates or limits spillage from cup 10. Narrow opening 73 also prevents spillage when a user drinks therefrom.

It will be appreciated that if dropped from an upright position, cup 10 will likely strike the ground at the bottom or side thereof, and coffee spillage, if any, will be very limited due to the narrowness of opening 73 and the slightly tortuous flow path (e.g., to escape, liquid must flow against a sharply defined interior concavity in sidewall 14, a flow path which is unlikely to be navigated by liquid in cup 10 unless a user specifically holds cup 10 in a drinking position tilted toward him/her with spout 72 in his/her mouth). These advantages are all achieved without any separable pieces from cup 10. However, as further discussed below with respect to FIGS. 8A-8C, if additional spillage precaution is desired, then in certain embodiments, drinking edge 74 may be integrally formed with a removable anti-slosh tab to seal spout 72 in the closed configuration. The concavity of flaps 18, 20 joined by interference fit helps keep cover 70 closed. Cup 10 can be reopened by simply removing tab 52 from slot 48, and unfolding flaps 20, 18, 16 back to the stacked or open configuration.

It will be appreciated that the closed configuration of FIG. 5 can also be reached from the open configuration of FIG. 4 by simply rotating flaps 16, 18, 20 about creases 22a, 22b, 22c to the stacked configuration of FIGS. 1-2, and then folding flaps 16, 18, 20 and crescent shaped regions 62, 64 of sidewall 14 about creases 24a, 24b as described above. Cup 10 can be repeatedly folded back and forth between any of these configurations as desired.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a first alternative embodiment, a cup 200 is formed exactly the same as cup 10, with all of the same structure, function, and features thereof, except that in cup 200, rear flap 216 includes both a first arcuate shaped crease 222a and a second arcuate shaped crease 223a. First arcuate shaped crease 222a may be formed with a curved/arcuate shape (as shown or with an even sharper curve) such that when folded into the closed configuration, rear flap 216 has a concave surface which provides more of a downward pushing force on side flaps 218, 220, which renders cup 200 even more spill resistant in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, rear flap 216 is bent about second arcuate shaped crease 223a, which may take on a linear configuration as flap 216 is bent backwards (radially outward). Similar to cup 10, in cup 200, side flap 218 includes creases 222b, 224a and fold line 226a, and side flap 220 includes creases 222c, 224b and fold line 226b. Cup 200 is thus configurable to stacked, open, and closed configurations as described above.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a second alternative embodiment, a cup 300 is formed exactly the same as cup 10, with all of the same structure, function, and features thereof, except that in cup 300, tab 352 of side flap 320 is formed with a peripheral edge 353 which is aligned with and lies in the same plane as top edge 354 of side flap 320, and top edge 342 of side flap 318. It will be appreciated that peripheral edge 353 of tab 352 increases the total surface area touching a contact surface, and thus improves the stability of stacked cups. Thus, tab 352 functions to both lock into a corresponding slot (hidden) in side tab 318 in a closed configuration (as described above with respect to cup 10), and to contact a support surface and add further stability to cup 300 when cup 300 is at the bottom of a stack with the stacked cups oriented upside down.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8C, in a third alternative embodiment, a cup 400 is shown which is formed exactly the same as cup 10, with all of the same structure, function, and features thereof, except that in cup 400, an anti-slosh tab 480 is provided which is detachably coupled to drinking edge 474 at the top of sidewall 414, and tab 452, similar to tab 352, is formed with a flatter peripheral edge 453 which is aligned with and lies in the same plane as top edge 454 of side flap 420 in the assembled configuration and top edge 442 of side flap 418 (e.g., in FIG. 8A they lie in the same plane on the flat unfolded sheet, and in an assembled stacked configuration, they lie in a plane parallel to a support surface on which cup 400 may be stacked upside down). Anti-slosh tab 480 is foldable, and can be fixed between rear flap 416 and side flap 418 to obstruct liquid (e.g., coffee) from escaping through opening 473 (FIG. 8C).

Anti-slosh tab 480 extends from drinking edge 474, and includes neck portion 482 and bulbous portion 484. Neck portion 482 is relatively narrow to facilitate removal of anti-slosh tab 480 (e.g., by tearing along neck portion 482), and to easily manipulate anti-slosh tab 480 and bend it between the configurations of FIGS. 8B-8C. As shown in FIG. 8B, neck portion, when bent and forced radially, thus forcing bulbous portion 484 between flaps 418, 420 with neck portion 480 covering opening 473. Neck portion 482 may be provided with crease or fold 486 at drinking edge 474, which takes on a linear shape during bending of anti-slosh tab 480 radially inward of sidewall 414. Other shapes and configurations of anti-slosh tab 480 may be utilized.

Cup 400 may also be provided with a fill line 490 (FIG. 8A) as a suggestion to a user (e.g., a barista) pouring the coffee. Fill line 490 may be drawn or sketched, or formed as a crease or fold. Since flaps 16, 18, 20 and portions of sidewall 14 are pressed radially inward to form a concave cover/lid as described herein, fill line 490 may be spaced from the top of cup 400 at a distance where flaps 16, 18, 20 will not interfere with coffee at or below fill line 490 in the assembled configuration during closure. One or more fill lines 490 may be placed at varying distances (e.g., 1 inch, 1.5 inches, etc.) depending on whether the customer desires milk, cream, and the like. It will also be appreciated that if the customer will only drink from cup 400 in the open configuration, then fill line 490 may be ignored.

While a disposable inventive cup has been described herein (e.g., a cup for one-time use), it will be appreciated that the embodiments described herein may also be utilized for reusable cups. By way of example, the inventive cup can be manufactured using a molding machine or die instead of a paper cup machine, and formed with any suitable reusable material of sufficient elasticity (e.g., reusable plastic, bagasse, and the like), whereby the integrated lid (e.g., the three flaps and the crescent-shaped regions of the sidewall) are bendable into the various configurations described herein, and preferably spring biased toward the unfolded stacking configuration. While various features have been disclosed in different embodiments herein, it will be appreciated that any combination of any number of features in the embodiments described herein may be combined, and that the invention is not limited to the specific combinations of features disclosed in the drawings or description thereof.

The invention described herein provides a cup configurable to stacking, open, and closed/covered configurations which allow for stacking, latte art, and spill prevention, all using a single folded sheet of material which can be folded into each of these configurations without ripping or removing any portions of the cup using a simple, intuitive, three-step process. The invention has been described in the context of a number of embodiments and multiple variations and examples thereof. It is to be understood, however, that other variations, shapes, materials, methods of manufacture, and structures may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims as presented or subsequently amended be interpreted as including the embodiments described herein, the alternatives mentioned above, and all equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A cup, comprising: a sidewall having a top end, a bottom end, and a first plurality of creases disposed along the top end, the sidewall defining an interior space and a central axis extending in a longitudinal direction; andfirst, second, and third flaps bendable about respective creases of the first plurality of creases, radially outward of the sidewall, to an open configuration, wherein in the open configuration, the first, second, and third flaps are downwardly bendable to respective positions along an exterior surface of the sidewall,wherein the second and third flaps are movable radially inward of the sidewall, to a closed configuration in which the first, second and third flaps at least partially define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated spout in communication with the interior space.

2. A cup according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes a second plurality of creases formed in the sidewall below corresponding creases of the first plurality of creases, and the second and third flaps and respective portions of the sidewall are configured to bend about respective creases of the second plurality of creases to the closed configuration.

3. A cup according to claim 2, wherein the first plurality of creases are linearly shaped during bending of the first, second, and third flaps about the first plurality of creases, and the second plurality of creases remain arcuate shaped in both the open and closed configurations, and during bending of the second and third flaps about the second plurality of creases.

4. A cup according to claim 3, wherein the respective portions of the sidewall are aligned with adjacent sections of the sidewall in the open configuration, and oriented perpendicular to the adjacent sections of the sidewall and radially inward of an outer surface of sidewall in the closed configuration.

5. A cup according to claim 4, wherein each of the respective portions of the sidewall is crescent-shaped.

6. A cup according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third flaps are each bendable about their respective creases of the first plurality of creases, up to 180 degrees radially inward of the sidewall to an interior surface of the sidewall, and up to 180 degrees radially outward of the sidewall, to an exterior surface of the sidewall.

7. A cup according to claim 6, wherein the first, second, and third flaps are each bendable about their respective creases of the first plurality of creases, up to a 360 degree range of motion, without ripping any portion of the cup.

8. A cup according to claim 1, wherein the cup is configurable to a stacking configuration in which the first, second, and third flaps extend longitudinally upward from and are aligned with the sidewall.

9. A cup according to claim 8, wherein the first plurality of creases are coplanar in the open and stacking configurations, but are not coplanar in the closed configuration.

10. A cup according to claim 8, wherein in the stacking configuration, the first and second flaps define an inverted triangular space between them.

11. A cup according to claim 10, wherein in the open configuration, the first and second flaps define a triangular space between them.

12. A cup according to claim 1, wherein bending of each of the first, second, and third flaps radially outward of the sidewall pushes a respective portion of the sidewall radially inward toward the central axis against a spring bias of the sidewall toward a convex configuration.

13. A cup according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall has a frustoconical shape.

14. A cup according to claim 1, further comprising: a floor defining a bottom of the interior region of the cup, wherein the bottom end of the sidewall defines a circular edge below the floor for supporting the cup in an upright position.

15. A cup according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall, and first, second, and third flaps are integrally formed.

16. A cup, comprising: a sidewall; anda plurality of first, second, and third flaps arranged along a top end of the sidewall, and bendable along respective creases in the sidewall to a stacking configuration and a closed configuration, wherein:(i) in the stacking configuration, the first, second, and third flaps extend upward from and are aligned with the sidewall, and(ii) in the closed configuration, the first, second and third flaps together at least partially define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated drinking spout, wherein a portion of the elevated drinking spout defines an opening in communication with the interior space, and wherein the portion of the elevated drinking spout defining the opening is elevated relative to any other point on the concave cover.

17. A cup according to claim 16, wherein in the stacking configuration, the first and second flaps define a first inverted triangular gap between them, the first and third flaps define a second inverted triangular gap between them, and the second and third flaps define a third gap between them, and wherein, in the closed configuration, the second and third flaps define a top surface of the elevated drinking spout.

18. A method of transforming a cup into different configurations, comprising: providing a cup having a sidewall and a plurality of first, second, and third flaps arranged along a top end of the sidewall and extending upward from and aligned with the sidewall;bending the first, second, and third flaps into an open configuration in which the first, second, and third flaps extend downwardly along an exterior surface of the sidewall; andbending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into a closed configuration in which the first, second and third flaps at least partially define a concave cover to the cup and an elevated spout in communication with the interior space.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein bending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into the open configuration includes bending the first, second, and third flaps along a plurality of creases disposed at a top end of the sidewall, and bending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into the closed configuration includes bending the first flap along one of the creases at the top end of the sidewall, and bending the second and third flaps along respective arcuate creases opposite a pair of the creases at the top end of the side wall.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein bending the plurality of first, second, and third flaps into the closed configuration includes bending the second and third flaps, as well as portions of the sidewall adjacent the second and third flaps, along the respective arcuate creases.