INSULATED CUP

Abstract

An insulated compound cup having a flexible polymeric inner vessel nestable within a flexible polymeric outer vessel. Each of the inner and outer vessels include a top rim, where the top rim of the inner vessel fits over and conforms to a shape of the top rim of the outer vessel. In some cases, when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel, the top rim of the inner vessel may be stretched to fit over the top rim of the outer vessel. When nested together, an air gap is formed between the inner and outer vessel walls. Each of the inner and outer vessels may be provided separately for use as drinking cups, wherein a consumer may nest an inner vessel within an outer vessel to form an insulated cup or may use the inner and outer vessels separately as a standard cup.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to insulated plastic cups, and more specifically to a composite cup having an inner cup that is nestable within an outer cup.

BACKGROUND

Reusable insulated beverage containers, often called travel mugs or cups, are vessels that include inner and outer shells separated from one another by a vacuum or other insulating space. An opening at the top allows beverages to be introduced into the inner shell and consumed therefrom. Such containers are typically formed from inflexible materials such as polycarbonates, ceramics, and/or metals, i.e., materials are that expensive relative to disposable materials and often non-recyclable. As such, these insulated cups are not intended to be disposable.

Disposable cups are available, wherein the insulation may be provided by a paper sleeve. While such sleeves protect a user's hand from the hot or cold beverage contained within the cup, they are inefficient at maintaining the temperature of the liquid in the cup. Double walled disposable cups are also available, such as those formed with paper materials. However, paper-based materials generally do not have good barrier properties to liquids. As such, disposable cups made from such paper-based materials have a tendency to decompose due to liquid penetration into the paper material, which can cause the cup to lose its structure and become soggy or leak.

Plastic-coated or lined paper cups offer some solution to this problem. However, most recycling programs are not capable of processing plastic-coated cups or containers. Because plastic coatings contaminate the post-consumer paper material, roughly 99.75% of coffee cups can't be recycled. While the paper on its own can be composted, the plastic-coating makes it impossible to do that as it will contaminate the finished compost with microplastics and potentially toxic chemicals.

Double walled disposable cups having an outer paper vessel and an inner polymeric vessel are also available. Nesting the inner polymeric vessel within the outer paper vessel often leads to deformation of the rim of the paper vessel. As such, these insulated cups are typically glued together along the top rim to provide a sturdy insulated drinking vessel. The inner and outer cups are thus not useable independently.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed invention provides solutions to these aforementioned issues by providing a compound cup that includes polymeric inner and outer vessels that may be used independently and/or may be nested together to form a sturdy, liquid-resistant, insulated cup.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a compound cup comprising a flexible polymeric outer cup or vessel having an open top rim and a flexible polymeric inner cup or vessel having an open top rim and nestable within the outer vessel, wherein the top rim of the inner vessel fits over the top rim of the outer vessel and secures the two vessels together.

The inner and outer vessels may be usable independently as drinking vessels, i.e., cups. Once the inner and outer vessels are nested together, they may be designed to be detachable from each other for use independently. Alternatively, they may also be designed so that once nested together, the inner and outer vessels may not be easily separated or may not be separable.

The inner and outer vessels may be disposable. The inner and/or outer vessels may be recyclable. The inner and outer vessels may each be formed of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, or polystyrene. The inner and outer vessels may each be formed as a one-piece construction. For example, the inner and outer vessels may each be formed by a thermoforming or injection molding process.

The top rim of the outer and inner vessels may comprise a curled edge. For example, the curled edge of the outer vessel may comprise first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral, and the curled edge of the inner vessel may fit over and conform to the shape of the curled edge of the outer vessel. An inner dimension of the curled edge of the inner vessel may be substantially the same as an outer dimension of the curled edge of the outer vessel such that when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel, the curled edge of the inner vessel may fit snugly over the curled edge of the outer vessel or may be stretched to fit over the curled edge of the outer vessel.

Alternatively, the top rim of the outer vessel may comprise a straight or curled edge and the top rim of the inner vessel may comprise a peripheral attaching flange configured to fit snugly over the top rim of the outer vessel. According to certain aspects, the top rim of the outer vessel may comprise a radially extending rim, an end of which may fit within a recess in the peripheral attaching flange of the inner vessel. According to other aspects, the top rim of the outer vessel may comprise a curled edge (e.g., first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral), and the peripheral attaching flange of the inner vessel may include a recess configured to encompass at least a portion of the curled edge of the outer vessel.

According to aspects, the curled edge or peripheral attaching flange of the inner vessel may be configured to provide an interference, snap, or push fit over the top rim of the outer vessel. Further, the curled edge or peripheral attaching flange of the inner vessel may be configured to fit over and provide connection with a rim of a third-party cup, thus converting the third-party cup to an insulated cup.

A side wall of the inner vessel may be spaced apart from a side wall of the outer vessel except in a top region of the composite cup near the top rim. For example, the side wall of the inner vessel that is proximate to the top rim may extend outward to contact the outer vessel. Alternatively, the side wall of the inner vessel that is proximal to the top rim may be parallel with the side wall of the outer vessel such that a void exists between the side walls of the inner and outer vessels.

A bottom wall of the inner vessel may be spaced apart from a bottom wall of the outer vessel. Regions of the bottom walls of the inner and outer vessels may include one or more protrusions (“feet”). As such, the bottom wall of the inner vessel may be spaced apart from a bottom wall of the outer vessel, inclusive of the protrusions or exclusive of the protrusions. In the latter case, some or all of the protrusions may additionally provide a latching arrangement. That is, some or all of the protrusions on the bottom portion of the inner vessel may be sized to fit tightly within the protrusion in the bottom portion of the outer vessel.

The present disclosure further provides a drink container product comprising a plurality of the flexible polymeric inner vessels packaged for sale in a first plastic sleeve, and a plurality of the flexible polymeric outer vessels packaged for sale in a second plastic sleeve. Additionally, or alternatively, a drink container product may comprise a plurality of flexible polymeric inner vessels packaged side-by-side with an equal number of flexible polymeric outer vessels. Each of the plurality of outer and inner vessels may be useable individually as drinking cups or may be nested one within the other, i.e., an inner vessel nested within an outer vessel, to form an insulated cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects, features, benefits, and advantages of the embodiments herein will be apparent with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. In the following figures, like numerals represent like features in the various views. It is to be noted that features and components in these drawings, illustrating the views of embodiments of the present invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an insulated cup according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the top rim portion of the insulated cup of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged inverted view of the bottom portion of the insulated cup of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A illustrates an outer vessel of the of the insulated cup according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B illustrates an enlarged view of the curled rim portion of the outer vessel of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates an enlarged view of a protrusion according to certain aspects on the bottom portion of the outer vessel of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A illustrates an inner vessel of the of the insulated cup according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates an enlarged view of the curled rim portion of the inner vessel of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C illustrates an enlarged view of a protrusion according to certain aspects on the bottom portion of the inner vessel of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up view of the point of connection between the outer and inner vessels shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, respectively.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an insulated cup according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A illustrates a close-up view of the point of connection between the outer and inner vessels according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8B illustrates a close-up view of the point of connection between the outer and inner vessels according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the present invention is set forth in the context of various alternative embodiments and implementations involving an insulated cup comprising a flexible inner vessel or cup portion nestable within a flexible outer vessel or cup portion. The inner and outer vessels are attachable along a top rim of each. That is, a top rim of the inner vessel may fit over a top rim of the outer vessel to secure the two vessels together. The insulated cup may find use with both cold and hot drinks, providing insulation for the drink and the user's hand.

In accordance with the subject matter disclosed herein, the compound cup or insulated cup includes an inner vessel and an outer vessel. The inner vessel has an inner side wall defining an inner bottom portion and a top opening defining a top rim. The outer vessel has an outer side wall defining an outer bottom portion and a top opening having a top rim. The top rim of the inner vessel may engage with the top rim of the outer vessel to secure the two vessels together. When the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel, the outer side wall surrounds the inner side wall and is spaced apart therefrom, and the outer bottom portion is disposed below the inner bottom portion and may also be spaced apart therefrom. As such, an insulating space is defined between the inner and outer vessels. The insulating space may extend to a top rim of the insulated cup. Alternatively, the insulating space may extend toward the top opening of the inner/outer vessels and terminate at a circumferential ledge of the inner vessel, at which point the sidewall of the inner vessel extends outward and engages with an inner side of the side wall of the outer vessel.

The insulated cup is suitable for use with a wide variety of perishable and nonperishable products. However, for purpose of understanding, reference will be made to the use of the insulated cup disclosed herein with beverages, wherein the insulated cup can be used for transporting, serving, storing, preparing and/or re-using such beverages. As described in further detail below, the insulated cup has suitable insulating properties to assist in maintaining the temperature of a beverage therein, and further to assist in preventing sweat accumulation on an exterior surface thereof, such as from the presence of a cold beverage inside the cup. In the absence of sweat accumulation, the insulated cup will not become slippery in the user's grasp, as many prior art single walled polymeric vessel do when used to contain a cold beverage. Moreover, when used to contain either a hot or cold beverage, the insulating properties may maintain the exterior of the insulated cup at a temperature within a range acceptable for a user's grasp.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of the insulated cup 10, which includes an inner vessel 14 and an outer vessel 12. As illustrated, each of the inner and outer vessels, and thus the insulated cup 10, can have a generally frustoconical shape. Alternatively, the inner vessel 12 and the outer vessel 14 can form an insulated cup 10 with an outer circumference of any other shape, such as cylindrical, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, rectangular, triangular, or any suitable geometric shape. In certain examples, a portion of the outer circumference of the insulated cup proximal to the top rim may have a conical or frustoconical shape, and regions below that may have any other shape, such as triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any other suitable geometric shape.

Each of the inner vessel 14 and outer vessel 12 may be formed of a flexible polymeric material. Exemplary materials include at least polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or any combination thereof. The polymeric materials may be virgin or recycled materials. The inner and/or outer vessels may be formed of the same material or different materials. For example, the outer vessel may be formed of polystyrene and the inner vessel may be formed of polyethylene terephthalate, both of which are recyclable materials. Moreover, each of the inner vessel 14 and outer vessel 12 may be formed as a one-piece construction, such as by thermoforming or injection molding.

The inner vessel 14 includes a side wall defining an open top having a rim 16 and a closed bottom portion 20. The outer vessel 12 includes a side wall defining an open top having a rim 17 (see FIG. 4A) and a closed bottom portion 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the top rim shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the top rims of the inner and outer vessels may include curled edges configured to allow connection therebetween. For example, the curled edge 24 of the inner vessel 14 may fit over the curled edge 22 of the outer vessel 12 to secure the inner and outer vessels together. Thus, while each of the inner and outer vessels are useable independently as drinking cups, they may be secured together to form the insulated cup 10. Moreover, once secured together, the inner and outer vessels may be designed to be detachable from each other, i.e., separated for use independently. Alternatively, the inner and outer vessels may also be designed so that they are not easily separable after they are nested together.

With reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates an inverted close-up view of the vessel bottoms of the insulated cup shown FIG. 1; the bottom portion 20 of the inner vessel 14 is spaced apart from the bottom portion 18 of the outer vessel 12. Each of the bottom portions (20, 18) are depicted as including a circumferentially continuous, axially extending, protrusion (28, 26; respectively) positioned adjacent an outer edge thereof. While shown as a continuous region on the bottom portions of each of the inner and outer vessels, i.e., a ring shaped foot, such protrusions may be discontinuous, e.g., may be provided as two or more protrusions, such as three or four individual ‘feet.’ These feet may help to stabilize the individual vessels and the insulated cup (i.e., compound cup comprising the inner vessel nested within the outer vessel), such as in the case of placing the vessels/cup on a wet surface or when condensation accumulates on the bottom portion. While shown in FIG. 3 as including a ring shaped foot, the inner and/or outer vessels may be absent any protrusions or feet, i.e., may have a substantially smooth bottom surface.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, the side wall of the inner vessel 14 is spaced apart from and may be parallel with the side wall of the outer vessel 12 when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel. Moreover, a diameter of the bottom portion 20 of the inner vessel 14 may be smaller than the diameter of the bottom portion 18 of the outer vessel 12. As such, when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel and secured thereto, a continuous insulation space or air gap (32 of FIG. 6) exists between the inner and outer vessels that ends near a top region of the insulated cup 10.

With specific reference to FIG. 2 (see also FIG. 6), the inner vessel 14 may include a circumferential ledge 30 that defines a change in the outer diameter of the inner vessel. Above the ledge 30, i.e., region of the vessel between the ledge 30 and the rim 16, the inner vessel 14 extends outward so that an outer diameter of the inner vessel is substantially the same as an inner diameter of the outer vessel, i.e., the side walls of the inner and outer vessels are in contact in this region. Such contact may aid in stabilizing the insulated cup in a region used for drinking, i.e., adjacent the open top rim of the insulated cup. Alternatively, the side wall of the inner vessel that is proximal to the top rim may be parallel with the side wall of the outer vessel such that a void or insulating space exists between the side walls of the inner and outer vessels along a substantially full length of the side walls.

The inner vessel 14 may be nested within the outer vessel 12 and secured thereto using one or more means. One method for securing the inner and outer vessels together is by connection between the top rims of each of the inner and outer vessels. For example, the top rim 17 of the outer vessel 12 may be curled and may be configured to fit within the top rim 16 of the inner vessel 14. According to certain aspects, the curled edge of the top rim 16 of the inner vessel 14 may be configured to fit over and conform to the shape of the curled edge of the top rim 17 of the outer vessel 12, thus securing the connection therebetween. An exemplary design for a curled edge 24 of the top rim 16 of the inner vessel 14 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. According to some aspects, the outer vessel 12 may have a curled edge 22 along the top rim 17 such as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. According to certain designs, the curled edges of the outer vessel, or both the inner and outer vessels, may comprise first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral.

In some examples, an inner dimension ‘C2’ of the curled edge 24 of the inner vessel 14 (FIG. 5B, which is a close up of the top rim 16 of the inner vessel shown in FIG. 5A) is substantially the same as an outer dimension ‘C1’ of the curled edge 22 of the outer vessel 12 (FIG. 4B, which is a close up of the top rim 17 of the outer vessel shown in FIG. 4A) such that when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel, the curled edge of the inner vessel fits snugly over the curled edge of the outer vessel or is stretched to fit over the curled edge of the outer vessel (see also FIG. 6).

Alternate arrangements of the top rims of the inner and outer vessels are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the top rim of the inner vessel may be configured as a peripheral attaching flange that provides an interference, snap, or push fit over the top rim of the outer vessel. Specific designs are shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. With reference to FIG. 8A, the top rim of the outer vessel 12 may comprise a curled edge 22′, while the top rim of the inner vessel 14 may comprise a peripheral attaching flange 24′ configured to fit over the curled edge 22′ of the outer vessel. As shown, the curled edge 22′ of the outer vessel 12 may comprise at least first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral, and the peripheral attaching flange 24′ of the inner vessel may comprise a lip configured to accept the curled edge 22′ of the outer vessel 12. That is, the peripheral attaching flange 24′ may have in inner recess that generally conforms to the shape of the curled edge 22′ of the outer vessel, wherein the inner recess may also include a ridge 23 configured to provide the interference, snap, or push fit over the top rim of the outer vessel.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the outer vessel 12 may comprise a radially extending lip 22″, while the inner vessel 14 may comprise a peripheral attaching flange 24″ configured to fit over the radially extending lip 22″ of the outer vessel. The peripheral attaching flange 24″ of the inner vessel may comprise a recess configured to accept an end 25 the radially extending lip 22″ and may also include a ridge 23′ configured to provide the interference, snap, or push fit over the top rim of the outer vessel 12.

An additional or alternative means for securing the inner and outer vessels together is along a bottom portion of each. For example, some or all of the protrusion(s) 28 on the bottom portion 20 on the inner vessel may be sized to fit tightly within the protrusion(s) 26 in the bottom portion 18 of the outer vessel. Such could be the case whether the protrusions are circumferentially continuous protrusions or not, e.g., individual feet. According to certain aspects, and with reference to FIGS. 4C and 5C, a width or outer diameter ‘e’ of the protrusion 28 along a bottom region of the inner vessel may be substantially the same as an inner diameter of the protrusion 26 along a bottom region of the outer vessel. The shapes of the protrusions may be the same or different. According to certain aspects, the protrusion 26 of the outer vessel may include an inner recess 34 that may secure a correspondingly shaped outer side wall 34′ of the protrusion 28 of the inner vessel 14 therein. As such, when the inner vessel 14 is nested within the outer vessel 12, the respective protrusions of the inner and outer vessels may provide a secure connection therebetween, such as via an interference, snap, or push fit.

Alternatively, or additionally, the inner and outer vessels may each include a circumferential bulge along the sidewalls thereof, such as proximal to the bottom portions (20, 18) or in a region between the ledge 30 and the top rims (16, 17, respectively). In such a case, the circumferential bulge on each vessel may be designed and configured to cooperate to provide a latching engagement, such as an interference fit, that may act to secure the inner vessel within the outer vessel.

Any of the engagement means discussed above, i.e., via the top rims, bottom protrusions, or circumferential bulge(s), may be designed to be easily detachable, such as for independent use of the inner and outer vessels, or may be designed such that the inner and outer vessels are not easily separated.

The bottom portions (20, 18) of the inner and outer vessels (14 and 12, respectively) may be in contact with each other along all or only a portion of the thereof. For example, the bottom portions of the inner and outer vessels may be in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 1 or may be spaced apart from each other as shown in FIG. 7 to provide an air gap 44. The bottom portions of the inner and outer vessels may be in contact with each other only in a region of the protrusions (28 and 26, respectively).

As disclosed herein, the inner and outer vessels may be used individually and/or may be combined, i.e., an inner vessel nested within an outer vessel, to form an insulated cup. The inner and outer vessels may be designed to be easily separated when nested together or may be designed to remain connected after they are nested together, i.e., not easily separable.

Most cups on the market are designed to have standardized sizes, e.g., designed to contain 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 ounces, etc., regardless of the shape of the cup wall. Moreover, most cup manufacturers design the upper rim of each cup to conform to a standard dimension such that lids for the cups may be interchangeable and/or storage devices may be universal (e.g., cup dispensers). Thus, according to certain aspects, a shape and dimension of the top rim of the inner vessel may be designed to attach over the rim of a third-party cup, such as any cup currently on the market, providing an insulated cup. A shape and dimension of the top rim of the inner vessel may be designed to provide secure attachment of lids currently on the market, such as a cold or hot drink lid. The shape and dimension of the top rim of the outer vessel may be designed to provide secure attachment of lids currently on the market, such as a cold or hot drink lid. According to certain aspects, the shape and dimension of the top rim of the outer vessel may be designed to attach over the rim of a cup currently on the market.

The present disclosure also provides a drink container product comprising each of the inner and outer vessels packaged separately. That is, the product may include a plurality of outer vessels, i.e., first flexible polymeric vessels, packaged for sale in a first plastic sleeve and a plurality of inner vessels, i.e., second flexible polymeric vessels, packaged for sale in a second plastic sleeve. Alternatively, or additionally, the drink container product may comprise a plurality of outer vessels, i.e., first flexible polymeric vessels, and an equal number of inner vessels, i.e., second flexible polymeric vessels, packaged side-by-side, such as in a single plastic packaging. As provided, each of the plurality of first and second vessels may be configured for use individually as drinking cups. When desired, a second vessel may be nested within a first vessel to form an insulated drinking cup as described hereinabove.

Definitions and Abbreviations

Various aspects of the insulated cup may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary implementations or embodiments. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other variations of the devices, systems, or methods disclosed herein. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

As generally used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting. As generally used herein, the terms “have,” “has,” and “having” are meant to be non-limiting. The word “comprising” and forms of the word “comprising,” as used in this description and in the claims, does not limit the present invention to exclude any variants or additions. Additionally, although the insulated cup has been described in terms of “comprising,” the insulated cup detailed herein may also be described as consisting essentially of or consisting of. For example, while the insulated cup has been described in terms of an insulated cup comprising an inner cup and an outer cup, the insulated cup may also be described as consisting essentially of an inner cup and an outer cup or consisting of an inner cup and an outer cup. In this context, “consisting essentially of” means that any additional elements will not materially affect the insulation ability of the disclosed cup, and “consisting of” limits the disclosed invention to only those elements claimed.

Various aspects of the insulated cup may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “coupled,” “attached,” and/or “joined” are interchangeably used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly coupled”, “directly attached,” and/or “directly joined” to another component, there are no intervening elements shown in said examples.

Relative terms such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top” and “left” or “right” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of aspects of the insulated cups and/or the inner and outer vessels or cup portions in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. By way of example, if aspects of the insulated cup shown in the drawings are turned over, elements described as being on the “bottom” side of the other elements would then be oriented on the “top” side of the other elements as shown in the relevant drawing. The term “bottom” can therefore encompass both an orientation of “bottom” and “top” depending on the particular orientation of the drawing.

As used herein, the term “substantially” may be taken to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. Thus, the term substantially may mean an amount of generally at least about 80%, about 90%, about 95%, about 98%, or even about 99%.

It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” cup is a reference to one or more cups and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

All documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other documents set forth herein. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to this application.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific apparatuses and methods described herein, including alternatives, variants, additions, deletions, modifications, and substitutions. This application including the appended claims is therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this application.

Aspects of the Disclosure

According to aspects, the present disclosure provides a flexible polymeric vessel (or inner vessel) comprising: a closed bottom wall, a longitudinal side wall extending from the closed bottom wall and defining a top rim opposite the closed bottom wall, the top rim defining an opening having a first diameter, and wherein the side wall has a top region proximate the top rim and a bottom region, each of which have a substantially frustoconical shape, wherein the vessel is formed as a one-piece construction and usable as a drinking vessel, wherein the top rim of the vessel is configured to fit over and engage a rim of a cup having a cup opening diameter equal to the first diameter, and wherein, when the vessel is nested within the cup and the top rim is engaged with the rim of the cup, at least the bottom region of the side wall of the vessel is spaced apart from a wall of the cup to form an air gap.

According to aspects, when the vessel is nested within the cup, the top region of the side wall of the vessel is configured to contact the wall of the cup.

According to any of the above aspects, wherein the top rim of the vessel comprises a curled edge, wherein an inner dimension of the curled edge is configured to be substantially the same as an outer dimension of the rim of the cup such that when the vessel is nested within the cup, the curled edge of the vessel is stretched to fit over the rim of the cup.

According to any of the above aspects, the vessel comprises a flexible polymeric cup (or outer vessel) formed as a one-piece construction and usable as a drinking vessel, the cup comprising: a closed bottom wall; and a longitudinal side wall having a substantially frustoconical shape, the side wall extending from the closed bottom wall and defining a top rim opposite the closed bottom wall, the top rim defining an opening, wherein the top rim of the cup is configured to fit within and engage the top rim of the vessel, and wherein the vessel is configured to fit within the cup such that, when the vessel is nested within the cup, the side wall of the vessel is spaced apart from the side wall of the cup to form an air gap.

According to any of the above aspects, when the vessel is nested within the cup, the side wall of the vessel in the top region contacts the side wall of the cup; and/or the bottom wall of the vessel is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the cup.

According to aspects, the present disclosure provides a compound cup comprising an outer flexible polymeric vessel having an open top rim; and an inner flexible polymeric vessel nestable within the outer vessel and having an open top rim. The open top rim of the inner vessel is configured to fit over and engage the open top rim of the outer vessel to provide a snug fit therebetween. Further, when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel, a side wall of the inner vessel is spaced apart from a side wall of the outer vessel except that a top region of the side wall of the inner vessel proximate to the open top rim thereof extends outward to contact the outer vessel.

According to aspects, when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel, a bottom wall of the inner vessel is spaced apart from a bottom wall of the outer vessel.

According to any of the above aspects, the open top rim of each of the inner and outer vessels comprises a curled edge. For example, the curled edge of the outer vessel comprises first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral, and the curled edge of the inner vessel fits over and conforms to a shape of the curled edge of the outer vessel. Further, an inner dimension of the curled edge of the inner vessel may be substantially the same as an outer dimension of the curled edge of the outer vessel such that when the inner vessel is nested within the outer vessel, the curled edge of the inner vessel is stretched to fit over the curled edge of the outer vessel.

According to any of the above aspects, the open top rim of the outer vessel comprises a curled edge and the open top rim of the inner vessel comprises a peripheral attaching flange. For example, the curled edge of the outer vessel comprises first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral, and the peripheral attaching flange comprises a recess configured to fit over the curled edge of the outer vessel. Further, the peripheral attaching flange may provide an interference, snap, or push fit over the curled edge of the outer vessel.

According to any of the above aspects, the open top rim of the inner vessel comprises a peripheral attaching flange and the open top rim of the outer vessel comprises a radially extending lip configured to fit within a recess in the peripheral attaching flange. For example, the peripheral attaching flange may provide an interference, snap, or push fit over the radially extending lip of the outer vessel.

According to any of the above aspects, the inner and outer vessels, once nested together, are detachable from each other and are usable independently. Alternatively, the inner and outer vessels, once nested together, are not intended to be separated.

According to any of the above aspects, the inner and outer vessels are usable independently as drinking vessels.

According to any of the above aspects, the inner and outer vessels are disposable.

According to any of the above aspects, the inner and outer vessels are each formed as a one-piece construction.

According to any of the above aspects, the inner and outer vessels are each formed of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, or polypropylene.

The present disclosure also provides a drink container product comprising a plurality of each of the inner vessels according to any of the above aspects packaged in a first plastic sleeve and a plurality of each of the outer vessels according to any of the above aspects packaged in a second plastic sleeve.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• • 10 Compound or insulated cup
  • 12 Outer flexible vessel (or cup)
  • 14 Inner flexible vessel (or vessel)
  • 16 Open top rim of the inner vessel
  • 17 Open top rim of the outer vessel
  • 18 Closed bottom wall of the outer vessel
  • 20 Closed bottom wall of the inner vessel
  • 22 Curled edge of the outer vessel (at open top rim)
  • 22′ Alternate edge of the outer vessel (FIG. 8A)
  • 22″ Alternate edge of the outer vessel (FIG. 8B)
  • 23 Ridge on inner recess of curled edge 22′
  • 23′ Ridge on inner recess of curled edge 22″
  • 24 Curled edge of the inner vessel (at open top rim)
  • 24′ Alternate edge of the inner vessel (FIG. 8A)
  • 24″ Alternate edge of the inner vessel (FIG. 8B)
  • 25 End of radially extending lip of 22″
  • 26 Circumferentially continuous protrusion (foot) on bottom wall of the outer vessel
  • 28 Circumferentially continuous protrusion (foot) on bottom wall of the inner vessel
  • 30 Circumferential ledge of the inner vessel
  • 32 Air gap (insulation space) between inner and outer vessel along longitudinal axis
  • 34 Recess in the foot 26 of the outer vessel
  • 34′ Side wall in the foot 28 of the inner vessel
  • 44 Air gap (insulation space) between inner and outer vessels at closed bottoms
  • A Inner diameter of the top opening of the outer vessel
  • B Outer diameter of the open top rim of the outer vessel
  • C1 Inner diameter of the curled edge of the inner vessel 14; Outer diameter of the curled edge
  • of the outer vessel 12 (substantially equal)
  • C2 Outer diameter of the curled edge of the inner vessel 14
  • D Diameter of open top rim of the inner vessel substantially equal to B
  • e Width of a bottom region of protrusion 28

Claims

1. A flexible polymeric vessel comprising: a closed bottom wall,a longitudinal side wall extending from the closed bottom wall and defining a top rim opposite the closed bottom wall, the top rim defining an opening having a first diameter, andwherein the side wall has a top region proximate the top rim and a bottom region, each of which have a substantially frustoconical shape,wherein the vessel is formed as a one-piece construction and usable as a drinking vessel,wherein the top rim of the vessel is configured to fit over and engage a rim of a cup having a cup opening diameter equal to the first diameter, andwherein, when the vessel is nested within the cup and the top rim is engaged with the rim of the cup, at least the bottom region of the side wall of the vessel is spaced apart from a wall of the cup to form an air gap.

2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein, when the vessel is nested within the cup, the top region of the side wall of the vessel is configured to contact the wall of the cup.

3. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the top rim of the vessel comprises a curled edge, wherein an inner dimension of the curled edge is configured to be substantially the same as an outer dimension of the rim of the cup such that when the vessel is nested within the cup, the curled edge of the vessel is stretched to fit over the rim of the cup.

4. The vessel of claim 1, comprising: a flexible polymeric cup formed as a one-piece construction and usable as a drinking vessel, the cup comprising: a closed bottom wall; anda longitudinal side wall having a substantially frustoconical shape, the side wall extending from the closed bottom wall and defining a top rim opposite the closed bottom wall, the top rim defining an opening,wherein the top rim of the cup is configured to fit within and engage the top rim of the vessel, andwherein the vessel is configured to fit within the cup such that, when the vessel is nested within the cup, the side wall of the vessel is spaced apart from the side wall of the cup to form an air gap.

5. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein, when the vessel is nested within the cup, the side wall of the vessel in the top region contacts the side wall of the cup.

6. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein, when the vessel is nested within the cup, the bottom wall of the vessel is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the cup.

7. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the top rim of each of the vessel and the cup comprise a curled edge.

8. The vessel according to claim 7, wherein the curled edge of the cup comprises first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral, and the curled edge of the vessel fits over and conforms to a shape of the curled edge of the cup.

9. The vessel according to claim 7, wherein an inner dimension of the curled edge of the vessel is substantially the same as an outer dimension of the curled edge of the cup such that when the vessel is nested within the cup, the curled edge of the vessel is stretched to fit over the curled edge of the cup.

10. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the top rim of the cup comprises a curled edge and the top rim of the vessel comprises a peripheral attaching flange.

11. The vessel according to claim 10, wherein the curled edge of the cup comprises first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form a spiral, and the peripheral attaching flange comprises a recess configured to fit over the curled edge of the cup.

12. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the top rim of the vessel comprises a peripheral attaching flange and the top rim of the cup comprises a radially extending lip configured to fit within a recess in the peripheral attaching flange.

13. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the vessel and the cup each comprise a circumferential foot extending axially from a bottom wall thereof.

14. The vessel according to claim 13, wherein the circumferential foot of the vessel is configured to fit snugly within the circumferential foot of cup.

15. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the vessel and the cup, once nested together, are detachable from each other and are usable independently.

16. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the vessel and the cup, once nested together, are not intended to be separated.

17. The vessel according to claim 4, wherein the vessel and the cup are disposable.

18. The vessel according to claim 17, wherein the vessel and the cup are each formed of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, or polypropylene.

19. A drink container product comprising, a plurality of each of the vessels and cups of claim 4 packaged for sale,wherein each of the vessels are packages in a first plastic sleeve and each of the cups are packages in a second plastic sleeve,wherein each of the plurality of vessels and cups are configured for use individually as drinking cups, or the vessel is nestable within the cup to form an insulated cup.

20. A drink container product comprising, a number of the inner vessels and an equal number of the outer vessels of claim 14 packaged for sale in a plastic sleeve,wherein each of the plurality of first and second vessels are configured for use individually as drinking cups, or the inner vessel is nestable within the outer vessel to form an insulated cup.