PAPER CONTAINER

Abstract

Paperware containers with increased structural support are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a paper container comprises a substantially circular bottom panel, and a side panel extending radially at a vertical incline from the bottom panel, wherein the side panel comprises first and second inclined portions coupled to one another by a substantially horizontal ridge portion. In certain embodiments, the side panel further comprises a rolled edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the rolled edge extends downwards from the top edge of the side panel and inwards towards the second inclined portion of the side panel. In certain embodiments, the side panel further comprises a clipped edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the clipped edge extends substantially horizontally and outwards away from the second inclined portion of the side panel.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to disposable paperware containers, including paper plates, paper bowls, paper cups, paper trays, and other paper containers.

Current disposable paperware lack structural support on the edge or rimmed portion of paper containers. For example, current disposable paperware often do not have sufficient reinforcement along the rims or edges on the outermost edge of the container, such that the shape and/or structure of the container is easily deformed. Additionally, the sides of current paper containers are often unstable which may result in a lack of structural integrity and cause the paper container to be susceptible to bending or deflection. Thus, a paper container that provides additional support to increase the paper container's resistance to deflection or bending is desired.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to disposable paperware containers.

In certain embodiments, a paper container comprises a substantially circular bottom panel, and a side panel extending radially at a vertical incline from the bottom panel, wherein the side panel comprises first and second inclined portions separated by a substantially horizontal ridge portion. In certain embodiments, the side panel further comprises a rolled edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the rolled edge extends downwards from the top edge of the side panel and inwards towards the second inclined portion of the side panel.

In certain embodiments, a paper container comprises a substantially circular bottom panel, and a side panel extending radially at a vertical incline from the bottom panel, wherein the side panel comprises first and second inclined portions separated by a substantially horizontal ridge portion. In certain embodiments, the side panel further comprises a clipped edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the clipped edge extends substantially horizontally and outwards away from the second inclined portion of the side panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a rolled edge paper container according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of exemplary dimensions of a rolled edged paper container according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a representation of clipped edge paper container according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of exemplary dimensions of a clipped edged paper container according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific example embodiments have been shown in the figures and are herein described in more detail. It should be understood, however, that the description of specific example embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, this disclosure is to cover all modifications and equivalents as illustrated, in part, by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail herein. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in no way should the following examples be read to limit, or define, the scope of the disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a paper container 100 is shown. In certain embodiments, paper container 100 may be a paper plate, as depicted in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, paper container 100 may be a paper bowl, paper tray, paper cup, or other paper container. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a rolled or clipped edge may be used in accordance with any type of paper container. Paper container 100 may be pressed or formed from one congruous piece of paper material. In keeping with aspects of the present disclosure, one or more types of paper material may be used, for example, pulp paper, recycled paper, cardstock paper, cardboard, or other types of paper with varying weights or thicknesses, etc. In other embodiments, paper container 100 may be comprised of multiple pieces of paper material formed together. In certain embodiments, paper container 100 may be circular or substantially circular. In other embodiments, paper container 100 may be oval, elliptical, rectangular, or any other shape. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, paper container 100 may take any number of shapes in keeping with the overall aspects and design of the present disclosure.

Paper container 100 may be comprised of a bottom panel 101. Bottom panel 101 may be substantially flat to support the items placed in paper container 100. In certain embodiments, bottom panel 101 may be substantially circular. In other embodiments, bottom panel 101 may be oval, elliptical, rectangular, or any other shape. Bottom panel 101 may extend radially from the center of paper container 100 to the side panel 105.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, side panel 105 may extend vertically at an inclined angle θ from bottom panel 101. Side panel 105 may extend at an angle θ from bottom panel 101 from anywhere between about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the angle θ at which side panel 105 extends vertically may depend on the type of paper container 100 and may be varied in keeping with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, in certain embodiments where paper container 100 is a paper cup or paper bowl, side panel 105 may extend at an angle θ of, for example, about 75 degrees to about 90 degrees. In other embodiments where paper container 100 is a paper plate or paper tray, side panel 105 may extend at an angle θ of, for example, about 30 degrees to about 75 degrees.

Side panel 105 may be comprised of inclined portions 115a and 115b, separated by a ridge portion 110. Inclined portions 115a and 115b may extend at the same or substantially the same inclined angle θ from bottom panel 101 as one another. Inclined portion 115a may extend at an incline from bottom panel 101 to a ridge portion 110. Ridge portion 110 may extend substantially horizontally from inclined portion 115a to inclined portion 115b. This step-up progression design of side panel 105 may provide additional structural integrity to side panel 105.

Side panel 105 may further comprise a rolled edge portion 125 along a top edge of side panel 105. Rolled edge portion 125 may extend downwardly towards bottom panel 101 and inwardly towards side panel 105. In certain embodiments, rolled edge portion 125 may be substantially circular and terminate with an end point 135. For example, rolled portion 125 may be extend inwards such that end point 135 forms about a 270 degree to about a 360 degree curl or roll. In certain embodiments, end point 135 terminates in contact with inclined portion 115b. Rolled edge portion 125 may provide structural support to side panel 105 and paper container 100. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the degree of curl or roll may be varied to achieve substantially the same result. For example, in certain embodiments, rolled portion 125 may be rolled more than 360 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a sectional view of exemplary dimensions of paper container 100 is shown. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the dimensions are for illustrative purposes and other dimensions may be appropriate and in keeping with aspects of the present disclosure. Paper container 100 may include three diameters: an inner diameter D₁, a middle diameter D₂, and an outer diameter D₃. Inner diameter D₁ may correspond to the diameter of paper container 101 that includes only bottom panel 101. In certain embodiments, inner diameter D₁ may be about 6.25 inches. Middle diameter D₂ may correspond to the diameter of paper container 100 that includes bottom panel 101, inclined portion 115a, and ridge portion 110. In certain embodiments, middle diameter D₂ may be about 1 inch longer than inner diameter 210 or about 7.25 inches. Thus, inclined portion 115a and ridge portion 110 may together extend about 0.5 inches horizontally. Outer diameter D₃ may correspond to the diameter of paper container 100 that includes bottom panel 101, inclined portion 115a, ridge portion 110, inclined portion 115b, and edge portion 125. In certain embodiments, outer diameter D₃ may be about 0.75 inches longer than middle diameter 215 and about 1.75 inches longer than inner diameter 210, or about 8 inches. Thus, inclined portion 115b and rolled edge portion 125 may together extend about 0.375 inches horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 2, side panel 105 may extend about 0.75 inches vertically. Thus, the overall height H_T of paper container 100 may be about 0.75 inches. Inclined portions 115a and 115b may be substantially the same heights as one another, H₁ and H₂, and each may have a height of about 0.375 inches. Side panel may extend horizontally about 0.875 inches beyond bottom panel 101. Thus, the outer diameter D₃ may be equivalent to the overall diameter of paper container 100 of about 8 inches. However, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, other dimensions may be appropriate in keeping with aspects of the present disclosure. For example, in certain embodiments, the overall diameter of the paper container 100 may be 10 inches. In certain embodiments, inclined portions 115a and 115b may be substantially the same horizontal length, L₁ and L₃, of about 0.375 inches. In certain embodiments, ridge portion 110 may have a horizontal length L₂ of about 0.125 inches. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, variations and deviations from these dimensions may be used to achieve substantially the same result in some circumstances. Depending on factors such as the type of container, the type of product the container is designed to hold, or any other factor, paper container 100 may have varying inner diameter, middle diameter, or outer diameter. For example, paper container 100 may have an inner diameter D₁ of about 3-12 inches. Based on the length of inner diameter D₁, the lengths of middle diameter D₂ and outer diameter D₃ may be adjusted such that they have substantially the same ratio or relationship to inner diameter D₁ as described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a paper container 300 is shown. Paper container 300 may be structurally similar to paper container 100. For example, paper container 300 may similarly be a paper plate, as depicted in FIG. 3. Furthermore, paper container 300 may similarly comprise a bottom panel 301 and a side panel 305, where side panel 305 similarly comprises inclined portions 315a and 315b, separated by a ridge portion 310. However, paper container 300 may comprise a clipped edge portion 325 instead of a rolled edge portion 125 as in FIG. 1.

Paper container 300 may comprise a clipped edge portion 325 along a top edge of side panel 305. Clipped edge portion 325 may extend outwardly and substantially horizontally from inclined portion 115b. In certain embodiments, clipped edge portion 325 may comprise an end portion 335 that extends downwardly from the top edge of side panel 305 and further extends horizontally. Clipped edge portion 325 similarly provides structural support to side panel 105 to result in a more durable paper container 300.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a sectional view of exemplary dimensions of paper container 300 is shown. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the dimensions are for illustrative purposes and other dimensions may be appropriate and in keeping with aspects of the present disclosure. Similar to paper container 100, paper container 300 may include three diameters: an inner diameter D₄, a middle diameter D₅, and an outer diameter D₆. Inner diameter D₄, middle diameter D₅, and outer diameter D₆ may have the same meanings as inner diameter D₁, middle diameter D₂, and outer diameter D₃, respectively, as described with respect to FIG. 2. In certain embodiments, inner diameter D₄ may be about 5 inches. In certain embodiments, middle diameter D₅ may be about 1.5 inches longer than inner diameter 410 or about 6.5 inches, Thus, inclined portion 315a and ridge portion 310 may together extend about 0.75 inches horizontally. In certain embodiments, outer diameter D₆ may be about 1.5 inches longer than middle diameter D₅ and about 3 inches longer than inner diameter D₄, or 8 inches. Thus, inclined portion 115b and clipped edge portion 325 may together have a horizontal length L₄ of about 0.75 inches. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, variations and deviations from these dimensions may be used to achieve substantially the same result. In certain embodiments, paper container 100 and paper container 300 may both have an outermost diameter of 8 inches, and thus, have the same overall size. In certain embodiments, the overall diameter of paper container 300 may be about 10 inches.

In other embodiments, paper container 100, paper container 300, or both, may have an oval or elliptical shape. For example, paper container 100, paper container 300, or both may have a first diameter along a first axis and a second diameter along a second axis. For example, paper container 100, paper container 300, or both may have a 10-inch diameter along a first axis and a 12-inch diameter along a second axis. It would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the lengths of the two diameters may vary in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4, side panel 305 may extend about 0.75 inches vertically. Thus, the overall height H_T of paper container 300 may be about 0.75 inches. Inclined portions 315a and 115b may be substantially the same height as one another, H₁ and H₂, and may each have a height of about 0.375 inches. Side panel 105 may extend horizontally 1.5 inches beyond bottom panel 301. In certain embodiments, inclined portions 115a and 115b may be substantially the same horizontal length, L₁ and L₃, of about 0.375 inches. In certain embodiments, ridge portion 310 may have a horizontal length L₂ of about 0.375 inches. Clipped edge portion 325 may have a horizontal length L₄ of about 0.5 inches and end portion 335 may have a horizontal length L₅ of about 0.25 inches. In certain embodiments, clipped edge portion 325 may have a length L₄ in a range from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches, and end portion 335 may have a length L₅ in a range from about 0.1 inches to about 0.5 inches. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, variations and deviations from these dimensions may be used to achieve substantially the same result in some circumstances. Depending on factors such as the type of container, the type of product the container is designed to hold, or any other factor, paper container 300 may have a varying inner diameter, middle, diameter, or outer diameter. For example, paper container 300 may have an inner diameter D₄ of 3-12 inches. Based on the length of inner diameter D₄, the lengths of middle diameter D₅ and outer diameter D₆ may be adjusted such that they have substantially the same ratio or relationship to inner diameter D₄ as described herein.

Paper containers with rolled or clipped edges may provide more structural support along the edge or rim of the container, resulting in a firmer, more durable paper container. Additionally, paper containers with a step-up progression, e.g., a horizontal ridge, in the side of the container may provide more structural support to the paper container. The increased structural support along the edges and/or sides of the paper container may increase the paper container's resistance to deflection or bending and may allow the paper container to maintain its shape over time. Furthermore, these features may be implemented with any of the aforementioned materials of paper containers without increasing the thickness of such materials. Thus, implementation of these features may provide an effective solution for increasing structural support and durability of paper containers without significantly increasing material costs.

Therefore, the present disclosure is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount; a disclosure of “about” a particular number or range includes the referenced number or range exactly as well as some variation above or below. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

Claims

1. A paper container, comprising: a substantially circular bottom panel; anda side panel extending radially at a vertical incline from the bottom panel, wherein the side panel comprises first and second inclined portions coupled to one another by a substantially horizontal ridge portion; andwherein the side panel further comprises a rolled edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the rolled edge extends downwards from the top edge of the side panel and inwards towards the second inclined portion of the side panel.

2. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the paper container is a paper plate.

3. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the vertical incline of the side panel extends at an angle of about 75 degrees to about 90 degrees from the bottom panel.

4. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the rolled edge comprises an end portion that terminates in contact with the second inclined portion.

5. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the first and second inclined portions each extend at substantially equal vertical angles in relation to the bottom panel.

6. The paper container of claim 1, wherein the substantially circular bottom panel has a diameter of about 6.25 inches.

7. The paper container of claim 6, wherein the paper container has a height of about 0.75 inches.

8. A paper container comprising: a substantially circular bottom panel; anda side panel extending radially at a vertical incline from the bottom panel, wherein the side panel comprises first and second inclined portions coupled to one another by a substantially horizontal ridge portion;wherein the side panel further comprises a clipped edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the clipped edge extends substantially horizontally and outwards away from the second inclined portion of the side panel.

9. The paper container of claim 8, wherein the paper container is a paper plate.

10. The paper container of claim 8, wherein the clipped edge comprises an end portion that extends downwardly from a top edge of the side panel and horizontally away from the side panel.

11. The paper container of claim 8, wherein the first and second inclined portions each extend at substantially equal vertical angles in relation to the bottom panel.

12. The paper container of claim 8, wherein the substantially circular bottom panel has a diameter of about 5 inches.

13. The paper container of claim 12, wherein the paper container has a height of about 0.75 inches.

14. A paper plate, comprising: a substantially circular bottom panel; anda side panel extending radially at a vertical incline from the bottom panel, wherein the side panel comprises first and second inclined portions coupled to one another by a horizontal ridge portion.

15. The paper plate of claim 14, wherein the side panel further comprises a clipped edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the clipped edge extends substantially horizontally and outwards away from the second inclined portion of the side panel.

16. The paper plate of claim 14, wherein the side panel further comprises a rolled edge along a top edge of the side panel, wherein the rolled edge extends downwards from the top edge of the side panel and inwards towards the second inclined portion of the side panel.

17. The paper plate of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second inclined portions extend a horizontal distance away from the bottom panel of about 0.375 inches.

18. The paper plate of claim 14, wherein the horizontal ridge portion is about 0.375 inches.

19. The paper plate of claim 15, wherein the clipped edge portion comprises a horizontal portion and an end portion, wherein the end portion is angled downwards from the horizontal portion and outwards away from the side panel.

20. The paper plate of claim 19, wherein the horizontal portion of the clipped edge is about 0.5 inches.