Patent Application
20250187781
The present disclosure relates generally to improved systems and methods for containers, and more particularly, to improved thermally insulative containers for holding and serving hot liquids and foods.
Food and beverages are often placed in disposable and/or reusable containers during the packaging process. In some circumstances, the consumer may heat up the food or liquid in the container before consumption. For example, packaged macaroni and cheese may be hydrated with water and heated in a microwave before being consumed directly from the container. In other circumstances, boiling water may be added to the mac and cheese in the container and then served. After hydrating the food, the consumer may remove the heated food from the hot container and consume the hot and/or boiling content directly from the container or on a subsequent serving dish. Thus, the consumer must touch the outside of the container that contains the hot, and in some cases boiling, content on the inside. In situations in which it is desirable for the contents of the container to remain at a temperature higher than the temperature of the ambient environment while also not burning the hand or fingers of the consumer, it is advantageous to provide a container having thermally insulative characteristics.
White polypropylene cups are often used for single-serve microwaveable foods. In general, the wall thickness of these cups is relatively thin and offers minimal insulation properties when the consumer adds hot water to the cup and/or heats the cup. Because the wall is thin, foamed sleeves are often added to the vertical wall to protect the consumer from the heat while also allowing printed material to be included thereon. However, foamed sleeves (i.e., foam sheaths) are often relatively thin and do not effectively reduce the sensation of heat or burning. Further, the printed material on the sleeve may become disoriented and/or hard to read during the heating process.
Furthermore, some insulative containers currently in the industry include a container having a smooth interior surface with uniform thickness. One drawback with these containers is that the thermal insulation effect is lower because the high temperature tends to rapidly spread through the cup body without insulating the heat from the ambient environment. Furthermore, other containers in the industry utilize a double-wall configuration to provide insulation; for example, disposable coffee cups. However, these types of containers often require extra materials and time for manufacture.
Through ingenuity and hard work, the inventors have developed an insulative container that can withstand high heat comprising a plurality of ribs formed onto the interior and the exterior surface of the container with thermally insulative gaps formed therebetween to better keep the contents of the container at a desired temperature while decreasing the sensation of heat on the exterior of the container.
In an embodiment, the invention comprises an insulative container. The insulative container comprises a base and at least one sidewall which extends upwardly from the base and terminates in a rim. The at least one sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface and a plurality of protrusions integrally formed within the interior surface and the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall and extending along the axial length of the at least one sidewall. The plurality of protrusions define a series of thermally insulative gaps formed between each of the plurality of protrusions.
In an embodiment, the insulative container is configured to retain food therein. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of protrusions include a face. In an embodiment, the face of each of the plurality of protrusions is square, rectangular, circular, ovular, triangular, or elliptical.
In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions are convex on the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions protrude outwardly from the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions are concave on the interior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the interior surface of the at least one sidewall is not smooth. In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions form a plurality of recesses on the interior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the concave plurality of protrusions on the interior surface of the at least one sidewall allow heat radiating from food inside the container to remain within the container. In an embodiment, the convex plurality of protrusions on the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall, along with the series of insulative gaps, allow a user to hold the insulative container without feeling a high heat sensation from inside of the container.
In an embodiment, the insulative container is disposable. In an embodiment, the insulative container is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, high density polyethylene, high impact polystyrene and a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the insulative container is arranged to be stackable with other at least one or more similar insulative containers. In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions include a tapered distal end. In an embodiment, a portion of the at least one sidewall includes no protrusions. In an embodiment, the insulative container further includes a foamed sleeve disposed around the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the insulative container is made via a thermoforming process. In an embodiment, the series of thermally insulative gaps are uniformly spaced along the at least one sidewall.
In an embodiment, the invention comprises an insulative container having a base and at least one sidewall which extends upwardly from the base and terminates in a rim. The at least one sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface and a plurality of ribs integrally formed within the interior surface and the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall and extending along the axial length of the at least one sidewall. The plurality of ribs define a series of thermally insulative gaps formed between each of the plurality of ribs.
In an embodiment, the insulative container is configured to retain food therein. In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs are convex on the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs protrude outwardly from the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs are concave on the interior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the interior surface of the at least one sidewall is not smooth. In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs form a plurality of channels on the interior surface of the at least one sidewall.
In an embodiment, the concave plurality of ribs on the interior surface of the at least one sidewall allow heat radiating from food inside the container to remain within the container. In an embodiment, the convex plurality of ribs on the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall, along with the series of insulative gaps, allow a user to hold the insulative container without feeling a high heat sensation from inside of the container. In an embodiment, the insulative container is disposable. In an embodiment, the insulative container is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, high density polyethylene, high impact polystyrene and a combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the insulative container is arranged to be stackable with other at least one or more similar insulative containers. In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs include a face, and wherein the face of the plurality of ribs is curved. In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs include a tapered distal end. In an embodiment, a portion of the at least one sidewall includes no ribs. In an embodiment, the insulative container further includes a foamed sleeve disposed around the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the insulative container is made via a thermoforming process. In an embodiment, the series of thermally insulative gaps are uniformly spaced along the at least one sidewall.
In an embodiment, the invention comprises an insulative container having a base and at least one sidewall which extends upwardly from the base and terminates in a rim, the at least one sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The insulative container further comprises a plurality of channels integrally formed in the interior surface of the at least one sidewall, and extending at least partially along the axial length of the at least one sidewall. The insulative container further comprises a plurality of ribs integrally formed in the exterior surface of the at least one sidewall, and extending at least partially along the axial length of the at least one sidewall. The plurality of channels and ribs define a series of thermally insulative gaps formed therebetween.
In an embodiment, the plurality of channels are aligned with the plurality of ribs. In an embodiment, the interior surface of the at least one sidewall is not smooth. In an embodiment, the channels allow heat radiating from food inside the container to remain within the container. In an embodiment, a user can hold the insulative container without feeling a high heat sensation from inside of the container.
In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs include a face, and wherein the face of the plurality of ribs is curved. In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs include a tapered distal end. In an embodiment, a portion of the at least one sidewall includes no channels or ribs. In an embodiment, the insulative container further includes a foamed sleeve disposed around the at least one sidewall.
Having thus described the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
While this present disclosure may be embodied in many forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more embodiments, with the understanding that this disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the illustrated embodiments.
Generally speaking, the present invention is directed to a thermally insulative container comprising at least one sidewall or container body and a plurality of ribs integrally formed within an interior surface and an exterior surface of the at least one sidewall. In an embodiment, the ribs define a series of uniformly spaced thermally insulative gaps formed between each of the of ribs. In an embodiment, the ribs and the gaps therebetween allow the contents of the container to remain at a temperature other than the temperature of the ambient environment (e.g., warmer or colder) while keeping the exterior surface of the container at a temperature in which a consumer may handle the container with a reduced sensation of the heat from the inside of the container. In some embodiments, the container may be manufactured using a thermoforming process or similar processes. Thermoforming is a manufacturing process that involves heating a sheet until it is pliable, forming said sheet into a specific shape in a mold, and then trimming it to create a usable product. The process uses heat, vacuum, and pressure to transform the plastic sheet into a three-dimensional shape. The insulated container may contain foods which require heat before serving such as soups, hot liquids, noodles, pasta, macaroni and cheese, desserts, among others. In some embodiments, the insulative container may also be used for cold foods such as ice cream, yogurt, and cold beverages added to the insulative container that is at room temperature. It should be noted that the term “food” is non-limiting and used generically to include any solid food, powdered food, liquid food (e.g., soups), hot and cold beverages, and the like.
In an embodiment, the protrusions 20 define a series of thermally insulative gaps 25 formed between each of the protrusions 20. In certain embodiments, the container 10 is configured to retain food therein. In an embodiment, each of the protrusions 20 may include a face. In some embodiments, the face of each of the protrusions 20 may be generally square, rectangular, circular, ovular, triangular, elliptical, or any other shape known in the art. In an embodiment, as shown, the protrusions 20 are convex on the exterior surface 13 of the at least one sidewall 11. Thus, in certain embodiments, the protrusions 20 protrude outwardly from the exterior surface 13 of the at least one sidewall 11. In other embodiments, the protrusions 20 are concave on the interior surface 12 of the at least one sidewall 11. Thus, in certain embodiments, the interior surface 12 of the at least one sidewall 11 is not smooth and the protrusions 20 form a plurality of recesses on the interior surface 12 of the at least one sidewall 11, as shown in
In an embodiment, the container body 11 includes an interior surface 12 and an exterior surface 13 in which the interior and the exterior surface 12,13 define a wall thickness of the container body 11. In an embodiment, the interior surface 12 and the exterior surface 13 extend upwardly in a vertical direction and may shape the container 10. In certain embodiments, the shape of the container 10 may be generally cylindrical, flared, frustoconical, straight, tankard, a combination thereof, or any other shape known in the art. Additionally, any shape or configuration of the container 10 may be utilized in the invention. For example, the container 10 may be generally square, circular, rectangular, triangular or elliptical in cross section. Likewise, the container 10 may have a cylindrical mouth portion, but may be bulbous, square, or irregularly shaped throughout its body structure.
In an embodiment, the ribs 20 are formed integrally within the interior and the exterior surface 12, 13 of the container body 11 and extend along the axial length of the container body 11. Thus, the interior surface 12 of the container body is not smooth, in an embodiment, as will be explained in greater detail herein. In some embodiments, the ribs 20 are uniformly distributed around the container body 11 and define a series of thermally insulative gaps 25 that are formed between the ribs 20. In some embodiments, each of the ribs 20 generally include a curved body with a tapered distal end 21 such that the face of each of the ribs 20 is curved (see
As shown in
In an embodiment, the thermally insulative gaps 25 provide thermal resistance to the container 10 in order to reduce the heat exchanged between the food within the container 10 and the outside environment, thus allowing the consumer to grasp the container 10 without getting burned or feeling the high heat sensation. Additionally, in some embodiments, the gaps 25 help maintain the temperature of the food contained therein at the desired temperature by reducing the rate that heat is exchanged with the outside environment. In certain embodiments, the gaps 25 may be uniformly spaced through the container body 25.
In some embodiments, a portion of the container body 11 may include no ribs 20 such that printed materials may be printed thereon, thus acting as a label for the container 10. In an embodiment, a foamed sleeve may be disposed about the exterior surface 13 of the container body 11. In some embodiments, the sleeve may be made of materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), among others. In certain embodiments, the sleeve may be attached by use of numerous adhesives such as various hot and cold melt adhesives, heat-activated adhesives and pressure sensitive adhesives. The sleeve may also be attached to the container 10 through pressure sensitive films made from, for example, oriented polypropylene or oriented polystyrene. Another method of attaching the sleeve includes the use of a shrink wrap film which fits loosely around the container initially but gathers tightly around the container after being heated. A common example of a material used as a shrink wrap film is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In some embodiments, the sleeve includes printed materials produced thereon and acts as a label for the container 10. In certain embodiments, the sleeve may provide an added layer of insulation for the consumer from the hot and/or boiling content inside the container 10.
In an embodiment, the container 10 includes a wall thickness defined as the thickness of the container body 11, which is the distance between the interior surface 12 and the exterior surface 13 of the container body 11. In an embodiment, the wall thickness is generally about 0.020 inch to about 0.035 inch. In an embodiment, the container 10 includes a circumferential width defined by the width of the face of each of the ribs 20. In an embodiment, the circumferential width of each of the ribs 20 is between 0.040 inch and 0.060 inch. In an embodiment, each of the ribs 20 of the container 10 include a radial thickness which is defined as the distance between the surface between the ribs 20 and the outer most surface 13 of the container 10 (i.e., the height of the ribs 20). In an embodiment, the radial thickness of each of the ribs is between 0.010 inch and 0.030 inch. Furthermore, in an embodiment, each of the ribs 20 is separated from the other ribs 20 by a predetermined distance known as a gap width. Generally, in an embodiment, the gap width is between 0.100 inch and 0.130 inch.
In certain embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, only one end of the ribs 20 may be tapered. In other embodiments, the number and/or the spacing of the ribs 20 may vary depending on the intended use of the container 10. In some embodiments, the number and/or the spacing of the gaps 25 may vary depending on the intended use of the container 10. In one embodiment, the ribs 20, and thus the gaps 25, may extend horizontally along the container body 11 instead of vertically as depicted in
The container 10 may be made of any material that exhibits substantial strength and resistance to high temperatures, in an embodiment. Additionally, the material of the container 10 can be capable of being subjected to the electromagnetic radiation levels produced by an oven and/or microwave. In an example, polypropylene or high-density polyethylene may be used. In other embodiments, the container 10 may be used to contain cold or freezing foods therein, such as ice cream, thus the material of the container 10 must be able to withstand low temperatures and provide good resistance to freezing without the risk of fracturing.
In an embodiment, the container may be formed using a thermoforming process or similar processes, as opposed to other manufacturing processes such as injection molding. In general, thermoforming is a manufacturing process used to create containers from plastic sheets. The process involves heating a flat plastic sheet until it becomes pliable, then using a mold or a vacuum to shape the sheet into the desired container shape. After cooling and solidifying, the formed plastic container is trimmed and removed from the mold. In an embodiment, thermoforming the container 10 of the present invention is more cost effective, a faster process and ideal for complex designs, like the container 10, as opposed to molding.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This application claims priority to U.S. Non Provisional Application No. 63/608,976 filed Dec. 12, 2024, entitled “RIBBED POLYMERIC CONTAINER,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63608976 | Dec 2023 | US |
