WO2001026980A1

WO2001026980A1 - Discardable cup

Info

Publication number: WO2001026980A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/009906
Authority: WO
Inventors: Blas Gaspar Gonzales Garcia
Original assignee: Huhtamaki Van Leer Spain S.A.
Priority date: 1999-10-14
Filing date: 2000-10-05
Publication date: 2001-04-19
Also published as: AR026025A1; ES1044375Y; AU1271401A; ES1044375U

Abstract

Cup comprising a sheet (1) of cardboard or the like and an end piece (2) which may be part of said sheet or independent of it, so that when the ends of the sheet are connected to each other, and the edges of the end piece are connected to the sheet, a truncated conical volume is defined with its minor base determined by end piece (2). The area corresponding to the greater end of said truncated conical volume is occupied by a lid (3) which is an integral part of said sheet (1) and which comprises a number of folds defining a fan-like closure; with flaps (4) corresponding to said folds superimposed on each other in said closure.

Description

DISCARDABLE CUP

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an improved discardable cup meant to provide a cup which may be closed with a lid which is part of the sheet which comprises the cup, so that it may not separate from said cup, furthermore offering an excellent aesthetic appearance and the possibility of including such options and incorporating a drinking straw or spout, inclusion of prizes and others.

[0002] This invention is particularly applicable to establishments where packaged drinks and food are served, such as burger bars, pizzerias and the like.

[0003] Discardable cups are known which comprise a sheet of cardboard, plastic or the like, with a bottom end piece which may be part of this sheet or be independent of it, so that when the sheet ends are connected, as well as the base, a truncated conical volume is defined whose smaller base corresponds to the aforementioned end piece.

[0004] Such known cups present problems such as lacking a cover for their greater base, which makes them unsuitable for certain applications such as transport of drinks and foods. Sometimes an independent lid is attached to said cups, which has disadvantages such as having to use two separate elements and lack of a tight fit on the edges. Furthermore, these known independent lids lack the excellent aesthetic qualities offered by the present invention .

[0005] In order to attain the objectives and to avoid the problems indicated above, the invention consists of an improved discardable cup, of the type formed from a cardboard sheet or the like, the ends of which are connected and joined to an end piece which may be part of said sheet or independent of it, so that a truncated conical volume is defined where the lower base is defined by said end piece.

[0006]- According to the invention, the area which corresponds to the greater end of said truncated cone is occupied by a lid which is an integral part of the aforementioned sheet. This lid comprises a number of folds which form a circular fan-shaped cover. The folds form flaps which overlap each other when the lid is closed. Thus, the cup may be closed with an excellent aesthetic appearance, and may also be opened by undoing the aforementioned folds.

[0007] In one of the embodiments of the invention the free ends of said flaps have extensions which superimpose on each other in a fanlike closing, forming a central rosette. The geometry and design of said extensions may vary, such as rounded, triangular or other, in order to form different aesthetic appearances for the central rosette .

[0008] These folds preferably consist of a long crease which define the edge of the greater end of the truncated cone volume of the cup, as well as of further creases which extend more or less radially towards the centre of the lid from said long crease. Some of these lines are directed more along the radial direction than the rest, with the two alternating. Each flap is thus determined by the extension, by one of the greater inclination lines, by one of the other lines and by the extended crease.

[0009] With such arrangement the cup lid shows two stable positions when closed, one in which the flaps are approximately co-planar to the greater end of the truncated conical volume, and another in which the flaps are slightly inclined upwards and towards the inside of the lid, forming a type of cupola. One arrangement may be changed to the other by a slight mechanical pull or push. By applying a greater pulling force to the lid an additional arrangement is obtained which corresponds to an open lid. In said open lid arrangement the fan shaped closure is undone and the flaps are more separated and vertical, surrounding a central opening which appears in the open lid.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment the lid may incorporate a central cut-out which simplifies tightly fitting a drinking straw or spout as those used for soft drinks .

[0011] According to preferred embodiment the lid may have one or more cut-out or punched areas which by their position or by being pushed in allow to drink directly from the cup and/or to pour its contents. A further possibility of incorporating punched areas would have one of the flaps punched in order to define a proof of purchase and/or an area for placing prizes and/or promotions. As a further option there can be an off-centre punched area which when removed allows to tightly fit a drinking straw or spout such as described above. [0012] Yet another option of this invention consists of providing the sheet with a number of cut-outs forming small openings on the lateral surface of the truncated cone volume. These cut-outs provide breathing means when the cup is used for solid products which need to breathe, such as cooked food and the like.

[0013] The number of flaps may vary according to the different examples of embodiments for the invention, with said number preferably between four and twenty flaps.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention the free ends of said flaps are essentially straight .

[0015] Additionally, one of said flaps corresponding to an edge of the sheet may be separate from the rest occupying a cup gluing area.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention one or more of said flaps are provided with a handle to facilitate opening the lid. This handle may be located on the flap at an edge of the sheet.

[0017] In a further embodiment between the flaps spaces or cut-outs may be provided which reduce their stiffness, simplifying opening and closing of the lid. These spaces or cut-outs may be placed between the aforementioned creases which are approximately radially directed towards the centre of the lid.

[0018] The optional characteristics of the invention described above may combined in any way desired according to the different embodiments of the invention. [0019] As an integral part of this description and for a better comprehension of it a set of drawings is accompanied where for purposes of illustration and with a non limiting nature the object of the invention is represented, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a plan view of the layout of a first embodiment for an improved discardable cup according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cup of figure 1, assembled, showing as a dotted line the drinking straw . or spout, with the lid closed and stable approximately co-planar to the greater base of the truncated cone volume.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an improved discardable cup according to the present invention, with its lid in a closed and stable position different other than that of figure 2, here forming a cupola over the corresponding truncated cone volume.

[0023] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the cup of figure 3 with its lid open.

[0024] Figure 5 shows a plan view of the layout of a second embodiment for an improved discardable cup according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the cup of figure 5, assembled, showing as a dotted line the drinking straw or spout, with the lid closed and stable approximately co-planar to the greater base of the truncated cone volume. [0026] Herein follows a description of an example of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures .

[0027] Thus, the discardable cup of this example of an embodiment has a sheet 1 and a base 2 of plastified cardboard with a layout as shown in figure 1 and which when connected by gluing or the like form a truncated cone volume wherein the lower base is formed by base 2.

[0028] The greater end of said volume is formed by a lid 3 .which is part of sheet 1 and is formed by the folds made ajong creaselines 6, 7 and 8, with said lid 3 closing in a fan shape as shown in figures 2 and 3. These folds define flaps 4 which are radial and provided with extensions 5 which overlap each other in when closing, thus forming a sort of central rosette.

[0029] Creaseline 6 defines the edge of the greater end of the truncated cone, while creaselines 7 and 8 are approximately radially directed towards the centre of lid 3 from creaseline 6. Creaselines 8 are angled farther from the radial direction and alternate with creaselines 7. Each flap 4 is delimited by a creaseline 7, a creaseline 8, a creaseline 6 and its extension 8 forming its free end.

[0030] When lid 3 is closed it has two stable positions. In one of these, shown in figure 2, flaps 4 are approximately co-planar to the greater end of the cup volume, while in the other, shown in figure 3, flaps 4 are inclined upwards and inwards towards the inside of lid 3, forming a sort of cupola. One of these stable arrangements may be transformed into the other by pushing or pulling. A greater pull on lid 3 results in the open lid position of figure 4, where the central rosette disappears, and flaps 4 are left separated and vertical, surrounding a central opening formed in the open lid 3.

[0031] The cup of this example presents several options which are jointly shown in figures 1 and 2, although obviously said options may be independent and/or provided in whichever combinations desired for each specific application.

[0032] Thus, one of these options consists of providing a central cut-out 9 in the rosette of lid 3. Said cut-out 9 will allow a drinking straw or spout 10, such as those used for soft drinks, to be tightly fitted.

[0033] A further option consists of providing on lid 3 one or more punched areas or cut-outs 11, which when removed, for the punched areas, or by its location for the cut-outs, allow to drink directly from the cup and/or to pour its contents.

[0034] A further option consists of including in lid 3 one or more off-centre punched areas or cut-outs 12 which when removed or by their location allow to tightly fit a drinking straw or spout 10, as was the case with central cut-out 9.

[0035] Another option consists of having one or more of flaps 4 of lid 3 punched or cut-out in order to form an area or areas 13 defining a proof of purchase or a receptacle for gifts or promotions.

[0036] Also as an option, sheet 1 may be provided with a number of small cut-outs 14 forming small openings in the side of the cup, in order to provide breathing means for solid food or other products which need to breathe and are contained in the cup.

[0037] In this first example extensions 5 of flaps 4 are rounded, giving the central rosette a flower-like appearance, but in other alternative embodiments they may be triangular or of any other shape in order to give variety to the appearance of said central rosette.

[0038] In this example lid 3 is provided with ten flaps 4, although in alternative embodiments this number may vary, .with the suitable number found to be between four and twenty.

[0039] In the second example of an embodiment shown in figures 5 and 6, the discardable cup is also provided with a sheet 1 and a plastified cardboard base 2 with a layout as shown in figure 5, which when joined by gluing or the like form a truncated conical volume in which the minor base corresponds to base 2.

[0040] In this second embodiment lid 3 is also part of sheet 1 and formed from the folds defined by creaselines 6, 7 and 8, similarly to the first embodiment, with flaps 4 placed between them, also allowing a fan like closing as shown in figure 6.

[0041] In this second embodiment flaps 4 lack extensions 5, and have free ends which are essentially straight, with a small central notch which defines central orifice 9 meant for a tight fitting of a straw or spout 10. Additionally, one of flaps 4, labelled 15 and corresponding to an edge of sheet 1, is separated from the others and is at a gluing area of the cup. Said flap 15 is provided with a small handle 16 which simplifies the opening of lid 3.

[0042] In this second example, not including flap 15, there are in total six flaps 4 as seen in figure 5.

[0043] Between flaps 4 and more specifically, between creases 7 and 8, this second embodiment is provided with gaps or spaces 17 which reduce the stiffness of the flaps 4, simplifying opening and closing of lid 3.

[0044] Naturally, the characteristics and alternatives described may be combined as desired to form further embodiments .

Claims

1.- Cup, formed from a sheet of cardboard (1) or the like and having an end piece (2) which may be part of said sheet (1) or independent of it, so that when the ends of the sheet are connected and joined to each other and the end piece edges are connected to the sheet, a truncated conical volume is defined wherein the lower base is defined by said end piece (2); characterised in that the greater end of said truncated cone volume is occupied by a lid (3) which is an integral part of said sheet (1) and which is formed by a number of folds which define a circular fan-like cover; provided with flaps (4) of said folds which overlap each other in said lid.

2.- Cup, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the free ends of said flaps (4) have corresponding extensions (5) which are superimposed on each other in said fan-like lid, forming a type of central rosette.

3.- Cup, as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said extensions (5) of flaps (4) have a variable design and geometry, such as rounded, triangular and others, in order to provide different aesthetic appearances of the central rosette which they form.

4.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said set of folds consist of a long crease (6) which defines the edge of the greater base of the truncated cone volume of the cup, as well as of further creases (7 and 8) which extend more or less radially towards the centre of the lid (3) from said long crease (6); where some of these creases are directed more along the radial direction than others, with these greater inclination creases (8) alternating with the other creases (7), so that each flap (4) is thus determined by its free end, by one of the greater inclination creases (8), by one of the other creases (7) and by the extended crease (6) .

5.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said lid (3) shows two stable positions when closed, one in which flaps (4) are approximately co-planar to the greater end of the truncated conical volume, and another in which the flaps are slightly inclined upwards and towards the inside of the lid (3), forming a type of cupola; where one arrangement may be changed to the other by a slight mechanical pull or push; while a greater pulling force to the lid resulting in an additional arrangement which corresponds to an open lid (3), where the fan-like closure is undone and the flaps (4) are left more separated and vertical, as well as surrounding a central opening which appears in the open lid (3) .

6.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said lid (3) comprises a central orifice (9) which simplifies tightly fitting a drinking straw or spout (10) as those used for soft drinks.

7.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said lid (3) includes at least one punched or cut-out area (11), the location or removal of which allows to drink directly from the cup and/or to pour its contents.

8.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said lid (3) includes one or more off-centre punched areas or cut-outs (12) which when removed or by their location allow to tightly fit a drinking straw or spout (10) such as those used for soft drinks .

9.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said lid (3) has one or more flaps

(4) of lid (3) punched or cut-out in- order to form an area or areas (13) which may form a proof of purchase or a receptacle for gifts or promotions.

10.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that sheet (1) is provided with a number of small orifices (14) forming small openings in the side of the truncated cone volume of the cup, in order to provide breathing means when the cup is used to contain solid food products which need to breathe.

11.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the number of said flaps (4) is between 4 and 20.

12.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the free ends of flaps (4) are essentially straight.

13.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that of said flaps (4) there is one flap (15) on an edge of sheet (1) which is separated form the rest and is in a glueing area of the cup.

14.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of said flaps (4) incorporates a handle (16) which simplifies opening lid (3) .

15.- Cup, as claimed in claims 14 and 13, characterised in that said handle (16) is placed in aforementioned flap (15) corresponding to an end of sheet

(1) •

16.- Cup, as claimed in one of the preceding claims., characterised in that between said flaps (4) spaces or gaps (17) are arranged which reduce the stiffness of flaps (4), simplifying opening and closing of lid (3).

17.- Cup, as claimed in claims 16 and 4, characterised in that said spaces or gaps (17) are located between said creases (7 and 8) which extend approximately radially towards the centre of lid (3) .