Paper-wrapped polymer beverage container

Abstract

A beverage container having a polymer cup body wrapped in a paper covering is disclosed. The paper-wrapped polymer beverage container may provide thermal insulation while simultaneously providing a means to display high quality printed matter to the user. Such a container may include a polymer cup body having a bottom and a side wall extending from the bottom. The cup body may have a plurality of annular ribs disposed adjacent to one another circumferentially around the side wall parallel to a plane defined by the bottom of the cup body. A paper wrap may be disposed circumferentially around an exterior of the cup body. A promotional item may be attached to the paper wrap.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein is related to the subject matter disclosed and claimed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. [attorney docket RHC-0011], filed Dec. 17, 2004, entitled “Paper-Wrapped Polystyrene Foam Beverage Container.” The disclosure of the above-referenced U.S. patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates generally to the field of beverage containers. More specifically, the invention relates to thermally-insulating, disposable containers having a body wrapped by a paper wrap. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Disposable hot-beverage containers, such as coffee cups, for example, are typically made of paperboard or polystyrene foam. Paperboard cups may be desirable for a number of reasons. For example, a paperboard cup may provide a high-quality printable surface from the lip of the cup to its base. Also, paperboard cups tend to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The paperboard wrapping may be disposed circumferentially around an exterior of the cup body, and may abut at least one of the ribs such that a thermally insulating gap is formed between the cup body and the paper wrap. The paperboard wrapping may provide for high quality printing on the entire exterior of the cup. Additionally, the paperboard wrapping may permit the use of attachments such as those a beverage vendor may use as promotional items. Examples of such promotional items include detachable coupons, tear-off labels or stickers, or playing pieces for a game.

Problems solved by technology

Paperboard cups, however, tend to be poor insulators of heat.

A paperboard cup containing a hot beverage, therefore, may be difficult to hold.

The exterior surface of a polystyrene foam cup, however, typically does not provide for high-quality printing.

Also, polystyrene foam cups are typically not as suitable for the attachment of promotional items as are paperboard cups.

Polypropylene, however, is a poor thermal insulator.

Also, the exterior surface of a polystyrene foam cup typically does not provide for high-quality printing.

The cup disclosed by Barrett, however, may not provide adequate side wall integrity to prevent side wall deflection when being handled.

The thermoplastic container disclosed by Chauhan, however, may not provide sufficient thermal insulation to serve as a hot-beverage container.

Additionally, the container disclosed by Chauhan does not have the desired look and feel of a paper cup, and its exterior surface is not suitable for high-quality printing.

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