Disposable cup assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides a disposable cup assembly. A disposable cup assembly includes an outer cup including a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge such that the outer cup includes an outer base at the bottom edge, an outer opening at the top edge, and an outer engagement portion at the top edge surrounding the outer opening; an inner cup comprising a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, such that the inner cup comprises an inner base at the bottom end, an inner opening at the top end, and an inner engagement portion at the top end surrounding the inner opening, such that the outer engagement portion is adapted to engage the inner engagement portion and such that the inner cup is smaller than the outer cup; the disposable cup assembly is adapted to be assembled by inserting the inner cup into the outer cup and securing the outer engagement portion to the inner engagement portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to disposable cup assemblies. Specifically, this utility model relates to detachable disposable cup assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Disposable cups are commonly used to hold takeout drinks. For cold drinks, ice cubes are added to keep them cold. However, melting ice cubes dilute the drink, causing it to lose its quality.

[0003] To keep beverages cold without adding ice, insulated cups can be used. However, these cups are typically made of metal or hard plastic. Because of the high cost of these cups, the cost of the beverages will also be high. Furthermore, transporting and storing these cups is difficult due to the need for individual packaging and storage, resulting in high storage and transportation costs. Due to their high cost and the materials used, using them as disposable cup components is not feasible.

[0004] Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a disposable cup that can keep beverages cold without adding ice. It would also be beneficial if disposable cups did not take up storage space, especially during transportation. Utility Model Content

[0005] According to various embodiments, a disposable cup assembly is provided. The disposable cup assembly includes an outer cup having a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge, such that the outer cup includes an outer base at the bottom edge, an outer opening at the top edge, and an outer engaging portion at the top edge surrounding the outer opening; and an inner cup having a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, such that the inner cup includes an inner base at the bottom end, an inner opening at the top end, and an inner engaging portion at the top end surrounding the inner opening, such that the outer engaging portion is adapted to engage the inner engaging portion and such that the inner cup is smaller than the outer cup; thus, the disposable cup assembly is adapted to be assembled by inserting the inner cup into the outer cup and securing the outer engaging portion to the inner engaging portion.

[0006] According to various embodiments, the inner engagement portion may include a lip, and the outer engagement portion may include an edge, such that the lip snaps onto the edge to engage, thereby securing the inner cup to the outer cup.

[0007] According to various embodiments, the lip may include an elastic channel with a J-shaped cross-sectional profile, such that the edge engages with the channel to attach the lip to the edge, thereby securing the inner cup to the outer cup.

[0008] According to various embodiments, the outer cup may include an outer height from the top edge to the bottom edge and an outer perimeter of the outer cup, and the inner cup may include an inner height from the top edge to the bottom edge and an inner perimeter of the inner cup, such that the inner height is smaller than the outer height and the inner perimeter is smaller than the outer perimeter, so that when the inner cup is inserted into the outer cup and fixed to the outer cup, the outer and inner joint portions form a seal to form a liquid-tight space between the inner and outer cups, so that the space can be used to contain liquid.

[0009] According to various embodiments, the liquid is first filled into the outer cup before the inner cup is inserted into the outer cup and the inner cup is secured to the outer cup.

[0010] According to various embodiments, the amount of liquid filled can occupy up to 90% of the space.

[0011] According to various embodiments, after the disposable cup assembly is assembled and filled with liquid, it is placed in an inverted position in a freezer to freeze the liquid therein, in which the outer base is located above the outer opening.

[0012] According to various embodiments, the outer cup may be made of recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic or recyclable PP (polypropylene).

[0013] According to various embodiments, the inner cup may be made of recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or recyclable PP (polypropylene).

[0014] According to various embodiments, the inner cup is harder than the outer cup. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing an exemplary embodiment of the disposable cup assembly.

[0016] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the assembled disposable cup assembly is shown.

[0017] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the disposable cup assembly is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pre-assembled disposable cup assembly.

[0019] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Cross-sectional views of an outer cup filled with liquid and an inner cup inserted into the outer cup are shown respectively.

[0020] Figure 6 The assembled disposable cup assembly is shown in an inverted position when frozen.

[0021] Figure 7The assembled disposable cup with a lid is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the following examples, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which the same features are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0023] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a disposable cup assembly 100 is shown. The disposable cup assembly 100 includes an outer cup 110, which includes a top edge 110T and a bottom edge 110B opposite to the top edge 110T, such that the outer cup 110 includes an outer base 112 at the bottom edge 110B, an outer opening 114 at the top edge 110T, and an outer engaging portion 116 at the top edge 110T surrounding the outer opening 114. The disposable cup assembly 100 also includes an inner cup 120, which includes a top end 120T and a bottom end 120B opposite to the top end 120T, such that the inner cup 120 includes an inner base 122 at the bottom end 120B, an inner opening 124 at the top end 120T, and an inner engaging portion 126 at the top end 120T surrounding the inner opening 124, such that the outer engaging portion 116 engages with the inner engaging portion 126. Figure 1 As shown, the inner cup 120 is smaller than the outer cup 110. For example, the inner cup 120 is approximately 13.5 oz (ounces), and the outer cup 110 is approximately 22 oz. The inner cup 120 is used to hold beverages.

[0024] In order for the disposable cup assembly 100 to be usable only once, its cost must be low. Therefore, the cost of the materials used in the disposable cup assembly 100 and its manufacturing cost must be low. Preferably, the disposable cup assembly 100 is made of plastic material. For example, the outer cup 110 and / or the inner cup 120 can be made of recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic or recyclable PP (polypropylene). The inner cup 120 is harder than the outer cup 110, so that the inner cup 120 has sufficient rigidity to hold the outer cup 110 in place. The inner cup 120 and the outer cup 110 can be tapered to facilitate stacking.

[0025] When disassembling the disposable cup assembly 100, one outer cup 110 can be stacked inside another outer cup 110 to form a tube of outer cups 110. Similarly, one inner cup 120 can be stacked inside another inner cup 120 to form a tube of inner cups 120. In this way, the storage space required to store the inner cups 120 and outer cups 110 is significantly reduced. Therefore, more cups 100 can be transported compared to conventional insulated cups, while also reducing the cost of transporting the outer cups 110 and inner cups 120. In space-constrained beverage stalls, making full use of any storage area is crucial, allowing the space to be optimally used for other purposes.

[0026] Figure 2A cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the assembled disposable cup assembly 100 is shown. The disposable cup assembly 100 is adapted for assembly. The disposable cup assembly 100 can be assembled by inserting the inner cup 120 into the outer cup 110 and securing the outer engagement portion 116 to the inner engagement portion 126. When the inner cup 120 is inserted into and secured to the outer cup 110, the outer engagement portion 116 and the inner engagement portion 126 form a seal to create an airtight or liquid-tight space 100S between the inner cup 120 and the outer cup 110. Figure 2 As shown, the disposable cup assembly 100 has a double-walled structure. The space 100S is occupied by air, acting as a thermal barrier to prevent heat transfer between the beverage and the surrounding environment. The space 100S can be used to hold liquids, such as water or a refrigerant. Beverages are received through the inner opening 124 and injected into the assembled disposable cup assembly 100.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer cup 110 may include an outer height 110H from the top edge 110T to the bottom edge 110B and an outer perimeter 110P of the outer cup 110. The inner cup 120 may include an inner height from the top edge 120T to the bottom edge 120B and an inner perimeter of the inner cup 120, such that the inner height 120H is shorter than the outer height 110H, and the inner perimeter 120P is smaller than the outer perimeter 110P. The space 100S is surrounded by the inner cup 120 and the outer cup 110. For example, the outer cup 110 may have an outer perimeter of 308 mm (diameter of 98 mm), and the inner cup 120 may have an inner perimeter of 289 mm (diameter of 92 mm). The outer perimeter 110P may be the average perimeter over the entire outer height 110H of the outer cup 110. The inner perimeter 120P may be the average perimeter over the entire inner height 120H of the inner cup 120. The outer height 110H may be shorter than the inner height 120H. Figure 2 As shown, the inner base 122 and the outer base 112 are separated by a certain distance.

[0028] The inner engagement portion 126 may include a lip, and the outer engagement portion 116 may include an edge. For engagement with the edge, the lip may snap onto the edge to secure the inner cup 120 to the outer cup 110. The lip may include a resilient channel with a J-shaped cross-sectional profile, allowing the edge to snap into the channel to engage with the edge, thereby securing the inner cup 120 to the outer cup 110. Due to the elasticity of the lip, the channel expands outward when the edge is pushed into it and snaps back into place after the edge has entered the channel.

[0029] Figure 3A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the disposable cup assembly 300 is shown. The outer engagement portion 316 may include an edge at a top edge 310T, an outer upper wall portion 316U extending downward from the edge 316R, and an outer lower wall portion 316L extending from the outer upper wall portion 316U to the outer base 312 of the outer cup 310. The outer cup 310 may include a step 316S formed between the outer upper wall portion 316U and the outer lower wall portion 316L. The inner engagement portion 326 may include a boundary 326B at a top edge 320T, an inner upper wall portion 326U extending downward from the boundary 326B, and an inner lower wall portion 326L extending from the inner upper wall portion 326U to the inner base 322. The inner cup 320 may include a shoulder 320S formed between the inner upper wall portion 326U and the inner lower wall portion 326L. The periphery of the outer upper wall portion 316U can be slightly smaller than the periphery of the inner upper wall portion 326U, so that when the inner cup 320 is inserted into the outer cup 310, the inner cup 320 and the outer cup 310 can be fixed to each other through the interference fit between the outer upper wall portion 316U and the inner upper wall portion 326U. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the outer upper wall portion 316U and the inner upper wall portion 326U can be inclined. However, the outer upper wall portion 316U and the inner upper wall portion 326U can be vertical. In any case, the angles of the outer upper wall portion 316U and the inner upper wall portion 326U must be the same so that they can fit tightly together to form a seal.

[0030] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the assembled disposable cup assembly 300. (See also...) Figure 4 As shown, the inner cup 320 is inserted into the outer cup 310, and the inner upper wall portion 326U mates with the outer upper wall portion 316U. The boundary 326B of the edge 316R prevents the inner cup 320 from shifting into the outer cup 310. Similarly, when the step 316S rests on the shoulder 326S, it also prevents the inner cup 320 from shifting into the outer cup 310. When the inner cup 320 is engaged with the outer cup 310, an airtight or liquid-tight space 300S is formed.

[0031] Because the inner cup 120 and outer cup 110 are typically made of thin plastic, the strength of the materials used in the inner cup 120 and outer cup 110 makes it impossible to install threads on them so that the outer cup 110 can be screwed onto the inner cup 120. Furthermore, due to manufacturing processes (such as injection molding), it is difficult to create threads on the inner cup 120 and outer cup 110. Even if threads were created, it would be difficult to screw the inner cup 120 onto the outer cup 110.

[0032] Figure 5A and Figure 5BCross-sectional views of an outer cup 110 filled with liquid 20 and an inner cup 120 inserted into the outer cup 110 are shown. Before inserting the inner cup 120 into the outer cup 110 and securing the inner cup 120 to the outer cup 110, the outer cup 110 is filled with liquid 20. Preferably, the amount of liquid 20 filling the space 100S does not exceed 90%.

[0033] Figure 6 The assembled disposable cup assembly 100 is shown in an inverted position during freezing. Figure 6 As shown, the assembled disposable cup assembly 100 can be placed in an inverted position in a freezer to freeze the liquid 20 therein, so that when inverted, the outer base 112 is above the outer opening 114. Because the material used for the disposable cup assembly 100 is not rigid enough, if the disposable cup assembly 100 is frozen in an upright position, the outer cup 110 may deform due to the expansion of the frozen water or ice. Therefore, when inverted, the disposable cup assembly 100 will not deform due to the expansion of the frozen water. Alternatively, the assembled disposable cup assemblies 100 can be stacked together to save space in the freezer. An intermediate cup 30 can be placed between two assembled disposable cup assemblies 100 to help maintain the shape of the assembled disposable cup assembly 100 during freezing, thereby preserving the shape of the disposable cup assembly 100.

[0034] Figure 7 An assembled disposable cup assembly 100 with a lid 140 is shown. The disposable cup assembly 100 may include a lid 140 adapted to cover the assembled disposable cup assembly 100. The lid 140 can snap onto an inner engagement portion 126 of an inner cup 120. The lid 140 may include a spout for beverage flow or straw insertion.

[0035] Once the inner cup 120 and outer cup 110 are delivered to the beverage stall, the stall operator can assemble the disposable cup assembly 100 on-site. If the assembled disposable cup assembly 100 is filled with liquid 20, the stall operator will place the liquid-filled disposable cup assembly 100 in a freezer. When an order for a cold beverage (e.g., cold brew coffee) is received, the stall operator can retrieve the frozen assembled disposable cup assembly 100 from the freezer and then fill it with the beverage. In this way, the disposable cup assembly 100 can keep the beverage chilled for an extended period without diluting its flavor, allowing consumers to enjoy the original taste of the beverage. Therefore, the disposable cup assembly 100 can also be referred to as an insulated disposable cup assembly 100, preventing heat transfer to the beverage. Moreover, with the low cost of the disposable cup assembly 100, the price of the beverage can be kept within an affordable range, providing the stall operator with sufficient profit margin.

[0036] Technicians will understand that the features described in an example are not limited to that example and can be combined with any of the other examples.

[0037] This utility model relates to disposable cup assemblies, generally as described herein, referenced and / or shown in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A disposable cup assembly adapted to cool a beverage therein, said disposable cup assembly comprising: An outer cup having a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge, wherein the outer cup has an outer base at the bottom edge and an outer opening at the top edge, an outer connecting portion surrounding the outer opening at the top edge, wherein the outer connecting portion includes the edge of the top edge, wherein the outer cup further includes an outer upper wall portion extending downward from the edge and an outer lower wall portion extending from the outer upper wall portion to the outer base, a step being formed between the outer upper wall portion and the outer lower wall portion, and the outer cup being stackable with another outer cup; An inner cup includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, wherein the inner cup includes an inner base at the bottom end, an inner opening at the top end, and an inner engagement portion surrounding the inner opening at the top end, the inner engagement portion may include a boundary at the top end, an inner upper wall portion extending downward from the boundary, and an inner lower wall portion extending from the inner upper wall portion to the inner base, a shoulder being formed between the inner upper wall portion and the inner lower wall portion, the inner cup and the outer cup being secured to each other by an interference fit between the outer upper wall portion and the inner upper wall portion, wherein the inner cup can be stacked onto another inner cup, and the inner cup is smaller than the outer cup, and the inner cup is designed to be more rigid than the outer cup; The inner engagement portion includes a lip edge, and the outer engagement portion includes an edge edge. The lip edge is fastened to the edge edge to engage and thereby fix the inner cup to the outer cup. The lip includes an elastic channel with a J-shaped cross-sectional profile, and the edge engages with the channel to fix the inner cup to the outer cup. The disposable cup assembly is adapted to be assembled by inserting the inner cup into the outer cup and filling the outer cup, and then fixing the outer joint portion and the inner joint portion together, wherein the edge of the outer joint portion is connected to the lip of the inner joint portion, and the step of the outer cup rests on the shoulder of the inner cup.

2. The disposable cup assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer cup includes an external height from the top edge to the bottom edge and an outer perimeter of the outer cup. The inner cup includes an internal height from the top end to the bottom end and an inner perimeter of the inner cup. The internal height is shorter than the external height, and the inner perimeter is smaller than the outer perimeter. When the inner cup is inserted into and fixed to the outer cup, the outer engagement portion and the inner engagement portion form a seal to form a liquid-tight space between the inner cup and the outer cup, the space being suitable for containing liquid.

3. The disposable cup assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, Before inserting the inner cup into the outer cup and securing the inner cup to the outer cup, the liquid is first filled into the outer cup.

4. The disposable cup assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The liquid filling volume is 90% of the space.

5. The disposable cup assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, After the disposable cup assembly is assembled and filled with liquid, it is placed in an inverted position in a freezer to freeze the liquid, wherein the outer base is located above the outer opening when inverted.

6. The disposable cup assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer cup is made of recyclable polyethylene terephthalate plastic or recyclable polypropylene.

7. The disposable cup assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cup is made of recyclable polyethylene terephthalate or recyclable polypropylene.

Images