FALTBECHER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a folding cardboard cup for French fries, potato wedges, chicken nuggets and other items for quick consumption.

[0002] In the fast-food catering industry, disposable containers are used for French fries, potato wedges, chicken nuggets, and other items for quick consumption (consumables). Cardboard chip chutes are well-known for French fries. These chutes have two upwardly widening side walls, connecting flaps with fold lines that connect these at the edges, and a base wall that is connected to the lower edge of the two side walls and has a center fold line. The chip chute can be folded flat around the fold lines, allowing it to be stacked to save space. Before filling, the chute is erected by pressing against the fold lines of the connecting flaps. An example design is specified in the ECMA Codebook of Folding Box Design Patterns under the designation F 70.54.00.00.The upright French fry chute is not dimensionally stable, has a small capacity due to its design and does not allow for comfortable hand grip.

[0003] For potato wedges and chicken nuggets, open-top trays or clamshell boxes (burger boxes) are often used. These trays consist of two tray sections hinged together along a fold line and interlocked at the front edge. These trays can be stacked inside each other when upright to save space. Removing an individual box from the stack for filling with food items is made difficult by the nested trays sticking together. Food items can easily fall out of the open trays, and the clamshell boxes' filling capacity is limited due to their split design.

[0004] FR 2 843 581 A1 shows an example of a well-known folding cup made of cardboard.

[0005] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of providing a container made of cardboard which can be stored in a space-saving manner, can be easily prepared for filling with consumables and allows a large filling volume as well as convenient handling by hand.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by a folding cup having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the folding cup are specified in subclaims.

[0007] The folding cardboard cup according to the invention comprises a circumferential side wall with a circular upper edge surrounding an upper opening, a polygonal lower edge with straight sides between the corners surrounding a lower opening, first vertical fold lines extending from the corners towards the upper edge over part of the height of the side wall, two diametrically opposed second vertical fold lines each extending vertically upwards from a corner at the lower edge to the upper edge of the side wall, and a base with at least one base wall connected to a straight side of the lower edge via a first horizontal fold line and at least one base flap holding the base wall in a horizontal orientation in the lower opening.

[0008] The folding cup according to the invention can be stored flat in stacks to save space. In the flat folded state of the folding cup, two side wall sections delimited by the second vertical fold lines are folded flat together around the second vertical fold lines and the base wall is folded outwards between the side wall sections or away from them. From the flat folded state, the folding cup can be easily erected by pressing against the outer sides of the two second vertical fold lines and folding the base wall into a horizontal orientation in the lower opening. As a result, the folding cup can be easily prepared for filling with consumables by simply removing it from the stack and standing it upright. Because the erected folding cup has a circular upper rim and a polygonal lower rim, it can have a particularly large capacity.In addition, the circular upper rim allows for easy access through the top opening. The polygonal lower rim with straight sides and the connection of the base wall via a fold line to the lower rim stabilize the folding cup when upright. This also allows the folding cup to be stacked flat and easily erected. After use, the folding cup can be folded flat again and disposed of in a space-saving manner.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the side wall has an arcuate fold line on both sides of every second vertical fold line, each extending from a lower end to an upper end of a second vertical fold line, whereby the side wall can be stabilized in an upright position by pressing the side wall regions defined by the arcuate fold lines inward into a concave shape. The side wall regions defined by the arcuate fold lines can be brought into a stable position by pressing the second vertical fold line from the outside inward, in which they have the concave shape and prestress the side wall such that the circular shape of the upper edge is stabilized.If the sidewall areas are not in the stable position with the concave shape, the two sidewall sections can approach each other along the second vertical fold lines, causing the upper edge to take on a lens-shaped contour, similar to that of a French fry container. The curved fold lines can thus facilitate comfortable hand gripping of the upper opening.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the folding cup has an automatic bottom comprising the bottom wall and a bottom flap connected to a straight side of the lower edge via a second horizontal fold line, which can be erected into a horizontal orientation covering the lower opening. The automatic bottom makes it easier to erect the folding cup. For this purpose, it may be sufficient to press against the second vertical fold lines from the outside, whereby the bottom flap pivots the bottom wall into the horizontal orientation in the lower opening and holds it in this orientation. If necessary, the bottom wall can also be pressed slightly further into the horizontal orientation. Alternatively, the folding cup has a bottom that does not close automatically when the folding cup is erected.For example, the base has a bottom wall having, at an edge remote from the first horizontal fold line, a protruding bottom flap insertable into an opening at the bottom edge of the side wall to maintain the bottom wall in a horizontal orientation. According to another example, the bottom flap is connected to the bottom wall via another horizontal fold line and is lockable behind a straight side of the bottom edge of the side wall.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, the automatic bottom comprises a bottom flap connected via the second horizontal fold line to the straight side of the bottom edge opposite the straight side of the bottom edge to which the bottom wall is connected via the first horizontal fold line, wherein the bottom flap is divided into a distal and a proximal flap section by a central fold line running parallel to the second horizontal fold line, wherein the distal flap section is glued to the underside of the bottom wall and the proximal flap section is not glued to the underside of the bottom wall,whereby, in the flat state of the folding cup, the bottom wall is folded around the first horizontal fold line against the inside of one side wall section, and the proximal flap section is folded around the second horizontal fold line against the inside of the other side wall section. In the erected state, the bottom wall and the bottom flap are folded around the first and second horizontal fold lines into the lower opening. When the folding cup is erected, the bottom wall is pivoted into the horizontal orientation by the bottom flap. In the horizontal orientation, the proximal flap section also rests against the bottom wall, whereby the base is at least partially multi-layered and has a higher load-bearing capacity.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the bottom wall has a polygonal contour with straight sides corresponding to the lower edge of the side wall. This ensures that the bottom wall rests against the lower edge of the side wall at the outer edge, and the food or debris is securely contained within the folding cup.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the bottom wall has a folding flap on at least one side, hinged along a lateral fold line, which, when the folding cup is in the upright position, is folded upward and rests against the inside of the side wall. This further improves the sealing of the bottom.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the bottom wall has the folding flap on a side opposite the side hinged to the side wall via the first horizontal fold line. This further improves the sealing of the bottom wall, since gaps are most likely to remain between the bottom wall and the side wall on the side of the folding flap.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the folding cup has folding tabs on both sides of the bottom wall, adjacent to the side opposite the side connected to the side wall by a first horizontal fold line. This further improves the sealing.

[0016] According to the invention, the folding cup has, at the bottom edge on the straight sides adjacent to the second vertical fold lines, lateral bottom flaps connected by third horizontal fold lines, wherein a lateral bottom flap of each two adjacent lateral bottom flaps is connected by a diagonal fold inclined at an angle of 45° to the third horizontal fold line to a connecting flap which is glued to the adjacent lateral bottom flap, whereby in the folded state of the folding cup, the lateral bottom flaps are folded together around the diagonal folds and in the erected state of the folding cup are folded around the third horizontal fold lines into the lower opening. The lateral bottom flaps are automatically folded into a horizontal orientation into the lower opening when the folding box is erected.According to one design, the side floor flaps are additional components of an automatic floor. In the upright position, the side floor flaps can rest against the underside of the floor panel and hold it in place, making the floor particularly resilient. According to another design, the side floor flaps are present in addition to a floor panel that does not close automatically when erected but must be closed manually. In this design, the floor panel can be held in a horizontal position solely by the side floor flaps.

[0017] According to the invention, the lateral bottom flaps, which are arranged adjacent to the first horizontal fold line, have protruding lugs on the sides facing each other next to the third horizontal fold lines, which are arranged below the bottom wall when the folding cup is in the erected state. This ensures that the bottom wall is arranged above the second bottom flaps when the automatic base is erected, since the lugs are pivoted below the bottom wall.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the folding cup has six corners and six straight sides at the lower edge of the side wall. The lower edge can also be configured with a different number of corners and sides. At a minimum, it has four corners and four sides. Preferably, it has an even number of corners and an even number of sides.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the side wall has diametrically opposed openings adjacent to the upper edge. The openings can be used to lock a lid.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the folding cup comprises a circular lid with tabs projecting radially outward from the circumference, which are inserted into the openings in the side wall. The circular lid can close the upper opening. At the same time, the lid can stabilize the folding cup in an upright position by supporting the side wall at the upper edge.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the lid has two spaced-apart access holes. This facilitates insertion and removal of the lid.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the access holes are each formed by a circular-arc-shaped cutout and an upper fold line extending from one end of the cutout to the other end and connected to an access tab located within the cutout. The access tabs can close the access holes to cover the folding cup as well as possible. This allows for better protection of consumables from contamination and premature cooling.

[0023] In the present application, the terms "top" and "bottom" as well as "vertical" and "horizontal" refer to the fully erected folding cup, in which the bottom wall is aligned horizontally and the upper edge is located above the lower edge.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an exemplary embodiment. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a blank of the folding cup laid out flat in a perspective view diagonally from above; Fig. 2 shows a folding cup formed from the blank in the flat state, diagonally from above; Fig. 3 shows the folding cup partially erected in a rear view; Fig. 4 shows the folding cup partially erected in a perspective view diagonally from above; Fig. 5 shows the folding cup partially erected in a bottom view; Fig. 6 shows the folding cup further erected in a bottom view; Fig. 7 shows the folding cup fully erected in a side view; Fig. 8 shows the folding cup fully erected in a plan view; Fig. 9 shows the folding cup fully erected in a perspective view diagonally from above; Fig. 10 shows the folding cup fully erected in a perspective view diagonally from the side; Fig. 11 shows the folding cup fully erected in a bottom view; Fig. 12 shows the folding cup with the lid inserted in a perspective view diagonally from above.

[0025] According toFig. 1 a one-piece blank 1 made of cardboard has a side wall 2 with a circular upper edge 3 and a lower edge 5 formed by six consecutive sides 4.1 to 4.6. The sides 4.1 to 4.6 are in Fig. 1 Numbered consecutively from left to right. Adjacent straight sides 4.1 and 4.2, 4.2 and 4.3, 4.3 and 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 of the lower margin 5 form an obtuse angle with each other.

[0026] Starting from the corner 6.1 between the Fig. 1 A first vertical fold line 7.1 extends in the direction of the upper edge 3 over part of the height of the side wall 2 between the straight side 4.1 arranged on the far left and the straight side 4.2 arranged to the right of it. Further first vertical fold lines 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 extend from the further corners 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 between adjacent straight sides 4.3 and 4.4, 4.4 and 4.5 and on the right edge of 4.6 over part of the height of the side wall 2 towards the upper edge 3.

[0027] In the example, the first vertical fold lines 7.1 to 7.4 extend over approximately 40% to 50% of the height of side wall 2.

[0028] Starting from the corners 6.2 and 6.5 between the straight sides 4.2 and 4.3 and the straight sides 4.5 and 4.6, second vertical fold lines 8.1, 8.2 extend to the upper edge 3 of the side wall 2.

[0029] On both sides of every second vertical fold line 8.1, 8.2, the side wall 2 has an arcuate fold line 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3, 9.4, each extending from the lower end to the upper end of a second vertical fold line 8.1, 8.2. Two arcuate fold lines 9.1 and 9.2, as well as 9.3, 9.4, delimit lens-shaped side wall regions 10.1, 10.2.

[0030] In addition to the Fig. 1 The side wall 2 has a laterally protruding adhesive flap 11 at the right first vertical fold line 7.4.

[0031] The straight side 4.4 is connected via a first horizontal fold line 12 to a bottom wall 13, which has six corners and six straight sides. The bottom wall 13 is connected to trapezoidal folding flaps 15.1, 15.2, and 15.3 on the sides opposite the first horizontal fold line 12 and on the two adjacent sides via lateral fold lines 14.1, 14.2, and 14.3.

[0032] The Fig. 1 The left-hand straight side 4.1 of the side wall 2 is connected to a bottom flap 17 via a second horizontal fold line 16. This is divided by a center fold line 18 into a proximal flap section 17.1 and a distal flap section 17.2.

[0033] The straight sides 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6 at the lower edge 5 of the side wall 2 are connected to the lateral bottom flaps 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 via third horizontal fold lines 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, each of which has an approximately triangular shape. The lateral bottom flaps 20.1, 20.3 connected to the straight sides 4.2 and 4.5 are each connected to a wedge-shaped connecting flap 22.1, 22.2 on the side of the adjacent lateral bottom flap 20.2, 20.4 via a diagonal fold line 21.1, 21.2. The diagonal fold lines 21.1, 21.2 are each aligned at an angle of 45° to the second straight side 4.2, 4.5.

[0034] The lateral bottom flaps 20.2, 20.3 arranged next to the bottom wall 15 have laterally projecting lugs 23.1, 23.2 on the side next to the bottom wall 13 adjacent to the first horizontal fold line 19.2, 19.3.

[0035] Near the upper edge 3, the side wall 2 has rectangular openings 24.1, 24.2 above the first horizontal fold line 12 and the second horizontal fold line 16.

[0036] To pre-glue the blank 1, the base wall 13 is folded around the first horizontal fold line 12, the base flap 17 is folded around the second horizontal fold line 16, and the side base flaps 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 are folded around the third horizontal fold lines 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4 against the inside of the side wall 2. Furthermore, the distal section 17.2 is folded around the middle fold line 18 against the proximal section 17.1 of the base flap 17, and the connecting flaps 22.1, 22.2 are folded around the diagonal fold lines 21.1, 21.2 against the outsides of the connected side base flaps 20.1, 20.3.

[0037] Then, the part of the blank 1 located to the right of the vertical fold line 8.2 is folded around the second vertical fold line 8.2 against the adjacent part of the blank 1 and the lateral bottom flap 20.4 is glued to the connecting section 22.2 of the lateral bottom flap 20.3.

[0038] Afterwards, the Fig. 1 The part of the blank 2 arranged to the left of the second vertical fold line 8.1 is folded around the second vertical fold line 8.1 against the adjacent part of the blank 2 and the connecting flap 22.1 is connected to the adjacent lateral bottom flap 20.2, the distal flap section 17.2 of the bottom flap 17 is connected to the underside of the bottom wall 13 and the adhesive flap 11 is connected to the inside of the Fig. 1 left edge of side wall 2.

[0039] The folding box 25 pre-glued in this way is in Fig. 2 It is shown in a flat position and can be stacked to save space.

[0040] The production of the blank 1 and the pre-assembly of the folding box 25 up to the Fig. 2 shown condition preferably takes place at the folding box manufacturer.

[0041] To erect the folding box 25, Fig. 3 bis 5 the second vertical fold lines 8.1, 8.2 are pressed together. Two side wall sections 2.1, 2.2 of the side wall 2 fold open between the second vertical fold lines 8.1, 8.2, with the upper edge 3 between the second vertical fold lines 8.1, 8.2 assuming a curved, lens-shaped shape around an upper opening 26, and the lower edge 5 forming a flat hexagon. During erection, the adjacent lateral base flaps 20.1, 20.2 and 20.3, 20.4 are folded into a lower opening 27 within the lower edge 5, and the base flap 17 pivots the base wall 13 into the lower opening 27. The lugs 23.1, 23.2 ensure that the bottom wall 13 is positioned above the side bottom flaps 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4. When the bottom wall 13 pivots into the lower opening 27, the folding flaps 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 rest against the inside of the side wall 2. For this purpose, the side folding lines 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 be pre-broken when pre-gluing the folding box 25.

[0042] By pressing against the upper side of the base wall 13, it can be pivoted downwards into a horizontal orientation in the lower opening 27, whereby the lower edge 5 of the side wall 2 takes on the shape of a regular hexagon. This is shown in Fig. 6 shown. The upper edge 3 then has a circular shape, but can still be deformed relatively easily.

[0043] To fully erect the folding cup 25, pressure is applied from the outside against the second vertical fold lines 8.1, 8.2, so that the side wall areas 10.1, 10.2 arranged between the curved fold lines 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 are pressed inwards into a stable position in which they assume a concave shape. In this state, which is Fig. 7 bis 12 As shown, the upper edge 3 of the side wall 2 takes on a stable circular shape.

[0044] The thus erected folding cup 25 has a maximum volume and allows easy access through the upper opening 26. Furthermore, the bottom wall 13 with the folding tabs 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 ensures a good seal of the bottom, which is entirely sufficient for the consumption of chunky or solid food items. Erecting the folding cup 25 from a flat to a fully erected state is extremely simple and quick.

[0045] According to Fig. 12The folding cup is covered by an inserted lid 28. The lid 28 is circular and has radially outwardly projecting tabs 29.1, 29.2 on the circumference, which are inserted into the openings 24.1, 24.2 in the side wall 2. Furthermore, the lid 28 has two spaced-apart engagement holes 30.1, 30.2. These are each formed by a circular arc-shaped cutout 31.1, 31.2 and an upper fold line 33.1, 33.2 extending from one end to the other of the cutout 31.1, 31.2 and connected to an engagement tab 32.1, 32.2 arranged within the cutout. The upper fold lines 33.1, 33.2 are arranged on mutually facing sides of the engagement holes 30.1, 30.2 and are aligned parallel to one another. The engagement tabs 31.1, 31.2 prevent the ingress of contaminants and better prevent the contents from cooling down. To remove the lid 28, the engagement tabs 31.1, 31.2 is pressed slightly inwards and the cover 28 is pulled out of the upper opening 26.

Claims

1. A collapsible cardboard cup, comprising a peripheral side wall (2) with a circular upper edge (3) which surrounds an upper opening (26), a multi-cornered lower edge (5) with rectilinear sides (4.1 to 4.6) between the corners (6.1 to 6.6) which surrounds a lower opening (27), first vertical fold lines (7.1 to 7.4) starting from the corners (6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6) and extending in the direction of the upper edge (3) over part of the height of the side wall (2), two diametrically opposing second vertical fold lines (8.1, 8.2) which extend in each case from a corner (6.2, 6.5) on the lower edge (5) vertically upwards to the upper edge (3) of the side wall (2), and a bottom with at least one bottom wall (13) which is connected via a first horizontal fold line (12) to a rectilinear side (4.4) of the lower edge (5) and at least one bottom flap (17) holding the bottom wall (13) in horizontal orientation in the lower opening (27), wherein the collapsible cup has lateral bottom flaps (20.1 to 20.4), which are connected via third horizontal fold lines (19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4), on the lower edge (5) on the rectilinear sides (4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6) which are adjacent to the second vertical fold lines (8.1, 8.2), wherein one lateral bottom flap (20.1, 20.3) of two respectively adjacent lateral bottom flaps (20.1 to 20.4) is connected to a connecting flap (22.1, 22.2) via a diagonal fold line (21.1, 21.2) which is inclined at an angle of 45° to the third horizontal fold line, which connecting flap is adhesively bonded to the adjacent lateral bottom flap (20.2, 20.4), whereby the lateral bottom flaps (20.1 to 20.4) in the folded state are folded around the diagonal fold lines (21.1, 21.2) and in the erected state are folded into the lower opening (27) around the third horizontal fold lines (19.1 to 19.4), characterized in that the lateral bottom flaps (20.2, 20.3) which are arranged adjacent to the first horizontal fold line (12) have lugs (23.1, 23.2) which protrude on the sides facing one another adjacent to the third horizontal fold lines (19.2, 19.3) and which are arranged below the bottom wall (13) in the erected state of the collapsible cup.

2. The collapsible cup according to claim 1, wherein the side wall (2) has an arcuate fold line (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4) on both sides of every second vertical fold line (8.1, 8.2), which arcuate fold lines extend in each case from a lower end to an upper end of a second vertical fold line (8.1, 8.2), whereby in an erected position the side wall (2) can be stabilized inwardly into a concave shape by pushing the side wall regions (10.1, 10.2) defined by the arcuate fold lines.

3. The collapsible cup according to claim 1 or 2, which has an automatic bottom which comprises the bottom wall (13) and a bottom flap (17) which is connected via a second horizontal fold line (16) to a rectilinear side (4.1) of the lower edge (5) and which, by erecting the collapsible cup, can be erected into a horizontal orientation covering the lower opening (27).

4. The collapsible cup according to claim 3, wherein the automatic bottom comprises the bottom flap (17) which is connected via the second horizontal fold line (16) to the rectilinear side (4.1) of the lower edge (5) which opposes the rectilinear side (4.4) of the lower edge (5) to which the bottom wall (12) is connected via the first horizontal fold line (12), wherein the bottom flap (17) is subdivided into a distal and a proximal flap portion (17.2, 17.1) by a central fold line (18) which runs parallel to the second horizontal fold line (16), wherein the distal flap portion (17.2) is adhesively bonded to the lower face of the bottom wall (13) and the proximal flap portion (17.1) is not adhesively bonded to the lower face of the bottom wall (13), whereby in the state of the collapsible cup lying flat, the bottom wall (13) is folded around the first horizontal fold line (12) against the inner face of the one side wall portion (2.2) and the proximal flap portion (17.1) is folded around the second horizontal fold line (16) against the inner face of the other side wall portion (2.1) and in the erected state the bottom wall (13) and the bottom flap (17) are folded into the lower opening (27) around the first and second horizontal fold lines (12, 16).

5. The collapsible cup according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom wall (13) has a multi-cornered contour with rectilinear sides corresponding to the lower edge (5) of the side wall (2).

6. The collapsible cup according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein on at least one side the bottom wall (13) has a folding flap (15.1) which is hinged via a lateral fold line (14.1) and which is flapped upwardly and bears against the inner face of the side wall (2) in the erected state of the collapsible cup.

7. The collapsible cup according to claim 6, wherein the bottom wall (13) has the folding flap (15.1) on a side which opposes the side which is hinged to the side wall (2) via the first horizontal fold line (12).

8. The collapsible cup according to claim 6 or 7, which has folding flaps (15.2, 15.3) on the two sides of the bottom wall (13) which adjoin the side which opposes the side connected to the side wall (2) via a first horizontal fold line (12).

9. The collapsible cup according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower edge (5) has six corners (6.1 to 6.6) and six rectilinear sides (4.1 to 4.6).

10. The collapsible cup according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the side wall (2) has diametrically opposing openings (24.1, 24.2) adjacent to the upper edge (3).

11. The collapsible cup according to one of claims 1 to 10, which has a circular cover (28) which has plug-in tongues (29.1, 29.2) which protrude radially outwardly from the periphery and which are inserted into the openings (24.1, 24.2) of the side wall (2).

12. The collapsible cup according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cover (28) has two engagement holes (30.1, 30.2) which are spaced apart from one another.

13. The collapsible cup according to claim 12, wherein the engagement holes (30.1, 30.2) are formed in each case by a circular arc-shaped stamped-out portion (31.1, 31.2) and an upper fold line (33.1, 33.2) extending from one end to the other end of the stamped-out portion and connected to an engagement flap (32.1, 32.2) arranged inside the stamped-out portion.