CUP MADE OF PAPER OR PAPER-Similar MATERIAL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cup made of paper, cardboard or paper-like material with a fillable interior space formed by a shell and a base, wherein the base is attached to the shell at the lower end of the interior space in a substantially liquid-tight manner by means of a frame, wherein a lower edge of the frame forms a standing surface for the cup, wherein the cup has an outer shell, wherein the outer shell consists of a flat blank made of paper or paper-like material, the longitudinal edges of which are at least partially connected to one another in an overlapping region, so that the outer shell forms a sleeve, wherein the outer shell has a truncated cone-like shape with a cone angle at least up to a predefined distance in front of its lower end and is formed in a single layer at least from the predefined distance up to the lower end, with the exception of the overlapping region.

[0002] US patent specification US 9,238,524 B2 discloses a paper cup with a fillable interior formed by a shell and a base, the base being attached to the shell at the lower end of the interior in a substantially liquid-tight manner by means of a frame. A lower edge of the frame forms a base for the cup. The cup has an outer shell, the outer shell consisting of a flat blank made of paper or paper-like material, the longitudinal edges of which are at least partially connected to one another in an overlapping region, such that the outer shell forms a sleeve. The outer shell has a truncated cone shape with a first cone angle, at least up to a predefined distance in front of its lower end. The outer shell is folded over 180° at its lower end and rests with the inner edge of the fold against an outer side of the frame.

[0003] Another double-walled paper cup is known from European Patent Application EP 2 452 887 A1. The outer shell can either be wrapped around the base of the cup at its lower end, thus forming the base for the cup. Alternatively, the outer shell can be extended to the lower end of the base and glued flat to the base at the lower end.

[0004] US patent US 8,851,363 B2 discloses a double-walled paper cup in which the lower end of the outer sleeve is folded over 180°, with the inner edge of the fold resting against the outside of the frame. Above the lower end, a bead of adhesive is provided between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve of the cup.

[0005] US Patent Application No. 2015 / 360845 A1 discloses a double-walled paper cup in which the outer shell is bonded to the inner shell above its lower end by a bead of adhesive. The lower end of the outer shell can be folded over 180° or be single-layered and positioned at a distance from the outer side of the body.

[0006] US Patent Application No. 2011 / 240726 A1 discloses a double-walled paper cup in which the outer sleeve is folded over 180° at its lower end, with the inner edge of the fold resting against the outside of the body. A bead of adhesive can be applied above the lower end to bond the outer sleeve to the inner sleeve of the cup.

[0007] The invention is intended to improve a cup made of paper, cardboard or paper-like material.

[0008] According to the invention, a cup having the features of claim 1 is provided for this purpose. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0009] In a cup according to the invention, the lower region of the outer shell is formed in a single layer, with the exception of the overlap region, and the shell tapers more sharply in the lower region from the predefined distance to the lower end, at least in sections, than in the region above the predefined distance. In the cup according to the invention, a constriction is therefore provided on the outer shell at the lower end of the outer shell forming a sleeve, without the lower end of the outer shell being rolled up. This not only makes the outer shell easier to manufacture, but the outer shell also lies more closely against the shell of the inner cup in the lower region and can therefore be easily glued to the shell, for example using hot melt or melt adhesive.The cup according to the invention is designed as a double-walled paper cup, and an insulating air gap is formed between the outer shell and the shell of the inner cup, at least in the region where the cup is gripped. Since no rolling or folding is provided at the lower end of the outer shell, but rather the lower end is merely constricted and consequently tapers more sharply than the upper region of the outer shell, a favorable ratio is achieved between the thickness of the insulating gap and the radial distance between two stacked cups. This facilitates the stacking of numerous similar cups according to the invention. A significant advantage of the cup according to the invention is the material savings achieved by not rolling or folding the lower end of the outer shell.Although the material savings for each cup are only in the range of a few square centimeters, since the air gap-insulated cups according to the invention are disposable products, they are manufactured in extremely high quantities and the cup according to the invention is therefore significantly more environmentally friendly than conventional cups with a folded or rolled-up lower end of the outer shell. Within the scope of the invention, an angle between the region of the outer shell above the predefined distance and the lower region of the outer shell can be between 5° and 15° if the lower region is smooth. If the upper region has an angle of 6° to the central longitudinal axis, the lower region can then be at an angle of 11° to 21° to the central longitudinal axis. If the constriction of the lower region is to be even more pronounced, then embossings are required in the lower region of the outer shell.The outer surfaces of the outer shell can be positioned within an imaginary parallel line to the shell defining the interior, which is positioned along the largest diameter of the body. Stacking multiple cups can also be achieved in other ways.

[0010] The cup according to the invention is made of paper, cardboard or paper-like material. Such cups are usually also referred to as paper cups. A paper-like material is a material that can be processed in a similar way to paper or cardboard. Paper or cardboard has fibers and can therefore hardly be stretched and can only be compressed to a very small extent. In particular, paper, cardboard or paper-like material cannot be deep-drawn and generally cannot be deformed to any great extent. When manufacturing a cup from paper or cardboard, the jacket, base and outer jacket must therefore be made from separate, flat blanks. Plastic material that cannot be stretched or can only be stretched to a very small extent is also considered a paper-like material.When manufacturing a cup from such a paper-like plastic material, the jacket, the base and the outer jacket must be made from flat blanks and glued together in an overlapping area.

[0011] The base and the jacket of the cup are connected to each other by a frame in a substantially liquid-tight manner. The term "substantially liquid-tight" means that the cup can be filled with cold or hot drinks and is then liquid-tight for a certain period of time, for example, several hours. The frame is formed, for example, by folding a lower edge of the jacket 180° around an edge of the base and then pressing the jacket and base together in the area of ​​the frame and sealing them together. Within the scope of the invention, the lower edge of the base can also be folded over the lower edge of the jacket to form the frame.

[0012] Paper, cardboard, or paper-like material coated on one side is typically used to manufacture the casing and base. For example, paper, cardboard, or paper-like material coated on at least one side with a sealable plastic layer is used. When manufacturing the body, the lower edge of the casing and the base simply need to be heated and pressed together, creating a liquid-tight seal.

[0013] According to the invention, the casing is frustoconical in the lower region with a second cone angle, wherein the second cone angle is greater than the first cone angle.

[0014] In this way, a constriction can be designed in a very simple and visually appealing way. When using paper, cardboard or paper-like materials, it must be ensured that the material has to be compressed when creating the constriction. The constriction cannot therefore be made arbitrarily strong if a visually appealing result is still to be achieved. According to the invention, the jacket can also be designed in the lower region in sections only over the circumference in a truncated cone shape with a second cone angle. For example, viewed in the circumferential direction, only sections of the lower region of the outer jacket that are spaced apart from one another can rest against the jacket of the inner cup, whereas other sections are arranged at a radial distance from the jacket of the inner cup.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, the outer shell is connected in the region of its lower end to the outer side of the shell of the inner cup, in particular sealed or glued.

[0016] This not only ensures a secure attachment of the lower section of the outer shell to the inner cup shell, but also creates a stable bond between the outer shell and inner cup. This is important because a filled cup is gripped by the outer shell, and in this case, with very hot beverages, the air gap between the outer shell and inner cup in the grip area must not be reduced to zero.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, the outer sheath is connected to the sheath by means of hot glue or hot melt adhesive.

[0018] The use of hot melt adhesives, in particular, allows for secure fastening with very short cycle times. The bond between the outer shell and the shell of the inner cup can be made either in an area where liquid is present in the interior, or in an area below the bottom of the inner cup, where no liquid is present. Modern hot melt adhesives are sufficiently temperature-resistant to withstand the temperatures of hot liquids poured into the cup.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, an adhesive bead is arranged between the outer surface of the casing and the inner surface of the outer casing at least over sections of the circumference of the casing and above the lower end of the outer casing.

[0020] This means that the bond between the outer jacket and the jacket of the inner cup is not visible from the outside. For example, the adhesive bead is applied to the jacket of the inner cup and then the outer jacket is applied. The outer jacket can either be pushed onto the inner cup as a finished sleeve from the bottom of the inner cup or wound onto the finished inner cup and only then glued. The outer jacket can also be sealed or glued to the jacket of the inner cup in an area below a mouth roll of the inner cup. The outer jacket can have a curl at its upper end to provide a sufficiently large air gap between the outer jacket and the jacket of the inner cup. The inner cup can also have a re-entrant shoulder below the mouth roll, which defines the air gap in this area.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, the outer shell is corrugated in the lower region, wherein the corrugation troughs run perpendicular to the circumferential direction from the predefined distance to the lower end.

[0022] A wave-shaped constriction instead of a constriction that is uniform over the circumference is advantageous for larger angles of constriction, since the excess material that is produced when constricting or tapering the lower area of ​​the outer shell can be displaced into the wave crests.

[0023] In a further development of the invention, a wave height increases towards the lower end of the outer shell.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, the jacket has a stacking shoulder which projects in the direction of the interior of the cup, the dimensions of which are matched to the lower edge of the frame, so that when an upper and a lower cup are stacked, the lower edge of the frame of an upper cup comes to rest on the stacking shoulder of the lower cup.

[0025] In this way, a very stable stack of several cups can be formed, so that even numerous cups, for example twenty cups or more, can be stacked on top of each other without the stacked cups getting jammed into each other.

[0026] In a further development of the invention, the jacket has a reinforcement on its outer side at the stacking shoulder.

[0027] This also contributes to the problem-free stackability of numerous cups according to the invention.

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. Individual features of the various illustrated and described embodiments can be combined with one another in any way without exceeding the scope of the invention. This also applies to the combination of individual features without other individual features with which they are illustrated or described in connection. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a sectional schematic representation of a cup according to the invention according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a sectional representation of two stacked cups according to the invention according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 is a sectional sectional view of two stacked cups according to the invention according to a third embodiment, Fig. 4 is a view on the sectional plane IV-IV in Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 a view of a cup according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment obliquely from above, Fig. 6 the cup of the Fig. 5 from the side, Fig. 7 a view of the section plane BB in Fig. 6 , Fig. 8 detail B from Fig. 5 , Fig. 9 detail A from Fig. 7 , Fig. 10 a sectional view of two cups according to the invention according to Fig. 5 in the stacked state, Fig. 11 the detail X from Fig. 10 , Fig. 12 the detail Y from Fig. 10 , Fig. 13 a plan view of a flat circular ring segment used to produce the outer shell of the cup of the Fig. 5 is used, Fig. 14 a representation of a cup according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment from obliquely above, Fig. 15 a side view of the cup of the Fig. 14 , Fig. 16a view of the section plane BB in Fig. 15 , Fig. 17detail B from Fig. 14 and Fig. 18 the detail A from Fig. 16 .

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, sectional view of a cup 10 according to the invention according to a first embodiment. The cup 10 is rotationally symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis 12.

[0030] The cup 10 has an interior 14 that is open at the top and bounded at the bottom by a base 16. The base has a base plate 18 and a base collar 20. The base collar 20 extends downward from the base plate 18, so that the base has the shape of an upside-down pot.

[0031] The interior 14 is further formed by a jacket 22. The jacket 22 is folded over 180° around the base collar 20 at its lower edge. The jacket 22 and the base collar 20 are pressed together and sealed at least in part of the folded area, thereby forming a frame 24 that connects the jacket 22 and the base 16 in a liquid-tight manner. Liquids, particularly hot or cold liquids, can thus be poured into the interior 14 of the cup 10.

[0032] The jacket 22 is rolled up at its upper edge and thereby forms a mouth roll 26. The mouth roll 26 forms the upper end of an inner cup made of the jacket 22 and the base 16. The mouth roll 26 makes drinking from the cup 10 pleasant.

[0033] The cup 10 is designed as a double-walled, air-gap-insulated cup. The cup 10 has a sleeve-like outer shell 30. The outer shell 30 is connected to the shell 22 in a region 32 below the mouth roll 26 and above a shoulder 34 projecting into the interior 14. A connection can be made, for example, using hot-melt adhesive. An air gap 38 thus exists between the outer shell 30 and the shell 22 below the shoulder 34 and up to a lower edge 36 of the outer shell 30. The air gap 38 ensures that the outer shell 30 can still be easily held in the hand, even when the interior 14 is filled with very hot liquids.

[0034] The outer shell 30 forms a truncated cone-shaped sleeve and is frustoconical from its upper edge up to a predefined distance 40 to the lower end 36, with a first cone angle. From the predefined distance 40 to the lower end 36 of the outer shell 30, the latter is also frustoconical with a second cone angle. The second cone angle is greater than the first cone angle.

[0035] As a result, the outer jacket 30 has a constriction in its lower region, i.e. from the predefined distance 40 to the lower end 36, in which it tapers more sharply than in the upper region from the predefined distance 40 to the upper edge of the outer jacket 30.

[0036] In its lower region, the outer shell 30 is bonded to the outer side of the shell 22 of the inner cup by means of an adhesive bead 42, just above its lower end 36. The outer shell 30 and the inner cup thus form a stable unit. This also ensures that the outer shell 30 is not compressed even when filled when a user grasps the cup 10 with one hand, and consequently, the air gap 38 does not reduce its width to such an extent that the outer shell 30 becomes too hot and the user can no longer hold the cup 10.

[0037] The cup 10 can be stacked. For this purpose, the frame 24 has a widening in its lower region and a maximum diameter A of the frame 24 is approximately at the lower edge of the frame 24. The lower edge of the frame also forms the base for the cup 10. The casing 22 is provided with a stacking shoulder 44 which projects into the interior 14 and forms a support for the lower edge of the frame 24 of another cup. A maximum diameter B of the stacking shoulder is the same size as or slightly larger than the maximum diameter A at the lower edge of the frame 24. When stacked, this allows an upper cup to rest with its lower edge on the stacking shoulder 44 of the lower cup. This means that two or more cups 10 stacked one inside the other cannot wedge each other, but can be stacked and unstacked very easily.This easy stacking and unstacking is facilitated by the fact that the outer surfaces of the outer shell 30 are located within an imaginary parallel line 44 to the shell 22 defining the interior space 14. Even in the stacked state, this creates a gap between the inner surface of the shell 22 of a lower cup and the outer surface of the outer shell 30 of an upper cup. This gap is referred to as stacking clearance.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows, in sections and in a sectional view, two further cups 50a, 50b according to the invention according to a second embodiment. The cups 50a, 50b differ only slightly from the cup 10 of Fig. 1 , so only the differences are explained below.

[0039] The frame 24 of the cups 50a, 50b is only slightly widened, which is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 2 is barely noticeable. This slight widening of the frame 24 is sufficient because the air gap 38 between the outer shell 30 of the cup 50a and the shell 22 of the cup 50a is comparatively small. Nevertheless, the air gap 38 is sufficient to provide adequate insulation for the double-walled cup 50a. Within the scope of the invention, the widening of the frame 24 can be omitted. The cup 50b is identical to the cup 50a and is therefore not explained separately.

[0040] Up to the predefined distance 40 from the lower end 36 of the outer shell 30, the outer shell 30 of the cup 50a is also frustoconical with a first cone angle. In its lower region, i.e. from the predefined distance 40 to the lower end 36, the shell 30 is then also frustoconical, but with a larger cone angle than in the upper region, so that the outer shell 30 is constricted in the lower region, in other words, tapers more sharply than in the upper region. The differences between the first cone angle and the second cone angle are smaller for the cup 50a than for the cup 10 of the Fig. 1 . The predefined distance 40 is larger for the cup 50a than for the cup 10 of the Fig. 1 .

[0041] In Fig. 2 The adhesive bead 42 can also be seen, which connects and bonds the outer shell 30 and the shell 22 of the inner cup. On the stacking shoulder 44 of the shell 22 of the inner cup, it can be seen that a reinforcement 52 has been applied to the outer surface of the shell 22 at the stacking shoulder 44. This reinforcement 52 can, for example, be formed as an adhesive bead applied to the outer surface of the shell 22 over the entire circumference.

[0042] The representation of the Fig. 3 shows, in sections and in a sectional view, two further cups 60a and 60b according to the invention stacked one inside the other according to a third embodiment. The inner cups of the cups 60a, 60b are identical to the inner cups of the cups 50a and 50b of the Fig. 2 and are therefore not explained again.

[0043] In contrast to cups 50a and 50b, cups 60a and 60b each have an outer shell 30 that is corrugated in its lower region, i.e., from the predefined distance 40 to the lower end 36. Except for the design of the lower region from the predefined distance 40 to the lower end 36 of the outer shell 30, the outer shell 30 of cup 60a is identical to the outer shell 30 of cup 50a and will not be explained further. Cup 60b is identical to cup 60a.

[0044] In the cups 60a, 60b, the outer shell 30 rests against the shell 22 of the inner cup only in the area of ​​the wave troughs. Therefore, only adhesive dots or drops 62, particularly hot-melt adhesive, are provided in the area of ​​the wave troughs, which securely bond the outer shell 30 to the shell 22.

[0045] The wave-shaped design of the outer shell 30 in its lower region facilitates the formation of the constriction in the lower region, since the excess material in the wave troughs during constriction can be displaced into the wave crests.

[0046] It is Fig. 3 It can be seen that a wave height of the wave increases towards the lower end 36 of the outer shell 30.

[0047] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the cup 60b of the Fig. 3 to the section plane IV-IV in Fig. 3 . In this view, the wave-shaped formation of the outer shell 30 is clearly visible and it can also be seen that the outer shell 30 only rests against the outer surface of the inner shell 22 in the area of ​​its wave troughs. The adhesive dots 62 or drops of adhesive are in the representation of the Fig. 4 merely hinted at.

[0048] The cup according to the invention allows the outer shell 30 and the shell 22 of the inner cup to be joined using hot melt or melt adhesive. A significant advantage of the cups 10, 50a, 50b, 60a, 60b according to the invention is that less material is required for the outer shell 30 than with a conventional outer shell that is folded or rolled at the lower end.

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a cup 70 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The cup 70 has an inner cup 72 and a sleeve-shaped outer shell 74. The outer shell 74 has a truncated cone shape with a first cone angle in its upper region 76 and a constricted shape in its lower region 78, which tapers more sharply than in the upper section 76. The lower region 78 has, as Fig. 5 can be seen, has waves or indentations 80 distributed evenly over the circumference. In the area of ​​these indentations or waves 80, the outer shell 74 rests against the shell 82 of the inner cup 72, see Fig. 9 .

[0050] Fig. 6 shows a side view of the cup 70 of the Fig. 5 It can be seen that in the lower region 78 of the outer shell 74 there is a constriction or a stronger taper than in the upper region 76.

[0051] Fig. 7 shows a view of the section plane BB in Fig. 6 It can be seen that the waves or indentations 80 are evenly distributed over the circumference of the outer shell 74. The waves or indentations 80 can be pressed into the outer shell, for example, with a tool, see also Fig. 9 .

[0052] Fig. 8 shows detail B from Fig. 5 . In this view, the indentations or waves 80 on the outer shell 74 are clearly visible.

[0053] Fig. 10 shows two cups 70a, 70b according to the invention in the stacked state.

[0054] Fig. 11 shows the detail X from Fig. 10 It can be seen that the outer shell 74 of the cups 70a, 70b each abuts the underside of a lip roll. The upper edge of the outer shell rests against a point on the lip roll that lies in the half of the lip roll facing the inner cup. The upper edge of the outer shell 74 cannot therefore easily slide radially outward, as this is blocked by the lip roll. The outer shell 74 is connected to the outside of the shell of the inner cup by means of an adhesive bead or several adhesive dots 84, whereby this bonding by means of the adhesive bead or adhesive dots 84 is optional.

[0055] Fig. 12 shows the detail Y from Fig. 10 . On the lower cup 70b it can be seen that the outer shell 74 tapers more between a predefined distance 40 above the lower edge 36 than in the upper area above the predefined distance 40. It is in Fig. 12 It can also be seen that a distance 86 from the lower edge 36 of the outer shell 74 to the lower edge of the frame 24 or to the base of the cup is the same as the predefined distance 40. This results in a visually appealing design of the cups 70a, 70b. Fig. 12 It can also be seen how the lower edge of the frame 24 of the upper cup 70a rests on the stacking shoulder on the lower cup 70b. The distance between the stacking shoulder and the lower edge of the frame results in a stacking height S between the respective upper ends of the cups 70a, 70b, which in Fig. 11 is marked.

[0056] The widening of the sides 24 is very weak in the cups 70a, 70b and in the representations of the Fig. 5 bis 12 almost undetectable. As explained, the invention eliminates the need to widen the frames 24.

[0057] Fig. 13 shows a flat circular ring segment 90, which is used to produce the outer shell 74 of the cup 70 of the Fig. 5 can be used. To produce a conical sleeve, the two longitudinal edges 92, 94 are joined together. This is done by overlapping and gluing the areas adjacent to the longitudinal edges 92, 94. This results in an overlap area with a width U, which is then connected to the two longitudinal edges 92, 94 in Fig. 13 is marked.

[0058] Fig. 14 shows a cup 100 according to the invention according to a further embodiment. The cup 100 of the Fig. 14 differs from the cup 70 of the Fig. 5 only by the design of the lower area 78 of the outer shell 74. Already in Fig. 14 It can be seen that the waves or indentations 80 are distributed unevenly over the circumference of the cup 100. The waves or indentations 80 occur randomly when the lower area 78 of the outer shell 74 is constricted. This uneven distribution of the waves or constrictions 80 is also shown in Fig. 17 to recognize the detail B from Fig. 14 shows.

[0059] When manufacturing the cups 70, 100, it is possible to produce the waves or impressions 80 before manufacturing a sleeve from a flat segment 90, see Fig. 13 , to be attached. However, it is also possible within the scope of the invention to first produce a truncated cone-shaped sleeve from the flat segment 90 and then to constrict the lower region of this flat sleeve and provide it with the indentations or waves 80.

[0060] Fig. 15 shows a side view of the cup 100 of the Fig. 14 .

[0061] Fig. 16 shows a view of the section plane BB in Fig. 15 The uneven and random distribution of the waves or impressions 80 over the circumference of the outer shell 74 is Fig. 16 to recognize.

[0062] Fig. 18 shows detail A from Fig. 16 . The outer shell 74 is connected to the shell of the inner cup only in the area of ​​the indentations or waves 80.

Claims

1. Cup made of paper or paper-like material having a fillable interior space which is formed by a shell and a base (16), wherein the base (16) by means of a skirt (24) at the lower end of the interior space (14) is fastened in a substantially liquid-tight manner to the shell, wherein a lower periphery of the skirt (24) forms a footprint for the cup (10; 50a; 50b; 60a; 60b), wherein the cup has an external shell (30), wherein the external shell (30) is composed of a planar blank of paper or paper-like material, the longitudinal edges of said blank at least in portions being connected to one another in an overlap region so that the external shell (30) forms a sleeve, wherein the external shell (30), at least up to a predefined spacing (40) from the lower end (36) of said external shell, has a frustoconical shape having a first cone angle and, with the exception of the overlap region, at least from the predefined spacing (40) to the lower end (36) is configured in a single ply, characterized in that the external shell (30) in the lower region, from the predefined spacing (40) to the lower end (36), at least in portions tapers more heavily than in the region above the predefined spacing (40), and in that the external shell (30) in the region of the lower end thereof is connected and adhesively bonded to the external side of the shell (22) by means of an adhesive bead.

2. Cup according to Claim 1, characterized in that the external shell (30) in the lower region is configured so as to be frustoconical having a second cone angle, wherein the second cone angle is larger than the first cone angle.

3. Cup according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the external shell (30) is connected to the shell (22) by means of hot-melt glue or hot-melt adhesive.

4. Cup according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adhesive (42; 62) between the external face of the shell (22) and the internal face of the external shell (30) is disposed at least over portions of the circumference of the shell (22) and above the lower end (36) of the external shell (30).

5. Cup according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external shell (30) in the lower region is configured so as to be corrugated, wherein the corrugation troughs, from the predefined spacing (40) to the lower end (36), run so as to be perpendicular to the circumferential direction.

6. Cup according to Claim 5, characterized in that a corrugation height increases in the direction towards the lower end of the external shell (30).

7. Cup according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shell (22) has a stacking shoulder which is recessed in the direction towards the interior space of the cup, the dimensions of said stacking shoulder correlating with the lower periphery of the skirt (24) so that, when stacking an upper and a lower cup (50a; 50b; 60a; 60b), the lower periphery of the skirt (24) of an upper cup (50a; 60a) comes to bear on the stacking shoulder (44) of the lower cup (50b; 60b).

8. Cup according to Claim 7, characterized in that the shell (229) on the external side thereof has a reinforcement (52) on the stacking shoulder (44).