PAPER CUP

Abstract

The disposable paper cup has a body formed of a cylindrical wall with a recess at the top. The portions of the body wall adjacent either side of the recess are aligned into a flap. The flap is folded over and secured to the exterior surface of the body wall to entirely enclose the cup body, except for an integral spout formed by the recess.

Claims

1. A disposable paper cup comprising an entirely enclosed body except for an integral spout.

2. A disposable paper cup comprising a body formed of a generally cylindrical wall with a top portion having a recess, wherein the portions of said wall adjacent said recess are folded over to entirely enclose the body, other than a spout formed by said recess.

3. The cup of claim 2 wherein said wall portions are aligned and moved into side-by-side relation prior to being folded.

4. The cup of claim 3 wherein said folded portions are sealed to said body after being folded.

5. The cup of claim 2 wherein said folded portions are secured to said body.

6. The cup of claim 2 further comprising an insulating sleeve.

7. A method of forming a disposable paper cup body from a generally rectangular paper sheet part having a top edge and opposite sides, the method comprising the steps of: (a) creating a recess in the sheet part adjacent the top edge; (b) sealing the sides of the sheet part to form a generally cylindrical body; (c) aligning the portions of the body on either side of the recess; (d) moving the aligned portions of the body together into side-by-side relation; and (e) folding the aligned portions to a position adjacent the exterior of the cup body such that the recess forms a spout.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of: (f) securing the aligned portions to the exterior of the cup body.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: (g) creating a generally cylindrical sleeve of heat insulating material; and (h) inserting the cup body into the sleeve.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising forming a bottom for the cup body and sealing the bottom to the cup body.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said method results in a cup body which is entirely enclosed, except for an integral spout.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: (i) creating a sleeve; and (j) inserting the cup body in the sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0017] To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to a paper cup as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a paper sheet which has been cut to create paper portions which will form the bottom and side wall of the paper cup;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the paper cup after side wall has been formed and the bottom attached;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the paper cup showing the portions to be folded aligned and in side-by-side relation;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the paper cup with the aligned portions folded;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the cup of FIG. 4 with the optional insulating sleeve exploded;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the cup of FIG. 4 showing the location at which the folded portions are sealed to the exterior surface of the cup wall; and

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the cup of FIG. 3 showing the sealing points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] As seen in the Figures, the present invention is a disposable paper cup which has an entirely enclosed body, except for an integral spout. The body is formed of a generally cylindrical wall with a top portion having a recess. The portions of the body wall adjacent the recess are folded over to entirely enclose the body, other than the spout formed by the recess.

[0026] The body wall portions are aligned in side-by-side relation prior to being folded. The folded portions are sealed to the body after being folded. The cup may further include an insulating sleeve.

[0027] The cup is formed from a sheet of paper. As seen in FIG. 1, the paper sheet is cut into a generally rectangular part, which will form the wall of the body of the cup and a circular part, which will form the bottom of the cup.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the generally rectangular part actually has somewhat arcuate top and bottom edges such that when the body of the cup is formed, as seen in FIG. 2, it is not exactly cylindrical but instead is generally cylindrical, being somewhat larger at the top than at the bottom. Thus, the resulting cup body is technically a truncated cone, which is a common shape for drinking cups and glasses.

[0029] For purposes of this disclosure, the term generally rectangular is intended to include rectangular shapes, and shapes which are approximately rectangular such as the shape of the part depicted in FIG. 1. Similarly, the term generally cylindrical is intended to include shapes which are cylindrical, and shapes which are approximately cylindrical such as the shape of the cup body as seen in FIG. 2.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows that the generally rectangular body part includes an upper left-hand portion 1 defined by a fold line 2. Fold line 2 extends from the left side of the part to the top edge of the part and partially defines the top edge of a central portion 3. A recess 4 is situated at the top of central portion 3 and has a semi-circular shape with corners at each side.

[0031] The left corner of recess 4 is aligned with fold line 2. A second fold line 5 extends from the right side of the part to the other corner of recess 4 and defines the upper right-hand portion 6 of the part. In the preferred embodiment, fold lines 2 and 5 would form an angle of about 90 degrees, if extended.

[0032] When the left side of the part and the right side of the part are sealed together to form the body of the cup, and the circular part 7 is sealed to the bottom of the cup body, the partially formed cup appears as seen in FIG. 2.

[0033] As seen in FIG. 3, when portions 1 and 6 of the partially formed cup on either side of recess 4 are aligned and moved into side-by-side relation to form a flap, the partially formed cup appears as illustrated in FIG. 3. The flap formed of portions 1 and 6 is then folded along fold line 2 such that it is adjacent the exterior of the surface of the cup body, and the partially formed cup appears as seen in FIG. 4. In that state, the spout is defined by recess 4 and the entire body of the cup, with the exception of the integral spout, is enclosed, eliminating the necessity for a separate lid.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a separate insulating sleeve 9 into which the body of the cup of the present invention may be received. Sleeve 9 may also be formed of paper. The use of sleeve 9 is optional and primarily employed when the cup contains hot beverages. However, in certain instances, the sleeve may be sized for used to secure the flat to the exterior of the cup body, eliminating the need for sealant or other securing means. In addition, an elastic band may be substituted for the paper sleeve by placing the band around the folded flap and the cup body.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates the place 10 where the folded flap formed by portions 1 and 6 may be secured to the exterior surface of the cup body. Adhesive, hook and loop tape or other sealing means (including the sleeve 9 or elastic band referred to above) may be used for sealing the flap to the cup body. FIG. 7 illustrates the places 11 and 12 on the exterior surface of the cup body and portion 1, respectively, which may be secured together.

[0036] In some situations, the flap formed by portions 1 and 6 can be held in place adjacent the exterior surface of the cup body by the hand of the user, eliminating the necessity of sealing or otherwise securing the flap to the cup body by adhesive, a sleeve or an elastic band.

[0037] While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto, including, for example, the size and shape of the cup body. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims: