Single serve beverage container

• US 10,696,472 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2018
• Issued: 06/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Borse, Michael Borse, Robert J. Borse
• Original Assignee: Joseph Borse, Michael Borse, Robert J. Borse
• Inventors: Borse, Joseph, Borse, Michael, Borse, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chu, King M
• Application Number:
  US15/966,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20190329969A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 426 77, 99295
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/082 by shaping between complementary mould parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/343 having recessed undersurfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7132 Bowls, Cups, Glasses
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7174 Capsules
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/804 Disposable containers or packages with contents which are mixed, infused or dissolved in situ , i.e. without having been previously removed from the package B65D65/46 takes precedence; tea infusers A47G19/16; spoons or stirrers comprising beverage additives A47G21/04
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8043 Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06

Abstract

A container including a side wall having a hollow interior, an outwardly extending flange positioned above an upper end of the side wall, a lower end of the side wall having a first wall positioned thereon, a second wall extending upwardly from the first wall into the hollow interior of the side wall, a third wall extending inwardly and downwardly from the second wall, and a base extending inwardly from the third wall. A method of thermoforming the beverage container using a thermoforming operation is also provided.

Claims

1. A container, comprising:

a side wall having a hollow interior;

an outwardly extending flange positioned above an upper end of the side wall;

a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall positioned on a bottom of the container;

wherein the first wall is positioned on a lower end of the side wall;

wherein the second wall extends upwardly from the first wall into the hollow interior of the side wall;

wherein the third wall extends inwardly and downwardly from the second wall; and

a base extending inwardly from the third wall; and

wherein a gap exists between the first wall and the second wall.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the beverage container is formed through a thermoforming operation.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein a plurality of spaced apart ribs extend from the third wall to the first wall and span across an entire distance between the third wall and the second wall.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the beverage container comprises polypropylene.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein no gap exists between an inner surface of the first wall and the second wall.

11. The container of claim 8, wherein a gap exists between the second wall and the third wall that extends between the plurality of spaced apart ribs.

12. The container of claim 9, wherein a flat transition portion extends between the second wall and the third wall.

13. The container of claim 8, wherein a plurality of ridges extend upwardly from a central portion of the base into the hollow interior of the side wall.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the third wall has a length that +/−

25% of a length of the second wall.

2. A container, comprising:

a side wall having a hollow interior;

an outwardly extending flange positioned above an upper end of the side wall;

a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall positioned on a bottom of the container;

wherein the first wall is positioned on a lower end of the side wall;

wherein the second wall extends upwardly from the first wall into the hollow interior of the side wall;

wherein the third wall extends inwardly and downwardly from the second wall; and

a base extending inwardly from the third wall;

wherein the first wall is contiguous with the second wall; and

wherein there is no gap between the second wall and an inner surface of the first wall.

3. A container, comprising:

a side wall having a hollow interior;

an outwardly extending flange positioned above an upper end of the side wall;

a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall positioned on a bottom of the container;

wherein the first wall is positioned on a lower end of the side wall;

wherein the second wall extends upwardly from the first wall into the hollow interior of the side wall;

wherein the third wall extends inwardly and downwardly from the second wall; and

a base extending inwardly from the third wall; and

wherein a gap exists between the second wall and the third wall that extends around an entire area between the second wall and the third wall.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein a plurality of spaced apart ribs extend from the third wall towards the second wall.

6. A container, comprising:

a side wall having a hollow interior;

an outwardly extending flange positioned above an upper end of the side wall;

a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall positioned on a bottom of the container;

wherein the first wall is positioned on a lower end of the side wall;

wherein the second wall extends upwardly from the first wall into the hollow interior of the side wall;

wherein the third wall extends inwardly and downwardly from the second wall; and

a base extending inwardly from the third wall;

wherein a plurality of ridges extend upwardly from a central portion of the base into the hollow interior of the side wall.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein a plurality of angled raised surfaces extend between the plurality of ridges.

15. A method of forming a container having a side wall having a hollow interior, an outwardly extending flange positioned above an upper end of the side wall, a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall positioned on a bottom of the container, wherein the first wall is positioned on a lower end of the side wall, wherein the second wall extends upwardly from the first wall into the hollow interior of the side wall, wherein the third wall extends inwardly and downwardly from the second wall, and a base extending inwardly from the third wall, and wherein a gap exists between the first wall and the second wall comprising the steps of:

performing a first thermoforming step on a sheet of plastic material to form the side wall, the first wall and the base; and

following the first thermoforming step with a second thermoforming step to form the second wall and the third wall.

16. The method of claim 15, further including forming a plurality of ridges in a central portion of the base during the first or second thermoforming operation.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein there is no gap between the second wall and an inner surface of the first wall.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein a gap is formed between the first wall and the second wall.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein a gap is formed between the second wall and the third wall that extends around an entire area between the second wall and the third wall.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a plurality of spaced apart ribs extend from the third wall towards the second wall.

21. The method claim 15, wherein the container comprises polypropylene.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein a plurality of spaced apart ribs extend from the third wall to the first wall and span across an entire distance between the third wall and the second wall.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein there is no gap between the second wall and an inner surface of the first wall.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein a gap exists between the second wall and the third wall that extends between the plurality of spaced apart ribs.