Corrugated paperboard dishware and cookware

Abstract

Disposable dishware and cookware may be constructed from corrugated paperboard. The corrugated paperboard provides voids filled with air to serve as a natural insulation barrier. In so doing the contents held by the dishware are maintained at a desired temperature longer without transferring temperature to the user. The voids may also serve as conduits or plenums to communicate hot air away from the cookware and thus provide for use at elevated temperatures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An insulated, food container manufactured from cellulosic materials, comprising: 
 a bottom wall; and    an upstanding outer wall attached to the bottom wall and defining an interior space, the outer wall including an inner layer, an outer layer, and a corrugated layer between the inner layer and outer layer defining voids, the interior space being insulated from the atmosphere by the outer wall and the voids in the corrugated layer.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is one of a frusto-conical and cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , further including a liquid impermeable coating on the inner layer.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , further including a lid.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is substantially parallelepiped in shape.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the voids contain air, the air being able to circulate within each void.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the voids contain foam styrene.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the walls are compressible.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall includes a first layer, a second layer, and a corrugated layer between the two.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall further includes a second corrugated layer.  
     
     
         11 . An insulated container manufactured from cellulosic materials, comprising: 
 a bottom wall;    an upstanding outer wall attached to the bottom wall and defining a mouth and an interior space, the outer wall including a corrugated layer and at least one substantially planar layer attached to the corrugated layer, the corrugated layer including a plurality of flutes forming voids in cooperation with the planar layer.    
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the voids contain air.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the voids contain foam styrene.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11 , further including a second planar layer, the corrugated layer being positioned between the first and second planer layers.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising a removable cap adapted to seal the mouth.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14 , further including a second corrugated layer.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second corrugated layers include flutes provided at different amplitudes.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second corrugated layers include flutes provided at different frequencies.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second corrugated layers include flutes provided at different wavelengths.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second corrugated layers include flutes which are out-of-phase with one another.  
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the flutes are 180° out-of-phase.  
     
     
         22 . A method of cooking a foodstuff, comprising: 
 disposing a foodstuff in container manufactured of cellulosic materials, the container including a bottom wall and an upstanding outer wall, the outer wall including an inner layer, an outer layer, and a corrugated layer between the inner layer and outer layer defining voids; and    warming the foodstuff within the container.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the foodstuff is warmed to a temperature than exceeds 500° F.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the foodstuff is warmed to a temperature that exceeds 451° F.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising placing a cap on the container prior to cooking the foodstuff.  
     
     
         26 . A method of evenly cooling a foodstuff, comprising: 
 disposing a foodstuff within a container, the container having an outer wall including an outer layer, an inner layer, and a corrugated layer between the inner layer and outer layer defining voids;    placing the container in an atmosphere cooler than the temperature of the foodstuff; and    allowing the heat of the foodstuff to dissipate within the voids of the outer wall and to the atmosphere.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising freezing the foodstuff.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising allowing the outer wall to slightly compress under the expansion of the foodstuff due to freezing.