Disposable containers having an individualizing portion to encourage reuse and reduce waste

Abstract

A disposable container having an image capable of being personalized by a user by scratching and/or depressing at least a portion of the image is provided. A disposable container including a bottom portion, a sidewall portion extending up from the bottom portion to define a cavity capable of holding a substance and an upper portion of the sidewall to define an opening through which the substance can be placed within and withdrawn from the cavity, wherein the sidewall portion has an inner and an outer surface, and an image disposed on the outer surface of the sidewall portion, wherein the image can be scratched and/or depressed along any portion of the image by a user thereby personalizing said container, which fosters reuse and eliminates waste.

1 . A disposable container comprising: 
 a bottom portion;    a sidewall portion extending up from the bottom portion defining a cavity capable of holding a substance and an upper portion of the sidewall defining an opening through which the substance can be placed within and withdrawn from the cavity, wherein the sidewall portion has an inner and an outer surface; and    an image disposed on the outer surface of the sidewall portion, wherein the image can be scratched, depressed, or any combination thereof, along any portion of the image by a user thereby personalizing said container.    
   
   
       2 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the image includes an alpha character, a numerical character, artwork, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the image protrudes from the outer surface of the sidewall portion of the container.  
   
   
       4 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein the image is recessed into the outer surface of the sidewall portion of the container.  
   
   
       5 . The disposable container of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the image protrudes from the outer surface of the sidewall of the container, and a second portion of the image recesses into the outer surface of the sidewall of the container.  
   
   
       6 . A method of making a cup having a portion of said cup capable of being individualized by a user of said cup, said method comprising the steps of: 
 forming said cup including a base, a sidewall having an outer surface extending up from the base to define a liquid holding cavity and an image, wherein said image is disposed at a predetermined area on the outer surface of the sidewall of said cup, and wherein the image is formed such that any portion of said image can be scratched, depressed, or any combination thereof by a user thereby personalizing the cup.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said image includes an alpha character, a numerical character, artwork, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said image protrudes from the outer surface of the sidewall.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said image recesses into the outer surface of the sidewall.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a first portion of said image protrudes from the outer surface of the sidewall, and a second portion of said image recesses into the outer surface of the sidewall.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , further includes forming a rim on the upper surface of the sidewall of said cup, wherein the rim defines an opening for filling and withdrawing a liquid from the liquid holding cavity, and wherein the outer surface of the sidewall includes an outer surface of the rim.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein predetermined area is the outer surface of the sidewall about the rim.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined area is any portion of the outer surface of the sidewall between the base and the rim.  
   
   
       14 . A mold for making a Styrofoam cup which includes forming a base, a sidewall extending from the base to define a cavity for holding a liquid, and a rim formed along the top portion of the sidewall that defines an opening for filling and withdrawing a liquid from the cavity, further comprising: 
 an image portion disposed on a predetermined area on an outer surface of the cup, wherein the image portion is formed such that the image can be scratched, depressed, or any combination thereof by a user.    
   
   
       15 . The mold of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined area of the cup is the outer surface of the rim.  
   
   
       16 . The mold of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined area of the cup is a portion of an area on the outer surface of the cup between the base and the rim.  
   
   
       17 . The mold of  claim 14 , wherein the image includes an alpha character, a numerical character, artwork, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The mold of  claim 14 , wherein the image is formed such that the image protrudes from the outer surface of the cup.  
   
   
       19 . The mold of  claim 14 , wherein the image is formed such that the image recesses into the outer surface of the cup.  
   
   
       20 . The mold of  claim 14 , wherein a first portion of the image protrudes from the outer surface of the cup, and a second portion of the image recesses into the outer surface of the cup.  
   
   
       21 . The mold of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined area of the cup includes an outer surface of the rim or a combination of the outer surface of the body and the rim of the cup.