Method and apparatus for stabilizing and supporting disposable drinking cups on a surface

Abstract

A drinking cup and a method for supporting tapered, disposable beverage cups on a variety of surfaces and means for making such cups more stable and less susceptible to accidental upset.

1 . A cup having a longitudinal axis and comprising a bottom wall of a first diameter, a top portion defining an opening of a second diameter larger than said first diameter and a generally tapered sidewall interconnecting said top portion with said bottom wall, said wall having fracturing means for fracturing said side wall to divide said cup into upper and a lower sections. 
   
   
       2 . The cup as defined in  claim 1  in which said top portion includes a rim. 
   
   
       3 . The cup as defined in  claim 1  in which said side wall is generally frusto-conical in shape. 
   
   
       4 . The cup as defined in  claim 1  in which said side wall is constructed from a frangible material. 
   
   
       5 . The cup as defined in  claim 1  in which said fracturing means comprises a circumferentially extending score line formed in said side wall and disposed in a transverse plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the cup. 
   
   
       6 . The cup as defined in  claim 1  in which said fracturing means comprises a circumferentially extending parting wire that is embedded in said side wall of the cup. 
   
   
       7 . The cup as defined in  claim 1  in which said fracturing means comprises a circumferentially extending ribbon that is embedded in said side wall of the cup. 
   
   
       8 . The cup as defined in  claim 7  in which said circumferentially extending ribbon includes a pull tab. 
   
   
       9 . The cup as defined in  claim 7  in which said circumferentially extending ribbon is disposed in a transverse plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the cup. 
   
   
       10 . A method for supporting and stabilizing a first cup having a tapered wall on a surface by providing an enlarged, stable base for receiving, securely retaining and supporting the first cup through the use of a second cup having a longitudinal axis and comprising a bottom wall of a first diameter, a top portion defining an opening of a second diameter larger than said first diameter and a generally tapered, frangible sidewall interconnecting said top portion with said bottom wall, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) scoring the side wall of the second cup along a line lying in a transverse plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the cup to form a parting line;   (b) manually separating the cup at the parting line to form an upper section having an open mouth;   (c) inverting said upper section to define a base; and   (d) inserting the first tapered cup into the open mouth of said base, whereby the wall of the first tapered cup is frictionally supported by said base.   
   
   
       11 . A method for supporting and stabilizing a first cup having a tapered wall on a surface by providing an enlarged, stable base for receiving, securely retaining and supporting the first cup through the use of a second cup having a longitudinal axis and comprising a bottom wall of a first diameter, a top portion defining an opening of a second diameter larger than said first diameter and a generally tapered, frangible sidewall interconnecting said top portion with said bottom wall, said frangible sidewall having a parting wire embedded therein, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) manually removing the parting wire to separate the cup at the parting line to form an upper section having an upper end having an open mouth;   (b) inverting said upper section to define a base; and   (c) inserting the first tapered cup into the open mouth of said base, whereby the wall of the first tapered cup is frictionally supported by said base.