Paper Cup

Abstract

The present invention relates to a paper cup comprising a sidewall member having an upper edge, a lower edge, a pair of opposite side edges, a front surface and a back surface, each of the side edges and the upper edge defining upper corners, the side edges being overlapped and sealed together along an overlapping side seam, and a bottom member having a peripheral lip sealed to the lower edge of the sidewall member; said paper cup is remarkable in that it further comprises at least one rigid or semi-rigid rim structure attached to the upper edge of the side wall member and in that the paper weight of the bottom member is greater than the paper weight of the sidewall member.

1 . A paper cup comprising a sidewall member having an upper edge, a lower edge, a pair of opposite side edges, a front surface and a back surface, each of the side edges and the upper edge defining upper corners, the side edges being overlapped and sealed together along an overlapping side seam, and a bottom member having a peripheral lip sealed to the lower edge of the sidewall member, characterized in that it further comprises at least one rigid or semi-rigid rim structure attached to the upper edge of the side wall member and in that the paper weight of the bottom member is greater than the paper weight of the sidewall member. 
     
     
         2 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the paper weight of the bottom member is comprised between 240 and 400 gsm. 
     
     
         3 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the paper weight of the sidewall member is comprised between 150 and 240 gsm. 
     
     
         4 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the rim structure consists in a ring enclosed in a rolled upper edge forming a curl. 
     
     
         5 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the rim structure consists in a ring bounded onto the back surface of the sidewall member near its upper edge. 
     
     
         6 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the rim structure is a plastic and/or metallic ring. 
     
     
         7 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the sidewall member has a generally trapezoidal shape suitable to form a tronconical paper cup and in that the rim structure is an annular ring. 
     
     
         8 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the back surface and/or the front surface of the sidewall member and/or the bottom member is coated with a biodegradable film. 
     
     
         9 . The paper cup according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the biodegradable film is made by Plolyactic Acid (PLA), bio-Polymers or bio-degradable plastic suitable to be composted. 
     
     
         10 . The paper cup according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the front surface of the sidewall member is at least partially embossed to form relief.