Description FOLDABLE CUP

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a cup, and more particularly, to a foldable cup which can distribute easily a load to maintain securely its shape and can accommodate and seal hermetically solid powders such as tea or cereal powders therein to enable the user to enjoy tea or food by pouring water thereinto. Background Art

[2] As is generally known, the people have used a glass cup or a mug cup for drinking water, coffee and various drinking. However, the people have favorably used a disposable cup which can be used more conveniently.

[3] A cylindrical cup which can be placed on a table or a flat surface has been widely used as the typical shape of such disposable cup. Since such cylindrical cup is made of paper, if the paper cup is filled with contents such as water, coffee or another beverage for long time, liquefied component in the contents penetrates into the paper cup so that the cup becomes swollen. Due to the above, the disposal paper cup has a drawback that the content received in the cup can be leaked or spilled so that it is difficult to use safely the cup.

[4] In particular, since the cylindrical cup has a wide upper portion and a narrow lower portion, a large load of contents placed in the wide upper portion is concentrated on the lower portion, and so a shape of the cup is rapidly deteriorated. In addition, since the above cylindrical cup has the invariable volume, it is inconvenient to keep, convey and carry the cup.

[5] In view of the above drawbacks, a disposable spring- water cup which is furnished on a water purifier and the like and taken out one by one to enable the user to drink water has been widely utilized.

[6] The disposable spring- water cup which has been generally used has a simple envelop shape, and so a volume of the disposal cup is small and it is easy to keep the disposal cup. However, since the disposal cup is not swollen well, the user inserts unsanitarily his finger into the disposal cup to swell the cup, and the conventional disposal cup has a disadvantage that it is possible to make the disposal cup in which water is received stand on a table or a floor. In order to solve the above problem, a disposal paper cup as shown in Fig. 1 has been conceived.

[7] The cup shown in Fig. 1 has a foldable structure, and so the cup is maintained in a folded state when the cup is kept and carried and the cup can be transformed into a shape of the cup by a simple hand movement so as to use as the cup. The disposal cup

shown in Fig. 1 comprises an external cup 10 having opened upper and lower portions, folding lines 12 and 12' formed in the vertical direction and facing to each other on an outer surface and semi-circular shaped bending lines 14 and 14' which are formed at both sides with respect to the folding lines 12 and 12' and symmetrical with each other, and an internal cup 30 supported by a circumference 18 of an upper end of the external cup, inserted in an inner space 16 of the external cup and communicated with the external cup.

[8] The conventional disposal cup shown in Fig. 1 has an advantage that, due to the dual structure consisting of the internal cup and the external cup, an original shape of the cup is not transformed although the cup is filled with the contents such as water or beverage for long time. However, there is a drawback that the paper used for manufacturing the disposal cup is consumed in large quantities.

[9] In addition, since the conventional disposal paper cup has an opened upper portion, in a case where the cup filled with beverage is conveyed, beverage can be overflowed out of the cup and foreign substance can be introduced into the beverage thorough the opened upper portion. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] The present invention is conceived to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a foldable cup which has a single fold to reduce a consumption of paper, can be utilized repeatedly in several times and can maintain its stable shape although the cup is filled with contents such as water or beverage for long time.

[11] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable cup capable of receiving and keeping hermetically food and drink therein. Technical Solution

[12] To achieve the above objects, a foldable cup according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a front face being bent in the circumferential direction of the cup and having one or more supporting axis line bearing a load exerted in the upward/ downward direction; a rear face being connected to the front face by connecting both side ends thereof to both side ends of the front face such that the rear face and the front face are opposite to each other, the rear face being bent in the circumferential direction of the cup and having at least one supporting axis line bearing a load exerted in the upward/downward direction; and a foldable bottom face having a hexagonal shape such that lower ends of the front face and the rear face are connected to end portions thereof. Here, wherein the bottom face comprises a folding line extended between the front face and the rear face and dividing the bottom face into two areas, a main axis

line crossing the folding line in the diagonal direction and bent in the inward/outward directions for bearing a load exerted to the bottom face, and a plurality of branch axis lines extended from end portions of the folding line and vertexes adjacent to the end portions and concentrated on a certain point, and the main axis line is connected to at least one of the branch axis lines corresponding to the end portions for dispersing the load.

[13] Preferably, the foldable cup is characterized in that the bottom face further comprises a plurality of reinforcing axis lines connecting the adjacent vertexes and the folding line, the main axis line transverses the reinforcing axis line corresponding to each end portion.

[14] More preferably, the foldable cup is characterized in that the front face and the rear face have both side ends portions formed as foldable bonding portions and lower end portions formed as foldable bonding portions corresponding circumference sides of the bottom face.

[15] In addition, the foldable cup is characterized in that the front face and the rear face have at least two supporting axis lines formed thereon, respectively, and facing to each other.

[16] Also, the foldable cup is characterized in that the front face and the rear face have cuttable sealed-bonding portions formed at upper end portions thereof.

[17] Preferably, the sealed-bonding portion consists of a pair of folding lines formed along a circumference of the cup and spaced from and parallel with each other, the lower folding line is folded in the outward direction of the cup, and the upper folding line is folded in the inward direction of the cup and then bonded to the front face or the rear face.

[18] More preferably, the sealed-bonding portions are bonded by a thermal fusion- bonding method.

[19] In particular, the sealed-bonding portions are bonded in a state where a tea-bag, solid powder food or seed of vegetable are received in the cup.

[20] Preferably, the front face and the rear face have a cutting line formed between the upper end and the upper folding line thereof.

[21] More preferably, a stamping machining process is performed along the cutting line.

[22] In addition, it is preferable that the rear face and the bottom face are made of paper or synthetic resins.

Advantageous Effects

[23] Since the present invention is utilized as the square pillar shaped cup, as compared with the conventional paper cup having a conical shape or a trapezoid shape, a degree of concentration of load is low, and so it is possible to maintain an original shape of the

cup in a state where the cup is filled with the contents such as water. [24] In the cup of the present invention, in addition, due to the foldable supporting axis lines formed on the front face and the rear face, the main axis line formed on the bottom face, the branch axis line and the reinforcing axis line, a load of the contents can be distributed easily so that it is possible to maintain an original shape of the cup for long time.

[25] Further, the cup of the present invention is capable of receiving and keeping hermetically the food and drink therein.

Brief Description of Drawings [26] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [27] Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional disposable cup;

[28] Fig. 2 is a development view showing a structure of a foldable cup according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [29] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the foldable cup shown in Fig. 2 is assembled;

[30] Fig. 4 is a left side view of the foldable cup shown in Fig. 3;

[31] Fig. 5 is a right side view of the foldable cup shown in Fig. 3;

[32] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing that the foldable cup shown in Fig. 3 is unfolding for use;

[33] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the foldable cup shown in Fig. 3 and being in use;

[34] Fig. 8 is a development view showing a structure of a foldable cup according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [35] Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are perspective views showing a state where the foldable cup shown in Fig. 7 is assembled; [36] Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of the foldable cup, taken along the line A-A in Fig.

9; and [37] Fig. 12 is a view illustrating the foldable cup, which is in use, according to the second embodiment of the present invention which is in use.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention [38] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. [39]

[40] First embodiment

[41] Fig. 2 is a development view showing a structure of a foldable cup according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state

where the foldable cup shown in Fig. 2 is assembled, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are left and right side views of the foldable cup shown in Fig. 3.

[42] As shown in Fig. 2, a foldable cup according to the present invention comprises a front face 10 and a rear face 20 facing to each other and a bottom face 30 connecting lower ends of the front face 10 and the rear face 20 and forming a bottom thereof.

[43] The bottom face 30 has a hexagonal shape so that lower ends of the front face 10 and the rear face 20 are connected to end portions of the bottom face, and the bottom face has a folding line 33 formed thereon and crossing between the front face 10 and the second face 20 so that the bottom face 30 can be folded with respect to the folding line.

[44] The front face 10 and the rear face 20 have foldable bonding portions 11, 12 and 21,

22 formed at both end portions thereof, and the bonding portions 11 and 21; 12 and 22 corresponding to each other are bonded so that the front face and the rear face are connected to each other. In addition, the front face 10 and the rear face 20 have foldable bonding portions 13 and 23 formed at lower portions thereof and corresponding to circumference sides 31 and 32 of the bottom face 30, and the bonding portions 31 and 13; 32 and 23 corresponding to each other are bonded to each other as shown in Fig. 2. so that the front face, the rear face and the bottom face are connected to each other.

[45] One or more supporting axis lines 14 are formed on the front face 10 so that the front face 10 is bent in the circumferential direction of the cup along the supporting axis lines, thus these supporting axis lines 14 bear a load exerted in the upward/downward direction. Also, one or more supporting axis lines 24 are formed on the rear face 20 so that the rear face 20 is bent in the circumferential direction of the cup along the supporting axis lines, thus these supporting axis lines 24 bear a load exerted in the upward/downward direction. These supporting axis lines 14 and 24 provide a certain supporting force for maintaining a shape of the cup in a case where the cup is unfolded to use the cup and bear a load of contents exerted downward in a state where the cup is filled with contents such as water or beverage and the like.

[46] In addition to the folding line 33 extended between the front face 10 and the rear face

20 and dividing the bottom face into two areas, as shown in Fig. 2, the bottom face 30 further comprises a main axis line 37 crossing the folding line 33 in the diagonal direction and bent in the inward/outward directions for bearing a load exerted thereto and a plurality of branch axis lines 34a, 35a and 36a extended from end portions 34 of the folding line 33 and vertexes 35 and 36 adjacent to the end portions and concentrated on a certain point.

[47] Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, the main axis line 37 is connected to at least one of the branch axis lines 34a, 35a and 36a corresponding to each end portion 34 to disperse the load.

[48] The bottom face 30 further comprises a plurality of reinforcing axis lines 35b, 35c and 36b connecting the vortexes 35 and 36 adjacent to the end portions 34 to the folding line 33. The main axis line 37 traverses the reinforcing axis lines 35b and 36b adjacent to the end portions 34 and is connected to at least one of the branch axis lines 34a, 35a and 36a.

[49] The foldable cup according to the present invention as described may be manufactured with a paper. However, it is preferable that the foldable cup is manufactured with synthetic resins such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and the like in order to give the durability and heat resistance to the cup.

[50] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing that the foldable cup shown in Fig. 3 is unfolding for use and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the foldable cup shown in Fig. 3 and being in use;

[51] In order to use the cup after the foldable cup of the present invention shown in Fig. 2 is assembled into the cup shown in Fig. 3, the user presses the bonding portions 11 and 21; 12 and 22 formed at both side end portions to widen a space between the front face 10 and the rear face 20. At this time, the supporting axis lines 14 and 24 formed on the front face and the rear face is bent to form the cup having an approximately square pillar shape as shown in Fig. 7, and the supporting axis lines 14 and 24 bear a load of the contents in a state where the cup is filled with the contents such as water or beverage and the like to maintain an external shape of the cup for long time.

[52] In addition, the bottom face 30 folded between the front face 10 and the rear face 20 is unfolded. At this time, the main axis line 37, the branch axis lines 34a, 35a and 36a and the reinforcing axis lines 35b, 35c and 36b are unfolded .

[53] A folded state of the main axis line 37, the branch axis lines 34a, 35a and 36a and the reinforcing axis lines 35b, 35c and 36b unfolded as described above is maintained below the lower face 30 to bear a load of the contents concentrated on the bottom face.

[54] Although not shown in the drawings, in the meantime, if the foldable cup according to the first embodiment of the present invention in which a tea bag of green tea and the like is attached to inner surfaces of the front face 10 and the rear face 20, when the user unfolds and utilizes the above cup, the user pours conveniently water into the cup and then can drinks the green tea without preparing separate tea bag.

[55]

[56] Secondembodiment

[57] Below, a description on the elements constituting the cup according to the second embodiment, which are similar to those constituting the cup according to the first embodiment, is omitted in order to illustrate definitely the present invention.

[58] Fig. 8 is a development view showing a structure of a foldable cup according to the second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are perspective views

showing a state where the foldable cup shown in Fig. 7 is assembled, and Fig. 11 is a side sectional view of the foldable cup, taken along the line A-A in Fig. 9.

[59] As shown in the drawings, the foldable cup according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a cuttable sealed-bonding portion 25 formed on the upper portions of the front face 10 and the rear face 20, and so an inner space of the cup can be sealed after the cup is assembled.

[60] To putitconcretely,asshowninFig.7,thissealed-bonding portion 25 consists of a pair of folding lines 25 a and 25b formed at the upper end portion along a circumference of the cup, these folding lines are spaced from and parallel with each other.

[61] Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 9, the lower folding line 25b in the pair of folding lines 25a and 25b is folded in the outward direction of the cup, and the upper folding line 25a is folded in the inward direction of the cup. Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the front face 10 and the rear face 20 overlap each other, and the bonding portions 11 and 21; 12 and 22 are bonded to each other.

[62] Finally, the end portions of the front face 10 and the rear face 20 facing to each other are bonded to form completely the cup.

[63] Here, it is preferable that the sealed-bonding portions 25 are bonded by a thermal fusion-bonding method (thermal press-bonding method).

[64] Due to the above sealed-bonding portion 25, it is possible to keep hermetically eatables and drinkables such as uncooked food and the like in an internal space of the cup and the user can detach the sealed-bonding portion 25 from the cup taking advantage of his/her hand to open the cup at the time of using the cup.

[65] Fig. 12 is a view illustrating the foldable cup, which is in use, according to the second embodiment of the present invention which is in use. As shown in the drawing, a cutting line 26 may be formed separately between the upper end and the upper folding line 25 a of each of the front face 10 and the rear face 20 to detach conveniently the sealed-bonding portion 25 from the cup.

[66] This cutting line 26 is formed above the folded portions of the front face 10 and rear face 20, and a plurality of perforations may be formed along the cutting line 26 at regular intervals to detach easily the cutting lines at the time of utilizing the cup.

[67] In addition, a stamping machining may be performed along the cutting line 26 to facilitate a detachment of the cutting line 26 at the time of utilizing the cup.

[68] Furthermore, if the cup is manufactured in a state where foods such as a tea bag of the green tea or solid powders such as cereal powder (for example, uncooked food and the like), which can be taken conveniently by pouring only water, is received in the internal space thereof prior to bonding the cuttable sealed-bonding portion 25, the food and drink can be kept hermetically in the cup for long time and the user can enjoy conveniently a tea or food without preparing additionally the cup and food and drink.

[69] In the meantime, although the cup capable of receiving food and drink is illustrated in the above description as the embodiment of the present invention, the foldable cup of the present invention can be used as a container capable of receiving the article besides the food and drink. For example, after sealing the cup in which seeds of vegetable is received, the user unfolds the cup to utilize it as a small- sized flowerpot.

[70] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptions and specific embodiments disclosed in the foregoing description may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[71] Since the present invention is utilized as the square pillar shaped cup, as compared with the conventional paper cup having a conical shape or a trapezoid shape, a degree of concentration of load is low, and so it is possible to maintain an original shape of the cup in a state where the cup is filled with the contents such as water.

[72] In the cup of the present invention, in addition, due to the foldable supporting axis lines formed on the front face and the rear face, the main axis line formed on the bottom face, the branch axis line and the reinforcing axis line, a load of the contents can be distributed easily so that it is possible to maintain an original shape of the cup for long time.

[73] Further, the cup of the present invention is capable of receiving and keeping hermetically the food and drink therein.