Truncated Conical Bottom Plate

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application, Ser. No. 63/683,969, filed on Aug. 16, 2024, entitled “Truncated Conical Bottom Plate.” The subject matter disclosed in that Provisional application is hereby expressly incorporated into the past Application.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to paperboard plates and, particularly, to the base or bottom of the paperboard plate having a truncated conical construction.

Historically, smooth-wallpaper plates have some type of bottom shape construction. Such construction may be flat or domed, for example. In certain instances, the bottom of the plate may include a raised planar base with sharp angled or intersection transitions. Such designs have become conventional.

As the paper plate industry has evolved, however, more demands have been placed on the performance of paper plates, particularly, in the area of rigidity and moisture resistance. Depending on how the plate is pressed, it might exhibit enhanced strength. However, raised flat bottoms have failed to add much, if any, rigidity. Also, depending on how the plate is coated and pressed, the plate may exhibit more or less moisture resistance. In some instances, the plate's structural characteristics combined with the coating may fail to produce significant strength or moisture resistance. Furthermore, sharp angled or intersection transitions were found to be locations where the coating could fail, thus, allowing moisture to soak through the paper plate.

Accordingly, as an alternative, an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a paperboard plate having a truncated conical base construction. The paperboard plate comprises a base that serves as the bottom of the paperboard plate. An upward extending sidewall is located adjacent to and about a periphery of the base. The upward extending sidewall is oriented transverse to the base. A sidewall transition joins the upward extending sidewall to the base. The base includes: a bottom flat located adjacent the sidewall transition opposite the upward extending sidewall; a first transition radius located adjacent the bottom flat opposite the sidewall transition; a conically extending planar surface located adjacent the first transition radius opposite the bottom flat; wherein the conically extending planar surface extends upward from the bottom flat to form a conical shape; a second transition radius located adjacent the conically extending planar surface opposite the first transition radius; wherein the second transition radius is oriented opposite the first transition radius to truncate the conical shape of the conically extending planar surface; and a plateau located at about a center of the paperboard plate; wherein the plateau is located adjacent the second transition radius and opposite the conically extending planar surface; and wherein the plateau further truncates the conically extending planar surface.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the paperboard plate may further comprise: the sidewall transition being arcuate; a rim located adjacent the upward extending side wall opposite the sidewall transition; the paperboard plate being of a type selected from the group consisting of a plate shape, tray, and container; the bottom flat being a lowest portion of the base with respect to a remainder of the paperboard plate; the first transition radius has an arc that is about 0 (for example, 0.001) inches to about 20 inches; the second transition radius has an arc that is about 0 (for example, 0.001) inches to about 20 inches; the paperboard plate has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of round, oval, square, and rectangular; the bottom flat extends from the sidewall transition; the first transition radius extends from the bottom flat opposite the sidewall transition; the conically extending planar surface extends from the first transition radius; the second transition radius extends from the conically extending planar surface; the plateau extends from the second transition radius; and the first transition radius is not an intersection.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a paperboard plate having a truncated conical base construction. The base serves as the bottom of the paperboard plate. A sidewall is located adjacent to and about a periphery of the base. A sidewall transition is located adjacent to the sidewall and the base. The base includes: a bottom flat located adjacent the sidewall transition opposite the sidewall; a first transition radius located adjacent the bottom flat opposite the sidewall transition; a conically extending planar surface located adjacent the first transition radius opposite the bottom flat to form a conical shape; a second transition radius located adjacent the conically extending planar surface opposite the first transition radius to truncate the conical shape of the conically extending planar surface; and a plateau located adjacent the second transition radius and opposite the conically extending planar surface; wherein the plateau further truncates the conically extending planar surface.

In the above and other illustrative embodiments, the paperboard plate may further comprise: the sidewall being an upward extending sidewall; the sidewall being oriented transverse to the base; the conically extending planar surface extending upward from the bottom flat; and the second transition radius being oriented opposite the first transition radius.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a paperboard plate having a truncated conical base construction. A base serves as the bottom of the paperboard plate. The base includes: a first transition radius; a conically extending planar surface located adjacent the first transition radius; a second transition radius located adjacent the conically extending planar surface; and a plateau located adjacent the second transition radius and opposite the conically extending planar surface; wherein the plateau truncates the conically extending planar surface.

Additional features and advantages of the truncated conical bottom plate will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed descriptions of carrying out this truncated conical bottom plate as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The concepts described in the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity, and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference labels may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional elevational view of a portion of a PRIOR ART domed plate;

FIG. 2 is another cross sectional elevational view of a portion of the PRIOR ART domed plate;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevational view of a portion of a PRIOR ART raised base plate;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevational view of a portion of another PRIOR ART raised base plate;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional elevational view of a portion of another PRIOR ART raised base plate;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional elevational view of a portion of another PRIOR ART raised base plate;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a truncated conical bottom plate;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the truncated conical bottom plate;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side-elevational view of the truncated conical bottom plate taken along line A-A of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side-elevation exaggerated view of a portion of the truncated conical bottom plate; and

FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional side-elevational view of the truncated conical bottom plate taken along line A-A of FIG. 8, similar to that shown in FIG. 9.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the truncated conical bottom plate, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the truncated conical bottom plate in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typical devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Because such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a paper plate having a truncated conical base construction. The truncated conical base includes a generally flat plane or perimeter section extending inward on the plate adjacent the sidewall transition which is typically a radiused body of the plate located at the bottom end of the sidewall. In essence, the sidewall transition, as its name implies, joins the upwardly extending sidewall portion with the generally transverse-oriented base portion. In this disclosure, however, the first section of the plate extending inwardly from the sidewall transition is a first planar surface rim. This first planar surface rim is a thin flat-bottomed surface at about the outer periphery of the plate.

Extending further inwardly from the first planar surface rim is a first transition radius. This first transition radius is only a slight arc or angle that is about 0 (for example, 0.001) inches to about 20 inches. A purpose of the first transition radius is to initiate the conical shape of the plate base, which may inhibit coating damage. This is in contrast to a sharp angle or intersection that may be subject to coating damage.

Extending further inward from the first transition radius is a second planar surface. The second planar surface, in contrast to the first planar surface, extends upward at the slight angle to provide the conical shape towards the interior of the plate base. The first transition radius provides the slight angle allowing the second planar surface to extend upward in a conical manner to form the base shape.

Following the second planar surface is a second transition radius positioned and oriented opposite the first transition radius. Like the first transition radius the second transition radius is slight, being only about 0 (for example, 0.001) inches to about 20 inches. In contrast to the first transition radius, which allows its adjacent second planar surface to extend upward, the second transition radius ceases that upward extension. Instead, the degree of curvature, despite also being a slight curve, extends from the second planar surface opposite the first transition radius towards a level plateau. The second transition radius and plateau is what truncates the conical shape of the base thereby preventing the conical shape of the base to form an apex. Instead, the conical shape of the base terminates at this plateau to provide another flat portion of the plate's base. In an illustrative embodiment, the plateau is about parallel to the first plate or surface. A flat plane is believed to consume the least amount of paper in truncating the conical bottom and this preset structure will be more difficult to deflect.

It is appreciated that the truncated conical base can be applied to any shape of plate, such as round, oval, square, and rectangle, for example. For purposes of this description, the truncated conical base will be characterized in context of a round paper plate. It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure, however, that other plate shapes may incorporate the truncated conical base as taught herein.

A cross-sectional elevational view of a portion of a prior art domed plate 2 is shown in FIG. 1. Prior art domed plate 2 is composed of a concaved dome base 4 that transitions to a sidewall 6 that itself transitions to a rim 8. Between concaved dome base 4 and sidewall 6 is a transition radius 10, which provides a curved body between concaved dome base 4 and sidewall 6. Prior art domed plate 2 may also include a bottom flat rim 12 extending inwardly from transition radius 10. Another slight transition radius 14 may be located between flat rim 12 and arc 16 of dome structure concaved dome base 4. This is a conventional design for paper plate having a raised base.

Another cross-sectional, side-elevational view of a portion of prior art domed plate 2 is shown in FIG. 2. This view demonstrates what happens to the structural integrity of dome plate 2 with weight applied to rim 8 and supported by dome base 4. As illustrated, dome base 4 deflects in directions 18 and 20, thus, reducing the dome structure arc 16. We believe this dome can be deflected flat, consuming some of the initial load, resulting in little resistance in initial deflection of the plate.

A cross-sectional, side-elevational view of another prior art raised base plate 22 is shown in FIG. 3. Like prior art domed plate 2, prior art raised base plate 22 includes a sidewall 24, rim 26, and base 34. A transition radius 28 extends inward of the plate from sidewall 24 and extends to an inverted transition radius 30 to raise flat 32 of base 34. In this design, base 34 is not conically shaped, as it relies on oppositely oriented transition radii 28 and 30. It is believed that a convex radius adjacent to a flat and transition radius, like flat 32 and transition radius 30, will put the paper coating in tension. This might result in cracks allowing moisture to leak to the paper. The large flat area is typically not pressed and therefore no preset structure is present which is believed to allow it to more easily deflect upon an initial load application.

A cross-sectional, side-elevational view of another prior art raised plate 36 is shown in FIG. 4. This design, like the others, includes a sidewall 38 and a rim 40. Raised base 42 is born from sidewall transition radius 44 extending from the lower end of sidewall 38 and extending inwardly of prior art raised plate 36. A flat 46 extends from sidewall transition radius 44 opposite sidewall 38. A sharp angle transition 48 extends from flat 46 and located opposite transition radius 44 providing an abrupt upwardly extending body portion of raised base 42. Transition radius 50 extends from sharp angled transition 48 in creating a curved body that becomes plateau 52. Again, this prior art plate employs oppositely oriented transition radii 44 and 50 to create a raised portion in the form of plateau 52 thereby creating the raised base 42. Transition radius 50 puts the paper coating in tension, which may result in cracks and allow leaks. The large flat area is typically not pressed and therefore no preset structure is present which is believed to allow it to more easily deflect upon an initial load application.

A cross-sectional, side-elevational view of a portion of another prior art plate 54 is shown in FIG. 5. As depicted, prior art plate 54 includes sidewall 56 extending up to rim 58 and has a raised base 60. Prior art plate 54, similar to prior art raised base plate 22, employs opposed oriented transition radii 62 and 64 to create the raised plateau 66 of raised base 60. Again, this large flat area is typically not pressed and therefore no preset structure is present which is believed to allow it to more easily deflect upon an initial load application.

Another cross-sectional, side-elevational view of a portion of the prior art raised base plate 68 is shown in FIG. 6. Like the other prior art plates, prior art raised base plate 68 includes sidewall 70 and rim 72 extending therefrom, as well as raised base 74. In contrast to the other designs, prior art raised base plate 68 includes a transition radius 76 that extends to an oppositely oriented sharp angled transition 78 that raises plateau 80 to form raised base 74. Like sharp angle transition 48 of prior art raised plate 36 (see, FIG. 4), the sharp angled transition 78 of plateau 80 may provide an area of weakness that could damage the coating on the plate. This may allow moisture to seep through.

An illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a perspective view of truncated conical bottom plate 82, is shown in FIG. 7. A sidewall 84 extends upward from the periphery of conical base 86 and up to rim 88. As further shown, truncated conical bottom plate 82 includes a transition radius 90 extending inward of truncated conical bottom plate 82. A bottom flat 92 extends from transition radius 90, opposite sidewall 84, inwardly towards the interior of truncated conical bottom plate 82. Another transition radius 94 extends from bottom flat 92, opposite transition radius 90, which oriented similar to transition radius 90, extends inwardly to planar surface 96. Extending from planar surface 96 is transition radius 98. This upward angle of planer surface 96 provides a conical shape for conical base 86. However, to create the truncated characteristic, transition radius 98 extends to plateau 100, which truncates the conical shape of conical base 86. To that end, plateau 100 forms center of truncated conical bottom plate 82. The result is believed to be a stronger plate design than conventional paper plates.

A top view of truncated conical bottom plate 82 is shown in FIG. 8. Like that shown in FIG. 7, truncated conical bottom plate 82 includes rim 88 extending away from sidewall 84. To form conical base 86, transition radius 90 extends inwardly to bottom flat 92, which is the lowest most portion of truncated conical bottom plate 82. Again, extending from bottom flat 92 is transition radius 94. Likewise, extending towards the interior of truncated conical bottom plate 82, opposite transition radius 90, is planer surface 96. In addition, planar surface 96 extends upwardly to form the conical shape of conical base 86 until terminated at transition radius 98, which extends to plateau 100. It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure that away from transition radius 90, and extending from bottom flat 92, is the conical shape of conical base 86 as formed unlike the profiles of the prior art plates disclosed in FIGS. 1-6. The conical shape, however, does not extend to a point, but, instead, is truncated by plateau 100, which provides a usable surface for the plate, as well as believed to add structural strength.

A cross-sectional, side-elevational view taken along line A-A of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 9. This view depicts the truncated conical shape of conical base 86 of truncated conical bottom plate 82. In this view, illustrative dimensions are shown as well. It is appreciated that other plate sizes may be employed using the truncated conical base for the bottom of the plate.

This view shows sidewall 84 extending upward from conical base 86 to rim 88. Transition radius 90 extends inwardly of the plate from sidewall 84 up to conical base 86. Bottom flat 92 also extends inwardly of the plate from transition radius 90 serving as a bottom surface portion for conical base 86. Bottom flat 92 is essentially a planar surface positioned lower than and essentially parallel to plateau 100.

Adjacent bottom flat 92 is transition radius 94 located opposite transition radius 90. Transition radius 94 is a curved surface that initiates the upward angle of planar surface 96. Accordingly, transition radius 94 may have an angle of about 0.1 to about 35 degrees, to begin forming the conical shape of conical base 86. To that end, planar surface 96, extending upward from transition radius 94, creates the conical shape of conical base 86. In an illustrative embodiment, the upward angle of planar surface 96 may be about 3.2 degrees and alternatively about 0.1 to about 35 degrees. The length of planar surface 96 extending inward can vary depending on the size of the plate. Planar surface 96 terminates at transition radius 98, having a radius of curvature oriented opposite that of either transition radius 94 or transition radius 90, to level-off conical base 86 forming plateau 100. Illustratively, plateau 100 can be substantially parallel to bottom flat 92. Additionally, plateau 100 may serve as a raised base structure for the contents of the plate. The diameter of the plateau 100 can vary depending on the shape and size of the plate itself. The combination, however, of bottom flat 92 located at the periphery of transition radius 90 extending from sidewall 84 provides the initiation of transition radius 94 and planar surface 96, opposite transition radius 98 and plateau 100, to form the truncated conical bottom of conical base 86, which is contrasted from the prior art plates as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure that the shape and size of truncated conical bottom plate 82 may vary as desired. For example, truncated conical bottom plate 82 may be circular, such as that shown in FIG. 8, or it may be oval, or other shape. The diameter of the plate, as well as the dimensions of structures shown therein, may vary, as well. In the illustrative examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, truncated conical bottom plate 82 has a diameter of about 10 inches as indicated by dimensional reference number 102. Also, illustratively, sidewall 84 may have a height of 0.938 inches as indicated by dimensional reference number 104; conical base 86 may have a diameter of about 7.040 inches, as indicated by dimensional reference number 108, which includes bottom flat 92. To that end, the radius of curvature of transition radius 90 may be about 0.5 inches, while bottom flat 92 may be about 0.192 inches long, as directed inward and encircling the interior of the plate adjacent transition radius 90 and transition radius 94, as indicated by dimensional reference number 106. Transition radius 94, as previously identified, may include a radius of curvature of about 0 (for example, 0.001) inches to about 20 inches to extend planar surface 96 upward. To that end, planar surface 96 may have a length of about 1.91 inches. Transition radius 98 may have an angle of curvature of about 0.1 to about 35 degrees. The diameter of the truncated conical portion of truncated conical bottom plate 82 may be about 6.314 inches as indicated by dimensional reference number 116. The diameter of the plateau may be about 2.5 inches for this 10-inch plate, as indicated by dimensional reference number 110. The angle of the conical shape may be about 2.8 degrees and may have a range of about 0.1 to about 35 degrees, as indicated by dimensional reference number 112, which constitutes a height above bottom flat 92 of about 0.093 inches as indicated by dimensional reference number 114. Given these dimensions for a 10-inch plate, it is contemplated that these radii of curvatures and raised surfaces may not be fully noticeable to a user despite advantages of the truncated conical shape. Because of the slight angles and transition radii, there will be no sharp or obvious angles or intersections at the transitions.

A cross-sectional, side elevation-view of a portion of truncated conical bottom plate 82 is shown in FIG. 10. The characteristics of truncated conical bottom plate 82 have been exaggerated in this view to better show its distinctive features. For example, bottom flat 92 can be seen as the lowest most portion of conical base 86 of truncated conical bottom plate 82. Bottom flat 92 is distinguishable from transition radius 90 from sidewall 84. Further, transition radius 94 can be seen extending from bottom flat 92 and curving upward, thereby causing planar surface 96 to angle upward itself to form the conical shape. In similar fashion, transition radius 98 can be seen having a radius of curvature opposite that of transition radius 94 so as to cause plateau 100 to be essentially horizontal and about parallel with bottom flat 92.

It is appreciated from this view how plateau 100, being level, creates the truncated feature of conical base 86. As shown herein, ghost lines 120, which represent an extension of the plane from planar surface 96, would create a full conical shape, but for transition radius 98 curving plateau 100 to an essentially horizontal orientation. As a result, the characteristics of conical base 86 is not fully conical but, instead, truncated conical. It is believed that this truncated conical base design may add strength to the plate. According to a Finite Element Analysis simulation, with a 0.5 pound load applied, a truncated conical bottom plate showed a 0.2893 inch displacement compared to a 0.3015 inch displacement of a domed bottom plate. This simulation demonstrated an approximately 7% reduction in deflection of the truncated conical bottom plate compared to the domed bottom plate.

Another cross-sectional, side-elevational view taken along line A-A of FIG. 8, similar to that is shown in FIG. 9, is shown in FIG. 11. This view depicts the truncated conical shape of conical base 86 of truncated conical bottom plate 82 to demonstrate illustrative dimensional ranges based on the diameter (D) of the plate as indicated by dimensional reference number 102 and height (H) as indicated by dimensional reference number 114. The D and H can be any variety of dimensions and the other dimensions of truncated conical bottom plate 82 may be products resulting from percentages of the D or H dimensions. For example, BD1, as identified by dimensional reference number 110, can have a diameter of about 0.01D to about 0.65D, where, again, “D” is the diameter of the plate. Likewise, BD2, identified by dimensional reference number 116, can have a diameter of about 0.25D to about 0.75D. The diameter of BD3, identified by dimensional reference number 108 can be about 0.5D to about 0.85D. The bottom flat or BF, as identified by dimensional reference number 106, that forms a ring between transition radius 90 and transition radius 94 has a length of about 0.0001D to about 0.25D. Lastly, the bottom height or BH, as identified by dimensional reference number 114, that is the height between the lowermost portion of truncated conical bottom plate 82 and plateau 100, can be about 0.001H to about 0.75H.

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may be combined with other features. It should also be appreciated that any subject matter disclosed in this non-provisional patent application that may differ from the priority application, the disclosure from this non-provisional patent application controls.