Beverage Container

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/563,254, filed Dec. 28, 2021, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/256,205, filed Oct. 15, 2021, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/131,062, filed Dec. 28, 2020, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The present disclosure relates to a container, and particularly to a beverage container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a beverage container that is insulative.

According to the present disclosure, a beverage container includes an outer cup and an inner gap support. The inner gap support is sized to fit within an interior space formed in the outer cup. The outer cup may be a cup with a single-walled structure that is configured to hold liquids or other suitable products. When inserted into the outer cup, the inner gap support is at least partially spaced apart from the outer cup to provide an insulative air-gap between the outer cup and the inner cup so that the beverage container may be used with hot and cold liquids.

In illustrative embodiments, the inner gap support includes a spacer section, a retainer section, and a stack section. The spacer section includes a plurality of spacer ribs that provide a series of stacked peaks and air-gap depressions to maintain the insulative air-gap between the inner gap support and the outer cup. The retainer section is configured to cooperate with a corresponding feature formed on the outer cup to retain the inner gap support to the outer cup within the interior space. The stack section is configured to facilitate separation of two or more beverage containers and separation of two or more inner gap supports that are stacked together for storage.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

A beverage container, in accordance with the present disclosure, is shown in. The beverage containerincludes an outer cupand an inner gap supportthat may be inserted into an interior spaceof the outer cupto establish an insulative air-gapbetween the outer cupand the inner gap support, as shown in, so that the beverage containermay be used with both hot and cold products without adversely affecting a user of the beverage container. A second embodiment of a beverage containerhaving an outer cupand an inner gap supportto establish an insulative air-gapbetween the outer cupand the inner gap supportis shown in. A third embodiment of a beverage containerhaving an outer cupand an inner gap supportto establish an insulative air-gapbetween the outer cupand the inner gap supportis shown in. A fourth embodiment of a beverage containerhaving an outer cupand an inner gap supportto establish an insulative air-gapbetween the outer cupand the inner gap supportis shown in.

The outer cupincludes a cup brim, a cup floor, and a cup bodythat extends between and interconnects the cup brimand the cup flooras shown in. The cup brimprovides an open mouththat opens into the interior space. The cup brimis formed by rolling the outer cupduring the thermoforming process to provide a shape for the cup brimthat is both ergonomic and comfortable for a user to drink from and that may couple and cooperate with a lid to provide one or more sealing interfaces therebetween. The cup floorprovides a bottom for the outer cupso that the outer cupcan remain in an upright position while resting on a surface, such as a table. The cup bodyis coupled to an outer perimeter of the cup floorand extends upwardly to join with the cup brimto provide a one-piece outer cup. Some non-limiting examples of suitable outer cups that may be used with the inner gap supportdescribed herein are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,477,998 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for the purpose of describing one or more suitable drink cups that the inner gap support may be sized for use with.

The inner gap supportis sized to be inserted into the interior spaceof the outer cupas shown inand as suggested in. The inner gap supportincludes a gap-support brim, a gap-support floor, and a gap-support bodythat extends between and interconnects the gap-support brimand the gap-support floor. The gap-support brimis formed into a flat flange and is coupled to an upper endof the gap-support body. The gap-support flooris coupled to a bottom endof the gap-support body. The gap-support bodyis configured to cooperate with a portion of the outer cupto retain the inner gap supportto the outer cupand to maintain the insulative air-gapradially between the inner gap supportand the outer cup.

The gap-support brimextends radially outward away from a central axisof the inner gap supportand is arranged to rest on an upper surfaceof the cup brimwhen the inner gap supportis in a fully-installed position in the interior spaceof the outer cupas shown in. The gap-support brimhas an outermost diameterthat is less than an outermost diameterof the cup brimso that the gap-support brimdoes not extend outward beyond the cup brim. A seal may form between the gap-support brimand the cup brim. In some embodiments, the gap-support brimmay be omitted such that the gap-support body provides an uppermost extent of the inner gap supportand terminates within the interior spaceof the outer cupand below the cup brim.

The gap-support floorextends radially inward from the bottom endof the gap-support bodytoward the central axisas shown in. The gap-support flooris shaped to match and track the cup floorto minimize volume losses of the outer cupwhen the inner gap supportis in the fully-installed position.

Accordingly, the gap-support floormay have any suitable shape, but in the illustrative embodiment, the gap-support flooris domed and has a convex upper surfaceand a concave bottom surface.

The gap-support floorand the gap-support bodycooperate to define an interior product-receiving chamberthat has a volume that closely matches a volume of the interior spaceof the outer cupto minimize volume losses of the outer cupwhen the inner gap supportis in the fully-installed position. The gap-support bodyincludes a spacer section, a retainer section, and a stack section. The spacer sectionis configured to provide and maintain the insulative air-gapbetween at least a portion of inner gap supportand at least a portion of the outer cup. The retainer sectionis configured to block unwanted removal of the inner gap supportfrom the interior spaceof the outer cup. The stack sectionallows the beverage containerto be stacked with other similar beverage containers, as shown in, and allows the inner gap supportto be stacked with other similar gap supports, as shown inwhile blocking the beverage containersor the gap supports being from being wedged together when stacked.

The spacer sectionincludes a plurality of annular spacer ribs(also called projections) arranged in series in a vertical direction relative to the central axisto provide a plurality of peaksand a plurality of air-gap depressionsas shown in. The plurality of peaksand the plurality of air-gap depressionsare juxtaposed relative to one another such that the spacer sectionalternates between a single peakand a single air-gap depressionas the spacer sectionextends in the vertical direction relative to central axis. Each of the peaksis normally spaced apart from the outer cupbut may come into contact with the outer cupif a user deforms the outer cupinwardly toward the inner gap support. Each of the air-gap depressionsis maintained in spaced apart relation to the outer cupto maintain the insulative air-gapbetween each air-gap depressionand the outer cupeven when the outer cupis deformed.

Each of the spacer ribsextends circumferentially around the central axisand includes a negatively-sloping upper segmentand a positively-sloping lower segmentas shown in. Each negatively-sloping upper segmentextends away from the central axisfrom an upper endU to a lower endL of each negatively-sloping upper segment. Each positively-sloping lower segmentextends toward the central axisfrom an upper endU to a lower endL of each positively-sloping lower segment. The lower endL of each negatively-sloping upper segmentis coupled to a corresponding upper endU of a neighboring positively-sloping lower segmentto provide one peak. Each air-gap depressionis defined between two neighboring peaksto provide an individual air-gap pocketP therebetween.

Each negatively-sloping upper segmenthas a heightthat is greater than a heightof each positively-sloping lower segmentas shown in. Each negatively-sloping upper segmenthas a steeper absolute slope than at least a portion of each positively-sloping lower segmentso that liquid flowing in a pouring directiontoward the open mouthmaintains a laminar flow profile. This enhances a user's drinking experience by reducing turbulence in the liquid when the beverage containeris tilted to remove liquids from the interior product-receiving chamber.

The cup bodyis spaced apart from each peakby a minimum distance, and the cup bodyis spaced apart from each positively-sloping lower segmentby a maximum distanceas shown in. The distances,are selected to provide desired insulative and structural properties for the beverage containerwhile minimizing volume loses of the outer cupwhen the inner gap supportis being used with outer cupto provide beverage container.

The minimum distancemay be within a range of about 0.01 inches to about 0.03 inches. In other embodiments, the minimum distanceis within a range of about 0.015 inches to about 0.025 inches. In the illustrative embodiment, the minimum distanceis about 0.020 inches so that space is kept between the outer cupand the inner gap supportwhen the beverage containeris not being held, but so that the outer cupand the inner gap supportwill engage at peakswhen being held for reinforcement. In this way, a thickness of at least one of the outer cupand the inner gap supportmay be minimized to reduce an amount of material used in beverage containerand a weight of the beverage containerwhile still providing the insulative and structural benefits of the beverage container.

The maximum distancemay be within a range of about 0.05 inches to about 0.1 inches. In other embodiments, the maximum distanceis within a range of about 0.06 inches to about 0.09 inches. In one embodiment, the maximum distanceis about 0.06 inches. In another embodiment, the maximum distanceis about 0.09 inches. The minimum and maximum distances,may vary to increase or decrease the insulation provided by the insulative air gap. For example, a larger air gapmay be used to increase an insulative value of the beverage containerwhile a smaller air gapmay be used to increase reinforcement of the beverage container. In some embodiments, the distances,may vary by aboutpercent from the values described above.

Each positively-sloping lower segmentmay include a lower bandcoupled to the upper endU of one negatively-sloping upper segmentand an upper bandcoupled to the lower endL of another negatively-sloping upper segment. The lower bandhas a steeper absolute slope compared to the upper bandso that the transition from each negatively-sloping upper segment, to a corresponding lower band, and then to a corresponding upper bandin the pouring directionis gradual to reduce turbulence in the liquid flowing in the pouring direction. Each upper bandat least partially provides a corresponding peak. In some embodiments, the lower bandmay be omitted.

The retainer sectionis positioned below the spacer sectionand includes an annular retainer banda plurality of retainer tabsthat are configured to cooperate with a corresponding feature of the outer cupto retain the inner gap supportto the outer cupin the fully-installed position as shown inwithout the use of any adhesive, glue, or heat sealing between the inner gap supportand the outer cup. The annular retainer bandextends circumferentially about central axisand has a diameter that is slightly less than a corresponding diameter of the outer cupto provide a portion of the insulative air-gapthere between. The plurality of retainer tabsare coupled to the annular retainer bandand project radially outward away from the annular retainer bandand the central axis. Illustratively, the retainer sectionincludes a pair of retainer tabswith each retainer tabbeing positioned on opposite sides of the inner gap supportfrom one another. In other embodiments, any suitable number of retainer tabsmay be used.

Each retainer tabextends only partway around the central axisand includes a pusher ramp, a retainer, and a peakformed at a junction between the pusher rampand the retaineras shown in. The pusher rampextends upwardly away from the stack sectionand outward away from the central axisat an angle relative the axis. The pusher rampis configured to engage an annular reinforcing ribformed on the outer cupas the inner gap supportmoves toward the fully-installed position. The pusher rampcauses the outer cupto deflect slightly as the pusher rampengages the reinforcing riband rides along the reinforcing ribtoward the fully-installed position. Once the peakclears the reinforcing riband has clearance to extend into a pocketbelow the reinforcing rib, the outer cupreturns to an un-deformed state with the inner gap supportin the fully-installed position. In the fully-installed position, the retaineris arranged at least partially below the reinforcing riband interlocks with the reinforcing ribto block removal of the inner gap supportfrom the interior spaceof the outer cup.

The retaineris located relative to the reinforcing ribsuch that a clearance gapis established between the retainerand the reinforcing ribwhen the inner gap supportis in the fully-installed position. The clearance gapis intentionally provided to account for small tolerances that occur during manufacturing of the inner gap supportand the outer cup. Accordingly, the clearance gapensures that each inner gap supportwill always reach the fully-installed position when inserted into an outer cup. In some embodiments, the clearance gapmay not be present.

Although the corresponding structure on the outer cupthat interlocks with the retainer tabsis illustratively embodied as a reinforcing rib, any suitable structure may be used to retain the inner gap supportto the outer cup. For example, the cup may be formed to include one or more ledges, ridges, notches, or apertures with which the retainer tabscooperate. Accordingly, the retainer tabsmay include any suitable shape to correspond to a feature on the outer cupto retain the inner gap supportto the outer cup, or vice versa.

The stack sectionis located below the retainer sectionand includes a plurality of generally vertically-extending bandsand a plurality of generally horizontally-extending bandsas shown in. The plurality of generally vertically-extending bandsand the plurality of generally horizontally-extending bandseach extend annularly around the central axis. Generally vertically-extending means extending in a vertical direction relative to the central axisor at an angle to the central axiswithin a range of 0 degrees to 44 degrees from the axis. Generally horizontally-extending means extending in a horizontal direction relative to the central axis or at an angle to the central axiswithin a range of 46 degrees to 90 degrees from the axis.

The plurality of generally vertically-extending bandscooperate with the plurality of generally horizontally-extending bandsto provide a container stacking shoulderand a gap-support stacking shoulderas shown in. The container stacking shoulderis configured to block beverage containers,from being wedged together when they are stacked for storage as shown in. The gap-support stacking shoulderis configured to block inner gap supports,from being wedged together when they are stacked for storage as shown in.

The beverage containers,may be stacked for storage and transportation to decrease an overall space occupancy of a bulk quantity of beverage containers,as shown in. Beverage containers,are identical in the illustrative embodiment. The container stacking shoulderis spaced a first distancefrom axisthat is less than a second distancefrom axisto an outer edge of the floor. When the beverage containers,are stacked as shown in, the container stacking shoulderprevents top beverage containerfrom extending into bottom containerby a predetermined height. The predetermined heightcorresponds to a location along spacer sectionof the inner gap supportof the bottom beverage containerabove where the reinforcement ribof the outer cupof the top beverage containerwould come into contact with one or more of the spacer ribsof the bottom beverage container. This prevents the reinforcement ribfrom extending below the spacer ribwhich could cause the beverage containers,to be wedged together and make it difficult for a user to separate the containers,.

Two or more inner gap supports,may be stacked for storage and transportation to decrease an overall space occupancy of a bulk quantity of inner gap supports,as shown in. Inner gap supports,are identical in the illustrative embodiment. The gap-support stacking shoulderis spaced a first distancefrom axisthat is less than a second distancefrom axisto an outer edge of the gap-support floor. When the inner gap supports,are stacked as shown in, the gap-support stacking shoulderprevents top gap supportfrom extending into bottom gap supportby a predetermined height. The predetermined heightcorresponds to a location along spacer sectionof the inner gap supportof the bottom gap supportthat is above where the retainer tabsof the top gap supportwould come into contact with one or more of the spacer ribsof the bottom gap support. This prevents the retainer tabsof each top gap supportfrom extending below the spacer ribof a bottom gap supportwhich could cause the gap supports,to be wedged together and make it difficult for a user to separate the gap supports,.

The outer cupis made from one or more polymer materials and is formed by a thermoforming process. In one example, the outer cupin accordance with the present disclosure made from a formulation which is blended together and extruded into a sheet. The sheet is then formed into outer cups, for example, by a thermoforming process. In one example, the formulation comprises polypropylene. In another example, the formulation comprises polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, expanded polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, suitable alternatives, and combinations thereof. In another example, the formulation further comprises an additive. Exemplary additives include, clarifiers, process aids, slip agents, mineral fillers, combinations thereof, or any suitable material for improving the drink cup. In some embodiments, the additive is a clarifier. In some embodiments, the additive is a copolymer. In some embodiments, the copolymer is an ethylene-polypropylene copolymer.

Illustratively, both the outer cupand the inner gap supportare transparent so that the contents within the beverage containerare ascertainable. Accordingly, the inner gap supportmay include the same or a similar material as the outer cup, however, in other embodiments the outer cupand the inner gap supportmay include different compositions such that their appearance is different. In some embodiments, an appearance, such as color or texture, of one or both of the outer cupand the inner gap supportmay indicate the contents within the beverage container. In accordance with the present disclosure, the term transparent incorporates a range of transparency values including translucent to fully transparent values. Furthermore, the term transparent encompasses transmittance, wide angle scattering (sometimes referred to as haze), narrow angle scattering (sometimes referred to as clarity or see-through quality), and any other factor affecting the ability to see through containeror through outer cupor gap supportindividually. In illustrative embodiments, the transparency is described by clarity and/or haze of containeror outer cupor gap supportindividually.

The haze of container, or outer cupor gap supportindividually, as discussed herein is measured using ASTM Dprocedure B which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In the illustrative embodiment, the containerincludes a haze value within a range of about 15% to about 30%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a haze value within a range of about 20% to about 25%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a haze value within a range of about 22% to about 25%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a haze value of about 24%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a haze value of 23.6%. These values are measured when the outer cupand the inner gap supportare combined and may vary by about 10% from the values indicated above.

The clarity of container, or outer cupor gap supportindividually, as discussed herein is measured using ASTM D 1746 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In the illustrative embodiment, the containerincludes a clarity value within a range of about 65% to about 90%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a clarity value within a range of about 70% to about 85%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a clarity value within a range of about 70% to about 80%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a clarity value of about 75%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a clarity value of about 72%. In some embodiments, the containerincludes a clarity value of 72.4%. These values are measured when the outer cupand the inner gap supportare combined and may vary by about 10% from the values indicated above.

In the illustrative embodiment, the outer cupand the inner gap supportinclude a haze value within a range of about 5% to about 20%. In some embodiments, the outer cupand the inner gap supportinclude a haze value within a range of about 12% to about 17%. In some embodiments, the outer cupand the inner gap supportinclude a haze value within a range of about 10% to about 15%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a haze value within a range of about 8% to about 12%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a haze value within a range of about 9% to about 11%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a haze value of about%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a haze value of 10.2%. In some embodiments, the inner gap supportincludes a haze value within a range of about 12% to about 16%. In some embodiments, the inner gap supportincludes a haze value within a range of about 13% to about 15%. In some embodiments, inner gap supportincludes a haze value of about 15%. In some embodiments, inner gap supportincludes a haze value of 14.7%. These values are measured when the outer cupand the inner gap supportare separated from each other and may vary by about 10% from the values indicated above.

In the illustrative embodiment, the outer cupand the inner gap supportinclude a clarity value within a range of about 70% to about 95%. In some embodiments, the outer cupand the inner gap supportinclude a clarity value within a range of about 75% to about 90%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a clarity value within a range of about 75% to about 95%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a clarity value within a range of about 85% to about 92%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a clarity value of about 90%. In some embodiments, the outer cupincludes a clarity value of 89.1%. In some embodiments, the inner gap supportincludes a clarity value within a range of about 70% to about 85%. In some embodiments, the inner gap supportincludes a clarity value within a range of about 73% to about 80%. In some embodiments, inner gap supportincludes a clarity value of about 76%. In some embodiments, inner gap supportincludes a clarity value of 76.5%. These values are measured when the outer cupand the inner gap supportare separated from each other and may vary by about 10% from the values indicated above.

An insulation test was performed to compare the insulative properties of the containerin the illustrative embodiment to other containers including: (i) a single walled plastic cup similar to outer cup, (ii) a single walled paper cup, (iii) two single walled plastic cupsnested together, and (iv) a VERSALITE® container manufactured by Berry Global Company headquartered in Evansville, IN. The environment in which the test subjects were located was maintained at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 50%. The test included steps of: placing 250 g of ice in each cup; pouring a set amount of water (i.e. 300 grams) into each cup; placing a thermocouple (i.e. temperature sensor) in each cup with the ice and water; placing an identical lid on each cup; and measuring the temperature of the contents in each cup every minute for 4 hours. Results of the test are shown in the graph of. The containerwas able to maintain a temperature of the contents therein below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for a longer period of time than each of the comparative containers as shown in the chart of.

A condensation test was also performed to measure an amount of condensation that formed on the outside surfaces of the containerover a set period of time compared to the comparative containers discussed above as shown in. The environment in which the test subjects were located was maintained at a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 70%. This test included the steps of: filling each container with 250 g of ice and 300 grams of water for a total content weight of 850 grams (filling room conditions included 73 degrees F. and 50% relative humidity); placing each container in the test environment; and measuring the change in weight of the container over a set amount of time (i.e. measuring the amount of condensation that forms on each container). The set amount of time in the exemplary test was 90 minutes. The total condensation gain for each container after 90 minutes is shown in.

As suggested in, containers with a higher weight gain due to condensation were less effective at insulating their contents. This is because more condensation formed on the containers with less insulative capabilities compared to containers with greater insulative capabilities. In addition to the insulative capabilities shown by the tests described above, containeralso provides benefits not attributable to the comparative containers such as minimization of volume losses and increased structural reinforcement. Other testing data is shown and described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/131,062, filed on Dec. 28, 2020, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for the purpose of describing other tests that may be performed on containerand other comparative containers.

A second embodiment of a beverage containerhaving an outer cupand an inner gap supportto establish an insulative air-gapbetween the outer cupand the inner gap supportis shown in. Beverage containeris substantially similar to beverage containerof. Accordingly, the disclosure of beverage containermade above is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety for beverage container. Similar reference numbers in theseries are used below to reference similar features of beverage containerthat are common between beverage containerand beverage container. Various differences between beverage containersandare described below.

The outer cupincludes a cup brim, a cup floor, and a cup bodythat extends between and interconnects the cup brimand the cup flooras shown in. The cup brimprovides an open mouththat opens into an interior spaceof outer cup. The inner gap supportis sized to be inserted into the interior spaceof the outer cupas shown inand as suggested in. The inner gap supportincludes a gap-support brim, a gap-support floor, and a gap-support bodythat extends between and interconnects the gap-support brimand the gap-support floor. The gap-support brimis formed into a flat flange and is coupled to an upper endof the gap-support body. The gap-support flooris coupled to a bottom endof the gap-support body. The gap-support bodyis configured to cooperate with a portion of the outer cupto retain the inner gap supportto the outer cupand to maintain the insulative air-gapradially between the inner gap supportand the outer cup.

The gap-support floorand the gap-support bodycooperate to define an interior product-receiving chamberthat has a volume that closely matches a volume of the interior spaceof the outer cupto minimize volume losses of the outer cupwhen the inner gap supportis in a fully-installed position. The gap-support bodyincludes a spacer section, a retainer section, and a stack section. The spacer sectionis configured to provide and maintain the insulative air-gapbetween at least a portion of inner gap supportand at least a portion of the outer cup. The retainer sectionis configured to block unwanted removal of the inner gap supportfrom the interior spaceof the outer cup. The stack sectionallows the beverage containerto be stacked with other similar beverage containers, as shown in, and allows the inner gap supportto be stacked with other similar gap supports, as shown inwhile blocking the beverage containersor the gap supportsbeing from being wedged and stuck together.

The spacer sectionincludes a plurality of annular spacer ribs(also called projections) arranged in series in a vertical direction relative to the central axisto provide a plurality of peaksand a plurality of air-gap depressionsas shown in. The plurality of peaksand the plurality of air-gap depressionsare juxtaposed relative to one another such that the spacer sectionalternates between a single peakand a single air-gap depressionas the spacer sectionextends in the vertical direction relative to central axis. Each of the peaksis normally spaced apart from the outer cupbut may come into contact with the outer cupif a user deforms the outer cup. Each of the air-gap depressionsis maintained in spaced apart relation to the outer cupto maintain the insulative air-gapbetween each air-gap depressionand the outer cup. A shape and arrangement of spacer ribsis substantially similar to spacer ribsof gap support.

The retainer sectionis positioned below the spacer sectionand includes an annular retainer banda plurality of retainer tabsthat are configured to cooperate with a corresponding feature of the outer cupto retain the inner gap supportto the outer cupin the fully-installed position as shown in. The annular retainer bandextends circumferentially about central axisand has a diameter that is slightly less than a corresponding diameter of the outer cupto provide a portion of the insulative air-gapthere between. The plurality of retainer tabsare coupled to the annular retainer bandand project radially outward away from the annular retainer bandand the central axis. Illustratively, the retainer sectionincludes a pair of retainer tabswith each retainer tabbeing positioned on opposite sides of the inner gap supportfrom one another. In other embodiments, any suitable number of retainer tabsmay be used. A shape and arrangement of retainer tabsis substantially similar to retainer tabsof gap support.

The stack sectionincludes a plurality of inwardly-extending stacking tabsas shown in. The inwardly-extending stacking tabsare coupled to the retainer bandand project radially inward toward the central axis. Each inwardly-extending stacking tabextends only partway around the central axisto minimize volume losses. Illustratively, there are four inwardly-extending stacking tabsincluded in stack section, but any suitable number of inwardly-extending stacking tabsmay be used. The four inwardly-extending stacking tabsare spaced equidistance apart from one another around axis.

The beverage containers,may be stacked for storage and transportation to decrease an overall space occupancy of a bulk quantity of beverage containers,as shown in. Beverage containers,are identical in the illustrative embodiment. The inwardly-extending stacking tabsare configured to block beverage containers,from being wedged together when they are stacked. When the beverage containers,are stacked as shown in, floorof outer cuprests on the inwardly-extending stacking tabsto prevent top beverage containerfrom extending into bottom containerby a predetermined height. The predetermined heightcorresponds to a location along spacer sectionof the inner gap supportof the bottom beverage containerabove where the reinforcement ribof the outer cupof the top beverage containerwould come into contact with one or more of the spacer ribsof the bottom beverage container. This prevents the reinforcement ribfrom extending below the spacer ribwhich could cause the beverage containers,to be wedged together and make it difficult for a user to separate the containers,.

Two or more inner gap supports,may be stacked for storage and transportation to decrease an overall space occupancy of a bulk quantity of inner gap supports,as shown in. Inner gap supports,are identical in the illustrative embodiment. The retainer tabsare configured to block inner gap supports,from being wedged together when they are stacked. When the inner gap supports,are stacked as shown in, the retainer tabsprevent top gap supportfrom extending into bottom gap supportby a predetermined height. The predetermined heightcorresponds to a location along spacer sectionof the inner gap supportof the bottom gap supportthat is above where each spacer ribof the top gap supportwould come into contact with any of the spacer ribsof the bottom gap support. This prevents any overhang of the spacer ribsof each top gap supportrelative to any spacer ribof a bottom gap supportwhich could cause the gap supports,to be wedged together and make it difficult for a user to separate the gap supports,.

A third embodiment of a beverage containerhaving an outer cupand an inner gap supportto establish an insulative air-gapbetween the outer cupand the inner gap supportis shown in. Beverage containeris substantially similar to beverage containerof. Accordingly, the disclosure of beverage containermade above is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety for beverage container. Similar reference numbers in theseries are used below to reference similar features of beverage containerthat are common between beverage containerand beverage container. Various differences between beverage containersandare described below.

The outer cupincludes a cup brim, a cup floor, and a cup bodythat extends between and interconnects the cup brimand the cup flooras shown in. The cup brimprovides an open mouththat opens into the interior space. The cup brimis formed by rolling the outer cupduring the thermoforming process to provide a shape for the cup brimthat is both ergonomic and comfortable for a user to drink from and that may couple and cooperate with a lidto provide one or more sealing interfaces therebetween. The cup floorprovides a bottom for the outer cupso that the outer cupcan remain in an upright position while resting on a surface, such as a table. The cup bodyis coupled to an outer perimeter of the cup floorand extends upwardly to join with the cup brimto provide a one-piece outer cup.

The inner gap supportis sized to be inserted into the interior spaceof the outer cupas shown in. The inner gap supportincludes a gap-support brim, a gap-support floor, and a gap-support bodythat extends between and interconnects the gap-support brimand the gap-support floor. The gap-support brimis formed into a flange and is coupled to an upper end of the gap-support body. The gap-support flooris coupled to a bottom end of the gap-support body. The gap-support bodyis configured to cooperate with a portion of the outer cupto retain the inner gap supportto the outer cupand to maintain the insulative air-gapradially between the inner gap supportand the outer cup.

The gap-support brimincludes an upper ring, a curved ringcoupled to a radially outer end of the upper ringand extending downwardly away from the upper ring, and an annular rim sealercoupled to a lower surfaceof the upper ringas shown in. The upper ringis coupled to and extends radially outward away from the gap-support body. The curved ringhas a contour that generally matches a portion of the cup brimand at least partially covers the cup brim. A radially outer edge of the curved ringterminates radially inward of a radially outer end of the cup brim, but, in some embodiments, the curved ringmay extend all the way over and outward of the radially outer end of the cup brim. The annular rim sealeris configured to engage with an upper surfaceof the cup brimto block liquids from flowing between the gap-support brimand the cup brimand into the insulative air-gap.

As shown in, a lidmay be coupled to the beverage container. In some embodiments, the lidmay not fit to the beverage containeras desired if the inner gap supportis used with the outer cup. The lidis configured to engage both the gap-support brimand the cup brimto establish seal interfaces therebetween. Any fluid able to flow between the curved ringand the lidis blocked from flowing into the insulative air gapby the annular rim sealer.

A fourth embodiment of a beverage containerhaving an outer cupand an inner gap supportto establish an insulative air-gapbetween the outer cupand the inner gap supportis shown in. Beverage containeris substantially similar to beverage containerof. Accordingly, the disclosure of beverage containermade above is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety for beverage container. Similar reference numbers in theseries are used below to reference similar features of beverage containerthat are common between beverage containerand beverage container. Various differences between beverage containersandare described below.