Thermally insulated container

Abstract

A thermally insulative beverage container is provided. The container has an inner cup with a side wall and a bottom portion defining a bottom closure. The container further has an insulative layer circumferentially disposed around and adhered to the side wall of the inner cup. The insulative layer is fabricated from cork. A method for insulating a beverage container using a cork material is also provided.

1 . A thermally insulated beverage container, comprising:
 an inner cup having a side wall and a bottom portion defining a bottom closure; and   an insulative layer circumferentially disposed around and adhered to the side wall of the inner cup, the insulative layer being fabricated from cork.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cup is fabricated substantially of a paper-based material. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the paper-based material is coated with a water proofing substance. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the water proofing substance is a medium or high density polyethylene. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the inner cup is fabricated from a polymeric material. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the insulative layer is fabricated from an amalgamated cork material. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the insulative layer is a substantially pure cork showing a natural grain. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the cork of the insulative layer is a mixture of cork and other cellulosic material. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the cork of the insulative layer comprises about 20 to 40 percent by weight material from quercus suber. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the container is frusto-conical. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the insulative layer is attached to the side wall by an adhesive. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the adhesive is a biodegradable adhesive made from a natural rubber latex or rosin. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a heat activated adhesive, or both. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive, a heated polyethylene, or a cold glue paste adhesive. 
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an outer layer wrapped around at least a portion of an outer surface of the insulative layer, the outer layer being fabricated from a paper-based material.   
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall and the outer paper-based layer are integral. 
   
   
       18 . A method for forming a beverage container, comprising the steps of:
 providing an inner cup fabricated from a paper-based material, comprising a side wall and a bottom portion defining a bottom closure; and   adhering an insulative layer circumferentially around the side wall of the inner cup, the insulative layer being fabricated from cork.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 adhering an outer layer wrapped around at least a portion of an outer surface of the insulative layer, the outer layer being fabricated from a paper-based material.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the paper-based material of the inner cup is coated with a water proofing substance. 
   
   
       21 . A method for forming a beverage container, comprising the steps of:
 cutting a side wall material and an integral outer layer from stock to form a blank, the side wall material and the outer layer being fabricated from a paper-based material;   adhering an insulative layer to either the side wall material or the outer layer, the insulative layer being fabricated from cork;   folding the blank to create a form; and   rolling the form and the adhered insulative layer to form the container, the container comprising a side wall and a bottom portion defining a bottom closure.