Tapered metal cup and method of forming the same

Abstract

A metal cup and method of forming the same is provided. Metal cups of the present disclosure comprise a plurality of thin, straight-walled sections and a tapered profile. A domed portion is provided in the bottom of the cup. The cup may comprise a disposable cup, a reusable cup, or a recyclable cup.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tapered metallic cup comprising:
 an upper end and a lower end, and a height extending between the upper end and the lower end;   the upper end comprising a curled, partially curled, or throttled lip and an opening;   a plurality of tapered sections provided between the upper end and the lower end, with a step provided between each of the tapered sections; and   wherein each of the tapered sections comprises a substantially constant wall thickness and a tapered profile; and   wherein adjacent tapered sections of the plurality of tapered sections comprise successively smaller diameters, and wherein the step provided between each of the tapered sections comprises a transition in diameter.   
     
     
         2 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 1 , wherein the lower end comprises a domed portion. 
     
     
         3 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 1 , wherein the height is between approximately 4.0 inches and approximately 7.0 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 1 , wherein the cup comprises at least three tapered sections. 
     
     
         5 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum inner diameter of the cup comprises a diameter of at least approximately 3.0 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 1 , wherein a minimum inner diameter of the cup comprises a diameter of not more than approximately 2.50 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 1 , wherein a minimum wall thickness of the plurality of tapered sections comprises a thickness of less than approximately 0.0070 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 7 , wherein the lower end of the cup comprises an annular standing surface, and wherein the domed portion is provided within the annular standing surface. 
     
     
         9 . A tapered metallic cup comprising:
 an upper end and a lower end, and a height extending between the upper end and the lower end;   the upper end comprising a curled portion;   an opening at least partially defined by a circumference of the curled portion;   a plurality of tapered sections provided between the upper end and the lower end, with a step provided between each of the tapered sections; and   wherein each of the tapered sections comprises a substantially constant wall thickness and a tapered profile; and   wherein adjacent tapered sections of the plurality of tapered sections comprise successively smaller diameters, and wherein the step provided between each of the tapered sections comprises a transition in diameter.   
     
     
         10 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 9 , wherein the lower end comprises a domed portion. 
     
     
         11 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 9 , wherein the height is between approximately 4.0 inches and approximately 7.0 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 9 , wherein the cup comprises at least three tapered sections. 
     
     
         13 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 9 , wherein a maximum inner diameter of the cup comprises a diameter of at least approximately 3.0 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 9 , wherein a minimum inner diameter of the cup comprises a diameter of not more than approximately 2.50 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 9 , wherein a minimum wall thickness of the plurality of tapered sections comprises a thickness of less than approximately 0.0070 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 15 , wherein the lower end of the cup comprises an annular standing surface, and wherein the domed portion is provided within the annular standing surface. 
     
     
         17 . A tapered metallic cup comprising:
 an upper end, a lower end and a height;   the upper end comprising a curled portion;   an opening provided at the upper end;   a plurality of tapered sections provided between the upper end and the lower end, with a step provided between each of the tapered sections; and   wherein each of the tapered sections comprises a substantially constant wall thickness and a tapered profile;   wherein adjacent tapered sections of the plurality of tapered sections comprise successively smaller diameters, and wherein the step provided between each of the tapered sections comprises a transition in diameter;   wherein the lower end comprises a bottom portion with an outer diameter of between approximately 1.50 and 3.50 inches; and   wherein the bottom portion comprises a flat standing surface and a domed section.   
     
     
         18 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 17 , wherein the bottom portion comprises a wall thickness of approximately 0.0090 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 17 , wherein a minimum wall thickness of the plurality of tapered sections comprises a thickness of less than approximately 0.0070 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The tapered metallic cup of  claim 17 , wherein the height is between approximately 4.0 inches and approximately 7.0 inches.