Single-Walled Disposable Cooler Made Of Fiber-Based Material And Method Of Making A Single-Walled Disposable Cooler Made Of Fiber-Based Material

Abstract

A single-walled disposable cooler is provided and generally includes a body and a lid. The body is generally made from a pulp-based material or fiber-based material and includes a base and a plurality of support walls coupled to the base. At least one of the plurality of support walls includes a substantially planar surface. The plurality of support walls and the base define an interior cavity of the body, while the plurality of support walls extend upwardly from the base to form an opening at an upper terminus of the body in fluid communication with the interior cavity. The lid is also made from the pulp-based material or fiber-based material and corresponds with the body. The lid is shaped to cover the opening of the body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single-walled disposable cooler comprising:
 a body made from a pulp-based material or fiber-based material and including a base and a plurality of support walls coupled to the base, at least one of the plurality of support walls including a substantially planar surface, the plurality of support walls and the base defining an interior cavity of the body, and the plurality of support walls extend upwardly from the base to form an opening at an upper terminus of the body in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and   a lid made from the fiber-based material and corresponding with the body, the lid shaped to cover the opening of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is formed so as to fit inside of upper ends of the plurality of support walls in a friction fit manner. 
     
     
         3 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of support walls are formed with a ledge disposed beneath the upper ends of the plurality of support walls. 
     
     
         4 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 3 , wherein the ledge is substantially parallel with the base. 
     
     
         5 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 4 , wherein the lid is formed such that outer edges thereof rest on an interior surface of the ledge when the lid covers the opening of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 2 , wherein the lid includes a handle portion disposed at a central region thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is formed such that outer edges thereof are substantially flush within the upper ends of the plurality of support walls when the lid covers the opening of the body. 
     
     
         8 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 7 , wherein the body is formed with a handle portion disposed at an upper region thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed with a handle portion disposed at an upper region of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is formed with one or more cup holders disposed on a top portion thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is made entirely of the pulp-based material. 
     
     
         12 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is made of a non-pulp-based material. 
     
     
         13 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the pulp-based material derives from recycled paper or other fibrous materials 
     
     
         14 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the pulp-based material is made with a combination of recycled paper and wax. 
     
     
         15 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the pulp-based material or fiber-based material includes a wax additive. 
     
     
         16 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein the pulp-based material is compostable. 
     
     
         17 . The single-walled disposable cooler of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support walls presents a convex profile.