Truncated Conical Bottom Plate

Abstract

A paperboard plate having a truncated conical base construction is provided. The paperboard plate has a base the 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.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A paperboard plate having a truncated conical base construction, the paperboard plate comprising:
 a base that serves as the bottom of the paperboard plate;   an upward extending sidewall located adjacent to and about a periphery of the base;   wherein the upward extending sidewall is oriented transverse to the base;   a sidewall transition that joins the upward extending sidewall to the base;   wherein 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. 
   
     
     
         2 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall transition is arcuate. 
     
     
         3 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , further comprising a rim located adjacent the upward extending side wall opposite the sidewall transition. 
     
     
         4 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the paperboard plate is of a type selected from the group consisting of a plate shape, tray, and container. 
     
     
         5 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom flat is a lowest portion of the base with respect to a remainder of the paperboard plate. 
     
     
         6 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first transition radius has an arc that is about 0 to about 20 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the second transition radius has an arc that is about 0 to about 20 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the paperboard plate has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of round, oval, square, and rectangular. 
     
     
         9 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom flat extends from the sidewall transition. 
     
     
         10 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first transition radius extends from the bottom flat opposite the sidewall transition. 
     
     
         11 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the conically extending planar surface extends from the first transition radius. 
     
     
         12 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the second transition radius extends from the conically extending planar surface. 
     
     
         13 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plateau extends from the second transition radius. 
     
     
         14 . The paperboard plate of  claim 1 , wherein the first transition radius is not an intersection. 
     
     
         15 . A paperboard plate having a truncated conical base construction, the paperboard plate comprising:
 a base that serves as the bottom of the paperboard plate;   a sidewall located adjacent to and about a periphery of the base;   a sidewall transition located adjacent to the sidewall and the base;   wherein 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. 
   
     
     
         16 . The paperboard plate of  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall is an upward extending sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The paperboard plate of  claim 15 , wherein the sidewall is oriented transverse to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The paperboard plate of  claim 15 , wherein the conically extending planar surface extends upward from the bottom flat. 
     
     
         19 . The paperboard plate of  claim 15 , wherein the second transition radius is oriented opposite the first transition radius. 
     
     
         20 . A paperboard plate having a truncated conical base construction, the paperboard plate comprising:
 a base that serves as the bottom of the paperboard plate;   wherein 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.