Patent Publication Number: US-8540114-B2

Title: Container apparatus with a body, plate, and lid

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This utility patent application claims priority to the provisional patent application titled “PRODUCT CONTAINER CUP WITH A FOLD-DOWN HINGED LID” (Ser. No. 61/161,112) that was filed on Mar. 18, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to containers. More specifically, the invention is a container apparatus and a method for using the same. 
     Many products cannot be stored, transported, sold, and/or used without first being secured in some type of container. Some types of products, such as many types of food products and virtually all beverage products, require some type of container for the product to be handled or consumed. As the number of products offered to consumers and businesses continues to grow, the shapes, sizes, configurations, and numbers of containers also grow. 
     A wide variety of different containers can be used to secure a wide range of different product types. The purposes of product containers can include preventing damage to or disbursement of the contained product. A container can product the product, the user of the product, or collateral property or people. The attributes of a product will often impact the attributes of a container used to house the product, and vice versa. For example, a container for a beverage product will typically need to be watertight while a container used for storing office supplies need not be watertight or even fully closed. Similarly, a container suitable for use in the context of sterilized medical supplies will have different attributes than a container used to store spare change or golf tees. 
     Different containers can have different anticipated users of different skill levels, and thus proper usage of a container can vary widely depending on whether or not the anticipated user of the container is a consumer. For example, a beverage container used in fast food restaurants will need to be suitable for use by individual consumers, a wide cross section of the population that includes persons with disabilities as well as individuals of below average physical and mental capabilities. In contrast, a container used by locksmiths or mechanics to store their tools can utilize far more complex designs and operating procedures. 
     Containers also vary widely in terms of their anticipated duration of service. Many containers are disposed of after a single use. For example, a cup of ice cream sold in a grocery store or drug store is intended to be thrown away after the contents are consumed by a consumer. In contrast, a thermos can be emptied and filled repeatedly for many years. 
     Many consumer products are sold in disposable containers that are not biodegradable or that otherwise involve negative environmental implications. Many consumer product containers end up as litter that is both an eyesore and damaging to the environment. For example, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which is also often referred to as the Pacific Trash Vortex is made up of high concentrations of plastics and other debris trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. Whether or not the size of the Pacific Trash Vortex is currently as large as the state of Texas, there is no disputing that the area is large and the damage to that area is significant. Moreover, there are four other large places in the world&#39;s oceans where winds trap floating debris. Whether discarded in a land fill or on a body of water, plastic containers such as water bottles, plastic lids for paper cups, and other once-used disposable containers for consumer products can take centuries to degrade, while doing significant damage to the surrounding eco-system in the interim. Billions of plastic bottles end in U.S. landfills each year. If those bottles are laid end-to-end, there are plastic bottles disposed of each year to circle the equator hundreds of times or to reach the moon and back multiple times. Old habits die hard, and it is difficult to change both business and consumer behavior with regards to disposable containers. There are thousands of coffee shops in the U.S. who in the aggregate sell millions of coffee servings each year with paper or Styrofoam cups that utilize plastics lids. 
     It would be desirable for better containers to be used to store products, including but not limited to the context of disposable containers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to containers. More specifically, the invention is a container apparatus and a method for using the same. 
     The container includes a plate that connects the lid of the container to the body of the container. The lid, plate, and body of the container can be implemented in a wide variety of different configurations to properly store a wide variety of different products. The container can be made of a wide variety of different materials including but not limited to paper or paperboard. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate different examples of various embodiments of the apparatus: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of a container in a fully closed state. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of a container in a fully closed state except for an opened opening. 
         FIG. 1   c  is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of a container in a partially open and partially closed state. 
         FIG. 1   d  is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of a container in a fully open state. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for closing a container. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for closing a container. 
         FIG. 2   c  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for closing a container. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a top view of container. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom view of a container. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom view of a container. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a diagram illustrating an example of a side view of a container. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a diagram illustrating an example of a side view of a container. 
         FIG. 5   c  is a diagram illustrating an example of a side view of a closed container with a horizontal score line functioning a lid channel seat groove to secure the lid in a closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is diagram illustrating an example of a front view of a container and an example of tab in various positions. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of a back view of a container. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of skid locks facilitating a vertical stack of closed containers. 
         FIG. 9   a  is a diagram illustrating an example of a vertical stack of open containers. 
         FIG. 9   b  is a diagram illustrating an example of a vertical stack of open containers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention relates generally to containers. More specifically, the invention is a container apparatus (the “container”) and a method for using the same. 
     I. Overview 
     The container apparatus (the “container”) can be implemented in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes, and configurations. Different embodiments of the container can be used for the storage, transportation, and/or use of a wide variety of different products. A container can be used to store food products, beverages, money, office supplies, electronics, tools, chemical products, cleaning detergents, fabric softeners, and virtually any other type of solid, liquid, or even in certain circumstances, gas product. 
     Different embodiments of the container can be comprised of a wide variety of different materials. For example, in the context of a container serving as a cup, the cup could be comprised of paper, paperboard, stainless steel, metal, ceramics, plastics, or other types of materials. Different types of coatings such as polymer coatings, high barrier polymer coatings (including but not limited to high carrier silver coatings), polyethylene coatings (including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate coatings), biopolymer coatings (including but not limited to polyactide polymers), biodegradable polyester, and other types of coatings can be used with respect to the container. 
     Containers provide an excellent opportunity for businesses and other organizations to facilitate communications. In many instances, the container will include text, graphics, and other indicia to communicate brand identity, product information, marketing information, or public service announcements. As miniature electronic components become increasingly easy and inexpensive to incorporate into containers, some containers can be configured to provide audio communications using technology similar to that used to play music when someone opens a greeting card. A container can also be configured to use powered electronics to flash lights or otherwise generate visual indicia. For example, a coffee cup container could be configured to play a song, flash a light, and/or generate some other response upon the opening or closing of the lid. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of the container have been explained and illustrated in a variety of embodiments and configurations. However, it must be understood that this inventive container may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. 
     II. Introduction of Elements and Definitions 
       FIG. 1   a  is a perspective diagram illustrating an example of a container  20  in a fully closed and sealed state. The container  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1   a  is a cup that can be machined from and/or into a single piece of paperboard. Different embodiments of the container  20  can involve different types of products, different material compositions, and different manufacturing processes. Each embodiment of the container  20  will include a container body (the “body”  22 ) and a lid  28 . The body  22  and lid  28  can be implemented in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes. All other components in the various Figures are optional and need not be included in all embodiments of the container  20 . Most embodiments of the container  20  will also include a plate  24  that is connected to both the lid  28  and to the body  22 , with one end of the plate  24  being connected to the lid  28  and the other end of the plate being connected to the body  22 . In some embodiments, the lid  28  and even the plate  24  can be configured to be removable from the container  20 , such as through perforated edges to a paperboard material that can be removed by hand. In other embodiments, the body  22 , lid  28 , and plate  24  are integral to each other and are not configured to be separable from each other. 
     A. Body 
     The body  22  of the container  20  typically constitutes the majority of the surface area of the container  22 . The body  22  of the container  20  also typically defines the shape, size, and contours of the container  20 . For example, in  FIG. 1  the container  20  is a coffee cup that is substantially cylindrical in shape. The shape of the container  20  is the result of a substantially cylindrical body  22 . The body  22  of the container  20  may include various score lines for the purposes of reinforcing the structural strength and integrity of the container  20 . Unlike other components of the container  20 , the body  22  is not designed to be movable or otherwise configurable by the user of the container  20 . In other words, the body  22  of the container  20  remains the same regardless of which operating state or configuration that the container  20  is in. In contrast, the lid  28 , the plate  24 , and their respective components can be moved and configured by the user of the container  20 . 
     The bottom portion of the body  22  typically serves as the base of the container  20  with the lid  28  being placed in a vertical position that is higher than most or even all of the body  22 , depending on the particular embodiment of the container  22 . In  FIG. 1   a , the uppermost portion of a tab  30  (which can extend off of and be part of the lid  28 ) represents the highest vertical point on the container  20  in a conventional orientation of the container  20  when the container  20  is in a fully closed operating configuration/state. Conversely, the lowest vertical portion of the container  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a base surface  40  of the body  22  upon which the container  20  sits when placed on a flat surface such as a table. 
     The body  22  of the container  20  can itself be broken down further into various components and elements. 
     1. Cavity 
     A cavity  46  (which can also be referred to as a chamber  46 ) is the empty space within the body  22  of the container  20  that is used to store the product. For example, in the context of a coffee cup container  20 , the cavity  46  is the space within the body  22  that houses the coffee. In  FIG. 1   a , the cavity  46  is illustrated with a dotted line because an exterior surface  42  of the body  22  blocks the view of the cavity  46  within the body. In many embodiments of the container  20 , the cavity  46  will be shaped in a substantially identical manner to the outer appearance of the body  22 . However, in alternative embodiments, different shapes and configurations can be implemented, particularly if the container  20  requires structural reinforcements to maintain the integrity of the body  22 . In such instances, reinforcing structures may be placed within the body  22 , altering its interior shape, i.e. the shape of the cavity  46 . 
     Some embodiments of the container  20  can include multiple cavities  46  for separating two or more products within the container  20 . Such embodiments can include internal structures to mix the contents if desired, or to keep them permanently separate. For example a container  20  could be configured to hold 2 different and separate drinks, with the cavity  46  being split into two separate holding areas. 
     2. Rim 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , a rim  34  can represent the highest vertical position of the body  22 . The rim  34  is typically a reinforced exterior surface at the top of the body  22 . Some embodiments of the container  20  will not include a rim  34 , but the rim  34  is often useful for strengthening and reinforcing the structural integrity of the container  20 . Rims  34  can also aid users in the use of the container  20 . For example, in the context of a cup container  20  used to hold a beverage, the rim  34  can assist a drinker in avoiding a spill as well as making the coffee cup container more comfortable to use. The rim  34  can also insulate the drinker from a beverage that is particular hot or particular cold. 
     In the illustration of  FIG. 1   a , the rim  34  is on top of a portion  36  of the body  22  that is vertically higher than the lid  28  when the lid  28  is in a fully closed configuration/state. The top portion  36  of the body  22  often includes a variety of score lines, which can be vertical, horizontal, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments of the container  20 , the rim  34  will cover the entire portion of the body  22  that is not covered by the plate  24  or a flap  54 . In other embodiments of the container  20 , coverage of the rim  34  is not comprehensive, allowing in certain embodiments, the portion  36  of the body  22  closest to the flaps  54  to be folded inwardly to reinforce the functionality provided by the flaps  54 . To maximize the flexibility of the plate  24  and or flaps  54 , it is often desirable for at least a couple of millimeters of the top portion  36  to not be covered by the rim  34 . 
     In many embodiments of the container  20  that involve a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical body  22 , the rim  34  forms an arc between approximately 299 degrees and approximately 180 degrees. In many embodiments of the container  20  that involve cylindrical or substantially cylindrical body  22 , the lid  28  will form between approximately between 180 degrees and 299 degrees of a circle. 
     3. Surfaces 
     A body  22  is made up of both exterior surfaces and interior surfaces. An exterior surface is a surface of the body that faces outward from the container  20 . An interior surface is a surface of the body  22  that faces inward towards the body  22 , typically the cavity  46  or another interior surface. 
     In  FIG. 1   a , one exterior surface  42  of the body  22  is the portion of the body  22  that is substantially cylindrical in shape that runs from a bottom to the top of the body  22 . A corresponding interior surface  44  that is illustrated with a dotted line because it is not visible from the exterior of the container  20  is also cylindrical in shape and runs from a bottom to the top of the container  20 . 
     The portion  36  of the body  22  that extends upwards from the closed lid includes both an exterior surface as well as an interior surface. The portion  36  of the body  22  that extends upwards in a vertically higher position than the lid  28  in a closed state can be referred to as a vertical protrusion  36  of the body  22 . The rim  34  rests on the vertical protrusion  36 . 
     The bottom portion of the body  22  includes both interior surfaces (facing upwards towards the cavity  46 ) and exterior surfaces (facing downwards towards the surface on which the container  20  rests). The bottommost exterior surface of the body  22  is referred to as a base  40 . The bottommost interior surface of the body  22  (which can also be thought of as the bottommost exterior “surface” of the cavity  46 ) is referred to as a floor  48 . The floor  48  of the cavity is illustrated with a dotted line in  FIG. 1   a  because the cavity  46  is not visible from the outside of the container  20 . A wide variety of different designs can be incorporated into the base  40  of the container. Two different examples are provided in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , which are discussed below. 
     4. Score Lines 
     Returning to  FIG. 1   a , the body  22  of the container  20  can include a variety of different score lines to reinforce the strength of the body  22  or for other purposes. The lid  28  and plate  24  components can also include score lines as used in the body  22  of the container  20 . In the context of the plate  24  or lid  28 , a score line can be used to facilitate the ability of a user to move a particular component, to transition the container  20  from one operating state to another. In the context of the body  22 , the purpose of a score line is to prohibit movement or deformation. 
     Score lines can be oriented vertically or horizontally. Score lines can be full or only partial. For example, a full horizontal score line could run across the entire circumference of a cylindrical body  22 . In contrast, a partial horizontal score line may be limited to running under only through the portions of the body  22  that are directly under the plate  24 , the plate  24  and flaps  54 , the rim  34 , or some other component or element. A horizontal score line  56  (which can also be referred to as a fold  56  or connector  56 ) is often used to connect the plate  24  to the body  22 . The boundary between a flap  54  and the body  22  can also be marked by the connector  56  or fold  56 , although different score lines could be used. It is often helpful to include horizontal score lines on the body  22  of the container  20  that are parallel to the score line serving as the connector  56  between the plate  24  and the body  22  because the connector  56  between the plate  24  and the body  22  is often important in supporting the ability of the plate  24  to support the movement of the lid  28 . 
     Some embodiments of the container  20  can include horizontal score line  52  (which can also be referred to as the lid groove  52  or a lid channel seat groove  52 ) to better secure the position of the lid  28  in a closed configuration/state.  FIG. 5   c  provides one example of a shape of a lid groove  52  that can be incorporated into the container  20 . Different shapes of lid grooves  52  and score lines can be incorporated into different embodiments of the container  20 . 
     Vertical score lines can similarly be full (running from top to bottom) or merely partial. As illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , vertical score lines  38  in the body  22  can run extend upwards to the plate  38  to reinforce the structural integrity of the plate  24  and the ability of the plate  24  to assist in securing the lid  28  in a closed position. Some embodiments of the container  20  may include full vertical score lines spaced evenly throughout portion of the body  22  covered by the rim  34 . 
     B. Plate and Flaps 
     A plate  24  is a surface area of the container  20  that is configured to support the movement of the lid  28 . Just as the body  22  can have exterior surfaces facing in an outward direction and interior surfaces facing in an inward direction, the plate  24  can include but an outward surface and an inward surface. Similarly, the plate  24  can also include both vertical and horizontal score lines with the boundaries of the plate  24  being typically marked by score lines. A plate  24  can include vertical score lines and horizontal score lines. The plate  24 , as well as the flaps  54  (if any), serve collectively as a hinge mechanism that allows the lid  28  to be opened and closed. 
     In many embodiments, two flaps  54  will be located horizontally adjacent to the plate  24 , with one flap  54  to each side of the plate. 
     The plate  24  and two flaps  54  that are illustrated in  FIG. 1   a  facilitate the ability of users to open and close the lid  28  while facilitating the strength and tightness of the container  20 . If the lid  28  cannot be secured in a closed position, then the ability to utilize the container  20  is compromised because an unfastened lid  28  can result in the unintended change of an operating configuration/state from closed to open. For example, in the context of a beverage container  20 , a container  20  that cannot be closed and sealed in a watertight manner is of only limited use. 
     Embodiments of the container  20  that include a plate  24  allow for the lid  28  to be open or closed without altering the structure of the lid  28 . By leaving the structure of lid  28  unchanged, the structural integrity of the lid  28  and the ability of a closed lid  28  to seal the contents of the cavity  46  are enhanced. The motion of the lid  28  is facilitated by the plate  24  or the plate  24  in conjunction with the flaps  54 . A variety of score lines are typically used to delineate the boundaries of the plate  24  and flaps  54 . A score line  26  between the plate  24  and the lid  28  can be referred to as a hinge  26 . Whether the plate  24  an/or flap  54  configuration is utilized with respect to a particular container  20 , the aggregate effect of that plate  24  and flap  54  configuration is to serve as a hinge. 
     As discussed above, different embodiments of the container  20  can utilize different types of score lines at different locations with different attributes. 
     1. Flaps 
     A flap  54  is a surface horizontally adjacent to the plate  24 , but separate from the plate  28  by a vertical or substantially vertical score line. The boundaries of the flaps  54  are often demarcated by vertical and horizontal score lines. As discussed above, one or more flaps  54  may be used to support and enhance the ability of the plate  24  to function as a hinge for the lid  28 . Some embodiments of the flaps  54  can be configured to be further twisted or pushed in by the user to further secure the lid  28  in a closed position. Such twisting or pushing in may render the container  20  undesirable for subsequent opening and refilling. 
     An embodiment of the container  20  that uses a plate  24  need not include any flaps  54 , but a combination of one plate  24  with one flap  54  on each side is often desirable. 
     2. Skid locks 
     Some embodiments of the plate  24  can include one or more skid locks  58  to facilitate the ability of users to stack the containers  20  on top of each other even if the lids  28  are closed.  FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a container  20  with 2 skid locks  58  configured to support a stack  90  of closed containers  20 . 
     3. Score Lines 
     Returning to  FIG. 1   a , score lines can be used to delineate the plate  24  from other components. The connector  56  as discussed above is used to connect the body  22  to the plate  24 . A hinge score line  26  (which can also be referred to as the hinge  26 ) can be used as the boundary between the lid  28  and the plate  24 . In many embodiments of the container  20 , the hinge  26  is configured to be more maneuverable than the connector  56  because the relative motion of the lid  28  with respect to the plate  24  is typically far greater than the relative motion of the plate  24  with respect to the body  22 . The purpose of the plate  24  is to insulate the body  22  from the magnitude of movement required by the lid  28 . 
     C. Lid 
     A lid  28  is the means by which a container  20  is closed and in some cases, sealed (such as the case with watertight containers). In some embodiments, a grove  52  in the body  22  helps secure the lid  28  when it is moved to a closed/sealed position. Although the position of the lid  28  determines whether the container  20  is in a closed state/configuration or an open state/configuration, the change in the position of the lid  32  is not achieved through any structure change to the lid  32 . To the contrary, it is the plate  24  (sometimes in conjunction with the flaps  54 ) that serve as the hinge upon which the lid  28  can be moved. In the example of  FIG. 1   a , the lid  28  moves by being rotated around the hinge  26 . 
     In many embodiments of the container  20 , the lid  28  is substantially circular in shape and need not be very thick. In many embodiments of the container  20 , the lid  28  is substantially parallel to the surface on which the container  20  rests when the lid is in a closed operating configuration/state. 
     The lid  28  can be in an open position, a closed position, or in some instances, a partially open/partially closed position. In many embodiments of the container  20 , the lid  28  is integral to the plate  24 , and the plate  24  is integral to the body  22 . The lid  28  can be comprised of the same material as the plate  24  and body  22 . 
     1. Tab 
     Some embodiments of the lid  28  can include a tab  30  which serves as a handle for opening and closing the lid  28 . Different embodiments of the tab  30  can include a different number of score lines. In many embodiments, the number of score lines in the tab  30  will depend on whether the tab  30  is used to seal an opening  32  in the lid  28 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , the tab  30  includes a score line  48  at the base of the tab  30  as well as a score line at the segment  50  of the tab  30  that transitions from a primarily horizontal orientation to a primarily vertical orientation. This allows the tab  20  to facilitate the sealing and closing of the opening  32  as well as the opening and closing of the lid  28 . In many beverage embodiments of the container  20 , an additional third tab score line  60  (see  FIG. 3 ) can be used to facilitate the ability of the user to push the tab  30  down into the opening  32  so that the tab  30  does not interfere with the comfort of the user in drinking the beverage in the container  20 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 1   a , the tab  30  is fastened to the lid  28  at a tab base  48 . The location of the tab base  48  can depend on whether or not the lid  28  includes an opening  32 . If the lid  28  does include an opening  32 , then the tab base  48  is typically the innermost edge of the opening  32 . If the lid  28  does not include an opening  32 , then the tab base  48  is typically located close to the outermost edge of the top surface of the lid  28 . 
     The container  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1   a  includes both a tab  30  and an opening  32 . The shape of the tab  30  can vary widely, but the tip of the tab  30  should serve to facilitate movement by the user and the shape of the lower portion of the tab  30  will typically depend on the shape of the opening  32 . 
     2. Opening 
     Some embodiment of the lid  28  will include an opening  32  to selectively expose the contents of the container  20 . For example, in the context of a beverage container, the opening  32  can allow the user to drink the contents of the container  20  (through use of a straw or by simply tipping the container in close proximity to an open mouth) while the lid  28  remains in a closed position. The opening  32  can be closed/sealed using the tab  30 . The opening  32  in  FIG. 1   a  is illustrated with a dotted line because the opening  32  is not visible. The opening  32  in  FIG. 1   a  is filled up and sealed by the tab  30 . The bottom portion of the tab  30  in  FIG. 1   a  from the tab base  48  to the fold  50  is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the container  20  and the top portion of the tab  30  from the fold  50  upwards protrudes straight upwards in the air where it can be most easily grasped. 
     The shape of the opening  32  and of the portion of the tab  30  used to plug the opening  32 , can vary widely from embodiment to embodiment. Some embodiments of the container  20  can include more than one opening  32 . For example, some embodiments of a beverage container  20  could include two or more openings  32  for the insertion of straws. 
     Additional illustrations of the movement of the tab  30  and the opening  32  covered by the tab  30 , can be seen in  FIG. 1   b  and  FIG. 6 . 
     D. Additional Elements/Components 
     Different embodiments of the container  20  can include a wide variety of additional elements/components. As discussed above, different score line configurations can be incorporated into the container  20 . In some embodiments, a tear back adhesive can be place on the lid  28  to facilitate the pulling open of the lid  28 . The structure and shape of the lid channel seat groove  52  can be modified to provide extra reinforcement analogous to that of a girdle. For example, additional structural components could be added to prevent the lid  28  from moving beyond a particular closed position. 
     In some embodiments, a vertical body seam running up from the bottom of the body  22  to the outermost portion of the lid  28  and the location of the tab  30  could be used to further strengthen the container  20 . In some embodiments, the vertical body seam can include a lateral tab to facilitate the opening and closing of the container  20 . 
     For embodiments involving the storage of food, the flaps  54  can include a cold seal adhesive that is water based. Pressure from the fingers of the users can then form a bond that will enhance the ability of the container  20  to satisfy specification 276.170 FDA compliance as it pertains to direct food contact with respect to aqueous and fatty foods. 
     III. Operating Configurations/States/Positions 
     Depending on the product that a container  20  is designed to secure, the container  20  can be configured in a variety of different states or positions. For example, in the context of a beverage container  20 , the container  20  can be in a fully closed and sealed position to minimize the ability of the beverage to escape from the container. An example of the fully closed and sealed configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , where the lid  28  is closed and the opening  32  is also sealed by the tab  30  which can include a variety of score lines designed to facilitate the ability of the tab  30  to fill the opening  32 . 
       FIG. 1   b  illustrates an example of a lid  28  that is fully closed, but an opening  32  that is not blocked by the tab  30 , permitting the beverage to be consumed, but otherwise limiting the ability of the beverage to be spilled. As illustrated in the Figure, the tab  30  is straightened out into a vertical or substantially vertical position as the opening  32  is unsealed. As discussed below with respect to  FIG. 3 , some embodiments of the tab will include an additional score line  60  designed to facilitate the pushing of the tab  30  into the opening  32  so that the tab  30  does not interfere with the drinking of the beverage through the opening  32 . The transition from  FIG. 1   a  to  FIG. 1   b  can occur solely with the movement of the tab  30 . 
       FIG. 1   c  illustrates an example of a lid  28  that is partially open. Although the position of the plate  24  in  FIG. 1   c  is identical to the position of the plate  28  in  FIG. 1   b  and  FIG. 1   a  because the plate  24  is fixed, the lid  28  is nonetheless not in a closed position. In many contexts, the filling or refilling of the beverage container  20  is performed while the container  20  is in the configuration of  FIG. 1   c . In some contexts, a user may drink from the container  20  while in the state illustrated in  FIG. 1   c . The transition from  FIG. 1   b  to  FIG. 1   c  involves movement of the lid  28  but not the movement of the plate  24 . 
       FIG. 1   d  illustrates an example of a container  20  in a state of maximum openness. The illustrated configuration can be highly desirable for the purposes of stacking empty containers  20  on top of each other. The illustrated configuration can also be desirable in the filling or refilling of the container  20 , and in some instances, such as trying to clear out a cup of the remaining portions of a milk shake, for consuming the contents of the container  20 . The transition from  FIG. 1   c  to  FIG. 1   d  involves primarily the moving of the plate  24  from its substantially horizontal position to its substantially vertical position. 
     Different embodiments of the container  20  can include a wide variety of different positions, states, and operating configurations. 
     IV. Method of Making 
     Many paperboard embodiments of the container  20  can be machined from either pre-printed, pre-punched blanks or optional pre-printed roll stock. The blank can be precisely positioned and tightly wrapped around the folding mandrel. The design of some cup embodiments of the container  20  allows for the body  22  wrapping with the punched and drawn cup bottom inserted prior to sidewall sealing or optional insertion of the cup bottom after the side wall sealing. Sealing of the side-seam and bottom seam is completed by utilizing e.g. flame, hot air or ultrasonic. Sealing parameters related to temperature, pressure and registration is critical within the forming process. The cup shells can be designed to facilitate easy transfer between multiple turret stations positioned on the cup forming machine. The partially finished cup can then transferred to the top curl turret, incorporating multiple stations to form the top curl rim  34 : lubrication, pre-curl, finishing curl and calibration. 
     V. Method of Using 
     Different containers  20  can involve different components and different steps for the opening and closing of the container  20 . 
     A. Example #1 
       FIG. 2   a  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for closing a container  20 . At  100 , the plate  24  is moved into the position that the plate would be in if the container  20  is closed. An example of step  100  would be the transition from the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   d  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   c.    
     Returning to  FIG. 2   a , at  102 , the lid  28  is moved into the position that the lid  38  would be in the container  20  is closed. An example of the step  102  would be the transition from the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   c  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   b.    
     Returning to  FIG. 2   a , at  104 , the opening  32  is closed with the tab  30 . An example of step  104  would be the transition from the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   b  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   a.    
     The loading or filling to the container  20  could occur while in potentially any of the states identified above. 
     The closing/sealing process ends after the closing of the opening  32 . 
     B. Example #2 
       FIG. 2   b  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for closing a container  20 . At  110 , the plate  24  is secured into the position that the plate  24  would be in if the container  20  is closed. This typically involves the user pressing down on the plate  24 , pivoting the position of the plate  24  along the boundary  56  between the body  22  and the plate  24 . An example of step  110  would be the transition from the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   d  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   c . It is often desirable to load or fill the container  20  before performing this step. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2   b , at  112 , the lid  28  is closed. This can be done by pressing down on the lid  28  and rotating the lid  28  around the hinge  26  marking the boundary between the lid  28  and the plate  24 . An example of the step  112  would be the transition from the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   c  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   b.    
     Returning to  FIG. 2   b , at  114 , the opening  32  is closed and sealed with the pushing in of the tab  30 . Alternative embodiments may include additional mechanisms by which the opening  32  is sealed. An example of step  114  would be the transition from the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   b  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1   a.    
     The closing/sealing process is completed with the sealing of the opening  32  at  114 . 
     C. Example #3 
       FIG. 2   c  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for loading and closing a container  20 . At  120 , cavity  46  of the container  20  is loaded or filled with the applicable product. This step is typically performed while the container  20  is in a state of maximum openness. 
     At  122 , the user grabs the tab  30 . 
     At  124 , the user presses down on the tab to move the plate  24  to a closed position, to move the lid  28  to a closed position, and to fill the opening  32  with the bottom portion of the tab  30 . This can be done in one motion by the user. 
     The process ends with the fully closed and sealed container  20 . 
     VI. Additional Views 
     A. Top view 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a top view of container  20 . In this example of the container  20 , the tab  30  includes three score lines ( 48 ,  60 , and  50 ) to facilitate the ability of a user to push the tab  30  down into the opening  32  so that the tab  30  does not enter the users mouth or otherwise interfere with the consumption of the beverage. 
     The illustration in  FIG. 3  also includes two skid locks  58  to facilitate the stacking of closed containers  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     B. Bottom View 
       FIG. 4   a  is a diagram illustrating an example of a bottom view of a container  20 .  FIG. 4   b  is a diagram illustrating another example of a bottom view of a container  20 . Each illustration shows the base  40  as well as the bottom exterior surface  48  of the cavity  46 . As illustrated in the Figures, different base  40  configurations can be incorporated into different embodiments of the container  20 . The type of material used to comprise the container  20  and the type of contents anticipated to be held in the container  20  can influence the appropriate design of the bottom of the container  20 . 
     C. Side View 
       FIG. 5   a  is a diagram illustrating an example of a side view of a container  20 . The container  20  in  FIG. 5   a  is in a similar operating state/configuration as the container  20  in  FIG. 1   d , but from a different perspective. In this position, the portions of the tab  30 , lid  28 , and plate  28  that are most exterior to the container  20  form a substantially vertical line segment extending upwards from the exterior surface  42  of the body  22 . 
     Although the lid  28  is substantially flat when closed, the curvature of the container  20  does not appear substantially as a line segment in a side view of the container  20  when the lid  28  is in a full upright position. 
     However, as illustrated in  FIG. 5   b , as the lid  28  moves more closely to a closed position, the side view of the lid  28  takes on a more two-dimensional appearance. 
       FIG. 5   c  is a diagram illustrating an example of a side view of a interior body surface that includes a lid channel seat groove  52  to secure the lid  28  in a closed position. Different geometric shapes can be incorporated into the groove  52 . Additional structures can also be added to preclude the lid  28  from moving beyond an optimal closed position. 
     D. Front View 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of a front view of a container  20 . The Figure also illustrates the different positions of the tab  30  as the container  20  transitions from closed and sealed ( FIG. 1   a ), to closed and unsealed ( FIG. 1   b ), open lid/plate secure ( FIG. 1   c ), and fully open ( FIG. 1   d ). 
     E. Back View 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of a back view of a container  20 . The container  20  in  FIG. 7  is in a fully closed and sealed position. 
     F. Stacked Containers 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of skid locks  58  facilitating the vertical stacking of closed containers  20 . The number of closed containers  20  that can be included into a stack  90  will depend on a variety of factors, including the design of the container  20 , the structural strength of the container  20 , and the contents (if any) in the container  20 . 
       FIG. 9   a  is a diagram illustrating an example of the vertical stacking of open containers  20 . A stack  94  of open containers  20  can typically include far more containers  20  than a stack  90  of closed containers  20 . 
       FIG. 9   b  is a diagram illustrating an example of a stack  94  of open containers  20  from a different perspective. 
     VII. Alternative Embodiments 
     The container can be implemented in a wide variety of different embodiments, configurations, and contexts. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in a variety of embodiments and configurations. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. The container and methods for using the container can be implemented in a wide variety of different components, component configurations, and component compositions.