Patent Publication Number: US-2022227539-A1

Title: System and Method for Constructing a Three-dimensional discard cup

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit from currently pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,404 titled “system and method for constructing a three-dimensional” and having a filing date of Jan. 20, 2021, all of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present specification relates to a construction cup and more specifically to a spit cup wherein a bag is foldable bearing a sequentially coded pairs of indicia pairs are folded and creased in a predetermined order to form a discard bag. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Origami, the oriental game of constructing objects by folding sheets of material, has been known for many centuries. Origami involves manipulating a sheet of foldable material by folding and creasing selected edges and corners into or on another in a certain sequence of steps to form a three-dimensional article. Geometric shapes, toys, games, figures, and containers configurations are among the finished articles which may be constructed by folding and creasing a sheet of foldable material in a set sequential fashion wherein the set sequence determines the finished article. 
     More recently, it has been recognized that origami has applications other than just folding and creasing a sheet of material. For example, origami is used for in product design to allow for larger items to fold into themselves making a smaller item, or a corrugated box which can fold into a drink holder or a box carton. A particular advantage of such items is that they allow the item to be easily stored or transported. In addition, a particular advantage of these type of products is that they are relatively inexpensive, involving only a generally readily available sheet of material, such as paper, corrugated box, or similar foldable material and requiring no special implements. 
     Many products contain a portion of the product that is to be consumed, and a portion of the product that is meant to be discarded. Examples can include peanuts in the shell, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or other products that are individually wrapped. Consumers of these products will typically use or eat the consumable portion and hold the discard portion in a hand, pocket, or a separate bag or cup. A need therefore exists for a discard bag that is specifically designed to transform from a discard bag, or a material provided with a discard bag to a spit cup using origami. 
     An object of the present invention is to allow a discard cup to easily be stored in a bag, or as a component of the bag wherein the user can easily create a discard cup for discardable material without taking unnecessary space within the original bag. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system and method for packaging and distributing a product that is a plurality of individual pieces is provided. Each individual piece will have a consumable portion and a disposable portion and will be held in a container like a cardboard box or a plastic bag. A disposal cup to hold the disposable portion of the pieces is formed by folding a semi-stiff foldable substrate along scored lines to create the three-dimensional structure of the disposal cup. The foldable substrate may be provided loose in a bag, for example, of individual pieces, or may be stapled or tied to the outside of the bag. The bag may also include a pocket on the outside of the bag that houses the foldable substrate. 
     The foldable substrate may be any semi-stiff, foldable material such as paper, laminated material, or cardstock. The substrate may be cut to more easily allow the foldable substrate to be folded into the three-dimensional structure. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a base portion and a plurality of extensions from the base portion that are folded in upon the base structure or woven together to create a disposal container. At least one slot and at least one tab may be included on the substrate, and the tab may be inserted into the slot when the substrate is folded in the desired three-dimensional pattern. In a particular embodiment, the slot is formed from an extension that is folded back against the base portion. The friction between the tab and the slot can hold the substrate in the desired three-dimensional pattern. The substrate alternatively or additionally may comprise a glue portion configured to hold the substrate in the desired three-dimensional pattern when the substrate is folded. The glue is pre-applied to the substrate and sold to the consumer ready to be glued together. 
     Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventor&#39;s intent and desire that the simple, plain, and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. 
     The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above. 
     Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of molding a fishing lure, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of molding a fishing lure, step for performing the function of molding a fishing lure,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present specification will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present specification will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a substantially square sheet of material illustrating a first step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating a second step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a third step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating a fourth step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating a fifth step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating a sixth step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view illustrating a seventh step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view illustrating an eight step in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view illustrating a night step of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  is an elevation view of a substantially square sheet of material illustrating a first step in another embodiment of a construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view illustrating a second step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view illustrating a third step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view illustrating a fourth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view illustrating a fifth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view illustrating a sixth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view illustrating a seventh step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 18  is a plan view illustrating a eighth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view illustrating a ninth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view illustrating a tenth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 21  is a plan view illustrating a eleventh step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view illustrating a twelfth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; 
         FIG. 23  is a plan view illustrating a thirteenth step of another embodiment in construction of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments; and 
         FIG. 24  is a plan view of another embodiment ready for use of a discard pouch in accordance to one, or more embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below. 
     In certain construction situations, the operator must execute a special instruction in order to proceed with the next step in the construction sequence herein. The special instruction may require that an edge be scored and then unfolded, or that a flap be extracted from within a portion of a partially constructed item. Operation of creating a discard pouch and of the preceding manipulative features will be more clearly illustrated with reference to the following examples which describe the steps required to construct the completed a discard pouch. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1  a sheet of a preferred embodiment of a discard pouch  10  is illustrated. The preferred orientation and direction of the elements of this embodiment of a discard pouch  10  is described relative to this figure. A packaging system for distributing a product including a plurality of individual pieces, each individual piece having a consumable portion and a disposable portion  10 , the system comprising a container encompassing the product (not shown), and a semi-stiff foldable substrate coupled to or housed within the container, wherein the substrate is scored to allow a user to fold the substrate into a desired three-dimensional pattern that is configured to accommodate the disposable portions. The container is a bag (not shown) and the substrate is housed within the bag and wherein the container is a bag and the bag includes a separate pocket that encloses the substrate  12 . 
     A flexible substrate or semi-stiff  12  can have a center  11  and a first pair of opposing corners, first (right) corner  13 , and second (left) corner  15 , a third (top) corner  17  a fourth (bottom) corner  19 , and a front side  23  and a back side  25  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and can be configured to accommodate a disposable portions, which can be seeds, or other shelled snacks. A first step in the construction of a discard pouch comprises a first cut  14  extending from substantially near the first corner  13  towards the third corner  17  and just before reaching the center  11  the first cut extends towards the center forming an L-shape. A second cut  16  extending from substantially near the second corner  15  towards the fourth corner  19  and before reaching the center  11  the second cut extends towards the center forming an L-shape. In the preferred embodiment, the sheet  12  is made of paper, laminated substrate, cardstock, or like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second step in the construction of a discard pouch  10  is illustrated. In this step, the sheet  12  is scored in two locations having a first score  18  and a second score  20 . The first score line  18  and second score line  20  may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown in  FIG. 2 . The first score line  18  can approach and touch the end of the first cut  14  and the second score  20  can approach and touch the second cut  16  and both can continue around the center  11  forming a J-shape. The first score line  18  can be between the first corner  13  and the fourth corner  19  and can be substantially closer to the fourth corner. The second score line  20  can be between the third corner  17  and the second corner  15  and can be substantially closer to the third corner. A third score line  21  can be made from the second corner  15  through the middle of the flexible substrate  12  to the first corner  13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a third step in the construction of the discard pouch  10  is illustrated. In this step, the flexible substrate  12  is flipped over showing the back side  25  and a fourth score line  22 , a fifth score line  24 , a sixth score line  27 , and seventh score line  29 . The fourth score line  22  can be on or near the fourth corner  19  and the fifth score line  24  can be on or near the third corner  17  creating a triangular shape on the third corner and fourth corner. The seventh score line  29  can substantially reach from the fifth score line  24  to the first cut  14 , and the sixth score line  27  can substantially reach from the fourth score line  22  to the second cut  16 . A person skilled in the art would understand that fourth score line  22 , a fifth score line  24 , a sixth score line  27 , and seventh score line  29  may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIG. 3  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a fourth step in the construction of the discard pouch  10  is illustrated. In this step, the flexible substrate  12  is folded in half toward the user along the third score line  21  showing the first score line  18 . A bottom  26  of the discard pouch  10  is formed by folding the flexible substrate  12  in half. Alternatively, the bottom can be folded the opposite direction creating the same pocket for the bottom for the discard pouch  10 . A person skilled in the art would understand that bottom  26  may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIG. 4  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , a fifth and sixth step in the construction of the discard pouch  10  is illustrated. In the fifth step, a first wall  28  is created by folding inward along the first score line  18 . In the sixth step, the discard pouch  10  is rotated 180 degrees preparing for the next fold along the second score line  20 . Alternatively, the fold can be along the first score  18  in the opposite direction of the fold in the fifth step. A person skilled in the art would understand that first wall  28  may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIG. 5  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , a seventh, eighth and ninth step in the construction of the discard pouch  10  is illustrated. In the seventh step, a second wall  30  is created by folding inward along the second score line  20 . The discard pouch  10  first wall  28 , second wall  30 , and bottom  26  are formed creating a pouch. A front flap  32  can be folded into the pouch created by the first wall  28  and the second wall  30 . The discard pouch  10  can be flipped over and a second flap  34  can be folded into the pouch created by the first wall  28  and the second wall  30 . A person skilled in the art would understand that second wall  30  and the flap  32  may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIGS. 8 and 9  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a completed discard pouch  10  is illustrated ready for use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , shows another embodiment in the construction of a discard pouch  100 , a first step in the construction of the discard pouch  100  is illustrated. The preferred orientation and direction of the elements of this embodiment of the discard pouch  100  is described relative to this figure. In this step, a flexible substrate  102  can have a first pair of opposing corners, first corner (top right)  104 , and second corner (top left)  106 , a third corner (bottom left)  108 , a fourth corner (bottom right)  110 , and a front side  112  and a back side  116  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). At least five diagonals cuts  116  are made as shown in  FIG. 11  forming six diagonal columns  114 . A sunflower pouch seed  100  can further comprise a first tab  114  and a second tab  115  wherein the tabs can be circular, triangular, slots, or the like wherein the first tab and the second tab are cut substantially near the top of the flexible substrate  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a second step in the construction of the discard pouch  10  is illustrated. In this step, a first score line  120  can be scribed substantially near the top of the first corner  104 , and the second corner  106 , a second score line  122  can be where the diagonal columns  114  meet the main body of the flexible substrate  102 . At least eight third score lines  124  are sketched along the substantially same line as the columns  114  and at least eight fourth score lines  126  running substantially diagonal to the third score lines wherein the third score line and the fourth score line can meet at the second score line  122  at the diagonal column  114  in at least seven locations. At least six fifth score lines  128  can run vertical from the top of the third score line  124  and the fourth score line  126  to the top of the flexible substrate. A person skilled in the art would understand that first score line  120 , second score line  122 , third score line  124 , fourth score line  126 , and fifth score line  128  may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIG. 12  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a third step in the construction of the discard pouch  100  is illustrated. In this step, the flexible substrate  102  is flipped over to the back side  116  and a sixth score line  130 , a seventh score line  132 , and an eighth score line  134  are horizontal and spaced as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , a fourth step in the construction of the discard pouch  100  is illustrated. In this step, the scores made in the third step, the sixth score line  130 , the seventh score line  132 , and the eighth score line  134 , are creased and folded along the score lines. A person skilled in the art would understand that creasing and folding of may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIG. 14  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a fifth step in the construction of the discard pouch  100  is illustrated. In this step, the flexible substrate  102  is rotated back to the front showing the front side  112 . The first score line  120 , the second score line  122 , third score lines  124 , fourth score lines  126 , and fifth score lines  128  can be creased and folded along the score lines. A person skilled in the art would understand that creasing and folding of first score line  120 , the second score line  122 , third score lines  124 , fourth score lines  126 , and fifth score lines  128  may be located anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIG. 15  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a sixth step in the construction of the discard pouch  100  is illustrated. In this step, the flexible substrate ends are overlapped and glued on the first area  136 , and the second area  138  as shown in  FIG. 16 . A person skilled in the art would understand that first area  136 , and the second area  138  may be located and glued anywhere in the vicinity of the location shown on  FIG. 16  to accomplish the purpose of this embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17-23 , a seventh through thirteenth steps in the construction of the discard pouch  100  is illustrated. In step six, the flexible substrate is flipped so that the bottom is shown and each of the six columns  112  are shown and the columns are labeled one through six. In step seven, column one  140  is folded along the second score line  122 . In step eight, column two  142  is folded along the second score line  122  over column one  140 . In step nine, column three  143  is folded along the second score line  122  over column two  142 . In step ten, column four  144  is folded along the second score line  122  over column three  143 . In step eleven, column five  145  is folded along the second score line  122  over column four  144  and tucked under column four  144 . In step twelve, column six  146  is folded along the second score line  122  over column five  145  and tucked under column one  140  and column two  142 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , a completed discard pouch  100  is illustrated ready for use. 
     In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described. 
     Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.