Patent Publication Number: US-2022234812-A1

Title: Container With Insulating Features

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/382,265, filed Apr. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/657,246, filed on Apr. 13, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/674,834, filed on May 22, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/794,131, filed on Jan. 18, 2019, and this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/382,270, filed Apr. 12, 2019 which claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/657,246, filed on Apr. 13, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/674,834, filed on May 22, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/794,131, filed on Jan. 18, 2019. 
    
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     The disclosures of each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/382,265, filed Apr. 12, 2019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/382,270, filed Apr. 12, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/657,246, filed on Apr. 13, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/674,834, filed on May 22, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/794,131, filed on Jan. 18, 2019, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to containers for containing fluid, for example, beverage containers. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a container formed from a sidewall and having insulating features sufficient to maintain a desired temperature of a cool, cold, and/or at least partially frozen beverage, and/or one or more surface conditions of the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, a container for containing a cold fluid comprises a sidewall construct comprising an inner sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the container, an outer sleeve attached to the inner sidewall, and a cavity defined between the inner sidewall and the outer sleeve. The container further comprises a closed bottom defining a bottom of the interior of the container. The container further comprises insulating features comprising the cavity and a plurality of annular bands, each annular band of the plurality of annular bands comprises a spacer that extends in the cavity from the inner sidewall to the outer sleeve. Adjacent bands define a respective pocket of a plurality of pockets in the cavity such that the insulating features maintain a desired temperature of the cold fluid. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a sidewall construct for forming a fluid container for containing a cold fluid comprises an inner sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the container, an outer sleeve attached to the inner sidewall, a cavity defined between the inner sidewall and the outer sleeve, and insulating features comprising the cavity and a plurality of annular bands. Each band of the plurality of annular bands comprises a spacer that extends in the cavity from the inner sidewall to the outer sleeve, and adjacent bands define a respective pocket of a plurality of pockets in the cavity for maintaining a desired temperature of the cold fluid. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of forming a container for containing a cold fluid comprises obtaining an inner sidewall and an outer sleeve, and attaching the outer sleeve to the inner sidewall to form a sidewall construct with a cavity defined between the inner sidewall and the outer sleeve. The attaching comprises forming insulating features in the sidewall construct, the insulating features comprise the cavity and a plurality of annular bands, each annular band of the plurality of annular bands comprises a spacer that extends in the cavity from the inner sidewall to the outer sleeve, adjacent bands define a respective pocket of a plurality of pockets in the cavity for maintaining a desired temperature of the cold fluid. The method further comprises forming an interior of the container by positioning the sidewall construct so that the inner sidewall extends at least partially around the interior. The method further comprises positioning a closed bottom relative to the sidewall construct. 
     According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 1  with an outer sleeve removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a sidewall construct of the container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a container according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pair of containers, each as shown in  FIG. 1 , in a nested arrangement. 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pair of containers, each as shown in  FIG. 6 , in a nested arrangement. 
         FIG. 7C  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 7B . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container according to a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a sidewall construct of the container of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pair of containers, each as shown in  FIG. 8  in a nested arrangement. 
         FIG. 10A  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 10B  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  with a closed bottom of the container at an alternative position. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a sidewall construct of the container of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pair of containers, each as shown in  FIG. 11  in a nested arrangement. 
         FIG. 13A  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 13B  is a view similar to  FIG. 11  with a closed bottom of the container at an alternative position. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Containers according to the present disclosure can accommodate fluids, e.g., liquid or semi-liquid beverages that can include one or more solid components, of different sizes and compositions. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes a container for cool, cold, and/or at least partially frozen beverages, e.g., iced coffee, cold brew coffee, blended ice beverages (such as smoothies, slush beverages, milkshakes, etc.), iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored or unflavored beverages, to name a few. It will be understood that the containers described herein can hold different types of beverages and/or products containing one or more food items without departing from the disclosure. 
     In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright containers. As described herein, containers can be formed from blanks by overlapping multiple portions, panels, and/or end flaps. Such portions, panels, and/or end flaps may be designated herein in terms relative to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view, and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view, of a container  5  according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the container  5  is a cup having the general shape of a truncated cone with an open top  6 , a closed bottom  13 , and a sidewall construct  8  extending from a bottom edge to a top edge of the container  5 . The closed bottom  13  and sidewall construct  8  define and extend at least partially around an interior space  7  ( FIG. 2 ) of the container  5  with an interior volume that is for holding fluid such as a cool, cold, or at least partially frozen beverage. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewall construct  8  comprises an annular inner sidewall  19  (broadly, “inner wall”) and an outer sleeve  23  (broadly, “outer wall”) attached to the inner sidewall  19  such that the sidewall construct  8  can be referred to as a double wall structure. In one embodiment, one or both of the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  23  can be formed of paperboard, having one or more surface provided with, for example, a thermoplastic coating. Such paperboard can be provided with one or more desired surface features, for example, ribs or ridges, such as in fluted or corrugated paperboard. In one embodiment, the inner sidewall  19  can have a thickness of at least about 12 mil and the sleeve  23  can have a thickness of at least about 1 mil. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the container  5  includes insulating features in the sidewall construct  8  that include bands B1, B2, B3, B4 of spacers  29  that are circumferentially disposed at different vertical heights along the sidewall construct  8 . The spacers  29  can be at least partially comprised of adhesive, such as a hot melt glue or other glue, and extend from the inner sidewall  19  to the outer sleeve  23  to adhesively attach the outer sleeve  23  to the inner sidewall  19 . In one embodiment, the spacers  29  can be formed from a different polymeric material. In this regard, in one embodiment, the adhesive that forms the spacers  29  can be set or cured to provide desired properties of the spacers  29 . As discussed further below, the insulating features of the container  5  are arranged so that an insulation profile of the container  5  can be enhanced, for example, so that a selected or desired temperature or temperature range of the fluid in the container  5  is maintained, e.g., such that a rate of temperature increase toward an equilibrium temperature is within a selected or desired threshold, and/or so that one or more outer surface conditions of the container  5  can be maintained. 
     In one embodiment, the insulating features of the container  5  are arranged such that a relatively low temperature, e.g., a temperature at or below about approximately 40° F. (or any suitable temperature for a cold beverage) of a cool, cold, and/or at least partially frozen fluid in the interior space  7  of the container  5  can be maintained, and such that the transfer of heat to the cool, cold, and/or at least partially frozen fluid in the interior space  7  from a surrounding environment E and/or a customer&#39;s hands can be substantially minimized, inhibited, and/or prevented. The insulating features of the container  5  additionally can maintain one or more surface conditions of the exterior surface of the sleeve  23  and/or exposed portions of the inner sidewall  19 , for example, a surface temperature above the dew point of the surrounding environment such that condensation is minimized, inhibited, and/or prevented from forming on the container  5 . In one embodiment, such condition can be maintained for up to and including about an hour or more. In this regard, a user can be provided with a more comfortable surface to grasp the container  5 , e.g., such that the exterior surface of the outer sleeve  23  does not present or minimizes any cold temperature regions or zones that are uncomfortable to a customer&#39;s touch and/or a wet or slippery texture due to condensation. The container  5  can be provided with a different arrangement of insulating features without departing from the disclosure. 
     As shown, the bottom  13  of the container  5  includes a generally circular bottom panel  14  and an annular leg  15  downwardly-depending from the bottom panel  14  at a generally circular line of weakening  17 . The bottom panel  14  has a diameter that generally corresponds to a horizontal distance between opposing sides of the inner sidewall  19 . The inner sidewall  19  extends upwardly from the closed bottom  13  to define the interior space  7  of the container  5 . The annular leg  15  is adhesively attached to a lower edge margin  20  of the inner sidewall  19  to secure the bottom  13  to the sidewall construct  8  and to form the bottom of the interior space  7  of the container  5 . As shown, the lower edge margin  20  of the inner sidewall  19  extends along the outer surface of the annular leg  15 , wraps under a lower edge thereof, and extends upwardly along the interior surface of the annular leg  15  toward the bottom panel  14 . The lower edge margin  20  of the inner sidewall  19  can be an at least partially flexible portion of the inner sidewall  19  configured to engage the annular leg  15 , and can include surface features to facilitate such engagement, for example, an adhesive treatment and/or frictionally-enhancing patterning. As described herein, the portion of the lower edge margin  20  of the inner sidewall  19  overlying the lower edge of the annular leg  15  will define an inner bottom edge or inner lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19 . In one embodiment, the lower edge of the annular leg  15  can define the lower edge of the coupled inner sidewall  19  and the bottom  13 . 
     The bottom  13  can be secured to the sidewall construct  8  in a different configuration without departing from the disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the bottom  13  can be inserted into the interior space  7  formed by the sidewall construct  8  and coupled thereto, e.g., in the manner described above. In another embodiment, the bottom  13  and the annular leg  15  of the container  5  can be integrally formed with the inner sidewall  19  or can be otherwise attached to a portion of the inner sidewall  19  by other attachment means. In still another embodiment, the bottom  13  can be coupled to the inner sidewall  19  as described above, and the coupled inner sidewall  19 /bottom  13  can be inserted into or otherwise coupled with the sleeve  23 , e.g., via the spacers  29 . In yet another embodiment, the sidewall construct  8  can be formed in a flat configuration, and then wrapped around and coupled to the bottom  13  in the manner described above. 
     As also shown, a top edge of the inner sidewall  19  is curved, curled, or otherwise flanged to define a top or upper rim  21  of the container  5  that circumscribes an opening  22  in communication with the interior space  7  of the container  5 . The rim  21  and/or an upper portion of the container  5  can be configured to engage a lid or other top closure structure. 
     The illustrated configuration of the truncated conical shape of the container  5  can be achieved by forming the inner sidewall  19  from a flat blank by folding around a mandrel such that an overlapping seam is provided. The inner sidewall  19  (and the sleeve  23  disposed therearound), as shown, have a tapered configuration such that the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  23  extend at a constant angle α relative to a vertical centerline CL of the container  5 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the outer sleeve or sleeve  23 , e.g., a wrap or other layer, is disposed in at least partial circumferential engagement with the inner sidewall  19  such that the sleeve  23  presents an outer surface of the container  5  for engagement by a user. As shown, the sleeve  23  includes an upper edge  24  proximate the rim  21  and the sleeve  23  protrudes downwardly such that an outer bottom edge or outer lower edge  27  of the sleeve  23  is spaced above the lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19 . In one embodiment, the lower edge  27  of the sleeve  23  is spaced above the lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19  by approximately the vertical length of the lower edge margin  20  such that the lower edge  27  of the sleeve  23  is substantially level with the bottom panel  14  of the bottom  13  of the container  5 . In one embodiment, the lower edge  27  of the sleeve  23  can be approximately level with the lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19 . 
     As described herein, at least the interface between the sleeve  23  and the inner sidewall  19  of the container  5  forms insulating features of the container  5  that include a cavity  30  defined between the inner wall  19  and the outer sleeve  23 . In one embodiment, the insulating features of the container  5  can also include one or more portions of the inner sidewall  19  and/or the sleeve  23 . Alternative insulating features are further described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/657,246, filed on Apr. 13, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/674,834, filed on May 22, 2018, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the container  5  with the sleeve  23  removed such that the inner sidewall  19  is visible. As shown, a plurality of annular bands B1, B2, B3, B4 of adhesive are applied between the inner sidewall  19  and the outer sleeve  23  to attach the outer sleeve  23  to the inner sidewall  19  and to form the spacers  29 . In one embodiment, the annular bands B1, B2, B3, B4 are each a continuous pattern of adhesive to form respective continuous spacers  29 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the bands B1, B2, B3, B4 can each be comprised of two respective layers of adhesive L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5, L6, L7, L8 to form the spacers  29 . As described above, the adhesive that forms the spacers  29  can be set or cured to provide desired properties of the spacers  29 . In one embodiment, a respective first layer L1, L2, L3, L4 of adhesive can be applied to the outer surface of the sidewall construct  8  or to the interior surface of the sleeve  23 , allowed to at least partially set or cure, and a respective second layer L5, L6, L7, L8 of adhesive can be applied thereon. In another embodiment, a single layer of adhesive can be applied at a desired thickness to form one or more of the bands B1, B2, B3, B4. 
     As described further below, one or more of the bands B1, B2, B3, B4 can be a continuous band of adhesive arranged between the inner sidewall  19  and the outer sleeve  23  such that an at least partial seal is provided, e.g., to minimize, inhibit, and/or prevent the passage of fluid thereby. In one embodiment, one or more of the bands B1 through B4 can have one or more discontinuities therealong, for example, to provide ventilation paths among the bands B1, B2, B3, B4 and/or an external environment E. It will be understood that a different numbers of bands of spacers  29  can be present without departing from the disclosure. In one embodiment, surface features such as bands, ridges, protrusions, etc., can be provided in at least partial circumferential engagement around the inner sidewall  19 , and can provide a surface or substrate upon which the bands of adhesive that form the spacers  29  can applied. Such surface features can provide an optimal surface for the adhesive interface between the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  23 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a pocket P1 is defined in the cavity  30  between the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  23  between the band B1 and the band B2, a pocket P2 is defined in the cavity  30  between the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  23  between the band B2 and the band B3, and a pocket P3 is defined in the cavity  30  between the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  23  between the band B3 and the band B4. At least the pockets P1, P2, P3 provide insulating spaces or gaps between the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  23 . As described, one or more of the pockets P1, P2, P3 can be a region in which fluid is at least partially held or sealed by the arrangement of the inner sidewall  19 , the outer sleeve  23 , and the respective bands B1, B2, B3, B4. In one embodiment, each pocket P1, P2, P3 can have a width W measured from the inner sidewall  19  to the outer sleeve  23  and at least partially determined by the size of the spacers  29 , for example, between about 60 mils and about 120 mils, for example, about 60 mils, about 70 mils, about 80 mils, about 90 mils, about 100 mils, about 110 mils, about 120 mils, etc. or integer or non-integer numbers therebetween. In one embodiment, the width W can be about 80 mils. It will be understood the width W of the spacers  29  can be a different dimension without departing from the disclosure. The width W of the spacers  29  defines the relative spacing of the cavity  30  such that the pockets P1, P2, P3 can be configured as air gaps between the interior space  7  of the container  5  and an external environment E. 
     Such insulating features can resist a temperature change of fluid in the container  5  by resisting the transfer of heat from the external environment E surrounding the container  5  to the cavity  30 , and further to a fluid in the interior space  7  of the container  5 . In one embodiment, heat from the surrounding environment E can be at least partially transferred to air or other fluid that is trapped or otherwise maintained in one or more of the pockets P1, P2, P3 between the respective bands B1, B2, B3, B4 of spacers  29 . The pockets P1, P2, P3 thus provide an additional buffer, e.g., a heat sink, between the interior space  7  of the container  5  and the surrounding environment E, in addition to the inner sidewall  19  and the outer sleeve  23 . In addition to maintaining a temperature of a fluid in the interior space  7  of the container  5 , such insulation provided by the arrangement of the spacers  29  can also maintain a desired surface temperature of the sleeve  23  to facilitate comfortable grasping by a customer and/or maintain one or more desired surface conditions of the sleeve  23 , e.g., to minimize, inhibit, and/or prevent condensation as described above. Further still, the arrangement of the bands B1, B2, B3, B4 of spacers  29  can impart desired structural properties to the container  5 , for example, by providing a desired pattern of rigidity such that an optimal pattern of flexion is provided to the container  5  during use. For example, upon grasping of the sidewall construct  8  by a customer, portions of the sleeve  23 /inner sidewall  19  can bend or flex inwardly into one or more of the pockets P1, P2, P3 to provide a textured or irregular surface configuration to enhance the customer&#39;s grip on the container  5 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a container  105  is illustrated according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood that the container  105  can be a modification of the container  5  of the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. One or more portions of the container  105  are substantially similar to that of the container  5  of the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, and like or similar reference numbers will refer to such like or similar elements. 
     As shown, the container  105  includes the sidewall construct  108 , which includes the inner sidewall  19  and an outer sleeve  123 . Insulating features are disposed between the inner sidewall  19  and the outer sleeve  123  of the container  105  as described above with respect to the container  5 . For example, and as shown, bands B1, B2, B3, B4 of spacers  29  can be disposed between the inner sidewall  19  and the outer sleeve  23 , and define the respective pockets P1, P2, P3 therebetween. 
     The outer sleeve  23  extends downwardly past the lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19  to form an annular base  125  of the container  105  such that a lower portion of the outer sleeve  23  defines an interior annular recess  126  between the lower edge  127  of the annular base  125 /container  105  and a bottom panel  114 . 
     A lower edge margin  128  of the sleeve  23 , as shown, is interiorly folded into the annular recess  125  into face-to-face contact with a lower portion of the outer sleeve  123 /annular base  125  to define the lower edge  127  and to provide a two-ply structure at a bottom portion of the annular base  125  upon which the container  105  can rest in an upright orientation. 
     As also shown, the closed bottom  113 , including the bottom panel  114  and an annular leg  115  foldably connected thereto at a line of weakening  117 , are positioned a vertical distance above the lower edge  127  of the container  105 , and an annular discontinuity or annular gap G is defined between the lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19  and an upper edge U of the lower edge margin  128  of the sleeve  23 . In one embodiment, the annular gap G can provide a vent for one or more portions of the cavity  30 . 
     In one embodiment, the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  123 , with insulating features therebetween, can be separately formed from the closed bottom  113 , and so that the bottom  113  can be coupled to the sidewall construct  8  to form the container  105 . In this regard, the sidewall  108  can be produced as a structure that receives the bottom  113  so that the bottom  113  can be selectively coupled at different locations of the sidewall  8  to provide an interior space of the container  105  with a different selected interior volume. Such features are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/674,834, filed on May 22, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C , the angle α of the sidewall construct  8  can be selected such that the lower edge  27 ,  127  of a respective upper container  5 ,  105  engages the respective bottom panel  14 ,  114  of a respective lower receiving container  5 ,  105  prior to substantial frictional engagement of the sidewall constructs  8  of the respective containers  5 ,  105  e.g., so that respective containers  5 ,  105  can be easily separated or otherwise de-nested from one another. As shown in the nested arrangement of  FIG. 7C , the lower edge  127  of the upper container  105  is in contact with the bottom panel  114  of the lower container while an air gap G1 is maintained between the outer sleeve  123  of the inner container and the inner sidewall  19  of the lower container. The presence of the air gap G1 in the nested configuration prevents taper locking of the upper and lower containers  105  and allows easy separation of the upper and lower containers  105  from the nested configuration of  FIGS. 7B and 7C . In one embodiment, the container  5  can include surface features to facilitate separation or de-nesting, for example, embossed and/or embossed surfaces. Such an arrangement of the containers  5 ,  105  can provide significant space savings for transport and/or storage of the containers  5 ,  105 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 8-10B , a container  205  is illustrated according to a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood that the container  205  is similar to the container  105  of the second embodiment, except the container  205  includes a sidewall construct  208  with the bands B1, B2, B3, B4 of each spacer  29  between the inner sidewall  19  and the outer sleeve  123  comprising three layers of adhesive L10, L11, L12. One or more portions of the container  205  are substantially similar to that of the containers  5 ,  105  of the first and second exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and like or similar reference numbers will refer to such like or similar elements. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the inner layer of adhesive L10 is in contact with the inner sidewall  19 , the middle layer of adhesive L11 is adjacent and in contact with the inner layer of adhesive L10, and the outer layer of adhesive L12 is adjacent and in contact with the middle layer of adhesive L11 and the outer sleeve  123 . The combined width of the three layers of adhesive L10, L11, L12 from the inner sidewall  19  to the outer sleeve  123  comprises the spacing or width W of the pockets P1, P2, P3 of the insulating features of the container  205 . The insulating features and the container  205  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     The container  205  has a closed bottom  113  similar to the container  105  of the second embodiment. As with the second embodiment, the outer sleeve  123  extends downwardly past the lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19  to form an annular base  125  of the container  105  such that a lower portion of the outer sleeve  123  defines an interior annular recess  126  between the lower edge  127  of the annular base  125 /container  105  and a bottom panel  114 . A lower edge margin  128  of the sleeve  123 , as shown, is interiorly folded into the annular recess  125  into face-to-face contact with a lower portion of the outer sleeve  123 /annular base  125  to define the lower edge  127  and to provide a two-ply structure at a bottom portion of the annular base  125  upon which the container  105  can rest in an upright orientation. As also shown, the closed bottom  113 , including the bottom panel  114  and an annular leg  115  foldably connected thereto at a line of weakening  117 , are positioned a vertical distance above the lower edge  127  of the container  205 , and an annular discontinuity or annular gap G is defined between the lower edge  18  of the inner sidewall  19  and an upper edge U of the lower edge margin  128  of the sleeve  123 . In one embodiment, the annular gap G can provide a vent for one or more portions of the cavity  30 . The closed bottom  113  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the inner sidewall  19  and the sleeve  223 , with insulating features therebetween, can be separately formed from the closed bottom  113 , and so that the bottom  113  can be coupled to the sidewall construct  208  to form the container  205 . In this regard, the sidewall construct  208  can be produced as a structure that receives the bottom  113  so that the bottom  113  can be selectively coupled at different locations of the sidewall  8  to provide an interior space of the container  205  with a different selected interior volume. Such features are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/674,834, filed on May 22, 2018, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/382,265 filed Apr. 12, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the container  205  is shown with the bottom panel  114  of the closed bottom  113  positioned at a distance D1 from the lower edge  127  of the container. As shown in  FIG. 10B , the container is illustrated with the bottom panel  114  of the closed bottom  113  in a raised positioned relative to  FIG. 8 , so that the bottom panel  114  is positioned at a distance D2 from the lower edge  127  of the container. In embodiment, D1 and D2 can be at least about ⅝ inch, or D1 and D2 can be in the range of at least about ⅝ inch to about 1.25 inches without departing from the disclosure. It will be understood that the closed bottom  113  can be positioned at any desired vertical location of the sidewall construct  208  having a constant angle α to provide an interior volume corresponding to a desired fluid size for the container  205 . In this regard, at least the configuration and/or location of the bottom  113  of containers formed from the sidewall construct  208  allows for the interior volume of the containers to be selected by a user so as to provide the sidewall construct  208  and containers formed therefrom with scalable features. 
     As with the previous embodiments, the container  205  has features that allow for “bottom nesting”. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 10A , the angle α of the sidewall construct  208  can be selected such that the lower edge  127  of a respective upper container  205  engages the respective bottom panel  114  of a respective lower receiving container  205  prior to substantial frictional engagement of the sidewall constructs  208  of the respective containers  205 , so that respective containers  205  can be easily separated or otherwise de-nested from one another. As shown in the nested arrangement of  FIGS. 10 and 10A , the lower edge  127  of the upper container  205  is in contact with the bottom panel  114  of the lower container while an air gap G1 is maintained between the outer sleeve  123  of the inner container and the inner sidewall  19  of the lower container. The presence of the air gap G1 in the nested configuration prevents taper locking of the upper and lower containers  205  and allows easy separation of the upper and lower containers  205  from the nested configuration of  FIGS. 10 and 10A . In one embodiment, the container  205  can include surface features to facilitate separation or de-nesting, for example, embossed and/or embossed surfaces. Such an arrangement of the containers  205  can provide significant space savings for transport and/or storage of the containers  205 . In one embodiment, the angle α can be approximately 7.3 degrees, or the angle α could be in the range of about 2 degrees to about 10 degrees. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 11-13B , a container  305  is illustrated according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood that the container  305  is similar to the container  205  of the third embodiment, except the container  305  includes a sidewall construct  308  with the bands B1, B2, B3, B4 of each spacer  29  between the inner sidewall  19  and the outer sleeve  123  comprising four layers of adhesive L13, L14, L15, L16. One or more portions of the container  305  are substantially similar to that of the containers  5 ,  105 ,  205  of the first, second, and third exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and like or similar reference numbers will refer to such like or similar elements. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the inner layer of adhesive L13 is in contact with the inner sidewall  19 , the first middle layer of adhesive L14 is adjacent and in contact with the inner layer of adhesive L13, the second middle layer L15 of adhesive is adjacent and in contact with the first middle layer of adhesive L14, and the outer layer of adhesive L16 is adjacent and in contact with the second middle layer of adhesive L15 and the outer sleeve  123 . The combined width of the four layers of adhesive L13, L14, L15, L16 from the inner sidewall  19  to the outer sleeve  123  comprises the spacing or width W of the pockets P1, P2, P3 of the insulating features of the container  305 . The insulating features and the container  305  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     The container  305  includes a similar closed bottom  113  as the container  205  in that the container  305  is also scalable with the bottom panel  113  positionable at various distances D1, D2 from the lower edge  127  of the container  305 . The container  305  could have other bottom features without departing from the disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13, and 13A , the container  305  has features that allow for “bottom nesting” in a similar manner as the containers  105 ,  205 , with the angle α of the sidewall construct  308  being selected such that the lower edge  127  of a respective upper container  305  engages the respective bottom panel  114  of a respective lower receiving container  305  prior to substantial frictional engagement of the sidewall constructs  308  of the respective containers  305 , so that respective containers  305  can be easily separated or otherwise de-nested from one another. As shown in the nested arrangement of  FIGS. 13 and 13A , the lower edge  127  of the upper container  305  is in contact with the bottom panel  114  of the lower container while an air gap G1 is maintained between the outer sleeve  123  of the inner container and the inner sidewall  19  of the lower container. The presence of the air gap G1 in the nested configuration prevents taper locking of the upper and lower containers  305  and allows easy separation of the upper and lower containers  305  from the nested configuration of  FIGS. 13 and 13A . In one embodiment, the container  305  can include surface features to facilitate separation or de-nesting, for example, embossed and/or embossed surfaces. Such an arrangement of the containers  305  can provide significant space savings for transport and/or storage of the containers  305 . In one embodiment, the angle α can be approximately 7.3 degrees, or the angle α could be in the range of about 2 degrees to 10 degrees. 
     The containers  5 ,  105 ,  205 ,  305  can have various dimensions and features that allow for enhanced insulating features as well as bottom nesting of the closed bottom in a stacked arrangement of the containers ( FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 10, 10A, 13, 13A ). For example, the insulating features such as the pockets P1, P2, P3, P4 can have a width W in the range of between about 60 mils and about 120 mils, for example, about 60 mils, about 70 mils, about 80 mils, about 90 mils, about 100 mils, about 110 mils, about 120 mils, etc. or integer or non-integer numbers therebetween. In one embodiment, the width W can be about 80 mils. In one embodiment, the angle α can be in the range of about 2 degrees to about 10 degrees, for example about 7 degrees, about 7.3 degrees, or any angle therebetween. The bottom panel  114  of the closed bottom  113  can be spaced from the lower edge  127  of the container a distance D1, D2 in the range of about 0.625 inches to about 1.25 inches. In one embodiment, the distance D1, D2 is approximately 0.9 inches. The containers  5 ,  105 ,  205 ,  305  can have other dimensions than listed herein, as the dimensions herein are exemplary of suitable embodiments of containers having insulating features and bottom nesting features. 
     The containers and/or the blanks that form the containers according to the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the container to function at least generally as described herein. The blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. 
     The above embodiments may be described as having one or more portions adhered together by glue during erection of the container embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure containers in place. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.