US Patent 7549273 Paper wrapped foam cup and method of assembly

A commercially viable paper wrapped foam cup comprising a taper portion that prevents the shrinkage-induced curling from interfering with the un-nesting of nested paper wrapped foam cups. The paper wrapped cup further comprises a fillet for strengthening the cup foot to retard shrinkage-induced curling of the foot. The paper wrapper has abutting to overlapping opposing ends to completely hide the foam cup to enhance the visual appearance of the cup. The overlapping portions of the paper wrapper are not bonded to each other to prevent wrinkling of the paper wrapper as the cup shrinks. A machine and corresponding method provide for automatically supplying foam cups and paper wrappers, wrapping the paper wrapped cup, and stacking the wrapped cups.