Patent Application
20200354130
The present invention relates to improvements in frozen dessert packaging, and particularly relates to a novel frozen dessert wrapper configured to catch drips from the frozen dessert which can be in the form of a melting popsicle, ice cream pop, ice cream sandwich, or any other frozen treat that is sold or provided in a disposable wrapper to facilitate transport and storage up to point of sale or consumption.
Ice cream pops and ice cream sandwiches are popular frozen desserts all around the world. These frozen products, typically sweetened with varying amounts of sugar, are often enjoyed at a public accommodation such as a professional sporting event or concert, but they are also just as commonly enjoyed at a backyard barbecue, out by the pool, or even right on a residential street after purchase from the friendly neighborhood ice cream man. While ice cream seems universally popular as a dessert, or even in some cases as a meal, it is also plagued by a universal drawback: the melting of the frozen dessert and the messes it can cause. From the moment it is served, the ice cream begins an inexorable melt whose ultimate outcome is avoided only by consuming the frozen dessert with some amount of gusto, i.e., eating the frozen dessert quickly. However, given the fact that the frozen dessert's melting begins immediately after it leaves the freezer, even wolfing down the frozen dessert still does not guarantee that one will avoid messy drips on the hands that can be quickly transferred to clothing or elsewhere.
What is therefore needed is a solution to the aforementioned problem.
The present invention is directed to a no-drip frozen dessert package, wherein the package is comprised to two sections, the first section of which disengages from the frozen dessert when it is about to be eaten while the second section remains in place about a lower portion of the frozen dessert. The second section is configured to catch drops of melted frozen dessert by maintaining a lateral separation distance between the frozen dessert itself and an aperture periphery defined by the edge of the second section's opening.
The following disclosure describes embodiments of a no-drip frozen dessert package, specifically, a frozen dessert wrapper that maintains a configuration adapted to catch drops of a melted frozen dessert after the wrapper has been opened. Referring now to
The containment envelope is comprised of two lengthwise sections that together define the complete frozen dessert package that encapsulates the frozen dessert and as described herein the two sections are meant to be easily detached from one another, whereby one section is left behind to capture any drips as the person holds the frozen dessert through the package. A first section 104 is shown which is disposed about the upper portion of a popsicle or an ice cream pop or other frozen dessert, and the first section 104 has a proximal end 106 and a distal end 108. A second section 110 is also shown which is disposed about the lower portion of a popsicle, or an ice cream pop or other frozen dessert, and the second section 110 has a proximal end 112 and a distal end 114. The first section 104 is removed immediately prior to the frozen dessert being eaten. The respective proximal ends 106, 112 of the first and second sections 104, 110 are adjacent to one another and the respective distal ends 108, 114 are disposed at the lengthwise extrema of the containment envelope 102. An interface 116 is defined where the two proximal ends 106, 112 are engaged. In the embodiment depicted in
The construction of the no-drip frozen dessert package 100 can take a multitude of forms. For the purposes of containment and prevention of contamination, the sealed containment envelope 102 completely encloses the frozen dessert. The containment envelope 102 can be made of a thin, flexible plastic, or even a suitable grade of wax paper or any other conventional material used in this field. The choice of material for the containment envelope 102 requires that the material is strong enough to withstand shipping and handling while being easily opened when it is about to be eaten. The containment envelope 102 must also be liquid-impermeable, both to prevent contamination from outside the package and to keep any melted frozen dessert inside the package, as it often happens that there is a delay between the time that a frozen dessert is removed from the freezer and the time that it is eaten.
The first and second sections 104, 110 of the containment envelope 102 can be manufactured as individual parts which are then engaged at their respective proximal ends 106, 112 to form the interface 116. Alternatively, the sealed containment envelope 102 can be made from a single piece of flexible, lightweight material, wherein the interface 116 that forms the boundary between first and second sections 104, 110 is formed by scoring or perforating the (single structure) containment envelope 102 about its circumference to define a weakened area that can be easily ruptured for separating the two sections 104, 110. The perforation decreases the thickness of the containment envelope 102 along the length of the scoring or perforation to facilitate disengagement of the first and second sections 104, 110 in a clean manner. In this arrangement, the perforation defines a tear line.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The retainer 322 comprises a circumferential ring 324 disposed about the proximal end 312 of the second section 310, wherein the circumferential ring 324 is configured to maintain the proximal end 312 of the second section in a fully open, drip-catching position after disengagement of the first section 304. This configuration catches drops of melted ice cream by maintaining a lateral separation distance between the ice cream itself and an aperture periphery defined by the circumference of the second section's open proximal end 312. The circumferential ring 324, according to one embodiment, can be made of a lightweight plastic material, while according to another embodiment the circumferential ring 324 is made of lightweight cardboard or it can be formed of a rubber material. The retainer 322 (ring 324) maintains its rigidity so that the second section 310, by default, it maintained in an extended, open configuration. In other words, the attachment (as by an adhesive) of a rigid plastic ring 324 to the top edge of the second section 310 acts as an extender that maintains the open shape of the top portion of the second section 310. This ring 324 thus prevents the top portion of the second section 310 from freely collapsing on itself and instead an oblong shaped opening can be maintained to catch any drips from the frozen treat. The ring 324 is thus preferably attached to the inner surface of the second section 310 at the top edge thereof.
It will also be appreciated that the ring 424 does not have to be a continuous complete circumferential structure. Instead, it can be in the form of two arcuate portions (U-shaped) that are affixed to the two sides of one portion (e.g., second section 110) of the packaging using conventional techniques, such as use of an adhesive. The two legs of each U-shaped structure are outwardly biased so that these two legs apply an outward force to the package ensure that the front and rear layers of the package remain separated and the drip chamber is created and kept open. The U-shaped structures can thus have spring like properties that push the package outwardly. A gap can thus be formed between the ends of the legs of the two U-shaped portions. In other words, the legs of the two U-shaped portions do not contact one another and terminate prior to the center of the packaging. The outwardly biased spring nature of the legs of each U-shaped structure flex outwardly to cause the packaging (second section 110) to remain open. Since two legs are affixed to one side wall of the packaging and two legs are affixed to the opposing side wall of the packaging, the outward flexing of the legs causes these two side walls to flex outward and remain open. This provides the drip collection space described herein. The two U-shaped structures can thus be disposed in the two opposing ends of the packaging. With reference to
Alternative constructions of the retainer are also possible. Referring to
Broadly speaking, the present invention is directed to packaging having a rigid or elastic ring (like an O-ring) that is incorporated into the one half of the packaging for exerting an outward force on the package to ensure that the open top end of the one half at which the ring is present remains open and spread apart even when the other half of the packaging is separated and removed from the one half.
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt an instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/845,045, filed May 8, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein as if expressly set forth in its respective entirety herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62845045 | May 2019 | US |
