PREWHIP DOLLOP IN PACKAGING

Abstract

The present invention provides a preformed dollop that is inserted into a dollop receptacle and a method for using and manufacturing the preformed dollop in the dollop receptacle.

Description

The present invention relates to food products, toppings for food products, more particularly to toppings that can be inserted onto bakery goods, desserts and beverages, and even more particularly to preformed toppings that can be packaged in a container and then later applied to a bakery good, dessert or beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Topping dollops are commonly placed on products to enhance the taste and aesthetics of a product. Topping dollops, such as dairy and non-dairy whipped cream, are commonly placed on beverages (e.g., hot chocolate, coffee, tea, etc.), on bakery goods (e.g., cookies, cupcakes, muffins, etc.) and on desserts (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, shakes, yogurt, pudding, etc.). Topping dollops are generally inserted onto a food product in one or two ways. One method is to place the topping dollop on a food product by dispensing an emulsion from an aerosol can whereas the nitrous oxide gas mixes with the emulsion during the expelling to create a foam dollop. A second method for placing the topping dollop on a food product is by inserting a non-dairy/dairy product into a pastry bag or apparatus, which may be in a disposable form, and dispense the non-dairy/dairy product onto the food. In the beverage service industry, a drink or dessert that includes a dollop is typically packaged with a dome-shaped lid to provide room and protection for the dollop placed on the top of the drink or dessert.

The creation of the dollop, depending on its complexity, can be labor intensive and time consuming. For instance, dollops that have complex shapes or configurations, and/or dollops that include additional ingredients (e.g., nuts, sprinkles, syrup, fruits, etc.) can take a significant amount of time to create. Also, the uniformity of such dollops can be difficult to duplicate, especially when different people are creating such dollops. Furthermore, a facility must maintain an inventory of many different ingredients so that multi-ingredient dollops can be formed.

In view of the current state of the art, there remains a need to 1) enable dollops to be easily placed on food items, 2) maintain the uniformity of similar shaped and ingredient dollops, 3) reduce the time and labor for inserting the dollop on a food item, and/or 4) reduce the inventory and space requirements needed to make complex shaped or configured dollops, and/or dollops that include additional ingredients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to toppings for food products, more particularly to dollops that can be inserted onto bakery goods, desserts and beverages, and even more particularly to preformed dollops that can be packaged in a container and then later applied to a bakery good, dessert or beverage. The composition of the dollop is non-limiting. The dollop can be made from dairy and/or non-dairy products. Generally the dollop is an icing product, or a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute, or a yogurt or artificial yogurt product. In one non-limiting embodiment, the dollop is a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute. The amount of “overrun” and the manufacturing process of the dollop is also non-limiting. The dollop can be topped with, coated with, and/or include one or more additional ingredients (e.g., candy, candy bars, liqueurs, chocolate, syrup, fudge, liquid chocolate, liquid caramel, liquid butterscotch, nuts, sprinkles, bubble gum, fruit, fruit toppings, gummy candy, candy, candy bars, cookies, fudge, brownies, cake dough, cookie dough, etc.) that can be optionally used with the dollop and are non-limiting. As can be appreciated, the dollop can include additional ingredients (e.g., sweetener, stabilizer, emulsifier, preservative, flavoring, coloring agents, vitamin and minerals, etc.). Furthermore, the size and configuration of the dollop is non-limiting. One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is directed to creating a dollop in a container that can be shipped to the customer (e.g., individual consumer, restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, ice cream store, school, hospital, university, cafeteria, coffee shop, bakery, food truck owner, ice cream truck owner, food kiosk owner, circus, carnival, fair, amusement park, movie theater, theater, etc.). The preformed dollop can then be placed on a food product prior to or at the time the food product with the dollop is being sold to a consumer. The creation of the preformed dollop by the dollop manufacturer eliminates the need for the customer to create a new dollop for each product that is provided to an end-user customer wherein the food product includes a dollop or that the end-user customer requests a dollop to be placed on the food product. As such, the time and labor for the customer to provide a food product having a dollop to an end-user consumer is reduced when using the preformed dollops of the present invention. As can be appreciated, the customer and end-user consumer can be the same if the consumer is an individual that is using the dollop of the present invention for his/her personal consumption.

In one non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the preformed dollop(s) can be formed at a manufacturing plant. The manufacturing of the one or more dollops can be by an automated high speed process; however, this is not required. The preformed dollop is generally preformed and then inserted into a dollop receptacle, or partially or fully formed in the dollop receptacle. The shape, size and material of the dollop receptacle are non-limiting. In one non-limiting configuration, the dollop receptacle can be in the shape of a dome that can be used as the lid of a cup or container. As such, when the dollop receptacle is used as a lid and placed on the cup or container that contains a food product, the preformed dollop is placed on the food product at the time the dollop receptacle is inserted on the cup or container. Such a cup or container arrangement facilitates in the ease and convenience of placing a dollop on a food product. In addition, the use of the dollop receptacle as a packaging container in a manufacturing plant facilitates in the containing, protecting and shipping of the preformed dollop to a customer (e.g., individual consumer, restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, ice cream store, school, hospital, university, cafeteria, coffee shop, bakery, food truck owner, ice cream truck owner, food kiosk owner, circus, carnival, fair, amusement park, movie theater, theater, etc.). The size and shape of the dollop receptacle can be selected for placement on various sized and configured cup and containers. The dollop receptacle can be formed of a clear, opaque and/or colored material. The dollop receptacle can be formed of paper board, plastic, metal, etc. The shape of the dollop receptacle is non-limiting (e.g., dome-shaped, etc.).

In another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the dollop receptacle can be optionally sealed so as to 1) enhance the shelf life of the preformed dollop, 2) enhance the refrigeration life of the preformed dollop, and/or 3) function as a sealed receptacle to freeze the preformed dollop. The seal can be designed to be a removable seal to enable the seal to be removed from the dollop receptacle prior to the dollop being removed from and/or released from the dollop receptacle and/or prior to the dollop receptacle being inserted onto a cup or container; however, this is not required. When a removable seal is used, the removable seal can be a thin layer of a material (plastic film, aluminum layer, paper layer, etc.). The removable seal can be secured to the dollop receptacle in a variety of different ways (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, compression fit, snap fit, etc.). The removable seal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. Generally, the thickness of the removable seal is the same or less than the thickness of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. In another non-limiting arrangement, the dollop receptacle and the removable seal are formed of a material that inhibits or prevents the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the dollop receptacle and the removable seal; however, this is not required. In such an arrangement, the removable seal, when secured to the dollop receptacle, can form a gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, CO₂, water vapor, etc.) and/or liquid (e.g., water, etc.) impermeable seal and/or barrier so that the liquid and/or a gas is inhibited and/or cannot enter into and/or escape from the region wherein the dollop is contained in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal can also or alternatively be used to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/or spoilage of the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit or prevent damage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3) facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while the removable seal is secured to the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal can optionally include color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.

In still another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the dollop receptacle can be designed to facilitate in enabling the preformed dollop to be released from the dollop receptacle when the dollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container; however, this is not required. In this non-limiting arrangement, the dollop receptacle is used as a lid on the cup or container. In one non-limiting embodiment, a portion or all of the inner surface of the dollop receptacle can be formed of a material and/or be coated with a material (e.g., release agent, etc.) that facilitates in the release of the preformed dollop by gravity once the dollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container; however, this is not required. In another and/or alternative non-limiting embodiment, a portion of the dollop receptacle can include a compression point that, upon being depressed by a user, causes and/or facilitates in the preformed dollop being released from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The compression point, when used, can be located in one or more locations on the dollop receptacle. In one non-limiting arrangement, the compression point is located at the central bottom region of the dollop receptacle. In still another and/or alternative non-limiting embodiment, the dollop receptacle can include a bottom opening that is covered by a removable seal and/or penetrable seal. The removal of the seal can allow an implement, such as a straw, spoon, rod, etc., to be inserted into the bottom opening and press against a portion of the preformed dollop to cause or facilitate in the preformed dollop releasing from the inner surface of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. Alternatively, when the seal is a penetrable seal, an implement such as a straw, spoon, rod, etc. can be inserted through the seal and into the bottom opening so as to press against a portion of the preformed dollop to cause or facilitate in the preformed dollop to release from the inner surface of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. Once the preformed dollop has been released from the dollop receptacle, the opening can optionally be used by a consumer to consume the food product via a straw, spoon or the like, while the dollop receptacle remains on the cup or container; however, this is not required. The removable seal for the bottom opening can be designed to reseal the bottom opening or another removable seal can be used to reseal the bottom opening; however, this is not required. When a removable seal and/or penetrable seal are used, the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can be a thin layer of a material (plastic film, aluminum layer, paper layer, etc.). The removable seal and/or penetrable seal can be secured to the dollop receptacle in a variety of different ways (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, compression fit, snap fit, etc.). The removable seal and/or penetrable seal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal and/or penetrable seal from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. Generally, the thickness of the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is the same or less than the thickness of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. In another non-limiting arrangement, the dollop receptacle and the removable seal and/or penetrable seal are formed of a material that inhibits or prevent the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the dollop receptacle and the removable seal and/or penetrable seal; however, this is not required. In such an arrangement, the removable seal and/or penetrable seal, when secured to the dollop receptacle, can form a gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, CO₂, water vapor, etc.) and/or liquid (e.g., water, etc.) impermeable seal and/or barrier so that the liquid and/or a gas is inhibited and/or cannot enter into and/or escape from the bottom opening of dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal and/or penetrable seal can also or alternatively be used to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/or spoilage of the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit or prevent damage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3) facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is secured to the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal and/or penetrable seal can optionally include color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.

In yet another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the interior surface of the dollop receptacle that receives the dollop can include surface features (e.g., ribs, grooves, depressions, etc.) that are used to 1) create a certain shape and configuration of the preformed dollop, and/or 2) facilitate in the release of the preformed dollop from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. In one non-limiting arrangement, the dollop receptacle includes surface features that create a dollop that has an outer surface when released from the dollop receptacle that resembles a swirl design or configuration. As can be appreciated, the dollop receptacle can include other surface features that create a dollop that has an outer surface when released from the dollop receptacle that resembles other shapes (e.g., cone shape, dome shape, etc.).

In still yet another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a dollop can be formed in a dollop receptacle, sealed in the dollop receptacle and then sold to a customer to enable the customer to sell the individual dollop receptacles to a consumer and to enable the customer or consumer to cause the preformed dollop to be inserted onto or dropped onto a food product in a cup or container without having to touch the preformed dollop; however, this is not required. The preformed dollop can be vacuum sealed in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The preformed dollop can be frozen in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The preformed dollop can be refrigerated in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The dollop receptacle can be a disposable or reusable receptacle.

In another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mass-producing dollops that are packaged in a dollop receptacle in which dollops have a consistent size, shape, volume and quality. The type of manufacturing process is non-limiting. The manufacturing process can be automated, semi-automated, or manual.

In still another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receptacle arrangement that includes a plurality of dollop receptacles that are releasably connected together; however, this is not required. Such an arrangement enables a plurality of dollop receptacles to be shipped to a customer, and the customer can then detach individual dollop receptacles that contain a preformed dollop from the receptacle arrangement as needed. This arrangement can facilitate in the shipping of a plurality of dollop receptacles from a manufacturer to a customer. The individual dollop receptacles can be releasably connected to a sheet of dollop receptacles by various means (e.g., adhesive releasably connection, detachable serrated or slotted connection, tearable seam, etc.); however, this is not required. As can be appreciated, the individual dollop receptacles can be optionally separated from the sheet of dollop receptacles by cutting an individual dollop receptacle from the sheet of dollop receptacles; however, this is not required. The sheet of dollop receptacles that is formed of a plurality of dollop receptacles can have the same type of preformed dollops (e.g., same size/shape/color/flavor/toppings, etc.) or can have different types of preformed dollops in the dollop receptacles. The sheet of dollop receptacles can optionally include color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in each of the dollop receptacles; however, this is not required.

The present invention has several benefits over the current state of the art of forming dollops on a food product. Several of these advantages are mentioned above. Additional non-limiting advantages include 1) the elimination of the need for the server to use an aerosol can to make a free-form dollop, 2) the elimination of the need for bulk plant packaging of whipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server use the pastry bag to make a free-form dollop, 3) providing a customer with a prewhipped and preformed dollop, 4) the reduction of labor required to insert a dollop on a food product, 5) the reduction of skilled labor required to form a free-form dollop on a food product, and/or 6) the mass production of preformed dollops by an automated or semi-automated manufacturing process. Other advantages of the invention include a) providing the customer with a designed, formed single serve dollop without any secondary operation required by the server, b) reuse of the dollop receptacle as a container lid, c) reduction or elimination of contact of the dollop by a server when inserting the dollop on the food product, d) allowing the dollops to be purchased by a consumer for consumption at a later date, and/or e) allowing for easy storage of the preformed dollop. The present invention encompasses a dollop delivery system which assists in the manufacture, packaging, storing, shipping and/or dispensing of the dollop. The dollop can be mass produced in the plant in a variety of easy-to-ship packaging. The preformed dollops can be frozen in the plant before shipping. The dollops can be designed, customized and fully decorated at the plant before shipping the preformed dollops to the customer.

It is one non-limiting objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can be easily placed on food items.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can maintain the uniformity of similar shaped and ingredient dollops.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can reduce the time and labor for inserting the dollop on a food item.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can reduce the inventory and space requirements needed to make complex shaped or configured dollops, and/or dollops that include additional ingredients.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can eliminate the need for the server to use an aerosol can to make a free-form dollop.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can eliminate the need for bulk plant packaging of whipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server use the pastry bag to make a free-form dollop.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can provide a customer with a pre-whipped and preformed dollop.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can reduce the labor required to insert a dollop on a food product.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can reduce the skilled labor required to form a free-form dollop on a food product.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that can be mass produced by an automated or semi-automated manufacturing process.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed designed, formed single serve dollop to a customer without any secondary operation by the server.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that can be used as a container lid once the dollop is released for the dollop receptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that can be connected to a container prior to or after the preformed dollop is released into the container.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can be used to reduce or eliminate of contact of the dollop by a server when inserting the dollop on a food product.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can allow the preformed dollops to be purchased by a consumer for consumption at a later date.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can allow for easy storage of the preformed dollop.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can be mass produced, packaged and shipped to a consumer.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that can be designed, customized and fully decorated at a manufacturing plant before shipping the preformed dollops to the customer.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that enhances the shelf life of the preformed dollop.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that enhances the refrigeration life of the preformed dollop.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop that functions as a sealed receptacle to freeze the preformed dollop.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal to enable the seal to be removed from the dollop receptacle prior to the dollop being removed from and/or released from the dollop receptacle and/or prior to the dollop receptacle being inserted onto a cup or container.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal having a tab that can be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal from the dollop receptacle.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal that is formed of a material that inhibits or prevents the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the removable seal.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that is formed of a material that inhibits or prevent the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the dollop receptacle.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal that 1) inhibits or prevents contamination and/or spoilage of the dollop is contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibits or prevents damage to the dollop is contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3) facilitates in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while the removable seal is secured to the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a removable seal that includes color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that is designed to facilitate in enabling the preformed dollop to be released from the dollop receptacle when the dollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that has a portion or all of the inner surface of the dollop receptacle formed of a material and/or be coated with a material (e.g., release agent, etc.) that facilitates in the release of the preformed dollop by gravity once the dollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes one or more compression points that, upon being depressed by a user, causes and/or facilitates in the preformed dollop releasing from the dollop receptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening that is covered by a removable seal and/or penetrable seal that allows an implement such as a straw, spoon, rod, etc. to be inserted into the bottom opening and press against a portion of the preformed dollop to cause or facilitate in the preformed dollop releasing from the inner surface of the dollop receptacle.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening that allows a consumer to consume the food product through the bottom opening via a straw, spoon or the like while the dollop receptacle remains on the cup or container.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable seal for the bottom opening that can be resealed to the bottom opening

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal and/or penetrable seal from the dollop receptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is formed of a material that inhibits or prevents the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the removable seal and/or penetrable seal.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is designed to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/or spoilage of the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit or prevent damage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3) facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is secured to the dollop receptacle.

It is still another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/or penetrable seal that includes color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle.

It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes an interior surface designed to receive the dollop and which interior surface includes surface features (e.g., ribs, grooves, depressions, etc.) that are used to 1) create a certain shape and configuration of the preformed dollop, and/or 2) facilitate in the release of the preformed dollop from the dollop receptacle.

It is still yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a plurality of dollop receptacles that are releasably connected together.

It is another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a preformed dollop that substantially maintains its shape after being removed from the dollop receptacle.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and following the description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the drawings which illustrate information related to non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of one non-limiting dollop receptacle filled with a food product in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of the dollop receptacle of FIG. 1 wherein the removable seal is being removed;

FIG. 4 illustrates the step of inserting the dollop receptacle onto a container;

FIG. 5 illustrates the step of disengaging the food product in the dollop receptacle into a container after the dollop receptacle is inserted onto the container;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a dispensed dollop in a container;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of another non-limiting dollop receptacle filled with a food product in accordance with the present invention that includes a removable seal over a bottom opening of the dollop receptacle;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the dollop receptacle of FIG. 7 inserted onto a container and a straw is inserted through a bottom opening of the dollop receptacle;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of another non-limiting dollop receptacle in accordance with the present invention that includes a piercable seal over a bottom opening of the dollop receptacle;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a sheet that includes a plurality of dollop receptacles that are releasably connected together;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates the step of inserting a dollop topping into the dollop receptacle;

FIG. 14 illustrates the step of inserting a dollop into the dollop receptacle;

FIG. 15 illustrates the step of inserting a removable seal over the top opening of the dollop receptacle; and,

FIG. 16 illustrates the step of refrigerating or freezing the dollop receptacle that includes a food product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-16 illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the dollop receptacle in accordance with the present invention. The preformed dollop D that is contained in the dollop receptacle 100 is designed to conveniently provide a preformed dollop to a consumer. The dollop receptacle of the present invention has several advantages that include, but are not limited to, 1) the elimination of the need for the server to use an aerosol can to make a free-form dollop, 2) the elimination of the need for bulk plant packaging of whipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server use the pastry bag to make a free-form dollop, 3) providing a customer with a prewhipped and preformed dollop, 4) the reduction of labor required to insert a dollop on a food product, 5) the reduction of skilled labor required to form a free-form dollop on a food product, 6) the mass production of preformed dollops by an automated or semi-automated manufacturing process, 7) providing the customer with a designed, formed single serve dollop without any secondary operation required by the server, 8) reuse of the dollop receptacle as a container lid, 9) reduction or elimination of contact of the dollop by the server when inserting the dollop on the food product, 10) allowing the dollops to be purchased by a consumer for consumption at a later date, 11) allowing for easy storage of the preformed dollop, 12) providing a dollop delivery system which assists in the manufacture, packaging, storing, shipping and/or dispensing of the dollop, 13) allowing a dollop to be mass produced in the plant in variety of easy to ship packaging, 14) allowing preformed dollops to be frozen in the plant before shipping, and/or 15) allowing dollops to be designed, customized and fully decorated at the plant before shipping the preformed dollops to the customer.

The dollop receptacle 100 can include any type of food product. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the food product is a dollop D that is used as a topping for bakery goods, desserts and beverages. The composition of the dollop is non-limiting. The dollop can be made from dairy and/or non-dairy products. Generally, the dollop is an icing product, or a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute, or a yogurt or artificial yogurt product. For example, the dollop can be a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute. The dollop can be topped with, coated with, and/or include one or more additional ingredients T. Such additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, candy, candy bars, liqueurs, chocolate, syrup, fudge, liquid chocolate, liquid caramel, liquid butterscotch, nuts, sprinkles, bubble gum, fruit, fruit toppings, gummy candy, candy, candy bars, cookies, fudge, brownies, cake dough, and/or cookie dough. The size and configuration of the dollop is non-limiting. The dollop receptacle that includes the dollop D can be used to eliminate the need for the customer to create a new dollop for each product that is provided to a end-user customer. As such, the time and labor for the customer to provide a food product having a dollop to an end-user consumer is reduced when using the preformed dollops in the dollop receptacle of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the dollop receptacle includes a body 110 that has a top end 120 and a bottom end 130. The top end includes a top opening 122 that opens into a cavity 140 in the body of the dollop receptacle. Cavity 140 is designed to receive the dollop D when packaged in the dollop receptacle. A removable seal 200 is used to fully cover the top opening 122 and seals the dollop in the cavity 140. The removable seal 200 can be formed of any type of material (e.g., paper, plastic, metal, etc.). The thickness of the removable seal 200 is generally less than the thickness of body 110; however, this is not required. The removable seal can include printed information and/or have a certain color; however, this is not required. Such information and/or color can be used to provide information about the dollop in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal generally forms an air-tight and/or water-tight seal with the body of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The removable seal can be connected to the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle (e.g., container rim when used, etc.) by any number of arrangements (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, friction or compression fit, snap fit, etc.). The removable seal can optionally include a tab 202 that can be used to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal from the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle. Generally, the tab, when used, is designed so that a use can easily grasp the tab and then pull the tab to cause the removable seal to be torn from or otherwise released from the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle. The size and shape and location of the tab on the removable seal is non-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the removable seal can be peeled back from the body of the dollop receptacle as indicated by the arrow by a user grasping the tab and then pulling back on the tab. As can be appreciated, the removable seal can be partially or fully removed in other or additional ways.

The dollop receptacle can optionally include a container flange 150 that is designed to engage an outer surface of a rim of a food receptacle (e.g., cup, container, etc.) to enable the dollop receptacle to be removably or non-removably secured to the rim of the food receptacle. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the container flange 150 includes a rim 152 that extends generally outwardly from body 100 and a container flange 154 extends at least partially upwardly from the end region of the rim. The shape and side of the rim and container flange is non-limiting. The container flange can include a dimple region 156 that curves inwardly; however, this is not required. The dimpled region, when used, can be used to facilitate in maintaining the dollop receptacle on a container and/or to facilitate in maintaining the removable seal on the body of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is illustrated a non-limiting method for inserting the dollop D onto the top of a food product (e.g., ice cream, pudding, bakery product, parfait, frozen yogurt or custard, etc.) or a liquid product L (float, shake, coffee, tea, slush or icee, soda, milk, etc.) that is located in a container or cup C. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the dollop receptacle that includes the dollop D has the removable seal removed from the body of the dollop receptacle. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, the dollop receptacle is flipped over and placed onto the container rim CR of the container as illustrated in FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the container flange 150 is fitted onto the container rim CR to secure the dollop receptacle to the container. During or after the dollop receptacle is connected to the container, the dollop releases from the inner surface 112 of the body 110 of the dollop receptacle and relocates itself on the food product or liquid product in the container as indicated by one of the arrows in FIG. 5. The bottom end 130 of the body can optionally include a tactile surface region 132 that is a depressible region on the body of the dollop receptacle. The tactile surface region, when use, is designed to enable an individual to press down on the tactile surface region to thereby cause the body portion to slightly contort, thereby facilitating the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. The inner surface of the body can optionally be formed of a material and/or include surface features (i.e., smooth surface, non-porous surface, non-stick surface) that facilitates in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. Also or alternatively, the inner surface of the body can optionally be coated with a release agent 160 that facilitates in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. The composition of the release agent and the thickness of the release agent layer are non-limiting.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the dollop receptacle is removed from the container after the dollop is released from the dollop receptacle on the food product or liquid product in the container.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a modification to the dollop receptacle of FIGS. 1-5 is illustrated. Many of the features of the dollop receptacle of FIGS. 7-9 are the same as the dollop receptacle of FIGS. 1-5, thus the same reference numbers for the same features of the dollop receptacle will be used. As can be appreciated, the similar features on the dollop receptacle function similarly, thus will be not repeated herein. The bottom end 130 of the dollop receptacle includes a bottom opening 134. The size of the bottom opening is generally smaller than the top opening 122. Generally, the bottom opening is located in the center of the bottom end 130; however, this is not required. A bottom removable seal 300 fully overlies the bottom opening 134. Generally the bottom removable seal fully covers the bottom opening 134. The bottom removable seal can be formed of any type of material (e.g., paper, plastic, metal, etc.). The composition of the bottom removable seal 300 and removable seal 200 can be the same or different. The thickness of the bottom removable seal is generally less than the thickness of body 110; however, this is not required. The bottom removable seal can include printed information and/or have a certain color; however, this is not required. Such information and/or color can be used to provide information about the dollop in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The bottom removable seal generally forms an air-tight and/or water-tight seal with the body of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required. The bottom removable seal can be connected to the body of the dollop receptacle by any number of arrangements (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, friction or compression fit, snap fit, etc.). The bottom removable seal can optionally include a tab 302 that can be used to facilitate in the removal of the bottom removable seal from the body of the dollop receptacle. Generally, the tab, when used, is designed so that a user can easily grasp the tab and then pull the tab to cause the bottom removable seal to be torn from or otherwise released from the body of the dollop receptacle. The size and shape and location of the tab on the removable seal are non-limiting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the body 110 of the dollop receptacle optionally includes a plurality of surface structures 114. The number of surface structures, when used, is non-limiting. The shape of the each of the surface structures is non-limiting. The surface structures can have one or more functions. Non-limiting functions includes 1) form an aesthetically pleasing look to the dollop receptacle, 2) cause the outer surface of the dollop receptacle to look like a certain shape, 3) facilitate in the grasping of the body of the dollop receptacle, 4) facilitate in the release and/or adhesion of the dollop to the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle, and/or 5) to facilitate in creating a shape of the dollop when inserted into the cavity of the dollop receptacle.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the dollop receptacle is illustrated as being secured to container C. The method for securing the dollop receptacle to the container can be a similar method as previously described above with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Prior to, during, or after the dollop receptacle is connected to the container, the bottom removable seal 300 is partially or fully removed from the body of the dollop receptacle. Once the bottom removable seal 300 is partially or fully removed from the body, a straw S, spoon, etc. can be optionally inserted through the bottom opening 134. If the dollop has not been fully released from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle, straw S, spoon, etc. can be inserted into the bottom opening used to facilitate in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. As can be appreciated, other or additional implements can be inserted into the bottom opening to facilitate in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle. As can be appreciated, the dollop receptacle can be removed from the container as discussed with respect to FIG. 6 once the dollop has been released from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle and onto the food product L in the container. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the food product in the container that includes the dollop can be consumed while the dollop receptacle is secured to the container via the straw or other implement. As also illustrated in FIG. 9, the outer surface of the dollop includes surface features SF that are optionally caused and/or formed by the surface structures 114 in the body of the dollop receptacle.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the bottom removable seal 300 is not a removable seal, but instead is a piercable seal. The dollop receptacle is similar to the dollop receptacle described in FIGS. 7-9 except that the dollop receptacle is absent the optional surface structures 114 in the body of the dollop receptacle and the bottom removable seal 300 is a piercable seal, not a removable seal. A straw S is illustrated as piercing bottom removable seal 300; however, it can be appreciated that other or additional implements can be used to partially or fully pierce bottom removable seal 300. As described with respect the dollop receptacle illustrated in FIG. 9, the straw or other implement can be used to 1) facilitate in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle, and/or 2) consume the food product in the container while the dollop receptacle is secured to the container.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, a plurality of the dollop receptacles can optionally be releasably connected together. A sheet of removable seal 200 can be used to secure the plurality of the dollop receptacles. As can be appreciated, the plurality of the dollop receptacles can be releasably connected together by other or additional means. The sheet of removable seal 200 can optionally include slots, serrations 204, etc. that are used to facilitate in the separation of the plurality of the dollop receptacles from one another. As can be appreciated, the sheet of removable seal 200 can be cut by scissors or some other type of cutting implement to separate the plurality of the dollop receptacles from one another. The dollop receptacles are illustrated as optionally including a rim 152. When a dollop receptacle is separated form one or more other dollop receptacles, the portion of the sheet of removable seal 200 that extends form the top edge of body 110 or rim 152 can optionally function as a tab 202 as previously described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, one non-limiting method for forming a dollop receptacle that includes a dollop is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 13, a dispenser 400 optionally deposits one or more toppings T into the cavity 140 of the body of the dollop receptacle. The dispensement of the one or more toppings into the cavity can be a manual, semi-automated or automated process. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a food F such as, but not limited to, whipped cream is deposited into the cavity 140 of the body of the dollop receptacle to form dollop D. The dispensement of the food F into the cavity can be a manual, semi-automated or automated process. As illustrated by the arrows, the food dispenser 500, can optionally move in one or more directions to properly form the dollop in the cavity of the dollop receptacle. FIG. 15 illustrates the insertion of the removable seal 200 over the top opening of the dollop receptacle. The insertion of the removable seal 200 can be a manual, semi-automated or automated process. FIG. 16 illustrates the dollop that is sealed in the dollop receptacle being placed in a refrigerator R or freezer for storage and/or transportation. The refrigeration and/or freezing of the dollop in the sealed dollop receptacle facilitates in maintaining the shape of the preformed dollop during storage, transportation and/or during the removal of the dollop form the dollop receptacle and into container C. One or more of the steps for inserting the dollop into the dollop receptacle can occur in a refrigerated (e.g., 33-50° F., etc.) or a freezing or sub-freezing environment (e.g., −100-32° F.; however, this is not required. Also or alternatively, one or more of the steps for inserting the dollop into the dollop receptacle can occur in an atmosphere controlled environment (e.g., nitrogen environment, clean room environment, etc.); however, this is not required.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided herein. This invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. These and other modifications of the preferred embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will be obvious from the disclosure herein, whereby the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dollop receptacle design to contain a dollop, said dollop receptacle including a body and a removable seal, said body includes a cavity designed to receive the dollop, said top end of said body having a top opening that provides access to said cavity, said removable seal removably connected to said top end of said body and fully overlies said top opening.

2. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, including a container rim that is connected to and positioned on said top end of said body and fully encircles said top opening, said container rim including a container flange that is designed to engage an outer surface of a rim of a food receptacle to enable said body to be removably secured to the rim of the food receptacle, said container flange extending at least partially upwardly from said top end of said body.

3. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said removable seal includes a tab, said tab designed to enable a user to easily grasp said tab and facilitate in the removal of said removable seal from said body.

4. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said removable seal has a thickness that is less than a thickness of said body.

5. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said removable seal is a plastic material that is clear or semi-opaque.

6. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein a surface of said cavity that is designed to contact the dollop is formed of a non-stick material, includes a release agent, or combinations thereof to facilitate in the release of said dollop from said dollop receptacle.

7. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein a surface of said cavity that is designed to contact the dollop includes one or more surface structures that are designed to form a predefined shape on the dollop when the dollop is inserted into said cavity.

8. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said body includes one or more compressible contact points that are designed to cause the dollop to release from said body when pressed by a user after said dollop receptacle has been placed on or over a food receptacle.

9. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said body includes a bottom opening and a bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal, said bottom opening positioned on a bottom portion of said body, a cross-sectional area of said bottom opening being smaller than a cross-sectional area of said top opening, said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal connected to said body and fully overlies said bottom opening.

10. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 9, wherein said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal includes a tab, said tab designed to enable a user to easily grasp said tab and facilitate in the removal of said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal from said body.

11. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 9, wherein said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal has a thickness that is less than a thickness of said body.

12. A method for inserting a preformed dollop onto a food product in a food receptacle comprising: a. providing a food receptacle that includes a food product, said food product including a liquid, semi-liquid or non-liquid food product;b. providing a dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop, said dollop receptacle including a body and a removable seal, said body including a cavity that includes said preformed dollop, said top end of said body having a top opening that provides access to said cavity, said removable seal removably connected to said top end of said body and fully overlies said top opening;c. removing said removable seal from said body of said dollop receptacle;d. positioning said dollop receptacle on or over said food receptacle such that said top opening is positioned over said food product in said food receptacle; and,e. causing said preformed dollop to release from said body of said dollop receptacle so that said preformed dollop is positioned on a top surface of said food product in said food receptacle.

13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said food receptacle includes an upper rim and said body of said dollop receptacle includes a container rim that is connected to and positioned on said top end of said body and fully encircles said top opening, said container rim including a container flange that is designed to engage an outer surface of a rim of said food receptacle to enable said body to be removably secured to the rim of said food receptacle, said container flange extending at least partially upwardly from said top end of said body, and further including the step of removably securing said dollop receptacle to said rim of said food receptacle after said removable seal is removed from said body of said dollop receptacle.

14. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein a surface of said cavity of said body of said dollop receptacle that is designed to contact said preformed dollop is formed of a non-stick material, includes a release agent, or combinations thereof to facilitate in the release of said dollop from said dollop receptacle.

15. The method as defined in claim 12, further including the step of pressing one or more compressible contact points on an outer surface of said body of said dollop receptacle to cause said preformed dollop to release from said body.

16. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said body of said dollop receptacle includes a bottom opening and a bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal, said bottom opening positioned on a bottom portion of said body, a cross-sectional area of said bottom opening being smaller than a cross-sectional area of said top opening, said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal connected to said body and fully overlies said bottom opening.

17. A dollop receptacle that includes a preformed dollop, said dollop receptacle including a body and a removable seal, said body includes a cavity that includes said preformed dollop, said top end of said body having a top opening that provides access to said cavity, said removable seal removably connected to said top end of said body and fully overlies said top opening, said preformed dollop sealed in and air-tight and water-tight environment by said cavity of said body and said removable seal.

18. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, including a container rim that is connected to and positioned on said top end of said body and fully encircles said top opening, said container rim including a container flange that is designed to engage an outer surface of a rim of a food receptacle to enable said body to be removably secured to the rim of the food receptacle, said container flange extending at least partially upwardly from said top end of said body.

19. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein said removable seal includes a tab, said tab designed to enable a user to easily grasp said tab and facilitate in the removal of said removable seal from said body.

20. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein an inner surface of said cavity that contacts said preformed dollop is formed of a non-stick material, includes a release agent, or combinations thereof to facilitate in the release of said preformed dollop from said dollop receptacle.

21. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein a surface of said cavity that contacts said preformed dollop includes one or more surface structures designed to form a predefined shape on said preformed dollop while said preformed dollop is inserted into said cavity.

22. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein said body includes one or more compressible contact points that are designed to cause said preformed dollop to release from said body when pressed by a user after said dollop receptacle has been placed on or over a food receptacle.

23. The dollop receptacle as defined in claim 17, wherein said body includes a bottom opening and a bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal, said bottom opening positioned on a bottom portion of said body, a cross-sectional area of said bottom opening being smaller than a cross-sectional area of said top opening, said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal connected to said body and fully overlies said bottom opening.

24. A method for forming a preformed dollop in a dollop receptacle comprising: a. providing a dollop receptacle design to contain the dollop, said dollop receptacle including a body, said body includes a cavity designed to receive the dollop, said top end of said body having a top opening that provides access to said cavity;b. inserting a dollop into said cavity of said body; and,c. applying a removable seal to said top end of said body, said removable seal fully overlies said top opening, said dollop sealed in an air-tight and water-tight environment by said cavity of said body and said removable seal.

25. The method as defined in claim 24, including the step of refrigerating or freezing said dollop after said removable seal is applied to said top end of said body.

26. The method as defined in claim 24, further including the step of adding one or more toppings in said cavity, said toppings can be added prior to, during, after, or combinations thereof said dollop being inserted into said cavity.

27. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein said food receptacle includes an upper rim and said body of said dollop receptacle includes a container rim that is connected to and positioned on said top end of said body and fully encircles said top opening, said container rim including a container flange that is designed to engage an outer surface of a rim of a food receptacle to enable said body to be removably secured to the rim of the food receptacle, said container flange extending at least partially upwardly from said top end of said body.

28. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein a surface of said cavity of said body of said dollop receptacle that is designed to contact said preformed dollop is formed of a non-stick material, includes a release agent, or combinations thereof to facilitate in the release of said dollop from said dollop receptacle.

28. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein said body includes one or more compressible contact points that are designed to cause the dollop to release from said body when pressed by a user after said dollop receptacle has been placed on or over a food receptacle.

29. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein said body of said dollop receptacle includes a bottom opening and a bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal, said bottom opening positioned on a bottom portion of said body, a cross-sectional area of said bottom opening being smaller than a cross-sectional area of said top opening, said bottom removable seal and/or penetrable seal connected to said body and fully overlies said bottom opening.

30. A sheet of dollop receptacles comprising a plurality of dollop receptacle that are releasably connected together, each of said dollop receptacles including a body and a removable seal, said body including a cavity that includes a preformed dollop, said top end of said body having a top opening that provides access to said cavity, said removable seal removably connected to said top end of said body and fully overlies said top opening, said preformed dollop sealed in and air-tight and water-tight environment by said cavity of said body and said removable seal.