Patent Application
20230373700
The present invention relates to popsicles and, more particularly, to a ready to freeze container with an internal cavity and cap seal.
A frozen treat is something people all over the world enjoy, especially on a hot day. However, to keep frozen treats fresh and ready for people to eat, the treats must be kept at or below freezing throughout the manufacturing, transportation, storage, and display for sale processes. Keeping products frozen is extremely costly and energy intensive. For example, ice pops and popsicles require that the frozen treat remain on a stick for easy eating. This also limits the ability of anyone to vary the contents or formation of ice pops, popsicles, and other frozen treats because any bit of melting may cause separated components to leach into one another and ruin the taste and presentation of the frozen treat.
As can be seen, there is a need for a device that eliminates the need for an ice pop or similar frozen treat to be frozen at all times before reaching customers, and that provides people with the ability to produce a wider variety and combination of flavors and textures. The present invention solves these problems by providing a container for a liquid, with the container having a built-in cavity for internal storage of another liquid or solid, and a cap seal that covers the container and built-in cavity and provides a stick handle. The present invention thus eliminates the need to keep frozen treats frozen at all times before reaching consumers.
In one aspect of the present invention, a freezable container is provided, the freezable container comprising a first container comprising an open end and an enclosed end, a second container having a first end and a second end, wherein the second container is configured to be received within the first container, and the second container includes a handle extending away from the second end of the container, and a cap seal that forms a seal at the open end of the first container, the handle, and the second end of the second container.
In another aspect of the invention, the cap seal includes a slit configured to slidably seal against the handle. The cap seal may include a recess formed around the slit. The cap seal may also include a lip that extends over an edge of the open end of the first container.
In another aspect of the invention, the first container may include a receiving ridge formed on the enclosed end of the first container. The receiving ridge corresponds in shape to the first end of the second container such that the receiving ridge prevents the first end of the second container from moving laterally.
In another aspect of the invention, the first container, second container, and cap seal are formed of at least one food grade plastic. The first container may also be substantially oval in cross-sectional shape, and the second container may be substantially cylindrical.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a ready to freeze container comprising a first container and a second container. The second container is less voluminous than the first container, and the second container is configured to substantially fit within the first container. The second container further includes a cap with a handle extending away from the second container when the cap is placed on the second container. The container further includes a cap seal that is configured to fit onto the first container and seal the first container. Further the cap seal includes a slit that is configured to slide over and seal against the handle.
The present invention thus provides a means by which a frozen treat may be transported safely and without leakage while also eliminating the need to freeze the treat. Further the present invention provides an internal cavity in which a secondary liquid or solid may be placed inside the frozen treat to provide novelty in both flavor and texture.
It should be noted that the materials of manufacture of the present invention are not particularly limited. For example, the first and second containers may be formed of any food safe materials that may be placed in a freezer, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Referring to
The second container 12 is less voluminous than the first container 10, and the second container 12 is configured to substantially fit within the first container 10. The second container 12 comprises a first end and a second end with a second wall extending between the first end and the second end. The second container 12 may be formed in any desired shape, for example, a cylinder. When inserted into the first container 10, the first end of the second container 12 is configured to cooperate with a receiving ridge formed in the first end of the first container 10. The receiving ridge is formed such that the second container 12 is prevented from sliding laterally within the first container 10. The second container 12 further includes a cap with a handle 14 at the second end of the second container 12. The handle 14 is formed to extend away from the second end of the second container 12.
The container further includes a cap seal 16 that is configured to fit onto the first container 10 and seal the first container 10. Further the cap seal 16 includes a slit 18 that is configured to slide over and seal against the handle 14. When in place, the cap seal 16 securely couples the first container 10 and second container 12 together, such that the first and second containers 10, 12 may hold and retain liquids or solids without leakage. The cap seal 16 is formed to substantially match the shape of the first container 10 along the perimeter of the cap seal 16. The cap seal may further include a lip formed on its perimeter and designed to cover an edge formed at the second open end of the first container 10. The cap seal may also include a central depression surrounding the slit 18, such that the handle 14 is more easily slid through the slit 18 and also provides a larger area of the handle 14 for a user to grasp.
The present invention thus provides a means by which a frozen treat may be transported safely and without leakage while also eliminating the need to freeze the treat. Further the present invention provides an internal cavity in which a secondary liquid or solid may be placed inside the frozen treat to provide novelty in both flavor and texture.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/344,891, filed May 23, 2022, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63344891 | May 2022 | US |
