Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Packaged or wrapped product – Having consumer oriented diverse utility
Reexamination Certificate
1996-02-14
2001-05-15
Weinstein, Steven (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Packaged or wrapped product
Having consumer oriented diverse utility
C426S115000, C426S130000, C426S394000, C101S333000, C101S405000, C206S817000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231904
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to packaging for frozen confections or novelties, and more particularly to a “push-up” type package for a frozen confection which includes a plunger member which can be used as a novelty ink stamp after consumption of the confection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Frozen confections or novelties, such as frozen pops and the like, have enjoyed widespread popularity for many years. These types of confections can be provided in bar form with a stick-like handle, and can also be provided in the packaging which functions to hold and “dispense” the product as it is consumed.
One type of common packaging for such confections is of the “push-up” type, including a generally cylindrical tube within which the frozen confection is placed, and a plunger member slidably movable within the tube so that the confection can be pushed from the tube and easily consumed.
Ordinarily the packaging for frozen confections is disposed of after the confection is consumed. However, the present invention contemplates a package for a frozen confection which permits use of the package for play or other activities by children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a package for a frozen confection which includes a portion which can function as an ink stamp after consumption of the confection. Thus, after a user has enjoyed the confection, the portion of the package which functions as an ink stamp can be removed, cleaned as necessary, and have ink applied thereto so that it can be used to form inked impressions on paper or other materials. It is contemplated that the present package can be used to provide ink stamp-like elements having a wide variety of printing indicia thereon, such as characters, letters, numbers, etc., to enhance the “play value” of the arrangement. Additionally, use of the present package desirably promotes marketing of the associated confection, since a highly desirable benefit is provided, apart from the confection itself.
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the present package includes a generally elongated cylindrical tube which defines a hollow interior within which a frozen confection, such as ice cream or sherbet, is held. In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical tube comprises spirally-wound paper material, but other suitable materials, such as plastic, can be employed.
The present package further includes a plunger member positioned generally within one end of the cylindrical tube for sliding movement therein. By this sliding movement, the frozen confection can be pushed from within the cylindrical tube by the plunger member for consumption of the confection. The plunger member includes a piston-like pushing portion which is generally planar, and which has a surface which engages the frozen confection as the confection is urged from the cylindrical tube. The plunger member further includes a elongated handle portion, extending from the pushing portion out of the cylindrical tube to facilitate sliding movement of the plunger member within the cylindrical tube.
In accordance with the present invention, the surface of the pushing portion defines relatively raised printing indicia, provided in the form of raised ridge-like elements, which are configured for receiving printing ink from an associated source. By this arrangement, after consumption of the confection, the plunger member can be removed from the cylindrical tube, and used as a novelty ink stamp. As will be appreciated, the configuration of the plunger member, including an elongated handle portion, naturally facilitates its use as an ink stamp, with the arrangement configured for easy use by children.
In the preferred form, the pushing portion of the plunger member includes a peripheral skirt which extends generally from the surface on which the printing indicia is provided in the direction of the handle portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion of the plunger member is formed unitarily (i.e., as one piece) with the pushing portion, but it will be understood that the pushing portion and handle portion may be separate components, and may be formed from dissimilar materials, and assembled for use of the package.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
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Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
Weinstein Steven
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