Receptacles – Receptacle having flexible – removable inner liner – Means for venting air trapped between the liner and its...
Patent
1991-11-22
1993-04-27
Moy, Joseph Man-Fu
Receptacles
Receptacle having flexible, removable inner liner
Means for venting air trapped between the liner and its...
206545, 2064595, B65D 2308
Patent
active
052054322
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a packaging unit for a consumable product, in particular, though not exclusively, ice cream.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
One of the problems associated with transportation and display of ice cream for sale is in the provision of suitable packaging. It is known to provide a form of packaging for ice cream which includes a layer of thermally insulating material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging unit which will at least provide a useful alternative to such known packaging.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a packaging unit for a consumable product, comprising a tub-shaped container of a first material for containing the product, a casing of a second, thermally-insulating material for holding and rigidly supporting the container, and a closure of thermally-insulating material for the casing, the casing having an opening therein for allowing access to the contents of the container when the container is held in the casing, there being means provided for removable and replaceable engagement of said closure with the casing for alternately sealing off or freeing said access to the contents of the container, the container being insertable into the casing via said opening, and the casing and container being configured and arranged to preclude separating the container from the casing once the container has been received therein, the container and casing thus forming an integral unit.
One of the advantages of such a packaging unit is that it is able to retain its integrity when the product is removed or served.
By way of example the preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a packaging unit according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
There is seen in FIG. 1 a packaging unit for ice cream. The unit comprises a container 10 into which the ice cream is put. Container 10 is of standard form and is conveniently made from moulded plastics material. Container 10 has a lid 11. Lid 11 here is simply of cardboard and is disposable.
Casing 12 is made of thermally insulating material, conveniently, from molded expanded polystyrene. Casing 12 has a closure 13. Closure 13 here is also made from moulded expanded polystyrene and is replaceable. Closure 13 comprises ribs 17 so that it engages casing 12 with an interference fit.
Container 10 is received in casing 12 with means being provided for preventing the container from being separated from the casing. In this way, an integral packaging unit is provided.
In the embodiment shown, this means takes the form of an external lip 14 around container 10 and an internal groove 15 on casing 12. Container 10 can thus be engaged in casing 12 with a "snap-fit". It would of course be possible to provide a groove on the container and a lip on the casing instead.
Further alternative arrangements are of course possible. For example, casing 12 could be produced in two halves which can be fitted to either side of container 10 and then fastened together. Or, container 10 could be arranged to be a tight fit in casing 12 so that the two remain intact by frictional forces. This engagement may be strengthened by providing surface irregularities, e.g. ribs or pimples, on the interengaging surfaces of one or both of the container and casing. Additionally or alternatively, adhesive may be used to keep the two together.
The packaging unit described is able to retain its integrity when the ice cream is removed, for example, turning the unit upside down, or served. The advantage of this is that the unit is able to provide a useful and attractive closable packaging unit even after it has served its original purpose.
Casing 12 here is of hexagonal cross-section. This is advantageous for both display and transportation purposes since it enables the packaging units to be arrayed together in a honey-comb pattern.
Casing 12 he
REFERENCES:
patent: 2591578 (1952-04-01), McNealy
patent: 2828903 (1958-04-01), Adkins
patent: 3314531 (1967-04-01), Cheris
patent: 4746028 (1988-05-01), Bagg
Man-Fu Moy Joseph
Manx Ices Limited
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