Container for sliceable ice cream

A triangular ice cream carton having indicia for serving proportional slices of ice cream. The ice cream container includes a repositionable triangular insert to protect the sliced end of ice cream.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers for food products and, more particularly, to a triangular ice cream container with internal indicia to aid in dispensing ice cream portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for shipping and storage of various items are generally known in the art. Generally, triangular shaped containers heretofore have not been used for food items. Triangular shaped containers of the prior art are not particularly suited for food items, such as ice cream. Ice cream containers are primarily rectangular shaped cartons or cylindrical shaped tubs. These containers do not aid the user in proportionally or equally dispensing the contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a triangular-shaped ice cream container. The container includes a blank having three rectangular panels with eared flaps which are foldable to form the triangular container. An inside surface of the container includes indicia to aid the user in proportioning and serving the ice cream. Additionally, a movable side panel or insert protects the exposed end of the ice cream remaining in the container after a portion of the ice cream has been served.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1–5, the container or carton of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral20. Container20includes a front panel22, a back panel24, a bottom panel26, and end panels28and30. The front22, back24and bottom26panels are rectangularly shaped to provide an elongated container. The end panels28and30are triangularly shaped to present a triangular shape to the elongated container20. Front panel22includes a closure tab32.

The container20is formed from a blank sheet of material which will be described with reference toFIGS. 6–8. The blank of material generally indicated by reference numeral40, is formed of cardboard or other suitable material for making a container for ice cream, for example. The blank40includes a first transverse edge42and an opposing transverse edge44. Longitudinally spaced between the transverse edges42and44are three generally parallel transverse fold lines46,48and50. Fold lines46,48and50may be scored or depressed. The three fold lines46,48and50separate the space between the transverse edges42and44into three rectangular panels22,24and26and the closure tab32.

At the lateral edges of panels24and26are formed trapezoid end panels52and54. Fold lines56and58separate the trapezoid end panels52and54from panels24and26. Within each trapezoid end panel are fold lines60,62,64and66, which divide the trapezoid end panels52and54into triangular sections28,30,68,70,72and74.

At the lateral ends of panel22are formed triangular end panels76and78separated from panel22by fold lines56and58. Triangular end flaps76and78may be slightly smaller than the triangular sections28,30,68,70,72and74. Spaced indicia80is printed on the surface of panels22and26over fold line48.

The container20is formed by folding the blank40along the fold lines. Triangular end flaps76and78are folded upwardly along fold line56to form a right angle with panel22. Closure tab32is folded upwardly along fold line50. Trapezoid panels52and54are folded upwardly along fold lines56and58to form a right angle with panels24and26. Triangular sections68and72on the right side of blank40and triangular sections70and74on the left side of blank40are folded inwardly along fold lines60and62, respectively. At the same time, triangular sections28and68on the right side and triangular sections30and70are folded outwardly along fold lines64and66, respectively, and panel24is folded forward along fold line46.

Fold lines60and62are folded down until they make contact with fold lines56and58, respectively. The back surfaces of triangular sections72and68and sections74and70may be glued together and along fold lines60,62,56and58.

Slots82and84are formed on each side of the container20between triangular sections28and68and triangular sections30and70, respectively. When the front panel22is folded upwardly along fold line48, the triangular flaps76and78slip into the slots82and84to seal the contents of the container20. The closure tab32is folded over the top of the container20along fold line50and sealed to the rear panel24.

Referring toFIGS. 1,7and10, repositioned internal end caps100may be included with the container20. End caps100are sized and shaped to match the interior cross-sectional dimension of the container20and include tabs102to keep the end cap upright within the container20. The end cap100aids in keeping the ice cream fresh as it is consumed. When the container20is first opened, the person serving the ice cream uses a knife to cut the ice cream. The server may use the indicia80to serve the same portion of ice cream. If all of the ice cream is not served, the server slides the end cap100against the exposed end of ice cream to keep the ice cream fresh and avoid freezer burn. The front panel22is closed and the ice cream may be then returned to the freezer. Advantageously, the triangular shape of the sliced ice cream may be placed on a piece of pie for a delightful ice cream and pie dessert.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in so far as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof.