PACKAGE

Abstract: Ice cream packaging apparatus comprises a container (10), which holds the ice cream, and a casing (12) which receives the container (10). The casing (12) is of thermally insulating expanded polystyrene and means (14, 15) is provided for preventing the container (10) from being separated from the casing (12) so that an integral packaging unit is provided.

Description: PACKAGE This invention relates to packaging apparatus 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 packaging apparatus which will at least provide a useful alternative to such known packaging. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided packaging apparatus for a consumable product such as ice cream which comprises a container for containing the product and a casing for receiving the container, wherein means is provided for preventing the container from being separated form the casing whereby to provide an integral packaging unit. One of the advantages of such packaging apparatus 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 Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of packaging apparatus according to the DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There is seen in Figure I packaging apparatus for ice cream. The apparatus 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 moulded 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 ±rictional forces. This engagement may be strengthened by providing surface irregularities, eg 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 apparatus described is able to retain its integrity when the ice cream is removed, for example, by turning the unit upside down, or served. The advantage of this is that the apparatus 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 here also has a downward taper, as can be seen in the drawings. This is advantageous when arraying numbers of packaging units together in a honey-comb pattern, because it means that each unit is effectively surrounded and separated from its neighbours by a pocket of air which is trapped, thereby improving insulation. In the drawings, 16 represents a sleeve, eg of printed card, to finish off and carry decorative a twork for casing 12. Similar artwork may be carried by replaceable closure 13. In Figure 1, reference 18 is a tab on the closure 13 which is shaped and arranged to engage i . a slot 19 in an upper wall of the casing 12. The closure 13 is a flush fit within the upper interior of the casing 12 so that the tab 18 is used in removing the closure 13. The presence of the tab 18 and slot 19 pr.ovides a convenient means of registration when applying appropriate artwork to both the casing 12 and closure 13. The upper surface of the closure 13 may be recessed just enough to accept a sheet of art work, eg. of printed card, so that the closure presents a substantially flat top surface on final assembly. In the alternative, the upper surface 20 can be more pronouncedly recessed and be dimensioned so as to accept within its recess the bottom of another like casing. In this way, one complete packaging unit can be placed upon another so that the two are located laterally relative to each other when stacked. To facilitate application of the art work to the casing 12, sleeve 16 is designed to fit a recessed surface portion 21 of the casing. Sleeve 16 is assembled into a tubular form, eg by gluing a folded blank, and simply pushed over feet 22 which are provided at the bottom corners of the casing. The sleeve 16 is retained in position on the casing between the feet 22 and shoulder 23 formed by the recessed surface portion.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. Packaging apparatus for a consumable product which comprises a container for containing the product and a casing for receiving the container, wherein means is provided for preventing the container from being separated from the casing whereby to provide an integral packaging unit. 2. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means is in the form of a physical block such as an interengaging lip and groove. 3. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container is received in the casing with a "snap-fit" . 4. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means takes the form of frictional forces from the fitting of the container in the casing. 5. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein one or both of the container and casing comprise surface irregularities on their interengaging surfaces to enhance said frictional forces. 6. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein adhesive is used between the container and casing. 7. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing is of thermally insulating material, eg moulded expanded polystyrene. 8. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing has a downward taper. 9. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing is of hexagonal section. 10. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing comprises a replaceable lid of thermally insulating material, eg moulded expanded polystyrene.

Inventors: GULLAN BRYAN BLACK, GULLAN, BRYAN, BLACK
Applicants: GULLAN BRYAN BLACK, MANX ICES LTD, GULLAN, BRYAN, BLACK, MANX ICES LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B65D77
IPC codes: B65D77, B65D81, B65D85