Abstract:
An insert for fitting into a food cone to form a platform, intermediate the top and bottom of the cone, to support the edible contents of the food cone. An upwardly-extending projection may be provided to help support the edible contents and inhibit them falling over.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to food cones and more particularly to inserts arranged to be used in food cones.  
           [0002]    I have now devised inserts for food cones, which in use provide a number of advantages  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an insert for fitting into a food cone to form a platform, intermediate the top and bottom of the food cone, to support the contents of the food cone.  
           [0004]    By providing such a platform at a level intermediate the top and bottom of the food cone, the insert serves to support the edible contents of the food cone and prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the food cone; this is a particular advantage in the case of ice cream or the like.  
           [0005]    Preferably the insert comprises a flat base, which forms the supporting platform.  
           [0006]    Preferably the insert includes an upstanding, peripheral rim which is frusto-conical in section, to seat against the inside surface of the food cone.  
           [0007]    Preferably the insert is provided with a central, upwardly-extending projection, which in use helps to support the edible contents of the food cone and inhibit these contents from falling to one side or another. Preferably this projection extends to a level above the top of the food cone, when fitted into the latter. The projection may be formed integrally with the insert, or may comprise a separate piece which engages to the insert.  
           [0008]    Conveniently, the upwardly-extending projection of the insert may be conical in form. Instead, it may be in the form of a vertical stem, which may be flat or of other form. The upper end of the projection may carry indicia or other markings, for example of an advertising or promotional nature, or may be in the form of a figure or character.  
           [0009]    The upwardly-extending projection may be formed with a receptacle for a sauce, dip or the like. For example, the projection may be frusto-conical in form and house a receptacle (e.g. of generally cup-shape) the upper end or rim of which merges with the upper end of the frusto-conical projection of the insert. A further member, e.g. in the form of a figure or character or carrying indicia or markings, may be provided to fit into and project from the receptacle.  
           [0010]    The insert may be formed of plastics material. Instead however, it may be formed of edible material, particularly chocolate. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a view of a food cone into which a first embodiment of insert in accordance with this invention is fitted;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the food cone and insert shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side view of the food cone and insert shown in FIG. 1 and  2 ;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a view of the food cone shown in FIGS.  1  to  3 , into which a second embodiment of insert in accordance with this invention is fitted;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the food cone and insert shown in FIG. 4;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a side view of the food cone and insert shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a side view another food cone fitted with a third embodiment of insert in accordance with this invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a vertical section through the food cone and insert shown in FIG. 7;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a view of the food cone shown in FIGS.  1  to  3 , fitted with a fourth embodiment of insert in accordance with the invention; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a vertical section through the food cone and insert shown in FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    Referring to FIGS.  1  to  3  of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a receptacle  10  in the form of an inverted cone, or food cone, the lower, truncated end of which is closed and the upper, wider end of which is open. The food cone  10  may be of edible material, for example when intended to hold ice cream, or it may be of inedible material, for example when intended to hold french fries or popcorn.  
         [0023]    In the example shown in FIGS.  1  to  3 , an insert  20  is fitted into the food cone  10 . The insert  20  comprises an annular, flat base  22  formed with an upwardly-projecting, peripheral rim  24  which is inclined to correspond to the conical inner surface of the food cone  10 . The insert further comprises a central, conical portion  26  the lower end of which is joined to the inner periphery of the annular base  22 : the conical portion  26  projects upwardly to a point  28  which is above the open top of the food cone  10 . In the example shown, the insert  20  is formed in one-piece of plastics material.  
         [0024]    In use, and as shown, the insert  20  is fitted into the open top of the food cone  10 , to rest via its peripheral rim  24  against the inner surface of the food cone  10 , at a level intermediate the top and bottom of the food cone. Ice cream or other food can then be placed in the food cone and is supported on the base  22  of the insert  20 : in the case of ice cream in particular, this is then prevented from melting and sinking to the bottom of the food cone; further, the conical projection  26  of .the insert supports the ice cream above the food cone  10 , such that the ice cream is less likely to fall to one side or another of the food cone.  
         [0025]    Referring to FIGS.  4  to  6  of the drawings, the same food cone  10  is shown, but with a modified insert  30  fitting into it. This insert  30  comprises a flat, circular base  32  having a peripheral rim  34  corresponding to the rim  24  of the insert  20  shown in FIG. 1 to  3 : a stem  36  projects upwardly from the centre of the base  32 , to a level above the top of the food cone  10 ; the stem  36  carries a cross-piece  38  at its top, which carries indicia in the form of information and/or advertising.  
         [0026]    Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, there is shown an ice cream cone  40  of more conventional style, which comprises a bottom portion  42  in the form of a cone of small cone angle, and a top portion which comprise a first conical section  43  of large cone angle and a second conical section  44  of intermediate cone angle. The cone  40  is shown with an insert  50  fitted into it: this insert corresponds to the insert  30  shown in FIGS.  4  to  6 , except that its peripheral rim  54  lies on a cone of larger cone angle, to correspond with conical section  43  of the ice cream cone  40 . It will be noted that the insert  50  seats within the cone  40  adjacent the bottom of the conical section  43 .  
         [0027]    Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, the food cone  10  of FIGS.  1  to  3  is shown, fitted with an insert  60  which has a central receptacle for containing a sauce or dip, for example. The insert  60  comprises a flat, annular base  62  formed with an upstanding, frusto-conical peripheral rim  64  for seating against the inner surface of the food cone  10 . The insert  60  further comprises a central, frusto-conical portion  66 , the lower end of which is joined to the inner periphery of the annular base  62 : the upper end of the frusto-conical portion  66  merges with the upper end or rim of a cylindrical, cup-shaped receptacle  68 , which is positioned within the frusto-conical portion  66 . It will be noted that the frusto-conical portion  66  projects to a level above the top of the food cone  10 , when fitted into the latter.  
         [0028]    As previously mentioned, the inserts which have been shown and described may be formed of plastics material and may instead be formed in an edible material e.g. chocolate.