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WO2014022256A1 - Cuillerée de crème pré-fouettage en emballage - Google Patents

Cuillerée de crème pré-fouettage en emballage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014022256A1
WO2014022256A1 PCT/US2013/052459 US2013052459W WO2014022256A1 WO 2014022256 A1 WO2014022256 A1 WO 2014022256A1 US 2013052459 W US2013052459 W US 2013052459W WO 2014022256 A1 WO2014022256 A1 WO 2014022256A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dollop
receptacle
removable seal
preformed
seal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/052459
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Brian J. Coyle
Howard WURSTER
Jim Faller
Kaitlyn HIGGINS
Original Assignee
Rich Products Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rich Products Corporation filed Critical Rich Products Corporation
Publication of WO2014022256A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014022256A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
    • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
    • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
    • B65D43/0212—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2231/00—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents
    • B65D2231/02—Precut holes or weakened zones
    • B65D2231/027—Precut holes or weakened zones for discharging a solidified or gelatinous products, e.g. pudding, ice-cream, from the package
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00046—Drinking-through lids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
    • B65D2543/00092—Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00342—Central part of the lid
    • B65D2543/00351—Dome-like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00527—NO contact
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to food products, toppings for food products, more particularly to toppings that can be inserted onto bakery goods, desserts and beverages, and even more particularly to preformed toppings that can be packaged in a container and then later applied to a bakery good, dessert or beverage.
  • Topping dollops are commonly placed on products to enhance the taste and aesthetics of a product.
  • Topping dollops such as dairy and non-dairy whipped cream, are commonly placed on beverages (e.g., hot chocolate, coffee, tea, etc.), on bakery goods (e.g., cookies, cupcakes, muffins, etc.) and on desserts (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, shakes, yogurt, pudding, etc.).
  • beverages e.g., hot chocolate, coffee, tea, etc.
  • bakery goods e.g., cookies, cupcakes, muffins, etc.
  • desserts e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, shakes, yogurt, pudding, etc.
  • Topping dollops are generally inserted onto a food product in one or two ways.
  • One method is to place the topping dollop on a food product by dispensing an emulsion from an aerosol can whereas the nitrous oxide gas mixes with the emulsion during the expelling to create a foam dollop.
  • a second method for placing the topping dollop on a food product is by inserting a non- dairy/dairy product into a pastry bag or apparatus, which may be in a disposable form, and dispense the non-dairy/dairy product onto the food.
  • a drink or dessert that includes a dollop is typically packaged with a dome-shaped lid to provide room and protection for the dollop placed on the top of the drink or dessert.
  • dollops that have complex shapes or configurations, and/or dollops that include additional ingredients can take a significant amount of time to create.
  • additional ingredients e.g., nuts, sprinkles, syrup, fruits, etc.
  • the uniformity of such dollops can be difficult to duplicate, especially when different people are creating such dollops.
  • a facility must maintain an inventory of many different ingredients so that multi-ingredient dollops can be formed.
  • the present invention is directed to toppings for food products, more particularly to dollops that can be inserted onto bakery goods, desserts and beverages, and even more particularly to preformed dollops that can be packaged in a container and then later applied to a bakery good, dessert or beverage.
  • the composition of the dollop is non-limiting.
  • the dollop can be made from dairy and/or non-dairy products.
  • the dollop is an icing product, or a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute, or a yogurt or artificial yogurt product.
  • the dollop is a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute.
  • the amount of "overrun" and the manufacturing process of the dollop is also non-limiting.
  • the dollop can be topped with, coated with, and/or include one or more additional ingredients (e.g., candy, candy bars, liqueurs, chocolate, syrup, fudge, liquid chocolate, liquid caramel, liquid butterscotch, nuts, sprinkles, bubble gum, fruit, fruit toppings, gummy candy, candy, candy bars, cookies, fudge, brownies, cake dough, cookie dough, etc.) that can be optionally used with the dollop and are non-limiting.
  • the dollop can include additional ingredients (e.g., sweetener, stabilizer, emulsifier, preservative, flavoring, coloring agents, vitamin and minerals, etc.).
  • the size and configuration of the dollop is non-limiting.
  • One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is directed to creating a dollop in a container that can be shipped to the customer (e.g., individual consumer, restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, ice cream store, school, hospital, university, cafeteria, coffee shop, bakery, food truck owner, ice cream truck owner, food kiosk owner, circus, carnival, fair, amusement park, movie theater, theater, etc.).
  • the preformed dollop can then be placed on a food product prior to or at the time the food product with the dollop is being sold to a consumer.
  • the creation of the preformed dollop by the dollop manufacturer eliminates the need for the customer to create a new dollop for each product that is provided to an end-user customer wherein the food product includes a dollop or that the end-user customer requests a dollop to be placed on the food product.
  • the time and labor for the customer to provide a food product having a dollop to an end-user consumer is reduced when using the preformed dollops of the present invention.
  • the customer and end-user consumer can be the same if the consumer is an individual that is using the dollop of the present invention for his/her personal consumption.
  • the preformed dollop(s) can be formed at a manufacturing plant.
  • the manufacturing of the one or more dollops can be by an automated high speed process; however, this is not required.
  • the preformed dollop is generally preformed and then inserted into a dollop receptacle, or partially or fully formed in the dollop receptacle.
  • the shape, size and material of the dollop receptacle are non-limiting.
  • the dollop receptacle can be in the shape of a dome that can be used as the lid of a cup or container.
  • the dollop receptacle when used as a lid and placed on the cup or container that contains a food product, the preformed dollop is placed on the food product at the time the dollop receptacle is inserted on the cup or container.
  • a cup or container arrangement facilitates in the ease and convenience of placing a dollop on a food product.
  • the use of the dollop receptacle as a packaging container in a manufacturing plant facilitates in the containing, protecting and shipping of the preformed dollop to a customer (e.g., individual consumer, restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, ice cream store, school, hospital, university, cafeteria, coffee shop, bakery, food truck owner, ice cream track owner, food kiosk owner, circus, carnival, fair, amusement park, movie theater, theater, etc.).
  • the size and shape of the dollop receptacle can be selected for placement on various sized and configured cup and containers.
  • the dollop receptacle can be formed of a clear, opaque and/or colored material.
  • the dollop receptacle can be formed of paper board, plastic, metal, etc.
  • the shape of the dollop receptacle is non-limiting (e.g., dome-shaped, etc.).
  • the dollop receptacle can be optionally sealed so as to 1) enhance the shelf life of the preformed dollop, 2) enhance the refrigeration life of the preformed dollop, and/or 3) function as a sealed receptacle to freeze the preformed dollop.
  • the seal can be designed to be a removable seal to enable the seal to be removed from the dollop receptacle prior to the dollop being removed from and/or released from the dollop receptacle and/or prior to the dollop receptacle being inserted onto a cup or container; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal can be a thin layer of a material (plastic film, aluminum layer, paper layer, etc.).
  • the removable seal can be secured to the dollop receptacle in a variety of different ways (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, compression fit, snap fit, etc.).
  • the removable seal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the thickness of the removable seal is the same or less than the thickness of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the dollop receptacle and the removable seal are formed of a material that inhibits or prevents the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the dollop receptacle and the removable seal; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal when secured to the dollop receptacle, can form a gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, C0 2 , water vapor, etc.) and/or liquid (e.g., water, etc.) impermeable seal and/or barrier so that the liquid and/or a gas is inhibited and/or cannot enter into and/or escape from the region wherein the dollop is contained in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • a gas e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, C0 2 , water vapor, etc.
  • liquid e.g., water, etc.
  • the removable seal can also or alternatively be used to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/or spoilage of the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit or prevent damage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3) facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while the removable seal is secured to the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal can optionally include color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the dollop receptacle can be designed to facilitate in enabling the preformed dollop to be released from the dollop receptacle when the dollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container; however, this is not required.
  • the dollop receptacle is used as a lid on the cup or container.
  • a portion or all of the inner surface of the dollop receptacle can be formed of a material and/or be coated with a material (e.g., release agent, etc.) that facilitates in the release of the preformed dollop by gravity once the dollop receptacle is placed on a cup or container; however, this is not required.
  • a portion of the dollop receptacle can include a compression point that, upon being depressed by a user, causes and/or facilitates in the preformed dollop being released from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the compression point when used, can be located in one or more locations on the dollop receptacle.
  • the compression point is located at the central bottom region of the dollop receptacle.
  • the dollop receptacle can include a bottom opening that is covered by a removable seal and/or penetrable seal. The removal of the seal can allow an implement, such as a straw, spoon, rod, etc., to be inserted into the bottom opening and press against a portion of the preformed dollop to cause or facilitate in the preformed dollop releasing from the inner surface of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the seal is a penetrable seal
  • an implement such as a straw, spoon, rod, etc. can be inserted through the seal and into the bottom opening so as to press against a portion of the preformed dollop to cause or facilitate in the preformed dollop to release from the inner surface of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the opening can optionally be used by a consumer to consume the food product via a straw, spoon or the like, while the dollop receptacle remains on the cup or container; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal for the bottom opening can be designed to reseal the bottom opening or another removable seal can be used to reseal the bottom opening; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can be a thin layer of a material (plastic film, aluminum layer, paper layer, etc.).
  • the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can be secured to the dollop receptacle in a variety of different ways (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, compression fit, snap fit, etc.).
  • the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal and/or penetrable seal from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the thickness of the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is the same or less than the thickness of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the dollop receptacle and the removable seal and/or penetrable seal are formed of a material that inhibits or prevent the permeation of gas and/or liquid through the dollop receptacle and the removable seal and/or penetrable seal; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal and/or penetrable seal when secured to the dollop receptacle, can form a gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, C0 2 , water vapor, etc.) and/or liquid (e.g., water, etc.) impermeable seal and/or barrier so that the liquid and/or a gas is inhibited and/or cannot enter into and/or escape from the bottom opening of dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • a gas e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, air, C0 2 , water vapor, etc.
  • liquid e.g., water, etc.
  • the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can also or alternatively be used to 1) inhibit or prevent contamination and/or spoilage of the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, 2) inhibit or prevent damage to the dollop contained in the dollop receptacle, and/or 3) facilitate in maintaining the dollop in the dollop receptacle while the removable seal and/or penetrable seal is secured to the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can optionally include color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the interior surface of the dollop receptacle that receives the dollop can include surface features (e.g., ribs, grooves, depressions, etc.) that are used to 1) create a certain shape and configuration of the preformed dollop, and/or 2) facilitate in the release of the preformed dollop from the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the dollop receptacle includes surface features that create a dollop that has an outer surface when released from the dollop receptacle that resembles a swirl design or configuration.
  • the dollop receptacle can include other surface features that create a dollop that has an outer surface when released from the dollop receptacle that resembles other shapes (e.g., cone shape, dome shape, etc.).
  • a dollop can be formed in a dollop receptacle, sealed in the dollop receptacle and then sold to a customer to enable the customer to sell the individual dollop receptacles to a consumer and to enable the customer or consumer to cause the preformed dollop to be inserted onto or dropped onto a food product in a cup or container without having to touch the preformed dollop; however, this is not required.
  • the preformed dollop can be vacuum sealed in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the preformed dollop can be frozen in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the preformed dollop can be refrigerated in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the dollop receptacle can be a disposable or reusable receptacle.
  • a method for mass-producing dollops that are packaged in a dollop receptacle in which dollops have a consistent size, shape, volume and quality.
  • the type of manufacturing process is non-limiting. The manufacturing process can be automated, semi-automated, or manual.
  • a receptacle arrangement that includes a plurality of dollop receptacles that are releasably connected together; however, this is not required.
  • Such an arrangement enables a plurality of dollop receptacles to be shipped to a customer, and the customer can then detach individual dollop receptacles that contain a preformed dollop from the receptacle arrangement as needed.
  • This arrangement can facilitate in the shipping of a plurality of dollop receptacles from a manufacturer to a customer.
  • the individual dollop receptacles can be releasably connected to a sheet of dollop receptacles by various means (e.g., adhesive releasably connection, detachable serrated or slotted connection, tearable seam, etc.); however, this is not required.
  • the individual dollop receptacles can be optionally separated from the sheet of dollop receptacles by cutting an individual dollop receptacle from the sheet of dollop receptacles; however, this is not required.
  • the sheet of dollop receptacles that is formed of a plurality of dollop receptacles can have the same type of preformed dollops (e.g., same size/shape/color/flavor/toppings, etc.) or can have different types of preformed dollops in the dollop receptacles.
  • the sheet of dollop receptacles can optionally include color, color codes, pictures, texture, and/or printed material to facilitate in identifying the type, flavor, etc. of dollop that is contained in each of the dollop receptacles; however, this is not required.
  • the present invention has several benefits over the current state of the art of forming dollops on a food product. Several of these advantages are mentioned above. Additional non- limiting advantages include 1) the elimination of the need for the server to use an aerosol can to make a free-form dollop, 2) the elimination of the need for bulk plant packaging of whipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server use the pastry bag to make a free-form dollop, 3) providing a customer with a prewhipped and preformed dollop, 4) the reduction of labor required to insert a dollop on a food product, 5) the reduction of skilled labor required to form a free- form dollop on a food product, and/or 6) the mass production of preformed dollops by an automated or semi-automated manufacturing process.
  • the present invention encompasses a dollop delivery system which assists in the manufacture, packaging, storing, shipping and/or dispensing of the dollop.
  • the dollop can be mass produced in the plant in a variety of easy-to-ship packaging.
  • the preformed dollops can be frozen in the plant before shipping.
  • the dollops can be designed, customized and fully decorated at the plant before shipping the preformed dollops to the customer.
  • a material e.g., release agent, etc.
  • a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable seal for the bottom opening that can be resealed to the bottom opening. It is yet another and/or alternative objective of the invention to provide a dollop receptacle that includes a bottom opening having a removable seal for the bottom opening wherein the removable seal and/or penetrable seal can optionally include a tab that can be grasped by a user to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal and/or penetrable seal from the dollop receptacle.
  • surface features e.g., ribs, grooves, depressions, etc.
  • Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of one non-limiting dollop receptacle filled with a food product in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-section view along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a top elevation view of the dollop receptacle of Fig. 1 wherein the removable seal is being removed;
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the step of inserting the dollop receptacle onto a container
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the step of disengaging the food product in the dollop receptacle into a container after the dollop receptacle is inserted onto the container;
  • Fig. 6 is a front elevation view of a dispensed dollop in a container
  • Fig. 7 is a front elevation view of another non-limiting dollop receptacle filled with a food product in accordance with the present invention that includes a removable seal over a bottom opening of the dollop receptacle;
  • Fig. 8 is a cross-section view along lines 8-8 of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 9 is a front elevation view of the dollop receptacle of Fig. 7 inserted onto a container and a straw is inserted through a bottom opening of the dollop receptacle;
  • Fig. 10 is a front elevation view of another non-limiting dollop receptacle in accordance with the present invention that includes a piercable seal over a bottom opening of the dollop receptacle;
  • Fig. 11 is a front elevation view of a sheet that includes a plurality of dollop receptacles that are releasably connected together;
  • Fig. 12 is a cross-section view along lines 12-12 of Fig. 11;
  • Fig. 13 illustrates the step of inserting a dollop topping into the dollop receptacle
  • Fig. 14 illustrates the step of inserting a dollop into the dollop receptacle
  • Fig. 15 illustrates the step of inserting a removable seal over the top opening of the dollop receptacle
  • Fig. 16 illustrates the step of refrigerating or freezing the dollop receptacle that includes a food product.
  • Figs. 1-16 illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the dollop receptacle in accordance with the present invention.
  • the preformed dollop D that is contained in the dollop receptacle 100 is designed to conveniently provide a preformed dollop to a consumer.
  • the dollop receptacle of the present invention has several advantages that include, but are not limited to, 1) the elimination of the need for the server to use an aerosol can to make a free-form dollop, 2) the elimination of the need for bulk plant packaging of whipped products in a pastry bag to later have a server use the pastry bag to make a free-form dollop, 3) providing a customer with a prewhipped and preformed dollop, 4) the reduction of labor required to insert a dollop on a food product, 5) the reduction of skilled labor required to form a free-form dollop on a food product, 6) the mass production of preformed dollops by an automated or semi-automated manufacturing process, 7) providing the customer with a designed, formed single serve dollop without any secondary operation required by the server, 8) reuse of the dollop receptacle as a container lid, 9) reduction or elimination of contact of the dollop by the server when inserting the dollop on the food product, 10) allowing the dollops to
  • the dollop receptacle 100 can include any type of food product. As is illustrated in Fig. 1, the food product is a dollop D that is used as a topping for bakery goods, desserts and beverages.
  • the composition of the dollop is non-limiting.
  • the dollop can be made from dairy and/or non-dairy products.
  • the dollop is an icing product, or a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute, or a yogurt or artificial yogurt product.
  • the dollop can be a whipped product that is formed of dairy cream or a dairy cream substitute.
  • the dollop can be topped with, coated with, and/or include one or more additional ingredients T.
  • Such additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, candy, candy bars, liqueurs, chocolate, syrup, fudge, liquid chocolate, liquid caramel, liquid butterscotch, nuts, sprinkles, bubble gum, fruit, fruit toppings, gummy candy, candy, candy bars, cookies, fudge, brownies, cake dough, and/or cookie dough.
  • the size and configuration of the dollop is non- limiting.
  • the dollop receptacle that includes the dollop D can be used to eliminate the need for the customer to create a new dollop for each product that is provided to a end-user customer. As such, the time and labor for the customer to provide a food product having a dollop to an end- user consumer is reduced when using the preformed dollops in the dollop receptacle of the present invention.
  • the dollop receptacle includes a body 110 that has a top end 120 and a bottom end 130.
  • the top end includes a top opening 122 that opens into a cavity 140 in the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • Cavity 140 is designed to receive the dollop D when packaged in the dollop receptacle.
  • a removable seal 200 is used to fully cover the top opening 122 and seals the dollop in the cavity 140.
  • the removable seal 200 can be formed of any type of material (e.g., paper, plastic, metal, etc.).
  • the thickness of the removable seal 200 is generally less than the thickness of body 110; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal can include printed information and/or have a certain color; however, this is not required. Such information and/or color can be used to provide information about the dollop in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal generally forms an air-tight and/or water-tight seal with the body of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the removable seal can be connected to the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle (e.g., container rim when used, etc.) by any number of arrangements (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, friction or compression fit, snap fit, etc.).
  • the removable seal can optionally include a tab 202 that can be used to facilitate in the removal of the removable seal from the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle.
  • the tab when used, is designed so that a use can easily grasp the tab and then pull the tab to cause the removable seal to be torn from or otherwise released from the body and/or other portions of the dollop receptacle.
  • the size and shape and location of the tab on the removable seal is non-limiting.
  • the removable seal can be peeled back from the body of the dollop receptacle as indicated by the arrow by a user grasping the tab and then pulling back on the tab.
  • the removable seal can be partially or fully removed in other or additional ways.
  • the dollop receptacle can optionally include a container flange 150 that is designed to engage an outer surface of a rim of a food receptacle (e.g., cup, container, etc.) to enable the dollop receptacle to be removably or non-removably secured to the rim of the food receptacle.
  • the container flange 150 includes a rim 152 that extends generally outwardly from body 100 and a container flange 154 extends at least partially upwardly from the end region of the rim.
  • the shape and side of the rim and container flange is non-limiting.
  • the container flange can include a dimple region 156 that curves inwardly; however, this is not required.
  • the dimpled region when used, can be used to facilitate in maintaining the dollop receptacle on a container and/or to facilitate in maintaining the removable seal on the body of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • a non-limiting method for inserting the dollop D onto the top of a food product e.g., ice cream, pudding, bakery product, parfait, frozen yogurt or custard, etc.
  • a liquid product L float, shake, coffee, tea, slush or icee, soda, milk, etc.
  • the dollop receptacle that includes the dollop D has the removable seal removed from the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the dollop receptacle is flipped over and placed onto the container rim CR of the container as illustrated in Figs. 5.
  • the container flange 150 is fitted onto the container rim CR to secure the dollop receptacle to the container.
  • the dollop releases from the inner surface 112 of the body 110 of the dollop receptacle and relocates itself on the food product or liquid product in the container as indicated by one of the arrows in Fig. 5.
  • the bottom end 130 of the body can optionally include a tactile surface region 132 that is a depressible region on the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the tactile surface region when use, is designed to enable an individual to press down on the tactile surface region to thereby cause the body portion to slightly contort, thereby facilitating the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the inner surface of the body can optionally be formed of a material and/or include surface features (i.e., smooth surface, non- porous surface, non-stick surface) that facilitates in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the inner surface of the body can optionally be coated with a release agent 160 that facilitates in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the composition of the release agent and the thickness of the release agent layer are non-limiting.
  • the dollop receptacle is removed from the container after the dollop is released from the dollop receptacle on the food product or liquid product in the container.
  • the bottom end 130 of the dollop receptacle includes a bottom opening 134.
  • the size of the bottom opening is generally smaller than the top opening 122. Generally, the bottom opening is located in the center of the bottom end 130; however, this is not required.
  • a bottom removable seal 300 fully overlies the bottom opening 134. Generally the bottom removable seal fully covers the bottom opening 134.
  • the bottom removable seal can be formed of any type of material (e.g., paper, plastic, metal, etc.). The composition of the bottom removable seal 300 and removable seal 200 can be the same or different.
  • the thickness of the bottom removable seal is generally less than the thickness of body 110; however, this is not required.
  • the bottom removable seal can include printed information and/or have a certain color; however, this is not required. Such information and/or color can be used to provide information about the dollop in the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the bottom removable seal generally forms an air-tight and/or water-tight seal with the body of the dollop receptacle; however, this is not required.
  • the bottom removable seal can be connected to the body of the dollop receptacle by any number of arrangements (e.g., adhesive, melted seam, friction or compression fit, snap fit, etc.).
  • the bottom removable seal can optionally include a tab 302 that can be used to facilitate in the removal of the bottom removable seal from the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the tab when used, is designed so that a user can easily grasp the tab and then pull the tab to cause the bottom removable seal to be torn from or otherwise released from the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the size and shape and location of the tab on the removable seal are non-limiting.
  • the body 110 of the dollop receptacle optionally includes a plurality of surface structures 114.
  • the number of surface structures, when used, is non-limiting.
  • the shape of the each of the surface structures is non-limiting.
  • the surface structures can have one or more functions.
  • Non-limiting functions includes 1) form an aesthetically pleasing look to the dollop receptacle, 2) cause the outer surface of the dollop receptacle to look like a certain shape, 3) facilitate in the grasping of the body of the dollop receptacle, 4) facilitate in the release and/or adhesion of the dollop to the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle, and/or 5) to facilitate in creating a shape of the dollop when inserted into the cavity of the dollop receptacle.
  • the method for securing the dollop receptacle to the container can be a similar method as previously described above with reference to Figs. 1-5.
  • the bottom removable seal 300 Prior to, during, or after the dollop receptacle is connected to the container, the bottom removable seal 300 is partially or fully removed from the body of the dollop receptacle. Once the bottom removable seal 300 is partially or fully removed from the body, a straw S, spoon, etc. can be optionally inserted through the bottom opening 134. If the dollop has not been fully released from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle, straw S, spoon, etc.
  • the dollop receptacle can be removed from the container as discussed with respect to Fig. 6 once the dollop has been released from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle and onto the food product L in the container. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the food product in the container that includes the dollop can be consumed while the dollop receptacle is secured to the container via the straw or other implement. As also illustrated in Fig. 9, the outer surface of the dollop includes surface features SF that are optionally caused and/or formed by the surface structures 114 in the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the bottom removable seal 300 is not a removable seal, but instead is a piercable seal.
  • the dollop receptacle is similar to the dollop receptacle described in Figs 7-9 except that the dollop receptacle is absent the optional surface structures 114 in the body of the dollop receptacle and the bottom removable seal 300 is a piercable seal, not a removable seal.
  • a straw S is illustrated as piercing bottom removable seal 300; however, it can be appreciated that other or additional implements can be used to partially or fully pierce bottom removable seal 300. As described with respect the dollop receptacle illustrated in Fig.
  • the straw or other implement can be used to 1) facilitate in the release of the dollop from the inner surface of the body of the dollop receptacle, and/or 2) consume the food product in the container while the dollop receptacle is secured to the container.
  • a plurality of the dollop receptacles can optionally be releasably connected together.
  • a sheet of removable seal 200 can be used to secure the plurality of the dollop receptacles.
  • the plurality of the dollop receptacles can be releasably connected together by other or additional means.
  • the sheet of removable seal 200 can optionally include slots, serrations 204, etc. that are used to facilitate in the separation of the plurality of the dollop receptacles from one another.
  • the sheet of removable seal 200 can be cut by scissors or some other type of cutting implement to separate the plurality of the dollop receptacles from one another.
  • the dollop receptacles are illustrated as optionally including a rim 152.
  • the portion of the sheet of removable seal 200 that extends form the top edge of body 110 or rim 152 can optionally function as a tab 202 as previously described above.
  • a dispenser 400 optionally deposits one or more toppings T into the cavity 140 of the body of the dollop receptacle.
  • the dispensement of the one or more toppings into the cavity can be a manual, semi-automated or automated process.
  • a food F such as, but not limited to, whipped cream is deposited into the cavity 140 of the body of the dollop receptacle to form dollop D.
  • the dispensement of the food F into the cavity can be a manual, semi-automated or automated process.
  • the food dispenser 500 can optionally move in one or more directions to properly form the dollop in the cavity of the dollop receptacle.
  • Fig. 15 illustrates the insertion of the removable seal 200 over the top opening of the dollop receptacle. The insertion of the removable seal 200 can be a manual, semi-automated or automated process.
  • Fig. 16 illustrates the dollop that is sealed in the dollop receptacle being placed in a refrigerator R or freezer for storage and/or transportation.
  • the refrigeration and/or freezing of the dollop in the sealed dollop receptacle facilitates in maintaining the shape of the preformed dollop during storage, transportation and/or during the removal of the dollop form the dollop receptacle and into container C.
  • One or more of the steps for inserting the dollop into the dollop receptacle can occur in a refrigerated (e.g., 33-50F, etc.) or a freezing or sub-freezing environment (e.g., -100- 32°F; however, this is not required.
  • a refrigerated e.g., 33-50F, etc.
  • a freezing or sub-freezing environment e.g., -100- 32°F; however, this is not required.
  • one or more of the steps for inserting the dollop into the dollop receptacle can occur in an atmosphere controlled environment (e.g., nitrogen environment, clean room environment, etc.); however, this is not required.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une cuillerée préformée qui est introduite dans un réceptacle pour cuillerées et un procédé pour l'utilisation et la fabrication de la cuillerée préformée dans le réceptacle pour cuillerées. La création de la cuillerée préformée par le fabricant de cuillerées élimine la nécessité pour le client de créer une nouvelle cuillerée pour chaque produit qui est fourni à un client final, le produit alimentaire comprenant une cuillerée ou pour le client final de demander le placement d'une cuillerée sur le produit alimentaire.
PCT/US2013/052459 2012-07-30 2013-07-29 Cuillerée de crème pré-fouettage en emballage WO2014022256A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201261677204P 2012-07-30 2012-07-30
US61/677,204 2012-07-30

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WO2014022256A1 true WO2014022256A1 (fr) 2014-02-06

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PCT/US2013/052459 WO2014022256A1 (fr) 2012-07-30 2013-07-29 Cuillerée de crème pré-fouettage en emballage

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WO (1) WO2014022256A1 (fr)

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USD856803S1 (en) 2018-05-30 2019-08-20 Aaron Kassler Lid with multiple sauce packet recesses
USD857498S1 (en) 2018-05-30 2019-08-27 Aaron Kassler Lid with single sauce packet recess with bevelled corners
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