GB2190893A - Containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) for confectionery and a novelty item has a frusto-conical main container part (12) atop a smaller generally cylindrical container part (14). The part (12) is intended for confectionery, such as ice-cream or mousse. The contents of the part (12) will be covered by a removable closure, such as of a peelable foil or thin card or plastics, preferably with a grippable tab for ease of removal. The second container part (14) is for a novelty item such as a toy, or token exchangeable for say a toy. To retain the novelty item or token a suitable closure (18) is provided. The closure (18) is cup-shaped with a rounded bottom and fits snugly on the outside of the part (14).

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers This invention concerns containers, particularly for use in the sale of food substances especially confectionery substances, such as ice-cream or mousses, and drinks.

The object of the invention is to provide a container suitable for food substances, especially confectionery substances, such as ice-cream or mousses, or drinks that may be used to provide a gift or novelty item in addition.

According to the invention there is provided a container suitable for a food substance, especially a confectionery substance, or a drink that comprises a main container partforthat substance and secondary container pa rt for a gift, novelty item, token or the like that is preferably accessible separately from the main container.

Preferably, the secondary container is belowthe main container, and if suitably shaped may act as a stand forthe main container.

Closure means forthe main container may be of a conventional kind, such as of card, or paper or plastics that fits into the neck of the container and has a tab whereby it may be lifted off, or of a foil or film that fits over and is sealed to the top edge ofthe container, again with a tab orthe like for removal.

Closure means for the secondary container may be of a type that fits overthe container orfits into the neck of the container. The latter may even be hingedly attached to the container.

The containers of the invention and the closure for the secondary part may be formed of any suitable material such as cardboard, plastics or metal.

For producing a plastics container, thermoforming orvacuumforming may be suitable.

In an alternative preferred embodiment the main container may be a conventional ice-cream cone that sits in a secondary container say of cylindrical construction closed at one end and possibly flared at its other end.

In a further preferred embodiment, the main container may be a conventional drinks container such as of metal or plastics.

Thus the container ofthe invention can be used to provide a conventional food substance, especially a confectionery substance, or drink with a bonus of the type often appreciated by children.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a containerfor confectionery and a novelty item; Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 in section with one form of closuretherefor; Figures shows the container of Figure 1 in section with anotherform of closure therefor; Figure4showsthecontainerofFigure 1 in section with yet another form ofclosure therefor; Figure 5shows another form of container with an integral closure; and Figure 6shows a thermoformed main container with secondary container.

Referring to Figure 1, a container 10 for confectionery and a novelty item has a frusto-conical main container part 12 atop a smaller gene: ally cylindrical container part 14. The part 12 has a lip 16 and is intended for confectionery such as ice-cream or mousse. The contents of the part 12 will be covered by a removable closure, such as of a peelablefoil or thin card or plastics, preferably with a grippabletabforease of removal.

The second container part 14 isfor a novelty item such as a Toy, or Token exchangeable for say a toy.

To retain the novelty item or token a suitable closure is provided. In Figure 2 the closure 18 is cup-shaped with a rounded bottom and fits snugly on the outside of the part 14.

In Figure 3, the part 14 has a cup-like closure 24 that has a flat bottom 25 but again fits snugly on the part14.

Turning to Figure 4, the closure 28 shown here fits in the neckofthe part 14 as a cap, having a shallow cup-shaped part 29 that fits into the neck of the part 14 and a raised lip 30 that overlies the edge of the part 14.

In Figure 5, the closure 34 is hingedly attached at 38 to the edge ofthe part 14. The closure 34 may be formed integrally with, adhered to orwelded to the edge of the part 14. Otherthan the hinged attachment, the closure 34 fits into the part 14 in the same way as closure 28 of Figure 4.

Finally Figure 6 shows a container40 formed by vacuum forming of plastics material that is particularlysuitableforsoft drinks. The container 40 is more or less cylindrical in shape, perhaps tapering only slightly towards its base 42. The base 42 is formed with a depression 44 therein as viewed from below that provides a space for a novelty or gift item.

Said space is closed by a cap 46 that fits over the base 42.Themain container40 is sealed bya piercablefoil lid 48 with a grippable tab 50 to aid removal, if desired.

In use, the containers illustrated will have ice-cream or some other confectionery substance or drink in the main container part 12 and a novelty item such as a toy or gift, ortoken in the smaller container part14.

1. Acontainersuitableforafoodsubstance, especially a confectionery substance, that comprises a main containerpartforthatsubstance and secondary container part for a gift, novelty item, token or the like that is accessible separately from the main container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary container is below the main container.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the secondary container acts as a stand forthe main container.

4. Acontainerasclaimed in claim 1,2or3, wherein closure meansforthe main container is of a conventional kind, such as of card, or paper or plastics that fits into the neck of the container and has a tab whereby it may be lifted off.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1,2or3,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Containers This invention concerns containers, particularly for use in the sale of food substances especially confectionery substances, such as ice-cream or mousses, and drinks. The object of the invention is to provide a container suitable for food substances, especially confectionery substances, such as ice-cream or mousses, or drinks that may be used to provide a gift or novelty item in addition. According to the invention there is provided a container suitable for a food substance, especially a confectionery substance, or a drink that comprises a main container partforthat substance and secondary container pa rt for a gift, novelty item, token or the like that is preferably accessible separately from the main container. Preferably, the secondary container is belowthe main container, and if suitably shaped may act as a stand forthe main container. Closure means forthe main container may be of a conventional kind, such as of card, or paper or plastics that fits into the neck of the container and has a tab whereby it may be lifted off, or of a foil or film that fits over and is sealed to the top edge ofthe container, again with a tab orthe like for removal. Closure means for the secondary container may be of a type that fits overthe container orfits into the neck of the container. The latter may even be hingedly attached to the container. The containers of the invention and the closure for the secondary part may be formed of any suitable material such as cardboard, plastics or metal. For producing a plastics container, thermoforming orvacuumforming may be suitable. In an alternative preferred embodiment the main container may be a conventional ice-cream cone that sits in a secondary container say of cylindrical construction closed at one end and possibly flared at its other end. In a further preferred embodiment, the main container may be a conventional drinks container such as of metal or plastics. Thus the container ofthe invention can be used to provide a conventional food substance, especially a confectionery substance, or drink with a bonus of the type often appreciated by children. The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a containerfor confectionery and a novelty item; Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 in section with one form of closuretherefor; Figures shows the container of Figure 1 in section with anotherform of closure therefor; Figure4showsthecontainerofFigure 1 in section with yet another form ofclosure therefor; Figure 5shows another form of container with an integral closure; and Figure 6shows a thermoformed main container with secondary container. Referring to Figure 1, a container 10 for confectionery and a novelty item has a frusto-conical main container part 12 atop a smaller gene: ally cylindrical container part 14. The part 12 has a lip 16 and is intended for confectionery such as ice-cream or mousse. The contents of the part 12 will be covered by a removable closure, such as of a peelablefoil or thin card or plastics, preferably with a grippabletabforease of removal. The second container part 14 isfor a novelty item such as a Toy, or Token exchangeable for say a toy. To retain the novelty item or token a suitable closure is provided. In Figure 2 the closure 18 is cup-shaped with a rounded bottom and fits snugly on the outside of the part 14. In Figure 3, the part 14 has a cup-like closure 24 that has a flat bottom 25 but again fits snugly on the part14. Turning to Figure 4, the closure 28 shown here fits in the neckofthe part 14 as a cap, having a shallow cup-shaped part 29 that fits into the neck of the part 14 and a raised lip 30 that overlies the edge of the part 14. In Figure 5, the closure 34 is hingedly attached at 38 to the edge ofthe part 14. The closure 34 may be formed integrally with, adhered to orwelded to the edge of the part 14. Otherthan the hinged attachment, the closure 34 fits into the part 14 in the same way as closure 28 of Figure 4. Finally Figure 6 shows a container40 formed by vacuum forming of plastics material that is particularlysuitableforsoft drinks. The container 40 is more or less cylindrical in shape, perhaps tapering only slightly towards its base 42. The base 42 is formed with a depression 44 therein as viewed from below that provides a space for a novelty or gift item. Said space is closed by a cap 46 that fits over the base 42.Themain container40 is sealed bya piercablefoil lid 48 with a grippable tab 50 to aid removal, if desired. In use, the containers illustrated will have ice-cream or some other confectionery substance or drink in the main container part 12 and a novelty item such as a toy or gift, ortoken in the smaller container part14. CLAIMS

1. Acontainersuitableforafoodsubstance, especially a confectionery substance, that comprises a main containerpartforthatsubstance and secondary container part for a gift, novelty item, token or the like that is accessible separately from the main container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary container is below the main container.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the secondary container acts as a stand forthe main container.

4. Acontainerasclaimed in claim 1,2or3, wherein closure meansforthe main container is of a conventional kind, such as of card, or paper or plastics that fits into the neck of the container and has a tab whereby it may be lifted off.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1,2or3, wherein the closure means forthe main container is of a foil or film that fits over and is sealed to the top edge ofthe container, again with a tab or the like for removal.

6. Acontainerasclaimed inanyoneofclaimsl to 5,whereintheclosure meansforthesecondary container is of a type that fits over the container.

7. Acontainerasclaimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the closure means for the secondary containerfits into the neck ofthe container.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the secondary closure means is hingedly attached to the container.

9. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main container is a conventional ice-cream cone that sits in a secondary container.

10. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one ofthe accompanying drawings.