Cone sleeve

Abstract

A package for hand-held frozen ice cream cones comprising a rolled, cone-shaped polymer film sleeve. The package is made from at least one layer of polymer film, and is sealed along a side wall. The package has a tip at a first end and may be open or sealed at a second end, and if sealed, may include a lid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to packaging for components of frozen novelties. More particularly, the invention relates to a unique form of a cone sleeve used for pre-packaged ice cream cone desserts. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art [0004] Pre-packaged frozen novelties, are quite common, including desserts such as ice cream cones. Such ice cream cones typically are individually wrapped in a corresponding cone-shaped sleeve covering at least the cone portion of the frozen novelty product. The cone sleeves are commonly made with a paper, foil or paper and foil laminate substrate that is rolled into a cone shape, having a tip at one end and being open at the other end. Such cone-shaped packages offer structural protection for the cone, and often include a lid, attached by means such as gluing or crimping the lid to the open end of the cone shaped sleeve. [0005] While paper is a good material for receivi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The new invention replaces the paper, foil or laminated paper and foil substrate historically used for the conical sleeves that surround individually pre-packaged ice cream cones with a cone-shaped sleeve made at least of one layer of a polymer film. The polymer film layer also may be included in a laminate with at least another layer of polymer film or with a layer of metallized polymer film. These new polymer film based cone sleeves will provide three unique advantages that are not all present in sleeves of current substrates. First, polymer film based cone sleeves will provide a superior air and moisture barrier that will enhance product quality in the form of maintaining the texture and freshness, resulting in increased shelf life and consumer satisfaction. Second, the use of polymer film based materials will provide enhanced graphic display allowing for excellent printing quality, including techniques such as reverse printing which currently is not available on paper based sleeves. Third, such polymer film based materials provide greater ease and predictability in tearing, without the need for perforations that would otherwise compromise the integrity and barrier characteristics of the package. If the polymer film used does not include any metal, the cone sleeves additionally may be passed through metal detection devices, providing enhanced security checks, unlike sleeves using prior art metal foils. Accordingly, the present invention addresses shortcomings in the prior art, while providing the above mentioned desirable features in a unique cone-shaped sleeve product.

Problems solved by technology

While paper is a good material for receiving printing, it has drawbacks as a material for cone sleeves.

Paper tends to absorb moisture and does not provide a good barrier to moisture or air, which are harmful to the freshness of a product.

Also, paper, foil or paper and foil laminates often present difficulties to the consumer when trying to open the individually wrapped ice cream cone packages.

Such materials can be difficult to tear, and often tear in unpredictable patterns.

However, the perforations then compromise the effectiveness of the air and moisture barrier provided by the cone sleeve.

Cone sleeves employing foil also can raise issues when subjecting the products to metal detection testing.

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