Commercial bulk ice cream or frozen novelty container and method of manufacture

Abstract

A cardboard sidewall has a volume of greater than or equal to one and half gallons. A cardboard bottom includes a polyethylene coating on an inside of the bottom. An inside of the sidewall also includes a polyethylene coating. The bottom is heat sealed onto a bottom portion of the sidewall to form a seal. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a plastic ring is affixed to an inside of a top portion of the sidewall.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 899,877 filed on Jul. 27, 2004 and entitled “COMMERCIAL BULK ICE CREAM OR FROZEN NOVELTY CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE”, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is related to containers, and more specifically to commercial bulk ice cream or frozen novelty containers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Packaging of Bulk ice cream and frozen novelties (e.g., sherbet, etc.) has largely consisted of creating cylindrical tubs (containers) for which ice cream is filled. The containers are used to transport and dispense ice cream or frozen novelties to consumers. Retail or consumer-based containers differ from one another in terms of their respective volumes. That is, a retail ice cream or frozen novelty container typically holds one pint to ½ gallon of ice cream or frozen novelty. Conversely, a commerc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One problem with commercial bulk ice cream or frozen novelty container construction is that a metal ring is used around the top and bottom sides of the container for purposes of structural support of the container, which is largely cardboard.

This metal ring can become a hazard for an employee of a business that ultimately dispenses the product from the container to a consumer, because that employee's hand can come in contact with the underside of the metal ring or frayed portions of a damaged metal ring, such that the employee's hand is cut.

This may result in blood being spilled into the product; thereby creating contaminated product.

Should a consumer become ill or notice the blood, then this creates adverse public relations for a business owner and may affect ice cream sales.

Additionally, an employee may temporarily leave work for his / her employer with an injury and / or claim worker's compensation benefits when his / her hand or wrist is injured while dispensing ice cream.

This results in financial loss to the business owner.

Moreover, any contaminated product will have to be disposed of by the business owner, resulting in increased cost associated with the business owner's product inventory.

This adds to the expenses of business owners and increases consumer prices paid for product that is vended from the business owners.

Another problem that exists with conventional commercial bulk ice cream or frozen novelty construction is the use metal around the top and bottom of the container.

With today's increasing concern for food safety, the existing metal rings make it difficult to properly screen product or commercial bulk ice cream or frozen novelty containers.

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