CONTAINER DESIGN WITH BUILT-IN OVERRUN METER

Abstract

A container is used in conjunction with ice cream and frozen dessert mixes that do not require the use of ice cream machines. The container acts as a primary or secondary packaging for the powdered mixes and as a foam creation and whisking vessel that contains indicators or markers critical to the proper operation of the mixes, such as target overrun run levels and or whisking target indicators for various types of desserts made using the mixes. The container may contain optional modifications, such as static mixers and homogenizers, that enhance the performance of the mixes and improve the stability and quality of the finished product.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. A container for use as a packaging and whisking vessel for no-machine-needed ice cream and frozen desserts, the container comprising: a sidewall; a bottom attached to the sidewall; and a plurality of markers indicating a plurality of target overrun and whisking targets for a plurality of types of liquids used with no-machine-needed mixes for ice cream and frozen desserts, wherein the plurality of markers corresponds to an amount of foam generated by a mixture of the plurality of types of liquids and dry ingredients for the mixes.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the container includes a lid.

6. The container of claim 4, further comprising a divider supported by the sidewall.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the divider includes a divider clip to engage a top of the sidewall.

8. The container of claim 4, wherein the sidewall is a smooth sidewall and the bottom is flat.

9. A container for use as a packaging and whisking vessel for no-machine-needed ice cream and frozen desserts, the container comprising: a sidewall configured to receive an aerating device; a bottom attached to the sidewall; a protrusion on the sidewall, wherein the protrusion slopes outwardly and downwards from a top portion of the sidewall to a midpoint then slopes inwardly back to the sidewall; and a plurality of markers indicating a plurality of target overrun and whisking targets for a plurality of types of liquids used with no-machine-needed mixes for ice cream and frozen desserts, wherein the plurality of markers corresponds to an amount of foam generated by a mixture of the plurality of types of liquids and dry ingredients for the mixes.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of holes.

11. The container of claim 9, wherein the protrusion is configured to facilitate mixing of the liquids and mixes, act as a static mixer or a static homogenizer, and reduce globule/droplet size.

12. A container for use as a packaging and whisking vessel for no-machine-needed ice cream and frozen desserts, the container consisting of: a sidewall configured to receive an aerating device; a bottom attached to the sidewall; a protrusion on the sidewall, wherein the protrusion slopes outwardly and downwards from a top portion of the sidewall to a midpoint then slopes inwardly back to the sidewall; and a plurality of markers indicating a plurality of target overrun and whisking targets for a plurality of types of liquids used with no-machine-needed mixes for ice cream and frozen desserts, wherein the plurality of markers corresponds to an amount of foam generated by a mixture of the plurality of types of liquids and dry ingredients for the mixes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0059] FIG. 1 represents a container according to the disclosed embodiments.

[0060] FIG. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of the container with a divider according to the disclosed embodiments.

[0061] FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of the container having static mixers and static homogenizers according to the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of the present invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the embodiments will be described in conjunction with the drawings, it will be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the present invention to any one embodiment. On the contrary, the following description is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 1 depicts a container 100 according to the disclosed embodiments. Container 100 is used as a packaging and whisking vessel for no-machine-needed ice cream and frozen desserts. Container 100 may be in the shape of cup in that it is circular. Container 100 also may have other shapes, such as oval and the like. Container 100 also may be known as a packaging container that holds ice cream and frozen desserts after they have been mixed using the liquids for the ice cream and dessert plus the dry ingredients used in the mixes. Preferably, the mixes are for no-machine-needed desserts.

[0064] Container 100 includes an exterior 102. It also includes sidewall 106, which faces the interior of the container. Sidewall 106 may be used in a singular form as container 100 is circular. In other embodiments, more than one sidewall 106 may be used if container 100 has a different shape that configures a plurality of sidewalls, such as a square. Sidewall 106 is attached to bottom 104 of container 100. Sidewall 106 and bottom 104 form cavity 110, which holds the liquid or liquids and mixes to generate the frozen desserts.

[0065] A plurality of markers 108 also is included. Markers 108 may be located on exterior 102 or within cavity 110 on sidewall 106. Markers 108 indicate target overrun and whisking targets for the types of liquids used with the mixes. For example, markers 108 are indicator levels that show the target expansion (overrun) levels for the various types of liquid used in combination with the mixes. The user adds liquid to the container to a marked level, shown as mix level in FIG. 1. The user then adds the powder mix to the liquid. An aerating device such as a whisk or beaters (manual or automated) is inserted into cavity 110 of container 100 and the mixture is aerated till the mixture reaches the marked overrun target for the liquid used. After the target overrun is reached, the aerating device is removed and the resulting foam is frozen.

[0066] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of container 100 with a divider 202 according to the disclosed embodiments. Container 100 includes the features disclosed in FIG. 1. It also includes divider 202. Divider 202 may be inserted into cavity 110 to further divide portions of container 100. For example, container 100 may want to mix and freeze foam for two different ice cream mixes. A divider allows container 100 to keep the mixes and resulting overrun foams separate. Preferably, more than one divider may be used. As shown in FIG. 2, another divider 204 is shown. Divider 204 may include the features of divider 202 disclosed below.

[0067] Divider 202 is placed within cavity 110 against sidewall 106. Divider 204 may be placed on the opposite side of container 110 also against sidewall 106. Preferably, divider 202 extends to bottom 104 so that the divider approximates the levels of liquid and mix shown for container 100 by markers 108. The user fills divider 202 to the level indicated by the mix level marker 180 and then aerates the mixture of liquid and dry ingredients to the desired overrun target level. A divider clip 206 may be used to engage a top 207 of sidewall 106. Top 207 may be a lip formed around the circumference of the opening for container 100.

[0068] Container 100 may include notch 208 to facilitate interlocking of dividers 202 and 204. Part of the divider 209 may engage notch 208 to keep the divider in place. When dividers 202 and 204 are used, notch 208 and parts 209 of the dividers may keep the items in place so that they do not move around within cavity 110. A gap 210 may be formed to allow two or more dividers to interlock and form multiple chambers within container 100.

[0069] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of container 100 having protrusions 302 according to the disclosed embodiments. Protrusion 302 may facilitate mixing of the liquid and dry ingredients for the ice cream mixture. It may act as a static mixer or a static homogenizer in that it does not move within container 100. An aerating device may mix or whisk the mixture and the protrusions further cause the mixture to foam. Protrusion 302 also may reduce globule or droplet size. Preferably, a plurality of protrusions may be used in container 100.

[0070] Container 100 also includes lid 320 that may be placed on top of sidewall 106 to enclose cavity 110. Lid 320 allows container 100 to then be placed in a freezer or similar location to freeze the mixture and foam within.

[0071] Protrusion 302 is located along sidewall 106 facing the interior of container 100. Protrusion 302 includes a first portion that slopes outwardly from sidewall 106, or inwardly to cavity 110. Protrusion 302 also includes a second portion that slopes inwardly to sidewall 106. A midpoint 308 may be used to indicate when the slopes change for protrusion 302. Protrusion 302 may have specified angles for the slopes in order to not damage aerating device 314 when used within cavity 110. Protrusion 302 also may be known as an indentation.

[0072] Protrusion 302 also includes holes 310. Holes 310 further facilitate mixing of the liquids and dry ingredients for the ice cream or frozen dessert mix. Referring to FIG. 3, liquid or liquids 312 have been placed into container 110, preferably to the marker indicated by mix level 180. Dry ingredients or mix 314 is added to the contents in container 110. Aerating, or whisking, device 314 is used to mix the combination of liquid(s) 312 and ingredients 314 together. As a result, foam 316 is formed. Foam 316 is formed up to a level desired and indicated by markers 108. Container 100 then may be used as a packaging container in that it can be inserted into a freezer to form foam 316 into the frozen dessert or ice cream.

[0073] In some embodiments, container 100 is used as a whisking vessel and intended for use with whisking device 314. Whisking device 314 may be an automated whisk, hand whisk, fork, spoon, beater, stick, and the like. Whisking device 314 moves the contents within container 100, or the fluid mix of liquid 312 and ingredients 314. This action creates a circular flow due to the sidewall or walls of container 100. As the mix flows and impacts protrusions 302 and indentations 310, the mix is agitated such that eddies and vortices are created that mix the contents (liquid 312 and ingredients 314) together. Protrusions 302 and indentations 310 may act similar to mixer blades. This configuration may be considered the reverse of a mixer, where there is a stationary fluid and rotating mixer blades that perform the mixing. Here, the protrusions act as mixing blades, which are stationary, and the contents as the fluid mix are moving.

[0074] Protrusions 302 also may be known as static mixers as they are stationary. Holes 310 in protrusions 302 may act as homogenizers. As the mixture is forced through the small holes 310 due to the flow created by whisking device 314, the pools of fat within the mixture are broken down to a larger number of smaller droplets that get dispersed with the solution, or mixture. As these droplets are created, the surface area of fat globules exposed to the solution increases as does the fat surface area available for emulsifiers present in the solution, such as the milk proteins or other emulsifiers, to adsorb onto. Once these emulsifiers adsorb to the surface of these newly created droplets, they resist the re-agglomeration of the fat through electrostatic repulsion and water binding among other forces. This stabilization of the fat globules leads to a more homogenized solution that resists separation to produce better feel and texture when consumed.

[0075] Referring back to FIG. 1, markers 108 include a 20% overrun marker, a 40% overrun marker, a 60% overrun marker, an 80% overrun marker, a 100% overrun marker, and a 120% overrun marker. Liquid(s) 312 and ingredients 314 are mixed within container 100 to reach one of these marker levels. Also shown in marker 108 are the items corresponding with the different levels. For example, a dense and rich marker may correspond to being below the 20% overrun marker. A gelato marker may correspond to a 40% overrun marker, an industrial confectionary item for use as a commercial product may correspond to an 80% marker, and a light and fluffy marker may correspond to a 120% marker. If one wants to make a gelato frozen dessert, then foam 316 should reach the appropriate overrun marker of about 40%.

[0076] Thus, the disclosed embodiments set forth a novel container that facilitates the mixture and production of ice cream and frozen desserts without the use of machines or complicated processes. One may produce desired frozen items in their home and without the need for specialized equipment. The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples. From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.