OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a laminar wrapping of the type of those usually employed
for obtaining a cone based on a paper-aluminium composition or similar, which acts
as a means of protection for the cone biscuit which in turn holds an edible ice cream.
[0002] The object of the invention is to achieve a reduction in the quantity of material
used in the production of the wrapping, and secondly to facilitate the subsequent
opening and elimination of the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well known that constituting an entirely widespread technique within the ice
cream industry, specifically within the ambit of ice creams that are delivered to
the customer directly packed from the maker, and more specifically within the ambit
of the "cone" type ice cream in which the ice cream mass fills a cone biscuit, is
the use of a wrapping based on a paper-aluminium composition, initially of triangular
configuration, with one of its sides curved convexly, which when closed on itself
forms a cone with its base open, coincident in form and dimensions with the cone biscuit
which it has to receive well-fitted on its interior, said laminar body being fixed
in the closed situation by means of an adhesive strip located in correspondence with
one of its generatrices.
[0004] To facilitate the subsequent operation of tearing or opening the wrapping, one of
the straight edges thereof comes with a projecting tab, serving as a grip for said
tearing action, which signifies a twofold problem, on one hand the presence of this
tab supposes a considerable increment in the quantity of material required for the
wrapping, since besides that corresponding to the tab itself, the material located
at both sides of the same is lost in the stamping operation, and on the other hand
the tearing of the wrapping by pulling on said tab is uncontrolled, occurring on many
occasions in unwanted areas, which do not correspond to the ideal situation in which
said tearing ought to take place on the periphery at a level immediately below said
tab, in order to retain a small encircling cone in the area where the ice cream is
held.
[0005] Moreover and as the tab mentioned projects and is physically independent of the base
surface of the cone to which it is initially adapted, during the normal manipulation
of the ice creams a separation frequently takes place of the same with respect to
the actual cone, which on occasions can cause ripping of the actual tab or even a
slight commencement in the opening of the container, affecting the sealing of the
same.
[0006] Moreover, because the laminar wrapping is closed on itself by means of an adhesive
strip, located in correspondence with one of the generatrices of the cone, and due
to the layered nature of this laminar wrapping, when the tab is pulled the de-layering
of the sheet takes place on many occasions, whereby only the detachment of the external
layer takes place, that of aluminium, the inner sheet, that of paper, remaining associated
with the rest of the structure of the cone, whereby after a first operation in this
sense it is necessary to carry out a second operation to remove the paper layer, in
this case however without having the tab in order to pull on the same.
[0007] Due likewise to the tight bond which the adhesive defines between the superimposed
sectors of the laminar wrapping, when the detachment of the same takes place, it happens
abruptly with an uncontrolled tear, which can run indistinctly toward the mouth of
the wrapping or toward the vertex thereof depending on the angle of inclination with
which the pulling force is applied on the tab, obtaining as a result, in either case,
a completely deficient and undesirable opening.
[0008] In attempts to overcome this problem laminar wrappings are known of the type mentioned
in which the closing of the laminar body is achieved by means of a continuous strip
of adhesive below the tab and a discontinuous strip above it, for example based on
an alignment of glued points, which does not resolve the mentioned situation in a
satisfactory manner insofar as the de-layering problem remains, and it also produces
a tendency to oblique tearing of the sheet toward the vertex of the cone.
[0009] Moreover, this discontinuous closure of the upper area of the wrapping signifies
that the closure of the same is not totally sealed, with the consequent risk of penetration
by bacteria, dirt, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The wrapping which the invention discloses has been conceived and structured in order
to resolve in a fully satisfactory manner the problem described above, in the aspects
mentioned.
[0011] To this end, in a more specific way and in accordance with the invention, in the
laminar body constituting the wrapping the classic projecting tab has been suppressed,
and has been replaced by an angular seam, which in the first place supposes a substantial
saving in material, since the layered sheet with which one starts for obtaining the
wrapping can be shorter, specifically in the measure corresponding to the width of
the traditional tab and of length coincident with the generatrix of the cone.
[0012] Moreover, the gripping tab of the cone for tearing is defined by one of the sides
of the angular seam, specifically that nearest the mouth of the cone, whereby this
tab, by not being projecting outwards, cannot be separated accidentally or unwittingly
from the cone itself, whereby the risk that the same can be folded outwards, folded
back on itself or be ripped is absolutely nil, and it is also impossible for accidental
initiation to occur in the opening of the container which causes the latter to lose
its perfect seal.
[0013] In addition, the vertex constituting the bottom of the aforementioned seam acts as
a guide which assures that the tearing of the container, during the opening thereof,
takes place over the area foreseen for this end, at least in its initial phase.
[0014] Another characteristic of the laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams resides in
establishing a special arrangement for opening in the wrapping, being based on providing
the paper inner sheet with a circumferential or peripheral cut, at middle level in
height, specifically in correspondence with the theoretical line of rupture of the
laminar wrapping, for removal of the upper part thereof, from which circumferential
cutting line emerges another cutting line toward the mouth of the wrapping, on one
of the generatrices, located immediately inside the adhesive strip through which the
laminar body from which one starts for obtaining the wrapping, is closed on itself
in order to configure the cone.
[0015] This circumferential cutting line can be replaced by other types, it being possible
to adopt an irregular shape or be in spiral form, which produce fancy openings.
[0016] Thus, when one pulls on the tab serving as a grip, obviously located above the circumferential
cutting line, the tear is compelled to follow said circumferential cutting line, that
is to take place along the theoretically ideal line, and also in the supposition that
the adhesive closing the cone should cause in the upper half thereof a de-layering
effect, this effect can only take place in a narrow marginal strip, that defined by
the cutting line in the generatrix direction, since on reaching said cutting line
the de-layering is interrupted and starting therefrom the paper inner sheet remains
unavoidably bound to the aluminium outer sheet, accompanying the latter in its detachment
with respect to the lower part of the cone.
[0017] In this way it is achieved that after opening the wrapping a small lower cone is
defined, which remains associated with the ice cream, having perfectly predefined
dimensions and a perfect finish, and that a wide upper strip is removed, providing
access to the cone biscuit, in a sure, quick and straightforward operation.
[0018] The cuts in the paper inner sheet can be made by mechanical means, with the collaboration
of blades, by laser or by any other means that is considered appropriate.
[0019] Finally it is mentioned that the material of the laminar body can be a composition
of aluminium paper or other materials, like for example, combinations of materials
or single materials like paper, plastics or others.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] To complete the description that is being made and with the object of assisting in
a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with
a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, accompanying said description
as an integral part thereof, is a set of drawings wherein, by way of illustration
and not restrictively, the following has been represented:
Figure 1. - It shows a schematic representation in side elevation of a laminar wrapping
for conventional, cone type ice creams.
Figure 2. - It shows, according to a representation like that of the previous figure,
a wrapping for ice creams of similar characteristics but implemented in accordance
with the object of the invention.
Figure 3. - It shows a partial detail in perspective and considerably enlarged of
the laminar body which participates in the wrapping of the previous figure.
Figure 4. - It shows a development in plan of a laminar wrapping for cone type ice
creams provided with the special opening arrangement which is part of the object of
the invention.
Figure 5. - It shows an enlarged detail in section of the laminar wrapping of the
previous figure, at the level of one of the cutting lines which partially affect said
wrapping.
Figure 6. - It shows a view in side elevation of the same laminar wrapping as in the
previous figure, after adopting its definitive conical configuration, in which the
cuts have been represented in which the opening arrangement is materialized, although
in an external view they are not visible through being located on the internal face
of the wrapping, for a better understanding of the invention.
Figure 7. - It shows, finally, a similar representation to that of the previous figure,
in a partial stage of opening.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In the light of the above figures it can be observed how the wrapping disclosed,
like any conventional wrapping, is constituted by means of a layered laminar body
(1), based on a paper inner sheet (2), an outer layer of aluminium (3) and an intermediate
layer of adhesive (4), which joins them and stiffens them, which body has an outline
in the form of a cyclic triangle capable of forming a conical body (5), open at its
base, appropriate in form and dimensions to receive tightly on its interior the classic
cone biscuit which holds the ice cream, and whose closing edge (6) conventionally
has a flap (7), projecting outwards, by way of a grip.
[0022] So, the wrapping of the invention, maintaining the basic structure mentioned, replaces
the aforementioned classic flap (7) with an interior seam (8), of angular configuration
whose edges (9-9') can be curved convexly, as in the example of practical embodiment
of figures 1 to 3, but they could likewise be rectilinear, so that the upper edge
(9) also constitutes in turn the edge of a marginal area (10) by way of recessed tab,
as a grip and for tearing the wrapping.
[0023] Optionally the seams (8) can be two in number, to establish between them a more clearly
defined tab, although preferably there will be a single seam (8), with the object
that the vertex (11) of the same acts as a tear guide which facilitates a correct
opening of the wrapping when the marginal area or tab (10) is pulled.
[0024] As can be deduced from that explained above, is appreciated from observation of figures
1 to 3 and as has already been pointed out previously, this special structure for
obtaining the tab (10) not only signifies a substantial saving in material, it also
assures a perfect fitting of the tab to the actual cone and an immobilization of the
same with time, as long as it is not grasped specifically to carry out the opening
operation, which avoids accidental deterioration of this tab, as well as the risk
that in normal manipulation of the container, prior to the consumption of its contents,
a loss of the seal could arise accidentally which places the ice cream product in
contact with the exterior.
[0025] In figures 4 to 7 a variation of embodiment is shown wherein the closing edge (12)
has a flap (13) projecting outwards, although as in the previous case it could be
formed by the inner seam (8).
[0026] In any case, the cone biscuit (14) which can be seen in figure 7 can have any height
lying between a partial cutting line (15) and the mouth (16) of the laminar wrapping.
[0027] Thus, in accordance with the opening arrangement of the invention, the paper inner
sheet (2) is affected by the aforementioned cutting line (15), preferably circumferential,
that is, parallel to the mouth (16) of the laminar wrapping, and logically located
below the flap (13), so that when the latter is pulled the weakening of the laminar
body (1) produced by that circumferential cutting line (15) causes the tearing of
the wrapping to take place precisely along the same, that is, in a perfectly controlled
manner with the arrangement foreseen for this purpose.
[0028] Complementarily, between the aforementioned circumferential cutting line (15) and
the mouth (16) of the laminar wrapping, immediately after the classic adhesive strip
(17) with which the laminar body (1) is closed on itself to form the conical wrapping,
a second cutting line (18) is established which affects exclusively, like the previous
one, the paper inner sheet (2), as shown in figure 5, so that in the eventuality that
on pulling the flap (13) and due to the adhesive (17) a de-layering takes place between
the paper (2) and the aluminium (3), this de-layering effect is interrupted when the
aforementioned cutting line (18) is reached, and starting from it the tearing simultaneously
and unavoidably affects the two integral layers of the laminar body (1), as shown
in figure 7.
[0029] Those partial cutting lines (15) and (18), can be implemented by mechanical cutting,
using blades, by cutting by laser, or by any other means which is considered appropriate.
[0030] In any case one achieves, as has been previously stated, that the tearing of the
laminar and conical wrapping (1) for access to the cone biscuit (14) inside, takes
place in a perfectly controlled manner through the circumferential cutting line (15)
foreseen for this purpose, and without the possibility that a de-layering of the laminar
body (1) occurs with scraps of paper sticking to the cone biscuit (14) and/or to the
conical remains of the laminar wrapping (1) which, delimited by the circumferential
cutting line (15), should remain associated with the cone biscuit (14).
1. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, of the type of those which are materialized,
for example, in a laminar body based on a paper-aluminium composition, which shapes
a conical body, empty, open at its base, in form and dimensionally appropriate for
the cone biscuit which has to be held in its interior, characterised in that in substitution of the classic tab for opening, an external continuation of its closing
edge, it incorporates a seam (8), of angular configuration, the upper side of this
seam, that next to the mouth of the wrapping, being that which defines the tab (10)
for tearing the wrapping.
2. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to claim 1, characterised in that the pointed vertex (11) which constitutes the bottom of the angular seam (8), defines
a tearing guide in the operation of opening the wrapping.
3. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to previous claims, characterised in that optionally it incorporates two angular seams (8), relatively close, between which
is defined the tab to be gripped for tearing the wrapping.
4. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, of those which are materialized, for example,
in a laminar body based on a paper-aluminium composition which shapes a conical body,
empty, open at its base, in form and dimensionally appropriate for the cone biscuit
which has to be held in its interior, in which said laminar body is closed on itself
to configure the cone by means of an adhesive strip which is extended between the
vertex and the open base of the same, a tab for gripping purposes being defined in
the middle area of the closing edge for the subsequent opening of the wrapping, characterised in that the laminar body (1) incorporates, affecting its paper inner face (2), a continuous
or discontinuous cutting line (15), located below the flap (13) for gripping purposes,
so that in the opening operation and on pulling said flap (13) the tearing takes place
unavoidably of the laminar body (1) in correspondence with said cutting line (15),
preestablished for this purpose.
5. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to claim 4, characterised in that the cutting line (15) is circumferential and parallel to the mouth (16).
6. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to claim 4, characterised in that the cutting line (15) is irregular.
7. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to claim 4, characterised in that the cutting line (15) is implemented in spiral form, forming an angle with respect
to the mouth (16).
8. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to claim 4, characterised in that between the cutting line (15) mentioned and the mouth (16) of the wrapping a second
cutting line (18) is established which also affects exclusively the paper inner sheet
(2), parallel and next to the adhesive strip (17) which closes the laminar body (1)
on itself, so that in the eventuality of a supposed de-layering between the paper
and the aluminium in the opening of the wrapping, said de-layering is interrupted
on reaching that second cutting line (18).
9. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the cutting lines (15) and (18), established in the paper inner layer (2) of the
laminar body (1), are produced by means of mechanical cutting with blades, dies or
by laser cutting.
10. Laminar wrapping for cone type ice creams, according to claims 1 and 4, characterised in that the laminar body (1) is formed by a single material or laminar combinations of two
or more materials, like, for example, paper, plastic, treated papers or metals.