Elastomeric Bladder for Dispensing Ice Cream

This invention relates generally to containers that can progressively dispense flowable material.

Coil-tube, lung power extendable toys are known. Flexible hoses have been used for dispensing, under pressure, flowable semi-solid materials such as conrete. Pressure-cans have been used to dispense whipped-cream or other flowable substances. It is conceivable that either could be used to dispense frozen confections.

However, neither these nor any other combination is known for yielding the same edible substance benefits as set out in the objects of this invention, that are:

to provide a system of frozen confection and disposable portable container making it progressively self-regulated in dispensing at a rate proportional to thaw-rate;

to provide a system as described that is usable for quick freezing and quick thawing of frozen confections;

to provide a system as described that has pumping capability in addition to the dispensing mode indicated.

Further, and in other ways than the above, a tubular plastic thimble and a frozen confection such as ice cream holding a resilient container in a stressed configuration, serve to dispense the frozen confection as it thaws from the resilient container, which resumes a relaxed, lower-volume configuration progressively during the thawing, forcing the frozen confection out an end of the resilient container for consumption. The resilient container is refillable. Additional pumping provisions in different embodiments are possible according to the invention.

The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent on examination of the following description, including the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first preferred, embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof in partially coiled position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment held in use-position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show embodiment 10. It includes flattened, elastically resilient tubular structure or resilient container 20 held on a semi-rigid elbow or hollow member 22 having in it first orifice or opening 24 for expression of ice cream 26 into the mouth of a user. The ice cream 26 or other frozen confection preferably fills the elbow 22 and the resilient container 20 down to the closed end 28. The tubular resilient container 20 securely fits the opening 21 of the resilient container 20 and holds the circular-section shape of the elbow 22; the fit is preferably detachable for filling the elbow 22 and resilient container 20.

To fill, material 26 to be used as frozen confection is poured or pumped (if flowable) or forced (if frozen) into the resilient container 20 and preferably also into the elbow 22. With the flexible plastic resilient container 20 in straight configuration, and the confection frozen solid inside, the system of elbow, tubular resilient container 20, and ice cream 26 may be stored at subfreezing temperature until needed for sale and/or use at room temperature. Thawing of the ice cream 26 to an extent, as in FIG. 2 will permit the thimble resilient container 20 to curl and to flatten in section, diminishing the volume as the tube shape returns elastically to a predetermined non-straight form (spiral shown) in which it was molded. High-density polypropylene, or polyethylene, thermoplastic of about one tenth millimeter thickness may be most suitable for resilient container 20 ten to twenty centimeters in length and two centimeters in diameter, and can return by "memory". Preferably the cross-sectional resilient container 20 form selected will conventionally tend to flatten, with decrease in volume, as shown in the embodiment 10 of FIG. 1, and toward the bottom and in FIG. 2 as it curls.

As the frozen confection thaws, the container flexible portion proportionally expels the thawed content, extruding it at opening 24 through the mouth opening. Finger coverable orifices 30, 32, 34 can be provided in the neck of the elbow 22 so that the device, minus contents, can be played as a flute or whistle.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention 300 a system similar in respects to that of the embodiment of the invention 10, but with a "T"-shaped hollow semi-rigid plastic top 322 instead of the elbow 22, and with a check valve 360 that prevents a user U from blowing back the confection when he (or she) closes off as with a finger 362 the first top orifice 364 and blows through the second top orifice 324 in preparation for expelling contents in the manner of a water gun. The resilient container 320 may be filled for the purpose with ice cream or water, as desired, and successive charges drawn into the "T"-chamber 366, ready for use as an edible or as a projectile. The check valve 360 may be conventional two contiguous outwardly-oriented flaps molded in the orifice through which ice cream 26 is drawn at the base of the "T"-shape and flexibly joined at the base, as at 368, 370.

Relaxation-deformation of the plastic resilient container 320 ("memory characteristics) to squeeze out ice-cream 26 may be in coil-form.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention 400 (third) that may be like the FIG. 3 system with finger-coverable flute holes 430, 432 in the top 422. Partial curling of the resilient container 420 (arrow) is shown, full curl being preferred before it stops. A first orifice 424 is provided. A whistle mouthpiece 423 is also provided.

In FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of the invention, 500 shows "T"-shape top 522 and a resilient container 520 that may be as before described, with conventional flapper valve 560 in the intake 572 of the "T"-shape. One or more closed-end, opposed one-end closed, resiliently pumping bellows 574, 576 may be provided to force out flowable material 526 from the chamber 522 and being resilient, to draw in a fresh charge through orifice 572 for expulsion of thawing ice cream 26 when desired through orifice 524 by memory-return of the 520 resilient container alone or by operation of the pumps with the memory return of the resilient container 520 as described. The bellows may be squeezed together by one hand.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention 600 with a hollow elbow 622 at the top to which is attached zig-zag thimble resilient container 620 at intake orifice 672 in a similar way to that previously described. Orifice 624 permits user intake of melted confection as the resilient container gradually assumes a close-fold accordion shape lengthwise (arrow) in which it was molded.

From this disclosure the refillable, versatile, multi-use but economical and simple fun-toy of this invention will be appreciated.

This invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed herein, since these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced within the scope of the claims otherwise than as specifically described. For example, the container as viewed in elevational view may be of round, square or in the letters of the alphabet or otherwise fanciful shapes without departing from a progressive-collapse of the principle of the invention.

Further, the return could, but preferably not, include a metal spring bias instead of the plastic memory return, the latter being cheaper to make and so being disposable and biodegradable, and not so likely to injure the user as might a metal insert.

It will be appreciated that the resiliently collapsing thimble forms a handle below the mouthpiece convenient for holding in the hands. Warming by the hands can be used to speed the flow.