GB2300172A

GB2300172A - Housing spoons etc in containers such as yoghurt tubs`

Info

Publication number: GB2300172A
Application number: GB9508394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jag Judge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-04-25
Filing date: 1995-04-25
Publication date: 1996-10-30
Also published as: GB9508394D0

Abstract

A spoon or other utensil is housed in a container such as a yoghurt tub. Various arrangements are shown, where the spoon or utensil is in a space between inner and outer peel off lids, fig.4, in a housing indented in the side wall of the container, fig.1, or in a housing extending from the side wall or separately attached to it [figs. 2 and 3]. In the latter arrangement the spoon or utensil may be held in a transparent sheath within the housing and may protrude from the housing. The housing in this case is tubulUS3842975ar in shape.

Description

YOGHURT SPOON TUB Technical field This invention relates to the idea of providing a spoon or other utensil with a yoghurt tub or to any similar container. In particular, it relates to new designs of such yoghurt tubs or containers to facilitate this purpose.

Background Disposable spoons are well known, as indeed are yoghurt tubs, however the idea of incorporating the two together for convenience is new and this facilitates customer convenience in that a consumer can use the spoon instantly to eat the contents within the tub, ie including but not limited to yoghurts and ice-creams. Spoons simply stuck onto yoghurt tubs look cheap and can be easily detached. This new method of providing a spoon in a 'pouch' overcomes such problems and moreover allows for extra marketing possibilities.

Essential Technical Features Several methods facilitating the idea of incorporating the spoon with the tub are described herewith Figure 1 - "In-dented pouch" One embodiment is to have an "in-dented pouch" formed by changing the normal cylindrical shape of the container or yoghurt tub, such that when viewed from the outside, there appears to be a hollow dent 'labelled a' going inwards into the container or tub. This "in-dented pouch" is of sufficient size to accommodate a spoon or other utensil. The spoon or utensil is placed inside and sealed within the "in-dented pouch" by a see-through piece of plastic sheeting 'labelled c', which is stuck to the outside of the tub/container and wholly covers the "in-dented pouch", maintaining hygienic conditions within the "indented pouch".The plastic sheeting is see-through, thereby clearly allowing the spoon or other utensil to be visible to the naked eye from outside, allowing for marketing possibilities by allowing consumers to see the spoon provided or by specifically having something visible written on the spoon, such as "Yum Yum!" or "Use me" or "Don't spoon around" from outside the tub/container. The plastic sheeting is removable thereby giving access to the spoon.

Alternatively, the upper tub/container normal lid foil can be extended shown at 'label d' so that it has a long flap which itself can be pulled down and tuck down across the "in-dented pouch", thereby totally covering it and maintaining hygienic conditions. In either case, the tub/container retains a totally smooth shape from the outside and can be manufactured by only using one simple cylindrical mould.

Figure 2 - "Out-dented pouch" Another embodiment is to have an "out-dented pouch" incorporated within the plastic structure of the tub as shown at Figure 2 requiring a special plastic moulding. With reference to Figure 2, the pouch 'labelled a' is closed at one end and open, or capable of being open, at the top end, thereby giving access to the disposable or non-disposable spoon, 'labelled b' within the pouch. The spoon itself may also be covered in some polyurethane covering for hygiene. Alternatively, the spoon can be of a smaller size than the pouch, allowing for a click-open tab at the top of the pouch giving access to the spoon. Alternatively, as most yoghurt tubs have a foil lid which itself has a tab, 'labelled c', this tab can be extended so as to form the covering over the open end of the pouch thereby keeping the spoon in hygienic conditions until use is required.It seals the opening of the pouch in the same way as it seals the contents of the yoghurt tub.

Figure 3 - "Separate pouch" Figure 3 illustrates how the "out-dented pouch" can also be manufactured and produced on its own to produce a "separate pouch". With reference to the back view of the pouch 'labelled a', this would have a form of sticky coating 'labelled a', thereby allowing for its attachment to any tub, yoghurt tub or other container.

Figure 4 - "Internal pouch" Figure 4 shows an alternative way of providing the spoon. The diagram shows a side view of a tub. Here, in effect, there are two lids, 'labelled a' and 'b', the contents of the tub being contained below lid b. Therefore, as one opens lid b (or cap a as shown in the alternative lower diagram) the spoon 'labelled c' is revealed resting on the top of lid b, which itself must be pulled open before arriving at the contents, such as yoghurt or ice-cream 'labelled d'. In this example, an "internal-pouch" is therefore formed in the space between the two lids a and b.

Claims

1. Any container for food stuffs or other contents, comprising a first chamber for receiving the food stuff and a second chamber such as the "pouch" for receiving a spoon or other utensil, such that the shape of the container need not be altered and such that the spoon or other utensil can be provided in hygienic conditions by use of an "in-dented pouch", or "out-dented pouch" or by a two lid structure "internal pouch" or by "separate pouch", all as illustrated herewith.

2. All methods facilitating the provision of a spoon with a tub including but not limited to the different versions as described herewith and illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive whereby any tub or other container may be specifically adapted in its shape allowing for a pouch which holds a spoon or other utensil or gadget or for any separate pouch to be attached to any container or for the provision of the same including any uses of tape or glue to facilitate the same purpose.

2. Any size of pouch as described in Figures 2 and 3 such that the spoon may be wholly immersed within the pouch or such that the spoon be longer than the pouch so that the top end of the spoon may be visible protruding beyond the pouch.

3. The use of any pouch made of any material to contain any gadgets or utensil.

4. A pouch made of any material or incorporating such a pouch within any container of any material including but not limited to glass, plastic, metal, whether such container is circular in its construction or any other shape.

5. With reference to Figure 4, all variations of the two-lid structure, including but not limited to the use of a push down cap as an alternative to the top lid.

6. Any spoon or other utensil contained substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.