Ice cream covers

Abstract

A number of covers are described which are particularly well adapted to protect against freezer burn of ice cream. One such cover can protect an exposed surface of a food material, such as ice cream, where the food material is positioned in a container having a wall with an inner surface. The cover includes a rim and a membrane connected to the rim wherein the membrane is adapted to contact the exposed surface of the food material. The cover may also include at least one tab connected to the rim. The rim of the cover may further include a ridge and a curtain, and the membrane may be connected to the curtain. The cover can be positioned in the container so that the rim is biased against the inner surface of the wall thus restricting the passage of air. The membrane may be flexible and may be composed of a flexible material such as polymers, rubbers, and silicone rubbers. As the membrane makes contact with the exposed surface of the ice cream, the rim may be pulled away from its biased position against the inner surface of the wall in order to burp air away from the exposed surface of the ice cream.

1 . An apparatus for covering an exposed surface of ice cream disposed in a container having a wall with an inner surface and wherein the wall defines a cross sectional area, the apparatus comprising: a sealing panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an edge contour; wherein the edge contour of the sealing panel is configured so as to closely approximate the cross sectional area of the container; and wherein the lower surface of the sealing panel is configured to contact the exposed surface of the ice cream so as to minimize the presence of air between the exposed surface and the lower surface. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing panel comprises a flexible sealing panel. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing panel comprises a semi-rigid sealing panel. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing panel comprises a rigid sealing panel. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing panel comprises a silicone rubber material. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one handle disposed on the upper surface of the sealing panel. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the wall defines a variable cross sectional area that depends on vertical position and wherein the apparatus comprises a flexible sealing panel such that the lower surface of the flexible panel contacts the inner surface of the wall for those cross sectional areas that are less than the area of the edge contour of the sealing panel. 
   
   
       8 . A stored food product comprising:
 a container defining a food storage area, the container further comprising a wall with an inner surface;   a food material disposed in the food storage area, the food material defining an exposed surface;   a sealing panel disposed in the food storage area, the sealing panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an edge, wherein the lower surface of the sealing panel contacts the exposed surface of the food material so as to form a covered surface.   
   
   
       9 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the container wall defines a cross section that is substantially circular, and wherein the sealing panel is substantially circular. 
   
   
       10 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the container wall defines a cross section that is substantially rectangular, and wherein the sealing panel is substantially rectangular. 
   
   
       11 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the sealing panel further comprises at least one handle. 
   
   
       12 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the sealing panel is disposed in the food storage area such that the edge of the sealing panel engages the inner surface of the container wall. 
   
   
       13 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the sealing panel is disposed in the food storage area such that the edge of the sealing panel does not contact the inner surface of the container wall. 
   
   
       14 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the sealing panel comprises a flexible sealing panel. 
   
   
       15 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the sealing panel comprises a silicone rubber. 
   
   
       16 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the covered surface substantially protects the food material from exposure to air. 
   
   
       17 . The stored food product according to  claim 8  wherein the lower surface of the sealing panel contacts the exposed surface of the food material and contacts the inner surface of the wall of the container. 
   
   
       18 . A device for covering an exposed surface of a food material positioned in a container with a wall having an inner surface comprising:
 a rim; and   a membrane connected to the rim wherein the membrane is adapted to contact the exposed surface of the food material.   
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 18  further comprising at least one tab connected to the rim. 
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 18  wherein the rim comprises a ridge and a curtain, and wherein the membrane is connected to the curtain. 
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 20  wherein the rim is biased against the inner surface of the wall. 
   
   
       22 . The device according to  claim 20  further comprising a wire ring disposed within the rim. 
   
   
       23 . The device according to  claim 18  wherein the membrane comprises a flexible polymeric material. 
   
   
       24 . A stored food product comprising
 a container defining a food storage area, the container further comprising a wall with an inner surface;   a food material disposed in the food storage area, the food material further defining an exposed surface;   a cover comprising a rim and a membrane connected to the cover, the cover disposed within the food storage area;   wherein the rim is biased against the inner surface; and   wherein the membrane contacts the exposed surface.   
   
   
       25 . The stored food product according to  claim 24  wherein the cover further comprises at least one tab. 
   
   
       26 . The stored food product according to  claim 24  wherein the rim further comprises a ridge and a curtain, and wherein the membrane is connected to the curtain. 
   
   
       27 . The stored food product according to  claim 26  wherein the ridge is biased against the inner surface so as to restrict the flow of air. 
   
   
       28 . The stored food product according to  claim 24  wherein the membrane contacts the exposed surface so as to form a covered surface. 
   
   
       29 . A method for covering an exposed surface of a food material stored in a container having an opening and a wall with an inner surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a cover having a rim and a membrane connected to the rim;   positioning the rim inside the opening of the cover;   contacting the rim with the inner surface of the container so as to provide an air seal; and   contacting the membrane with the exposed surface of food material so as to form a covered surface.   
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29  further comprising the steps of compressing the rim of the cover and relaxing the rim of the cover. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 29  wherein the step of providing a cover having a rim and a membrane connected to the rim further comprises providing a cover having a rim and a membrane and at least one tab connected to the rim; and further comprising the step of pulling the tab so as to allow air to pass the air seal between the rim and the inner surface. 
   
   
       32 . A flexible lid for protecting ice cream disposed in an ice cream container wherein the container includes a wall having an inner surface defining a food storage area and wherein the ice cream has an exposed surface, the flexible lid comprising:
 a lip seal;   a covering panel having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an edge;   a flexible connector with two ends, a first end connected to the lip seal and the second end connected to the edge of the covering panel;   wherein the lip seal provides an air seal with the container;   wherein the flexible connector allows the covering panel to move vertically within the food storage area; and   wherein the covering panel is configured so as to form a covered surface with the exposed surface of the ice cream.   
   
   
       33 . The flexible lid according to  claim 32  wherein the flexible connector is configured so as to closely engage with the inner surface of wall. 
   
   
       34 . The flexible lid according to  claim 32  further comprising at least one handle disposed on the upper surface of the covering panel. 
   
   
       35 . The flexible lid according to  claim 32  wherein the flexible connector comprises an accordion structure.