System and method for retaining cylindrical ice cream containers

Abstract

An ice cream container cover having at least one interiorly positioned gripping member for preventing rotation of a cylindrical ice cream container. The cap also has an inner opening to permit access to the interior of the ice cream container and a square peripheral edge for engaging the inner walls of the ice cream cooler and any adjacent caps. When a cap is positioned snugly on the upper portion of an ice cream container, the cap will prevent rotation of the container when ice cream is scooped therefrom.

1 . A system for retaining a cylindrical ice cream container, said system comprising:
 a cover positionable on the ice cream container:   an inner opening formed through said cover that permits access to the interior of the ice cream container; and   at least one gripping member positioned on the interior of said cover to frictionally engage the ice cream container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one gripping member is structured to prevent rotation of the ice cream container during an ice cream scooping operation when said cover is positioned on the ice cream container and the ice cream container is in a confined space. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one gripping member further comprises a base portion and two forked arm portions. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each of said forked arm portions extends at approximately the same distance away from the base portion toward the inner opening, and at an acute angle from the other forked arm portion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one gripping member is a separately molded part from said cover. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said cover further comprises a receiver formed integrally therewith, wherein said at least one gripping member is structured to be removably secured at said base portion to said cover by said receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said cover further comprises a second gripping member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each of said gripping members is positioned at a different inside corner of said cover. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is structured to prevent rotation thereof during an ice cream scooping operation when said cover is positioned on the ice cream container and the ice cream container is in a confined space. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said cover further comprises a peripheral edge having at least one flat surface adapted to engage at least one of an inner wall of an ice cream cooler or a second cover positioned on an adjacent ice cream container within the ice cream cooler. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said cover's peripheral edge further comprises an angular perimeter. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is made of a food grade plastic rated to between 0 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said cover is made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one gripping member is made of an extruded flexible rubber.