SYSTEM OF STORING AND DISPENSING ICE CREAM INCLUDING METHOD OF INCREASED USE OF CAPACITY OF REFRIGERATED RETAIL DISPLAY CASES

Abstract

A sliceable cream container system includes a carton having a cap and a ratio of a height of a lateral surface of a carton to the diameter of the carton, defining a range of about 2.5:1 to about 3.5:1, in which the base defines a cross-sectional dimension in a range of about 50 to about 100 millimeters (mm). The carton container possesses a volume of at least 900 milliliters (ml), the cross-section of which may be circular, oval, square, rectangular or heart-shaped. Completely filling the carton is a volume of ice cream or related comestible product. On the carton is provided a plurality of equidistant curved lines or line segments that indicate the caloric content of a portion of ice cream cut along such lines.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of the provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/201,573, filed Dec. 12, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

THE FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an article and system to provide for more convenient storage of ice cream and similar semi-solid frozen foods and for a simplified method of dispensing and serving thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art teaches various special product containers, some intended to be used with ice cream and to facilitate cutting or slicing of the ice cream into equal portions. Such art is represented by U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,929 (1978) to Krane, entitled Ice Cream Container and U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,715 (2004) to Bennett et al, entitled Sliceable Product Container Device. Both Krane and Bennett require the use of circumferential rip-strips to create an exposed circular line upon which an edge of a cutting implement is applied to cut a cylinder of ice cream. Bennett teaches a more elongate cylinder, related to that of the invention taught herein, however one which is also reliant upon the use of peripheral and axial rip-strips to dissemble the package. Neither Krane nor Bennett provides a means for guiding the cutting implement or effecting other advantages of the invention, as are more fully set forth below. Further, the system of Bennett is a complex special-purpose container, the cost of which would be a multiple of that of presently employed ice cream cartons.

Apart from the area of frozen foods, various art teaches the use of cylindrical packaging, typical for the containment of products such as cookies, wafers or biscuits with, however, peelable circumferential strips to facilitate the release of individual cookies or wafers. European Patent Application No. 0-182-416 (1985) to Unilever shows such a system. Included therein is a special-purpose top or cover that can serve as a stacking rim before the container is opened and, thereafter, may be inverted for purposes of closure of the top of the package. A similar teaching appears in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,250 (1997) to Dorazio, entitled Container Apparatus Having Detachable and Discardable Wall Sections. Also, elongate cylindrical containers, of small dimension, are known for the dispensing of individual portions of ice cream or ice cream sections as, for example, is shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2003/0019884 (2003) to San Martin et al, entitled Container For Dispensing Ice Confections.

The use of cartons that may be successively reduced in height or volume as the contents thereof are used is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,093 (Massengill), entitled Single Wall Reducible Carton Made From Specific Blank Which Prevents The Loss Of Substantial Material.

In the prior art, very little consideration has been given to the problem of increasing the effective capacity of refrigerated point-of-purchase retail storage spaces. That is, most ice cream is sold in a distinctive squat, frusto-conical geometry in which the diameter thereof is often about 70% of the height. However, cartons of such geometry do not lend themselves to horizontal stacking (see FIGS. 18-19 herewith) but, rather, only permit vertical stacking in which the flavor or brand information appearing of the top of the carton thus is hidden on all containers or cartons expect the uppermost one, when stacking occurs in the traditional vertical fashion.

Horizontal stacking of such frusto-conical cartons within a retail refrigerated storage unit of the type typically employed in food markets is usually not practical for a number or reasons, one being that the information on the top cover is visible only upon the outermost carton and, importantly, the depth of such retail storage and display units is typically considerable, such that it is usually impractical for a customer to reach to the very back of the display cabinet to reach cartons of ice cream that have worked their way to the back thereof, have been otherwise left at the back of the refrigerated display, or have become jumbled.

In other words, one of the issues addressed in the instant invention is that of enhancing efficiency and capacity of refrigerated retail storage spaces by altering the geometry of the traditional ice cream carton. In so doing, ease of access by the customer to such cartons is increased and energy is saved in that the period during which the door of the refrigerated space is limited because the consumer can more easily find the product one is looking for and, as well, ice cream, and any other frozen product, can be more efficiently maintained at a necessary temperature if its surface area is increased. (See FIG. 17 herewith).

The present invention also addresses the problem of efficiently extracting ice cream from such cartons during end use by the customer. As is well-known, ice cream is often difficult to extract from its carton and, in general, requires that one owns a so-called ice cream scoop to remove ice cream from the carton. Depending on variables such as the temperature to which the ice cream has been frozen and the effectiveness of the ice cream scoop, the removal of ice cream from its carton and the serving thereof can be a difficult and imprecise process, due in part to the non-linear forces that must be applied to the ice cream scoop, this particularly for children and older persons suffering from arthritis, Parkinson disease and the like. (See FIGS. 16A and 16B herewith.)

The present invention addresses the above set forth long-felt needs in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a sliceable ice cream container comprising an elongate cylinder having a ratio of height-to-diameter in a range of 2.5:1 to 3.5:1 and a volume of at least about one liter, preferably having a plurality of axially equi-distantly spaced scored or cut indicating lines about the lateral surface of the container, and having a cap having sidewalls, the axial length of which is congruent with the distance between scored lines on or about the container or a multiple thereof. The volume of ice cream between such lines corresponds to a volumetric or caloric quantity thereof. The edge of the side walls of the cap possesses sufficient width and density to provide a guide to a blade of a cutting implement used with the present sliceable product container. The inside of the lid may be provided with imprint means to provide a special themed imprint to a free surface of a cylindrical segment of ice cream resultant of the inventive container.

The container is of particular utility in effecting increased efficiency and capacity of refrigerated retail storage spaces and of reducing the amount of energy required to maintain the temperature of such spaces and of the product itself.

It is another object of the invention to provide a simplified means of filling a container of ice cream, maintaining such containers at a desired temperature, at reduced expenditure of energy, and of dispensing ice cream from such containers with more convenience to the end user of the ice cream product.

It is a still further object to render possible the production and serving of ice cream in a variety of special-purpose cross-sections.

It is another object to reduce the occurrence of freezer burn of ice cream in its container.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide ice cream products of the above type which are provided with an imprint on an open base of the served product corresponding to a given event, occasion, season or cross-section of the container.

The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description of the Invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front schematic view of the inventive system showing the delineation of portion size by volume generally corresponding to the volume of the lid.

FIG. 2 is an axially exploded view of the system of FIG. 1, however showing the delineation of portions thereof by calorie.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid of the present system.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a double portion sized lid.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tubular central portion of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the lid of the present system.

FIG. 6 is a view of the system of FIG. 1, however including a stabilizing base platform used therewith.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational schematic view of a top portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing the application of a cutting implement to a scored line of the inventive system.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional schematic view through the plane of a scored line as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lid of the system showing an exemplary imprint element thereupon.

FIG. 9 is a diametric cross-sectional view taken along Line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom cross-sectional view of a lid, alternative to that of the lid of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the system thereof is generally a solid rectangle in geometry.

FIG. 12 is a side partial cross-sectional breakaway view of the lid of the system shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a heart-shaped section.

FIG. 14A is an axial plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14B is a side plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 1, however showing an embodiment in which the general horizontal cross-section of the system is oval in shape.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are views of the prior art of ice cream cartons and the scooping process associated therewith.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view comparing the stacking profile of multiple units of the present invention to the stacking of prior art ice cream cartons.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the point-of-purchase ice cream freezer, comprising prior art positioning of cartons with positioning of the present inventive cylindrical containers.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of the ice cream freezer of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view comparing the size and effective radius of the inventive container system with that of prior art container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the perspective schematic view of FIG. 1, there is shown an elongate cylindrical ice cream container in accordance with the present invention. An exploded view thereof is shown in FIG. 2 and components thereof appear separately in FIGS. 3 and 4. Cylindrical portion 12 may be formed of a variety of materials inclusive of traditional wax-coated cardboard presently employed for ice cream cartons and plastics approved by the FDA for use in association with human-consumable products.

As may be noted in the views of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, cylinder 12 is considerably elongate or longer relative to the typical height of an ice cream carton 56 whether of quart, pint, or half pint size. More particularly, the present invention contemplates use of a cylinder 12 having a height-to-diameter ratio in a range of 2.5:1 to 3.5, but preferably about 2.6:1, that is, a height in a range of 8 to 12 inches, with 9 inches being preferable, and a diameter of 2 to 4 inches, with 3.5 inches being preferable. As such, a cylinder having a height of about 9 inches (240 mm), and diameter of about 3.5 inches (92 mm) will be capable of holding about 34 fluid ounces, about 900 to 1000 ml (1 liter) or about 50 cubic feet of ice cream or other such semi-solid, normally frozen product.

As may be noted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the present system includes a lid 14, the longitudinal length 16 thereof of which is equal to the location of first scored line 20 upon cylinder 12 and equal in axial length to the distance between score lines, described below. Thereafter, there exist a plurality of axially spaced scored lines 22, 24, and so forth, along the axial length of the lateral surface of cylinder 12, until bottom 36 of the cylinder is reached. Sequential scored lines will preferably be about 1.5 inches or 40 mm apart, so that several segments of ice cream can be obtained from a typical cylinder.

As may be noted in FIG. 2, the distance between sequential scored lines may indicate a caloric portion or a volumetric portion, as shown by printing 21 on the cylinder 12. The invention may however be practiced without any scored lines whatsoever.

Further, annular width 26 or 26A of lid 14 or 14A (see FIGS. 2-3A) must be of sufficient dimension and density to provide a guide to the blade 42 of a knife that is used for cutting of the cylinder of ice cream 57 along scored lines 18, 20, 22, 24 and so forth. FIG. 3A shows a lid for use with a double sized portion. See FIGS. 7 and 7A. This may require a minimum width of about 3 millimeters, for width 26, to permit axial length 16 of lid 14 to perform its function as a cutting guide for the cutting implement used to accomplish the slicing of the ice cream, or other frozen semi-solid material, along the scored lines 18, 20, 22 and so forth. In FIG. 7A is shown a cutting board 27 upon which cylinder 12 may be placed for cutting.

As may be noted in FIG. 1, each scored line is approximately equidistance from every other scored line and the distance therebetween is equal to the axial length 16 of lid 14. As a result thereof, lid 14 can be used repetitively, for each segment or wafer 28, 30, 32 and so forth, of ice cream as both a cutting guide and for purposes of re-sealing the entire system after a given segment has been cut or sliced by the blade 42. Also shown are optional tabs 25 that may be used to facilitate removal of the carton portion of a cut segment 28, 30 or 32.

One or more strategies may be used to enhance the stability of the inventive system during the cutting process. One such strategy is to provide lid 14 with recesses 34, see FIGS. 1 and 5, to provide a finger hold or grip for the lid during cutting. Additionally, and as shown in FIG. 6, bottom surface 36, of the cylinder 12 may be press fittably secured into a cradle or support platform 38 to stabilize the cylinder 12 during the cutting process. Also, as is described below, such platform 38 may also be useful in facilitating stability of the cylinder of ice cream within a retail point-of-purchase refrigeration facility in which the cylinders of ice cream are stored horizontally. An additional or other such platform may also be used to surround and support lid 14 of the system. The platform 38 may also be useful in applying a logo, brand name and/or ice cream flavor designation to the elongate cylinder of ice cream.

It should be noted that lid 14 may be made of the same cardboard like material, although thicker and/or denser, as that of a tube 12 of ice cream or, alternatively, may be made of a suitable FDA-approved plastic or metal. Alternatively, base 40 of the lid (see FIGS. 3 and 5) may be made of one material, while lateral sides 16 may be made another, typically denser, material.

In FIGS. 7 and 7A are shown the manner in which said cutting implement or knife 42 may be positioned against lid edge 26 and urged against first scored line 18. Therein, as may be readily appreciated, the energy or force necessary to accomplish a cutting or slicing of such an approximately 3.5 inch diameter tube of ice cream is considerably less than is the force 50, estimated at 7 to 10 foot-pounds (ft.-lbs.) necessary to rotate an ice cream scoop 52 (see FIG. 16A) about center of rotation 54 of ice cream filled carton 56 and therefore is considerably more convenient for the geriatric, arthritic, or disabled consumer, this also due to the more ergonomic linear vector 55 of the applied force, as shown in FIG. 7A. As the scoop depth increases (see FIG. 16B), force 50A becomes yet more awkward to apply. More particularly, in the view of FIG. 16A, said 7 to 10 ft.-lbs. are required to rotate scoop 52 through ice cream 57. Thereafter (see FIG. 16B), 5 to 9 ft-lbs. are required to drive the scoop through the ice cream until the scoop is filled. Comparing this to the cutting shown in FIG. 7A, the ergonomic geometry of ice cream tube 12 renders it easier to hold and the slicing action occurs in one linear gravity-aided stroke of 2-3 ft-lbs. to cut through the paper of the lateral walls 12 and 0.5 to 1.0 16-ft to cut through the ice cream itself 57, without any need for rotation or major strain of the wrist.

It is further contemplated that the material of the packaging will be 100% bio-degradable. Freezer burn and therefore waste of ice cream can be reduced by the elimination of air or void spaces when the tube 12 is kept fully filled with ice cream, this, it has been found, is easier to accomplish in a smaller diameter container than in the traditional larger diameter ice cream carton 56. Also, continual re-securement of lid 14 to the remaining quantity of ice cream will considerably reduce freezer burn at level 58 of the ice cream (see FIG. 16B) because air in the cylinder available for oxidation is minimized.

FIGS. 8 and 9 indicate the manner in which an imprint 44 of a particular logo or graphic, for use during special occasions, may be applied to the interior 40 of lid base, the effect of which is to apply an imprint to a wafer 43 of ice cream either during the cutting process, or as an after step in which the lid is pressed upon the slice of ice cream to produce a recess 45 having the appearance of the imprint 44.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10, any logo or graphic 46 may be applied to the interior surface 40 of the lid 14 so that it becomes imprinted upon one base of wafer 43 of the ice cream as successive cuts along the scored lines 20, 22, 24 and so forth are accomplished. In the alternative, the base of the lid may be entirely transparent so that the ice cream therein may be observed.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment 100 of the inventive concept in which the ice cream container, while being of similar height and generally similar cross-section, is rectangular (as opposed to circular) in cross-section. Therein, the height of said carton defines a ratio of about 2.0:1 to 3.5:1 to the smaller edge of the bottom thereof. Said edge defines a dimension of between about 50 and about 100 mm, with the entire container defining a volume of at least one liter (1000 ml). In all other respects, the function of the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 follow that of FIGS. 1-10 above-described. That is, upon successful slicing through each scored line 118, 120, and so forth, lid 114 will be placed upon the highest remaining surface of the frozen ice cream and edge 118 of the lid edge will always be congruent with an uncut scored line.

FIG. 12 indicate that a more complex logo 144 may be used in lieu of the above-described logo imprint 44 that is simply integrated into surface 40 of the lid.

FIG. 13 indicates an embodiment 200 of the invention which takes the form of a heart. FIGS. 14A and 14B are respective axial plan and side plan views of the embodiment of FIG. 13. Therein the greatest horizontal and vertical dimensions 202 of the illustrated geometry 200 are both about 4 inches (about 100 mm) with a length 203 of about 9 inches (240 mm). Also shown is a caloric content per portion indicia 221, in FIG. 14B

The area 204 may be about 10 square inches ((about 700 sq. cm). As such, the volume within embodiment 200 is about 90 cu. inches or about 1650 ml, or at least 1400 ml and a maximum of about 1900 ml. The ratio of length of the embodiment 200 to its average cross-section is therefore about 2.6:1. The width of area 204 defines a range of about 70 to 130 mm. The ratio of the greatest cross-section of the heart-shaped carton to its length is in a range of 0.3:1 to 0.6:1, and said area 204 may fall in a range of about 50 to about 90 sq. centimeters.

With reference to FIG. 15, it may be appreciated that the cylindrical structure of the present elongate ice cream may be oval in cross-section and, optionally, may be provided with a convex, upper base 314/340 within which may be provided a raised logo of any type including those discussed with reference to FIGS. 8-10. A plastic lid of oval shape would provide the added benefit of providing an imprinted surface to the uppermost free surface of the column of ice cream, if the inner imprint is provided. Embodiment 300 of FIG. 15 also indicates that a so-called multi-fold bottom 336 may be provided which would have utility in the event of use of the present system with a bottom wraparound strategy. This may have certain economic advantages as opposed to the use of a pre-formed bottom 36 shown with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 2. Also, shown in FIG. 15 is wafer 328, score line 320, carton tab 325 and bottom base cover 335.

The above described system sets forth a quick and simplified method of serving ice cream in which each portion of ice cream appears uniform in geometry relative to every other portion, in which each portion may be provided with a special imprint therein, and in which freezer-burn of the ice cream is essentially eliminated. That is, the continually collapsing, yet totally sealed nature of the system, minimizes air voids within the cylinder and thereby freezer burn of the ice cream remaining in the container.

It has also been established that geometrically elongate cylinder of ice cream can be more quickly frozen during the manufacturing process and, by the same token, such geometry will result in reduced retailer refrigeration costs because of the increased surface area of the ice cream available for absorption of cooling values, as may be noted in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19. Also, circulation within a retail point-of-purchase refrigeration display 60 is more effective where the surface area of the product is greater, as is the case in the present system. Horizontal stacking thus produces no surfaces blocked from refrigeration and air circulation except point 62. See FIG. 17. in distinction from conventional cartons 56 which reduce refrigeration and circulation when stacked. The present stacking system thus exceeds the FDA 30% air circulation standard, allowing more air flow in display freezer 60.

As may be noted in FIG. 20, the instant system also produces quicker freezing time during manufacturing. That is, heat rejection for the cooling cycle of ice cream is complex and non-linear, involving multiple variables. Herein, all variables remain constant with the exception of bulk thickness of the ice cream 57, which is a function of the packaging 12. Therefore, as thickness of the bulk of the ice cream is reduced, the time to overcome heat rejection is reduced. This reduced time to the desired thermal condition represents a net reduction in both cycle time and energy required in the process. As may be noted in FIG. 20, L1 at 96 mm is more than double L2 at 46 mm, which are the parameters in control rate and therefore cost of freezing.

There is further, as above noted, a clear ergonomic benefit of the present system and method to persons of advanced age, who are arthritic, or who are otherwise partially disabled.

The above inventive system and method also suggest several auxiliary products including the above-described tube platform 38 (see FIG. 6), the use of special knives optimized in cutting surface for the cutting of frozen ice cream, other handle grip strategies for the tube apart from recesses 34 described above, and stand-alone ice cream imprints or stamps for use as a post-cutting step by the consumer. It is to be appreciated that logos such as logo 46, alluded to with reference to FIG. 10, may take any number of forms, inclusive of initials, numbers, smiley faces, peace signs, licensed characters such as Spider Man and Disney characters, licensed support logo, such as the NFL, NBA and so forth, and phrases such as happy birthday, happy anniversary and the like.

Another inherent benefit of the present elongate cylindrical or oval ice cream container is that the same may be stored horizontally. This is a far simpler, beneficial and efficient means of storage of ice cream cartons within a retail point-of-purchase refrigerated display than that known in the art. In other words, a conventional ice cream carton possesses a height which often is only slightly greater than that of the diameter of its mouth, such frusto conical shaped cartons can readily become jumbled and mixed within the display unit 60 so that customers are often obliged to fumble and grope around when the door of the display case is open, which of course causes waste of energy as well. In the present system, the elongate cylindrical cartons may be easily and stably stored in such a fashion (see FIG. 17) in which the top cover, indicating flavor and contents, is always visible at the front of the display cabinet. Accordingly, the ease and efficiency of the storage and display of ice cream cartons in accordance with the present invention constitutes an integral aspect thereof.

Further, the freezer case is the most labor intensive re-stocking area of any supermarket. On average it must be re-stocked two or three times a day to display all available flavors. This manipulation of inventory is costly and directly affects the bottom line of the retailer. The inventive package system 10 allows for 36 facing units per shelf, which far exceeds the current method in use by, for example, Edy's (approx. 12 facing units per shelf), therefore providing the customer with more choices, and providing one-third of the without re-stocking time.

While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth herewith.

Claims

1. A sliceable ice cream container system, comprising:

(a) a substantially cylindrical carton having a cap and a base, each of substantially like diameter, a ratio of a height of a lateral surface of said carton to said diameter of said carton, defining a range of about 2.5:1 to 3.5:1, in which said base defines a dimension in a range of about 50 to about 100 millimeters (mm), said carton container defines a volume of at least 900 milliliters (ml); and

(b) within said carton, a volume of ice cream or related comestible product provided therein.

2. The container system as recited in claim 1, in which said ratio of height-to-diameter defines a range of 2.5:1 to 3:1.

3. The container system as recited in claim 1, in which said diameter defines a range of about 90 mm to about 100 mm.

4. The container system as recited in claim 2 in which said volume of said container defines a range of about 800 ml to 1400 ml.

5. The container system as recited in claim 1 in which said lateral surface of said cylindrical carton includes a plurality of axially equi-distantly spaced parallel lines, the distance between successive lines corresponding to a volumetric or caloric quantity of said ice cream.

6. The container system as recited in claim 3 in which said equi-distant lines comprise scored or perforated lines.

7. The container system as recited in claim 5, in which said cap includes lateral sidewalls, an axial length of which is congruent with said distance between said successive scored lines.

8. The container system as recited in claim 7, in which said axial length of said sidewalls define a multiple of said distance between scored lines.

9. The container system as recited in claim 1, in which said cap possesses sidewalls having edges of sufficient width and density to provide a guide to a blade of a cutting implement to transversely cut said lateral surface and said ice cream.

10. The container system as recited in claim 1, in which said cap possesses sidewalls having edges of sufficient width and density to provide a guide to a blade of a cutting implement to transversely cut said lateral surface and said ice cream, along equidistant scored lines on said lateral surface.

11. The container system as recited in claim 9 in which said cap includes imprint means provided upon an inner base thereof.

12. The container system as recited in claim 1, said cap including lateral recesses proportioned to the size of a human finger.

13. The container system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for stabilization of said carton base.

14. The container system as recited in claim 9, further comprising a second cap comprising said carton base.

15. The container system as recited in claim 10, in which said cap possesses sidewalls having edges of sufficient width and density to provide a guide to a blade of a cutting implement to transversely cut said lateral surface and said ice cream, along equidistant scored lines on said lateral surface.

16. The container system as recited in claim 1, in which said carton defines an oval cross-section.

17. An ice cream container system comprising:

(a) a solid rectangular carton having a cap and an integral base, a ratio of a height of said carton, to a smaller edge of the bottom of said carton, defining a range of about 2.0:1 to 3.5:1, in which said bottom edge defines a dimension in a range of about 50 to about 100 millimeters (mm), said carton container defining a volume of at least one liter; and

(b) within said carton, a volume of ice cream or related comestible product provided therein.

18. The container system as recited in claim 17, in which said ratio of height-to-smaller edge of the bottom defines a range of 2.5:1 to 3:1.

19. The container system as recited in claim 17, in which said smaller edge defines a range of about 90 mm to about 110 mm.

20. The container system as recited in claim 2 in which said volume of said container defines a range of about 900 ml to 1500 ml.

21. The container system as recited in claim 17 in which said lateral surface of said carton includes a plurality of axially equi-distantly spaced parallel lines, the distance between successive lines corresponding to a volumetric or caloric quantity of said ice cream.

22. The container system as recited in claim 19 in which said equi-distant lines comprise scored or perforated lines.

23. The container system as recited in claim 21, in which said cap includes lateral sidewalls, a length of which is congruent with said distance between said successive scored lines.

24. The container system as recited in claim 19, in which said cap possesses sidewalls having edges of sufficient width and density to provide a guide to a blade of a cutting implement to transversely cut said lateral surface of the carton and said ice cream along said scored lines.

25. The container system as recited in claim 24, further comprising a second cap comprising said carton base.

26. The container system as recited in claim 1, in which a base of said cap is transparent.

27. The container system as recited in claim 1, in which said volume of ice cream defines, in transverse cross-section, a shape of a heart.

28. A sliceable ice cream container system, comprising:

(a) a substantially cylindrical carton having a cap and a base, each of substantially like dimension, said carton defining a substantially heart-shaped transverse cross-section, a ratio of the greatest cross-section of said carton to a length of said carton, defining a range of about 0.3:1 to 0.6:1, in which said cap and base each define an area in a range of about 50 to about 90 square centimeters, said carton container defining a volume of at least 1400 milliliters (ml); and

(b) within said carton, a volume of ice cream or related comestible product provided therein.

29. The container system as recited in claim 28, in which said cross-sectional width defines a range of about 70 mm to about 130 mm.

30. The container system as recited in claim 29, in which said volume of said container defines a range of about 1400 ml to 1900 ml.

31. The container system as recited in claim 28 in which a lateral surface of said cylindrical carton includes a plurality of axially equidistantly spaced parallel lines, the distance between successive lines corresponding to a volumetric or caloric quantity of said ice cream.

32. The container system as recited in claim 31, in which said cap includes lateral sidewalls, an axial length of which is congruent with said distance between said successive scored lines.

33. The container system as recited in claim 32, in which said cap possesses sidewalls having edges of sufficient width and density to provide a guide to a blade of a cutting implement to transversely cut said lateral surface and said ice cream.

34. The system as recited in claim 33, said cap including lateral recesses proportioned to the size of a human finger.