Ice in cubes is currently marketed in plastic bags of various sizes, which contain a certain number, usually a large number, of cubes.

The bags are contained in refrigerators, from which they are taken by the consumer.

Another ice cube distribution system is constituted by automatic dispensers, which include an apparatus that produces the cubes continuously and a container from which the consumer removes a chosen quantity of cubes, for example by means of a bucket.

The distribution systems described above are very common and have been used for years in some countries, but are not feasible in the rest of the world.

It is known in fact that in many countries the water system does not supply potable water or supplies water that does not have sufficient assurances of hygiene, and for this reason the use of this water to produce ice for human consumption is not advisable.

Accordingly, especially in countries with a hot climate, where the need to use ice, for example in beverages, is felt more strongly, it is impossible or at least risky to use ice safely.

This problem actually exists in most countries, since only a few countries have hygienically safe water available.

In practice, albeit to a lesser extent, the need to make hygienically safe ice available exists also in countries where the water of the water system would actually be potable but where, due to cultural reasons and to actual immune deficits, a number of people prefer not to consume water from the water system.

A typical example is the tourist who, by not being immunized against local microorganisms, cannot consume safely the water of the water system even if he or she wants to.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an ice packaging that overcomes the drawbacks of the cited prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide an ice packaging that allows to provide selected quantities of ice cubes in conditions of great hygiene.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice packaging that is particularly advantageous from the commercial standpoint.

Another object is to provide an ice packaging that can be used without particular equipment.

This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a packaging for ice in cubes, as claimed in the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packaging according to the invention, shown before it is filled with water; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packaging containing ice; Figure 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a portion of the packaging containing ice; Figure 4 is a partial side view of a container for the packaging shown during the extraction of the packaging from the container; Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 4, showing the separation of a dose and the system for blocking the packaging at the opening of the container; Figure 6 is a cutout perspective view showing the arrangement of the packaging at the opening of the container; Figure 7 is a schematic front view of a container, illustrating an arrangement of the packaging inside the container; Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a container, illustrating another arrangement of the packaging inside the container.

With reference to the figures, the packaging according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a tube made of plastics, adapted for packaging food, such as for example PVC, designated by the reference numeral 2, of a commonly commercially available type, in which transverse heat-sealed portions 3 may be formed which affect only partially the transverse extension of the tube 2 so as to leave a passage 4.

The passage 4 connects the chambers 5, formed by the heat-sealed portions 3, so that the tube 2 can be filled with water, which once frozen forms an ice"cube"6 inside each chamber 5.

The ice"cubes", which obviously are more spherical than cubic due to the shape assumed by the tube 2 and by the chambers 5 when they are filled with water, are separated by a small ice cylinder 7 that forms at each passage 4.

Once the ice has formed, the packaging structure 1 is therefore constituted by a plurality of individual portions 8, which are separated by hems 9 constituted by the heat- sealed portions 3.

The heat-sealed portions 3 have die-cuts or slits 10 that make it easier to break the tube 2 in order to easily separate the portions 8 from each other.

The packaging 1 constituted by the portions 8, each containing an ice"cube"and connected by the hems 9, can be placed inside a refrigerated container 11, which can be of a per se known type.

According to the invention, the container 11 has a dispensing opening 12 that allows to extract one or more portions 8 of the structure from the container 11.

In the illustrated example, the opening 12 has two flaps 13, made of rubber or other elastically deformable material, which are adapted to close the opening.

The flaps 13 form a slit 16 through which the hem 9 that separates the portions 8 of the tube 2 can pass. The flaps 13 undergo an elastic deformation so that the slit 16 widens enough to allow a portion 8 to pass, as shown schematically in Figure 4.

A means for supporting the tube 2 is associated inside the container 11 at the opening 12, so as to support the tube 2 so that the first portion 8 of the tube is supported at the opening 12, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The supporting means is constituted, in the specific case, by an L-shaped member 14 that supports an elastic ring 15, for example a rubber 0-ring, which supports the portion 8 that faces the opening 12. The elastic ring 15 is deformed by the traction applied to the portion 8 that faces the opening 12, so as to allow the passage of the subsequent underlying portion 8.

The tube 2 is contained in the refrigerating container 11 and can be extracted

through the opening 12, for removing a selected number of portions 8.

The tube 2 can be arranged inside the refrigerating container in various manners; for example, as shown schematically in Figure 7, it can be contained in a parallelepipedal cardboard box, like a machine-gun belt magazine, so that the free end of the tube protrudes, in an upper region, at the opening 12 from which the portions 8 are removed.

The refrigerating container can contain a series of parallel boxes.

Figure 8 schematically illustrates another method of storing the tube 2 in the container 11, comprising a reel on which the tube 2 is wound.

Regardless of the method used to store and carry the tube 2, it is possible to extract from the container only the chosen portions 8, always leaving the other portions inside the container. In this manner the ice cubes are constantly kept refrigerated before being consumed.

The operation of the packaging structure according to the invention is apparent from the description given above.

The tube 2 is simply filled with water and then sealed at its ends.

The packaging 1 thus formed can be frozen in order to form the ice portions and can be inserted in a container or dispenser, which is conveniently provided with an opening that allows to extract only the chosen portions 8, leaving the other portions inside the container 11, for example in the manner described above.

The presence of the die-cut 10 or other similar provision allows to easily break the hem 9 in order to separate the portions 8 to be extracted.

In the illustrated example, the part of the hem 9 that remains associated with the portion 8 that remains inside the container protrudes from the slit 16 of the opening 12 so as to allow the user to grip it and extract new portions from the container.

The easy breaking of the hem 9 is designed to make the ice cube exit easily from the plastic container, making it fall into the glass or other vessel for consumption.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the tube 2 may be first filled with water, then sealed and then manually, or by means of a machine, welded to form the hems 9. This embodiment is particularly useful where the water manufacturing plants are not equipped with advanced machinery and the tube 2 has to be manufactured elsewhere

and then shipped to the water manufacturing plant.

The tube 2 may be provided as a plastic tube or as a plastic sheet subsequently welded longitudinally to form the tube 2.

It has been found in practice that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, an ice packaging having been provided which allows to distribute ice in the form of cubes ready for use and at the same time in a sealed package that offers high assurances of hygiene.

The packaging according to the invention is advantageous in several types of situation, for example in countries where the water of the public water system is not considered hygienically safe.

The present packaging makes immediately available hygienically safe ice to be added to beverages, in sealed containers, differently from the current situation in which ice is often shunned by the consumers afraid of running health risks.

Even where the health problem does not exist, the packaging according to the invention can be a valid commercial tool, since it can be used to market and distribute "branded"ice, i. e. , ice constituted by water normally sold in bottles. For this purpose, the tube can bear the trademarks of the producer.

The packaging can of course be used with liquids other than plain water, for example water with the addition of flavors, fruit juice concentrates, et cetera, for example in order to distribute ice lollies or"Popsicles".

Another advantage of the packaging according to the invention is that it can be used in automatic vending machines operated by means of coins, tokens, cards et cetera.

The packaging according to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, within the scope of the appended claims. All the details may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may of course be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.