WO2023242734A1

WO2023242734A1 - Device for lifting an ice cream tray

Info

Publication number: WO2023242734A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/056092
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lode André A. VANDEN BUSSCHE
Original assignee: V'ice Bv
Priority date: 2022-06-14
Filing date: 2023-06-13
Publication date: 2023-12-21

Abstract

Device for lifting an ice cream tray (2) whereby the device (10) is detachable from the ice cream tray (2) and is provided with at least a first contact point (14A) and a second contact point (14B) that can press against one or more sidewalls (8) of the ice cream tray (2) and/or that can hook behind an inward facing free upper rim (6) of the ice cream tray (2), all this such that the ice cream tray (2) can be lifted with the device (10). The device (10) is provided with a third contact point (14C) which at least limits the rotation of the ice cream tray (2) around an axis running through the first contact point (14A) and the second contact point (14B).

Description

Device for li fting an ice cream tray

The present invention relates to a device for li fting an ice cream tray

In particular, the invention is intended for li fting an ice cream tray, said ice cream tray typically being applied at least partly sunkenly in an opening provided to thi s end in a top of a refrigerated counter .

Traditionally, a refrigerated counter for easy scoop ice cream or ice cream is provided with a top in which openings are applied . Ice cream trays , filled with easy scoop ice cream or ice cream, are applied in said openings , which usually lie sunkenly in the top of the refrigerated counter .

An upper rim of the ice cream tray usually comes to lie on the same level or in the same plane as the top of the refrigerated counter, although this is not necessary .

An ice cream tray typically comprises a base and a continuous sidewall or sidewalls to form an open tub .

The one or more sidewalls of the open tub thereby show a free upper rim .

Ice cream trays with an outward facing free upper rim are known as are ice cream trays with an inward facing free upper rim . Outward facing free upper rim here is understood to mean a rim facing away from the axis of the tub, said axis extending perpendicularly relative to the base of the tub .

An inward facing free upper rim here is understood to mean a rim facing the axis of the tub, said axis extending perpendicularly relative to the base of the tub .

The outward facing free upper rim of the ice cream trays with the outward facing free upper rim rest on the top of the refrigerated counter .

A disadvantage of said ice cream trays with an outward facing free upper rim is that they cannot move completely through the openings in the top of the refrigerated counter .

The ice cream trays with an inward facing free upper rim of fer a solution here . Because said ice cream trays can be moved completely through the openings in the top it is possible to have the ice cream trays completely sunken in the refrigerated counter .

This is particularly useful when the refrigerated counter has to be closed after use . Moving the ice cream tray completely through the opening suf fices after which the opening can be covered with a suitable lid .

Several ice cream trays can also be stacked on top of each other in the same opening of the top . After the top ice cream tray is empty it can be removed from the top and a new ice cream tray can be lifted from the top through the opening .

A disadvantage of the ice cream trays with inward facing free edges is that they are difficult to lift manually.

The inward facing free upper rims are often too narrow to hook one's fingers behind with sufficient grip.

Furthermore, frequently moving the, sometimes heavy, ice cream trays can also strain one's fingers or cause inj uries .

Furthermore, in view of the content of the ice cream trays, said rims may be very slippery, which increases the risk of dropping an ice cream tray.

Furthermore, it is unhygienic to move around ice cream trays by hooking one's fingers behind the inward facing free upper rim, where said fingers can come into contact with the easy scoop ice cream or ice cream.

With the known tools for lifting an ice cream tray, when used, a maximum of two contact points touch the sidewall (s) of the ice cream tray.

The disadvantage of this is that a rotation of the ice cream tray around the axis running through the two contact points is still possible. This reduces the user- friendliness, reduces the grip of the device on the sidewall ( s ) with a risk of the ice cream tray falling . Any rotation also may cause content to be spilled .

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to the aforementioned and other disadvantages .

To this end, the invention relates to a device for li fting an ice cream tray, said ice cream tray typically being applied at least partly sunkenly in an opening provided to this end in a top of a refrigerated counter, whereby the ice cream tray comprises a base and a continuous sidewall or sidewalls to form an open tub, whereby the one or more sidewalls of the open tub show a free upper rim whereby at least a section of the free upper rim faces inwardly, whereby the device is detachable from the ice cream tray and is provided with at least a f irst contact point and a second contact point that can pres s against the one or more sidewalls of the ice cream tray and/or that can hook behind the inward facing free upper rim o f the ice cream tray, all this such that the ice cream tray can be li fted with the device , whereby the device is provided with a third contact point which at least limits the rotation of the ice cream tray around an axis running through the first contact point and the second contact point .

This has the advantage that the ice cream trays with inward facing free upper rim can be li fted and moved in a very simple manner and in a very ergonomic way .

Such device also prevents one ' s fingers coming into contact with the ice cream or easy scoop ice cream which furthermore is a maj or hygienic advantage . Also , the risk of dropping an ice cream tray is reduced to a minimum or even entirely prevented .

The first and second contact point ensure sufficient contact between the device and the sidewall ( s ) and/or free upper rim of the ice cream tray, whereas the third contact point limits or blocks the rotation of the ice cream tray when li fted with the device .

Said third contact point can be a stop which, when in use and with the ice cream tray being li fted with the device and with no external forces acting on the device or ice cream tray apart from the vertical force component , is a certain distance away from the ice cream tray . Said distance is , for example , one , two , three , four or five centimetres .

The aforementioned stop will at least limit the rotation .

Alternatively, the third contact point can, when in use , also be directly in contact with the ice cream tray . In this case the third contact point will block the rotation .

In a preferred embodiment , the contact points are made from rubber or from synthetic material or alternatively the contact points are provided with a sleeve made from rubber or synthetic material .

In this way the grip between the device and the ice cream tray is maximised . In a preferred embodiment , the device is provided with four contact points . In this way, the rotation is suf ficiently limited or locked, whereas there is a very good grip between the device and the ice cream tray .

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of devices for li fting an ice cream tray according to the invention are described hereinafter by way of an example , without any limiting nature , with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein : figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a refrigerated counter for easy scoop ice cream; figure 2 shows a cross-section of the refrigerated counter of figure 1 according to line I I- I I ; figure 3 schematically shows a first possible variant of a device for li fting an ice cream tray according to the invention; figure 4 shows the variant of figure 3 , but applied in an ice cream tray; figure 5 shows a second possible variant of a device according to the invention; figure 6 shows a third possible variant of a device according to the invention; figure 7 shows a fourth possible variant of a device according to the invention; figure 8 shows a fi fth possible variant of a device according to the invention; figure 9 shows a sixth possible variant of a device according to the invention; figure 10 shows a seventh possible variant of a device according to the invention; figure 11 shows an eighth possible variant of a device according to the invention; figure 12 shows a ninth possible variant of a device according to the invention .

Figure 1 shows a refrigerated counter 1 whereby ice cream trays 2 for ice cream or easy scoop ice cream 3 are applied in openings 4 provided to this end in a top 5 of the refrigerated counter 1 .

The dimensions of the openings 4 in the refrigerated counter 1 are aligned to the dimensions of the ice cream trays 2 such that the ice cream trays 2 are completely sunken in the refrigerated counter 1 .

In this case , a free upper rim 6 of the ice cream trays 2 lies in the same plane as the top 5 of the re frigerated counter 1 .

However, it is also possible that the free upper rim 6 extends partially above or under the top 5 .

In the case of figure 1 the refrigerated counter 1 comprises six openings 4 whereby an ice cream tray 2 is applied in every opening . Preferably, the ice cream trays 2 are cylindrically executed, as shown in the figures 1 to 11 , but this not necessary for the invention . Alternatively, the ice cream trays can also have another shape .

In the cross-section of the refrigerated counter 1 , as shown in figure 2 , it is clearly visible that the ice cream trays 2 comprise a base 7 and, in this case but not necessarily, a continuous sidewall 8 to form an open tub 9 . The sidewall 8 is oriented inwardly at its free upper rim 6 .

In this figure the outer most left ice cream tray 2 is still partially filled with easy scoop ice cream 3 whereas the other two ice cream trays 2 are empty .

The invention relates to a device 10 for li fting and moving such ice cream trays 2 , which usually, but not necessarily, show an inward facing free upper rim 6 .

A first possible variant of such device 10 is shown in figure 3 .

In this case , the device 10 shown comprises two brackets 11A, 11B which are connected to each other by means of a connecting rail 12 . The brackets 11A, 11B can hinge around said connecting rail 12 .

Said connecting rail 12 is not necessary, the brackets

11A, 11B could also be directly connected to each other . In this case , a first bracket 11A is provided with two contact points 14A, 14C, whereas a second bracket 11B is provided with one contact point 14B .

When the handles 13 are moved towards each other under the influence of a force exercised thereon, the contact points 14A, 14C of the first bracket 11A are driven away from the contact point 14B of the second bracket 11B .

In this case , the contact points 14A, 14B, 14C are executed in rubber or provided with a rubber sleeve , to further increase the grip between the device 10 and the ice cream tray 2 .

A user is thus able to li ft an ice cream tray 2 with the device 10 , by partially inserting the device 10 in the ice cream tray 2 until the contact points 14A, 14B, 14C are located on the level of the aforementioned inward facing free upper rim 6 .

Subsequently it suf fices for the user to move the handles 13 towards each other by making a squeezing motion with his or her fist .

Due to the curved or folded design of the brackets 11A, 11B and thanks to their hinged connection with each other or with the connecting rail 12 , the contact points 14A, 14C of the first bracket 11A are driven away from the contact point 14B of the second bracket 11B . Or in other words , the contact points 14A, 14B, 14C of the brackets 11A, 11B are driven away towards the sidewall 8 , where they hook or engage in the inward facing free upper rim 6 or press against the sidewall 8 .

This situation is shown in figure 4 , where the device of figure 3 is applied in an ice cream tray 2 and is ready to be li fted . To show the connection between the device 10 and the ice cream tray 2 better, the sidewall 8 of the ice cream tray 2 has been partly left out in this figure .

The ice cream tray 2 is now detachably connected to the device 10 as long as the handles 13 are moved towards each other under the influence of the force exercised by the user .

After li fting or moving, the user can remove the device 10 from the ice cream tray 2 again by moving the handles 13 away from each other again, such that the contact points 14A, 14C of the first bracket 11A move back into the direction of the contact point 14B of the second bracket 11B .

Moving the handles 13 away from each other again can be done manually or under the influence of an optionally provided spring which is , for example , tensioned between the brackets .

A second variant of a device 10 for li fting an ice cream tray 2 is shown in figure 5 . This second variant is very similar to the variant as shown in figure 3 , the di f ference being that both the first bracket 11A and the second bracket 11B are each provided with two contact points 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D . This variant is thus provided with four contact points 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D in total .

Here too , one end of the brackets 11A, 11B is provided with the contact points 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, whereas the opposite ends are provided with a handle .

A third variant is shown in figure 6 , which, in turn, is very similar to the second variant . The contact points 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D that are located on the same bracket 11A, 11B are mutually connected to each other in this variant such that additional contact points 14E are formed, such that a contiguous strip 14E of contact points is created .

In this case , said strip 14E is made from an elastic material , all this such that during use of the device 10 , when the strip 14E presses against the sidewall of the ice cream tray 2 , the strip 14E deforms elastically and follows the curvature of the sidewall 8 , such that the strip 14E comes into maximum contact with the sidewall 8 .

However, it is not excluded that the strip 14E is at least partially coated with an elastic material .

In this example , the strip 14E has the same curvature or curve as the curvature or curve of the sidewall of the ice cream tray 2 . This ensures a maximum contact between the strip 14E and the sidewall 8 .

A fourth variant of the device 10 , as shown in figure 7 , comprises a handle 13 and two telescopic elements 15 , 16 in this case . In this case the telescopic elements 15 , 16 are executed as a cylinder 15 and a rod 16 that is slideable therein . In other words , the rod 16 can move in the cylinder 15 according to the axis of the cylinder 15 .

A first end 17 of the cylinder 15 is provided with an opening 18 such that an end of the rod 16 can move back and forth whereas a second end 19 of the cylinder 15 is provided with rubber or synthetic material to increase the grip between the ice cream tray 2 and the device 10 .

It is not excluded that a free end 20 of the rod 16 is also provided with rubber or synthetic material .

In this case the handle 13 is provided with a push button 21 .

When the user takes hold of the handle 13 and presses the push button 21 , the rod 16 will be partially driven out of the opening 18 of the cylinder 15 .

The user can thus li ft the ice cream tray 2 in a very simple manner by inserting the device 10 into the ice cream tray 2 until the two ends 17 , 19 of the cylinder 15 are located on the level of the aforementioned inward facing free upper rim 6 of the ice cream tray 2 . Subsequently the user only has to press the push button 21 such that the rod 16 is driven out of the cylinder 15 .

In this example , the free end 20 of the rod 16 is provided with two contact points 14A, 14B, whereas the second end 19 of the cylinder 15 is provided with one contact point 14C .

However, it is not excluded that the second end 19 is provided with two contact points 14A, 14B and the free end 20 of the rod 16 is provided with one contact point 14C . More alternatively, the number of contact points of the free end 20 or of the second end 19 can be greater than two .

The device 10 and the ice cream tray 2 are released simply by letting go or no longer pressing the push button 21 .

A fi fth possible variant is shown in figure 8 and here the device 10 comprises a handle 13 which is connected to an oblong body 22 .

The oblong body 22 is provided at a first end 23 with rubber to increase the grip between the device 10 and the ice cream tray 2 .

The oblong body 22 is provided at a second end 24 with a C- shaped protrusion 25 which, in this embodiment , is located at a slight angle relative to the oblong body 22 . In this case , the C-shaped protrusion 25 comprises a sidewall 26 and two legs 27 . An opening 28 is provided between the legs 27 .

Connecting the device 10 to the ice cream tray 2 is done in a very simple manner by angling in the oblong body 22 . First , the first end 23 of the oblong body 22 is brought to the level of the aforementioned inward facing free upper rim 6 .

Subsequently, the opening 28 of the C-shaped protrusion 25 of the second end 24 of the oblong body 22 is moved in the direction of the inward facing free upper rim 6 .

Subsequently, the oblong body 22 i s brought to a hori zontal level , this means that the axis of the oblong body 22 extends in an approximately parallel way with the base 7 of the ice cream tray 2 .

The opening 28 of the C-shaped protrusion 25 hereby engages over the aforementioned inward facing free upper rim 6 .

In other words , the inward facing free upper rim 6 is enclosed between the legs 27 of the C-shaped protrusion 25 .

The C-shaped protrusion is provided with one contact point 14C, whereas the first end 23 is provided with two contact points 14A, 14B .

The device 10 is now connected with the ice cream tray 2 . It is also not excluded that the handle 13 is located closer to the first end 23 than to the second end 24 to ensure in this way that the greatest force is borne by the first end 23 .

Releasing is done in the opposite way and is realised by tilting the oblong body 22 again or moving said body at an angle relative to the base 7 of the ice cream tray 2 .

The aforementioned inward facing free upper rim 6 will then no longer be enclosed between the two legs 27 of the C- shaped protrusion 25 .

Figure 9 shows a sixth possible variant of a device 10 according to the invention for li fting an ice cream tray 2 .

The device 10 comprises an oblong body 22 with a handle 13 connected thereto .

In this case , the end faces 29 o f the oblong body 22 are provided at one end 29A with one contact point 14A, whereas the other, opposite end 29B is provided with two contact points 14B and 14C .

A seventh possible variant is shown in figure 10 , whereby the device 10 comprises a hook-shaped element 30 that is hingeably connected to an elongated 31 element .

In this embodiment the hook-shaped element 30 and the elongated element 31 are made from one piece , for example spring steel or an elastic synthetic material . The hook-shaped element 31 is provided with one contact point 14A, whereas the elongated element 31 is provided with two contact points 14B, 14C .

Connecting the device 10 to the ice cream tray 2 is very simple and it suf fices that a user slides the device 10 over the inward facing free upper rim 6 of the ice cream tray 2 in such a way that the free upper rim 6 is now enclosed or clasped between the hook 32 and the elongated element 31 .

As preferably the device 10 is made from spring steel or an elastic synthetic material , the hook 32 will exercise a certain pressure or clamping force on the inward facing free upper rim 6 . Alternatively, the user can also exercise a clamping force during operation by squeez ing together the hook-shaped element 30 and elongated element 31 .

Releasing the device 10 is done very simply by again sliding away the device 10 from the inward facing free upper rim 6 until the free upper rim 6 is no longer enclosed or clasped by the hook 32 and the elongated element 31 .

An eighth possible variant is shown in figure 11 , whereby the device 10 comprises a handle 13 which at its ends 33 is connected to at least three elastic compressible arms 34 .

The arms 34 are elastically compressible towards each other and spring away from each other when no external force engages on said arms 34 . The arms 34 or the whole device 10 can, for example , be made from spring steel or an elastic synthetic material .

It is also possible that the arms 34 are connected to the handle 13 by means of a torsion spring .

At their free ends 33 the arms 34 are provided with hooks 35 that form the contact points 14A, 14B, 14C .

Connecting the device 10 to the ice cream tray 2 is very simple and it suf fices to move the arms 34 towards each other . Subsequently the arms 34 can be partially inserted in the ice cream tray 2 until the hooks 35 of the arms 34 are located on the level of the inward facing free upper rim 6 of the ice cream tray 2 .

Subsequently, the arms 34 are no longer pressed toward each other such that said arms spring back and the hooks 35 engage on the inward facing free upper rim 6 .

The device 10 is now connected to the ice cream tray 2 .

Releasing the device 10 is very simple and it suf fices to move the arms 34 towards each other again until the hooks 35 no longer engage on the inward facing free upper rim 6 .

Although the example shown here shows three arms 34 , it is not excluded that there are four or more arms 34 . A ninth possible variant is shown in figure 12 , whereby the device 10 comprises a cylinder 36 and ribs 37 that are connected to the cylinder 36 in a hinge point 38 . In this case the figure shows three ribs 37 , but the number of ribs 37 is unlimited in practice .

Every rib 37 is provided with a contact point 14A, 14B, 14C at a free end .

The ribs 37 are hingeably connected to tensioners 39 approximately midway their length . In turn, said tensioners 39 are hingeably connected to a slider 40 , said slider 40 being slideable over the cylinder 36 .

A rod 41 can move freely back and forth in the cylinder 36 . A free end 42 of the rod 41 partially protrudes from a free end 43 of the cylinder 36 . In turn, the rod 41 is connected to the slider 40 .

The consequence of sliding in the rod 41 in the direction of the cylinder 36 is thus that the slider 40 is moved in the same direction over the cylinder 36 .

The slider 40 will cause the angle between the tensioners 39 and the cylinder 36 to increase such that in turn the tensioners 39 cause the angle between the ribs 37 and the cylinder 36 to increase .

Inserting the device 10 is thus done with a rod 41 which is slid out of the cylinder 36 as far as possible . The ribs 37 and tensioners 39 are then located practically parallel or at only a slight angle relative to the cylinder 36 .

After inserting the device 10 with its hinge point 38 in the direction of the base 7 of the ice cream tray 2 , the rod 41 is slid in the cylinder 36 such that the s lider 40 keeps increasing the angle of the tensioners 39 and thus also of the ribs 37 relative to the cylinder 36 .

At a certain moment , the angle between the ribs 37 and the cylinder 36 is so big that free ends 44 of the ribs 37 engage in the aforementioned inward facing free upper rim 6 of the ice cream tray 2 and after which the device 10 is thus connected to the ice cream tray 2 .

Releasing the device 10 from the ice cream tray 2 is very simple and it suf fices to partially pull the rod 41 out of the cylinder 36 again .

Indeed, the slider 40 will then cause the tensioners 39 and thus also the ribs 37 to return to a parallel position or at only a slight angle relative to the cylinder 36 .

It is understood that the invention can be realised in many di f ferent possible ways and variants .

The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the drawings , but a device for li fting an ice cream tray according to the invention can be realised in all kinds of forms and dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention .

Claims

1.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray (2) , said ice cream tray (2) typically being applied at least partly sunkenly in an opening (4) provided to this end in a top

(5) of a refrigerated counter (1) , whereby the ice cream tray (2) comprises a base (7) and a continuous sidewall (8) or sidewalls (8) to form an open tub (9) , whereby the one or more sidewalls (8) of the open tub (9) show a free upper rim (6) whereby at least a section of the free upper rim

(6) faces inwardly, whereby the device (10) is detachable from the ice cream tray (2) and is provided with at least a first contact point (14A) and a second contact point (14B) that can press against the one or more sidewalls (8) of the ice cream tray (2) and/or that can hook behind the inward facing free upper rim (6) of the ice cream tray (2) , all this such that the ice cream tray (2) can be lifted with the device (10) , characterised in that the device (10) is provided with a third contact point (14C) which at least limits the rotation of the ice cream tray (2) around an axis running through the first contact point (14A) and the second contact point (14B) .

2.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the contact points (14) are executed in rubber or synthetic material or provided with a sleeve made from rubber or from synthetic material.

3.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to one of the previous claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the device (10) comprises two brackets (11A, 11B) that are hingeably connected to each other, whereby a first bracket (11A) is provided with at least two contact points (14A and 14C) and a second bracket (11B) is provided with at least one contact point (14B) .

4.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 3, characterised in that the aforementioned brackets (11A, 11B) are provided with the respective contact points (14A, 14B, 14C) at one end and with a handle (13) at the opposite end, whereby the brackets (11) are shaped such that when the handles (13) are moved towards each other under the influence of a force exercised thereon, the contact points (14A, 14C) of the first bracket (11A) are driven away from the contact point (14B) of the second bracket (11B) .

5.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the device (10) is provided with four contact points (14) .

6.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 5, characterised in that the device (10) comprises two brackets (11A, 11B) that are hingeably connected to each other, whereby each bracket (11A, 11B) is provided with respectively two contact points ( 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) at one end and with a handle (13) at the opposite end.

7 Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to any one of the previous claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the contact points ( 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) which are located on the same bracket (11A, 11B) are mutually connected to each other and thus form additional contact points (14E) , all this such that a contiguous strip (14E) of contact points is formed.

8.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 7, characterised in that the aforementioned strip (14E) is elastic or coated with an elastic material, all this such that during use of the device, when the strip (14E) presses against the sidewall of the ice cream tray (2) , the strip (14E) elastically deforms and follows the curvature of the sidewall (8) , such that the strip (14E) is in maximum contact with the sidewall (8) .

9.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 7, characterised in that the strip (14E) has the same curvature or curve as the curvature or curve of the sidewall (8) of the ice cream tray (2) .

10.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the device (10) comprises two telescopic elements (15,16) , which at a first free end (19) are provided with at least two contact points (14A, 14C) and at a second, opposite, free end (20) is provided with at least one contact point (14B) .

11.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the device (10) comprises an oblong body (22) , said body (22) being provided at a first end (23) with at least two contact points (14A, 14C) and at a second end (24) , opposite the first end (23) , is provided with a C-shaped protrusion (25) which is intended for engaging over the inward facing free upper rim (6) of the ice cream tray (2) and is provided with at least one contact point (14B) or vice versa.

12.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the device (10) comprises a hook-shaped element (30) and an elongated element (31) which are hingeably connected to each other, said hook-shaped element (30) being provided with a hook (32) which is intended for engaging in the inward facing free upper rim (6) and which forms at least one contact point (14B) there and whereby the elongated element (31) is provided with at least two contact points (14A, 14C) in such a way that the upper rim (6) is clasped as it were between the hook (32) and the elongated element (31) .

13.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the device (10) comprises a handle (13) that is connected to at least three arms (34) , said arms (34) being elastically compressible towards each other and said arms (34) springing away from each other when no external force engages on said arms (34) and whereby each free end of the arms (34) is provided with a contact point ( 14A, 14B, 14C) .

14.- Device for lifting an ice cream tray according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the device (10) comprises a cylinder (36) and at least three ribs (37) that are connected to the cylinder (36) in a hinge point (38) , whereby the ribs (37) are hingeably connected approximately midway their length to tensioners (39) and whereby the ribs (37) are provided with contact points at their free ends (44) (14) which are intended for engaging in the inward facing free upper rim (6) of the ice cream tray (2) , said tensioners (39) in turn being hingeably connected to a slider (40) , said slider (40) being able to slide back and forth over the cylinder (36) , whereby a rod (41) in the cylinder (36) can slide freely back and forth, whereby a free end (42) of the rod (41) protrudes partially from a free end (43) of the cylinder (36) and said rod (41) in turn is connected to the slider (40) and whereby the rod (41) can be slid in the cylinder (36) according to the axis of the cylinder (36) and whereby the slider (40) can consequently be moved in the same direction over the cylinder (36) , retracting or extending the rod (41) will increase, respectively decrease the angle between the ribs (37) .