Squround facts for kids
A squround is a special kind of container that's shaped like a mix between a square and a round tub. Imagine a rectangle with soft, rounded corners – that's pretty much what a squround looks like! This clever shape makes it super easy to scoop out everything inside. The name "squround" is a mix of the words "square" and "round." You might also hear it called a "scround."
Squround shapes aren't just for tubs. You can find this unique design in other things too, like watches, swimming pools, and even bottles!
Why Squround Containers Are Great for Ice Cream
The squround shape is really popular for ice cream containers. Before squrounds, ice cream often came in square "bricks" or round, cylinder-shaped half-gallons. Companies started using squround containers because people liked them more, and they also helped save money.
These ice cream packages are usually more rectangular than square, but their side edges are nicely rounded. The top and bottom parts are completely flat. Squround packaging gives you some of the good things about traditional round containers, but they also pack together very neatly, just like square cartons.
Most squround ice cream containers are made from strong paperboard. They might also have parts made from plastic that's been shaped by heat or molded. Usually, there's a separate lid made of paperboard, plastic, or both.
Benefits of Squround Ice Cream Containers
Squround containers offer many advantages over other types of ice cream packaging:
- It's easy to scoop out all the ice cream.
- They fit better and save space in your home freezer.
- They pack tightly into bigger boxes for shipping, which is efficient.
- They use retail shelf space more effectively in stores.
- They help people recognize the brand easily. The flatter front acts like a "billboard" for each ice cream flavor, making it easy to read.
- The lid can have special features to show if someone has opened it before.
Even though squrounds are available in the traditional half-gallon size, many companies have started selling them in slightly smaller sizes, like 56 ounces or even 48 ounces. It seems that making the cartons a bit smaller hasn't stopped people from buying them.
For example, Mayfield Dairy announced in January 2003 that they were switching to squround cartons. They told Food Engineering magazine that they expected to sell the same number of 56-ounce containers in 2003 as they sold 64-ounce containers in 2002. Another company, Breyers, started using the smaller package for its "Ice Cream Parlor" brands in 2000. By 2005, they were using the smaller package for all their ice cream flavors. In 2008, Breyers even changed to an even smaller 48-ounce container.
Images for kids
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Round corner tub of cottage cheese, lid, and lidding film
