MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A multiple compartment container assembly for separately containing two articles. The container assembly includes a container, an insert and a lid, where the insert is disposed within the container. The container has an upper portion, a lower portion and a lip, where the upper portion is constructed to house the insert and the insert may be recessed in the container or may rest on the lip of the container. The insert can be constructed of a bottom wall, a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and a flange radially extending from the sidewall. The flange has at least one indention defined in a peripheral edge of the flange constructed to flange aid a user in placing a fingertip below the flange when removing the insert from the container. In one embodiment the flange has a plurality of intermittent indentions defined in the peripheral edge of the flange. The lid is removeably affixed to the container and covers the insert.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is disposable multiple compartment food storage containers. There are various multiple compartment containers currently available for consumption, several designs include parfait cups and plastic containers that separate food with plastic dividers molded into the container.

Plastic parfait cups having an insert for containing granola and fruit are known in the art. However, these plastic cups are typically bulky and difficult to remove the insert from the body of the container. In addition, typically the plastic used for constructing parfait cups is not able to withstand heating or baking in an oven or a microwave.

Plastic containers made of hard plastic may be able to withstand the heat of an oven or a microwave; however, it is difficult to separate the food prior to heating up the container. Therefore, all of the food must be heated up, rather than a portion of the food.

Accordingly, a need exists for a multiple compartment container assembly that separates food items and has features that make it easy to use. A need also exists for a multiple compartment container assembly that that has intermittent indentions in the lip of the insert to aid in gripping the insert for easy removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multiple compartment container assembly for separately containing two articles. The container assembly includes a container, an insert and a lid, where the insert is disposed within the container. One aspect of the present invention involves the means by which the lid affixes to the container over the insert.

The container can be constructed of an upper portion, a lower portion and a lip, where the upper portion is constructed to house the insert and the insert may be recessed in the container or may rest on the lip of the container.

The insert can be constructed of a bottom wall, a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and a flange radially extending from the sidewall. The flange has at least one indention defined in a peripheral edge of the flange. In one embodiment the flange has a plurality of intermittent indentions defined in the peripheral edge of the flange. The plurality of indentions provided in the insert's flange aid a user in placing a fingertip below the flange when removing the insert from the container. The plurality of intermittent indentions are configured so that the insert's flange may take on the general shape of a gear.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple compartment container assembly for separately storing two consumables that may later be combined where the insert is constructed of material that is both insulating and heat resistant.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a multiple compartment container assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective sectional view of a multiple compartment container assembly having food items stored in upper and lower compartments thereof in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating food items served in an insert constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of an upper portion of a multiple compartment container assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a top perspective sectional view of a multiple compartment container assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective sectional view of a multiple compartment container assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

The present invention is directed generally to a multiple compartment container assembly 10 as illustrated in the accompanying figures. In one embodiment, container assembly 10 comprises three main components, including (1) a container 12, (2) an insert 22, and (3) a lid 36. It will be appreciated that one or more additional inserts may be included that are configured for extending below insert 22.

Container 12 can be constructed of paperboard, plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, molded pulp fiber, laminated molded fiber, Styrofoam® made by Dow Chemical Company, or any other suitable material. Container 12 can be a multi-walled cup and can further include an insulating material surrounding at least a portion thereof The exterior surfaces of container 12 can be suitable for having advertising, logos and other graphics printed thereon.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, container 12 comprises an upper portion 14 and a lower portion 16, where upper portion 14 is configured to receive insert 22. Insert 22 is sized and shaped so as to be suspended within upper portion 14 of container 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Insert 22 includes a peripheral, radially-extending flange 24 that rests atop an upper lip 18 of container 12, as best depicted in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, flange 24 may include one or more indentions 28 defined in a peripheral edge 34 of flange 24 and that allows a consumer to get a fingertip either underneath flange 24 or between flange 24 and upper lip 18 when removing insert 22 from container 12. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of intermittent indentions 28 are provided such that flange 24 may take on the general shape of a gear.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, insert 22 has one indention 28 that is generally c-shaped, so that a user can get a fingertip either underneath flange 24 or between flange 24 and upper lip 18 when removing insert 22 from container 12.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, insert 22 rests in a recessed position in upper portion 14 of container 12. Insert 22 includes a sidewall 30 extending generally upwardly from a bottom wall 26 and flange 24 extending generally horizontally from sidewall 30. Sidewall 30 can be angled as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. As shown in FIG. 6, when insert 22 is in a recessed position in upper portion 14 of container 12, a corner 32, formed where sidewall 30 and bottom wall 26 meet, generally rests on an interior wall 20 of upper portion 16 of container 12. As shown in FIG. 6, flange 24 may include one or more indentions 28 defined in a peripheral edge 34 of flange 24 and that allows a consumer to get a fingertip either underneath flange 24 or between flange 24 and upper lip 18 when removing insert 22 from container 12. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of intermittent indentions 28 are provided such that flange 24 may take on the general shape of a gear. When insert 22 is completely recessed in upper portion 14 of container 12, a lid (not shown) may be used that is not constructed to engage or cover flange 24.

Insert 22 may be constructed of various materials including plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, molded pulp fiber, laminated molded fiber or other suitable materials. In one embodiment, insert 22 comprises an insulative material, which may be included about bottom wall 26 for creating an insulating barrier between the food items in insert 22 and the food items in lower portion 16 of container 12, as best depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The primary function of container assembly 10 of the present invention is to hold two or more different food items in a separated fashion. As shown in FIG. 2, a warm food item (e.g., brownie) is placed in insert 22 located in upper portion 14 of container 12 and a cold food item (e.g., ice cream) is placed in lower portion 16. Container assembly 10 of the present invention allows the different food items to be stored separate from one another until serving.

As shown in FIG. 3, the food items may be combined (e.g., brownie a la mode) and served in insert 22, which may further function as a bowl or tray in this instance. In a preferred embodiment, insert 22 is constructed of a molded fiber material suitable, not only for serving, but also for reheating and baking as well. Insert 22 is easily removable from container 12 and used for heating the food item contained in insert 22 prior to combining with the food item contained in lower portion 16 of container 12. The molded fiber material also has desirable insulating properties. Further, an insulating air gap may be provided between the lower food item (e.g., ice cream) and bottom wall 26 of insert 22.

Lid 36 can be included to cover insert 22. As illustrated in FIG. 4, lid 36 has a downwardly-extending skirt 38 that is adapted for engaging upper lip 18 of container 12 in order to secure lid 36 thereon, even when insert 22 is placed within container 12. Upper lip 18 can be rolled in order to more easily engage lid 36. Lid 36 may be a clear plastic lid constructed of polypropylene, polystyrene or the like.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A multiple compartment container assembly for separately storing two consumables to be later combined together comprising: a container;an insert removably suspended within an upper portion of said container is formed from at least a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a flange, wherein said flange radially extends from said sidewall and has at least one indention defined in a peripheral edge of said flange; anda lid removably affixed to said container and covering said insert.

2. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein said flange has a plurality of intermittent indentions defined in said peripheral edge of said flange.

3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said insert is constructed of one of plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, molded pulp fiber, or laminated molded fiber.

4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said container is constructed of one of paperboard, plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, molded pulp fiber, or laminated molded fiber.

5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said lid is constructed of one of polypropylene, or polystyrene.

6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said insert is constructed of a heat resistant and insulative material.

7. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one indention is configured for a user of said container assembly to remove said insert.

8. An insert for use with a container comprising: a bottom wall;a sidewall extending upwardly from said bottom wall; anda flange extending radially from said sidewall, wherein said flange has at least one indention defined in a peripheral edge of said flange.

9. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein said flange has a plurality of intermittent indentions defined in said peripheral edge of said flange.

10. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein said insert is constructed of one of plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, molded pulp fiber, or laminated molded fiber.

11. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein said insert is constructed of a heat resistant and insulative material.

12. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one indention is configured for a user to remove said insert from said container.