EP1431201B1

EP1431201B1 - Single-piece multi-compartment container for food products to be directly consumed

Info

Publication number: EP1431201B1
Application number: EP03028028A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franco Ferri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-16
Filing date: 2003-12-05
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-05
Also published as: EP1431201A1; DE60317448D1; ATE378264T1; ITMI20020582U1; DE60317448T2

Abstract

A single-piece multi-compartment container (1) for food products to be directly consumed comprises a container body (2) divided into a plurality of compartments (3,4,5) by divider elements formed in a single-piece with the container body, each compartment being insulated from the other adjoining compartments and being adapted to hold different food products and beverages. <IMAGE>

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a single-piece multi-compartment container for food products, to be directly consumed.
As is known, the so-called "snack" food products are conventionally packaged in individual packages, i.e. in packages containing a single portion of a single food product.
Other food packages, moreover, comprises means for facilitating a direct consume of several food or beverage products, without using tools or outer vessels, such as glasses.
DE 202 01 602 U discloses a composite container for cocktails, made of two assembled glasses.
US-A-4 691 821 relates to a receptacle having separated chambers and one bottom.
US-A- 5 850 919 concerns a container having separated compartments and a removable divider consisting of a vertical and horizontal member.
The above mentioned packages, however, have the drawback that they comprise a lot of portions which must be assembled, with comparatively high making and packaging costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a container construction, made in a single-piece, adapted to hold a plurality of food products in separated compartments, to allow said food products to be easily consumed, by directly using the container.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a container construction which is very simple and unexpensive.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by the single-piece, multi-compartment, container construction of claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the single-piece container construction according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a further perspective view, partially broken-away, of said container construction;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of that same container construction;
Figure 4 is a further exploded perspective view, partially broken-away, of the single-piece container construction according to the invention; and
Figure 5 is a cross-sectioned top plan view of the container construction of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the single-piece, multiple-compartment, container construction according to the invention, generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a substantially cylindric container body 2, which is divided into a plurality of compartments, which, as seen from the top or in a plan view, have the configuration of segments of a circle.
The cylindric container body 2 and the separating or dividing elements defining the mentioned segments, are made in a single piece, preferably by injection molding, so that each said sector is insulated from the adjoining sectors and is adapted to hold a food product and/or other products and a beverage.
The container body 2 can be closed by using a top membrane 6, which, for example, is thermosealed to the top edge portion of said container, and which can be opened by tearing, as the contents of the container are to be consumed.
More specifically, the container body 2 is divided into three sectors, i.e. a first sector 3, a second sector 4 and a third sector 5.
Said sectors 3, 4 and 5 have been specifically designed for respectively holding breadsticks, chocolate cream and tea.
The above mentioned products constitute a typical example of snack food products, with the related beverage; however, they can be replaced by other food products.
Advantageously, the second sector 4 of figure 4 comprises a bottom, raised with respect to the bottoms of the other sectors including diaphragm 8 formed at a middle region with respect to the top of the container body 2 and bottom 9 of said body, so that the second sector 4 has a reduced volume provided for holding therein a small amount of chocolate cream or other cream product, which can be easily removed by using said breadsticks.
The third sector 5 of figure 4 occupies about a half of the volume of the container body 2 and, accordingly, is adapted to hold therein a sufficient amount of a beverage, preferably consisting of tea.
The beverage can be taken by using a small cane, which can be held, together with the breadsticks, in the first sector 3.
The size of the top edge portion of said third sector 5 would allow to also take the beverage directly therefrom, by possibly holding the breadsticks by the fingers of the same hand supporting the container, to prevent said breadsticks from disengaging from their seats, as the container is slanted to drink.
The viscous nature of the chocolate cream will prevent said cream from exiting its sector, as the vessel is slanted for the short time necessary for drinking a sip of the beverage.
It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In fact, the invention provides a container construction which can hold and make immediately available for the consume a plurality of food products such as to form a full snack.
Moreover, the container construction according to the invention can be made unexpensively, since it comprises a single body.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the container size, can be any, depending on the requirements.

Claims

A multiple-compartment container construction for food products to be directly consumed, said container construction comprising a container body (2) having a substantially cylindrical configuration and being divided into a plurality of sectors (3,4,5) which, in a plan view, have the configuration of circular sectors divided by dividing elements formed in a single piece with said container body, thereby each of said sectors (3,4,5) is insulated from the adjoining ones and is adapted for holding said food products, characterized in that one of said sectors is provided with a bottom (8) raised with respect to the bottoms of the other sectors, said bottom (8) consisting of a divider element formed in a middle region with respect to the top and the bottom of said container body (2), so that said one sector has a small volume, thereby facilitating the taking out of said food product from said body (2).
The container of claim 1, characterized in that said sectors (3,4,5) are defined inside said cylindrical container by dividing or separating elements.
The container of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a top membrane (6) is provided for closing said container body (2) and which can be opened by tearing as the contents of said container must be consumed.
The container of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that three sectors (3,4,5) are provided.
The container of claim 4, characterized in that the volume of one of the sectors other than said one sector is a half of the total volume of said body (2).