GB2357072A

GB2357072A - Multi-functional food and drinks container

Info

Publication number: GB2357072A
Application number: GB9924432A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Macfadyen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-16
Filing date: 1999-10-16
Publication date: 2001-06-13
Also published as: GB9924432D0

Abstract

A food and drinks container comprises interlocked, stacked compartments (2,3,4) for a drink, a main dish and a supplementary/complementary dish. The drink container 2 may be a bottle provided with a detachable cup (1), a rotating valve mechanism may be provided between two or more compartments (3,4) for mixing the contents and compartments may have collapsible walls to facilitate emptying or disposal. A base 5 may be provided and may have means for generating heat and the container may be shrink wrapped.

Description

2357072 MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FOOD AND DRINKS CONTAINER This invention relates

to a multi- functional food and drinks container, which incorporates components to provide drinks and contain/mix a complete snack/meal.

Typically, when shopping for a packed meal qr snack, several individual elements have to be selected; the drinks; the main "dish" and a sweet/dessert.

For the retail er/stocki st, this often means dealing with several Companies and the incumbent obligations to purchase ranges rather than individual items.

For the consumer, it restricts the number of outlets from which to purchase various types of food & drink, induces a delay into the selection/purchase process and denies them of the convenience of a "one-stop" purchase.

The present invention can provide a selection of food/drink in one package as a "make away" meal, with various food/drink combinations being available to the user by way of choice and taste. Depending on the materials selected for the container(s), it is also possible to include a heating device to produce hot food.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which- - Figure I shows the container/vessel composed of its individual components.

Figure 2 shows the separation of the individual components.

Figure 3 shows the effect of compressing the collapsible section.

Figures 4 & 5 illustrate the principle of the rotating divider/valve.

Referring to the drawing, the vessel comprises of a series of compartments/containers 1,2,3,4,5 which is capable of holding solids and/or fluids in order to provide a complete meal/snack in one package.

The complete vessel can be made in plastic and/or metal, although the one shown here is of plastic.

Container I is a drinking/mixing cup, which interlocks with the top of container 2, but is capable of interlocking and sealing the tops of all other containers.

2 Container 2 is a bottle with a sealable top. The base of which is capable of interlocking with the tops of the other containers.

Container 3 is for carrying food and/or eating/drinking accessories. The base of this container may have holes/perforations in it.

Container 4 is a container whose walls are designed in such a way as to deform/concertina when pressed downwards Fig. 3.

Container 4 has a fixed top, which has holes/perforations similar to those in container 3's base.

The base of container 3 and the fixed top of container 4, have an interference fit when both containers are interlocked- By rotating one container above the other, the base of one and the top of the other, can be moved to align the hole s/perforations or obstruct the holes/per-forations.

Fig. 4 shows that the alignment of the holes/perforations permits the contents of the adjoining containers to mix, whilst Fig 5 shows non-alignment, ensures a barrier/seal between them.

By this method, dried or dehydrated food (potato, starch, cereal, meat, soups etc.) can be re-hydrated or mixed with sauces/juices/water, simply by inverting or compressing container 4 so that the fluid is ejected into container 3 above.

If pre-mixing is not required, a sealed membrane (foil or plastic) can be included to cover the top of container 4, so that moist contents (e.g. sauces, jams etc.), can be segregated from dried contents (crisps, cake/starch-based fingers etc) in container 3.

The standard plastic vessel would have a base piece 5, which maintains the vessel's stability during transportation and display.

The base component is either fixed to the container above, or removable ftom it in the event that it includes a heating facility.

Where a heat-producing version of base piece 5 is employed, the contents of the container above can be heated prior to consumption.

For security in transportation, and display at retail, a shrink-wrap sleeve would be put around the complete column formed by the vessel.

3

Claims

I A multi-functional food and drinks container pen-nitting the segregation/combination of a drink, a main dish and a supplementary/complementary dish, all contained within interlocking compartments/containers which, when joined/stacked together, provide a secure, sealed, single unit of packaging for transportation and display.
2. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a re sealable drinks bottle/container is combined with a detachable cup.
3. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein further compartments/containers can be sealed and interlocked to hold other elements/ingredients of the snack/meal.
4. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed. in Claim I and 3, whereby a rotating valve mechanism, formed between two or more of the compartments/containers, permits the contents of these containers to be segregated then mixed when appropriate.
5. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed in Claims land 3, whereby particular compartments/containers are selected to have collapsible side walls when subjected to downward pressure. Thereby, putting their contents under pressure for ejection from one compartment/container to another, via the rotating valve mechanism, or for the purpose of reducing their overall size for purposes of waste disposal.
6. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed in Claim 1, whereby a shrink-wrap which surrounds the walls of the container, provides additional rigidity, user instructions and contents information.
7. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a separate base may be permanently/temporarily fixed to the lowest compartment/container to provide stability in transportation, display and use.
8. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed in Claims I and 7, whereby the base itself can be a compartment/container, which generates heat and is capable of heating the contents of other containers when placed immediately below them.

The heat source may be generated by the catalytic action of gas over wire, proprietary heating "sticks", a combination of reacting chemicals or flammable spirit.

4
9. A multi-functional food and drinks container as claimed in Claim 1, produced from plastic and/or metal components.
10. A multi-functional food and drinks container with interlocking compartments/containers as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5-