GB2506617A

GB2506617A - Food container with portion delineating sections

Info

Publication number: GB2506617A
Application number: GB201217684A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samar Galal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-03
Filing date: 2012-10-03
Publication date: 2014-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-03
Also published as: GB2506617B; GB201217684D0

Abstract

A container for food, for example a cake, comprises a base 4, wall 6, lid 8 and portion delineating sections 10. The cake may be cut into serving portions 14 and enclosed in a serving portion package (32, fig. 4) wherein the portion delineating section forms part of the base until it is removed to serve the portion. When a portion is removed it is preferably covered by a cover 16. The cover may comprise an upper wall portion 20, two side wall portions 24, 26 and an end wall 28 which are connected to the upper wall portion by lines of weakness (24a, 26a, 28a, fig. 3) which permit the folding of the wall portions (24, 26, 28) into engagement with the portion delineating section to enclose the serving portion in the package. The portion delineating section may be a segment of a circle. A cover (116, fig. 10) may alternatively comprise an upper wall portion (120) and four side wall portions (124, 126, 128, 130) connected to the upper wall portion by lines of weakness (124a, 126a, 128a, 130a) into inter-engagement with a rectangular shaped portion delineating section (110) to form the package (132, fig. 11).

Description

Improvements in or relating to Containers for Comestibles The present invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to comestibles and is particularly concerned with improvements in relation to the packaging of serving portions of the comestibles.

By comestibles where referred to herein, it is meant cakes of all descriptions, pizzas and any other cornestiHes that are supplied in containers and are divided into serving portions for the end user.

Since the advent of take-away-food very many proposals have been disclosed in patent specifications and other trade literature for the encapsulating of the take-away food in packages for one or more serving portions of the comestibles.

Some products may be supplied uncooked, or partly baked, and require cooking or baking dependent upon the particular cornestibles being provided in serving portions.

Other comestiHe such as ice-cream will require freezing for storage prior to being supplied to a customer.

In many of the prior proposals for packaging the comestibles, the packages have been designed to h&d one or more separate serving portions.

Examples of the prior art disclosures include:

a) US377 1713 (Davidson), which provides trays that are divided into a number of equal sized sectors by double partition walls, with a pie portion in each sector so that a user need not cut the pie to take a portion. Each of the tray sectors can be removed from the remainder of the tray by cutting the tray along the tops of the partition walls. A cover is provided for the whole tray, which cover is perforated along lines between each sector so that one or more individual serving portions may be removed from the remainder of the tray.

b) 0B2364522B (Vanier), which discloses sixteen segments, which, in a mutually- packed alTay, provides a cylindrical configuration. Each segment is formed from semi-rigid PVC. When in use, the array of segments is supported on a base having an upstanding rim that supports an annular collar that surrounds the segments, and which collar is closed by a lid. The disclosure is wholly silent in respect of whether the base also provides a bottom wall for the comestible that is enclosed by the segments when removed from the remaining segments.

c) US2339584 (Rice), which discloses a method for cutting a cake and inserting partitions between the cut segments of the cake before wrapping the cut. partitioned cake in a suitable sheet material where-after, when one or more serving portions of the cake is to be removed from the whole cake, or the remainder thereof, the portions are removed simply by gripping the partitions on either side of a serving portion. There is no disclosure relating to further packaging of the serving portions and neither is there any reference to any support for the bottom of the serving portions as they are removed from the cake.

d) US 1890044 (Policastro), which discloses segmented moulds for the making of edible products, viz, an ice-cream cake, wherein segments of the ice-cream cake are separated one from another by wax paper ships. There is no disclosure relating to further packaging of the segments after they are removed from the wh&e, or remainder, of the ice-cream cake.

e) US5082677 (Bear), which discloses a pastry that is cut into serving portion segments with folded dividers pressed down between the cut segments. Once again there is no disclosure relating to any further packaging of the serving portions after they have been removed from the whole, or the remainder, of the pastry.

None of the pnor disclosures provides means whereby a serving portion of a comestibles is supported on a portion delineating section that is then enclosed by a cover that inter-engages with the portion delineating section in order to maintain the serving portion in an aesthetically pleasing and undamaged state when presented for consumption.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate

the disadvantages of the prior art disclosures

Thus the present invention conveniently proved a container for cornestibles comprising a base plinth. a peripheral wall attached to the base plinth at lower, peripheral edge portion thereof and a closure lid mounted on an upper, edge portion of the peripheral wall, characterised in that the base plinth comprises a plurality of portion delineating sections for supporting the comestibles, when in use.

Preferably, the plurality of portion delineating sections each comprise interlocking side edges for inter-engagement with other juxtaposed portion delineating sections of the base plinth.

Conveniently, the portion delineating sections each comprise guide means whereby, in use, the comestibles may be readily cut into serving portions by a cutting device that is guided by the guide means to sever a serving portion of the cornestibles from the whole or remainder of the comestiHes.

Preferably, the guide means on adjacent portion delineating sections are mutually juxtaposed for ease of use and guidance of a cutting device when a serving portion of the comestibles is to be cut from the whole or remainder of the comestibles as aforesaid.

Preferably, when the container of the present invention is in use and a serving portion of the comestibles has been cut from the whole, or remainder, of the comestibles.

the portion delineating section together with a serving portion supported thereon is detachable from the whole, or remainder of the base plinth.

In a further preferred embodiment provided by the present invention, the container for cornestibles also comprises a plurality of covers for the portion delineating sections detached from the whole, or remainder, of the base plinth together with an individual serving portion of the comesdble supported thereon.

Conveniently, each cover comprise attachment means at lower edge portions thereof whereby, in use, the cover is attached to its associated portion delineafing section and, preferably, when in use, the attachment means of each cover is received in the interlocking side edges of an associated portion delineating section as aforesaid.

In a further preferred embodiment provided by the present invention, the base plinth is circular in plan and the covers, for an individual serving portion of the comestibles, supported on an associated portion delineating section, each comprise a flat-pack dement that, in use, is formed into the cover comprising an upper wall, two side walls and an end wall portion connected to the top wall by lines of weakness in order to facilitate the folding of the at least two side walls and the end wall to form the cover.

In another preferred embodiment provided by the present invention, the base plinth is rectangular or square shaped in plan and the covers, for an individua' portion of the comestibles, supported on an associated portion delineating section, each comprise a flat pack element that, in use, is formed into a cover compnsing an upper wall and four side walls connected to the upper wall by lines of weakness in order to facilitate the folding of the four side walls to form the cover The present invention also provides a kit of parts for a container for comestibles, characterised in that the kit of parts is manufactured as a flat pack comprising a base plinth comprised of a plurality of portion delineating sections, a side wall, a lid and a plurality of covers.

There now follows by way of example of the present invention a detailed description that is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates an exploded upper perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates an upper perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 when assembled for use; Figure 3 illustrates an exploded, upper perspective view of a serving portion package provided by the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates an upper perspective view of the serving portion package when assembled in use; Figure 5 illustrates an upper perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 2 including the covers for serving portion packages of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 illustrates a fragmentary, upper perspective view of a base plinth of the present invention with a serving portion sector removed therefrom; Figure 7 illustrates an upper perspective of the serving portion package of Figures 3 and 4 when in use; Figure 8 illustrates an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 illustrates an exploded, upper perspective of a serving portion package I for use in the second embodiment of Figure 8; Figure 10 illustrates an upper perspective view of the serving portion package of Figure 9 in a partially closed condition; Figure ii illustrates an upper perspective view of the serving portion package of Figures 9 and 10 when in a closed condition in use; and, Figure 12 illustrates an upper perspective of a kit of parts for the first embodiment of the present invention that is supplied as a flat pack assembly.

A first embodiment of the present invention provides a container 2 for comestibles as hereinbefore described, the container 2 generally comprising a base plinth 4. a peripheral wail 6 that extends between the base plinth 4 and a closure lid 8.

see Figures 1 and 2.

More specifically, the base plinth 4 of the container 2 comprises a plurality of portion delineating sections 10 that are formed as segments of a circle that are interconnected one with another sideways adjacent section 10 to form the base plinth 4, which is, therefore, circular in plan, see Figures 1 and 2.

Each portion delineating section 10 is provided with attachment means 12 and 12a along respective side edges 13 and 13a thereof, whereby the plurality of portion delineating sections 10 are interconnected as aforesaid, and which attachment means 12 and I 2a are formed so that, in use, the sections 10 may be detached from the whole of the base plinth 4, or a remainder, by radial movement of the section 10, see Figure 6.

In order to provide protection for a serving portion 14 of a cornestibles, each section 10 is provided with a cover 16 that is formed as a moulding of plastics material and comprising an upper wall portion 20, two side wall portions 24 and 26 and an end waIl 28, see Figures 3 and 4.

Between the side wall portions 24, 26 and the end wall portion 28 and the upper wall portion 20, the cover is provided with respective lines of weakness 24a. 26a, and 28a, so that, in use, the side wall portions 24, 26 and the end wall portion 28 can be bent through 90 degrees to form a closed serving portion package 32, see Figure 4.

The side wall portions 24, 26 and the end wall 28 are each provided with attachment means 34, 36 and 38 respectively, whereby, when the sections 10 and the covers 16 are in use for providing protection for a serving portion 14 of a comestibles, the attachment means 34 and 36 are inter-engaged with the attachment means 12 and 12a. while the attachment means 38 of end wall portion 28, is inter-engaged with attachment means 40 provided on an outer peripheral portion 42 of the section 10, see Figure 4.

In order to increase the integrity of the serving portion package 32, thus formed, the side wall portion 24 comprises an extension portion 44 provided with two press-stud detents 46 and 48 the inter-engage with associated indents 50 and 52 formed in the side wall portion 26, see Figure 3, with the resultant package 32 being as illustrated in Figure 4. Thus, as shown in Figure 7, the package 32 encloses a serving portion 14 of a comestibles. in this case a piece 54 of a decorated cake, not shown.

The first embodiment of the present invention is supplied as a flat pack kit of parts 60, see Figure 12; however, when making ready for providing customers and/or party goers with take-away serving portions 15, the flat pack 60, comprising a base plinth 4, a penpheral wall 6, and a lid 8 are assembled as shown in Figure 5 with covers 16 made up ready for use enclosed in the container 2. -10-

A second embodiment of the present invention provides a container 102 for comestibles as hereinbefore described, the container 102 generally comprising a base plinth 104, a peripheral wall 106 that extends between the base plinth 104 and a closure lid 108, see Figure 8.

More specifically, the base plinth 104 of the container 102 comprises a plurality of portion delineating sections 11 0 that are rectangular in plan and are interconnected one with another to form the base plinth 104. which is, therefore, rectangular in plan, see Figure 8.

Each portion delineating section 110 of the second embodiment is provided with attachment means 112 along the side edges of the sections 110, whereby the plurality of portion delineating sections 110 are interconnected as aforesaid, and which attachment means 112 are formed so that, in use, the sections 110 may be detached from the whole of the base plinth 104, or a remainder, by moving the section 110 outwardly of the base plinth 104.

In order to provide protection for a serving portion of a comestibles, not shown, each section 110 is provided with a cover 116 that is formed as a moulding of plastics material and comprising an upper wall portion 120, four side wall portion 124, 126 128 and 130, see Figures 9 and 10.

-ii -Between the side wall portions 124, 126, 128 and 130 and the upper wall portion 120, the cover 116 is provided with lines of weakness 124a, 126a, 128a and 130a, see Figure 10, so that, in use, the side wall portions 124, 126, 128 and 130 can be bent through 90 degrees to form a closed serving portion package 132, see Figure 11.

The side wall portions 124, 126, 128 and 130 are each provided with attachment means 134, 136, 138 and 140 respectively, whereby, when the sections 110 and the covers 116 are, in use, for providing protection for a serving portion of a comestibles, not shown, the attachment means 134. 136 138 and 140 are inter-engaged with the attachment means 112 of the sections 110 to form the closed serving portion package 132, see Figure 11.

Like the first embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment is also suppfied as a fiat pack kit of parts. not shown.

The various elements of the present invention, and particularly the base plinth 4 and 104 respectively of the first and second embodiments are moulded from plastics compositions, for example clear PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), which is a recyclable and re-usable nrnterial, which can be injection moulded or thermo formed.

It will be appreciated that modifications to the embodiments described herein is possible within the scope of the attached Claims, for example, other comestibles friendly plastics compositions may be used. -12-

In addition to the embodiments illustrated and described herein, the containers maybe of any appropriate shape and configuration other than those of the containers 4 and 104.

It is envisaged that the comestible may be a decorated cake that is cut into sections, like the serving portions 14 of Figure 7. before the cake is placed on the base plinth 4. A separating device comprising radially extending wall portions, each of which extends between each serving portion 14, slightly outside the periphery of the cake and slightly above the top of the cake. In this way the separate serving portions 14 will not cross contaminate with a juxtaposed serving portion 14. Also, the cake will be protected against damage to the individual serving portions 14 if, and when, the whole cake is to be wrapped in appropriate wrapping, viz, clear plastic, so that the details of the decorated cake are visible for a purchaser to appreciate before buying it.

It will be appreciated that the base plinth 4 may comprise the appropriate number of portion delineating sections] 0 so that individua' serving portions 14 may still be served as required.

The same provisions may be made for a cake that is rectangular in plan.

In this specification, the word "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its -13 -derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

All of the features enclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. -14-

Claims

CLAIMSI. A container for comestibles comprising a base plinth. a peripheral wall attached to the base plinth at lower, peripheral edge portion thereof and a closure lid mounted on an upper, edge portion of the periphera' wall, characterised in that the base plinth comprises a plurality of portion delineating sections for supporting the comestibles, when in use.
2. A container for comestibles according to Claim 1. characterised in that the plurality of portion delineating sections each comprise interlocking side edges for inter-engagement with other juxtaposed portion delineating sections of the base plinth.
3. A container for cornestibles according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the portion delineating sections each comprise guide means whereby, in use, the comestibles may be readily cut into serving portions by a cutting device that is guided by the guide means to sever a serving portion of the comestibles from the whole or remainder of the comestiHes.
4. A container for cornestibles according to Claim 3, characterised in that the guide means on adjacent portion delineating sections are mutually juxtaposed for ease of use and guidance of a cutting device when a serving portion of the comestibles is to be cut from the whole or remainder of the cornestibles as aforesaid.

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5. A container for cornestibles according to Claim 4, characterised in that, when the container is in use and a serving portion of the comestibles has been cut from the whole, or remainder, of the comestibles. the portion delineating section together with a serving portion supported thereon is detachable from the whole, or remainder of the base plinth.
6. A container for cornestibles according to Claims 5, charactensed in that the container for comestibles also comprises a plurality of covers for the portion delineating sections detached from the whole, or remainder, of the base plinth together with an individual serving portion of the comestible supported thereon.
7. A container for comestibles according to Claim 7, characterised in that each cover comprise attachment means at lower edge portions thereof whereby, in use, the cover is attached to its associated portion delineating section.
8. A container for cornestibles according to Claim 8, characterised in that, when in use, the attachment means of each cover is received in the interlocking side edges of an associated portion delineating section as aforesaid.
9. A container for cornestibles according to any one of Claims 6, 7 and 8, characterised in that the base plinth is circular in plan and the covers, for an individual serving portion of the comestiHes, supported on an associated portion defineating section, each comprise a flat-pack element that, in use, is formed into the cover comprising an upper wall, two side wails and an end wall portion connected to the top -16-wall by lines of weakness in order to facilitate the folding of the at least two side walls and the end wall to form the cover.
10. A container for comestibles according to any one of Claims 6, 7 and 8, characterised in that the base plinth is rectangu'ar or square shaped in plan and the covers, for an individual portion of the cornestibles, supported on an associated portion delineating section, each comprise a flat pack element that, in use, is formed into a cover comprising an upper wall and four side walls connected to the upper wall by lines of weakness in order to facilitate the folding of the four side walls to form the cover.
Ii. A kit of parts for a container for cornestibles, characterised in that the kit of parts is manufactured as a flat pack compnsing a base plinth comprised of a plurality of portion delineating sections, a side wall, a lid and a plurality of covers.
12. A container substantially as descnbed herein with reference to Figure ito 7 of the accompanying drawings.
13. A container substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.4. A kit of parts, substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1. A container for comestibles comprising a base plinth, a peripheral wall attached to the base plinth at a lower, peripheral edge portion thereof and a closure lid mounted on an upper, edge portion of the peripheral wall, the base plinth comprising a plurality of portion delineating sections for supporting the comestibles, charactensed in that the plurality of portion delineating sections each comprise interlocking side edges for inter-engagement with other juxtaposed portion delineating sections of the base plinth. CO 102. A container for comestible according to Claim i, characterised in that the portion 0 delineating sections each comprise guide means whereby, in use, the comestibles may be readily cut into serving portions by a cutting device that is guided by the guide means to sever a serving portion of the comestibles from the whole, or remainder of the comestibles.3. A container for comestibles according to Claim 2, characterised in that the guide means on adjacent portion delineating sections are mutually juxtaposed for ease of use and guidance of a cutting device when a serving portion of the comestibles is to be cut from the whole, or remainder of the comestibles as aforesaid.4. A container for comestibles according to Claim 3, characterised in that, when the container is in use and a serving portion of the comestibles has been cut from the whole, or remainder of the comestibles, the portion delineating section together with a serving portion supported thereon is removed from the base plinth.5. A container for comestibles according to Claim 4. characterised in that the container for comestiNes also comprises a plurality of covers for the portion delineating sections removed from the base plinth together with an individual, serving portion of the comestibles supported thereon.6. A container for comestibles according to Claim 5. characterised in that each C') 10 cover comprises attachment means at lower edge portions thereof whereby, in use, the cover is attached to its associated portion delineating section.7. A container for comestibles according to Claim 6, characterised in that, when in use, the attachment means of each cover is received in the interlocking side edges of an associated portion delineating section as aforesaid.8. A container for cornestibles according to any one of Cairns 5, 6 and 7, characterised in that the base plinth is circular in plan and the covers for the individual serving portions of the comestibles, supported on an associated portion delineating section, each comprise a flat-pack dement that, in use, is formed into the cover comprising an upper wall, two side wails and an end wall portion connected to the upper wall by lines of weakness in order to facilitate the folding of the two side walls and the end wall to form the cover.9. A container for comestibles according to any one of Claims 5, 6 and 7.characterised in that the base plinth is rectangular or square shaped in plan and the covers, for individual portions of the cornestibles, supported on an associated portion delineating section, each comprise a flat-pack dement that, in use, is formed into a cover comprising an upper wall and four side walls connected to the upper wall by lines of weakness in order to facilitate the folding of the four side walls to form the cover.C') 10 10. A kit of parts for a container for comestibles, characterised in that the kit of parts is manufactured as a flat-pack comprising a base plinth comprising a plurality of 0 portion delineating sections, a side wall, a lid and a plurality of covers. a)11. A container for comestibles substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.12. A container for comestibles substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.13. A kit of parts for a container for comestibles substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 12 of the accompany drawings.