FOOD PACKAGING CONTAINER

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority through U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/355,279 filed Jun. 24, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the United States, more than 1.6 billion gallons of ice cream and related desserts are produced each year; Americans consume about 23 gallons of ice cream per year, on average. Dessert containers are used to store and transport desserts such as ice cream, gelato, sorbet, custard, yogurt, pudding or other viscous or semi-viscous food products. They are typically made from plastic or metal and have a tight-fitting lid to prevent the contents from melting or leaking. Dessert containers come in a variety of sizes to accommodate small, individual servings or large, family-sized portions.

There are a variety of dessert containers available on the market today. The most common type for holding ice cream is the plastic tub, which can be found in a variety of sizes. These tubs are usually made from food grade materials, many of which are recyclable. Other popular types of dessert containers include disposable paperboard cartons.

The need for dessert containers arises from the fact that desserts are perishable and must be kept sealed or at a constant low temperature to prevent melting or spoilage. Dessert containers help to maintain freshness by limiting exposure to the atmosphere, and with respect to frozen desserts, keep them at the desired temperature by insulating the contents and minimizing heat transfer. In addition, dessert containers protect the contents from physical damage and contamination. Disadvantageously, such containers have a single chamber that generally only store a single flavor of the dessert. If more than one flavor is in the container such as is the case with Neapolitan ice cream, the different products are comingled thus affecting the flavors of the dessert. The invention relates to food storage, packaging and containers.

SUMMARY

The invention is a food packaging container comprising two or more separated sub-chambers, the sub-chambers having a covering, including, in some aspects, a tight-fitting lid, said separated sub-chambers being coupled via a planar strip portion interconnecting the two sub-chambers, and planar strip being orthogonal to the planes of the interior planar wall of each sub-chamber, the planar strip operable to join and form a void between the sub-chambers. In some embodiments, the sub-chambers are separable via a pull tab or perforated split along the planar strip so as to provide 2 separated sub-chambers. In some embodiments, the container is made of a food grade material having insulating properties.

The invention in an embodiment is a pint-sized container made of a plastic molded material with two separate, independent chambers. The chambers can be split by either a pull tab or a perforated split to provide two half pint portions. The invention further comprises a lid or covering with a full seal that can be peeled off as either a whole or independently for each chamber. The lid on top covers the entire opening of the container as a cap.

In an embodiment, the invention is a food packaging container comprising two separated sub-chambers. In a further embodiment, the container has a covering and a tight-fitting lid, said separated sub-chambers being coupled via a separation means such as a planar strip and being made of a food grade material, in further embodiments having insulating properties. The food packaging container sub-chambers are dimensioned as hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having at its bottom extent a cap and each comprising at its top end a removable, replaceable lid, each said lid being dimensioned as a semi-circular closure means which is re-sealable and operable to enable access to one sub-chamber without exposing the remaining sub-chamber. Said sub-chambers are separated by one or more vertical plane walls. The sub-chambers further comprise a separation means so as to separate each sub-chamber from the other.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention including the features, advantages and specific embodiments, reference is made to the following detailed description along with accompanying Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers each sub-chamber with a top closure lid in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a food packaging container with top closure lids in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers each sub-chamber with a top closure lid in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers each sub-chamber with a top closure lid in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top isometric view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers each sub-chamber without a top closure lid in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a top isometric view of a one sub-chamber a food packaging container without a top closure lid showing a plurality of the bridges in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom, side isometric view of a food packaging container showing a plurality of vertical bridges coupling the sub-chambers in an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a close-up view of one of the plurality of vertical brides in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of the disclosed embodiments of the invention is discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. Some features of the preferred embodiments shown and discussed may be simplified or exaggerated for illustrating the principles of the invention.

In an embodiment, the invention is a food packaging container comprising two separated sub-chambers. In a further embodiment, each sub-chamber has a covering and a tight-fitting lid, said separated sub-chambers being coupled via a separation means such as a planar strip or vertical bridges and being made of a food grade material, in further embodiments having insulating properties. The food packaging container sub-chambers are dimensioned as hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having at its bottom extent a cap and each comprising at its top end a removable, replaceable lid, each said lid being dimensioned as a semi-circular closure means which is re-sealable and operable to enable access to one sub-chamber without exposing the remaining sub-chamber. Said sub-chambers are separated by one or more vertical plane walls. The sub-chambers further comprise a separation means so as to separate each sub-chamber from the other. In an embodiment, the separation means is a perforated pull-tab mechanism. In a further embodiment, the separation means is a perforation-type separation mechanism having a series of small holes or perforations arranged between the adjacent sub-chambers such that a user may irreversibly separate said sub-chambers by initiating a cascading ripping, tearing, or otherwise separation of said sub-chambers apart from each other via an extended pull-tab, resulting in, for example, two separate semi-cylindrical containers each having a resealable closure means such as a plastic lid and containing separate, individual food, or other contents such as ice cream, gelato, sorbet, custard, yogurt and pudding or other semi-viscous food product.

In another embodiment, the invention is a food packaging container comprising two chambers and a closure means, the closure means comprising a one-time-use removable plastic lid or membrane operable to protect the contents of said chambers from the environment, being held in place by an adhesive until removed by a user.

The invention is further described as a graduated cylindrical container divided by two planes oriented parallel to the cylinder's axis of symmetry thus creating 2 sub-chambers with a void therein-between, each sub-chamber being slightly less than half of the cylindrical container space. Each sub chamber further comprising an open end and a closed end suitable for containing a product, such as ice cream, gelato, sorbet, custard, yogurt and pudding or other viscous or semi-viscous food product. The container is made of a food grade material. Such material may be but are not limited to food grade plastic including, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

The graduated cylindrical container further having a covering over the open ends of the sub chambers operable to allow ingress to either or both sub chambers when it is removed. The covering comprises a suitable food grade material such as film, cellophane, cardboard or similar material and an adhesive for affixing the covering to the container, including those made of, inter alia, polyvinyl chloride.

In an embodiment each sub chamber is dimensioned to hold ½ of the total container capacity, such as ½ pint of a food substance such as ice cream, gelato, sorbet, custard, yogurt and pudding or other viscous or semi-viscous food product.

Referring now to FIG. 1, 1 is a side view of a food packaging container 100 in an embodiment of the invention. The food packaging container 100 comprises two (2) sub-chambers 101A, 101B. The sub-chambers are coupled via a plurality of pairs of separatable coupled vertical bridges 401A-B. The food packaging container 100 sub-chambers 101A, 101B are dimensioned as hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having at its bottom extent a cap 103A, 103B and each having, at its top end a removable, replaceable lid 104A, 104B as better seen in FIG. 3. Each said lid 104A, 104B is dimensioned as a semi-circular closure means which may be re-sealable or may be sacrificial

• • and operable to enable access to one sub-chamber 101A, 101B without exposing the remaining sub-chamber. Said sub-chambers 101A, 101B are separated by one or more vertical plane walls 105A, 105B. The sub-chambers 101A, 101B further comprise a separation means, shown as vertical bridges 401A-B so as to separate each sub-chamber from the other. Sub-chambers 101A, 101B, subcomponents thereof including the vertical bridges are made of a food grade plastic including, but not limited to, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is a front view of a food packaging container 100 with sub-chamber 101A a top closure lid 104A in an embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is a top isometric view of a food packaging container 100 showing sub-chambers 101A and 101B The food packaging container 100 sub-chambers 101A, 101B are dimensioned as hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having, at its top end a removable, replaceable lid 104A, 104B. Each said lid 104A, 104B is dimensioned as a semi-circular closure means which is re-sealable and operable to enable access to one sub-chamber 101A, 101B without exposing the remaining sub-chamber.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is a bottom view of a food packaging container 100 in an embodiment of the invention. The food packaging container 100 sub-chambers 101A, 101B are dimensioned as graduated hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having at its bottom extent a cap 103A, 103B. Said sub-chambers 101A, 101B are separated by one or more vertical plane walls 105A, 105B. The sub-chambers 101A, 101B further comprise a separation means, shown as a plurality of paired vertical bridges so as to separate each sub-chamber from the other. As seen in this bottom view, there are 8 paired vertical bridges 401A-B, 402A-B, 403A-B, 404A-B, 405A-B, 406A-B, 407A-B and 408A-B.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a bottom isometric view of a food packaging container 100 in an embodiment of the invention. The food packaging container 100 sub-chambers 101A, 101B are dimensioned as graduated hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having at its bottom extent a cap 103A, 103B. Said sub-chambers 101A, 101B are separated by one or more vertical plane walls 105B.

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown is a top view of a food packaging container with a top closure lids 104A, 104B in an embodiment of the invention. The food packaging container 100 sub-chambers 101A, 101B are dimensioned as graduated hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having at its bottom extent a cap.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is a top isometric view of a food packaging container 100 in an embodiment of the invention without the top closure lids showing sub-chambers 101A and 101B. The food packaging container 100 sub-chambers 101A, 101B are dimensioned as hollow thin-walled semi-cylindrical containers each having, at its top end a lip or edge 701A, 701B for receiving a lid. Each said lid may be replaceable or sacrificial. The top circumferential edge of each sub-chamber further comprises a shelf 702A, 702B and circumferential notch 703A, 703B for securing the lid to its respective sub-chamber.

Referring now to FIG. 8, shown is a top isometric view of a sub-chamber 101A of a food packaging container 100 without a top closure lid disclosing one of the pair of plurality of the vertical bridges 401A-408A. Vertical bridges 401B-408B would be on the corresponding sub-chamber which has been detached and hence is not seen. The six pair of vertical bridges is for illustrative purposes only and the scope of the claims is not meant to be limiting in the number of vertical bridges used with the invention. In other embodiments, less or more vertical bridges may be used based on, inter alia, the volume contained in each sub-chamber. In this view sub-chamber 101A has been physically separated from sub-chamber 101B via the separation means, in this case, by pulling each corresponding pair of the plurality of vertical bridges 401A-401B, 402A-402B, 403A-403B, 404A-404B, 405A-405B, 406A-406B, 407A-B and 408A-B apart from the other.

Referring now to FIG. 9, shown is a bottom, side isometric view of a food packaging container 100 showing a plurality of vertical bridges 401A-B to 408A-B which couple sub-chambers 101A, 101B in an embodiment of the invention. The connection and bonding strength between the 2 sub-chambers is provided by vertical connecting geometries that couple at the midway point that separates the first sub-chamber 101A from the second sub-chamber 101B. The material that couples each pair of vertical bridges is a thin-walled food grade plastic including: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Referring now to FIG. 10, shown is a close-up view of one pair of the plurality of vertical bridges 401A and 401B in an embodiment of the invention. As seen therein, the pairs of vertical bridges 401A and 401B (mutatis mutandis for the other vertical bridges) are dimensioned and fabricated integral to its respective sub-chamber inner wall 105A, 105B to allow the sub-chambers to remain attached and resilient throughout the frozen food supply chain but also pliable, flexible and splitable so as to allow the sub-chambers to be separated by the end consumer with moderate human force. For example, the user would grasp each sub-chamber and apply a rotating action on one sub-chamber and a counter-rotating action on the other sub-chamber with sufficient force to tear the thin, vertical membrane along its axis thus separating the first sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber. The thin, vertical central membrane 1001 is located midway between the inner walls 105A, 105B of the sub-chambers 101A, 101B that acts as a line of weakness to allow separation of the sub-chambers 101A, 101B. Next, there are a pair of raised vertical planes 1002A, 1002B next to the thin, vertical central membrane that prevent premature separation of the sub-chambers 101A, 101B. An indent 1003 is formed in the lower end of the pair of vertical bridges to allow for the initiation of the ripping of the thin, vertical central membrane 1001. The portion 1004A, 1004B of each vertical bridge that is coupled to, and adjacent to its respective sub-chamber 101A, 101B, via inner walls 105A, 105B, is dimensioned to have a radius or curved portion to prevent the premature separation of the sub-chambers 101A, 101B. Orthogonal to the vertical bridges and extending across, and coupling one of the pair of each plurality of vertical bridges 401A-408A on the one hand, and vertical bridges 401B-408B on the other hand, is a horizontal planar member 1005A, 1005B, respectively. The horizontal bridge is operable to retain the sub-chambers 101A, 101B in a coupled state when the first sub-chamber 101A is flexed in a non-rotational manner, with respect to the second sub-chamber 101B.

The invention is a food storage container, comprising a graduated, substantially cylindrical container having a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber; a coupling mechanism operable to couple the first sub-chamber and the second-chamber; and the coupling mechanism fabricated so as to allow the separation of the first sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber using a moderate separation force.

The invention further comprises having contained within each sub-chamber a food product selected from one or more of the groups consisting of ice cream, gelato, sorbet, custard, yogurt and pudding or other viscous or semi-viscous food product. The invention is made of a food grade material, such as plastic, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

The coupling mechanism is a plurality of pairs of vertical bridges which couple the first sub-chamber and second sub-chamber. The coupling and bonding strength between the first sub-chamber and second sub-chamber is provided by vertical connecting members that couple at the midway point that separates the first sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber. Each pair of vertical bridges being coupled by a thin, vertical central membrane midway between the inner wall of the first sub-chamber and second sub-chamber. The vertical central membrane is operable to act as a line of weakness to allow separation of the first sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber. Each vertical bridge has a pair of raised vertical planes next to the thin, vertical central membrane that prevent the premature separation of the first sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber. An indent is formed in the lower end of the pair of vertical bridges to allow for the initiation of the ripping of the thin, vertical central membrane. A portion of each vertical bridge that is coupled to, and adjacent to its respective sub-chamber is formed with a radius or curved portion to prevent the premature separation of the first sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber. Each pair of vertical bridges is comprised of a thin-walled food grade plastic.

The invention also is a container for holding a plurality of varieties of frozen food items, comprising a graduated container having a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber made of a food grade material; and a plurality of pairs of vertical bridges coupling the first sub-chamber to the second sub-chamber, having therein-between each pair of the vertical bridges, a thin membrane material operable to tear with moderate human force.

The invention is also a container for holding a plurality of varieties of frozen food items, comprising a graduated container having a plurality of sub-chambers made of a food grade material and a plurality of pairs of vertical bridges coupling each of the plurality of sub-chambers to an adjacent sub-chamber, having therein-between each pair of the vertical bridges, a thin membrane material operable to tear with moderate human force.

In another embodiment, the coupling mechanism is a perforated pull-tab mechanism or a perforation-type separation mechanism. The invention is claimed in combination with a lid. The lid is either discarded or can be retained to re-closable a sub-chamber. The lid is made of, inter alia, polypropylene plastic of low density polyethylene.

The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used herein. Various alterations, modifications and substitutions can be made to the disclosed invention and the system that implements the invention without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the invention