U.S. patent application number 11/982763 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for removable divider for food container.
Invention is credited to Roderick W. Kalberer.
Application Number | 20080105736 11/982763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39222067 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080105736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kalberer; Roderick W. |
May 8, 2008 |
Removable divider for food container
Abstract
The present invention is for a divider for use with a food
package, wherein the divider is manufactured from inexpensive
coated paperboard and is of a simple one-piece construction. More
particularly, a divider according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is formed from a one-piece, foldable blank of
paperboard material, which is folded in half and secured onto
itself so as to form a two-ply, reasonably stiff construction. The
divider is shaped and dimensioned to fit within a food container,
which may preferably have a circular cylindrical shape, so as to
bisect same and define two separate interior regions thereof. In
addition, the divider includes a center portion wherein the
paperboard material is not adhered onto itself, so as to allow the
formation of a ring-shaped, cup-holding portion suitable for
positioning and retaining a separate container within the
package.
Inventors: |
Kalberer; Roderick W.;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
6285 TRI-RIDGE BOULEVARD
LOVELAND
OH
45140
US
|
Family ID: |
39222067 |
Appl. No.: |
11/982763 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60856605 |
Nov 3, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/120.38 ;
220/529; 220/694 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/5035 20130101;
B65D 71/00 20130101; B65D 5/48026 20130101; B65D 2571/00401
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/120.38 ;
220/529; 220/694 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08; B65D 5/49 20060101 B65D005/49 |
Claims
1. A divider for use with a container, comprising: a first panel; a
second panel foldably connected to said first panel; said first and
second panels each having one or more lines of weakness within a
central region thereof; said first and second panels being secured
to one another at one or more regions outside said central regions
thererof; and, said first and second panels each having a cutout
within said central region thereof.
2. The divider according to claim 1, wherein said one or more lines
of weakness are approximately parallel with one another.
3. The divider according to claim 1, wherein said first and second
panels are foldably connected by at least one member selected from
the group consisting of a fold line, a score line, a perforated
line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and an embossed
line.
4. The divider according to claim 1, wherein said first and second
panels are secured by an adhesive at one or more regions outside
said central regions thererof.
5. The divider according to claim 1, wherein said first and second
panels are foldably connected by at least one member selected from
the group consisting of a fold line, a score line, a perforated
line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and an embossed line;
and each of said first and second panels comprise end edges that
are tapered inwardly towards the central region from at least one
member selected from the group consisting of a fold line, a score
line, a perforated line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and
an embossed line.
6. The divider according to claim 1, further comprising a
step-shaped cutout recess located in a top edge of said
divider.
7. A container, comprising the divider according to claim 1.
8. The container according to claim 7, further comprising at least
one side wall to define an interior space; and at least one bottom
wall.
9. The container according to claim 8, further comprising a
lid.
10. The container according to claim 8, wherein said divider is
positioned within said interior space of said container such that
said interior space is separated into at least two portions, one of
said portions being an article-receiving portion; and each of said
first and second panels comprise end edges that are pushed inwardly
towards said central region such that said one or more lines of
weakness within said central region bulge outwardly towards said at
least one sidewall thereby providing said article-receiving
portion.
11. The container according to claim 10, wherein said
article-receiving portion is shaped to receive a cup.
12. The container according to claim 10, wherein said divider
comprises a top edge and said each of said first and second panels
comprise end edges that are tapered inwardly towards said central
region from said top edge.
13. The container according to claim 10, wherein said one or more
lines of weakness are approximately parallel with one another.
14. The container according to claim 10, wherein said first and
second panels are foldably connected by at least one member
selected from the group consisting of a fold like, a score line,
and a cut line.
15. The container according to claim 14, wherein said divider
comprises a top edge ; and said at least one member selected from
the group consisting of a fold like, a score line, and a cut line
is positioned along said top edge.
16. The container according to claim 10, wherein said first and
second panels are secured by an adhesive at one or more regions
outside said central regions thererof.
17. The container according to claim 10, further comprising a
cutout recess located in a top edge of said divider.
18. The container according to claim 17, wherein said step-shaped
cutout recess is positioned at the top edge of said central portion
of said divider.
19. The container according to claim 17, wherein said cutout recess
is step-shaped.
20. The container according to claim 1, wherein said one or more
lines of weakening are in form of at least one member selected from
the group consisting of a fold line, a score line, a perforated
line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and an embossed line.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to disposable food containers
constructed from paperboard materials. More particularly, the
present invention related to disposable food containers constructed
from paperboard materials, wherein a food container is provided
with a removable divider for defining a plurality of discreet
compartments within an interior space of the container.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0004] Food containers constructed from paperboard materials are
common and typically include a tray having a bottom wall,
upstanding sidewalls and a removable lid for selectively enclosing
hot or cold food therein. For example, fast-food take-out fried
chicken restaurants typically package a plurality of hot chicken
food products within a "bucket", which is constructed from coated
paperboard. Although the paperboard is not sufficient for long-term
storage of the food stored therein, it is sufficient to keep the
food hot and to protect it from outside contamination during the
short period of time during which an end-user transports the food
to his/her home.
[0005] It is becoming more common to purchase individual-sized
complete meals, which might include meat, potatoes, vegetable and
dessert. Similarly, it is becoming common for an end-user to
purchase a variety of similar food products, rather than a large
quantity of only one type of food product. For example, an end-user
may wish to purchase a half order of standard fried chicken and a
half order of barbeque chicken. To conserve packaging materials and
to provide a simple package for the end-user to transport the
individual half-orders to his/her final destination, the restaurant
may wish to package both half-orders within a single package, yet
while at the same time, keeping the half-orders separate from one
another so that they do not commingle within the package.
[0006] It also is desirable to include within the package a
separate container adapted for holding sauces, gravies, liquid or
liquid-type food products, for use with the food products otherwise
stored within the package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is for a divider for use with a food
package, wherein the divider is manufactured from inexpensive
coated paperboard and is of a simple one-piece construction. More
particularly, a divider according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is formed from a one-piece, foldable blank of
paperboard material, which is folded in half and secured onto
itself so as to form a two-ply, reasonably stiff construction. The
divider is shaped and dimensioned to fit within a food container,
which may preferably have a circular cylindrical shape, so as to
bisect same and define two separate interior regions thereof. In
addition, the divider includes a center portion wherein the
paperboard material is not adhered onto itself, so as to allow the
formation of a ring-shaped, cup-holding portion suitable for
positioning and retaining a separate container within the
package.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a food
container, preferably in the form of a truncated (i.e., "short")
bucket for single-serve take-out meals. A food container according
to the present invention allows different food items to be carried
in separate compartments within a single package for single meal
offerings or for variety pack offerings. According to one aspect of
the present invention, a removable internal divider is provided
within the package to hold securely in an upright position a
secondary container, such as a sauce cup, etc., in a
generally-fixed position within the package. Either square,
circular, oval, or any other shaped, configuration of package may
be used.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
divider according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention separates an interior space of the package into two equal
sized primary food compartments and an additional center area which
is adapted to support a secondary food container, such as a sauce
cup, drink cup or the like. The divider centers the secondary food
container and vertically stabilizes it within the primary package,
to reduce or eliminate the tendency of the secondary food container
to spill its liquid contents. The functional aspects of the present
invention are achieved at least in part by a single scored and
die-cut blank of coated or uncoated paperboard or polymeric
material, folded and sealed to itself. Since the main divider
portions are folded back upon themselves and sealed, the sheet
thickness of the base material can be reduced. The divider lays
flat after folding and sealing are complete, so it can be
economically packed for storage or shipment.
[0010] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art from the description which follows, and may be realized by
means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly
pointed out therein, as well as by those instrumentalities,
combinations and improvements thereof which are not described
expressly therein, but which would be obvious to those of ordinary
and reasonable skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A better understanding of the invention will be had upon
reference to the following description in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent
like parts, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a food container
with which a divider according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is shown in spaced relation to the components
thereof;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the food container shown in
FIG. 1, wherein the divider of FIG. 1 is shown positioned within an
interior space of the container;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank used to form the divider
shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blank shown in FIG. 3,
shown partially folded for forming the divider of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of the divider of FIG. 1, formed by
folding the blank of FIG. 3, as shown;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an end section view of the divider of FIG. 5,
shown along section line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an end section view of the divider of FIG. 5,
shown along section line 7-7 of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the divider of FIG. 1,
wherein a center portion thereof is shown in a flat
orientation;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the divider of FIG. 1,
wherein a center portion thereof is shown in an arcuate
orientation; and,
[0021] FIG. 10 is a front view of the divider of FIG. 1, wherein a
center portion thereof is shown in an arcuate orientation, and
wherein a cup is shown positioned within a circular opening defined
by the arcuately-oriented center portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a divider 10
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for
use with an open-top container 40, which may take the form of a
generally-circular tray defined by an annular sidewall 42 and a
circular bottom wall 44. Both the sidewall 42 and the bottom wall
44 are formed from a flexible material, such as coated or uncoated
paperboard, which may be cut into blanks and then shaped using
conventional container-forming equipment. For example, the sidewall
42 may be formed from a sheet of coated paperboard, which is die
cut to define a generally flat (but arcuately shaped) blank (not
shown) wrapped around a cylindrical mandrel (not shown) and then
sealed onto itself to define a generally-continuous arcuate shape.
Conventional forming and sealing equipment may be used, which might
result in the formation of a longitudinal seam (not shown)
extending lengthwise along the sidewall 42.
[0023] The sidewall 42 may take any form. For example, the sidewall
42 may be formed from a single blank of paperboard material such
that a 1-ply, so-called "single wall", construction is provided. An
outer surface of the sidewall 42 may be coated so as to provide a
surface suitable for printing, for example, to provide
informational graphics, advertising or other promotional
information to the end-user. Alternatively, a separate sheet,
sometimes referred-to as a "wrap" (not shown), may be wrapped
around the outer surface of the sidewall 42 and affixed thereto
(such as, by use of an adhesive), in which case, the sidewall 42
itself need not have a surface suitable for printing.
[0024] Alternatively, the sidewall 42 may be formed from two
separate blanks of paperboard material such that a 2-ply, so-called
"double wall", construction is provided. Both single and double
wall constructions are known, as well as methods for forming same,
and the divider 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is suitable for use with either. If a double wall
construction is used, spacing or other thermal insulation devices
may be positioned between the individual walls so as to slow the
rate at which heat enters/leaves the container 40. An upper end 41
of the sidewall 42 may include a rolled lip (not shown), for
example, to provide a finished surface, to provide a means for
securing a lid thereto or to provide a mechanism by which multiple
walls of the sidewall 41 may be joined together.
[0025] The bottom wall 44 preferably has a simple disc-like,
circular, flat shape sized to cover a lower end of the sidewall 42,
which (as described above) has been formed into a
generally-cylindrical shape. A peripheral edge (not shown) of the
bottom wall 44 is affixed the lower end of the sidewall 42,
preferably to form a seal therebetween sufficient to prevent the
leakage of liquids from within the container 40. For example, the
bottom wall 44 may include a down-turned annular leg (not shown)
which is pinched between an up-turned lower end (not shown) of the
sidewall 42, using conventional constructions and forming
techniques. As shown, the sidewall 42 preferably has a modest
inward taper top-to-bottom, such that a diameter of container 40 at
the open upper end thereof is slightly larger than a diameter of
the container at the closed lower end thereof.
[0026] The container 40 further may include a generally-circular
lid 46, which is configured to define a removable cover for the
tray (defined by the sidewall 42 and the bottom wall 44) so as to
enclose food (not shown) within an interior space 45 defined by the
sidewall 42, bottom wall 44 and lid 46. Lid 46 may include a
conventional flange (not shown) which is sized to snap-fit over the
open upper end of the sidewall 42. Alternatively (and preferably),
lid 46 is sized to fit within the sidewall and to be frictionally
engaged therewith so as to inhibit the lid 46 from inadvertently
falling therefrom. The sidewall taper assists in this regard, as
the diameter of the sidewall 42 decreases from top-to-bottom such
that the lid 46 is inserted into the open upper end of the sidewall
42 until the lid 46 frictionally engages same. A small groove (not
shown) may be provided in the inner surface of the sidewall 42,
into which the outer peripheral edge of the lid 46 is seated and
retained thereby. Separate devices, such as clips, tape, elastic
bands or other fastening devices may be used to retain the lid 46
onto the upper end of the sidewall 42 for the purposes described
herein.
[0027] Lid 46 may include one or more cutouts 47 in the peripheral
edge thereof. Cutouts 47 provide vent holes, for example, if heated
food is held within the container 40. In addition, cutouts 47
provide "thumb holes" into which the end-user may insert his thumbs
(or another object) for the purpose of removing the lid 46 from the
sidewall 42.
[0028] Cup 50 may be provided for positioning within the interior
space 45 of the container 40. Cup 50 preferably is of a
conventional construction, formed from coated or uncoated
paperboard material, as described above with respect to container
40. Obviously, cup 50 is smaller (both in diameter and in height)
than container 40 so as to fit within the interior space 45 of the
container 40, and is adapted for containing therein sauces or other
liquids or liquid-type foodstuffs. Cup lid 52 is provided to
sealingly fit over an open upper end of the cup 50. Any
conventional construction to form a sealed cup with a removable lid
may be used. Alternatively, cup lid 52 may be incorporated into
container lid 46 such that fitting container lid 46 over the open
upper end of the container 40 simultaneously fits cup lid 52 over
the open upper end of the cup 50.
[0029] Divider 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes a center, ring-shaped portion 12 adapted
to hold cup 50 therein and upstanding wing portions 14, 18 which
extend from ring-shaped portion 12 and is adapted to divide the
interior space 45 of the container 40 into two or more interior
regions, as described in greater detail below. Divider 10
preferably is formed from a one-piece blank of foldable material,
such as coated or uncoated paperboard. Divider 10 can be seen to be
a cylinder (defined by the ring-shaped portion 12) bisected by a
generally-flat, generally-planer rectangular sheet (defined by the
wing portions 14, 18, which are generally co-planar). Outermost
edged 14a, 18a of the wing portions 14, 18 are taped top-to-bottom
so as to follow the generally-tapered inner surface of the
container sidewall 42, when positioned therein, as will be
described in greater detail below.
[0030] Referring now also to FIG. 2, divider 10 is sized to fit
within the interior space 45 of the container 40 so as to bisect
the interior space 45, thereby defining first and second interior
regions 45a, 45b, respectively. Preferably, wings 14, 18 extend the
full depth of the interior space 45, although wings 14, 18 may
extend only over a portion (preferably nearer the bottom wall 44)
of the depth of the interior space 45. The height of the wings 14,
18, then, can be used to determine whether first and second regions
45a, 45b are either completely separate from one another or only
partially separate from one another. Divider 10, however,
preferably extends across the entire interior space 45, between
opposing inner surfaces of the sidewall 42, along a diameter
thereof.
[0031] Alternatively, divider 10 may be configured to form a chord
with respect to the generally-circular interior space 45 of the
container 40, in which case, divider 10 does not bisect the
interior space 45, rather, divider 10 creates two or more regions
of unequal size, area and/or volume. Cup 50 can be seen to fit
within the ring-shaped portion 12 such that cup lid 52 is
accessible to the end-user and may be removed from the cup 50
without removing the cup 50 from it position within the ring-shaped
portion 12 of the divider 10 or without removing (or otherwise
moving, reconfiguring or adjusting) the divider 10 from within the
interior space 45 of the container 40.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, a blank B for forming the divider
10 (FIG. 1) is constructed from single- or multiple-ply, coated or
uncoated paperboard material having sufficient thickness, stiffness
and physical properties to permit to perform as described herein.
Although the blank B is formed preferably from die-cutting same
from a larger paperboard sheet, blank B may be formed from any
material and through any forming or manufacturing technique that
results in a divider 10 product as described herein. Preferably,
blank B is of a generally-rectangular shape having a main foldline
60 extending along one direction which may be, as shown, along a
longer, lengthwise, direction of the blank B. Foldline 60 separates
blank B into first and second panels 62, 64, respectively, which
may be folded one-over-the-other such that first panel 62 lies over
second panel 64 and is secured thereto, such as, for example, by an
adhesive or other fastening device, such as staples, clips or the
like.
[0033] End edges 62a, 64a and 62b, 64b preferably are tapered
inwardly from foldline 60 to side edges 62c, 64c, respectively,
such that a lengthwise dimension of the blank B is greater along
the foldline 60 than along either side edge 62c, 64c. The purpose
of the taper in end edges 62a, 64a and 62b, 64b is to form tapered
ends 14a, 18a of the divider wings 14, 18, respectively, when the
first and second panels 62, 64, respectively, are folded
one-over-the-other, as described above and for the purposes
described herein.
[0034] Rectangular cutout 70 is provided in the center of the blank
B, interrupting foldline 60, and is generally symmetrical about
foldline 60. Lines of weakening 72, preferably in the form of
scorelines, or alternatively in the form of embossed lines,
perforation lines, full cutlines or partial cutlines. Lines of
weakening 72 extend from cutout 70, on either side thereof, towards
the side edges 62c, 74c of the blank B and may be continuous
therebetween or extend only over a portion of the space between the
cutout 70 and the respective side edges 62c, 64c of the blank B. As
shown, lines of weakening 72 are generally perpendicular to the
foldline 60 and are generally parallel to one another, although
lines of weakening 72 may form acute or obtuse angles with one
another, or with foldline 60.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, blank B is shown in
partially-folded (FIG. 4) and fully-folded (FIG. 5) configurations
so as to define divider 10. Specifically referring now to FIG. 4,
blank B is folded about foldline 60 such that second panel 64 is
made to lie over first panel 62, and preferably adhesively secured
thereto. Because panels 62, 64 preferably are symmetric about
foldline 60, end edges 62a, 64a, end edges 62b, 64b and side edges
62c, 64c generally line up adjacently with one another. In this
manner, when panels 62, 64 are in an overlying relationship
relative to one another, adjacent edges 62a, 64a of blank B define
end 18a of divider 10 and adjacent edges 62b, 64b of blank B define
end 14a of divider 10. Similarly, opposing edges of cutout 70 are
made to overlie one another when panels 62, 64 are in overlying
relationship to one another so as to define a step-shaped cutout
recess 75 projecting inwardly into the divider 10 from foldline 60.
Step-shaped cutout recess 75 is sized to permit cup lid 52 to be
positioned therein when the cup 50 is positioned within the
ring-shaped portion 12, as will be described in greater detail
below.
[0036] Panels 62, 64 are secured to one another generally in
regions designated by reference numeral 76, but not in the region
over which lines of weakening 72 are provided. Referring now more
specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that because panels
62, 64 (FIG. 4) are not adhered to one another within the
ring-shaped portion 12, the individual panels 62, 64 can be
separated from one another so as to form a generally annular shape,
wherein lines of weakening 72 are provided for the purpose of
assisting the bending of the panels 62, 64 so that they can assume
a generally circular (or annular) shape, as shown clearly in FIG.
9. Because panels 62, 64 are adhered to one another within regions
76, panels 62, 64 remain affixed to one another, even when the
portions thereof within the lines of weakening 72 are separated to
form ring-shaped portion 12.
[0037] While the invention has been described and illustrated with
reference to one or more preferred embodiments thereof, it is not
the intention of the applicants that the invention be restricted to
such detail. Rather, it is the intention of the applicants that the
invention be defined by all equivalents, both suggested hereby and
known to those of ordinary skill in the art, of the preferred
embodiments falling within the scope hereof.
* * * * *