U.S. patent application number 15/209831 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for container for stacked foodstuff.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kellogg Company. Invention is credited to John Humbert Baer.
Application Number | 20170015467 15/209831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56550384 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170015467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baer; John Humbert |
January 19, 2017 |
Container For Stacked Foodstuff
Abstract
A container for foodstuff is provided and includes a housing
having an inner surface extending from a proximal end to a distal
end about a longitudinal axis. The inner surface defines a height
H1 and a width D1, whereby a ratio of the height H1 to the width D1
is between approximately 0.5 and 2.0. A divider is disposed within
the housing and includes first, second, and third radially
extending fins defining first, second, and third chambers within
the housing.
Inventors: |
Baer; John Humbert;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kellogg Company |
Battle Creek |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56550384 |
Appl. No.: |
15/209831 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62192678 |
Jul 15, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/62 20130101;
B65D 3/24 20130101; B65D 5/48024 20130101; B65D 25/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04 |
Claims
1. A container for foodstuff, the container comprising: a housing
having an inner surface extending from a proximal end to a distal
end about a longitudinal axis, the inner surface defining a height
H1 and a width D1, a ratio of the height H1 to the width D1 being
less than 2.0; and a divider disposed within the housing, the
divider having first, second, and third radially extending fins
defining first, second, and third chambers within the housing.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the divider is removably
disposed within the housing.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third
fins are symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein each fin of the first, second,
and third fins includes an inner edge and an outer edge, the outer
edge of the first fin contacting the inner surface of the housing
at a first contact location, the outer edge of the second fin
contacting the inner surface of the housing at a second contact
location, the outer edge of the third fin contacting the inner
surface of the housing at a third contact location.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the inner edge of the first,
second, and third fins collectively define a joint.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the joint is substantially
aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising first, second, and
third foodstuff disposed within the first, second, and third
chambers, respectively.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the first, second, and third
foodstuff is stacked within each of the first, second, and third
chambers, respectively.
9. The container of claim 7, wherein the first, second, and third
foodstuff is nested within each of the first, second, and third
chambers, respectively.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the first, second, and third
foodstuff respectively disposed within the first, second, and third
chambers is the same.
11. The container of claim 9, wherein the first, second, and third
foodstuff respectively disposed within the first, second, and third
chambers is different in at least one of the first, second, and
third chambers.
12. The container of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first,
second, and third foodstuff includes an oval shape.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the first, second, and third
foodstuff is stacked.
14. The container of claim 12, wherein the first, second, and third
foodstuff is nested.
15. The container of claim 7, wherein the first foodstuff includes
a first major axis and a first minor axis, the first minor axis
intersecting the joint.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the first major axis
intersects at least two of the first, second, and third contact
locations.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein the second foodstuff
includes a second major axis and a second minor axis and the third
foodstuff includes a third major axis and a third minor axis, the
second and third minor axes intersecting the joint and the first
minor axis, the second and third major axes intersecting at least
two of the first, second, and third contact locations.
18. The container of claim 1, wherein the width D1 is a
diameter.
19. A container for foodstuff, the container comprising: a housing
defining a longitudinal axis and an inner surface surrounding the
longitudinal axis, the inner surface defining a first dimension
extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a
second dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis, a ratio of the first dimension to the second
dimension being less than 2.0; and a divider disposed within the
housing such that the divider and the inner surface define a
plurality of chambers.
20. The container of claim 19, wherein the divider includes at
least one fin having a first edge and a second edge, at least one
of the first edge and the second edge engaging the inner
surface.
21. The container of claim 20, wherein the at least one fin
includes a first fin and a second fin, the first fin including the
first edge and the second edge, the second fin having an inner edge
and an outer edge, the inner edge engaging the first edge, the
outer edge and the second edge engaging the inner surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/192,678, filed on
Jul. 15, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a container for
foodstuff and more particularly to a container for use with stacked
foodstuff.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] A variety of foodstuff and snacks are produced in a stacked
and/or nested configuration. For example, chips, cookies, crackers,
and other foodstuff can be produced such that a first or bottom
side of one foodstuff mates or nests with a second or top side of
another foodstuff. Accordingly, such foodstuff can be arranged in a
stacked configuration.
[0005] Stacked foodstuff can be packaged and stored using a variety
of packages and packaging configurations. For example, bags, trays,
and canisters can all be used to package stacked foodstuff. In
order to protect the integrity of a stack of foodstuff, a rigid
package may closely surround the foodstuff contained therein. One
such package is a cylindrical container or canister. For example,
foodstuff may be stacked within a cylindrical package in order to
maintain the integrity (e.g., size, shape, etc.) and organization
of the foodstuff while concurrently providing a robust and
easy-to-handle package.
[0006] While cylindrical containers adequately maintain a stacked
configuration of foodstuff disposed therein, such containers must
be relatively long to accommodate a desired quantity of foodstuff.
Further, such containers are difficult to use once more than
approximately half of the foodstuff is removed, thereby making it
difficult to extract the foodstuff located proximate to a bottom
portion of the container.
SUMMARY
[0007] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0008] In one configuration, a container for foodstuff is provided
and includes a housing having an inner surface extending from a
proximal end to a distal end about a longitudinal axis. The inner
surface defines a height H1 and a width D1, whereby a ratio of the
height H1 to the width D1 is between approximately 0.5 and 2.0. A
divider is disposed within the housing and includes first, second,
and third radially extending fins defining first, second, and third
chambers within the housing.
[0009] In one configuration, the divider is removably disposed
within the housing. In addition, the first, second, and third fins
may be symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis. Each fin
of the first, second, and third fins may include an inner edge and
an outer edge, whereby the outer edge of the first fin contacts the
inner surface of the housing at a first contact location, the outer
edge of the second fin contacts the inner surface of the housing at
a second contact location, and the outer edge of the third fin
contacts the inner surface of the housing at a third contact
location. The inner edge of the first, second, and third fins may
collectively define a joint that may be substantially aligned with
the longitudinal axis of the housing.
[0010] First, second, and third foodstuff may be disposed within
the first, second, and third chambers, respectively. The first,
second, and third foodstuff may be stacked within each of the
first, second, and third chambers and, further, may be nested
within each of the first, second, and third chambers. The foodstuff
disposed within the first, second, and third chambers may be the
same or, alternatively, at least one of the first, second, and
third foodstuffs may be different than the rest of the
foodstuffs.
[0011] In another configuration, the foodstuff may include an oval
shape. In addition, the foodstuff may be stacked and/or nested.
[0012] The first foodstuff may include a first major axis and a
first minor axis, whereby the first minor axis intersects the
joint. The first major axis may intersect at least two of the
first, second, and third contact locations. Similarly, the second
foodstuff may include a second major axis and a second minor axis
and the third foodstuff may include a third major axis and a third
minor axis. The second and third minor axes may intersect the joint
and the first minor axis and the second and third major axes may
intersect at least two of the first, second, and third contact
locations.
[0013] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a
container for foodstuff. The container may include a housing and a
divider. The housing may define a longitudinal axis and an inner
surface surrounding the longitudinal axis. The inner surface may
define a first dimension extending in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis and a second dimension extending in a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A ratio of the first
dimension to the second dimension may be less than 2.0. The divider
may be disposed within the housing such that the divider and the
inner surface define a plurality of chambers.
[0014] In some implementations, the divider includes at least one
fin having a first edge and a second edge. At least one of the
first edge and the second edge may engage the inner surface.
[0015] In some implementations, the at least one fin includes a
first fin and a second fin. The first fin may include the first
edge and the second edge. The second fin may include an inner edge
and an outer edge. The inner edge may engage the first edge. The
outer edge and the second edge may engage the inner surface.
[0016] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0017] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected configurations and not all possible
implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of a container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
showing the foodstuff removed for clarity;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1
taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
three separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
four separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container; and
[0029] FIG. 12 is a top view of another container for foodstuff in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing
four separate stacks of foodstuff received within respective
chambers of the container.
[0030] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Example configurations will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully
convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in
the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of
specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough
understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific
details need not be employed, that example configurations may be
embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and
the example configurations should not be construed to limit the
scope of the disclosure.
[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be
limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a," "an," and
"the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises,"
"comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations,
elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other features, steps, operations,
elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps,
processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed
as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an
order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
[0033] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to"
another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged,
connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or
intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged
to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening
elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the
relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like
fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent"
versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items.
[0034] The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to
describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a
sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a
first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below
could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or
section without departing from the teachings of the example
configurations.
[0035] With reference to the figures, a container 10 is provided
and may include a housing 12 and a divider 14 that cooperate to
receive and contain one or more stacks 16-1, 16-2, . . . 16-n
(referred to herein as stacks 16) of foodstuff 18. As illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 10 may receive three stacks 16 of
foodstuff 18. It will be appreciated, however, that the container
10 may receive more or less than three stacks 16 of foodstuff 18
depending on the particular shape of the divider 14. As will be
described in more detail below, the container 10 allows for the
convenient and sanitary storage and handling of the stacks 16 of
foodstuff 18.
[0036] The housing 12 may be formed from a rigid or semi-rigid
material. For example, in some configurations, the housing 12 may
be formed from one or more of cardboard, plastic, or metal.
[0037] The housing 12 may define a generally hollow cylindrical
construct having an inner surface 20 extending from a proximal end
22 to a distal end 24 along a central, longitudinal axis A1 (FIG.
3). The proximal end 22 may be open, while the distal end 24 may be
closed. In this regard, the proximal end 22 may be sized and shaped
to receive a lid (not shown) or other suitable closure
mechanism.
[0038] As illustrated, in some configurations, the housing 12,
including the inner surface 20, may define a cylindrical construct.
It will be appreciated, however, that the housing 12 and/or the
inner surface 20 may define other shapes, such as a triangle, a
square, an oval, a stadium, or another polygon within the scope of
the present disclosure. The inner surface 20 may define a first
dimension (e.g., a height) extending in a direction substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis A1, and a second dimension (e.g.,
a width, a length, etc.) extending in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1. In this regard, the
first dimension of the inner surface 20 may include a height H1
(FIG. 3) extending from the proximal end 22 to the distal end 24,
and the second dimension of the inner surface 20 may include an
inner radius R1 (FIG. 1). The inner radius R1 may be between
approximately 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches such that a diameter D1 of
the housing 12 is between approximately 5 inches and 7 inches. In
some configurations, the inner radius R1 may be substantially equal
to 2 inches and the diameter D1 is substantially equal to 4 inches.
The height H1 may be between 2.5 inches and 14 inches. In this
regard, the ratio of the height H1 to the radius R1 may be between
1.0 and 4.0 such that a ratio (e.g., an aspect ratio) of the height
H1 to the diameter D1 is between 0.5 and 2.0. An aspect ratio that
is less than 2.0 can improve the stability of the container 10. In
particular, an aspect ratio between 0.5 and 2.0 can improve the
stability of the container 10 when the container 10 is resting on
the distal end 24. In this regard, an aspect ratio between 0.5 and
2.0 can allow the distal end 24 to rest on a support surface (e.g.,
a table, the ground, the floor, etc.) without tipping, such that
the longitudinal axis A1 maintains a perpendicular orientation
relative to the support surface. In particular, an aspect ratio
between 0.5 and 2.0 may allow the longitudinal axis A1 to form
and/or maintain an angle between zero degrees and forty-five
degrees relative to the normal of the support surface without
causing the container 10 to tip over.
[0039] The divider 14 may be formed from an oil-resistant material.
For example, the divider 14 may be formed from a rigid or
semi-rigid material (e.g., paper, cardboard, or the like) having an
oil-resistant coating (e.g., wax, paint, or the like). In some
implementations, the divider 14 is formed from a flexible material.
The divider 14 may be removably disposed within the housing 12.
Allowing the divider 14 to be removed from the housing 12 allows
the stacks 16-1, 16-2, . . . 16-n to be mixed within the housing 12
once removed.
[0040] The divider 14 may include one or more fins 28-1, 28-2, . .
. 28-n (referred to herein as fins 28). As illustrated, the divider
14 may include three fins 28. Each fin 28 may include a proximal
end 30, a distal 32, an inner edge 34, and an outer edge 36. In
some configurations, each fin 28 may define a generally rectangular
shape such that the proximal and distal ends 30, 32 define a height
H2 (FIG. 3) therebetween, and the inner and outer edges 34, 36
define a width W2 (FIG. 1) therebetween. In some configurations,
the height H2 may be substantially equal to the height H1 of the
housing 12, and the width W2 may be substantially equal to the
radius R1 of the housing 12.
[0041] The inner edges 34 of the fins 28 may contact one another at
a joint 38. As will be explained in more detail below, the joint 38
may allow each of the fins 28-1, 28-2, . . . 28-n to flex relative
to one or more of the remaining fins 28-1, 28-2, . . . 28-n. For
example, the joint 38 may allow each of the fins 28-1, 28-2, . . .
28-n to rotate about its respective inner edge 34 relative to one
or more of the remaining fins 28-1, 28-2, . . . 28-n.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in an assembled configuration, the
joint 38, including the inner edges 34, may be substantially
aligned with the longitudinal axis A1 of the housing 12. As shown
in FIG. 3, the longitudinal axis A1 may be the central axis of the
housing 12. The outer edge 36 of each fin 28 may contact the inner
surface 20 of the housing 12 at a contact location 39 (e.g., 39-1,
39-2, . . . 39-n). Accordingly, the fins 28 may extend radially
within the housing 12, such that the divider 14 defines more than
one chamber 40-1, 40-2, . . . 40-n (referred to herein as chamber
40) within the housing 12. In particular, if the divider 14
includes three fins 28, the housing 12 may include three chambers
40. In some configurations, the fins 28 may be symmetrically spaced
about the longitudinal axis A1 of the housing 12, such that the
divider 14 defines equally sized chambers 40. In particular, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, in some configurations the divider 14 may
define three equally sized pie-shaped chambers 40-1, 40-2, 40-3.
While the outer edge 36 of each fin 28 is described and shown as
contacting the inner surface 20 of the housing 12 at contact
locations 39, the outer edge 36 of each fin 28 could alternatively
be spaced apart from the inner surface 20.
[0043] Each stack 16 may include more than one foodstuff 18. For
example, each stack 16 may include a plurality of chips, crackers,
cookies, and/or other similar foodstuffs 18. As illustrated in FIG.
3, each foodstuff 18 may include an upper side 42 and a lower side
43. In the stacked arrangement, the upper side 42 of one foodstuff
18 may mate or nest with the lower side 43 of an adjacent foodstuff
18. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 1, each stack 16 of
foodstuff 18 may extend along a respective longitudinal axis A2
(e.g., A2-1, A2-2, . . . A2-n). In the assembled configuration, the
longitudinal axes A2 of the stacks 16 may be substantially parallel
(e.g., +/-15 degrees) to one another and to the longitudinal axis
A1 of the housing 12.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some configurations, each
foodstuff 18 may define an oval shape having a major axis A3 and a
minor axis A4. The stacks 16 of foodstuff 18 may also be arranged
within the housing 12 such that the major axes A3 intersect one
another and the minor axes A4 intersect one another. As illustrated
in FIG. 2, the major axes A3-1, A3-2 of foodstuff 18 located in the
stacks 16-1, 16-2, respectively, may intersect one another
proximate to the contact location 39-1, while the major axes A3-2,
A3-3 of foodstuff 18 located in the stacks 16-2, 16-3,
respectively, may intersect one another proximate the contact
location 39-2, and the major axes A3-3, A3-1 of foodstuff 18
located in the stacks 16-3, 16-1, respectively, may intersect one
another proximate the contact location 39-3.
[0045] The minor axes A4-1, A4-2, A4-3 of the stacks 16-1, 16-2,
16-3, respectively, may intersect one another proximate the
longitudinal axis A1 of the housing 12. In this regard, the minor
axes A4-1, A4-2, A4-3 of the stacks 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, respectively,
may intersect one another proximate the joint 38 of the divider 14.
Accordingly, in some configurations, the major axes A3-1, A3-2,
A3-3 may cooperate to define a substantially triangular shape,
while the minor axes A4-1, A4-2, A4-3 may define two substantially
equal sized portions 60, 62 of the chambers 40-1, 40-2, 40-3,
respectively.
[0046] The configuration and orientation of the housing 12 (e.g.,
radius R1, height H1), the divider 14 (e.g., the fins 28), the
stacks 16 (e.g., axes A2), and the foodstuff 18 (e.g., axis A3,
axis A4) helps to provide a package (e.g., at least 8 ounces) that
facilitates convenient shipping and handling of the container 10
and sharing of the foodstuff 18 by more than one person. For
example, the arrangement of the housing 12, the divider 14, and the
stacks 16 allows for the separation and protection from breakage of
multiple stacks 16 of foodstuff 18 within the housing 12, while the
removable nature of the divider 14 allows for mixing of the stacks
16 of foodstuff 18 within the housing 18. Accordingly, in one
method of use, when the divider 14 is positioned within the housing
12, the fins 28 and the inner surface 20 of the housing 12 help to
maintain the integrity of the stacks 16 such that one person can
obtain foodstuff 18 from stack 16-1, while another person obtains
foodstuff 18 from stack 16-2, and yet another person obtains
foodstuff 18 from stack 16-3. In this regard, the container 10 may
be sized (e.g., diameter D1) such that the container 10 can receive
more than one hand (e.g., two hands, three hands, etc.)
simultaneously when the divider 14 is disposed without the housing
18. The configuration of the divider 14 (e.g., the flexible
material and/or the joint 38) can allow each of the fins 28-1,
28-2, . . . 28-n to flex relative to the remaining fins 28-1, 28-2,
. . . 28-n such that the container 10 can better accommodate one or
more hands within the chambers 40-1, 40-2, . . . 40-n during use.
In another method of use, the divider 14 may be removed from the
housing 12 in order to allow mixing of the foodstuff 18 disposed in
the stack 16-1 with the foodstuff 18 disposed in the stack 16-2
and/or the stack 16-3.
[0047] The foodstuff 18 disposed within the stacks 16-1, 16-2, 16-3
may be the same foodstuff. For example, each stack 16-1, 16-2, 16-3
may contain the same flavor of a particular chip and may have the
same size and shape. Alternatively, at least one of the foodstuffs
18 may be different than the others in terms of at least one of
size, shape, and/or flavor. Finally, all three stacks 16-1, 16-2,
16-3 may contain different types of foodstuff in terms of size,
shape, and/or flavor with some or all of the foodstuff 18 being
disposed in a stacked and nested arrangement.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 4-12, other containers 10a, 10b,
10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h, and 10i respectively, are shown. The
containers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h, and 10i may be
substantially similar to the container 10, apart from any
exceptions described below and/or shown in the figures. Therefore,
the structure and/or function of similar features will not be
described again in detail, and like reference numerals may be used
to describe like features and components.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the container 10a may include the
housing 12 and a divider 14a. The divider 14a may include one or
more fins 28-1a, 28-2a, . . . 28-na (referred to herein as fins
28a). As illustrated, the divider 14a includes four fins 28a. Each
fin 28a may include an inner edge 34a and an outer edge 36a. In
some configurations, the inner edge 34a of the fin 28-1a may be
coupled to the inner edge 34a of the fin 28-2a. Similarly, in some
configurations, the inner edge 34a of the fin 28-3a may be coupled
to the inner edge 34a of the fin 28-4a. Moreover, in some
configurations, the outer edge 36a of the fin 28-2a may be coupled
to the outer edge 36a of the fin 28-3a. For example, in some
configurations, the divider 14a may include a unitary construct
such that the inner edge 34a of the fin 28-la may be coupled to the
inner edge 34a of the fin 28-2a, the inner edge 34a of the fin
28-3a may be coupled to the inner edge 34a of the fin 28-4a, and
the outer edge 36a of the fin 28-2a may be coupled to the outer
edge 36a of the fin 28-3a at respective folds (e.g., creases) 70,
72, 74 in the material of the divider 14a. Accordingly, the divider
14a may define two substantially equally-sized chambers 40-1a,
40-2a, and a chamber 40-3a having a head portion 78 disposed
between the fin 28-la and the fin 28-4a, and a tail portion 79
disposed between the fin 28-2a and the fin 28-3a.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the container 10b may include the
housing 12 and a divider 14b. The divider 14b may be substantially
similar to the divider 14a, apart from any exceptions described
below and/or shown in the figures. The divider 14b may include one
or more fins 28-1b, 28-2b, . . . 28-nb (referred to herein as fins
28b). As illustrated, one or more of the fins 28b may include a
generally arcuate or curved shape in a radially-extending
direction. Each fin 28b may include an inner edge 34b and an outer
edge 36b. In some configurations, the divider 14b may include a
unitary construct such that an inner edge 34b of the fin 28-1b may
be coupled to an inner edge 34b of the fin 28-2b at an arcuate bend
70b, the inner edge 34b of the fin 28-3b may be coupled to the
inner edge 34b of the fin 28-4b at an arcuate bend 72b, and the
outer edge 36b of the fin 28-2b may be coupled to the outer edge
36b of the fin 28-3b at a fold 74b.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the container 10c may include the
housing 12 and a divider 14c. The divider 14c may include one or
more fins 28-1c, 28-2c, . . . 28-nc (referred to herein as fins
28c). As illustrated, the divider 14c includes six fins 28c. Each
fin 28c may include an inner edge 34c and an outer edge 36c. In
some configurations, the inner edge 34c of the fin 28-1c may be
coupled to the inner edge 34c of the fin 28-2c. Similarly, in some
configurations, the inner edge 34c of the fin 28-3c may be coupled
to the inner edge 34c of the fin 28-4c, and the inner edge 34c of
the fin 28-5c may be coupled to the inner edge 34c of the fin
28-6c. Moreover, in some configurations, the outer edge 36c of the
fin 28-2c may be coupled to the outer edge 36c of the fin 28-3c,
and the outer edge 36c of the fin 28-2c may be coupled to the outer
edge 36c of the fin 28-3c. For example, in some configurations, the
divider 14c may include a unitary construct such that the inner
edge 34c of the fin 28-1c may be coupled to the inner edge 34c of
the fin 28-2c, the inner edge 34c of the fin 28-3c may be coupled
to the inner edge 34c of the fin 28-4c, and the inner edge 34c of
the fin 28-5c may be coupled to the inner edge 34c of the fin 28-6c
at respective folds (e.g., creases) 70, 72, 73 in the material of
the divider 14c. Similarly, the outer edge 36c of the fin 28-1c may
be coupled to the outer edge 36c of the fin 28-6c, and the outer
edge 36c of the fin 28-2c may be coupled to the outer edge 36c of
the fin 28-3c at respective folds (e.g., creases) 74, 76 in the
material of the divider 14c. Accordingly, the divider 14c may
define three substantially equally-sized chambers 40-1c, 40-2c,
40-3c, and a substantially star-shaped (e.g., three-pointed
isotoxal star) central chamber 40-4c.
[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the container 10d may include the
housing 12 and a divider 14d. The divider 14d may include a
plurality of discrete, separable members 80-1, 80-2, . . . 80-n
(referred to herein as members 80). As illustrated, the divider 14d
includes three members 80. Each member 80 may be bent in the
radially-extending direction to define a pair of fins 28-1d, 28-2d.
In an assembled configuration, the members 80 may be disposed
within the housing 12 such that the fin 28-1d of the member 80-1
abuts the fin 28-2d of the member 80-3, the fin 28-1d of the member
80-2 abuts the fin 28-2d of the member 80-1, and the fin 28-1d of
the member 80-3 abuts the fin 28-2d of the member 80-2 at
respective contact locations 82, 84, 86. In this regard, the
members 80 and the contact locations 82, 84, 86 may define three
substantially equally-sized chambers 40-1d, 40-2d, 40-3d, three
substantially equally-sized chambers 40-4d, 40-5d, 40-6d, and a
central chamber 40-7d.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the container 10e may include the
housing 12 and a divider 14e. The divider 14d may include a
plurality of discrete, separable members 80-1e, 80-2e, . . . 80-2n
(referred to herein as members 80e). As illustrated, the divider
14e includes two members 80e defining a generally T-shaped divider.
A first member 80-le may be bent in the radially-extending
direction to define a pair of fins 28-1e, 28-2e. A second member
80-2e may define a radially-extending fin 28-3e. The fin 28-3e may
abut the member 80-le at a contact location 82e between the fins
28-1e and 28-2e. Accordingly, the members 80-1e and 80-2e may
define two substantially equally-sized chambers 40-1e, 40-2e, and
the member 80-le may define a third chamber 40-3e having a shape
that is different than both of the chambers 40-1e, 40-2e.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the container 10f may include the
housing 12 and a divider 14f. The divider 14f may be substantially
triangular shaped. For example, in some configurations the divider
14f may define an equilateral triangular shape. The divider 14f may
be centrally located within the housing 12 such that the housing 12
and first, second, and third sides 90, 92, 94 of the divider define
first, second, and third chambers 40-1f, 40-2f, 40-3f,
respectively. As illustrated, the first, second, and third chambers
40-1f, 40-2f, 40-3f may be open to, and in communication with, one
another.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the container 10g may include the
housing 12 and a divider 14g. The divider 14g may be substantially
similar to the divider 14g, apart from any exceptions described
below and/or shown in the figures. The divider 14g may include
first, second, and third sides 90g, 92g, 94g. The sides 90g, 92g,
94 may be arcuately-shaped. For example, in some configurations,
the sides 90g, 92g, 94 may be concave in a radially-outward facing
direction.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the container 10h may include a
housing 12h and a divider 14h that cooperate to define four
chambers 40-1h, 40-2h 40-3h, 40-4h for receiving and contain four
stacks 16-1, 16-2, 16-3, 16-4, respectively, of foodstuff 18. As
illustrated, in some implementations, the housing 12h defines a
stadium shape having a pair of opposed, parallel sides 96, 98 and a
pair of opposed arcuate ends 100, 102 extending from and between
the opposed, parallel sides 96, 98. In other implementations, the
divider 14h may be utilized with the housing 12. The divider 14h
may be substantially similar to the divider 14, apart from any
exceptions described below and/or shown in the figures. The divider
14h may include five fins 28-1h, 28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h, 28-5h. One or
more of the fins 28-1h, 28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h, 28-5h may be
integrally and/or monolithically formed with another one or more of
the 28-1h, 28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h, 28-5h, such that at least a portion
of the divider 14h defines a unitary construct. The fins 28-1h,
28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h, 28-5h may define various shapes within the
scope of the present disclosure. As illustrated, in some
implementations, the fins 28-1h, 28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h, 28-5h define
a substantially hourglass shape. In this regard, the first fin
28-1h may extend in a direction parallel to the third fin 28-3h.
The second fin 28-2h may extend in a direction parallel to the
fourth fin 28-4h. The fifth fin 28-5h may extend in a direction
transverse to the first, second, third, and fourth fins 28-1h,
28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h. In this regard, the first and fourth fins
28-1h, 28-4h may intersect the arcuate end 100, the second and
third fins 28-2h, 28-3h may intersect the arcuate end 102, and the
fifth fin 28-5h may intersect the first, second, third, and fourth
fins 28-1h, 28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h. In some implementations, the fifth
fin 28-5h may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to
the opposed sides 96, 98.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the container 10i may include the
housing 12h and a divider 14i. The divider 14i may be substantially
similar to the divider 14h, apart from any exceptions described
below and/or shown in the figures. As illustrated, in some
implementations, the fins 28-1i, 28-2i, 28-3i, 28-4i, 28-5i define
an H-shape. In this regard, the first, second, third, and fourth
fins 28-1i, 28-2i, 28-3i, 28-4i may be substantially parallel (+/-5
degrees) to one another, while the fifth fin 28-5i may extend in a
direction substantially perpendicular (+/-5 degrees) to the first,
second, third, and fourth fins 28-1h, 28-2h, 28-3h, 28-4h.
[0058] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a
particular configuration are generally not limited to that
particular configuration, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even
if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied
in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *