GB2376456A

GB2376456A - Compartmented disposable container for foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: GB2376456A
Application number: GB0117363A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Barry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-15
Filing date: 2001-07-17
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: GB0117363D0; GB0114627D0

Abstract

A disposable container for two or more separate items of foodstuffs comprises a body 1 having at least two entirely separate compartments 4,5. Each compartment is closable by an integral cover 2 which can be removed from the container without disturbing the cover(s) of other compartment(s) of the container. The container body includes one or more internal partitions 3 sealed to the side(s) and/or covers of the container body which divide the container interior into the two or more entirely separate compartments. The container may be a can, with the or each partition extending across the width of the container, across the height of the container, or being inclined with respect to the lateral or longitudinal axis of the container.

Description

DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS FOR FOODSTUFFS

This invention relates to disposable containers for foodstuffs. The term "foodstuffs"includes, without limitation, all items of food, drink and confectionery. More especially the invention relates to disposable cans having integral lids or covers for retaining separate items of foodstuffs in a preserved and hygienic manner for future use.

Cans produced from steel, aluminium and like metallic materials are, of course, well known. These typically comprise a tubular body whose open ends are sealed by integrally formed metallic covers, one of which defines a lid and the other a base.

Conventionally, metal cans are produced by a drawing process, the base and walls of the can being drawn from an initial disc of the required chemical specification and dimensions.

After filling, the cans are hermetically sealed by securing a lid to the upper open end of the can. This lid may be welded, crimped or otherwise secured to the can body. In use, the can lid may be partially or fully removed from the can body by a bladed opener.

Alternatively, the can lid may include a ring pull for removing all or a section of the lid.

Such cans are designed to house a single item of foodstuffs.

Plastics containers comprising two side-by-side bowl-like compartments including a foil cover are also known. In these containers the foil cover is common to both compartments which means that one compartment cannot be selectively opened without opening the other.

The present invention sets out to provide a disposable container for two or more separate items of foodstuffs each of which can selectively be removed from the container while the integrity of the seal provided for the other one or more items of foodstuff is retained.

According to the present invention in one aspect, there is provided a disposable container for two or more separate items of foodstuffs, the container comprising a body

having at least two entirely separate compartments each closable by an integral cover which can be removed from the container without disturbing the cover (s) of other compartment (s) of the container, the container body including one or more internal partitions sealed to the side (s) and/or covers of the container body which divide the container interior into the separate compartments.

The or each partition may extend across the width or height of the container.

Alternatively, the or each partition may be inclined with respect to the lateral or longitudinal axis of the container. The compartments may be of equal or different capacity.

Preferably, the container comprises a metallic can.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which :- Figure 1 is a section taken through a container in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section taken along line II-II of Figure 1 ; and Figures 3 and 4 are sections taken through alternative containers in accordance with the invention.

The container illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 takes the form of a metallic can and comprises a cylindrical body 1 closed at each of its ends by covers 2. These covers are formed integrally with the can body and provide an effective seal for the can interior to ensure that the contents of the can are hygienically preserved. One or each cover may be welded, crimped or otherwise secured to the can body. Alternatively, one cover may be formed integrally with the can body during a conventional drawing process, the other cover being secured to the drawn body once the can has been filled.

The can interior is divided into two separate compartments by a partition 3 which extends across the width of the can in a direction generally normal to that of the

longitudinal axis of the can. The partition 3 is secured in a salable manner to the can interior surface to ensure that the two compartments 4,5 defined on each side of the partition are sealed one from the other. Thus, the partition may be welded, glued or otherwise secured to the internal wall of the can body. Each compartment is sealed by one or other of the covers 2. As shown, the capacity of the compartments is different.

Alternatively, these capacities may be the same.

In use, each compartment is filled with a different item of foodstuffs, e. g. a portion of fruit and a portion of custard, portions of different vegetables or different drinks, e. g. gin and tonic. Access to each compartment is achieved by removing or partially removing the respective cover using a conventional can opener or a surface mounted ring-pull.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the partition 3 extends along the height of the can and lies generally coincident with the longitudinal axis of the can. In all other respects the can illustrated in Figure 2 is generally the same as the can illustrated in Figure 1. In this arrangement, however, a seam 6 is provided in each cover coincident with the edge surfaces of the partition 3 to enable one cover section 2a to be removed without disturbing the other cover section 2b.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4, the partition 3 extends diagonally across the can interior, access to each compartment 4,5 being via one of the covers of the can.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of foodstuffs containers in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention. Thus, containers including more than two sealed compartments may be provided.

Claims

CLAIMS A disposable container for two or more separate items of foodstuffs, the container comprising a body having at least two entirely separate compartments each closable by an integral cover which can be removed from the container without disturbing the cover (s) of other compartment (s) of the container, the container body including one or more internal partitions sealed to the side (s) and/or covers of the container body which divide the container interior into the separate compartments.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each partition extends across the width of the container.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each partition extends across the height of the container.
4. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein that or each partition is inclined with respect to the lateral or longitudinal axis of the container.
5. A container as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein the compartments are of equal capacity.
6. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the capacity of each compartment is different.
7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims produced from metal and in the shape of a can.
8. A container substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.