Single-piece multi-compartment container for food products to be directly consumed

Abstract

 A single-piece multi-compartment container (1) for food products to be directly consumed comprises a container body (2) divided into a plurality of compartments (3,4,5) by divider elements formed in a single-piece with the container body, each compartment being insulated from the other adjoining compartments and being adapted to hold different food products and beverages.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a single-piece multi-compartment container for food products, to be directly consumed.

[0002] As is known, the so-called "snack" food products are conventionally packaged in individual packages, i.e. in packages containing a single portion of a single food product.

[0003] Other food packages, moreover, comprises means for facilitating a direct consume of several food or beverage products, without using tools or outer vessels, such as glasses.

[0004] The above mentioned packages, however, have the drawback that they comprise a lot of portions which must be assembled, with comparatively high making and packaging costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to provide a container construction, made in a single-piece, adapted to hold a plurality of food products in separated compartments, to allow said food products to be easily consumed, by directly using the container.

[0006] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a container construction which is very simple and unexpensive.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a single-piece, multi-compartment, container construction, specifically designed for food products to be directly consumed, characterized in that said container construction comprises a container body divided into a plurality of compartments by divider elements formed in a single piece with the container body, so that each said compartments is insulated from adjoining compartments and is adapted to hold a different food product or beverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the single-piece container construction according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view, partially broken-away, of said container construction;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of that same container construction;

Figure 4 is a further exploded perspective view, partially broken-away, of the single-piece container construction according to the invention; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectioned top plan view of the container construction of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0009] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the single-piece, multiple-compartment, container construction according to the invention, generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a substantially cylindric container body 2, which is divided into a plurality of compartments, which, as seen from the top, have the configuration of circular sectors.

[0010] The cylindric container body 2 and the separating or dividing elements defining the mentioned circular sectors, are made in a single piece, preferably by injection molding, so that each said sector is insulated from the adjoining sectors and is adapted to hold a food product and/or other products and a beverage.

[0011] The container body 2 can be closed by using a top membrane 6, which, for example, is thermosealed to the top edge portion of said container, and which can be opened by tearing, as the contents of the container are to be consumed.

[0012] More specifically, the container body 2 is divided into three sectors, i.e. a first sector 3, a second sector 4 and a third sector 5.

[0013] Said sectors 3, 4 and 5 have been specifically designed for respectively holding breadsticks, chocolate cream and tea.

[0014] The above mentioned products constitute a typical example of snack food products, with the related beverage; however, they can be replaced by other food products.

[0015] Advantageously, the second sector 4 comprises a raised bottom, including diaphragm 8 formed at a middle region with respect to the top of the container body 2 and bottom 9 of said body, so that the second sector 4 has a reduced volume provided for holding therein a small amount of chocolate cream or other cream product, which can be easily removed by using said breadsticks.

[0016] The third sector 5 occupies about a half of the volume of the container body 2 and, accordingly, is adapted to hold therein a sufficient amount of a beverage, preferably consisting of tea.

[0017] The beverage can be taken by using a small cane, which can be held, together with the breadsticks, in the first sector 3.

[0018] The size of the top edge portion of the third sector 5 would allow to also take the beverage directly therefrom, by possibly holding the breadsticks by the fingers of the same hand supporting the container, to prevent said breadsticks from disengaging from their seats, as the container is slanted to drink.

[0019] The viscous nature of the chocolate cream will prevent said cream from exiting its sector, as the vessel is slanted for the short time necessary for drinking a sip of the beverage.

[0020] It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0021] In fact, the invention provides a container construction which can hold and make immediately available for the consume a plurality of food products such as to form a full snack.

[0022] Moreover, the container construction according to the invention can be made unexpensively, since it comprises a single body.

[0023] In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the container size, can be any, depending on the requirements.

Claims

1. A multiple-compartment container construction, for food products to be directly consumed, characterized in that said container construction comprises a container body divided into a plurality of compartments by dividing elements formed in a single piece with the container body, thereby each said compartments is insulated from the adjoining compartments and is adapted to hold a food product and/or beverages and/or other different products.

2. A container construction, according to claim 1, characterized in that said body has a substantially cylindric configuration and is divided into a plurality of compartments which, seen from the top, has the configuration of circular sectors.

3. A container construction, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said compartments are defined inside said cylindric container body by dividing or separating elements defining said circular sectors.

4. A container construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container body can be closed by a top membrane, for example thermosealed to the top edge portion of said container body, and which can be opened by tearing as the contents of said container must be consumed.

5. A container construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said single-piece container body, is divided into three sectors.

6. A container construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sectors are adapted to respectively hold breadsticks, chocolate cream and tea.

7. A container construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second sector has a raised bottom comprising a divider element formed at a middle region with respect to the top of the container body and the bottom of said body, so that said second sector has a small volume, adapted to hold an amount of chocolate cream or other cream product, thereby facilitating the taking of said product.

8. A container construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third sector substantially occupies about a half of the volume of said container body and is adapted to hold a sufficient amount of a beverage, such as tea.

9. A container construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the disclosed and/or illustrated characteristics.

Drawing