FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] Further, foodstuffs may require provision is set ratio's such as to fulfil the requirements
of a recipe and means to combine but separately protect such foodstuffs until use
is desirable. That protection is preferably robust, such as to withstand the mechanical
forces of manual handling of foodstuffs at frozen temperatures where materials are
typically harder and more brittle.
SUMMARY
[0005] 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, such as thermally insulating properties.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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 resealable and operable to enable access to one
sub-chamber without exposing the remaining sub-chamber. Thus addressing the problem
of providing associated foodstuffs in a given ratio but protected from external contamination
until use. 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.
[0008] 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
[0009] 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:
Figure 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;
Figure 2 is a front view of a food packaging container with top closure lids in an
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 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;
Figure 4 is a bottom view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers
in an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 is a bottom isometric view of a food packaging container having two (2) sub-chambers
in an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 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;
Figure 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;
Figure 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;
Figure 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
Figure 10 is a close-up view of one of the plurality of vertical brides in an embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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 food container of the present invention preferably comprises
a food grade plastic including, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET or
PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The food container of the present invention
preferably consists of a food grade plastic including, polypropylene, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET or PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), preferably high-density
polyethylene (HDPE). The above polymers also assists in improved construction, such
as by welding of any membrane in place without requiring the use of adhesives and
solvents. The density of HDPE preferably ranges from 930 to 940kg/m3 being lighter,
and more resilient at low temperature, such as compared to Polypropyelene or PET.
This is tested according to ISO 1183 part 2 (gradient columns).
[0014] 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.
[0015] In an embodiment each sub chamber is dimensioned to hold 1/2 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.
[0016] Referring now to Figure 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 Figure 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).
[0017] Sub-chambers 101A, 101B, subcomponents thereof including the vertical bridges are
made of a food grade plastic preferably being high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The
food container of the present invention preferably consists of said high-density polyethylene
(HDPE). This is advantageous as the material is flexible at frozen food temperatures
without the use of a plasticisers, such as have be implicated in health concerns,
yet any membrane is sufficiently brittle to be torn manually, particularly at low
temperatures. Referring now to Figure 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.
[0018] Referring now to Figure 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.
[0019] Referring now to Figure 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.
[0020] Referring now to Figure 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.
[0021] Referring now to Figure 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.
[0022] .Referring now to Figure 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.
[0023] Referring now to Figure 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.
[0024] Referring now to Figure 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).
[0025] Referring now to Figure 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, such as a manually applied, manual, force. The frozen food supply chain,
requires a container being robust and impact resistant, yet suitable for manual operation,
including tearing any membrane on final use in the temperature-18°C to -24°C (-0.4°F
to -11.2°F), as preferably provided by the present invention. This can be achieved
using Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE),
preferably an unplasticised Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) or high-density
polyethylene (HDPE), preferably high-density polyethylene (HDPE). 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.
[0026] 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, such a manually applied
force.
[0027] 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). Such materials are strong, yet
not brittle, enough at low temperatures to resist the forces required when extracting
such products.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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, such a manually applied force.
[0030] 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, such a manually applied force.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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
1. A food storage container (100), comprising:
a graduated, substantially cylindrical container (100) having a first sub-chamber
(101A) and a second sub-chamber (101B);
a coupling mechanism (401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) operable
to couple the first sub-chamber (101A) and the second-chamber (101B); and
the coupling mechanism (401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) fabricated
so as to allow the separation of the first sub-chamber (101A) from the second sub-chamber
(101B) using a moderate manual separation force.
2. The food storage container (100) of claim 1, further comprising having contained within
each sub-chamber (101A, 101B) 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.
3. The food storage container (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the container
(100) being made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polypropylene,
polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
4. The food storage container (100) of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising
the coupling mechanism (401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) being
a plurality of pairs of vertical bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B) which couple the first
sub-chamber (101A) and second sub-chamber (101B).
5. The food storage container (100) of claim 4, further comprising the coupling and bonding
strength between the first sub-chamber (101A) and second sub-chamber (101B) being
provided by vertical connecting members (401A, 401B) that couple at the midway point
(1001) that separates the first sub-chamber (101A) from the second sub-chamber (101B).
6. The food storage container (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising each pair
of vertical bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B) being coupled by a thin, vertical central
membrane (1001) midway between the inner wall (105A, 105B) of the first sub-chamber
(101A) and second sub-chamber (101B).
7. The food storage container (100) of claim 6, further comprising the vertical central
membrane (1001) operable to act as a line of weakness to allow separation of the first
sub-chamber (100A) from the second sub-chamber (100B).
8. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 4 to 7, further comprising each
vertical bridge (401A-408A, 401B-408B) having a pair of raised vertical planes 1002A,
1002B) next to the thin, vertical central membrane (1001) that prevent the premature
separation of the first sub-chamber (101A) from the second sub-chamber (101B).
9. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 4 to 8, further comprising an indent
(1003) formed in the lower end of the pair of vertical bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B)
to allow for the initiation of the ripping of the thin, vertical central membrane
(1001).
10. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 4 to 9, further comprising the portion
of each vertical bridge (401A-408A, 401B-408B) that is coupled to, and adjacent to
its respective sub-chamber (101A, 101B) having formed with a radius or curved portion
(1004A, 1004B) to prevent the premature separation of the first sub-chamber (101 A)
from the second sub-chamber (101B).
11. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 4 to 10, wherein each pair of vertical
bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B) is comprised of a thin-walled food grade plastic.
12. The food storage container (100) of claim 11, wherein each paid of vertical bridges
(401A-408A, 401B-408B) is made of plastic, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate
(PET or PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
13. The food storage container (100) of any preceding claim, where in the coupling mechanism
(401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) is a perforated pull-tab mechanism
(1003).
14. The food storage container of any preceding claim, where in the coupling mechanism
(401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) is a perforation-type separation
mechanism.
15. The food storage container (100) of any preceding claim, in combination with a lid
(104A, 104B) for the food storage container.
16. The food storage container (100) of claim 15, wherein the lid (104A, 104B) is re-closable.
17. The food storage container (100) of claim or claim 15 or 16, wherein the lid (104A,
104B) is made of polypropylene plastic or low density polyethylene.
18. The food storage container of any preceding claim, for use in the friozen food supply
chain, the container containing a plurality frozen food items, preferably ice cream
in solid form.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. A food storage container (100), comprising:
a graduated, substantially cylindrical container (100) having a first sub-chamber
(101A) and a second sub-chamber (101B);
a coupling mechanism (401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) coupling
the first sub-chamber (101A) and the second-chamber (101B); and
the coupling mechanism (401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) fabricated
so as to allow the separation of the first sub-chamber (101A) from the second sub-chamber
(101B) using a moderate manual separation force; further comprising the coupling mechanism
(401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) being a plurality of pairs of
vertical bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B) which couple the first sub-chamber (101A)
and second sub-chamber (101B); and
further comprising each pair of vertical bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B) being coupled
by a thin, vertical central membrane (1001) midway between the inner wall (105A, 105B)
of the first sub-chamber (101A) and second sub-chamber (101B).
2. The food storage container (100) of claim 1, further comprising having contained within
each sub-chamber (101A, 101B) 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.
3. The food storage container (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the container
(100) being made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polypropylene,
polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
4. The food storage container (100) of claim 1, further comprising the coupling and bonding
strength between the first sub-chamber (101A) and second sub-chamber (101B) being
provided by vertical connecting members (401A, 401B) that couple at the midway point
(1001) that separates the first sub-chamber (101A) from the second sub-chamber (101B).
5. The food storage container (100) of claim 1, further comprising the vertical central
membrane (1001) operable to act as a line of weakness to allow separation of the first
sub-chamber (100A) from the second sub-chamber (100B).
6. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 4 to 5, further comprising each
vertical bridge (401A-408A, 401B-408B) having a pair of raised vertical planes 1002A,
1002B) next to the thin, vertical central membrane (1001) that prevent the premature
separation of the first sub-chamber (101A) from the second sub-chamber (101B).
7. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an indent
(1003) formed in the lower end of the pair of vertical bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B)
to allow for the initiation of the ripping of the thin, vertical central membrane
(1001).
8. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the portion
of each vertical bridge (401A-408A, 401B-408B) that is coupled to, and adjacent to
its respective sub-chamber (101A, 101B) having formed with a radius or curved portion
(1004A, 1004B) to prevent the premature separation of the first sub-chamber (101A)
from the second sub-chamber (101B).
9. The food storage container (100) of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein each pair of vertical
bridges (401A-408A, 401B-408B) is comprised of a thin-walled food grade plastic.
10. The food storage container (100) of claim 9, wherein each paid of vertical bridges
(401A-408A, 401B-408B) is made of plastic, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate
(PET or PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
11. The food storage container (100) of any preceding claim, where in the coupling mechanism
(401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) is a perforated pull-tab mechanism
(1003).
12. The food storage container of any preceding claim, where in the coupling mechanism
(401A, 401B, 1001, 1002A, 1002B, 1005A, 1005B, 1003) is a perforation-type separation
mechanism.
13. The food storage container (100) of any preceding claim, in combination with a lid
(104A, 104B) for the food storage container.
14. The food storage container (100) of claim 13, wherein the lid (104A, 104B) is re-closable.
15. The food storage container (100) of claim or claim 13 or145, wherein the lid (104A,
104B) is made of polypropylene plastic or low-density polyethylene.
16. The food storage container of any preceding claim, for use in the friozen food supply
chain, the container containing a plurality frozen food items, preferably ice cream
in solid form.