GB2383993A

GB2383993A - Food and drink container having insulated compartments

Info

Publication number: GB2383993A
Application number: GB0129180A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Jaap
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-06
Filing date: 2001-12-06
Publication date: 2003-07-16
Also published as: GB0129180D0

Abstract

A container for items of food or drink includes a separator (20) for dividing its interior into at least two compartments which are thermally insulated from each other. As shown, the separator is formed from a sheet of corrugated cardboard or other sheet material, having two centre panels (22,24) which are folded into face-to-face contact with each other to form an upright between two lower compartments, and two outer panels (26,28) which extend outwardly to form, in combination, a planar platform forming the floor of an upper compartment.

Description

Food and Drink Container The present invention relates to a container for items of food or drink.

It is often required to store both hot and cold items for a period prior to consumption. This leads to difficulties because of the tendency for heat to transfer from the hot item or items to the cold item (e. g. a cold drinks can or bottle).

I have now devised a container which enables hot and cold items to be stored together, whilst maintaining these items at their desired temperatures for a significant period of time.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container for items of food or drink, the container having a separator for dividing its interior into at least two compartments which are thermally insulated from one-another.

Preferably the container is in the form of a rectangular box having an open top, provided with a closure.

Preferably the separator is arranged to divide the interior of the container into upper and lower compartments, preferably two lower compartments and an overlying upper compartment.

Preferably the separator is generally T-shaped, comprising a planar platform supported by a planar upright. Preferably the separator is formed of corrugated cardboard or other sheet material, comprising two centre panels which are folded into face-to-face contact with each other to form the upright, and two outer panels which extend outwardly to form, in combination, the planar platform.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a container in accordance with the present invention, shown with its top open and its compartment separator being fitted into the container; FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the container when

closed; FIGURE 3 is a front view of the container when closed; and FIGURE 4 is a front view, partly in section, of the container when closed.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a portable container for items of food or drink in accordance with the invention, arranged for storing hot and cold items in different compartments. The container comprises a rectangular box 10 formed from a blank of corrugated cardboard or other sheet material.

The top of the container is provided with front, rear and opposite end flaps for closing it: in particular, front and rear flaps 12,14 are hinged to the top edges of the front and rear panels of the container and end flaps 16,18 are hinged to the opposite end panels of the container. As shown in Figure 2 in particular, outer panels 13,15 of the front and rear closure flaps meet face-to-face, when closing the container, then the end flaps 16,18 are folded up so that slots e. g. 19 therein are engaged over shoulders 13a, 15a of the panels 13,15 of the front and rear closure flaps. The end closure flaps are accordingly retained in the positions shown in Figure 2 and the front and rear closure flaps are retained, by the end flaps, against opening. The outer panels 13,15 of the front and rear closure flaps are formed with elongate apertures 13b, 15b which are in alignment to form a carrying handle, when the container is closed.

The container further comprises a separator 20 for dividing its interior into separate compartments which are thermally insulated from each other. The separator 20 is formed from a blank of corrugated cardboard or other sheet material: this blank is rectangular in shape and comprises two centre panels 22,24 which are folded into face-to-face contact with each other, and two outer panels 26,28 which are folded to extend outwardly from the respective centre panels.

The separator 20 is arranged to be inserted into the container 10 so that its centre panels 22,24 extend vertically in a plane intermediate the opposite ends of the container, with their common fold seated on the inside bottom of the container. Further, the outer panels 26,28 of the separator extend horizontally, at a level intermediate the top and bottom of the container, with their free edges abutting the opposite ends of the container.

It will be appreciated that the separator 20 divides the interior of the container into three separate compartments, namely (and as shown in Figure 4) lower compartments A and B adjacent opposite ends of the container, and an upper compartment. C overlying the two lower compartments.

One or more hot items of food may be placed in at least one of the compartments, and one or more cold items in at least one other compartments. For example, a burger may be placed in one compartment, french fries in another and a cold drink in the third compartment.

These items may be stored in the container for a significant period of time, whilst the respective items remain at their desired temperatures. For example, in the case of sport's events, spectators may purchase their items of food and drink from a sales outlet prior to the event, and keep the container under their seat until an interval in the event.

Claims

Claims 1) A container for items of food or drink, the container having a separator for dividing its interior into at least two compartments which are thermally insulated from one-another.
2) A container as claimed in claim 1, in the form of a rectangular box having an open top which is provided with a closure.
3) A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which said separator is arranged to divide the interior of the container into upper and lower compartments.
4) A container as claimed in claim 3, in which said separator is arranged to divide the interior of the container into two lower compartments and an overlying upper compartment.
5) A container as claimed in claim 3, in which said separator is generally T-shaped, comprising a planar platform supported by a planar upright.
6) A container as claimed in claim 5, in which said separator is formed of a piece of sheet material which comprises two centre panels folded into face-to-face contact with each other to form said upright, and two outer panels which extend outwardly to form, in combination, said planar platform.
7) A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said separator is formed of corrugated cardboard.
8) A container for items of food or drink, the container being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.