FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to containers for food and/or beverages and particularly, but not exclusively, to container for use in places of entertainment such as cinemas, festival venues, concert halls and sporting arenas.

BACKGROUND

Typically, separate containers are used for drinks and food in cinemas, festivals and other entertainment venues. The logistics of how to carry multiple containers and storage issues in confined spaces of e.g. a cinema seat may affect the amount and/or variety that a consumer buys.

Some ways to address such issues have been disposable trays to hold a multitude of different containers making it easier to buy more items. However, the trays and their contents are relatively bulky, and it can be awkward for families with young children who cannot be relied on carry their snacks to their seat themselves let alone sit still with trays on their lap.

WO 03/043469 and US 2013/0171303 have attempted to overcome such issues. WO

03/043469 provides a central beverage container with two opposing bins for popcorn and the like which sit either side of the beverage container. This option limits the size of the bins by the need to still be able to hold the tray type structure by the beverage container.

US 2013/011303 provides a dual container where the lower half provides a vessel for a beverage and the upper half provides a vessel for popcorn. In one embodiment, the dual container is integral and the straw is in the side of the drinks vessel portion. However, this will likely result in the spoilage of the drink on carrying the item. In the other embodiment the container comes in a two part form and the food section provides an aperture for the straw. However, a problem with both embodiments is that the drink provided below may make the contents of the food section soggy, this may be more apparent when hot items are placed in the food section.

WO 2015/193687 discloses a container having a lower compartment for holding a beverage, an upper compartment for holding food and a middle compartment providing a thermal gap between the bottom wall of the upper compartment and top wall of the lower compartment. The built in thermal gap allows for there to be a temperature gap between the upper and lower compartments without affecting the usability of the container thereby increasing the versatility of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container suitable for food and drink and having a plurality of compartments, the container comprising:

a) a lower compartment suitable for retaining a beverage defined by a bottom wall having a perimeter configured to cooperate with a drinks holder, and a sidewall that extends substantially about the perimeter of the bottom and upward from the bottom to form a lower compartment with a top wall;

b) an upper compartment suitable for holding food and having at least a body portion defined by a bottom wall, and a sidewall or sidewalls that extends substantially about the perimeter of the bottom and upward to form an upper compartment;

c) a middle compartment formed between the upper and lower compartment and having a base and a sidewall or sidewalls, the middle compartment providing a thermal gap between the upper and lower compartments,

the base of the middle compartment being provided with a valve to prevent a pressure increase or decrease within the lower compartment.

Preferably, the thermal gap lies between the base of the upper compartment and the base of the middle compartment.

Preferably the middle compartment is provided with radially spaced, upwardly extending peripheral sidewalls which accommodate a peripheral flange or flanges extending downwardly from the base of the upper compartment.

Preferably, the base of the middle compartment is provided with a hole within which the valve is seated. Preferably, the valve has a upwardly extending portion formed of a flexibly resilient material and arranged to permit fluid passage between the lower and middle compartments when the pressure in the lower compartment exceeds that in the middle compartment.

Preferably, the valve has an outwardly extending flange made of flexibly resilient material which bears against the lower surface of the base of the middle compartment, the base being provided with at least one perforation which is closed by the flange unless the pressure in the middle compartment exceeds that in the lower compartment.

Preferably, the base of the middle compartment is provided with a downwardly recessed portion within which the valve is located.

There may be a threaded connection or a bayonet connection between the middle compartment and the lower compartment and/or the upper compartment.

Preferably, there is a threaded connection between the middle compartment and the lower compartment and a bayonet connection between the middle compartment and the upper compartment.

Preferably, there are cooperating apertures between the top wall of the lower compartment and bottom wall of the upper compartment to enable the passage of a straw through the inside of the upper compartment, the thermal gap and into the lower compartment.

Preferably, the container is provided with a straw which, in use, extends from the exterior of the upper compartment through the middle compartment and into the lower compartment. More preferably, the straw makes sealing engagement with the middle compartment as it passes therethrough.

The upper and/or lower compartments may have one or more internal walls to create further compartments.

The upper container may be, for instance, substantially bowl shaped and the diameter of the upper compartment is wider than the diameter of the lower compartment. The lower compartment may be, for instance, tumbler shaped.

In one preferred embodiment, the middle compartment has an integral tube passing longitudinally therethrough and extending through substantially the length of the body portion of the upper compartment.

In another preferred embodiment, the body portion of the upper compartment has an integral tube passing longitudinally therethrough and extending through substantially the length of the body portion of the upper compartment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container suitable for food and drink and having a plurality of compartments, the container comprising:

a) a lower compartment suitable for retaining a beverage defined by a bottom wall having a perimeter configured to cooperate with a drinks holder, and a sidewall that extends substantially about the perimeter of the bottom and upward from the bottom to form a lower compartment with a top wall;

b) an upper compartment suitable for holding food and having at least a body portion defined by a bottom wall, and a sidewall or sidewalls that extends substantially about the perimeter of the bottom and upward to form an upper compartment;

c) a middle compartment formed between the upper and lower compartment, the sidewall or sidewalls being of height sufficient to provide a thermal gap between the bottom wall of the upper compartment and top wall of the lower compartment,

the upper compartment having a lid which comprises a first part located on said sidewall or sidewalls and a second part which is pivotally connected to the first part and movable relative thereto to allow access to the upper compartment

The container is easy to carry and use, stable, and will fit securely into a drinks holder. Bendy straws of a suitable length may be used such that the end user can drink the beverage without the need to remove the container from the drinks holder. The upper compartment may hold a variety of foods such as popcorn, hot dogs, chips and nachos and the lower compartment may hold beverages such as soda, cola and water or a hot drink.

The built in thermal gap allows for there to be a temperature gap between the compartments without affecting the usability of the container, thereby increasing the versatility of the container.

Preferably, the upper edge of the upper container is substantially circular and the lid includes a circular ring mountable on said edge.

Preferably, the lid has an integral part spherical portion extending upwardly from the ring. More preferably, the lid is provided with a further part spherical portion mounted for pivotal movement relative to the integral part spherical portion.

Preferably, the lid is provided with an aperture allowing the passage of a straw therethrough. More preferably, the aperture is provided by a recess in the pivotally mounted lid portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are as follows:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of a container, excluding the lid, in accordance with the present invention; Figures 9A to 9E are various views of the middle compartment of a sixth embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 10A to 10E are various views of upper compartment of the sixth embodiment of the container;

Figures 11 A and 1 IB show a longitudinal section of the middle portion of the sixth embodiment in different stages of assembly;

Figures 12A to 12E are various views of the middle compartment of a seventh embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 13 A to 13E are various views of upper compartment of the seventh embodiment of the container;

Figures 14A, 14B and 14C show respectively the middle compartment, the bowl of the upper compartment and a collar for the central tube of the bowl, all being parts of an eighth embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 15 is a top perspective view of the middle compartment of a ninth embodiment of a container of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 15;

Figure 18 shows in cross section the valve of the embodiment of Figure 15;

Figure 19 shows detail of the base of the embodiment of Figure 15 where the valve is seated;

Figure 20 shows a drinking straw for use with the embodiment of Figure 15; and Figure 21 shows the drinking straw of Figure 20 in extended mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, a first embodiment of a container 1 of the invention has upper compartment 3 and lower compartment 5 with a middle

compartment 7 providing a thermal gap. Upper compartment 3 is a deep bowl having an integral circular flange 9 extending downwardly from its base. Flange 9 is provided with two diametrically opposite dogleg slots 11 each forming one part of a bayonet fitting.

Middle compartment 7 is a circular ring having an integral partition 13 which in turn is provided with a small central hole 15 through which a drinking straw may pass. Above partition 15, the inner wall of compartment 7 is provided with two integral, diametrically opposite lugs (not shown) each of which forms the other part of a bayonet fitting.

Below partition 15, the inner wall of compartment 7 is threaded for engagement with the upper threaded edge 17 of lower compartment 5, the latter being generally of a drinking glass or tumbler shape.

Located on the upper free edge of upper compartment 1 is a generally dome shaped lid 19. Lip 19 includes a ring 21 which has a right angle cross section providing a radially extending portion 22 and an axially extending portion 23. Ring 21 is dimensioned to be a snug fit on the upper edge of upper compartment 3.

Integral with and extending upwardly from ring 21 is a first quarter hemispherical lid portion 25. The edge 27 of lid portion 25 lies in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the container 1 except where this edge approaches ring 21 at diametrically opposed positions on the ring. The edge 27 gently curves axially and circumferentially away from the body of lid portion 25 to provide a small triangular portion 29 which carries a short radially inwardly projecting, integral pin 31.

Mounted for pivotal movement on pins 31 is a second quarter hemispherical lid portion 33. Portion 33 may be pivoted between a closed position where its free edge engages lies adjacent ring 21 and an open position where this portion 22 lies substantially wholly within portion 25 of lid 19, thereby allowing access to food held with the upper container 3.

At its front adjacent its free edge, lid portion 33 is provided with two peripherally spaced apart, outwardly extending tabs 35, each having a first part 37 of small radial width and a second part 39 of longer radial width. By exerting inward pressure on portion 33 relative to ring 21, it is possible to force these tabs 35 downwardly beyond portion 22 of ring 21 so that the portion 33 becomes locked in its closed position, thereby making it less likely that spillage of food from the container will occur when the container is being carried from place to place.

Between tabs 35 of lid portion 33, a substantial recess 41 is provided. Recess 41 is at its radially deepest at the free edge of this lid portion and its depth decreases in a direction towards lid portion 25. This recess 41 creates an aperture in the lid portion, allowing a straw to extend freely from lower compartment 5 via middle compartment 7 (through hole 15) and upper compartment 3 to the exterior of the container 1, enabling the liquid content of lower compartment 5 to be extracted without having to disturb upper container 3 or lid 19.

Referring to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, a second embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention is substantially as described above in connection with the first embodiment. However, in this case the upper compartment 51 is provided with a centrally mounted stem 53 from which four curved partitions extend radially to the inner wall of upper container 51. These partitions 55 divide compartment 51 into four sub- compartments which may be used to accommodate different foods within the container. The lid 57 may be rotated relative to upper container 51 to make accessible selected

compartments with lid portion 59 in it open position.

Referring to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, a third embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention is substantially as described above in connection with the second embodiment. In this case, however, the partitions 61 curve in the opposite circumferential direction to the partitions 55 of the second embodiment. Stem 63 is provided with a hole through which a drinking straw 65 may extend.

Referring to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, a fourth embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention is substantially as described above in connection with the second and third embodiments. In this case, however, a greater number of partitions 71 are provided, creating a correspondingly greater number of sub-compartments.

Referring to Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings, a fifth embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention included a lower compartment 81 , a middle compartment 83 and the bowl 85 of an upper compartment whose lid is not shown. Lower compartment 81 is provided with an external threaded portion adjacent its upper edge. Middle compartment 83 includes a transverse wall 89 through the centre of which longitudinally extends an integral tube 91. Tube 91 extends upwardly to the level of the top of bowl 85 and downwardly only a small distance below wall 89. Below wall 89, the middle compartment 83 is provided with an internal threaded portion 93 which is for engagement with the external threaded portion 87 of lower compartment 81.

A circular flange 95, located just inside the outer circular wall 97 of middle compartment 83, extends downwardly from wall 89, providing a groove into which the upper edge of lower compartment 81 locates when it is screwed into middle compartment 83.

Above wall 89, an inner circular wall is located adjacent the outer wall 97 providing a further groove 99. Upper compartment 85 is provided with a downwardly extending circular flange 101 which is, on assembly, for insertion into groove 99. Tube 91 is provided with two diametrically opposed location lugs 103 on its outer surface just below the level of the top of outer wall 97 of middle compartment 83. Bowl 85 has a transverse wall 105 at the level of the top of flange 101 and through the centre of wall 105 there extends a short integral tube 107 which terminates at its lower end level with the bottom of flange 105. Tube 107 is provided with two diametrically opposed L shaped cut-outs for engagement with the lugs 103 in order to secure bowl 85 to middle compartment 83.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown the middle compartment and the upper compartment of a container broadly similar to that of Figure 8. However, the outer surface of the middle compartment 109 is provided with a corrugated finish to improve the grip for the person holding the container. Also, two diametrically opposed externally located lugs are provided on the external surface of middle compartment 109 to which may be affixed a lanyard to enable the container to be hung from, for instance, the user's neck. Referring to Figures 11A and 1 IB of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated the attachment of the upper compartment to the middle compartment with Figure 11 A showing the introduction of the flange 111 of upper compartment 115 into the groove 113 of middle compartment 117. Figure 11B shows the position when the upper compartment has fully engaged with middle compartment 117.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown the middle compartment and the upper compartment of another container broadly similar to that of Figures 10 and 11 but of greater capacity. It can be seen that the lower part of circular flange 121 is thickened relative to the rest of the flange and to outer wall 119 whereas it is the other way round in the Figures 10 and 11 embodiment.

Referring to Figure 14Λ to 14C of the accompanying drawings, an eighth embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention is broadly similar to, for instance, the container shown in Figure 8 but in this case the central tube through the middle container 124 extends upwardly only to the level of the top of the inner and outer walls 125 lnd 127. The bowl 129 is provided with an integral central tube 131 which extends downwardly to the level of the bottom of circular flange 133 and upwardly to the level of the top of the bowl. Diametrically oppositely disposed L shaped cut-outs 135 in flange 133 will, on assembly, engage with lugs 137 provided on the inner surface of wall 127. Extending longitudinally across each L shaped cut-out 135 is a short flange 137 which acts to lock bowl 129 to the middle container 124 once the lugs 137 have reached the ends of their travel within L shaped cut-outs 135.

The upper end of tube 131 is provided with an internally stepped collar 139 which in turn is prided with four resiliently deformable, integral L shaped members 141 which extend part way across the collar 139. These members 141 will bend downwardly to allow passage of a drinking straw into the tube 131 and will then grip the inserted straw. Provision of an integral tube extending to the level of the top of the bowl increases the thermal efficiency of the container and also makes it less likely that pieces of food will enter the lower compartment through the tube, particularly when food such as popcorn is being scooped into the bowl. The members 141 will also ensure that pieces of food do not enter the lower container.

Referring to Figures 15 to 18 of the accompanying drawings, a ninth embodiment of the present invention is broadly similar to the above-described embodiments, although differing in the design of its middle compartment. The middle compartment 200 of Figures 15 to 18 is similar to that shown in Figures 11 A and 12A having radially spaced, upwardly extending peripheral sidewalls 201, 203 which accommodate the peripheral flange extending downwardly from the base of the upper compartment.

Integral with base 20S of middle compartment 200 is a central tube 209 which extends upwardly to just above the level of sidewalls 201, 203 and downwardly a short distance to a level above the bottom of outer sidewall 201.

The base 205 is slightly concave viewed from above (Figure 15) and has located in a region 210 of further concavity a hole 211 which accommodates a valve 213. Equally spaced apart around hole 211 are eight smaller holes or perforations 215. Valve 213 is made of flexibly resilient plastics or rubber-like material and has a central cylindrical, hollow body 217 which is closed at one end with an integral endwall 219. Outwardly extending from end wall 219 is a transverse, triangular cross-section part 221 having a slit 223 extending along its apex, thereby providing a duckbill feature to the valve 213.

At its other end body 217 of valve 213 is provided with an outwardly and upwardly extending flange 225.

Body 217 of valve 213 is outwardly profiled to provide a recessed portion 227.

As best seen in Figure 18, valve 213 fills hole 211 of base 205 of middle compartment 200 with the edge of hole 211, which may be stepped, conical or provided with a lead-in recess for ease of assembly, located in recessed portion 227 of the valve 213. The flange 225 of valve 213 then overlies perforations 215 in base 205.

The dimensions of valve 213 are such that when fitted in base 205 perforations 215 of base 205 are sealed by flange 225 and slit 223 of part 221 is closed so that fluid cannot pass in either direction between the middle and lower compartments. However, should the pressure in the lower compartment increase sufficiently relative to that in the middle compartment then slit 223 will open and fluid flow therethrough takes place. If the pressure in the middle compartment sufficiently exceeds that in the lower compartment, then flange 225 will bear less strongly against base 205 and fluid flow through perforations 215 takes place. Accordingly, valve 213 provides a controlled two way airflow to prevent pressure and vacuum build ups within the container.

The concavity of base 205, and the further concavity of the region 210 within which hole 211 is located, ensures that any overspill during pressure release will run back into the cup when a vacuum is created as a result of suction applied via the drinking straw when in use.

It should be appreciated that the valve and/or the base 205 may be relatively dimensioned to control the resistance to suction when the container is in use. For instance, the thicker the base, the more the user has to suck to open the valve.

Referring to Figures 20 and 21, a drinking straw 231 is provided with the ninth embodiment container. Straw 231 has several sections. From close to one end 233, a corrugated section 235 extends along most of unextended length of straw 231. Adjacent the corrugated section 235 lies a short smooth, tapered section 237which, when the straw is fitted within the container, lies mainly within the tube 209 of middle compartment 200, making a sealing fit therewith. Next to section 235 is a bellows section which can be extended from its compressed mode (Figure 20) to its extended mode (Figure 21). The final section 241, to which the user's mouth, is applied is a largely smooth section of largely constant diameter although having an enlarged portion 242 directly adjacent section 239. Straw 231 is provided with a cap 243 which is held captive on the straw by means of a strap 245 which is integral with cap 243 and which carries a loop fitted between enlarged portion242 of section 241 and the bellows section 239. A container in accordance with the present invention may have either no lid or a close fitting sealing lid rather than one with an arrangement allowing access through the lid to the upper compartment. A container with no lid may be suitable for certain occasions, such as in a cinema and a container with a sealing lid may be suitable for use by, for instance, children as a lunch box.

Thus, the present invention provides practical, versatile containers for use in the cinema, at the theatre, festivals and in the car, for example. The containers are easy to hold and solve the problems of providing ease of carriage and stable storage of food and drinks items. The lid allows prevents loss of content from the upper container when food is not being consumed from the upper container and yet very easy access to the food when required.

Variations and modifications of these embodiments will occur to those of skill in the art after reviewing this disclosure. The foregoing features and aspects may be implemented, in any combination and subcombinations (including multiple dependent combinations and subcombinations), with one or more other features described herein. The various features described or illustrated below, including any components thereof, may be combined or integrated in other systems. Moreover, certain features may be omitted or not implemented.