Dual compartment container

Abstract

A dual compartment container and a system for use of such containers. The container may be used for food products or other products, and preferably has a larger primary compartment containing a primary product and a smaller secondary compartment for related items.

1 . A foldable blank capable of forming a container comprising: 
 a top panel;    a bottom panel substantially parallel to the top panel;    a plurality of side wall panels extending between the top panel and the bottom panel;    an intermediate panel attached between the top panel and the bottom panel and dimensioned according to a predefined length to provide a primary cavity having opposite open ends exposed to pass a product through the primary cavity without obstruction and a secondary cavity having substantially the same length as the primary cavity and having opposite ends enclosed by closure walls.    
     
     
         2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to be stackable.  
     
     
         3 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein a volume of the primary cavity is larger than a volume of the secondary cavity.  
     
     
         4 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel comprises a tearable opening defined by lines of weakness and having a tab projected outwardly enabling access to the tearable opening.  
     
     
         5 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the primary cavity has inclined end edges between the intermediate panel and the bottom panel.  
     
     
         6 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary cavity has inclined end edges between the top panel and the intermediate panel.  
     
     
         7 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of a paperboard material.  
     
     
         8 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel comprises a first side wall panel attached to the top panel on one side of the bottom panel and a second side wall panel attached to the intermediate panel on an opposite side of the bottom panel.  
     
     
         9 . The blank of  claim 8 , wherein the top panel comprises a third side wall panel attached at least partially to the second side wall panel.  
     
     
         10 . The blank of  claim 9 , wherein the intermediate panel comprises a fourth side wall panel attached at least partially to the first side wall panel.  
     
     
         11 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment of the third side wall panel to the second side wall panel and the attachment of the fourth side wall panel to the first side wall panel define a volume of the primary cavity and a volume of the secondary cavity.  
     
     
         12 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the closure walls further comprises: 
 a first flap dimensioned to substantially cover one of the opposite ends of the secondary cavity in a closed position;    a second flap attached to the first flap and foldable at a crease line to be inserted at least partially into the secondary cavity in the closed position;    at least two side flaps inserted into the secondary cavity at opposite sides of the first flap in the closed position.    
     
     
         13 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the first flap is attached at a crease line to any one selected from a group of the top panel and the intermediate panel.  
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the first flap substantially covers one of the opposite ends of the secondary cavity at an incline between the top panel and the intermediate panel.  
     
     
         15 . A food container in combination with a food product comprising: 
 a top panel;    a bottom panel substantially parallel to the top panel;    a plurality of side wall panels attached between the top panel and the bottom panel;    an intermediate panel attached between the top panel and the bottom panel and dimensioned according to a predefined length to provide a primary cavity having opposite open ends and a secondary cavity having opposite ends, said primary and secondary cavities being of substantially the same maximum length;    a plurality of closure walls that substantially enclose the opposite ends of the secondary cavity;    a removable microwaveable food tray holding the food product.    
     
     
         16 . The food container of  claim 15 , wherein the top panel comprises a tearable opening defined by lines of weakness on the top panel and having a tab projected outwardly enabling access to the tearable opening.  
     
     
         17 . The food container of  claim 15 , wherein the primary cavity has inclined end edges between the intermediate panel and the bottom panel.  
     
     
         18 . The food container of  claim 15 , wherein the secondary cavity has inclined end edges between the top panel and the intermediate panel.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of closure walls further comprises: 
 a first flap configured to substantially cover one of the opposite ends of the secondary cavity in a closed position;    a second flap attached to the first flap and foldable at a crease line to be inserted partially into the secondary cavity in the closed position;    at least two side flaps inserted at opposite sides of the first flap in the closed position to provide secure closure of the secondary cavity.    
     
     
         20 . A container comprising: 
 a primary cavity having an intermediate panel dimensioned according to a predefined length, a bottom panel, and a plurality of side wall panels, wherein the primary cavity has opposite open ends exposed to pass a product through the primary cavity without obstruction;    a secondary cavity having opposite ends and defined by a top panel, the intermediate panel, and at least some of the plurality of side wall panels, wherein the secondary cavity is dimensioned substantially according to the same predefined length of the intermediate panel; and    a closure wall including a first flap attached to the intermediate panel that is foldable at a crease line to substantially enclose one of the opposite ends of the secondary cavity at an incline closed position between the top panel and the intermediate panel.    
     
     
         21 . A method of packaging and preparing a food product comprising: 
 providing a food product in a tray in a dual compartment container comprising a lower primary compartment and a closed, upper secondary compartment;    providing in the closed secondary compartment one or more items useful in connection with consumption of the food product;    placing the container in a stack in a refrigeration unit in a kiosk for a storage period;    after the storage period, removing the container from the refrigeration unit;    removing the food product and tray from the container without opening the secondary compartment;    placing the tray and food product in an oven in said kiosk; and    heating the food product in the oven.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein providing a food product in a tray in a dual compartment container comprising a lower primary compartment and a closed, upper secondary compartment comprises forming the dual compartment container from a single, one-piece, blank of paperboard material.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said upper compartment contains at least one of a second food item, a condiment, an eating utensil, or a napkin; said method further comprising providing a plurality of microwaveable food products of different types in substantially similarly shaped dual compartment containers, with labeling to differentiate the food products, in said refrigeration unit.