Removable divider for food container

Abstract

The present invention is for a divider for use with a food package, wherein the divider is manufactured from inexpensive coated paperboard and is of a simple one-piece construction. More particularly, a divider according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed from a one-piece, foldable blank of paperboard material, which is folded in half and secured onto itself so as to form a two-ply, reasonably stiff construction. The divider is shaped and dimensioned to fit within a food container, which may preferably have a circular cylindrical shape, so as to bisect same and define two separate interior regions thereof. In addition, the divider includes a center portion wherein the paperboard material is not adhered onto itself, so as to allow the formation of a ring-shaped, cup-holding portion suitable for positioning and retaining a separate container within the package.

1 . A divider for use with a container, comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel foldably connected to said first panel;   said first and second panels each having one or more lines of weakness within a central region thereof;   said first and second panels being secured to one another at one or more regions outside said central regions thererof; and,   said first and second panels each having a cutout within said central region thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The divider according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more lines of weakness are approximately parallel with one another. 
   
   
       3 . The divider according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second panels are foldably connected by at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fold line, a score line, a perforated line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and an embossed line. 
   
   
       4 . The divider according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second panels are secured by an adhesive at one or more regions outside said central regions thererof. 
   
   
       5 . The divider according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said first and second panels are foldably connected by at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fold line, a score line, a perforated line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and an embossed line; and   each of said first and second panels comprise end edges that are tapered inwardly towards the central region from at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fold line, a score line, a perforated line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and an embossed line.   
   
   
       6 . The divider according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step-shaped cutout recess located in a top edge of said divider. 
   
   
       7 . A container, comprising the divider according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       8 . The container according to  claim 7 , further comprising
 at least one side wall to define an interior space; and   at least one bottom wall.   
   
   
       9 . The container according to  claim 8 , further comprising a lid. 
   
   
       10 . The container according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said divider is positioned within said interior space of said container such that said interior space is separated into at least two portions, one of said portions being an article-receiving portion; and   each of said first and second panels comprise end edges that are pushed inwardly towards said central region such that said one or more lines of weakness within said central region bulge outwardly towards said at least one sidewall thereby providing said article-receiving portion.   
   
   
       11 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein said article-receiving portion is shaped to receive a cup. 
   
   
       12 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein
 said divider comprises a top edge and said each of said first and second panels comprise end edges that are tapered inwardly towards said central region from said top edge.   
   
   
       13 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein said one or more lines of weakness are approximately parallel with one another. 
   
   
       14 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein said first and second panels are foldably connected by at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fold like, a score line, and a cut line. 
   
   
       15 . The container according to  claim 14 , wherein
 said divider comprises a top edge ; and   said at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fold like, a score line, and a cut line is positioned along said top edge.   
   
   
       16 . The container according to  claim 10 , wherein
 said first and second panels are secured by an adhesive at one or more regions outside said central regions thererof.   
   
   
       17 . The container according to  claim 10 , further comprising a cutout recess located in a top edge of said divider. 
   
   
       18 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein said step-shaped cutout recess is positioned at the top edge of said central portion of said divider. 
   
   
       19 . The container according to  claim 17 , wherein said cutout recess is step-shaped. 
   
   
       20 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more lines of weakening are in form of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a fold line, a score line, a perforated line, a full cut line, a partial cut line, and an embossed line.