GB2420112A

GB2420112A - Frozen food dispensing container

Info

Publication number: GB2420112A
Application number: GB0424987A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel David Plosky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-12
Filing date: 2004-11-12
Publication date: 2006-05-17
Also published as: GB0424987D0

Abstract

A frozen food dispensing container (1), preferably for baby food, comprises compartments (2,12,22) accommodating respective different frozen foods (2',12',22'). Means may be provided for identifying the different frozen foods (2',12',22') in their respective compartments (2,12,22) and an at least partially removable closure can extend over the compartments (2,12,22), with indicia identifying the different frozen foods (2',12',22') in their respective compartments (2,12,22). The indicia may include colour-coding and the closure may be transparent, so that the different frozen foods (2',12',22') can be identified readily for subsequent dispensing from respective compartments (2,12,22) of the container (1). The different frozen foods (2',12',22') may be of different colours, and the compartments (2,12,22) may be flexible, for facilitating removal of the selected frozen food(s) (2',12',22') and/or arranged in a regular array.

Description

FROZEN FOOD DISPENSING CONTAINER

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a frozen food dispensing container and is especially, but not exclusively, related to such containers for dispensing frozen baby food therefrom.

As an infant grows older, it is necessary to wean it from milk on to solid food. Part of that weaning process involves feeding at least partially liquidised or puréed solid food to the infant, which can be frozen and dispensed from a suitable container for subsequent defrosting.

However, such frozen food containers which are available at present, accommodate only one type of frozen food. This means that if the infant or, indeed, growing child is to he fed a meal comprising at least two different foods which have been defrosted and, optionally, heated, they have to be dispensed from separate containers which, in turn, means that the food has to be purchased in different containers, thereby increasing costs and storage space.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a frozen dispensing, container which overcomes, or at least substantially reduces, the disadvantages discussed above in relation to known, single frozen food-accommodating containers.

Thus, the invention resides in a frozen food dispensing container comprising a plurality of compartments, preferably separate from each other, accommodat-ing respective different frozen foods therein.

Preferably, the container also comprises means for identifying the different frozen foods in their respective compartments. For example, the container may include an at least partially removable closure extending over the compartments, with indicia provided thereon for identifying the different frozen foods in their respective compartments. Such indicia may include colour-coding.

Additionally or alternatively, the closure may be transparent, so that the different frozen foods, which may be of different colours, can be identified readily for subsequent dispensing from respective compartments of the container.

At least the compartments of the container may be flexible, so that the different frozen foods can be removed therefrom, usually by pushing the base of the compartments upwardly.

The compartments may be arranged in a regular array.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of frozen food dispensing, container in accordance therewith, will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a frozen food dispensing, container with its closure lid removed; Figure 2 is a plan view of the container of Figure 1, with its lid in place but with two frozen food-filled compartments exposed; and 1 0 Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the container shown in Figures 1 and 2 along the line AA, with a frozen food being dispensed from its compartment.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a frozen food dispensing, container, indicated generally at 1, comprises a plurality of individual compartments 2,12,22 arranged in an array of Lhree rows of four compartments each.

One row, indicated generally at 3, comprises four compartments 2 containing frozen liquidised or puréed carrot 2', a middle row 4 of four compartments 12 containing liquidised or puréed broccoli 12' and a third row 5 of four compartments 22 each containing liquidised or puréed parsnip 22'.

In Figure 1, the container 1 is shown with a foil closure lid 6 removed, so that the frozen foods accommodated in their respective compartments 2, 12,22 can be viewed.

In Figure 2, the container 1 is shown with its airtight, foil closure lid 6 in place, with indicia identifying the food contents 21,121,221 of the respective compartments 2,12,22, for example, "carrot", "broccoli" and "parsnip".

If, as in this case, a meal comprising carrot and broccoli is required for an infant, it may be provided by removing the foil 6 from above the respective carrot and broccoli compartments 2, 12, SO that the frozen carrot 21 and broccoli 121 contents thereof can be removed.

Such removal can be effected by pushing the bottom wall of the corresponding compartment 2,12,22 inwardly, as shown in Figure 3, SO that, in this particular case, the frozen carrot 21 contents of that compartment 2 can be removed for subsequent defrosting and, if necessary, heating.

In this manner, multi-food dishes can be dispensed for consumption by infants or, indeed, growing children from the same frozen food container 1.

Claims

1. A frozen food dispensing container comprising a plurality of compartments accommodating respective different frozen foods therein.

2. A container according to claim 1 also comprising means for identifying the different frozen foods in their respective compartments.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2 further including an at least partially removable closure extending over the compartments, with indicia provided thereon for identifying the different frozen foods in Lheir respective compartments.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the indicia include colourcoding.

5. A container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the closure is transparent, so Lhat the different frozen foods can be identified readily for subsequent dispensing from respective compartments of the container.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the different frozen foods are of different colours.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein at leasC the compartments are flexible.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the compartments are arranged in a regular a r ray.

9. A frozen food dispensing container substantially ds hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.