Patent ID: 6296885
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A process for filling and using a layered multi-component container of food ingredients for the preparation of a food product, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a container having a cylindrical side wall and an open top adapted to provide access to the interior of said container;(b) introducing a dry food ingredient into said container through said open top;(c) positioning a semi-flexible disk-shaped divider atop said dry food ingredient, said divider having a concave configuration with a diameter larger than a diameter of said container for sweeping the sides of said container upon insertion and removal relative to said container, said divider having a plurality of pleats extending radially about a top surface thereof such that said divider is adapted to collapse inwardly upon insertion into said container and to form a flattened configuration in a sealing relationship relative to a periphery of said container when pressure is applied to said divider;(d) introducing another dry food ingredient into said container through said open top, said another dry food ingredient applying pressure to said divider for forming a level top surface on said dry food ingredient downwardly adjacent to said another dry food ingredient and sealing said another dry food ingredient from said downwardly adjacent dry food ingredient;(e) repeating steps (c)-(d) until all of the dry food ingredients needed for the preparation of a selected food product have been introduced into said container;(f) placing said container in an inverted position such that the dry food ingredient immediately adjacent said open top is deposited therethrough;(g) placing said container in an upright position;(h) removing a respective divider positioned atop the next adjacent dry food ingredient in said container by piercing said divider with a fork and lifting it upward through said open top of said container; and(i) repeating steps (f)-(h) until each dry food ingredient is deposited from said container.