Abstract:
A stackable container and cup, having one or more selectable attached divider or dividers, the divider or dividers allowing the container to hold a single substance, or multiple distinct substances, such as ice cream, without the unwanted mixing of the substances.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to stackable containers having attached partitions for separating and minimizing intermixing of contents. Traditional stacking containers, suitable for holding semi-liquid contents such as ice-cream, frozen yogurt or the like, generally lack the ability to partition multiple flavors into individual compartments. Should a person order two flavors from an ice cream shop, the flavors, and toppings are generally placed together, or on top of one another, preventing the user from fully enjoying the distinct flavors of each. The addition of a loose partition is undesirable because it may move or shift when the contents are inserted into the container, or when the user is removing them for consumption. Repositioning of a loose partition takes time, and creates a cumbersome additional obstacle for the efficient serving of frozen treats, in addition to allowing the intermingling of the contents. Containers with built-in partitions do not allow for selectable deployment of the partitions, which creates a need to store multiple types of containers, or may not allow the efficient stacking of such containers. Customer expectations regarding the container size and shape also influence the design criteria, specifically; a consumer generally would expect a frustro-conically shaped container, which prohibits the use of traditional flat and wide take-out style containers generally used for meals. What is needed is a container having one or more dividers attached to the interior wall of the container allowing easy deployment and use, while allowing the server to place the desired number of distinct contents within the container, or selectively use no divider at all. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention allows a user to separate the contents of a container by positioning divider partitions attached to the inside of the container. The partitions may be folded along the interior surface of the container to allow stacking of the containers for efficient and compact storage. Multiple dividers may be attached to a single primary divider, allowing the primary divider to be the only divider attached to the container wall, simplifying assembly. 
     To use the invention, the operator, or server, simply repositions the divider, or dividers, to the desired position within the container and adds the desired content for each partition. The dividers attachment to the interior wall prevents movement of the divider when filling, or when consuming the contents. 
     The relative few parts of the invention make it a simple robust design that is easier use and manufacture for reduced cost and complexity when compared to containers having separate removable dividers. The attachment of multiple dividers to a single primary divider allows for modular construction of the container for efficient construction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention in a stacked configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a front right perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention with a single selectable divider separating two substances. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the invention with the selectable divider lying against the inner surface of the wall of the container. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a left side view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of the first embodiment of the invention taken on line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross section view of the first embodiment of the invention taken on line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention having the selectable divider rising slightly above the container when folded along the inner surface of the container wall. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section of the second embodiment of the invention taken on line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention having a second divider attached to the first divider. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a left side view of the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-section of the third embodiment of the invention taken on line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-section of the third embodiment of the invention taken on line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the invention having a third divider attached to the first divider. 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention showing the dividers separate from the container. 
         FIG. 20  is and exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is and exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention  1  in a stacked configuration. The invention  1  has a vertical wall  10  forming the sides of the container, shown here as a frustro-conically shaped cup, the vertical wall having an inner surface  12  and an outer surface  14 . Here, the top edge  16  of the vertical container wall  10  is a rolled edge. The invention  1  has a user selectable divider  50  attached to the vertical wall  10  inner surface  12 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the first embodiment of the invention  1  having a single vertical divider  50  separating the contents of the container, or cup, in two parts  62 ,  64 . The first part  62  can be a different substance than the second part  64 , thus the divider serves to resist the intermingling of the contents  62 ,  64  and the contents&#39; textures and flavors preserving each substance&#39;s properties for a later time, such as the moment of consumption. Here the divider  50 , is attached to the inner surface  12  of the container by a tab  54 . A bend  52 , which may be creased, bent, perforated, or otherwise manipulated to form a live hinge, allows the folding of the divider  50  into a deployed position as shown. 
       FIG. 3  shows the first embodiment of the invention  1  having a single vertical divider  50  folded against the inner surface  12  of the vertical wall  10  of the container. The divider  50  attaches along one edge of the divider allowing the divider to lie against the inner surface  12 . The attachment may occur at any location along the inner surface  12 , however, in the preferred embodiment the attachment occurs along the vertical wall  10  seam  18  simplifying the construction. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top view of the first embodiment of the invention  1 . The divider  50  extends from the top edge  16  of the wall  10  of the container, or cup, to the bottom wall  22  of the container (or cup). In the preferred version of the first embodiment, the divider  50 , is slightly longer along the top divider edge  56  than along the bottom divider edge  58  to accommodate the frustro-conical shape of the preferred version of the first embodiment when the divider is deployed as a partition. In the preferred version of the first embodiment, the top divider edge  56  reaches closest to the top edge  16  of the wall  10  closest to the free vertical divider edge  60  and is slightly more distant to the top edge  16  of the wall  10  at the seam  18  when lying along the inner surface  12  of the wall  10 . The inclination of the divider  50  in the stowed position allows the divider  50  top edge  16  to span horizontally across the container when deployed as a partition. 
       FIG. 5  shows a left side view of the first embodiment of the invention  1 . Here, the rolled top edge  16  can be seen. The seam  18  of the wall  10  of the container is positioned to the left. 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross-section view of the first embodiment of the invention taken on line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . The vertical wall  10  of the invention is terminated at the top by a rolled edge  16  and terminated at the bottom by folding and bonding to the bottom wall  22  at the bottom edge  20  at the vertical portion  23  of the bottom wall. Part of the divider  50  can be seen attached at the seam  18  of the container  1 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a front view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the outer wall  14 , rolled top edge  16 , bottom edge  22 , and a small portion of the seam  18  of the container  1 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross-section view of the first embodiment of the invention taken on line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 . The free edge  60  of the divider  50  is shown resting against the inside surface  12  of the wall  10  of the container  1 . The top edge  56  of the divider  50  rests below the top edge  16  of the container  1 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention  1  having the selectable divider  150  rising slightly above the container top edge  116  when folded along the inner surface  112  of the container wall  110  (and having an outer surface  114 ). 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the second embodiment of the invention  1  showing the divider  150  rising above the top edge  116  of the container wall  110 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross section of the second embodiment of the invention  1  taken on line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 . A divider  150  is provided which includes a top edge  156  and a lower edge  158 . The top edge  156  of the divider  150  rises above the top edge  116  of the container wall  110  while laying against the inside surface  112  and thus allows the divider  150  to be easily grasped and positioned by the user. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention  1  having a second divider  251  attached to the first divider  250 . Additionally the third embodiment possesses a squat stature, that is, the diameter of the container is larger than the height of the container. The squat stature of the third embodiment lends itself for consumption of semi-solids such as ice cream, frozen custard or frozen yogurt using a spoon. It should be understood that the other embodiments disclosed herein may possess a similar squat stature, and that this embodiment may possess a more elongated stature as shown in the other embodiments. The second divider  251  is attached on one surface of the first divider  250 . This allows for modular construction of the invention  1  by enabling attachment of the second divider  251  to the first divider  250  than subsequent attachment of the first divider  250  to the interior surface  212  of the container wall  210  (and having an outer surface  214 ). The second divider of the third embodiment allows for division of the contents  262 ,  264 ,  266  of the container  1  into three distinct portions. 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention  1  showing the first divider  250  and second divider  251  folded flat along the interior surface  212  of the container wall  210 . 
       FIG. 14  is a left side view of the third embodiment of the invention  1 . 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-section of the third embodiment of the invention  1  taken on line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 . In the preferred version of the third embodiment, the second divider  251  is attached by a tab  255  to the first divider  250  and the first divider  250  is attached to the interior wall  212 . 
       FIG. 16  is a front view of the third embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-section of the third embodiment of the invention taken on line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 . While the top edge of the dividers  250 ,  251  are shown to rest below the top edge  216  of the wall  210  of the container, it should be understood that the dividers  250  or  251  could rest above the top edge  216  of the container, as shown in the second embodiment to aid the user in grasping the divider, and easier stacking of the containers. The bottom of the container wall  210  is folded around and bonded to the vertical portion  223  of the bottom wall  222 , forming the bottom edge  220  of the container  1 . 
       FIG. 18  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the invention having a third  349  divider attached to the first divider  350  in addition to a second divider  351  attached to the first divider  350 . This additional divider  349  allows the contents to be divided into four parts. The attachment of the second  351  and third dividers  349  to the first divider allows for simplified modular construction enabling the dividers  349 ,  350 ,  351  to be attached to one another prior to being attached to the container  1 . 
       FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention showing the dividers  250 ,  251  separate from the container wall  210 . The dividers  250 ,  251  are joined to one another, and the first divider  250  is joined to the interior surface  212  of the container wall  210  at a seam  218 . The attachment of the divider simplifies the assembly process by the user. 
       FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention. A container wall  310  having an outer surface  314 , an inner surface  312 , a rolled opt edge  316 , an attachment seam  318 , and a bottom edge  321  (as shown in  FIG. 13 , for example) is provided for attachment to dividers  349 ,  350 ,  351 . The second divider  351  and the third divider  349  are attached to the first divider  350  allowing the user to select one or more dividers for the desired number of partitions, or none at all, for an un-partitioned container. The dividers may be attached, in the case of paper containers, by the same means used to bond the seam of the container, such as by welding, glue or polyethylene bonding. 
       FIG. 21  is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment where a portion of the outer wall  410  forms the divider  450 . Here the divider, cut shorter than the outer wall  410 , is bent at a hinge line  452 , but is otherwise continuous with the outer wall  410 . The outer surface  414  and inner surface  412  are joined at a seam  418  adjacent to the hinge line  452 . The divider  450  extends nearly the height of the interior of the container, or cup, from the top, or inner surface, of the bottom wall  422  to the top edge  416 . As with the other embodiments, the bottom wall  422  is crimped to the outer wall  420  around the vertical portion  423  of the bottom wall. This embodiment saves the additional step of bonding a separate divider piece to the interior surface of the container.