Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
MULTI-COMPARTMENT CONTAINERS
BACKGROUND
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to packaging for consumer
and
commercial products that can lose potency or freshness when the package is
opened and the
contents are exposed to atmospheric conditions, such as oxygen and moisture in
air. While such
problems are present in traditional sizes and portions, they are a
particularly pronounced in
products that are typically purchased in larger sizes or "economy" sizes or
take some amount of
time to use or consume once the package has been opened. The amount of product
or size of the
portion can depend on the nature of the product. For example, ground coffee
can quickly lose its
scent and flavor when exposed to air and bread can become stale when exposed
to air; while
other goods, such as rice and beans, are much more stable when exposed to air.
Other products
can begin losing potency immediately upon exposure to air. Accordingly, the
amount of the
product that might be considered "economy" size can vary with the type of the
product and its
ability to maintain freshness upon exposure to air.
[0002] One particular problem with "economy" size single compartment packaging
is that the
entirety of the contents is exposed to the air once the package is opened for
the first time and
each time the package is accessed to remove more product. As such, the
possible savings
realized on a per serving or per use basis can be and are often lost due to
spoilage or staleness of
at least some of the product if not used in a timely manner. This problem is
only exacerbated by
the mandatory or voluntary removal of preservatives from many products and
food stuffs
[0003] Fig. 1 shows three examples of conventional packages or containers that
are used for
consumer and commercial products. Typical cans or canisters, represented by
can 105, are
available in various sizes and proportions and made of various materials, such
as metal, plastic,
cardboard, paperboard, foil, MylarTM, or a composite of any of the foregoing.
Conventional
boxes or cartons, such as box 110, similarly, are available in various sizes
and proportions and
made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard or a
composite or
combination of any of the foregoing. Conventional bags, such as bag 115, also
are available in
various sizes and proportions and made of various materials, such as paper,
plastic, MylarTM, foil
or a combination of any of the foregoing. Plastics can include traditional
variations of
CA 3029016 2019-10-07 1
polyethylene. Each of can 105, box 110 and bag 115 are single compartment
containers. As
such each exhibit a similar problem with single compartment containers in that
once they are
opened, the entire contents of the container are exposed to air and moisture.
[0004] As known, exposure to air and moisture can cause many products, such as
food stuffs,
to lose freshness or go stale. To avoid continued exposure to air and
moisture, some
configurations of can 105, box 110 and bag 115 include re-sealable or reusable
lids and closures.
For example, can 105 might include a reusable plastics lid, box 110 might
include a re-sealable
top having some type of reusable adhesive, while bag 115 might be equipped
with a re-sealable
or reusable closure like a zipper or a clip. However, such re-sealable or
reusable closures still
allow the entirety of the remaining contents to be exposed to new air and
moisture each time the
package is opened to access the product.
[0005] As individuals, families and businesses increasingly purchase staple
and other products
in "bulk" or "economy" sizes or portions, there is a need to preserve the
freshness and potency of
products after the package is opened and until the product is used, consumed
or depleted.
Embodiments of the present invention address these and other issues.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] Some embodiments are directed toward a multi-compartment container
having a first
compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first compartment and the
second
compartment can be separately filled with a product and separately sealed.
[0007] Some embodiments directed toward a multi-compartment container wherein
the first
and second compartments are defined by a box or a carton having an internal
divider.
[0008] Some embodiments are directed toward a multi-compartment container
wherein the
first and second compartment are defined by a bag having a first sealed end, a
second sealed end
and a divider seal disposed between the first sealed end and the second sealed
end and separating
the first and second compartments.
[0009] Some embodiments are directed toward a method of using a multi-
compartment
container. The method includes obtaining a multi-compartment container having
a product
packaged in two or more compartments and opening a first compartment to access
the contents.
The contents of the first compartment can then be used until depleted. When
the contents of the
CA 3029016 2019-10-07 2
first compartment are depleted, a second compartment is opened to access the
contents of the
second compartment.
[0010] In one embodiment, there is provided a multi-compartment storage
device. The multi-
compartment storage devices includes a top surface, a bottom surface
positioned opposite to the
top surface; a front surface connecting the top surface to the bottom surface,
and a rear surface
connecting the top surface to the bottom surface and positioned opposite to
the front surface.
The multi-compartment storage device further includes a first lateral surface
extending from the
bottom surface to the top surface and connecting the front surface to the back
surface, a second
lateral surface positioned opposite to the first lateral surface and extending
from the bottom
surface to the top surface. The second lateral surface connects the front
surface to the back
surface; a first spout extending from the first lateral surface, the top
surface, the front surface,
and the rear surface; a second spout extending from the second lateral
surface, the top surface,
the front surface, and the rear surface; a divider extending from the bottom
surface to the top
surface and connecting the front surface to the rear surface. The divider
divides the multi-
compartment storage device into a first compartment and a second compartment.
The multi-
compartment storage device further includes an area of lesser depth extending
from the top
surface along a portion of the divider, the area of lesser depth comprising an
area within which a
distance between the front surface and the rear surface is less than the
distance between the front
surface and the rear surface surrounding the area of lesser depth, the portion
of the divider being
greater than half of the divider and less than the whole divider
[0011] The multi-compartment storage device may include a handle positioned
between the
first spout and the second spout.
[0012] An opening may be formed between the handle and the top surface.
[0012A] The first compartment may be coupled to the first spout, the second
compartment may
be coupled to the second spout.
[0012B] The divider may be configured to fluidly separate the first
compartment from the
second compartment.
[0012C] The divider may protrude from at least one of the top surface, the
bottom surface, the
front surface, or the rear surface.
CA 3029016 2019-10-07 3
[0012D] The first compartment may have a first volume, the second compartment
may have a
second volume, and the first volume and the second volume may be equal.
[0012E] The divider may be positioned perpendicular to the bottom surface.
[0012F] The top surface, the bottom surface, the front surface, the rear
surface, the first lateral
surface, and the second lateral surface may form a unitary body.
[0012G] The top surface, the bottom surface, the front surface, the rear
surface, the first lateral
surface, and the second lateral surface, and the divider may form a unitary
body.
[0012H] The top surface, the bottom surface, the front surface, the rear
surface, the first lateral
surface, and the second lateral surface, the first spout, the second spout,
and the divider may
form a unitary body.
[0012I] The top surface, the bottom surface, the front surface, the rear
surface, the first lateral
surface, and the second lateral surface, the first spout, the second spout,
and the divider may be
made of a same material.
[0012J] The material may be a liquid-proof material.
[0012K] The first compartment may store a first portion of a product, and the
second
compartment may store a second portion of the product.
[00121_4] The first compartment may store a first portion of a first product,
the second
compartment may store a second portion of a second product, and the first
product and the
second product may be different.
[0012M] The multi-compartment storage device may include a first closure
element coupled to
the first spout; and a second closure element coupled to the second spout.
[0012N] At least one of the first closure element and the second closure
element may be
reusable.
[00120] The first closure element may include a first single use closure
element covered by a
first reusable closure element, and the second closure element may include a
second single use
closure element covered by a second reusable closure element.
CA 3029016 2019-10-07 4
[0012P] The area of lesser depth may include a first portion of the first
compartment and a
second portion of the second compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
.. [0013] Fig. 1 shows three types of conventional packages that can be
improved by various
embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] Fig. 2 shows three examples of multi-compartment versions of the
packages shown in
Fig. 1, as improved by various embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] Fig. 3 shows a multi-compartment box according to some embodiments of
the present
invention.
[0016] Fig. 4 shows a multi-compartment container according to some
embodiments of the
present invention.
[0017] Fig. 5 shows a multi-compartment bag according to some embodiments of
the present
invention.
[0018] Fig. 6 shows a multi-compartment can or canister according to some
embodiments of
the present invention.
[0019] Fig. 7 shows a multi-compartment carton according to some embodiments
of the
present invention.
[0020] Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of a method for using a multi-compartment
container
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] Fig. 9 shows a multi-compartment bag according to some embodiments of
the present
invention.
[0022] Fig. 10 shows a multi-compartment container according to some
embodiments of the
present invention.
CA 3029016 2019-10-07 4a
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/1JS2017/040583
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100231 Some embodiments of the present invention are directed toward multi-
compartment
containers and packages that can be used to help better preserve the freshness
and potency of
consumer and commercial products. In particular, some embodiments of the
present invention
are directed to multi-compartment bags, pouches, boxes, cartons, cans and
canisters that allow
users to access and use a portion of the product contained therein while
keeping one or more
portions of the product sealed in the same state as it was originally
packaged. In particular, the
multi-compartment storage devices or containers may include at least two
compartments in
which sundry consumer and commercial products can be packaged in multiple
portions, thus
protecting a closed portion of the product from environmental conditions, such
as air and
moisture, while the opened portion is used.
[0024] According to various embodiments, compartments can be filled by a
manufacturer,
packager or reseller with at least one product that may be susceptible to loss
of freshness or
potency when exposed to environmental conditions outside of the multi-
compartment container.
The size of the compartments in the multi-compartment container can be the
same or different.
The size of each compartment of the multi-compartment container can be based
on the nature of
the packaged contents. For example, products such as cereal, which have a
moderate resistance
to becoming stale, might be packaged in a compartment of one multi-compartment
container that
is larger than the compartment in another multi-compartment container used to
package baking
soda, which may be highly susceptible to loss of potency. In some embodiments,
the more
susceptible a product is to loss of freshness or potency, the more it become
desirable to package
it in a smaller compartment of multi-compartment container, so as to protect
the remaining
product in the other compartment of the multi-compartment container.
100251 Fig. 2 shows improvements to the can or canister 105, box 110 and bag
or sack 115 as
shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with some embodiments. The illustrations of
multi-compartment
can 205, multi-compartment box 210 and multi-compartment bag 215 show the
improvements
according to various embodiments of the present invention. Each of the
varieties of the multi-
compartment containers shown in Fig. 2 can be made of various materials and
may include
various seals and lids (one time use or reusable) based on the type of product
that they will be
used to package. The seals used to seal the separate compartments may be the
same or different,
and each compartment may include one or more seals. Furthermore, although the
examples
5
shown Fig. 2 each have two compartments, various embodiments of the present
invention can
include more than two compartments with separate or shared seals and/or lids.
[0026] Can 205 may include two compartments 206 and 207. In some embodiments,
compartments 206 and 207, as well as other compartments in other embodiments,
may be
separately manufactured and then attached to one another. In such embodiments,
each
compartment can be a full or partial container with or without a full set of
sides/walls, top and
bottom. Such embodiments are described in more detail in U.S. Patent No.
7,571,829 and U.S.
Patent No. 8,915,395. In some embodiments, compartments 206 and 207 of can 205
can be
made of a single cylindrical or other shape outer body with an interior
divider wall 208. In some
examples, can 205 (including interior divider wall 208) may be formed as a
single unitary body.
In some examples, compartments 206 and 207 may be formed as a single unitary
body, with the
interior divider wall 208 being formed separately and being attached according
to any method to
the compartments 206 and 207.
[0027] The divider wall 208 can be oriented in any plane within can 205. In
some
embodiments, can 205 can include more than two compartments. In some
embodiments, the
divider wall 208 can affixed to the interior wall of a cylinder, while in
other embodiments the
divider wall 208 can be included in the exterior structure of the can 205. In
such embodiments,
the divider wall 208 can be used to connect two cylinders of similar or
dissimilar materials
having either the same or different volumes. The divider wall 208 can be made
of the same or
one or more different materials than those used to form compartments 206 and
207. In some
embodiments, more than one divider wall 208 may be implemented in can 205,
depending on the
number of desired compartments.
[0028] Similarly, the divider wall 208 can have any shape to accommodate
various products or
the divide up the volume of the multi-compartment container into structurally
or visually
interesting or aesthetic volumes. For example, divider wall 208 need not be a
flat disc. For the
purposes of reducing the material needed to manufacture the divider wall 208,
divider wall can
include stamped or molded ribs to increase the structural integrity. In some
embodiments, the
divider wall 208 can be in the shape of a cone, a parabolic rotation, or
bubble shape with at least
one plane, edge or rim that can connect to the wall of can 205. Such
configurations can provide
novel ways to divide the interior volumes of the multi-compartment container.
Such
CA 3029016 2019-10-07 6
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
embodiments can be particularly desirable for multi-compartment containers
with transparent or
translucent side walls, such that the divider and the separate volumes within
the multi-
compartment container can be seen or observed from the exterior of the multi-
compartment
container. Although shown and described as being generally horizontally
oriented with respect
.. to can 205, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the divider wall
208 may be oriented
vertically with respect to can 205 and/or at any angle across can 205.
[0029] According to various embodiments of the present invention, box 210 can
include at
least two compartments, such as 211 and 212. Box 210 can also include more
than two
compartments. Similar to box 110, box 210 can be made of various materials.
For example, the
walls, sides, top and bottom of box 210 can include cardboard, paperboard,
metal, wood, plastic,
foil, MylarTM or some composite or combination of the foregoing materials. Any
material
suitable for making walls, sides, top and bottom rigid enough to contain the
intended contents of
box 210 can be used.
[0030] Compartments 211 and 212 may be constructed of the same or different
materials. In
some embodiments, box 210 having compartments 211 and 212, can be constructed
of a single
piece of cardboard, paper or paperboard, or plastic using box folding pattern
and construction
techniques. In some embodiments, box 210 can be constructed by joining two
separate boxes
having compartments 211 and 212, respectively. In some embodiments, box 210
can include a
divider 213 affixed to the interior of box 210. The divider 213 may define
compartment 211 and
.. 212 with the same or different volumes. According to some embodiments, box
210 can have
more than two compartments. The divider 213 may be oriented in any plane
within box 210,
including planes parallel or perpendicular to the long or short axes of the
box 210 (e.g.,
horizontally, vertically, and/or at an angle). Divider wall 213 may also have
any shape suitable
for separating the volumes of compartment 211 and 212. Box 210 may include
multiple divider
walls 213 in some embodiments, depending upon the number of compartments
desired.
[0031] In various embodiments, compartments 211 and 212 can be used to package
the same
or different products, materials or food stuffs. Each compartment 211 and 212
can be opened,
unsealed or accessed individually in some embodiments. The compartments 211
and 212 may
each include one seal or multiple seals. For example, the compartments 211 and
212 may each
include a one-time use seal. In another example, the compartments 211 and 212
may each
include a one-time use seal covered by a reusable lid. In some embodiments,
the compartments
7
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
211 and 212 may include different seals. For example, the compartment 211 may
include a one-
time use seal, while the compartment 212 may include a reusable seal. The type
of seal(s)
needed may depend upon the type of product being packaged in each compartment.
100321 In some embodiments, while the contents of one compartment are in the
process of
being used or consumed, the contents of the other compartment remain sealed to
protect
freshness or potency. Such configurations have the advantage of providing
larger quantities of
the product to be packaged and sold with less potential of the contents losing
freshness or
potency due to exposure to air. From a consumer point of view, economical
quantities of
products can be purchased with a lower chance that the purchased product be
lost to waste.
These advantages provide potential for greater profitability on the side of
the manufacturer or
packager by creating a more desirable packaged product and thus higher demand,
at the same
time as providing potential cost savings of bulk quantity purchases for the
user or consumer. As
used herein, the term "consumer" may include any type of entity, including,
but not limited to,
individuals, families, restaurant, food preparation professionals, chefs,
workers, hospitals, hotels,
etc.
100331 Also shown in Fig. 2 is bag 215. As shown, bag 215 can have two
compartments 216
and 217. In some embodiments, compartments 216 and 217 can be formed by
crimping, sewing
or heat welding the non-rigid or semi-rigid walls of bag 215 at seam 218. The
non-rigid or semi-
rigid walls of bag 215 can include paper, plastic film, foil, MylarTM,
cellulose or some
combination or composite thereof, and like materials. Bag 215 may have its top
and bottom end
seams 219 and 220 sealed in the same or a different manner than the seam 218.
In some
embodiments, seam 218 can be oriented in the longitudinal direction running
from end 219 to
220. In some embodiments, ends 219 and 220 may include re-closable seams or
seals, such as
zipper-type or reusable adhesive-type closures. As described with respect to
box 210, ends 219
and 220 may include the same or different seals, and/or may include multiple
seals.
100341 Fig. 3 shows an example of a multi-compartment cereal box 310A
according to some
embodiments of the present invention. Cereal box 310A may include compartments
311 and
312. The construction of cereal box 310A may include the same or different
materials as
described above in reference to box 210, or any other suitable material.
Compartments 311 and
312 can be constructed of or include the same or different materials as each
other.
8
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
[0035] In various embodiments, a consumer can access and use the contents of
compartment
311 without exposing the contents of compartment 312. Once the contents of
compartment 311
are depleted, a user can open or unseal compartment 312 to access the contents
of that
compartment Each of compartment 311 and 312 may include desiccants in some
embodiments.
Compartments 311 and 312 may include liners, or re-sealable or reusable lids
or closure
elements for creating an airtight or hermetic enclosure, separate from the
airtight or hermetic
enclosure of the other compartment of the multi-compartment container in some
embodiments
[0036] Although cereal box 310A is shown and described as a cereal box, this
example is only
illustrative and should not be construed as limiting a box such as 310A to
being only used for
packaging cereal. Cereal box 310A, as well as any other containers according
to other
embodiments, may be used to package numerous types of dry food, commercial or
industrial
products, including products that are sensitive to air, such as grains, chips,
marshmallows,
pretzels, nuts, dried fruit, oats, weight control supplements, protein
powders, milk additives, such
as chocolate milk powder, plaster of Paris, baby food, cookies, crackers,
baking mixes, pancake
mixes, cake mixes, brownie mixes, drink mixes, car wax, greases, sealants,
epoxies, glues,
cigars, cigarettes etc.
100371 As shown, the cereal box 310A may have an exterior surface or face 315.
Exterior
surface 315 may include a material identical to that of cereal box 310A or
comprise a wrapper
made of a different material. For example, the body of cereal box 310A can be
made of
cardboard or a composite of cardboard and plastic, while the exterior surface
315 can be or wrap
made of plastic film or a separate piece of paper wrapped around or otherwise
affixed to cereal
box 310A. In some embodiments, it is desirable for the exterior 315 to have
printed information
to identify the contents and the proper use of the contents of cereal box 310A
and its constituent
compartments 311 and 312.
[0038] Box 310B shows the interior construction of cereal box 310A. As shown,
box 310B
includes a divider 318 separating compartments 311 and 312. Divider 318 can be
oriented in any
direction, including, but not limited to, vertical, horizontal or angled with
respect to the
orientation of the packaging. Divider 318 can be integral to the construction
of the box 310B or
can be a separate piece and even be made of a different material than the
exterior 315, walls,
sides, top and bottom of box 310B In some embodiments, it may be beneficial
for the material
of box 310B to include a composite material to further insure freshness and
potency of the
9
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
contents of compartments 3 1 1 and 312. To that end, it may be desirable to
use a cardboard or
paperboard laminated or other material combined with a plastic or MylarTM type
product in the
construction of box 310B.
100391 Various other boxes and containers according to various embodiments of
the present
invention can be made of waterproof or moisture resistant materials such as
plastic. Such
embodiments may be advantageous when the contents of multiple compartments of
the
containers described herein are wet or moist. For example, multi-compartment
containers
according to some embodiments may be useful for dispensing one portion of pre-
moistened
wipes while keeping another portion fresh and moist for future use. Such wipes
can include
fabric or paper based towels pre-moistened or laced with solutions,
detergents, and/or
medications for personal care and hygiene or household or industrial use. Some
embodiments
include wipes, moistened disinfectants, cleaners, polishes, waxes, soaps, or
medications and
topical solutions such as make-up removers, skin treatments, moisturizers and
sanitary solutions.
Fig. 4 shows one example of a plastic box 310C according to some embodiments
of the present
invention that may be suitable for packaging dry or wet products. As with the
container shown
in Fig. 3, the divider wall 318 in Fig. 4 may also be disposed in any
orientation with respect to
the other surfaces of the container, such as horizontally, vertically, at an
angle, or combinations
thereof.
100401 By using an appropriate plastic or other polymer, box 310C can be used
to package or
contain various types of liquids and wet products that require special
handling or an airtight seal
to maintain usefulness. The airtight seal afforded by using a plastic material
for the body and lid
318C for box 310C may be useful in other applications as well. Plastic
materials may be useful
for making reusable and re-sealable or reusable lids or closure elements such
as lid 318C. Such
types of re-sealable lids or closure elements are useful for products that are
used frequently or
when the container is required to withstand being transported after the
container is opened. For
example, box 310C can be used to package products such as wet or dry baby
formula that must
survive being carried in a carry bag with other supplies on a regular basis,
while protecting the
baby formula from contamination and preventing the baby formula from spilling.
Such
containers may also be useful for frequently used and moisture sensitive
products, such as
powdered drinks, iced-tea and chocolate milk mixes
[0041] Box
310D shows the internal construction of box 310C. As shown, box 310D may
include compartments 316 and 317 that can be individually sealed with re-
sealable lids 320A and
320B that make up lid 318D. In some embodiments, lids 320A and 320B can be
opened and
closed as a single unit or operated independently as individual lids. In some
embodiments in
which lid 318D operates as a single piece, compartments 316 and 317 can be
sealed by an
additional and separately openable seal, such as a one-time use foil or
plastic seal applied at the
packaging facility to one or both compartments 316 and 317. In some
embodiments, lids 320A
and 320B can be operated independently of one another and perform as the
factory seal and the
re-sealable lid for compartments 316 and 317 respectively.
[0042] In some embodiments, box 310C and 310D can be molded as a single piece
or can
include multiple separately molded pieces that can be adhered, welded or
otherwise affixed to
one another to form a multi-compartment box. In some embodiments, it may be
desirable for
box 310C and box 310D to include pour spouts or anti-drip spouts to prevent
spills or protect the
outside of the box from being contaminated or stained by the contents
contained in
compartments 316 and 317. Although only two compartments are described in
reference to the
boxes 310C and 310D in Fig. 4, some embodiments contemplate more than two
compartments.
[0043] Fig. 5 shows a multi-compartment bag according to some embodiments of
the present
invention. Bag 510A can have sides or walls made of any suitable non-rigid,
semi-rigid or rigid
material for containing and maintaining freshness of the intended contents.
For example, the
material of the walls of bag 510A can include plastic, plastic film, MylarTM,
paper or
biodegradable or compostable cellulose, other like suitable materials, and/or
combinations
thereof. In some embodiments, the material of the walls or sides of bag 510A
can include any
type of flexible, non-rigid or semi-rigid material. The materials of the walls
or sides of bag
510A may be the same or different. Bag 510B shows the internal construction of
bag 510A.
[0044] As shown, bag 510B can include compartments 516 and 517 divided by
dividing seam
518. As in other embodiments of the present invention, compartments 516 and
517 can be used
to contain or package the same or different materials from one another. Seam
518 can be formed
in bag 510B to define separate compartments 516 and 517. As described herein
with respect to
other embodiments, seam 518 may be oriented in any position and/or shape, such
as horizontally,
vertically, at an angle, or in a particular design. Bag 510B can include
compartments 516 and
517 as two separately openable pouches each having a separate portion of
product therein.
11
CA 3029016 2019-12-19
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
However, as described herein, bag 510B may include more than two compartments
forming
multiple separately openable pouches. Seam 518 can be formed by crimping,
sewing, welding or
adhering the walls of bag 510B to one another to form two compartments 516 and
517. In some
embodiments, seam 518 can include perforations that can be used to detach one
of the
compartments from the other compartments once the contents of one of the
compartments is
depleted. In such embodiments, the multi-compartment bag 510B can be reduced
in size as the
contents are used to save storage space and for the convenience of the user.
[0045] Thus, according to some embodiments, users or consumers can open and
access the
contents of each compartment or pouch individually, while maintaining the
freshness of the
contents of the other pouch until the contents of the first pouch are depleted
Bags 510A and
510B can be used to package various types of materials, products and
foodstuffs. For example,
bag 510A can be used to package foods such as potato chips, pretzels, nuts,
hot dogs, salad and
other foods that are susceptible to spoilage or staleness upon exposure to air
and/or moisture.
[0046] In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in Fig. 9, each
compartment of
a multi-compartment bag can contain a full or partial loaf of sliced or
unsliced bread. In
embodiments directed toward packaging bread shown in Fig. 9, the divider 910
that separates
compartments 901 and 902 of multi-compartment container 900 can be a sheet of
similar or
dissimilar material as the walls of the multi-compartment bag to provide a
less constricting
volume within each compartment. Such dividers can be constructed according to
various
.. methods of attaching and pleating the bag material. The pleats of divider
910 can be similar to
pleats 911 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the pleats of divider 910
may be
manufactured into the divider 210, while the pleats 911 are naturally formed
by closing the
compartments 901, 902 with their respective closures. The openable portions
905 and 907 of the
multi-compartments can include various closure systems to help preserve the
freshness of the
contents. Such closures can include twist ties 909, clips, and zip type seals.
Although shown as
dividing the multi-compartment container 900 instead two similarly sized
compartments 901,
902, it is contemplated that the divider 910 may be positioned anywhere along
the multi-
compartment container 900 to form compartments of different sizes.
100471 In some embodiments, bag 510A can be used to package refill portions of
regularly
.. used household goods such as dish, laundry and hand soap, as well as
condiments such as
ketchup, mustard, relish or mayonnaise. In such embodiments, the use of a bag
510A can help
12
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
reduce the amount of packaging required for distributing regularly used
household goods, while
also providing users and consumers with an economical quantity discount.
[0048] Fig. 6 shows a multi-compartment container 605. For example, the multi-
compartment
container 605 may be used for packaging ice cream. In some embodiments, multi-
compartment
container 605 can include compartments 606 and 607 that can each contain a
portion of ice
cream, for example. Each compartment 606 and 607 may be separate from one
another by
divider 608, as described above with reference to Fig. 2. Each compartment 606
and 607 may be
sealed with a plastic film, foil or MylarTM single use cover and, in some
embodiments, may also
or alternatively include a reusable lid 609A or 609B, respectively. The single
use seals may
allow a consumer to open only one portion of ice cream contained in multi-
compartment
container 605, thus protecting the unopened portion from freezer burn or the
formation of ice
crystals that can develop despite the use of the reusable lids 609A and 609B,
and thus prevent the
degradation of the flavor and texture of ice cream.
[0049] Fig. 7 shows another example of a multi-compartment container 700 in
accordance with
some embodiments. In some embodiments, multi-compartment container 700 may be
a
composite container for beverages or other liquids, such as dairy products
like milk, cream, half
and half, buttermilk, etc., as well as fruit and vegetable juices, soy milk,
almond milk, peanut
milk, and other specialty beverages. The multi-compartment container 700 may
include at least
two compartments 705 and 707 separated by divider 710. Although shown as being
oriented
vertically, it is contemplated that divider 710 may have any orientation. The
compartments 705,
707 may include lids 706 and 708, respectively, which may be screw top caps in
some
embodiments. Multi-compartment container 700 may include an integrated
construction, or may
include two separately formed containers that may be joined together along
divider 710. Multi-
compartment container 700 may include any combinations of the aforementioned
materials
suitable for containing the product intended to be stored therein, e.g.,
liquids.
[0050] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 for using a multi-compartment
container
according to some embodiments of the present invention. At step 810, the
consumer can obtain a
product packaged in a multi-compartment container. In some embodiments,
obtaining a
packaged product having a multi-compartment container includes buying a
product at a store or
ordering a product online, while in some embodiments, the user can reuse a
multi-compartment
13
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
container refilled with the contents of his or her choice. A multi-compartment
container can be
used for home canning purposes in some examples.
[0051] At step 820, a user may open one of the compartments of the multi-
compartment
container as described with respect to Figs. 1-5. The contents of the first
compartment of the
multi-compartment container can be used either all at once or incrementally,
as the contents of
the multi-compartment container are needed. If the contents of the multi-
compartment container
are being used incrementally, the time required to complete the contents of
the first compartment
may be such that if the entirety of the contents of the container were exposed
to air and moisture,
the quality, freshness or potency of the contents might be compromised if they
were not sealed in
the second compartment.
[0052] In step 830, a user may use the product contained in the first
compartment of the multi-
compartment container until it is depleted. At some point, the user may open a
second
compartment of the multi-compartment container at step 840. The user may open
the second
compartment once the first compartment is depleted or at any other suitable
point. For example,
the user may open the second compartment before the first compartment is
depleted if the second
compartment includes different contents than the first compartment. The
contents of the second
compartment of the multi-compartment container can be used until it is
depleted in step 850.
Once the product contained in the second compartment of the multi-compartment
container is
depleted, the user can then use any other available compartments of the multi-
compartment
container still containing product, such as when the multi-compartment
container includes more
than two separate compartments.
[0053] At step 860, if there is yet another compartment of the multi-
compartment container
that still contains product, the user can repeat steps 840 through 860 until
no product remains in
any compartments of the multi-compartment container. Once all contents of the
multi-
compartment container are depleted, the user can discard, reuse or recycle the
multi-
compartment container in step 870.
[0054] Configurations may be described herein as a process which is depicted
as a flow
diagram or block diagram, such as in Fig. 8. Although each may describe the
operations as a
sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or
concurrently. In
addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have
additional steps not
included in the figure.
14
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
[0055] Fig. 10 shows views of a multi-compartment container 1000 according to
some
embodiments of the invention. The multi-compartment container 1000 may be used
for any of
the purposes described herein. For example, the multi-compartment container
1000 may be used
for holding fluids, including perishable fluids, such as milk, juice, cooking
oil, combinations
thereof, and the like. In one example, one compartment of the multi-
compartment container
1000 may hold one material, such as regular milk, while another compartment of
the multi-
compartment container 1000 may hold another material, such as chocolate milk.
However, dry
goods, such as breakfast cereal, flour, sugar, etc. may be stored in the multi-
compartment
container 1000. The multi-compartment container 1000 may be made of any of the
materials
discussed herein, combinations thereof, and the like. For example, the multi-
compartment
container 1000 may be constructed from a polymer, paper, fiber, and/or metal
material by such
techniques as molding, casting, stamping, bonding, welding, 3D printing,
combinations thereof,
and/or the like. In some embodiments, the multi-compartment container 1000 may
be made of a
liquid proof material.
[0056] The multi-compartment container 1000 may include a first compartment
1005
separated from a second compartment 1010. In some embodiments, the first
compartment 1005
may be fluidly separated from the second compartment 1010 (i.e., the divider
1015 is
impermeable to liquid). The first compartment 1005 may be separated from the
second
compartment 1010 by a divider 1015. The divider 1015 may be internal to the
multi-
.. compartment container 1000 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the
divider 1015
may be partially external to the multi-compartment container 1000, e.g.,
creating a rib on the
outside of the multi-compartment container 1000, such that the divider 1015 is
evident upon
external inspection of the multi-compartment container 1000. For example, such
embodiments
may make it clear to consumers that the multi-compartment container 1000
indeed includes more
.. than one separate compartment. Although shown and described as being
vertically oriented, it is
contemplated that the divider 1015 may be in any orientation, e.g.,
horizontal, vertical, at an
angle, etc., and in any suitable shape. The divider 1015 may be made of the
same or a different
material than the remainder of the multi-compartment container 1000. In some
embodiments,
the multi-compartment container 1000 may be contoured inward, i.e., have a
smaller depth along
at least a portion of the multi-compartment container 1000 between the first
compartment 1005
and the second compartment 1010, as shown in section B-B, which is a front or
back-facing
cross-section of the multi-compartment container 1000 about axis B. This area
1065 of lesser
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
depth of the multi-compartment container 1000 may or may not form a part of
the first
compartment 1005 and the second compartment 1010. As shown in section F-F,
which is a
lateral cross-section of the multi-compartment container 1000 about axis F,
this area 1065 of
lesser depth may form a part of the first compartment 1005 on one side of the
divider 1015, and
form apart of the second compartment 1010 on the other side of the divider
1015. In some
embodiments, this area 1065 of lesser depth may be solid, i.e., not hollow,
such that it cannot
hold a product therein.
[0057] In some embodiments, the compartments 1005, 1010, may each hold half of
a typical
consumer volume container. For example, each compartment 1005, 1010 may hold a
half gallon
of contents, for a total of one gallon of contents in the multi-compartment
container 1000. In
another example, each compartment 1005, 1010 may hold a liter of soda, for a
total of two liters
of soda in the multi-compartment container 1000. However, each compartment
1005, 1010 may
hold any volume of contents, including different volumes of contents in each
compartment. In
other words, although each volume is shown to be approximately equal in Fig.
10, it is
contemplated that the volumes of each compartment 1005, 1010 may be different.
In addition,
although shown as having two compartments, separated by one divider 1015, it
is contemplated
that the multi-compartment container 1000 may include any number of
compartments separated
by any number of dividers.
[0058] The multi-compartment container 1000 may include several external
surfaces. In some
embodiments, the external surfaces may be continuously and/or seamlessly
joined. The external
surfaces may include a front surface 1020 opposite a rear surface 1025, a
bottom surface 1030
opposite a top surface 1035, and lateral surfaces 1040, 1045 opposite to one
another. In some
embodiments, the front surface 1020 and the rear surface 1025 may have non-
uniform or non-
planar surface structures in order to reduce internal volume of the multi-
compartment container
1000. The divider 1015 may be at least partially internal to these external
surfaces, as described
above.
[0059] A first spout 1050 may be connected to the first compartment 1005,
e.g., fluidly
connected. The first spout 1050 may include a first closure, such as a twist
off cap or seal, that is
single use or reusable. In some embodiments, the first spout 1050 may include
more than one
closure, such as a single use closure covered by a reusable closure. In some
embodiments, the
first closure may fluidly seal the first compartment 1005.
16
CA 03029016 2018-12-20
WO 2018/006085 PCT/US2017/040583
[0060] A second spout 1055 may be connected to the second compartment 1010,
e.g., fluidly
connected. The second spout 1055 may include a second closure, such as a cap
or seal, that is
single use or reusable. In some embodiments, the second spout 1055 may include
more than one
closure, such as a single use closure covered by a reusable closure. In some
embodiments, the
second closure may fluidly seal the second compartment 1010.
[0061] In some embodiments, a handle 1060 may connect the first spout 1050 to
the second
spout 1055, while being elevated above the top surface 1035 such that a gap is
present between
the handle 1060 and the top surface 1035. In some embodiments, the handle 1060
may be
formed from depressions in the front surface 1020 and the rear surface 1025
without creating a
gap. The handle 1060 may be hollow and include an extension of the divider
1015 so as to
prevent mixing of the contents of the first compartment 1005 and the second
compartment 1010.
In some embodiments, the handle may be internally solid so as to prevent
mixing of the contents
of the first compartment 1005 and the second compartment 1010.
[0062] The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many
variations of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the
disclosure.
[0063] One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or
more
features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the
invention. For
example, any of the above-described multi-compartment containers can be
combined with any
other suitable embodiment or type of multi-compartment container in any
suitable manner in
methods or systems according to embodiments of the invention. As an
illustration, a multi-
compartment container can have a first box type compartment and second bag
type compartment.
Alternatively, one compartment can have plastic or composite walls to contain
wet products
while the attached second compartment can have cardboard walls to contain dry
products.
[0064] A recitation of "a", "an" or "the" is intended to mean "one or more"
unless specifically
indicated to the contrary.
17
