Multi-compartment container with a flexible partition

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10869578-B2
Application number	US-201414470659-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 27, 2014
Priority date	Nov 26, 2013
Publication date	Dec 22, 2020
Grant date	Dec 22, 2020

Abstract

A container assembly having a container, a lid having a spout, and a partition to separate the container into multiple subcompartments. The partition has a flexible edge which is in contact with an inner surface of the lid. When the lid rotates about the container, the flexible edge is biased against the lid and is capable of being deformed.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A container assembly comprising:
a container having a closed end and an open end;
a lid having at least one spout disposed on an upper surface of the lid that is adapted to be attached to the open end of the container;
at least one partition separating the container into at least two subcompartments, the subcompartments being in direct communication with the at least one spout; and
a flexible swiping bladed edge provided on an edge of the at least one partition, the flexible swiping bladed edge adapted to allow rotation and remain in contact with and biased against an inner surface of the lid while the lid is rotated to prevent the at least two subcompartments from mixing.

2. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the flexible swiping bladed edge is capable of being deformed when the lid is rotated over the container as the flexible swiping bladed edge swipes over the inner surface of the lid.

3. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein when the lid is rotated over the container, the spout is rotated over each of the subcompartments for selective dispensing.

4. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the flexible swiping bladed edge is removably attached to the at least one partition.

5. The container assembly as recited in claim 4 , wherein the at least one partition has at least one guide projection adapted to be matingly attached adjacent to the flexible swiping bladed edge.

6. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the flexible swiping bladed edge is integrally attached to the at least one partition.

7. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the flexible swiping bladed edge has a first interconnecting end and the at least one partition has a second interconnecting end, the first interconnecting end matingly resting flush against the second interconnecting end as a one-piece construction.

8. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises a spout cover adapted to fit over the spout.

9. The container assembly as recited in claim 8 , wherein the spout cover is hingedly connected to the lid.

10. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the partition extends radially outward and away from a central axis concentric to an upper edge of the container.

11. The container assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the at least one partition is curved radially outward when viewed along the central axis.

12. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the lid is concave, and an upper surface of the flexible swiping bladed edge is complementarily convex.

13. The container assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises an alignment tab projecting from the inner surface of the lid, the alignment ridge contacting an upper surface of the flexible swiping bladed edge as the lid is rotated over the container.

14. A container assembly comprising:
a container having a closed end and an open end;
a lid having a spout disposed on an upper surface of the lid and a spout cover that is adapted to be attached to the open end of the container; and
at least one partition having a flexible swiping bladed edge on an edge of its upper end in contact with an inner surface of the lid, the flexible swiping bladed edge on the upper end capable of being deformed when the lid is rotated over the container as the flexible swiping bladed edge swipes over the inner surface of the lid to prevent at least one substance from mixing across the partition.

15. The container assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the container further comprises at least two subcompartments, and when the spout is in direct communication with a single subcompartment containing a substance, the flexible swiping bladed edge seals the remaining subcompartments.

16. The container assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the flexible swiping bladed edge is biased towards and completely flush against the inner surface of the lid, and when the lid is rotated over the container the flexible swiping bladed edge remains in contact with the inner surface of the lid.

17. The container assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the spout cover pivots when moving from a closed position to an open position, or from the open position to the closed position.

18. The container assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the lid further comprises a recess adapted to securely receive an upper end of the spout cover when the spout cover is pivoted into an open position.

19. A multi-compartment container assembly comprising:
a container having an open end, a closed end, a central axis, and at least two subcompartments;
a lid, attached to the open end of the container, having at least one spout disposed on an upper surface of the lid and a spout cover;
at least one partition radially disposed about the central axis which separates the at least two subcompartments, the subcompartments being in direct communication with the at least one spout; and
a flexible swiping bladed edge disposed on an edge of the at least one partition, such that when the lid rotates about the container, the flexible swiping bladed edge bends and is biased against the lid to prevent mixing of the at least two subcompartments.

20. The multi-compartment container assembly as recited in claim 19 , wherein when the spout is in fluid communication with a single subcompartment, the flexible swiping bladed edge seals the remaining subcompartments.

Assignees

• Munchkin Inc

Inventors

• Fang Ruth Hsin-Ju
• Birkert Thomas E
• Yiu Kim Fung Dick

Classifications

• A47J47/04

  for granulated foodstuffs · CPC title

• A47J47/01 Primary

  with dispensing devices · CPC title