Device Apparatus System and Method for Separating Components of a Multi-Component Food Item

Abstract

Disclosed are a device, apparatus and a method for separating components of a multi-component food item, wherein two or more separators connected to each other by a connection strip, partition among three or more parts or components of a food item. One or more of the separators, or dividers, include at least one element to collect, block and/or absorb, food components related fluids, thus preventing their propagation and unwanted inter-component effects caused thereby.

1 . A device for separating components of a multi-component food item, said device comprising:
 a first separator and at least a second separator to partition among three or more parts of the multi-component food item;   a connection strip for connecting between said first separator and said at least second separator at a distance allowing for their fitting into the food item, at, or in proximity of, the inward facing facets of two or more outer components of the food item; and   a first and at least a second folding lines, at the connection area of each of said separators to said connection strip, to enable the insertion of said device into the multi-component food item by facilitating the bending of said first separator and said at least second separator to form a substantially perpendicular angle with said connection strip.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first separator, or said at least second separator, or both, each include one or more fluid collecting, blocking or absorbing element(s). 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said fluid collecting, blocking or absorbing element(s) are selected from the group consisting of: a fluid collection/drainage channel, a fluid stopping/flow-preventing edge, a fluid stopping/flow-preventing ridge/rim and a fluid/vapor absorption strip/area. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said fluid collecting, blocking or absorbing element(s) are located on the up facing surface; of the bottom most separator, from said first separator and said at least second separator. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the inward facing surfaces of at least said first separator are covered by a layer of a material having substantially high heat insolation characteristics. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a grabbing latch, connected to the outer side of said connection strip, for holding and withdrawing said device from within the multi-component food item, prior to eating. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a folding line at the connection area of said grabbing latch, to facilitate the bending of said grabbing latch upwards or downwards and onto said connection strip to create a single plane with it and with said device separators when separators are open. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said connection strip comprises multiple zigzagged bends, connected by folding lines to on another, allowing for said connection strip to stretch in or out—respectively shortening and lengthening the distance between said device separators—to accommodate various thicknesses of inner component(s) of the multi-component food item. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said first separator is connected to said connection strip at one of its edges; and, wherein said at least second separator includes one separator connected to the opposite edge of said connection strip and one separator connected to the middle section of said connection strip. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a food packaging box having an opening side and an axis side, wherein said food packaging box is connected, by the inward facing surface of its axis side, to the outer—facing away from the food-item—side of said connection strip. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said connection strip is of a rectangular shape and, wherein the two opposite longer sides of said rectangular connection strip connect to said first separator and said at least a second separator. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom facing surface, of the top most separator of said separators, comprises foldable structures for preventing said bottom facing surface of said top most separator from coming in contact with the top facing side of the food item; and
 wherein said foldable structures are connected to said bottom facing surface of said top most separator by folding lines.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the shape of said first separator and said at least a second separator, is selected from the group consisting of: a circle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, an oval shape and an elongated shape with round edges. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer components of the multi-component food item are bread slices or the top and bottom halves of a bun. 
     
     
         15 . A method for separating food components, by utilizing a device for separating food components of a multi-component food item, said method including:
 positioning a set of one or more bottom components of the multi-component food item;   placing a first (bottom) separator of the device on top of the bottom components;   positioning a set of one or more interior components of the multi-component food item, on top of the first (bottom) separator of the device;   bending the device at the folding line between the first separator and the connection strip upward;   bending the device at the folding line between the second (top) separator and the connection strip to the side of the first separator, thus positioning the second separator on top of the interior components of the multi-component food item; and   positioning a set of one or more top components of the multi-component food item, on top of the second separator of the device.