Separable Container for Frozen Dessert Product

Abstract

A separable container and related method for delivering predetermined portions of product contained within a container is provided. The container has a sidewall having a plurality of frangible sections disposed at predetermined distances along the height of the sidewall. A plurality of flexible dividers are interspersed with the product in the container, each of the flexible dividers being substantially aligned with a respective frangible section of the sidewall. Sidewall segments are separable from the container to expose a predetermined portion of the product contained therein, and the flexible dividers define a boundary between adjacent predetermined portions of product to facilitate separation of the exposed predetermined product portions from a remainder of product seated within the container sidewall.

1 . A separable container for providing predetermined portions of product contained therein, comprising:
 a sidewall extending in a first direction to define a height of the container and extending in a second direction to define an outer periphery and an interior space for containing the product within the container, the sidewall having a plurality frangible sections disposed at predetermined distances along the height of the sidewall, and the sidewall having a plurality of sidewall segments defined adjacent each frangible section;   an end wall disposed at one end of the sidewall, the end wall engaging with the sidewall and having sufficient structural integrity to prevent inadvertent release of the product contained within the container;   a plurality of flexible dividers interspersed with the product in the container, each of the plurality of flexible dividers being substantially aligned with a respective frangible section of the sidewall; and   a cover sized and shaped to engage with the sidewall;   wherein each sidewall segment is separable from a remainder of the sidewall at each of the frangible sections to expose a predetermined portion of the product contained therein that extends above the remainder of the sidewall, and   wherein each of the flexible dividers defines a boundary between adjacent predetermined portions of product and facilitates separation of the exposed predetermined portion of product from a remainder of product contained within the container, and   wherein the cover is securely engageable with a remainder of the sidewall upon separation of a segment of the sidewall.   
     
     
         2 . The separable container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible dividers each has a first and second surface, wherein the first and second surfaces have different surface textures. 
     
     
         3 . The separable container of  claim 2 , wherein the first surface has a rougher surface texture as compared to the second surface, and wherein the first surface is oriented toward the end wall. 
     
     
         4 . The separable container of  claim 2 , wherein the first surface has a rougher surface texture as compared to the second surface, and wherein the first surface is oriented away from the end wall. 
     
     
         5 . The separable container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible dividers is equal to one less the number of the plurality of predetermined portions. 
     
     
         6 . The separable container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall defines a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         7 - 11 . (canceled)