Throwback Invention: Swanson's popularized the frozen dinner in the 1950's with its multiple compartment container holding a meat entree, side dish, and dessert. But way back in 1929, Benjamin Roman invented and patented a multiple course dinner container.
Invention Description
This invention relates to a preserved multiple Course dinner. At the present time food is preserved by canning only a unitary article thereof, Such as Soup, vegetable, or fruit in an individual Container, and While these containers and contents constitute a valuable appendage of food for a dinner they fail to supply a complete meal, as in case the consumer should want to make up the Same he would have to purchase several cans, Open up each of them, perhaps heat one or more of them, empty the contents into separate dishes, and finally wash and dry, the dishes. In most cases it would be difficult for the consumer to find a store which carries all the appurtenant canned articles of food which would make up an accept able full meal, lunch, or dinner. In other cases the consumer would have to visit several stores to bring the necessary canned articles together for making up a complete meal. It is the object of this invention to provide a preserved full dinner, canned in an integral container or dish, whereby upon removal of the cover of Such container the consumer would be at once served with all the various courses comprising a full dinner. The container would also serve directly as the general dish for the foods making up the dinner, and upon completion of the meal the dish could be discarded, without necessitating any dish Washing labors.
Image source: United States Patent and Trademark Office
Want to learn more about this invention? See the following information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, www.uspto.gov
Preserved multiple course dinner
Inventor: Benjamin Roman
Filed: July 25, 1929