Dual-use lunch box

Abstract

A dual-use lunch box comprises of an outer rectangular housing unit with one opening supported by five side walls in bond with each other. Herein container railing affixed to two parallel sidewalls serves to support removable food and beverage storage containers. An outer fabric cover with a zippered front flap encloses the rectangular box and is encased with insulation to maintain constant temperature. The outside of said fabric cover includes side pockets or pouches. Two sets of connectors are flanked 90 degrees apart on the outer sidewalls of said fabric cover to fasten a carrying strap in two different positions. The dual-use lunch box is distinctive in that it has a dual function. It allows food and beverage items to be stored in an organized manner in removable storage containers. The other function allows the storage containers to be removed to accommodate larger food items. References Cited U.S. Patent Documents 5,181,612 January 1993 Liu 5,277,329 January 1994 Pomroy et al. 5,485,921 January 1996 Tolendano 5,595,302 January 1997 Maydwell et al. 5,842,571 December 1998 Rausch 5,950,834 September 1999 Woodnorth et al. 7,334,684 February 2008 Fontanilla et al.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a dual-use lunch box for the purpose of storing food and beverage items. This invention is novel in that the removable storage units allows for meals to be stored at different temperatures in an organized manner, while affording larger items to be stored with removal of the storage units.

2. Prior Art

Multiple lunch boxes (or food carriers) have been designed for the function of storing and carrying meals. These lunch boxes have a wide application of use that ranges from carrying lunches for children to meals for adults. These lunch boxes come in various shapes and sizes.

These prior art food carriers have several limitations, including their inability to adequately organize food and beverage items into individual storage containers. Furthermore, these food carriers are limited to a single configuration for storing and carrying meals. It is only this novel invention that encompasses a dual-use lunch box function that defines its unique facet.

Herein section we describe prior art addressing food storage containers, lunch boxes and the like with emphasis on the differences with our novel dual-use lunch box:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,302 to Maydwell et al. discloses a lunchbox. However the lunch box of Maydwell does not provide railings attached to the sidewalls to allow removable food and beverage containers to be stored in an organized manner. It also does not provide two sets of connectors for a dual carrying option.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,834 to Woodnorth et al. discloses a lunch holder for holding a food product and a beverage container. However, the lunch holder of Woodnorth does not have sliding food and beverage containers that are removable to allow storage of large food items in addition to storing food and beverage items in an organized manner in storage containers. It also does not provide two sets of connectors for a dual carrying option.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,329 to Pomroy et al. discloses a lunch holder. However, the lunch holder of Pomroy does not provide side railings to support food containers with a beverage storage unit positioned adjacent to the food containers and does not provide two sets of connectors for a dual carrying option.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,612 to Liu discloses a compact collapsible lunch box. However, the lunch box of Liu does not have sliding food and beverage containers that are removable to allow storage of large food items in addition to storing food and beverage items in an organized manner in storage containers. It also does not provide two sets of connectors for a dual carrying option.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,571 to Rausch discloses a compartmentalized soft-sided container. However the compartmentalized soft sided container of Rausch does not provide a rectangular housing unit with one opening supported by four side walls in bond with the bottom surface with affixed railing to support removable food storage containers and does not provide two sets of connectors for a dual carrying option.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,921 to Tolendano discloses a lunch box. However, the lunch box of Tolendino does not have sliding food and beverage containers that are removable to allow storage of large food items in addition to storing food and beverage items in an organized manner in storage containers. It also does not provide two sets of connectors for a dual carrying option.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,684 to Fontanilla discloses a versatile lunch box. However the lunch box of Fontanilla does not have sliding food and beverage containers that are removable to allow storage of large food items in addition to storing food and beverage items in an organized manner in storage containers. It also does not provide two sets of connectors for a dual carrying option.

While the above described prior art fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a dual-use lunch box that allows food and beverage items to be stored in an organized manner in storage containers or allows storage of larger items with the removal of these storage containers.

Furthermore, the above prior art patents make no provision for a dual carrying option with two sets of connectors on the outer fabric-cover that are flanked 90 degrees apart to fasten a carrying strap in two different positions. Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved dual-use lunch box that can be used for storing food with or without storage containers at different temperatures. In this regard, the dual-use lunch box substantially fulfills this need by departing from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the limitations of the aforementioned prior art, the present invention is a novel dual-use lunch box that overcomes these restrictions. The purpose of this invention is to add features to the aforementioned prior art to provide a new and enhanced dual-use lunch box that provides a means to store and transport meals in an organized manner. A further novel feature is the dual-use to carry larger food and beverage items.

This is accomplished by developing a dual-use lunch box with an outer rectangular housing unit comprised of four side walls in bond with a bottom surface and an open top surface. Railings are affixed to the inner walls of this outer rectangular unit to support at least one food storage unit. An advancement of the dual-use lunch box is the advent of removable food storage units. These food storage units are composed of plastic and are comprised of four side walls affixed to a floor and a detachable top cover. A beverage storage unit similarly is comprised of plastic that is shaped to accommodate the dimensions of cylindrical or rectangular shaped beverages. The beverage storage unit fits beneath the undersurface of one of the food storage units.

Another novel aspect of the dual-use lunch box is its dual function. In one embodiment, all the food and beverage storage units are inserted into the outer rectangular housing unit where the dual-use lunch box functions to store food and beverage items in an organized manner. Each food storage unit may store meals at a temperature independent of the temperature in the adjacent food storage unit. As such, meals of varying temperature may be stored within the dual-use lunch box. Beverage items may also be stored at a different temperature than the items stored in the food storage containers.

In another embodiment, the present invention has a dual configuration to allow larger food and beverage items to be stored. This is achieved by removing all of the food storage units and the beverage storage unit. In this configuration the outer rectangular housing unit is a hollow container that accommodates larger food and beverage items. This allows larger items to be stored, though all items will be stored at a common temperature.

The dual-use lunch box is covered by a fabric cover along the external perimeter of the outer rectangular housing unit. The fabric cover envelops the exterior of all the side walls and is continuous to form a lid cover that overlays the open top area. A zipper connects the front of the lid cover to the fabric cover on the side walls. On the external surface of the fabric cover at least one storage pocket is mounted to permit storage of items including, but not limited to napkins, utensils, and personal items.

A strap is connected to any two parallel side walls on the external surface of the fabric cover. The position of the strap is interchangeable and is dependent on the configuration utilized; the strap is connected to one set of side walls when all the storage units are in place to allow organized storage; the strap is connected to another set of side walls when all the storage units are removed to allow for larger items to be stored.

The present invention allows food and beverage to be stored and transported in a dual configuration. The above outline generally described the essential features hereof invention to be readily understood by all. In the subsequent detailed description the present invention will be described in intricate detail.

It is to be noted that the detailed explanation of the current embodiment is not limited by dimensions, arrangement of components or details of construction. The terminology employed herein to describe this novel invention should not be regarded as limited as the invention is capable of other embodiments and functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This invention has novel features that are set forth in the appended claims. The characteristics of this invention will be clarified and the function fully understood by reference to the description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the closed dual-use lunch box constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the open dual-use lunch box shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the open dual-use lunch box shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the food storage unit of the dual-use lunch box illustrated in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail, specifically in reference to the drawings highlighted in FIG. 1-4. The dual-use lunch box may be embodied in varying forms and sizes and should not be construed as limited by the preferred embodiment hereinafter.

The present invention is generally referenced by the numeral 10 and depicts a dual-use lunch box that contains food and beverage storage units. This invention is novel in that it has a dual function: functions to store food items in an organized manner with the usage of the food and beverage storage units and also retains the function to store larger items after the removal of said storage units.

In reference to FIG. 1, a novel dual-use lunch box 10 comprises an outer housing unit 20 having a plurality of side walls 21 and bottom surface 22. The housing unit 20 is enclosed in an outer fabric cover 23 that encases the side walls 21 and bottom surface 22 and continues to form the lid cover 24 connected to the outer fabric cover 23 by a zipper 40. The outer fabric cover 23 contains two set of connectors 41 mounted 90 degrees apart on two parallel side walls 21 and a storage pouch 42 mounted on the outer fabric cover 23.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the open dual-use lunch box and illustrates the lid cover 24 unzipped in open configuration, a plurality of food storage units 30 with attached lid cover 31 and beverage storage unit 32 inserted within the housing unit 20, two set of connectors 41 mounted 90 degrees apart on two parallel side walls 21, a storage pouch 42 mounted on outer fabric cover 23, and a carrying strap 43 connected to one of two set of connectors 41 to allow the present invention 10 to be carried with the lid cover 24 in the side position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the open dual-use lunch box and depicts the inner housing unit 50 without the food or beverage storage units in confirmation to accommodate larger food items, a plurality of paired railings 51 on the inner side of two parallel side walls 21 to support the food storage units, an outer fabric cover 23, a storage pouch 42 mounted on the outer fabric cover 23 and a carrying strap 43 connected to one set of two set of connectors 41 to allow the present invention 10 to be carried with the lid cover 24 in the top position.

FIG. 4 further illustrates a perspective view of the removable food storage unit 30 that houses food items in an organized manner and a lid cover 31 to secure the stored items. This removable food storage unit 30 can be stored within the housing unit or can be removed and stored in the refrigerator separate from the housing unit.

The dual-use lunch box is novel in its design and utility. The present invention has a dual function; it serves to store and transport food and beverage items organized inside food and beverage containers, while retaining the capacity to store larger food items with the removal of the storage containers. It is this dual function that is novel in concept and design and which the scope and spirit of the invention is centered around. This dual utility defines the present invention as novel, and departs from the design and function of all prior lunch box designs. It is the dual function design that will have an appeal to a myriad of individuals who carry their breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks to work, school or recreation.

The food and beverage storage units are removable for the purpose of, but not limited to, storing food items within these units in a refrigerator at home or work, while permitting the facile exchange of these storage units from the refrigerator to the dual-use lunch box. This utility allows the storage of cold food items; however, its utility is not limited by temperature as hot items can also be stored within the storage units. Furthermore, the novel design of the present invention allows food items of varying temperature to be stored within the housing unit. For example, cold food items can be stored in one food storage unit, while hot food items can be stored in a separate food storage unit; both maintaining their varied temperature.

The dual-use lunch box has been described with respect to a specific embodiment, but it should be noted that the present invention may assume variations in shape, size, form, color, material, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use. It will be appreciated that these modifications, including but not limited to the use of varying material, ranging from plastic to another sturdy material, may be used for the housing unit, food and beverage storage units by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The appended claims were intended to cover all such modifications and changes that encompass the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-use lunch box, comprising: an outer rectangular housing unit with one opening, wherein said four side walls bond to said bottom surface; wherein at least one detachable food storage unit is inserted on said railing along side walls; a beverage storage unit adjacent to the underside of said food storage unit; an outer fabric cover encloses said outer container with extension onto said top surface; at least one storage pocket is along the outer fabric of said cover, and a strap connected to outer surface of said fabric cover.

2. The dual-use lunch box of claim 1, wherein said outer rectangular housing unit comprised of four side walls in bond with bottom surface.

3. The dual-use lunch box of claim 1, wherein said sidewalls have at least one set of railings affixed to the inner surface to support food storage units.

4. The dual-use lunch box of claim 1, wherein said removable food storage unit slides in and out of said railings.

5. The dual-use lunch box of claim 1, wherein said removable beverage storage can be frozen to allow beverage containers to remain cold prior to insertion into said rectangular housing unit.

6. The dual-use lunch box of claim 4, wherein said food storage units comprise of a rectangle shape with four side walls in bond with bottom surface; a detachable top cover attaches to said four side walls; said food storage units stem from plastic that can withstand cold and warm temperature; said food storage units are microwavable safe, washable and reusable.

7. The dual-use lunch box of claim 4, wherein said food storage unit accommodates items of varying size, shape and temperature.

8. The dual-use lunch box of claim 4, wherein said food storage units are inserted into said rectangular housing unit to organize food items; said food storage units are removable to provide space to accommodate larger items, including but not limited to food items.

9. The dual-use lunch box of claim 5, wherein said beverage storage unit in an accommodating beverage shape; said beverage storage unit stems from plastic that can withstand cold and warm temperature; said beverage storage unit is washable and reusable.

10. The dual-use lunch box of claim 5, wherein said beverage storage unit accommodates beverages in cylindrical or rectangular shaped containers of varying sizes.

11. The dual-use lunch box of claim 5, wherein said beverage storage unit inserts adjacent to the underside of said food storage unit; said beverage storage unit is removable in conjunction with said food storage units to allow storage of larger items including but not limited to food items.

12. The dual-use lunch box, comprising: an outer fabric cover that envelops the outer surface of said outer rectangular housing unit along all four walls and floor in continuity with a top lid cover, the said top lid cover will mount on the open end of the said outer rectangular container; the said top surface cover connects to the four walls via a zipper; at least one storage pocket is mounted along the outer surface of the fabric cover; a strap connects to two of four connectors to said outer fabric cover for transport.

13. The dual-use lunch box of claim 12, wherein at least one said storage pocket is made of fabric mounted on said outer fabric cover, the top boundary is secured by, but not limited to an elastic edge or zipper.

14. The dual-use lunch box of claim 12, wherein at least one said storage pocket houses items including, but not limited to utensils, napkins, wallet and personal objects.

15. The dual-use lunch box of claim 12, wherein said strap is connected to any two parallel side walls of said outer fabric cover; the connection of said strap is interchangeable to correspond with whether or not the said food and beverage storage units are inserted or removed.