Multi-compartment food storage container
A multi-compartment food storage container is adapted for stand-alone use or for use in a lunchbox or lunch bag. The container includes a lower portion defining a plurality of compartments, an upper portion defining at least one compartment pivotably connected in a sealing engagement to the lower portion and a cover hingably connected to seal the upper portion. The compartments are suitable for storing food items in a sanitary manner.
This patent application is related to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/281,620, filed Nov. 20, 2009, and Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/288,056, filed Dec. 18, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a container with multiple compartments for storing food items and for use in conjunction with a lunchbox, lunch bags or other portable container. The container can also be used as a stand-alone lunchbox that need not be used in conjunction with a lunchbox or insulated lunch bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVarious configurations of portable food containers have been developed over the years. See, for example—U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,192 to Pomroy et al. which discloses a lunch holder for carrying a plurality of food products; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,302 to Maydwell et al. which relates to a lunchbox including multiple compartments for storing food items, school supplies and dental hygiene materials.
Neither of those products are suitable for removable, but secure, insertion within a lunchbox or lunch bag. There is a need for a versatile, multi-compartment container that can be used alone or in combination with a lunchbox or lunch bag to store food items in a sanitary and readily accessible manner.
Lunch boxes are currently available in metal or plastic. Lunch bags, on the other hand, which are currently in common use are usually made of an insulated, water-resistant, polyester. Food items stored in a polyester lunch bag can be easily crushed. Also, if food items leak within the lunch bag, the bag can be difficult to clean and susceptible to mold or bacterial growth. Thus, there is a need for a rigid compact food container that can be secured within a lunch bag to protect food items and yet can be easily removed for cleaning. Such a container would also eliminate the need for using disposable plastic bags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a multi-compartment food storage container adapted for use in a lunchbox, lunch bag or the like. The container can also be used as a stand-alone lunchbox that does not need to be inserted into a lunchbox or insulated lunch bag. The container includes a lower portion defining a plurality of compartments, and an upper portion pivotably connected to the lower portion. The upper portion defines at least one compartment and includes a hingably connected cover. The compartments are suitable for storing food items in a sanitary manner. The upper and lower portions press-fit, one within the other, and can be molded from a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, such as a polypropylene, polystyrene or polyurethane, and combinations thereof. The container eliminates the need to use disposable plastic bags.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a rigid storage container for use in combination with a lunchbox or lunch bag, the container comprising a lower portion defining at least one compartment for holding a food item; an upper portion defining at least one compartment for holding additional food items, the upper portion being hingably connected to the lower portion for movement from a closed position to an open position; and a cover hingably connected to the upper portion for movement from a closed position to an open position, whereby the upper portion effectively seals the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed position and the cover effectively seals the upper portion when the cover is in the closed position. Stop means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion defines the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion relative to the lower portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees. Stop means associated with the cover and the upper position can also be provided to limit the maximum arc of travel of the cover relative to the upper portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees. In an alternative embodiment, a removable panel can be included to separate the upper portion from the lower portion, and a similar removable panel can be used to separate the cover from the upper portion. Hook-and-loop fastening means, or the like, can removably secure the container within the lunchbox or lunch bag.
In the drawings, which comprise a portion of the present disclosure:
A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The lower portion 12 includes a base 18 and side walls 20 about the perimeter of the base. A series of inner walls 22, along with the side walls 20, define a plurality of lower compartments 24 within the lower portion 12. Three compartments are shown, but more or less compartments can be provided depending on the use requirements. The back end of each side wall 20 includes a raised portion or stop member 26, each of which includes a hollowed portion or socket 28 along an interior surface thereof (see
The lower surface of the base 18 can include one or more hook-and-loop fastener strips 34 (see
The upper portion 14 includes a base 36 and side walls 38 about the perimeter of the base to form a compartment 40. One or more inner walls (not shown) can be provided to define a number of compartments within the upper portion 14, if desired. A recess 42 can be provided in the upper portion 14 to provide a fingerhold for engaging the edge of the cover 16. Likewise, a tab 44 can be provided in a side portion of the upper portion 14 to facilitate lifting and separating the upper portion 14 from the lower portion 12.
The base 36 of the upper portion 14 engages upper surfaces of the lower portion 12 to prevent the contents of one compartment from mixing with the contents of an adjacent compartment. A gasket 48 can be provided to enhance the connection and the seal between the upper and lower portions. If desired, a lower dividing panel 46, which is preferably transparent, including the gasket 48 along its perimeter can be removably seated within the upper interior edges of the side walls 20 of the lower portion 12 to seal the compartments 24 of the lower portion 12. A similar dividing panel, preferably transparent, and gasket can be provided to seal compartment(s) 40 of the upper portion 14, if desired. In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the foregoing gaskets can be used without the dividing panels. In a further embodiment, no panel or gasket need be used.
The back end of the cover 16 includes a pair of hinge pins 50 along the opposed sides thereof which are adapted to engage corresponding sockets 52 formed in the back ends of the side walls 38 of the upper portion 14. Thus, the cover 16 can be extended, relative to the upper portion 14, from a closed position in which the cover sealingly engages the upper portion as shown in
In a preferred embodiment as shown in
The upper portion 14 can also include one or more compartments.
In an alternative embodiment, the lower surface of the base 36 of the upper portion 14 and the top portions of the inner walls 22 of the lower portion 12 can cooperate to define a recess or cavity for receiving a cold pack or the like. The cold pack, of course, helps cool the contents of the upper and lower portions. In this embodiment, the lower dividing panel 46 would not be used or, if used, the lower dividing panel would preferably include a recessed portion as described herein with reference to
In use, the lower portion 12 can be used to store wet food items like cottage cheese, applesauce or pudding which are separated from the sandwich stored in the upper portion 14. In particular, when the device is closed with lower dividing panel 46 in position, there is no transfer or leakage of food items from one compartment to the other within the lower portion 12 or from a food item in a compartment in the lower portion 12 to a food item in a compartment in the upper portion 14.
The container can also include a handle portion (not shown) secured to a side wall of either the lower portion 12, the upper portion 14, or both. This facilitates use of the device separate and apart from the lunchbox or lunch bag, if desired. In the alternative, the container can be used as a free-standing lunchbox without a handle.
In a further embodiment, the outer surface(s) of the cover 16 and the outer surface of the base 18 can comprise generally flat panels which can be decorated, for example, with a washable paint, marker or the like. Thus, the container can be decorated and the paint or markings can be easily removed by cleaning the container in a dishwasher. The washable paints or markers can be provided in kit form along with the device depending on how the product is packaged for distribution and sale.
A second, and more preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The lower portion 62 includes a base 68 and side walls 70 about the perimeter of the base. A series of inner walls 72, along with the side walls 70, define a plurality of lower compartments 74 (see
The lower surface of the base 68 can include one or more hook-and-loop fastener strips 86 (see
The upper portion 64 includes a base 88 and side walls 90 about the perimeter of the base to form a compartment 92. One or more inner walls (not shown) can be provided to define a number of compartments within the upper portion 64, if desired.
A lower dividing panel 94, which is preferably transparent, including a gasket 96 along its perimeter can be removably seated within the upper interior edges of the side walls 70 of the lower portion 62 to seal the compartments 74 of the lower portion 62 and prevent the contents of one compartment from mixing with the contents of another compartment. If desired, the lower dividing panel 94 can include additional partition members 98 and gaskets 100 to maintain separation between the compartments, as shown more clearly in
The back end of the cover 66 includes a pair of hinge pins 106 along the opposed sides thereof which are adapted to engage corresponding bores 108 formed in the back ends of the side walls 90 of the upper portion 64 and the cover 66. Thus, the cover 66 can be extended, relative to the upper portion 64, from a closed position as shown in
In a preferred embodiment as shown in
The upper portion 64 can also include one or more compartments.
In an alternative embodiment, the lower surface of the base 88 of the upper portion 64 can include an upwardly extending recess (relative to the horizontal plane of connection between the upper and lower portions) and the top portions of the inner walls 72 of the lower portion 62 can include a downwardly extending recess or space to define a cavity for receiving a cold pack or the like to cool the contents of the upper and lower portions. In this embodiment, the lower dividing panel 94, if used, would preferably include a recessed portion to correspond to the shape of the downwardly extending recess or space defined in the lower portion 62.
In use, the lower portion 62 can be used to store wet food items like cottage cheese, applesauce or pudding which are separated from the sandwich stored in the upper portion 64. See
The container can also include a handle 122 secured to a side wall of either the lower portion 62, the upper portion 64, or both. The handle 122 includes handle pins 124 at each end thereof which engage openings 126 defined in a pair of handle yokes 128. This facilitates use of the device separate and apart from the lunchbox or lunch bag, if desired. In the alternative, the container can be used as a free-standing lunchbox without a handle.
The foregoing description and drawings of the present invention are illustrative and are presented by way of example. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of container design and manufacture, various modifications can be made in the configuration and construction of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims
1. A storage container for use alone or in combination with a lunchbox or lunch bag, the container comprising:
- a lower portion defining at least one compartment for holding a food item;
- an upper portion defining at least one compartment for holding additional food items, said upper portion being hingably connected to the lower portion for movement from a closed position to an open position; and
- a cover hingably connected to the upper portion for movement from a closed position to an open position,
- whereby the upper portion effectively seals the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed position and the cover effectively seals the upper portion when the cover is in the closed position.
2. The container according to claim 1 including stop means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion to limit the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion relative to the lower portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.
3. The container according to claim 1 including stop means associated with the cover and the upper position to limit the maximum arc of travel of the cover relative to the upper portion from the closed position to the open position within a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.
4. The container according to claim 1 including a removable panel to separate the upper portion from the lower portion.
5. The container according to claim 1 including a removable panel to separate the cover from the upper portion.
6. The container according to claim 1 including means for removably securing the container within the lunchbox or lunch bag.
7. A food storage container comprising:
- a lower portion having a base and a plurality of side walls and at least one inner wall defining at least one compartment for receiving at least one food item;
- an upper portion having a plurality of side walls defining at least one compartment for receiving at least one food item;
- one side wall of the lower portion being hingably connected to one side wall of the upper portion, the compartment(s) of the lower portion and the compartment(s) of the upper portion being effectively sealed from one another when the container is in a closed position; and
- stop means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion whereby the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion relative to the lower portion from the closed position to an open position is between about 90 and 120 degrees,
- whereby the upper portion effectively seals the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed position.
8. The food storage container according to claim 7 including a cover hingably connected to the upper portion for sealing the upper portion during use.
9. The container according to claim 8 including stop means associated with the cover and the upper portion to limit the maximum arc of travel of the cover relative to the upper portion from the closed position to the open position from between about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.
10. The container according to claim 7 including a removable panel to separate the upper portion from the lower portion.
11. The container according to claim 8 including a removable panel to separate the cover from the upper portion.
12. The food storage container according to claim 7 including means for removably securing the container within a lunchbox or lunch bag.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 22, 2010
Publication Date: May 26, 2011
Inventor: Stephanie Stiller (Evanston, IL)
Application Number: 12/927,788
International Classification: B65D 1/24 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101);