LUNCHBOX SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A lunchbox system is disclosed. The lunchbox system includes a lunchbox comprising three stacked compartments and, a carrying case for the lunchbox. The three stacked compartments of the lunchbox include an upper compartment, a middle compartment and a lower compartment. The middle compartment is in thermal communication with the upper and lower compartments. In a preferred embodiment, the middle compartment is configured to retain an ice pack to keep the contents of upper and lower compartments at a low temperature. The lunchbox system further features a compartment dividers configured to partition the upper compartment and the lower compartment. Finally, the lunchbox system includes a lunchbox carrying case that is configured to retain the lunchbox.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/160,854 filed Mar. 14, 2021, expired, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of containers and, more specifically, portable meal containers.

Related Art

[0003] Lunchboxes are well-known items used by children in school through adults at work. Standard lunchbox containers provide a single space for holding food items. Standard lunchbox containers have a hard shell food-storage interior. But the standard lunchbox container is only useful for storing some food items. Suitable items include items that are not likely to be compressed, absorb moisture, or spoil in a tepid environment. These limitations effectively reduce the usability of the container to store food.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,336 to Michael Haarlander relates to a lunch box assembly. The described lunch box assembly includes a main housing having a lid portion and a base portion hingedly secured with one another so as to provide access to an opened interior of the improved lunch box assembly. Further, a display panel is included and secured in overlying relation to one exterior wall surface of the main housing so that it defines a pocket therebetween which is visually accessible through a display opening defined in the display panel. Also, a display insert is included and structured to be removably inserted into the pocket between the display panel and the exterior wall surface so that a primary display face is visible through the display opening in the display panel and so that while it is securely maintained within the pocket when in use it can also be easily removed for convenient cleaning or interchanging with a new display insert.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Given the preceding disadvantages inherent in the known portable meal container art, the present disclosure provides a novel lunchbox system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide portable meal containers.

[0006] A lunchbox system is disclosed. The lunchbox system includes a lunchbox having an upper compartment and a lower compartment. The lunchbox system further features compartment dividers configured to partition the upper and lower compartments. Finally, the lunchbox system includes a lunchbox carrying case configured to retain the lunchbox.

[0007] The upper compartment has an upper interior defined by walls and a top. The top connects to the upper component, sometimes using a hinge. The upper compartment includes guide slots. The lower compartment includes lower walls extending perpendicularly from a lower base. Walls and a base define a lower compartment. Lower walls are hingedly connected to the lower compartment. The lower compartment connects to the upper compartment, sometimes through hinges. Each of the lower sidewalls includes at least two guide slots lower. The lunchbox system includes compartment dividers. Each compartment divider includes opposing ends configured to receive the guide slots upper and guide slots lower, respectively. The compartment dividers effectively partition the upper and lower compartments.

[0008] The lunchbox carrying case comprises a base, a storage compartment, and pockets. The storage compartment comprises a wall. The wall surrounds a base and defines a front wall, rear wall, and right and left walls. The storage compartment receives the lunchbox. The storage compartment is sealable by a first closure. Finally, pockets are disposed inside the resealable storage apartment.

[0009] According to another embodiment, a method of using a lunchbox system is also disclosed. The method of using a lunchbox system includes providing the lunchbox system as described above. A step of partitioning the upper compartment with the compartment dividers. A step of partitioning the lower compartment with the compartment dividers. A step of removing the lunchbox from the lunchbox carrying case. A step of inserting the lunchbox into the lunchbox carrying case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The figures that accompany this specification's written portion illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a lunchbox system and method.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lunchbox system.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lunchbox of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of a lunchbox.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a back view of the lunchbox of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perpsective view of a divider.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of an upper compartment.

[0017] FIGS. 7A and FIG. 7B are perpsective views of another divider.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective of of a lunchbox carrying case.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a lunchbox system.

[0020] The various embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to portable meal containers and, more particularly, a lunchbox system and method used to improve the existing lunchbox art.

[0022] Generally, the lunchbox system provides a means to store and organize food items while providing a low-temperature environment. The present lunchbox includes stacked compartments. The upper and lower compartments include guide slots for removably replaceable walls that may be used to partition their respective interior volumes. The removable walls may be adjusted at a user's preference to accommodate various food items. The walls come in various sizes that may include guide slots of their own. In addition, the walls may be mated perpendicularly to create smaller sections within the interior volumes of the food compartments.

[0023] The lunchbox system further includes a durable carrying case configured to store the lunchbox. The carrying case includes numerous pockets. A user may find the carrying case helpful in storing electronic devices, notebooks, writing utensils, and other commonly used items. The carrying case may include shoulder straps, carabiners, buckles, and various means of allowing a user to transport the carrying case. By design, the carrying case may be made of a durable material such as a reinforced canvas or similar material. A rigid base configured to withstand impact is also featured on the carrying case. The rigid base may be made of a rubber material having an impact disbursing design. Ultimately, the lunchbox system provides an all-in-one utility for carrying food in an organized and temperature-controlled environment and carrying commonly used items.

[0024] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference FIGS. 1-9, show various views of a lunchbox system.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a lunchbox system. As illustrated, a lunchbox system comprises a lunchbox 110 and a lunchbox carrying case 200 FIG. 8. The lunchbox 110 comprises an upper compartment 120, a lower compartment 140, and a top 1120 connected to the upper compartment 120. Sometimes, top 1120 connects to upper compartment 120 using hinge 1600 FIG. 4. Upper compartment 120 is bounded by back wall upper 1127, top 1120, right wall upper 1124, left wall upper 1125, and front wall upper 1126. FIG. 1 also shows that lower compartment 140 is bounded by back wall lower 3127, right wall lower 3124, left wall lower 3125, and front wall lower 3126.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the front wall upper 1126 include at least two guide slots upper 4127. The back wall upper 1127 and the upper compartment 120 may further include an upper locking mechanism 128 configured to close top 1120. In addition, the upper locking mechanism 128 may create an upper fluid proof seal 129 between the top 1120 and back wall upper 1127, right wall upper 1124, left wall upper 1125, and front wall upper 1126. FIG. 2 also shows that the depicted exemplar has at least two guide slots upper 4127 disposed on the front wall lower 3126 and back wall lower 3127. The lower compartment 140 may further include an lower locking post 1121 configured to close upper compartment 120 to lower compartment 140. In some versions, lower locking post 1121 interacts with catch 2220. In addition, the interaction between lower locking post 1121 and catch 2220 may create a lower fluid proof seal 139 between the upper compartment 120 and an edge formed from back wall upper 1127, right wall upper 1124, left wall upper 1125, and front wall upper 1126.

[0027] Versions exist in which one or more of the the following pairs of walls contain at least two guide slot upper 4127 or two guide slots lower 3129, for the pair, respecitively: right wall upper 1124 paired with left wall upper 1125, front wall upper 1126 paired with back wall upper 1127, right wall lower 3124 paired with left wall lower 3125, and front wall lower 3126 paired with back wall lower 3127.

[0028] Compartment dividers 150 are included with lunchbox to partition the upper compartment 120, the lower compartment 140, or both. Each of the compartment dividers 150 include opposing ends 151 FIG. 2 configured to receive the guide slots upper 4127 and the guide slots lower 3129.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the lunchbox system of FIG. 1. As pictured, one of the lower sidewalls, in this case, back wall lower 3127, is hingedly connected to upper compartment 120 using a hinge 1620. The lower compartment 140 may further feature a lower locking mechanism. The lower locking mechanism may create a lower fluid proof seal 139 between upper compartment 120 and an edge formed from back wall upper 1127, right wall upper 1124, left wall upper 1125, and front wall upper 1126. The lower fluid proof seal 139 FIG. 3 may prevent foreign material in the lunchbox 110 from entering the lower compartment 140. The lower compartment 140 further features at least two guide slots lower 3129 disposed on each of the front wall lower 3126, and the back wall lower 3127. The guide slots lower 3129 may be used in conjunction with the compartment dividers 150 FIG. 2 to partition the lower compartment 140.

[0030] The lunchbox 110 may include recessed tracks 300 disposed on upper compartment 120 or on the outside of upper compartment 120 the recessed tracks 300 may contain a handle 303 that connects to the recessed tracks 300. Alternative handle 303 assemblies are envisioned.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the lunchbox system. As shown, the lunchbox 110, which includes an upper compartment 120 having an left wall upper 1125, right wall upper 1124, front wall upper 1126, back wall upper 1127, and top 1120. The guide slots upper 4127 are configured to receive the opposing ends 151 of the compartment dividers 150.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a type of compartment divider with hinge pin 825 and openings 1810. FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of upper compartment 120. This figure shows the hinge pin receiver 8120 for a version of compartment divider 150 containing a hinge pin 825.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 2. the compartment dividers 150 may include a first size. The first size of compartment dividers 150 may be configured to extend between opposing upper walls or lower walls. The compartment dividers 150 may include a second size of compartment dividers. The second size of compartment dividers 150 may be configured to extend between opposing upper walls or lower walls. FIG. 7A shows compartment dividers lower. As shown in FIG. 7B, compartment dividers 150 may include divider guide slots 154. The divider guide slots 154 may be configured to receive the opposing ends 151 of the compartment dividers 150. The divider guide slots 154 may allow the second size of compartment dividers 150 to perpendicularly mate with the first size of compartment dividers 150.

[0034] FIG. 8 depicts a version of a lunchbox carrying case 200. The lunchbox carrying case 200 is designed to carry the lunchbox 110 and other auxiliary items. The lunchbox carrying case 200 comprises a rigid base 210, a storage compartment 220, and a pockets 230. The rigid base 210 includes an interior surface not shown and an exterior surface 214. The exterior surface 214 of the rigid base 210 of the lunchbox carrying case 200 may comprise a textured rubber 211 configured to absorb impact. The textured rubber 211 may inhibit vibrations from propagating through the lunchbox system if the lunchbox carrying case 200 is dropped. Lunchbox carrying case 200, has appropriate dimensions to receive and enclose lunchbox 110.

[0035] The storage compartment 220 comprises a wall 221 having an interior 222 and an exterior 223. The wall 221 surrounds rigid base 210 and defines a front wall 224, a rear wall 225 and, sidewalls 226. Lunchbox carrying case 200 may include an insulative layer 30024. The interior 222 is sealable by a lid 228. The lid 228 may include a locking mechanism 229 configured to close lid 228 over the inside of storage compartment 220.

[0036] The pockets 230 are disposed on the exterior 223. The pockets 230 may further include fasteners 232. The fasteners 232 may include, buckles, snaps, zippers and, all further conceived means of fastening the pockets 230. The pockets 230 may include a beverage holder 231.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using a lunchbox system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method, 500, for using a lunchbox system may include one or more components or features of the lunchbox system as described above. As illustrated, the method for using a lunchbox system 500 may include: step one, 501, providing a lunchbox system, as described above, step two 505, partitioning the upper compartment 120 with the compartment dividers 150; step three 506, partitioning the lower compartment 140 with the compartment dividers 150; step four 507, removing the lunchbox 110 from the lunchbox carrying case 200; step five 508, inserting the lunchbox 110 into that the lunchbox carrying case 200.

[0038] It should be noted that some steps are optional. At that it should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of step of should not be interpreted as step for, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112f. It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using a lunchbox system are taught herein.

[0039] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

[0040] The previous description of several embodiments describes non-limiting examples that further illustrate the invention. All titles of sections contained in this document, including those appearing above, are not to be construed as limitations on the invention, but rather they are provided to structure the illustrative description of the invention that is provided by the specification.

[0041] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used in this document have the same meanings as commonly understood by one skilled in the art to which the disclosed invention pertains. Singular forms--a, an, and the--include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to fluid refers to one or more fluids, such as two or more fluids, three or more fluids, etc. When an aspect is the to include a list of components, the list is representative. If the component choice is specifically limited to the list, the disclosure will say so. Moreover, listing components acknowledges that embodiments exist for each of the components and any combination of the components--including combinations that specifically exclude any one or any combination of the listed components. For example, component A is chosen from A, B, or C discloses embodiments with A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, and ABC. It also discloses AB but not C, AC but not B, and BC but not A as embodiments, for example. Combinations that one of ordinary skill in the art knows to be incompatible with each other or with the components' function in the invention are excluded from the invention, in some embodiments.

[0042] The terminology used herein is to describe particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprises, comprising, including, and having, are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed,

[0043] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0044] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0045] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another elements or features as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0046] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

[0047] Moreover, some embodiments recite ranges. When this is done, it is meant to disclose the ranges as a range, and to disclose each and every point within the range, including end points. For those embodiments that disclose a specific value or condition for an aspect, supplementary embodiments exist that are otherwise identical, but that specifically exclude the value or the conditions for the aspect.

[0048] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

[0049] The following description of several embodiments describes non-limiting examples that further illustrate the invention. No titles of sections contained herein, including those appearing above, are limitations on the invention, but rather they are provided to structure the illustrative description of the invention that is provided by the specification.

[0050] Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described in this document can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. This disclosure incorporates by reference all publications mentioned in this disclosure and all of the information disclosed in the publications.

[0051] This disclosure discusses publications only to facilitate describing the current invention. Their inclusion in this document is not an admission that they are effective prior art to this invention, nor does it indicate that their dates of publication or effectiveness are as printed on the document.

Claims

1. A lunchbox system comprising: a lunchbox having an upper compartment defined by a right wall upper, left wall upper, back upper, and front upper a lower compartment defined by right wall lower, left wall lower, back wall lower, and front wall lower a bottom, and a top wherein the upper compartment includes guide slots upper and dividers upper that fit the guide slots upper or the lower compartment includes guide slots lower and dividers lower that fit the guide slots lower a lunchbox carrying case having a rigid base; a storage compartment to receive the lunchbox; and pockets disposed on an outside of the case.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the dividers upper fit the guide slots upper or the dividers lower fit the guide slots lower.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the top is hingedly connected to the right wall upper, the left wall upper, the back upper, or the front upper.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the guide slots upper sit on the right wall upper and the left wall upper.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein two guide slots upper sit on the right wall upper and the left wall upper.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the bottom is hingedly connected to the right wall lower, the left wall lower, the back wall lower, or the front wall lower.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the guide slots lower sit on the right wall lower and the left wall lower.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein two guide slots lower sit on the right wall lower and the left wall lower.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the upper compartment includes tracks having a track bottom and a track top.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the lunchbox further comprises a handle connected to the tracks.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the upper compartment includes an upper lock forming an upper fluid proof seal between the top and upper edges of the right wall upper, left wall upper, back upper, and front upper.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the lower compartment includes a lower lock component that engages a component from the upper compartment and forms a lower fluid proof seal between the bottom and lower edges of the right wall lower, left wall lower, back wall lower, and front wall lower.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein some of the dividers upper have a first divider upper configured to extend between the right wall upper and the left wall upper or the right wall lower and left wall lower.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein some of the dividers upper have a second divider upper configured to extend a partial distance between the right wall upper and the left wall upper or some of the dividers lower have a second divider lower configured to extend a partial distance between the right wall lower and left wall lower.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the dividers include divider guide slots.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the rigid base comprises a textured rubber configured to absorb impact.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the storage compartment includes an insulative layer of material.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the storage compartment has a lid including a closure mechanism.

19. A method of using a lunchbox system comprising the steps of: providing a lunchbox having an upper compartment defined by a right wall upper, left wall upper, back upper, and front upper a lower compartment defined by right wall lower, left wall lower, back wall lower, and front wall lower a bottom, and a top wherein the upper compartment includes guide slots upper and dividers upper that fit the guide slots upper or the lower compartment includes guide slots lower and dividers lower that fit the guide slots lower a lunchbox carrying case having a rigid base; a storage compartment to receive the lunchbox; and pockets disposed on an outside of the case.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of partitioning the upper compartment with the dividers upper; partitioning the lower compartment with the dividers lower; removing the lunchbox from the lunchbox carrying case; and inserting the lunchbox into the lunchbox carrying case.