Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    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 INVENTION 
       [0002]    The 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 INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various 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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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 INVENTION 
       [0006]    The 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. 
         [0007]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    In the drawings, which comprise a portion of the present disclosure: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  secured within a lunch bag with the cover of the upper portion raised and the upper portion in the open position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an additional perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of taken along this plane  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  in the closed position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the cover of the upper portion raised and the upper portion in the open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the upper portion raised and the lower portion in the open position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  in the closed position; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along the plane  13 - 13  of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . As shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 , the present device  10  comprises a rigid container suitable for stand-alone use or for removable placement within a lunchbox, lunch bag or the like. The device includes a lower portion  12 , an upper portion  14  hingably connected to and sealingly engaging the lower portion  12 , and a hinged cover  16  secured to and sealingly engaging the upper portion  14 . The above components are molded from a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, such as a polypropylene, polystyrene or polyurethane, and combinations thereof, to nest or press-fit within adjacent components. 
         [0023]    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  FIG. 6 ) or a through-bore (see  FIG. 7 ) for receiving an upper portion hinge pin  30  as described herein. In particular, the back ends of opposite sides of the upper portion  14  include opposed cut-away portions  32  and hinge pins  30  for pivotal connection to corresponding opposed stop members  26  and sockets  28  of the side walls  24  of the lower portion  12 . 
         [0024]    The lower surface of the base  18  can include one or more hook-and-loop fastener strips  34  (see  FIG. 6 ) for engaging a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener strip or strips positioned within the lunchbox or lunch bag. For example, four hook-and-loop fasteners can be used (one adjacent each corner of the base  22 ) to engage corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners secured to the inner surface of a lunchbox or lunch bag. Thus, the device can be releasably secured within the lunchbox or lunch bag, and readily removed for cleaning including placement in a dishwasher. 
         [0025]    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 . 
         [0026]    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. 
         [0027]    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  FIG. 2  to an open position as shown in  FIG. 3  (where a compartment  40  is accessible). A clasp or other closure means (not shown) can be provided along an edge of the cover  16  and along one or more of the side walls  38  of the upper portion  14  to maintain the cover and the upper portion in a closed position. 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the stop members  26  along the back end of each side wall  20  of the lower portion  12  limit the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion  14  relative to the lower portion  12  to generally no more than about 120 degrees. The arc of travel can be as great as about 180 degrees, but should be at least about 90 degrees to provide easy access to the lower compartments of the container. One advantage of limiting the arc of travel of the upper portion  14  relative to the lower portion  12  to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees is the upper portion (when opened) is self-supported and does not engage the upper side walls of the lunchbox or lunch bag (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0029]    The upper portion  14  can also include one or more compartments.  FIG. 3  shows an embodiment in which the upper portion  14  includes a single compartment large enough to hold a sandwich or the like. The device is shown removably secured within a soft-sided lunch bag  54  along with a beverage container  56 . Access to the compartment(s) in the upper portion  14  is provided by lifting the hinged cover  16  and accessing the compartment(s) from the top. The maximum arc of travel of the cover  16  is similarly and preferably limited to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees based on the engagement (or friction fit) of the side or back edges of the cover  16  along the side or back upper surfaces of the upper portion  14 . This arrangement maintains the upper portion  14  in a substantively vertical position when the device is secured or positioned within the lunch bag  54 . 
         [0030]    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  FIGS. 7-13 . 
         [0031]    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 . 
         [0032]    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. 
         [0033]    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. 
         [0034]    A second, and more preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-13 . As in the first embodiment described herein, the device  60  comprises a rigid container including a lower portion  62 , an upper portion  64  hingably connected to the lower portion  62 , and a hinged cover  66  secured to the upper portion  64 . The foregoing components are molded to nest or press-fit together so that the upper portion can sealingly engage the lower portion and the cover can sealingly engage the upper portion. 
         [0035]    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  FIG. 13 ) within the lower portion  62 . Three compartments are shown, but more or less compartments can be provided. The back end of each side wall  70  includes a raised portion or stop member  76 , each of which includes a bore  78  (see  FIG. 7 ) for receiving an upper portion hinge pin  80  as described herein. In particular, the back ends of opposite sides of the upper portion  64  include opposed cut-away portions  82  and bores  84  for receipt of the corresponding hinge pins  80  for pivotal connection relative to corresponding opposed stop members  76  and bores  78  of the side walls  70  of the lower portion  62 . 
         [0036]    The lower surface of the base  68  can include one or more hook-and-loop fastener strips  86  (see  FIG. 13 ) for engaging a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener strip or strips positioned within the lunchbox or lunch bag. Thus, as described above with reference to  FIG. 6 , the device can be releasably secured within the lunchbox or lunch bag, and readily removed for cleaning including placement in a dishwasher. 
         [0037]    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. 
         [0038]    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  FIG. 13 . A similar dividing panel  102 , also preferably transparent, and gasket  104  can be provided to seal compartment(s)  92  of the upper portion  64 , if desired. As described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , the dividing panels and gaskets are optional. 
         [0039]    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  FIG. 8  to an open position as shown in  FIG. 9  (where a compartment  92  is accessible). A latch  110  or other closure means including a slot  112  can be provided along an edge of the cover  66  to engage a catch  114  along one of the side walls  90  of the upper portion  64  to maintain the cover and the upper portion in a closed position. Similarly, a latch  116  or other closure means including a slot  118  can be provided along a side wall  90  of the upper portion  64  to engage a catch  120  along a corresponding side wall  70  of the lower portion  62  to maintain the upper and lower portions in a closed position. Other closure means, as known in the art, can be used. 
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the stop members  76  along the back end of each side wall  70  of the lower portion  62  limit the maximum arc of travel of the upper portion  64  relative to the lower portion  62  to generally no more than about 120 degrees. The arc of travel can be as great as about 180 degrees, but should be at least about 90 degrees to provide easy access to the lower compartments of the container. One advantage of limiting the arc of travel of the upper portion  64  relative to the lower portion  62  to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees is the upper portion (when opened) is self-supported and does not engage the upper side walls of the lunchbox or lunch bag. 
         [0041]    The upper portion  64  can also include one or more compartments.  FIG. 9  shows an embodiment in which the upper portion  64  includes a single compartment large enough to hold a sandwich or the like. Access to the compartment(s) in the upper portion  64  is provided by lifting the hinged cover  66  and accessing the compartment(s) from the top. The maximum arc of travel of the cover  66  is similarly and preferably limited to between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees based on the engagement of the back edge of the cover  66  along the back upper surface of the upper portion  64 . 
         [0042]    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 . 
         [0043]    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  FIG. 12 . In particular, when the device is closed with the lower dividing panel  94  in position, there is no transfer or leakage of food items from one compartment to the other within the lower portion  62  or from a food item in a compartment in the lower portion  62  to a food item in a compartment in the upper portion  64 . 
         [0044]    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. 
         [0045]    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.