Lunch box with configurable handle, accessories, containers, and display inserts

A lunch box system includes a hollow body, two lids, a handle, and interchangeable display inserts. The hollow body has an external rib around the sides of the hollow body. The external rib defines holes along its length. The handle detachably secures to any two of the holes. The lids cover the open ends of the hollow body and each has tabs on their exterior for detachably securing the display inserts. Other accessories may also be detachably secured to the holes of the external rib.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This present disclosure relates to a lunch box system.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The lunch box, also referred to as a lunch pail or lunch kit, is a container for storing a meal. The lunch box is often used by schoolchildren to take packed lunches from home to school. The lunch box is typically a small case with a clasp and handle, often printed with a colorful image that can either be generic or based on children's television shows or films.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a lunch box system includes a hollow body, two lids, a handle, and interchangeable display inserts. The hollow body has an external rib around all sides of the hollow body. The external rib defines holes along its length. The handle detachably secures to any two of the holes. The lids cover the open ends of the hollow body and each has tabs on their exterior for detachably securing the display inserts. Other accessories may also be detachably secured to the holes of the external rib.

Use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a configurable lunch box system that can be personalized by the user.FIGS. 1 and 2show a lunch box system100in some embodiment of the present disclosure. Lunch box system100includes a first lid102, a hollow body104, a second lid106, and a handle108. Lids102and106are of similar or identical construction. Lid102, hollow body104, and lid106may be made from materials commonly used in Tupperware. Lid102, hollow body104, and lid106may be thermally insulated.

Referring toFIG. 2, hollow body104includes sidewalls204,206,208, and210that define two open ends of the hollow body. Each lid has a protrusion202(only visible for lid102) that friction fits into one open end of hollow body104to form a closed container. An external rib212extends from the exterior surface of sidewalls204to210. External rib212defines holes214(only one is labeled for clarity) that are located all the way around hollow body104.

Handle108has snap hooks216that clip onto any two holes214of external rib212. This allows the user to personalize lunch box system100by changing the attachment points of handle108and the orientation of the lunch box system. Each snap hook216is a loop with a spring loaded gate that can be clipped onto a hole214in external rib212.

Lids102and106each includes a depression218(only visible for lid102) for seating a display insert. Referring toFIG. 3, an interchangeable display insert302is seated in depression218(FIG. 2). Each lid further includes tabs306and308along the bottom edge of a rim304around depression218, and tabs310and312along the top edge of the rim. Display insert302is slid into and then secured by tabs306and308, and then slid into and then secured by tabs310and312, or vice versa. Display insert302may be a laminated card bearing indicia such as photos, cartoon characters, superheroes, movie or television stars, logos, symbols, and other designs. The user can replace display insert302with another to personalize lunch box system100.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate an example accessory, such as a drink holder500, that may be detachably secured to any two of the holes214of external rib212in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Drink holder500includes a substantially cylindrical body502for receiving a drink, and hook-and-loop fasteners504on the cylindrical body. The loose ends of the hook-and-loop fasteners504may be looped through any of the holes214of external rib212and then fastened to the stationary ends of the fastener to detachably secure drink holder500to external rib212. This allows the user to not only add or remove a drink holder500from lunch box system100but also personalize the attachment point of the drink holder. Referring toFIG. 5, cylindrical body502has a vertical opening that may be opened or closed via a hook-and-loop fastener602in order to receive or remove a drink from the body.

FIG. 6illustrates that lunch box system100houses food containers220and222and a temperature control pack224(e.g., an ice pack) in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Food containers220and222fit side by side in hollow body104, and temperature control pack224fits in the hollow body and sits above or below the food containers.

Various other adaptations and combinations of features of the embodiments disclosed are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, instead of being open on both ends, hollow body104may have a closed bottom with an open top. Instead of being friction fit, lid102and106may be locked by latches along multiple edges, or the lid may be hinged to hollow body104and locked by one or more latches. Instead of being a rectangular with rounded corners, hollow body104may be square, round, or another shape. Instead of using snap hooks216, handle108may use other types of fasteners, such as a snap fastener with a head that snap fits into any of the holes214of external rib212. Instead of locating tabs306to312along the edges of rim304, the tabs may be located at the corners of the rim. Instead of or in addition to a drink holder500, other accessories such as a nametag holder, a drink container (e.g., a water bottle), a plush toy, a figurine, a trinket, and a piece of jewelry may be detachably secured to any of the holes214of external rib212. Instead of the hook-and-loop fasteners504, the accessories may use snap hooks and other types of fasteners. Numerous embodiments are encompassed by the following claims.