Abstract:
A lunch box transforming into a placemat has at least two zippers with one of the two zippers running along at least three but preferably four sides while the second zipper runs along the remaining sides so as to allow, when all unzipped, to open the lunch box so that it lays flat and becomes a placemat.

Description:
[0001]    This CIP application claims priority based on patent application Ser. No. 11/829,596 filed Jul. 27, 2007 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of food serving and containers but more particularly to a lunch box that can unfold into a placemat. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are several inventions in the field of food serving that present products that have two uses. Most have to do with combining utensils with placemats. Others are more like trays with predefined cavities that act like bowls or plates. 
         [0004]    There are of course a variety of boxes which can be unfolded into flat pieces of cardboards designed for single use but these patents are generally for the manufacturing process or to disclose means for storage of boxes which are made out of flat sheets of cardboard. 
         [0005]    There does not appear to be a practical way to provide for a lunch box that also acts as a placemat. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are: 
         [0007]    To provide for a lunch container or lunch box which can be easily unfolded to create a practical placemat. 
         [0008]    To provide for a lunch container that is designed for multiple usage and not for one time disposable usage. 
         [0009]    To provide for a lunch container that can easily be carried about by hand or on a bicycle rack or such racks. 
         [0010]    To provide for a lunch container having insulating capabilities. 
         [0011]    To provide for a lunch container wherein the placemat configuration presents a useable surface that is easy to clean. 
         [0012]    To provide for a lunch container with features such as holding straps for utensils and optional integrated pouch. 
         [0013]    To provide for a container that can be used for a variety of other purposes besides carrying food, such as a make up kit. 
         [0014]    To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a collapsible lunch box adapted to be formed into a placemat, the lunchbox comprising a front panel member; two side panel members connected to the front panel member along two opposite side edges of the front panel member; a bottom panel member connected to a bottom edge of the front panel member; a back panel member connected to a bottom edge of the bottom panel member opposite from the bottom edge of the front panel member; and a top panel member connected to a bottom edge of the back panel member opposite from the bottom edge of the bottom panel member; wherein side edges of the two side panel edges are adapted to be removably connected to side edges of the bottom, back, and top panel members to form the collapsible lunch box, and disconnected to form the placemat. 
         [0015]    The placemat is adapted to lay flat on the surface of a table member and defines two surfaces; one of the two surfaces is an inside surface formed from a cotton material having an inner face laminated with a metalized finish; the second of the two surfaces is an outside surface formed from a layer of material having a rough texture that is adapted to limit slipping relative to the surface of a table member and is adapted to be on the outside of the lunch box when the side panel members are connected to the bottom, back, and top panel members, and is adapted to contact the table member surface when the side panel members are disconnected from the bottom, back, and top panel members forming the placemat; and a layer of insulating material located in between the inside and outside surfaces. 
         [0016]    In a preferred embodiment, the connections between the side panel members and the front panel member are flexible. 
         [0017]    In another aspect of the invention, the removable connections between the side panel members and the bottom, back, and top panel member include zipper members. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the insulating material of the inside surface is formed from POLAR. 
         [0019]    The rough textured material of the outside surface is formed from nylon. 
         [0020]    The zipper members are formed from nylon. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment the zipper members are formed as first and second zipper members, wherein the first zipper member runs along at least three sides of one of the side panel members, and the second zipper member runs along all four sides of the other of the side panel members and the side of the front panel member opposite the bottom panel member. The second zipper member also runs along a side of the side panel member that the first zipper member is not located. 
         [0022]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0023]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0024]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, 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. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0026]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  Perspective view of the lunch box zippered. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  Plan view of the lunch box unzipped and in placemat mode. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  Perspective view of a variation of the lunch box, zippered, having tying straps. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  Side cutaway view of the various layers making up the top, bottom and sides of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    A lunch box ( 10 ) has a structure ( 22 ) consisting of a a top handle ( 14 ) which is located on a top ( 16 ); a front ( 24 ); a back ( 26 ); a first side ( 28 ) and a second side ( 28 ′); and a bottom ( 30 ). 
         [0032]    An optional secondary handle ( 15 ) is located on the first side ( 28 ). The surface of a placemat ( 20 ) is located on the interior side of the structure ( 22 ) which once opened becomes the placemant ( 20 ). 
         [0033]    The structure ( 22 ) has a first and a second zipper ( 12 ,  12 ′) wherein the first zipper ( 12 ) runs along at least three but preferably four sides defined as b, c, d and e (or just c, d and e) while the second zipper ( 12 ′) runs along sides a, b′, c′, d′ and e′ (or b, a, b′, c′, d′ and e′). 
         [0034]    In an alternate embodiment an end strap ( 29 ) is located on the second side ( 28 ′) along with a pair of tying straps ( 34 ) to tie the lunch box to a bicycle rack (not shown). 
         [0035]    The surface of the placemat ( 20 ) located on the interior side of the structure ( 22 ) is made out of cotton which can easily absorb spills, can be printed and is easy to wash. 
         [0036]    The opposite side ( 21 ), which makes contact with the surface it is laid upon, a table for example, is made out of nylon suitable for printing or silk screen printing. It has a rough texture to limit slipping. 
         [0037]    In between the surface of the placemat ( 20 ) and the opposite side ( 21 ) is an insulation layer ( 23 ) made out of POLAR. The side proximal the surface of the placemat ( 20 ) is a polymer ( 25 ) that is non permeable and which has one face laminated with a metalized finish ( 27 ) so as to reflect heat out or keep heat in, as the case may be. The zipper ( 12 ) is also made out of nylon so as to reduce heat transfer. 
         [0038]    In order to consume the food in the lunch box ( 10 ), the user, unzips the zippers ( 12 ,  12 ′) and opens and unfolds the lunch box ( 10 ) into its placemat configuration so that the user has access to the food. 
         [0039]    The placemat ( 20 ) has an optional pouch ( 30 ) integrated within the placemant ( 20 ) as well as holding straps ( 32 ) for receiving catering articles such as cutlery. 
         [0040]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0041]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0042]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.