Patent Publication Number: US-11044975-B2

Title: Organizable lunchbox system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/522,195 filed Jun. 20, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of containers of existing art and more specifically relates to portable meal containers. 
     RELATED ART 
     Lunchboxes are well known items used by children in school through adults at work. The standard lunchbox containers provide a single cavity capable of holding all food items together. The standard lunchbox containers comprise of a hard shell having a volume capable of storing food. However, the standard lunchbox container is only useful for storing some food items. Storable food items in a standard lunchbox include items that are not at a risk of compressing, absorbing moisture, or spoiling in a tepid environment. These limitations are considerable and effectively reduce the usability of the container to store desired food. 
     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 thereof 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 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known portable meal container art, the present disclosure provides a novel organizable lunchbox system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a portable meal containers. 
     An organizable lunchbox system is disclosed herein. Briefly stated, the organizable lunchbox system includes an organizable lunchbox having an upper compartment, a middle compartment and a lower compartment. The organizable lunchbox system further features a plurality of compartment dividers configured to partition the upper compartment and the lower compartment. Finally, the organizable lunchbox system includes an organizable lunchbox carrying case that is configured to retain the organizable lunchbox. 
     More specifically, the upper compartment has an upper-interior, and an upper-exterior. The upper compartment has an upper-volume defined by upper-sidewalls, an upper-top surface and, an upper-base. The upper-top surface is hingedly connected to one of the upper-sidewalls to close the upper-volume. Each of the upper-sidewalls includes at least two upper-compartment guide slots. The middle compartment is disposed below and in thermal communication with the upper compartment. The middle compartment has a middle-volume defined by a middle-base, middle-sidewalls, and a middle-top surface. The middle-top surface is disposed adjacent to the upper-base. The middle compartment further includes a closable aperture disposed on one of the middle-sidewalls. The closable aperture allows access to the middle-volume. The lower compartment is disposed below, and in thermal communication with, the middle compartment. The lower compartment includes lower-sidewalls extending perpendicularly from a lower-base. One of the lower-sidewalls is hingedly connected to one of the middle-sidewalls. A lower-volume is defined by the lower-sidewalls, the lower-base and, the middle-base. Each of the lower-sidewalls includes at least two lower-compartment guide slots. The organizable lunchbox system includes a plurality of compartment dividers. Each of the plurality of compartment dividers includes opposing ends that are configured to mate with the upper-compartment guide slots and lower-compartment guide slots. The plurality of compartment dividers effectively partition the upper-volume, and, alternatively, the lower-volume. 
     The organizable lunchbox carrying case comprises a rigid base, a resealable storage compartment and, a plurality of pockets. The rigid base includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The resealable storage compartment comprises a continuous wall having an interior and an exterior. The continuous wall circumscribes the rigid base and defines a front wall, a rear wall, and sidewalls. The resealable storage compartment defines a first cavity that is configured to store the organizable lunchbox. The first cavity is sealable by a first lid. A plurality of pockets are disposed on the exterior of the continuous wall. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of using an organizable lunchbox system is also disclosed herein. The method of using an organizable lunchbox system includes a step of, providing the organizable lunchbox system as described above. A step of, accessing the middle-volume of the middle compartment through the closable aperture. A step of, inserting an ice-back into the middle-volume. A step of, closing the closable aperture of the middle compartment, thereby sealing in the ice-pack. The method further comprises optional steps listed hereafter. A step of, partitioning the upper compartment with the plurality of compartment dividers. A step of, partitioning the lower compartment with the plurality of compartment dividers. A step of, removing the organizable lunchbox from the first cavity of the organizable lunchbox carrying case. A step of, inserting the organizable lunchbox into the first cavity of the organizable lunchbox carrying case. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an organizable lunchbox system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the organizable lunchbox system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the organizable lunchbox system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the organizable lunchbox system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is another view of the organizable lunchbox system of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using an organizable lunchbox system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to portable meal containers and more particularly to an organizable lunchbox system and method as used to improve the existing lunchbox art. 
     Generally, the organizable lunchbox system provides a means to store and organize food items while providing a low temperature environment. The present lunchbox includes three stacked compartments, two of which are useful for storing food, with a middle compartment useful for storing an ice-pack. The upper compartment and the lower compartment include guide slots for removably replaceable walls that may be used to partition their respective interior volumes. The removably replaceable walls may be adjusted at a user&#39;s preference to accommodate various food items. The walls come in various sizes that may include guide slots of their own. The walls may be mated perpendicularly with each other to create smaller sections within the interior volumes of the food compartments. The middle compartment may be sandwiched between, and in thermal communication with, the upper compartment and the lower compartment. A user may insert an ice-pack, and alternatively, a heating-pack, into the middle compartment to regulate the temperature in the adjacent compartments. 
     The organizable lunchbox system further includes a durable carrying case configured to store the organizable lunchbox. The carrying case includes numerous pockets providing a means of retaining other items. A user may find the carrying case useful for storing electronic devices, notebooks, writing utensils, and other items that are commonly used. 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 organizable lunchbox system provides an all-in-one utility for carrying food in an organized and temperature-controlled environment, as well as carrying commonly used items. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of an organizable lunchbox system  100 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an organizable lunchbox system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the organizable lunchbox system  100  may be beneficial to carry items. As illustrated, the organizable lunchbox system  100  may include an organizable lunchbox  110  comprising three stacked compartments and, an organizable lunchbox carrying case  200  ( FIG. 4 ). The organizable lunchbox  110  comprises: an upper compartment  120 , a middle compartment  130  and, a lower compartment  140 . The upper compartment  120  has an upper-interior  121  and an upper-exterior  122 . An upper-volume  123  is defined by upper-sidewalls  124 , an upper-top surface  125  and, an upper-base  126 . The upper-top surface  125  is hingedly connected to one of the upper-sidewalls  124  thereby closing the upper-volume  123 . Each of the upper-sidewalls  124  includes at least two upper-compartment guide slots  127 . The upper compartment  120  may further include an upper-locking mechanism  128  configured to retain the upper-top surface  125  in communication with the upper-sidewalls  124 . The upper-locking mechanism  128  may create an upper-fluid proof seal  129  between the upper-top surface  125  and the upper-sidewalls  124 . 
     The middle compartment  130  is disposed below, and in thermal communication with, the upper compartment  120 . The middle compartment  130  has a middle-volume  133  defined by a middle-base  136 , middle-sidewalls  134 , and a middle-top surface  135 . The middle-top surface  135  being disposed adjacent to the upper-base  126 . The middle compartment  130  features a closable aperture  131  disposed on at least one of the middle-sidewalls  134 . The closable aperture  131  allows access to the middle-volume  133 . The closable aperture  131  of the middle compartment  130  may comprise a middle-door  137  pivotably attached to at least of the middle-sidewalls  134 . In another embodiment, the middle-door  137  may be pivotably attached to the middle-top surface  135 . The middle-door  137  may further include a middle-locking mechanism  138 . The middle-locking mechanism  138  may be configured to close them middle-volume  133  create a middle-fluid proof seal  139 . 
     The lower compartment  140  is disposed below, and in thermal communication with, the middle compartment  130 . The lower compartment  140  has a lower-volume  143  defined by a lower-base  146  having lower-sidewalls  144  extending perpendicularly therefrom. One of the lower-sidewalls  144  is hingedly connected to one of the middle-sidewalls  134 . The lower-volume  143  is closed with the middle-base  136 . Each of the lower-sidewalls  144  includes at least two lower-compartment guide slots  147  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     A plurality of compartment dividers  150  ( FIG. 3 ) are included with the organizable lunchbox system  100  to partition the upper compartment  120  and the lower compartment  140 . Each of the plurality of compartment dividers  150  include opposing ends  151  ( FIG. 3 ) configured to mate with the upper-compartment guide slots  127 , and the lower-compartment guide slots  147  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The organizable lunchbox carrying case  200  is designed to carry the organizable lunchbox  110  and other auxiliary items. The organizable lunchbox carrying case  200  comprises a rigid base  210  ( FIG. 4 ), a resealable storage compartment  220  ( FIG. 4 ) and, a plurality of pockets  230  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     According to one embodiment, the organizable lunchbox system  100  may be arranged as a kit  105 . In particular, the organizable lunchbox system  100  may further include a set of instructions  107 . The instructions  107  may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the organizable lunchbox system  100  such that the organizable lunchbox system  100  can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner. 
       FIG. 2  shows the organizable lunchbox system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the organizable lunchbox system  100  may include an organizable lunchbox  110  comprising an upper compartment  120 , a middle compartment  130  and, a lower compartment  140 . The middle compartment  130  includes a middle-base  136  connected to middle-sidewalls  134 . The lower compartment  140  is disposed below, and in thermal communication with the middle compartment  130 . The lower compartment  140  has a lower-volume  143  defined by a lower-base  146 , lower-sidewalls  144  and the middle-base  136 . As pictured, the one of the lower-sidewalls  144  is hingedly connected to one of the middle-sidewalls  134 . The present configuration allows for the middle-base  136  to close the lower-volume  143  of the lower compartment  140 . The lower compartment  140  may further feature a lower-locking mechanism  138  configured to retain the middle-base  136  in communication with the lower-sidewalls  144 . The lower locking mechanism may create a lower-fluid proof seal  139  between the middle-base  136  and the lower-sidewalls  144 . The lower-fluid proof seal  139  may disallow any foreign material to the organizable lunchbox  110  from entering the lower-volume  143 . The lower compartment  140  further features at least two lower-compartment guide slots  147  disposed on each of the lower-sidewalls  144 . The lower-compartment guide slots  147  may be used in conjunction with the plurality of compartment dividers  150  ( FIG. 3 ) to partition the lower-volume  143 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the upper compartment  120  may include recessed tracks  300  disposed on the upper-exterior  122  ( FIG. 1 ) of the upper-sidewalls  124  ( FIG. 1 ). The recessed tracks  300  may include a track-bottom  301  and a track-top  302  that extend from the upper-base  126  to the upper-top surface  125  respectively. The recessed tracks  300  may be used to host a handle  303  that connects to the recessed tracks  300 . The handle  303  may be configured to slide from the track-bottom  301  to the track-top  302 , and vice versa, in the recessed tracks  300 . The handle  303  may further have a full range of pivotability when the handle  303  is in a position at the track-top  302 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the organizable lunchbox system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the organizable lunchbox  110  includes an upper compartment  120  having an upper-base  126  and upper-sidewalls  124 . Each of the upper-sidewalls  124  include at least two upper-compartment guide slots  127 . The upper-compartment guide slots  127  are configured to mate with the opposing ends  151  of the plurality of compartment dividers  150 . The plurality of compartment dividers  150  may be of disparate sizes. The plurality of compartment dividers  150  may include a first size of compartment dividers  152 . The first size of compartment dividers  152  may be configured to extend between opposing upper-sidewalls  124 , and alternatively, lower-sidewalls  144  ( FIG. 2 ). The plurality of compartment dividers  150  may include a second size of compartment dividers  153 . The second size of compartment dividers  153  may be configured to extend a partial distance  155  between opposing upper-sidewalls  124 , and alternatively, opposing lower-sidewalls  144 . Each of the plurality of compartment dividers  150  may include divider-guide slots  154 . The divider-guide slots  154  may be configured to mate with the opposing ends  151  of the plurality of compartment dividers  150 . The divider-guide slots  154  may allow the second size of compartment dividers  153  to perpendicularly mate with the first size of compartment dividers  152 . 
       FIG. 4  is another view of the organizable lunchbox system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the organizable lunchbox system  100  includes an organizable lunchbox carrying case  200 . The organizable lunchbox carrying case  200  comprises a rigid base  210 , a resealable storage compartment  220  and, a plurality of 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 organizable 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 organizable lunchbox system  100  if the organizable lunchbox carrying case  200  is dropped. 
     The resealable storage compartment  220  comprises a continuous wall  221  having an interior  222  and an exterior  223 . The continuous wall  221  circumscribes the rigid base  210  and defines a front wall  224 , a rear wall  225  and, sidewalls  226 . The resealable storage compartment  220  defines a first cavity  227  configured to store the organizable lunchbox  110  ( FIG. 1 ). The interior  222  of the continuous wall  221  of may include an insulative layer  300  of material. The insulative layer  300  of material may be configured to provide a thermal barrier between the first cavity  227  and the exterior  223  of the continuous wall  221 . The first cavity  227  is sealable by a first lid  228 . The first lid  228  may include a cavity-locking mechanism  229  configured to retain the first lid  228  over the first cavity  227 . 
     The plurality of pockets  230  are disposed on the exterior  223  of the continuous wall  221 . The plurality of pockets  230  may further include fasteners  232 . The fasteners  232  may be configured to close the plurality of pockets  230 . The fasteners  232  may include, buckles, snaps, zippers and, all further conceived means of fastening the plurality of pockets  230 . The plurality of pockets  230  may include a beverage holder  231 . The beverage holder  231  may comprise a closed tube having an upwardly oriented substantially circular opening  233 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using an organizable lunchbox system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using an organizable lunchbox system  500  may include one or more components or features of the organizable lunchbox system  100  as described above. As illustrated, the method for using an organizable lunchbox system  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , providing an organizable lunchbox system, said organizable lunchbox system comprising: an organizable lunchbox, said organizable lunchbox comprising: an upper compartment, said upper compartment having an upper-interior, an upper-exterior and, an upper-volume defined by upper-sidewalls, an upper-top surface, and an upper-base, wherein said upper-top surface is hingedly connected to one of said upper-sidewalls thereby closing said upper-volume, wherein each of said upper-sidewalls including at least two upper-compartment guide slots; a middle compartment, said middle compartment disposed below and in thermal communication with said upper compartment, said middle compartment having a middle-volume defined by a middle-base, middle-sidewalls, and a middle-top surface disposed adjacent said upper-base, wherein at least one of said middle-sidewalls includes a closable aperture allowing access to said middle-volume; a lower compartment, said lower compartment disposed below, and in thermal communication with said middle compartment, said lower compartment having a lower-volume defined by a lower-base having lower-sidewalls extending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein one of said lower-sidewalls is hingedly connected to one of said middle-sidewalls thereby closing said lower-volume with said middle-base, wherein each of said lower-sidewalls including at least two lower-compartment guide slots; a plurality of compartment dividers, each of said plurality of compartment dividers having opposing ends configured to mate with said upper- and lower-guide slots to partition said upper-volume, and alternatively, said lower-volume; an organizable lunchbox carrying case, the case comprising: a rigid base, said rigid base having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a resealable storage compartment comprising a continuous wall having an interior and an exterior, said continuous wall circumscribing said rigid base and defining a front wall, a rear wall, and sidewalls, said resealable storage compartment defining a first cavity configured to store said organizable lunchbox, said first cavity sealable by a first lid; and, a plurality of pockets, said plurality of pockets disposed on said exterior of said continuous wall; step two  502 , accessing said middle-volume of said middle compartment through said closable aperture; step three  503 , inserting an ice-pack into said middle-volume; step four  504 , closing said closable aperture of said middle compartment, thereby sealing in said ice-pack; step five  505 , partitioning said upper compartment with said plurality of compartment dividers; step six  506 , partitioning said lower compartment with said plurality of compartment dividers; step seven  507 , removing said organizable lunchbox from said first cavity of said organizable lunchbox carrying case; step eight  508 , inserting said organizable lunchbox into said first cavity of said organizable lunchbox carrying case; 
     It should be noted that steps  505 ,  506 ,  507  and,  508  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 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. § 112(f). 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 an organizable lunchbox system are taught herein. 
     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.