Patent Publication Number: US-6981593-B1

Title: Apparatus and method for storing snack items and school supplies

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for storing snack items and school supplies. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method that allows students to use a single container for storing and transporting both school supplies and snack items. 
     Students are experiencing increasingly long days. Throughout the day it is thought that it is beneficial or desirable for students to eat snacks, preferably snacks that have been selected by a child&#39;s primary caregiver for nutritional reasons or personal preferences of a student. Some schools allow students to bring snacks to school every day. Also, students often go to after school care centers and need writing materials and a snack. Students who go straight home after school like to have a snack while they sit down and do homework. There are, of course, other situations where it is desirable for children to have access to snacks. Parents taking children on short or long trips may want to pack activities and a snack for children to use. There is a need for an invention that combines materials for homework with a snack. No longer will homework get wrinkled or snacks get smashed inside a backpack. 
     A number of carriers or containers that can be used for both food items and school or office supplies are disclosed in the prior art. Cooper, U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,418, discloses a lunch box for transporting food items as well as crayons that are contained within a pouch of the device. The lunch box can also be used as a writing surface. However, Cooper does not disclose a clip for paper, or holders for other school supplies besides crayons. 
     Shook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,597, discloses what it calls a food attache case that can be used to carry documents as well as food. It provides specific inserts for carrying different types of food items. However, Shook does not provide holders for school supplies except for paper. 
     Maydwell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,302, discloses a lunch box which includes a compartment for storing a cup as well as special attachments for storing an eraser or pens. A juice container can be placed within the lunch box. However, Maydwell et al. does not provide pouches for securing computer disks and scissors. Furthermore, Maydwell et al. does not provide a clip to hold paper. 
     Licata, U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,288, discloses a student traveling kit. The kit includes a sturdy carrying case with compartments that provide a place for homework, snacks, games, and personal items. However, Licata does not provide pouches for securing crayons, pencils, erasers, computer disks and scissors. Furthermore, there is no clip for paper. 
     Therefore, despite these and other prior art attempts, problems remain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes an improved apparatus for storing and transporting both school supplies and snack items. The apparatus of the present invention is configured to conveniently store and transport school supplies such as pencils, paper, erasers, crayons, scissors, a ruler and other school supplies. In addition, the present invention is configured to secure one or more snack items. The apparatus is preferably configured to also provide for securing a drink item. Preferably the apparatus of the present invention is rigid in nature and includes a write-on wipe-off surface. It is also preferred that the apparatus of the present invention include a clip for holding paper in place. 
     The methodology of the present invention recognizes that specially packaged snack items and drink items can be used with the present invention. These snack items and drink items are preferably packaged in disposable containers with refill snack items and drink items available. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of one embodiment of the interior of the present invention including with an inside flap situated on the right. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  except the inside flap is situated on the left. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2–4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown with straps attached thereto to be worn as a backpack. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention is an apparatus for storing student school suppliers and snack items. Specific embodiments of the present invention are described herein, however, the present invention is not to be limited to these specific limitations, but rather only by the claims and equivalents thereto. 
       FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  2  shown in an open position. The apparatus  2  is suitable for storing and transporting school supplies and snack items. The apparatus  2  includes a top portion  50 , a middle portion  22  and a bottom portion  10  that fold together to form an enclosure for storing and transporting school supplies and snacks. The present invention contemplates many different configurations of the top portion  50 , middle portion  22  and bottom portion  10 . For example, the top portion  50  can fold along arrow  60  and then the bottom portion  10  can fold towards the middle portion  22  in the direction indicated by arrow  62 . 
     The bottom portion  10  includes restraints  18  with fasteners  16 , such as loop and hook or VELCRO® fasteners in order to secure or hold a drink item  12  and a snack item  18 . Preferably the drink item  12  and snack item  18  are packaged in disposable containers, but the present invention contemplates variations. 
     The middle portion  22  is adapted to store various types of school supplies. Although some types of school supplies are specifically described herein, the present invention contemplates those other types of school supplies may also be secured and stored within the enclosure  2 . Examples of school supplies that are secured to the middle portion  22  include a ruler  24  which is secured with a ruler strap  26 . One or more pencils  28  can be secured to the middle portion  22  through a strap or restraint  30 . The present invention contemplates that various types of restraints can be used, including straps, pouches, or other restraints used to hold items such as school supplies. A computer disk  32  is held in place with a computer disk pouch  34 . The present invention contemplates the specialized restraints such as straps or pouches can be used for other types of media as well, including CDs. An eraser  36  is held within an eraser restraint  38 . Crayons  40  are held in place with a crayon pouch  42 . Scissors  44  are held in place with a scissors pouch  46 . It is preferred that the restraint for holding scissors be a pouch  46  as shown, or other type of restraint that would protect a student from the blades of the scissors  44 . 
     The top portion  50  is shown with a clip  52 . The clip  52  is used for clipping paper within the enclosure  2 . When the enclosure  2  is used by students, it is at times particularly desirable to clip notes between parents and teachers to the enclosure  2  using the clip  52 . The present invention also contemplates having a retainer  56  opposite the clip  52  to further secure the paper  54  to the enclosure  2 . 
     The present invention contemplates that numerous product configurations can be used to form the enclosure of the present invention. The present invention further contemplates that the enclosure is large enough to also store additional items such as a library book.  FIGS. 2–5  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In  FIGS. 2–5 , instead of a folding structure, a top and bottom portion are hinged together with a middle portion such as a flap between the top and bottom portions. 
     In  FIG. 2 , a top portion  50  includes a write-on wipe-off surface. This write-on surface can be on the inside surface, or the outside surface of the enclosure. The surface allows ink, pencil or crayon to be removed with a towel, solvent, and/or an eraser. The surface can also be a dry erase surface which uses a dry erase marker and eraser. The middle portion  122  is also shown. Attached to the face of the flap  123  shown are a number of restraints such as straps or pouches for holding various types of school supplies. For example, there is a ruler restraint  126  shown for securing a ruler  124  to the flap  122 . There are also two pencils  128  that are secured with a pencil restraint  130 . There is also a pouch  134  that can be used to hold a floppy disk  132 . Similarly, there is a pouch  138  that can be used to hold an eraser  136 . A pouch  142  is shown for containing a set of crayons  140 . A pouch  146  is shown for retaining a pair of scissors  144 . Behind the flap  122  is another portion  149  of the enclosure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an enclosure  100  when the flap is in an alternate position. The opposite side of the flap  122  is shown. A restraint  116  for holding a small book  112  is shown. Similarly, a restraint  116  for holding a CD case  114  is shown. The present invention contemplates that school supplies can be placed on either side of the flap  122 . The present invention contemplates variations in the number and type of restraints as well as the side of the flap that the restraints are placed on. Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a bottom portion  149  of the enclosure  100 . There is a clip  152  operatively connected to the bottom portion  149  for holding such things as paper  154  in the enclosure. There is also an additional restraint  156  for providing easier securement of the paper to the enclosure  100 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the enclosure  100  when the enclosure is in a closed position. A top side  160  is shown that may be a write-on wipe-off or dry erase board so that a student can draw on the surface with pen, marker, or other writing utensils and then clean off the surface. A bottom surface  162  and a side surface  164  are shown. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the side view of the closure  100  in an open position. A bottom portion  149  is shown connected by a hinge  166  to the newer portion or flap  122  and the top portion  150 . The hinge  166  is shown that allows the flap  122  to move with respect to the bottom portion  149  and the top portion  150 . The present invention contemplates that various structures can be used instead of the hinge  166  shown. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an optional embodiment of the present invention. Backpack straps  164  are attached to the enclosure  100  so that a student can simply wear the enclosure  100 . Alternatively, a handle  166  can be used in place of the backpack straps, or both options can be available at the same time. These and other variations are contemplated by the present invention. 
     The methodology of the present invention relates to providing the apparatus and its various embodiments previously described. The method further relates to providing snack items and drink items in disposable containers for use in the apparatus. The product configuration of the snack items and drink items is preferable such that these items can be easily and safely secured. Preferably, the snack items and drink items are sold as refills. 
     The present invention contemplates numerous variations in materials used, configurations, shapes, sizes, and other variations within the scope of the invention now claimed.