Patent Publication Number: US-11033127-B2

Title: Picnic size carry container that converts into a protective mat

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/490,163, filed Sep. 18, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/256,980, filed Apr. 20, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/904,708, filed May 29, 2013 which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/652,418, filed May 29, 2012. All applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed embodiments relate to food carrying containers and, more particularly, to a carry container that converts into a placemat for forming a barrier between the surface upon which the container is resting and the user while eating. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Studies have shown that the most prevalent area for germs in a school setting is the cafeteria table. Some bacteria are capable of causing infections and tend to collect on frequently touched surfaces, particularly in areas where there is a lot of hand-to-mouth contact like the cafeteria table. When children touch the contaminated surface, the germs are transmitted to their hands, and if they subsequently touch their eyes, nose or lips, it is likely that they have infected themselves. The best way to avoid the spreading of germs is to never touch infected surfaces. 
     Lunch boxes have long been known and widely used by children all over the world. The majority of lunch boxes used today are not washable and, therefore, cannot be properly sanitized. The combination of the unclean lunch boxes and germ-infested cafeteria tables provides an ideal scenario for spreading germs. 
     Therefore, there is a particular need to overcome the problems discussed above by reducing the amount of germs a child comes into contact with while having a meal away from home, such as, but not limited to, having lunch at a school cafeteria table. The disclosed embodiments are directed to the above-noted problems. However, the disclosed embodiment is neither limited to use by children, nor is limited to use as a placemat in a school cafeteria. 
     SUMMARY 
     A first disclosed embodiment is directed to a carry container that is interchangeable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the container (closed position) opens into a protective mat or surface (open position), such as, but not limited to, a placemat, and becomes a barrier against germs. In one embodiment, the container includes an outer shell including a bottom panel and four side panels extending from the bottom panel and being configured to releasably attach to each of the two neighboring side panels using a fastener. The container can be easily converted between the closed position (lunch box, container, etc.) and open position (placemat, protective surface, etc.). 
     Thus, the disclosed embodiment provides a container that converts into a protective mat for limiting exposure of the user to germs. The container/protective mat can be preferably machine washable. In one preferred use of the disclosed embodiment, the washable container converts into a protective mat is easily converted between a closed position for carrying or storing food items and an open position for eating the food items, as well as other food items that may be in the user&#39;s possession. 
     In a second embodiment a larger dimension for the carry container is provided. One non-limiting use for the larger version is a replacement for a picnic basket. With the larger dimensions as compared to the first embodiment, a plurality of users can use the embodiment for their eating surface. Alternatively, the larger surface can be used as the location to place the various picnic items. The various uses for the larger version are many and not intended to be limited to any specific use or uses. In order to accomondate the larger size, portions of the protective mat can be configured to fold and releasably secure to a central portion, prior to zipping up the side panels to convert the protective mat into a carrying container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature of the disclosed embodiments, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the food carrying container in a closed postion, which is capable of converting into a protective mat in an opened position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 1  in a partially opened position, wherein one side panel is open, thus providing access to any contents (not shown) being stored within the container; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a front side view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating the food carrying container that converts into a protective mat according to one embodiment in the open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view illustrating the food carrying container that converts into a protective mat of  FIG. 7  in the open position; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view illustrating the food carrying container that converts into a protective mat according to another embodiment in the open position; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view illustrating the food carrying container that converts into a protective mat of  FIG. 9  in the open position; 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view illustrating a second embodiment for the food carrying container in a closed position, which is capable of converting into a protective mat in an opened position, with the second embodiment preferably larger in size as compared to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 16  is top perspective view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  with the zipper assemblies unfastened to allow the container to be opened and revealing a portion of the protective mat portion folded and secured to itself; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  in the partially converted opened position described for  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  in a fully opened position and showing the protective full eating surface for the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the food carrying container of  FIG. 11  in the fully opened position. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the several views of the drawings ( FIG. 1  through  FIG. 2 ), in a first embodiment, the washable carriable container that converts into a protective mat is shown and is generally indicated at reference number  10 . 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the convertible and washable container  10  includes a shell or outer shell  12  (outer in the closed position/configuration) including an integrally formed bottom panel  14  and side panels  16 . Bottom panel  14  and side panels  16  can be monolithically formed as a one-piece member, can be constructed from a single piece of material, can be separate pieces of materials that can be preferably permanently secured together, such as, but not limited to, by stitching, sewing, welding, etc. 
     A plurality of fasteners  18  on each of the side panels  16  are configured to secure the panels  16  together. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners  18  are zipper fasteners and include zipper pull tabs  19  for manually fastening and unfastening the side panels  16 , as shown in the drawings. Other embodiments of the fasteners  16  include hook and loop fasteners, clips, or any other suitable closure mechanisms. 
     The washable food carrying container  10  is interchangeable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position, wherein the fasteners  18  are securing the side panels  16  together, represents a container having an interior cavity suitable for storing food items and other items. In a preferred embodiment, the side panels  16  and fasteners  18  are configured such that the container  10  is substantially dome or pyramid-shaped when in the closed position. In one embodiment, handle members  20 A and  20 B are included on opposite facing side panels  16  for forming a handle  22  when the container  10  is in the closed position. Each handle member  20 A and  20 B may include a handle opening  23  sized for receiving a portion of a user&#39;s hand. Alternatively, the handle  22  and opening  23  may be formed as extensions of opposing side panels  16  ( FIG. 5 ) or can be secured to opposing side panels  16  ( FIG. 3 ) such as, but not limited to, by stitching, discussed in more detail in the next paragraph. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , two different embodiments of the food container  10  are shown.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a first embodiment of the handle  22 , wherein handle members  20 A and  20 B are sewn onto opposite facing side panels  16 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the handle  22 , wherein handle members  20 A and  20 B are formed as part of the outer shell  12  at opposite facing side panels  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , the container  10  is shown in the open position, wherein the fasteners  18  are undone and the side panels  16  are separated from each other. The open position represents a protective mat configuration for forming a barrier between the surface upon which the container  10  is resting and the user. An inner lining  24  serves as the protective mat, such as a placemat, when the container  10  is in the open position. The inner lining  24  is attached to the inner facing side of the outer shell  12 . When inner lining  24  is secured to outer shell, portions of of inner lining  24  form webbing that covers over the space defined between adjacent side panels  16  in the open configuration. Inner lining  24  forms the continuous eating surface by itself. Side panels  16  play no role in forming the continuous eating surface as they are all disposed underneath inner lining  24  in the open position/configuration. In one embodiment, the inner lining  24  is attached to the inner facing side of the outer shell by stitching  27 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . Other suitable means of attaching the inner lining to the outer shell may be used as well. 
     The open position, with inner lining  24  providing a continuous eating surface, decreases the likelihood that a user&#39;s hands or food items will come into contact with the table surface, thereby reducing the spread of bacteria, viruses and fungi.  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the embodiment of the container  10  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , wherein the handle members  20 A and  20 B are sewn onto opposite facing side panels  16 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate the embodiment of the container  10  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , wherein the handle members  20 A and  20 B are formed as part of the outer shell  12  at opposite facing side panels  16 . 
     In order to store foods items in the container  10 , it is preferable for the container  10  to be partially opened, such that the fasteners  18  are partially separated to allow the upper portions of the side panels  16  to be separated for easy loading of the container  10 . Alternatively, the container  10  could be loaded in the open position (i.e. protective mat configuration) and then fastened or, alternatively, with one or two side panels  16  in the open position. As a further alternative, some, but not all, of fasteners  18  can be undone to provide access to internal area of container  10  (See  FIG. 2 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell  12 , inner lining  24  and fasteners  18  can each be made from a machine washable material. In one embodiment, the outer shell  12  can preferably be made from a heat resistant material, such as neoprene fabric. The outer shell  12  may be made from one layer of material. Other embodiments of the outer shell  12  include multiple layers of different materials having varying thicknesses. For example, the outer shell  12  can be made from a heat resistant material and inner lining  24  (i.e. continuous eating surface) of the container  10  can be made from a washable nylon or neoprene fabric. The different layers of materials may be attached together by conventional methods, such as, but not limited to, one or more of the following: adhesives, sewing, stitching, welding, glues, and tapes. 
     A tab (preferably a fabric tab) can be disposed at the base of each zipper assembly (i.e. at or near the bottom corner in the closed figuration), which can be grabbed by the user and makes moving the associated zipper up and down easier. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tab can be in the form of loop secured at or near the bottom corner in the closed figuration. Additionally, each zipper assembly can be provided with an grab extension (i.e. preferably made from rubber) that is secured to the normal grabbing portion of the zipper to make the grabbing area larger and thus, easier to hold onto when moving the zipper up and down. In one non-limiting embodiment, the grab extension can be substantially rectangularly in shape and can have its outer end somewhat dome shaped. 
       FIG. 11  through  FIG. 19  illustrate a second embodiment for a washable carriable container that converts into a protective mat, which is shown and generally indicated at reference number  100 . 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 11 through 15 , the convertible and washable container  100  includes a shell or outer shell  102  (outer in the closed position/configuration) including an integrally formed bottom panel  104  and side panels  106 . Bottom panel  104  and side panels  106  can be monolithically formed as a one-piece member, can be constructed from a single piece of material, can be separate pieces of materials that can be preferably permanently secured together, such as, but not limited to, by stitching, sewing, welding, etc. 
     A plurality of fasteners  108  on each of the side panels  106  are configured to releasably secure adjacent panels  106  together. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners  108  are zipper fasteners and include zipper pull tabs  109  for manually fastening and unfastening adjacent side panels  106 , as shown in the drawings. Other embodiments of the fasteners  108  can include, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners, clips, or any other suitable closure mechanisms. 
     The washable food carrying container  100  is interchangeable between a closed position and a fully opened position ( FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 ). Prior to the fully opened position, container  100  can be first converted to an unfastened but partially opened ( FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 ). The closed position, wherein fasteners  108  are securing side panels  106  together, represents a container having an interior cavity suitable for storing food items and/or other items. The interior cavity for container  100  is preferably larger in size then the interior cavity of container  10 . In a preferred embodiment, side panels  106  and fasteners  108  can be configured such that container  100  is substantially dome or pyramid-shaped when in the closed position. In one embodiment, handle portions  120 A and  120 B can be included on opposite facing side panels  106  (of two of the side panels) for forming a handle  122  when container  100  is in the closed position. Each handle portion  120 A and  120 B may include a handle opening  123  sized for receiving a portion of a user&#39;s hand. Alternatively, handle  122  and opening  123  may be formed as extensions of opposing side panels  106  (best seen in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 13 ) or can be secured to selected opposing side panels  106  such as, but not limited to, by stitching. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16-17 , the container  100  is shown in an unfastened and partially opened position, wherein the fasteners  108  are undone and the side panels  106  are separated from each other. In the partially opened position, portions of the inner lining member  124  are folded and removable secured to a central portion of the inner lining, such as by mating hook and loop fasteners ( 136  and  138 ). Though the central or substantially central position of liner  124  is preferred for the securement location with the edges of the liner  124  other locations on the liner can be used to releasably secure the folded portions  128  of liner  124  in their folded configuration. Though not preferred, in the partially opened configuration shown in  FIGS. 16-17 , folded liner  124  can be used as a protective mat (i.e. eating surface, etc.), 
     To fully open container  100  and be provided with the maximum eating/protective surface by liner  124 , the releasable securement between folded portions  128  and the central area of liner  124  is broken and folded portions are folded to their open position (See  FIG. 18 ).  FIG. 19  shows the locations of the separate wall/side panels  106  with respect to fully opened liner  124 .  FIGS. 16 and 18  show that the side panels  106  are completely covered by liner  124  (in both the partially opened and fully opened liner  124  configurations). Accordingly, side panels  106  form no part of the protective/eating surface which is preferably only provided by liner  124 . 
     The open position represents a preferred protective mat configuration ( FIG. 18 ) for forming a barrier between the surface upon which container  100  is resting and the user. Inner lining  124  serves as the protective mat, such as a placemat, when container  100  is in the open position. Inner lining  124  is attached to the inner facing side of the outer shell  102 . When inner lining  124  is secured to outer shell, portions of inner lining  124  form webbing or covering that covers over the space defined between adjacent side panels  106  in the open configuration. Inner lining  124  forms a continuous eating surface by itself. As mentioned above, side panels  106  play no role in forming the continuous eating surface as they are all disposed underneath inner lining  124  in the open position/configuration. Inner lining  124  can be attached to and cover the inner facing side of the outer shell similar to inner lining  24  for container  10 , such as, but not limited to, by stitching  127 . Other suitable means of attaching inner lining  124  to the outer shell may be used as well and are considered within the scope of the disclosure. 
     As best seen with respect to  FIGS. 16-19 , portions  128  of inner lining  124  can be folded and releasably secured to inner lining  124 . In one releasable securement embodiment, the outer corner area  130  of each folded portion  128  can be provided with a first securement member and a central area of inner lining  124  can be provided with a second mating securement member. In the preferred embodiment, the first securement member can be a first hook and loop fastener portion  136  and the second securement member can be a second mating hook and loop fastener portion  138 . Hook and loop fastener portions  136  and  138  can be secured to inner lining  124  by any conventional means, such as, but not limited to, stitching, sewing, adhesives, tapes, welding, etc. Additionally, other securement mechanisms and/or other locations on inner lining  124  for the securement mechanisms can be used and are considered within the scope of the disclosure. In one non-limiting embodiment, second mating hook and loop fastener  138  can be centrally or substantially centrally located on inner lining  124  and can be circular or substantially circular in shape. 
     Upon folding portions  128  of inner lining  124  inward, corresponding hook and loop fastener portions  136  and  138  each mate with a portion of centrally located hook and loop fastener portion  134  ( FIG. 16 ). The mating relationship is secure, yet releasable, to allow folded portions  128  to be unfolded to provide a larger usable/eatable surface of inner lining  124  ( FIG. 18 ), as compared to the size of inner lining  24  for container  10 . The larger sized eating surface can be achieved through the additions of folded portions  128 . Though not preferred, it is also possible to fold portion(s) of inner lining  124  inward to create one or more folded portions  128  that are not releasably secured to inner lining (i.e. no first and second mating fasteners—no hook and loop fasteners) and this unsecured folded inner lining configuration is also within the scope of the disclosure. 
     The open position, with inner lining  124  providing a continuous eating surface, decreases the likelihood that a user&#39;s hands or food items will come into contact with the table surface, thereby reducing the spread of bacteria, viruses and fungi. 
     In order to store foods items in container  100 , it is preferable for container  100  to be partially opened, such that the fasteners  108  are partially separated to allow the upper portions of adjacent side panels  106  to be separated from each other for easy loading of container  100 . Alternatively, container  100  can be loaded by configuring one or two side panels  106  in the open position (portions  128  are preferably folded and secured to inner lining  124 ), by unsecuring their associated fasteners  108  to provide access to internal area of container  100  (similar to  FIG. 2  for container  10 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment, outer shell  102 , inner lining  124  and fasteners  108  can each be made from a machine washable material. In one embodiment, outer shell  102  can preferably be made from a heat resistant material, such as neoprene fabric. Outer shell  102  may be made from one layer of material. Other embodiments of the outer shell  102  can include multiple layers of different materials having varying thicknesses. For example, outer shell  102  can be made from a heat resistant material and inner lining  124  (i.e. continuous eating surface) of container  100  can be made from a washable nylon or neoprene fabric. The different layers of materials may be attached together by conventional methods, such as, but not limited to, one or more of the following: adhesives, sewing, stitching, welding, glues, and tapes. 
     A tab  139  (preferably a fabric tab) can be disposed at the base of each zipper assembly (i.e. at or near the bottom corner in the closed figuration)  108 , which can be grabbed by the user and makes moving the associated zipper up and down easier. In one non-limiting embodiment, tab can be in the form of one or more loops  140 , with each loop  140  secured at or near an associated bottom corner when container  100  is in the closed figuration. Additionally, each zipper assembly can be provided with an grab extension (i.e. preferably made from rubber) that is secured to the normal grabbing portion of the zipper to make the grabbing area larger and thus, easier to hold onto when moving the zipper up and down. In one non-limiting embodiment, the grab extension can be substantially rectangularly in shape and can have its outer end somewhat dome shaped, though such is not considered limiting. 
     Thus, the disclosed embodiments show a carry container that is convertible into a protective mat, and the carry container can comprise in one non-limiting embodiment: 
     an outer shell including a bottom panel and a plurality of side panels extending from the bottom panel and terminating at an apex, the adjacent panels of the plurality of side panels defining a space therebetween; 
     an inner lining formed by a generally square sheet attached to an inner facing side of said outer shell so that each corner of the inner lining aligns with the apex of a correspondingly positioned one of the plurality of side panels, the inner lining defining a plurality of web portions, each of the web portions located adjacent to a corresponding space defined by adjacent panels of the plurality of side panels, the inner lining providing a protective mat having a continuous outer flat or substantially flat surface when the outer shell is in an open position with the plurality of side panels and the bottom panel disposed underneath of the inner lining in the open position; and 
     at least one fastener on each of the plurality of side panels structured and disposed for releasably securing each of the plurality of side panels to each neighboring or adjacent side panel so that that outer shell is converted into a closed position, and the bottom panel and plurality of side panels defining an interior cavity or area for enclosing or storing one or more items in the outer shell. 
     The bottom panel and plurality of side panels can form a substantially dome or pyramid shaped configuration in the closed position. The carry container can further comprise a handle. In one embodiment, the handle comprises a first handle member extending substantially upward from a first of the plurality of side panels in the closed position and a second handle member extending substantially upward from a second of the plurality of side panels in the closed position. The first side panel and the second side panel positioned opposite of each other. The first and second handle members being sized and configured to be adjacently positioned when the outer shell is in the closed position such that a user can grasp both the first and second handle member with one hand. 
     The fastener can be a zipper fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a magnetic fastener, a clip fastener, etc. The outer shell can be made from a heat resistant material, a neoprene fabric, a nylon, etc. The outer shell, inner lining and at least one fastener can be machine washable. 
     Though inner lining  24  or  124  is preferably square shaped, other shapes can be used for inner lining, including, without limitation, circular, elliptical, rectangular, etc. 
     Although the present invention has been shown and described as being suitable for carrying food items, it is not limited to such, and may be used to carry other objects at the discretion of the user. 
     All measurements, dimensions, amounts, sizes, shapes, percentages, configurations, securement or attachment mechanisms, numbers, ranges, values, percentages, materials, orientations, methods of manufacture, etc. discussed above or shown in the drawing figures are merely by way of example and are not considered limiting and other measurements, dimensions, amounts, sizes, shapes, percentages, configurations, securement or attachment mechanisms, numbers, ranges, values, percentages, materials, orientations, methods of manufacture, etc. can be chosen and used and all are considered within the scope of the invention. Dimensions of certain parts as shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purpose of clarity of illustration and are not considered limiting. 
     Unless feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) described in the specification or shown in the drawings for a claim element, claim step or claim term specifically appear in the claim with the claim element, claim step or claim term, then the inventor does not considered such feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) to be included for the claim element, claim step or claim term in the claim for examination purposes and when and if the claim element, claim step or claim term is interpreted or construed, and such feature(s), part(s), components(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) should not be read into the claim, claim element, claim step or claim term. Similarly, with respect to any “means for” elements in the claims, the inventor considers such language to require only the minimal amount of features, components, steps, or parts from the specification to achieve the function of the “means for” language and not all of the features, components, steps or parts describe in the specification that are related to or described with the function of the “means for” language. 
     While the invention has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, persons skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the invention, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modification disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the invention. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention.