Abstract:
There is provided a sealing sectioned container assembly including recessed compartments. The sectioned container assembly comprises a sectioned container comprising a container platform, wherein the container platform includes a downward facing lip at its edges and a plurality of inlaid compartments in the container platform, wherein the plurality inlaid compartments extend in a direction of the downward facing lip, and wherein the plurality of inlaid compartments extends past the downward facing lip. Additionally, the container may comprise an attachable lid for sealing each of the plurality of compartments and an attachable cushion, using fabric hook and loop attachment straps.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Design Application No. 291446,434, filed Feb. 22, 2013, U.S. Design Application No. 29/446,435, filed Feb. 22, 2013, and U.S. Design Application No. 29/446,436, filed Feb. 22, 2013. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to sectioned container and attachments, and more particularly to a sealable sectioned container with recessed compartments, a sealing lid, and an attachable cushion. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Parents of young children often deal with daily messes related to meal time. Young children may lack the motor skills to adequately use utensils, and thus may spill food from plates on tables and floors. Additionally, children may play with their food and mix it with other food items on their plate, creating a large and unappetizing mess. Moreover, kids may knock plates and glassware over, breaking them and spilling their contents. Young children who have yet to grow out of high chairs may be unable to reach food containers that are not placed directly in front of them, for example, on their lap. However, parents may feel these children are too old to be fed by the parent, and want to teach them proper motor skills associated with utensils. 
         [0004]    Additionally, when travelling, it can be difficult for parents to properly maintain a nutritional meal plan they have in place for their children. Parents may be required to bring multiple containers for different meals, and split up food items into even more containers. There exists difficulties on how and where to feed their children, when travelling by vehicle or without proper plate and silverware. 
         [0005]    Moreover, cleanliness issues with home meals while travelling are compounded due to vehicle space and movement. Thus, non-sealable containers possess large potential risks in creating messes not just over the child, but also over the vehicle. Current sealable containers may only provide one compartment, meaning separation of food items is impossible. Additionally, these containers may face issues with balance and comfort for the child. Where more balanced containers are encountered, the compartment may not be large enough to adequately store sufficient food. 
         [0006]    There is thus a need in the art for better sectioned containers having recessed compartments that may be sealable and transportable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    To address the aforementioned needs, a sealable sectioned container is disclosed, where the sealable sectioned container includes recessed compartments that extend in one direction past a downward facing lip. In certain implementations, the recessed compartments include edge lips extending in the other direction of the compartment to engage with a lid and seal the compartment. Additionally, in implementations of the present disclosure, the sectioned container includes a cushion attachable using, for example, VELCRO® or other hook and loop faster. 
         [0008]    The sectioned container&#39;s compartments may be configured to provide sufficient space for a meal. Each compartment may provide sufficient room for an individual serving size of a particular meal component. For example, a center compartment may be configured to provide two cups of soup, a side compartment enough to fit a piece of fruit or cut fruit, another side compartment configured to hold a handful of cookies, and so on. In different embodiments, the compartments can be enlarged to account for more universal containers, for example, one used by an adult as a meal container to bring to work, on a trip, etc. Thus, the compartments may be large enough to extend a few inches below the surface of the container and past a side downward-facing edge lip. 
         [0009]    As previously stated, the compartments may have an upward-facing compartment lip extending at a same or similar height to an upward-facing edge lip of the container. The upward-facing edge lip may be configured to connect and secure the previously discussed lid. Additionally, the lid may come into contact with and/or engage each of the upward-facing compartment lips of the compartments, in order to provide a seal to each compartment and prevent mixture of the contents of the compartment. 
         [0010]    One of the compartments may be configured to accept a drink, such as a similarly shaped cup or a generic cup shape. In some embodiments, the drink compartment may be configured to accept a common soda or drink can, or a common drink size. Additionally, the lip may contain a hole or cutout the same or similar shape to the drink compartment in order to allow for the drink to extend through the lid during transportation. The compartment may be sufficiently sized or be lined with a material with a high coefficient of friction or other to adequately engage and secure the drink for transportation. In other embodiments, the compartment may contain a fastener and engage a drink container with a corresponding fastener. 
         [0011]    The sectioned container may additionally have side openings, such as slits. In such embodiments, the slits can be used to fasten a cushion to the bottom of the sectioned container. The cushion may be configured to add support and stability to the sectioned container while sitting in the users lap. Additionally, the cushion can be used to add additional height to the sectioned container for ease of use and eating from the sectioned container. The cushion can be connectable using the slits, such as through a hook and loop fastener. In other implementations, different fasteners may be utilized to connect the cushion. 
         [0012]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular written description of various embodiments of the invention as further illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present disclosure, both as to its organization and manner of operation, may be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a top and side view of a sectioned container with compartments and extended upward-facing lips; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom and side view of a sectioned container displaying recessed compartments and a downward-facing edge lip of the container; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a sectioned container showing recessed compartments with a lid; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a sectioned container with attachable lid and cushion; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a sectioned container and cushion showing one embodiment of a cushion attachment strap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    A sectioned container assembly is disclosed, where the sectioned container assembly includes a container platform having recessed compartments, an attachable lid to seal the container platform, and an attachable cushion for stability and height. The container platform may include individual recessed compartments, where each compartment extends below the surface of the platform to provide a large enough space to use the compartments as serving bowls. Thus, each compartment may contain an individual serving size of some food and be isolated from the other serving compartments. Additionally, the edges of each compartment may be raised to form a lip of the same height as one surrounding the edge of the container platform. When the attachable lid is connected to the container platform, it engages with both lips to form sealable recessed compartments. The edges of the container platform may extend in a downward manner and include opening slits. An attachable cushion may be connected to the platform using the opening slits through the use of a strap, such as a hook and loop type strap. 
         [0020]    Thus, the sectioned container assemble may provide sealable compartments that remain separate to prevent mixing of food items. Additionally, the upward facing lips of the compartments may make mixing less likely during consumption of the food items. The attachable cushion can provide comfort and insulation during use of the platform, and can also raise the height of the platform, for example to assist children who may have difficulty eating with a lower platform. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1A  is a top and side view of a sectioned container with compartments and extended upward-facing lips.  FIG. 1A  shows a container platform  100  having upward lip  102 . Additionally, container platform  100  has recessed compartments  110  and a drink holder  120 . Recessed compartments  110  have container lips  112 . 
         [0022]    Container platform  100  of  FIG. 1A  includes 4 recessed compartments  110  of various shapes and sizes. In certain embodiments, a center or main compartment of recessed compartments  110  may contain sufficient space for 2-3 cups (16-24 ounces) of fluid, such as soup. Thus, recessed compartments  110  may extend below the surface of container platform  100  by 1½-2 or more inches. Recessed compartments  110  in other embodiments may contain deeper bowls to adequately provide space for larger portions. Container platform  100  may be made of a machine and/or hand washable material. Additionally, container platform  100  may be made of a non-toxic microwave safe material. 
         [0023]    One of the recessed compartments may be specifically designated as drink holder  120 . Drink holder  120  may be implemented to hold a drink in container platform  100 . For example, drink holder  120  may have interior lining of some material with a high coefficient of friction, thereby locking a drink into place in drink holder  120 . Drink holder  120  may be formed to hold commonly used drink container sizes, such as a 12 ounce drink can. However, in other embodiments, drink holder  120  may be configured to accept a cup or tumbler sold with or alongside container platform  100 , and may include fasteners to lock the cup or tumbler in place. 
         [0024]    Container platform  100  further contains upward lip  102  extending in an upward direction from container platform  100 . Additionally, each of recessed compartments  110  includes similar height container lips  112 . As previously discussed, both upward lip  102  and container lips  112  may be of the same or similar height in order to engage a connectable lid and seal each of recessed compartments  112 . The top of upward lip  102  and/or container lips  112  may be made of a material to form a seal with the attachable lid, such as a cushioning and impermeable material, or may otherwise form an interlocking engagement with the attachable lip. In some embodiments, the attachable lid may contain groves to connect with lip  102  and/or container lips  112 . Lip  102  may contain a locking mechanism to hold the attachable lid in place, such as grooves or a latch. 
         [0025]    Moving to  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1B  is a bottom and side view of a sectioned container displaying recessed compartments and a downward-facing edge lip of the container.  FIG. 1B  shows a bottom perspective of a container platform corresponding generally to the container platform of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1B  shows a container platform  100  with downward lip  104 , recessed compartments  110  and drink holder  120 . Additionally shown in downward lip  104  is lip opening  106 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1B , recessed compartments  110  may include insulating material at the back of each compartment. 
         [0026]    Downward lip  104  of container platform  100  may be configured to provide a better seal with an attachable lid, provide a better grip to remove the attachable lid during use and cleaning of container platform  100 , and to provide an attachment with an attachable cushion. In various embodiments, downward lip  104  includes lip opening  106  in the sides in order to accept and accommodate an attachment mechanism, such as a fabric strap using a hook and loop fastener, button fasteners, or other connection means. In other embodiments, downward lip  104  has another fastener for engaging an attachable cushion, such as connectable buttons or latches. 
         [0027]    Recessed compartments  110  and drink holder  120  show the other side of similar compartments in  FIG. 1A . As previously discussed, each of recessed compartments  110  includes enough depth to adequate store food items for later consumption. Thus, from  FIG. 1B , one can see that recessed compartments  110  and drink holder  120  extend further downward than downward lip  104 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a sectioned container showing recessed compartments with a lid. Container platform  200  of  FIG. 2  is shown with upward lip  202  and downward lip  204  at its edges. Container platform  200  contains drink holder  220  and has inlaid recessed compartments  210  having container lips  212 . Additionally, attachable lid  230  is shown in  FIG. 2  connected to upward lip  202  and engaging container lips  212 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , recessed compartments  210  extend below downward lip  204  to provide sufficient capacity for food items. In certain embodiments, recessed compartments  210  may extend at least 1½ inches below the surface of container platform  200 . However, deeper recessed compartments  210  may also be utilized as necessary. Drink holder  220  may be of sufficient depth to provide an adequate attachment mechanism for a drink. Thus, in embodiments where drink holder  220  is lined with a material to secure a commonly used drink container size, drink holder  220  may be 1 to several inches deep to properly hold the container in place. However, with attachable drink containers, such as through a fastener, drink holder  220  may not be required to be of similar depth. 
         [0030]    Lid  230  may be configured to attach to upward lip  202 , for example through fasteners, interlocking grooves/bumps, or other attachment means. Lid  230  may provide an adequate seal so that container platform  200  may be inverted, shaken, or otherwise agitated without lid  230  becoming removed. In this fashion, lid  230  may provide a secure sealing means to prevent spillage of the contents of each of recessed compartments  210  during transportation of container platform  200 . 
         [0031]    Additionally, as previously discussed, lid  230  provides a seal between lid  230  and each of recessed compartments  210 . Lid  230  may have a sealing means with each of recessed compartments  210 , for example, interlocking groves. Additionally, as previously discussed, container lips  212  may include some sealing material at the top of container lips  212  to create an adequate seal, such as a rubber or other impermeable material. 
         [0032]    Lid  230  may further include a hole or guide at and/or corresponding to drink holder  220 . The guide may allow for a drink placed in drink holder  220  to pass through lid  230  to aid in transportation. However, other embodiments may include a drink holder  230  of sufficient depth for a drink without a guide through lid  230 . 
         [0033]    Moving to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  is a side view of a sectioned container with attachable lid and cushion.  FIG. 3  shows container platform  300  with lip opening  306  and lid  330  having drink guide  332 . Additionally shown is cushion  340  with attachment strap  342  through lip opening  306 . Lid  330  is further shown with a corner handles for easier removal of lid  330  during use. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  presents a side view of an entire sealable sectioned container assembly. As shown in  FIG. 3 , lid  330  has drink guide  332  as discussed in reference to  FIG. 2 . Lid  330  is attached to the top of container platform  300  and creates a seal to prevent spillage of the contents of container platform  300 . 
         [0035]    Additionally, lip opening  306  is shown with attachment strap  342  forming an attachment means between container platform  300  and cushion  340 . Attachment strap  342  is shown forming a loop with lip opening  306  at the center. Attachment strap  342  and/or cushion  340  may be originally sold permanently attached. However, in other embodiments, attachment strap  342  uses a temporary fastener mechanism such as Velcro or other hook and loop connector, button fasteners, interlocking plastic and/or metal fastener, or other mechanism. In such embodiments, attachment strap  342  and/or cushion  340  is removable. 
         [0036]    Cushion  340  may be configured to provide a comfortable base to container platform  300 . Thus, container platform  300  with cushion  340  may be placed in child or adult lap without container platform  300  tilting or spilling. Additionally, cushion  340  may be configured to cool the contents of container platform  300 , for example through a freezable “ice pack” in cushion  340 , or accepting a cooling means, such as ice, or a freezable “ice pack.” In other embodiments, cushion  340  may also be configured to heat the contents of container platform  300 , for example if cushion  340  can be heated or contain/accept a heating means. Cushion  340  may also be configured to provide insulation between a user and any heating or cooling mechanism of cushion  340  as well as any residual temperature from container platform  300 . In certain embodiments, cushion  340  may have heating and/or cooling mechanisms below each individual recessed compartment. 
         [0037]    Cushion  340  may be made of an impermeable material or may be configured to be machine washable. Thus, if food from container platform  300  does spill, cushion  340  may be easily cleaned. Additionally, cushion  340  may be removed from container platform  300  during cleaning of container platform  300  by disconnecting cushion  340  using strap  342 , as discussed below. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a sectioned container and cushion showing one embodiment of a cushion attachment strap. Container platform  400  of  FIG. 4  is shown with lip opening  406 . Using lip opening  406 , strap  442  connects cushion  440  to container platform  400  by looping strap  442  through lip opening  406  and fastening strap  442  using fastener  444 . 
         [0039]    Fastener  444  of  FIG. 4  may utilize a hook and loop fastener, such as VELCRO®. However, in other embodiments, other fasteners may be utilized, such as connectable buttons, ties, or other fastener. Additionally, other fasteners may be utilized with container platform  400  in order to connect cushion  440  to container platform  400 , thus eliminating or replacing lip opening  406 . 
         [0040]    Fastener  444  and strap  442  may be configured to provide a secure connection between cushion  440  and container platform  400 . However, fastener  444  and strap  442  may further be configured to provide an easy disconnection of cushion  440  and container platform  400 . Thus, strap  442  may be configured to easily be disconnected and removed from lip opening  406  even to young users. 
         [0041]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention as claimed below. Although various embodiments of the invention as claimed have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.