CA2073303C - Lunch holder - Google Patents
Lunch holderInfo
- Publication number
- CA2073303C CA2073303C CA002073303A CA2073303A CA2073303C CA 2073303 C CA2073303 C CA 2073303C CA 002073303 A CA002073303 A CA 002073303A CA 2073303 A CA2073303 A CA 2073303A CA 2073303 C CA2073303 C CA 2073303C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sections
- lid
- compartments
- section
- food products
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
- B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
- B65D1/22—Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents
- B65D1/24—Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents with moulded compartments or partitions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
- B65D2251/1016—Means for locking the closure in closed position
- B65D2251/1025—Integral locking elements penetrating in an opening, e.g. a flap through a slit, a hook in an opening
Abstract
Lunch holder having first and second sections which are hingedly connected together along one side thereof in clamshell fashion, a divider which separates one of the sections into a plurality of compartments for holding different food products, and a lid which is hingedly connected to the one section along a second side thereof for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments. In one presently preferred embodiment, the two container sections, the divider and the lid are fabricated as a unitary structure of a semi-rigid plastic material.
Description
Thls lnventlon pertalns generally to food holders and, more partlcularly, to a lunch holder for carrylng a plurallty of food products.
Heretofore, a number of dlfferent types of carrlers or contalners have been utlllzed ln packlng and carrylng lunches. These have lncluded dlsposable carrlers such as paper and plastlc bags, cardboard boxes and the llke, and more permanent carrlers such as boxes fabrlcated of metal and/or plastlc. Wlth such carrlers, a varlety of contalners have been utlllzed for holdlng dlfferent food products, such as sandwlches, potato chlps, plckles, frult, cookles and the llke.
It 18 ln general an ob~ect of the lnventlon to provlde a new and lmproved food holder whlch 18 partlcularly sultable for holdlng and carrylng the types of food products whlch typlcally make up a lunch.
The lnventlon provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products generally rectangular base and cover sectlons hlngedly connected together ln clamshell fashlon along one slde of each of sald sectlons, the base sectlon havlng a slde wall wlth a horlzontal ledge extendlng from the upper margln of the wall and an upstandlng perlpheral flange extendlng along an outer edge of the ledge, a partltlon dlvldlng the base sectlon lnto a plurallty of compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the base sectlon along a second slde of the base sectlon for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments, the lld restlng on the ledge when ln the closed po~ltlon.
- 1 - ~
~ 66130-32(S) The lnventlon also provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food product~s flrst and second box-llke contalner sectlons havlng bottom and slde walls hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon for movement between an open posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are posltloned slde-by-slde and a closed posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are superposed one above the other, a dlvlder separatlng the flrst sectlon lnto a plurallty of dlfferent slzed compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the flrst sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments when the two sectlons are ln the open posltlon, sald lld belng substantlally planar and ln the coverlng posltlon thereof lylng ad~acent sald dlvlder to provlde substantlally complete separatlon between sald compartments.
The lnventlon also provlde6 ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products, flrst and second box-llke contalner sectlons havlng bottom and slde walls hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon for movement between an open posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are posltloned slde-by-slde and a closed posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are superposed one above the other, a dlvlder separatlng the ~lr~t sectlon lnto a plurallty of compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the flrst sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments when the two sectlons are ln the open posltlon, whereln sald flrst sectlon has a 66130-32(S) slde wall wlth a horlzontal ledge extendlng from the upper margln of the wall and an upstandlng perlpheral flange extendlng along an outer edge of the ledge, sald lld belng releasably held ln the coverlng posltlon by frlctlonal engagement between the lld and the flange.
The lnventlon al~o provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products: generally rectangular base and cover sectlons hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon, a partltlon dlvldlng the base sectlon lnto a plurallty of dlfferent slzed compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the base sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments, sald lld belng substantlally planar and ln the closed posltlon thereof lylng ad~acent sald dlvlder to provlde substantlally complete separatlon between sald compartments, sald lid belng releasably held ln the coverlng posltlon by frlctlonal engagement between the lld and a flange on sald base sectlon.
The lnventlon also provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products: generally rectangular base and cover sectlons hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell faghlon, a partltlon dlvldlng the base sectlon lnto a plurallty of compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the base sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments, whereln sald base sectlon has a slde wall wlth a horlzontal ledge extendlng from the upper - 2a -66130-32(S) ~,~
r~
margln of the wall and an upstandlng perlpheral flange extendlng along an outer edge of the ledge, sald lld belng releasably held ln the coverlng posltlon by frlctlonal engagement between the lld and the flange.
The lunch holder sectlons are hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon. In one presently preferred embodlment, the two contalner sectlons, the dlvlder and the lld are fabrlcated as a unltary structure of a seml-rlgld plastlc materlal.
The lnventlon wlll further be descrlbed, by way of example only, wlth reference to the accompanylng drawlngs whereln:
Flgure 1 18 an lsometrlc vlew of one embodlment of a lunch holder accordlng to the lnventlon ln an open posltlon.
Flgure 2 18 an lsometrlc vlew of the embodlment of Flgure 1 ln a closed posltlon.
Flgure 3 18 a top plan vlew of the embodlment of Flgure 1 ln an open posltlon.
Flgure 4 18 a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llne 4-4 ln Flgure 3.
Flgure 5 18 a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llne 5-S ln Flgure 3.
Flgure 6 18 a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llne 6-6 ln Flgure 2.
As lllustrated ln the drawlngs, the lunch holder has a base sectlon 11 and a cover sectlon 12 whlch are connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon by a hlnge 13 for movement between an open posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are posltloned slde-by-slde as lllustrated ln - 2b -66130-32(S) E
Flgure 1 and a closed posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are superposed wlth the cover sectlon posltloned above the base sectlons as lllustrated ln Flgure 2.
-2c-66130-32(S) ~ ~3~ 207330~
The base section has a rectangular bottom wall 14 and side walls 16-19 which taper outwardly from the bottom wall by an angle on the order of 15 degrees. The top section has a wall 21 similar to bottom wall 14 and side walls 22-25 similar to walls 16-19. Even though wall 21 is actually on top when the cover section is inverted above the base section in the closed position, this wall is conveniently referred to as the bottom wall of the cover section since it is on the bottom when the cover section is in the open position.
The base section is divided into a plurality of compartments for holding different food products by a T-shaped partition 27 consisting of a relatively long panel 28 which extends between opposite side wall 16, 18, and a relatively short panel 29 which extends between the intermediate side wall 17 and the longer panel. The panels extend from bottom wall 14 to a height approximately even with the tops of side walls 16-19 and form one compartment 31 between the longer panel and side wall 19, and two additional compartments 32, 33 on opposite sides of the shorter panel.
A lid 36 is hingedly connected to the base section along the upper margin of side wall 17 for movement between covering (closed) and uncovering (open) positions relative to compartments 31-33. A seal 37 is provided on the lower side of the lid for engagement with the upper edge portions of the T-shaped partition when the lid is in the covering or closed position. This seal comprises spaced apart flanges 38 which define channels 39 in which the upper edge portions of the partition are received.
The lid seats against a shoulder or ledge 41 which projects horizontally in an outward direction from the upper margins of side walls 16-19, with an upstanding ~ -4- 207330~
peripheral flange 42 along the outer edge of the shoulder in sealing engagement with the periphery of the lid when the lid is closed. ~rictional engagement between the flange and lid holds the lid in the closed position, and a tab 43 projects laterally from the lid through a gap 44 in the peripheral flange on side wall 19 to facilitate lifting of the lid.
In the embodiment illustrated, cover section 12 has a single compartment 46 for holding larger food products such as a sandwich, and there is no lid for this compartment other than lid 36 in the base section. If desired, however, the cover section can be formed into a plurality of compartments and provided with a lid of its own. Similarly, the base section can be divided into any desired number of compartments with suitable partitions.
The cover section has a shoulder 48 which projects laterally from side walls 22-24 and abuts against the upper surface of flange 42 on the base section, and a peripheral skirt or flange 49 which extends from the outer margin of the shoulder and fits over the flange on the base section to seal the compartment in the cover section. The cover section is retained in its closed position by a catch 51 which extends from side wall 24 and engages a lug 52 on side wall 18. Tabs 53 project from side wall 18 on opposite sides of the lug and facilitate disengagement of the catch.
In one presently preferred embodiment, the entire lunch holder is fabricated as a unitary structure of a semi-rigid plastic material such a polypropylene by a suitable molding process.
In operation and use, cover section 12 and lid 36 are swung to their open positions, and food products such as potato chips, pickles and cookies are placed in compartments 31-33. Lid 36 is closed, sealing these compartments, and another food product such as a sandwich is placed on top of the lid. The cover section is then closed, sealing the sandwich in compartment 49, and catch 51 is engaged with lug 52 to hold the cover section in the closed position.
To open the container, the catch is disengaged from the lug, the cover section is swung to the side of the base section, the sandwich is removed, and the lid is opened to provide access to the food products in the base section. The catch is disengaged from the lug relatively easily by placing the thumb on top of one of the tabs 53, placing the forefinger beneath the catch, and lifting the catch away from the lug with the finger while the thumb bears down on the tab.
The lunch holder has a number of important features and advantages. It is light in weight, economical to manufacture, and easy to use. It is easily cleaned and can be used repeatedly to hold a variety of food products.
It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved lunch holder has been provided. While only certain presently preferred embodiments have been described in detail, as will be apparent to those familiar with the art, certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Heretofore, a number of dlfferent types of carrlers or contalners have been utlllzed ln packlng and carrylng lunches. These have lncluded dlsposable carrlers such as paper and plastlc bags, cardboard boxes and the llke, and more permanent carrlers such as boxes fabrlcated of metal and/or plastlc. Wlth such carrlers, a varlety of contalners have been utlllzed for holdlng dlfferent food products, such as sandwlches, potato chlps, plckles, frult, cookles and the llke.
It 18 ln general an ob~ect of the lnventlon to provlde a new and lmproved food holder whlch 18 partlcularly sultable for holdlng and carrylng the types of food products whlch typlcally make up a lunch.
The lnventlon provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products generally rectangular base and cover sectlons hlngedly connected together ln clamshell fashlon along one slde of each of sald sectlons, the base sectlon havlng a slde wall wlth a horlzontal ledge extendlng from the upper margln of the wall and an upstandlng perlpheral flange extendlng along an outer edge of the ledge, a partltlon dlvldlng the base sectlon lnto a plurallty of compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the base sectlon along a second slde of the base sectlon for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments, the lld restlng on the ledge when ln the closed po~ltlon.
- 1 - ~
~ 66130-32(S) The lnventlon also provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food product~s flrst and second box-llke contalner sectlons havlng bottom and slde walls hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon for movement between an open posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are posltloned slde-by-slde and a closed posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are superposed one above the other, a dlvlder separatlng the flrst sectlon lnto a plurallty of dlfferent slzed compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the flrst sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments when the two sectlons are ln the open posltlon, sald lld belng substantlally planar and ln the coverlng posltlon thereof lylng ad~acent sald dlvlder to provlde substantlally complete separatlon between sald compartments.
The lnventlon also provlde6 ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products, flrst and second box-llke contalner sectlons havlng bottom and slde walls hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon for movement between an open posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are posltloned slde-by-slde and a closed posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are superposed one above the other, a dlvlder separatlng the ~lr~t sectlon lnto a plurallty of compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the flrst sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments when the two sectlons are ln the open posltlon, whereln sald flrst sectlon has a 66130-32(S) slde wall wlth a horlzontal ledge extendlng from the upper margln of the wall and an upstandlng perlpheral flange extendlng along an outer edge of the ledge, sald lld belng releasably held ln the coverlng posltlon by frlctlonal engagement between the lld and the flange.
The lnventlon al~o provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products: generally rectangular base and cover sectlons hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon, a partltlon dlvldlng the base sectlon lnto a plurallty of dlfferent slzed compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the base sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments, sald lld belng substantlally planar and ln the closed posltlon thereof lylng ad~acent sald dlvlder to provlde substantlally complete separatlon between sald compartments, sald lid belng releasably held ln the coverlng posltlon by frlctlonal engagement between the lld and a flange on sald base sectlon.
The lnventlon also provldes ln a lunch holder for holdlng and carrylng a plurallty of food products: generally rectangular base and cover sectlons hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell faghlon, a partltlon dlvldlng the base sectlon lnto a plurallty of compartments for holdlng dlfferent food products, a lld hlngedly connected to the base sectlon along a second slde thereof for movement between coverlng and uncoverlng posltlons relatlve to the compartments, whereln sald base sectlon has a slde wall wlth a horlzontal ledge extendlng from the upper - 2a -66130-32(S) ~,~
r~
margln of the wall and an upstandlng perlpheral flange extendlng along an outer edge of the ledge, sald lld belng releasably held ln the coverlng posltlon by frlctlonal engagement between the lld and the flange.
The lunch holder sectlons are hlngedly connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon. In one presently preferred embodlment, the two contalner sectlons, the dlvlder and the lld are fabrlcated as a unltary structure of a seml-rlgld plastlc materlal.
The lnventlon wlll further be descrlbed, by way of example only, wlth reference to the accompanylng drawlngs whereln:
Flgure 1 18 an lsometrlc vlew of one embodlment of a lunch holder accordlng to the lnventlon ln an open posltlon.
Flgure 2 18 an lsometrlc vlew of the embodlment of Flgure 1 ln a closed posltlon.
Flgure 3 18 a top plan vlew of the embodlment of Flgure 1 ln an open posltlon.
Flgure 4 18 a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llne 4-4 ln Flgure 3.
Flgure 5 18 a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llne 5-S ln Flgure 3.
Flgure 6 18 a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llne 6-6 ln Flgure 2.
As lllustrated ln the drawlngs, the lunch holder has a base sectlon 11 and a cover sectlon 12 whlch are connected together along one slde thereof ln clamshell fashlon by a hlnge 13 for movement between an open posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are posltloned slde-by-slde as lllustrated ln - 2b -66130-32(S) E
Flgure 1 and a closed posltlon ln whlch the two sectlons are superposed wlth the cover sectlon posltloned above the base sectlons as lllustrated ln Flgure 2.
-2c-66130-32(S) ~ ~3~ 207330~
The base section has a rectangular bottom wall 14 and side walls 16-19 which taper outwardly from the bottom wall by an angle on the order of 15 degrees. The top section has a wall 21 similar to bottom wall 14 and side walls 22-25 similar to walls 16-19. Even though wall 21 is actually on top when the cover section is inverted above the base section in the closed position, this wall is conveniently referred to as the bottom wall of the cover section since it is on the bottom when the cover section is in the open position.
The base section is divided into a plurality of compartments for holding different food products by a T-shaped partition 27 consisting of a relatively long panel 28 which extends between opposite side wall 16, 18, and a relatively short panel 29 which extends between the intermediate side wall 17 and the longer panel. The panels extend from bottom wall 14 to a height approximately even with the tops of side walls 16-19 and form one compartment 31 between the longer panel and side wall 19, and two additional compartments 32, 33 on opposite sides of the shorter panel.
A lid 36 is hingedly connected to the base section along the upper margin of side wall 17 for movement between covering (closed) and uncovering (open) positions relative to compartments 31-33. A seal 37 is provided on the lower side of the lid for engagement with the upper edge portions of the T-shaped partition when the lid is in the covering or closed position. This seal comprises spaced apart flanges 38 which define channels 39 in which the upper edge portions of the partition are received.
The lid seats against a shoulder or ledge 41 which projects horizontally in an outward direction from the upper margins of side walls 16-19, with an upstanding ~ -4- 207330~
peripheral flange 42 along the outer edge of the shoulder in sealing engagement with the periphery of the lid when the lid is closed. ~rictional engagement between the flange and lid holds the lid in the closed position, and a tab 43 projects laterally from the lid through a gap 44 in the peripheral flange on side wall 19 to facilitate lifting of the lid.
In the embodiment illustrated, cover section 12 has a single compartment 46 for holding larger food products such as a sandwich, and there is no lid for this compartment other than lid 36 in the base section. If desired, however, the cover section can be formed into a plurality of compartments and provided with a lid of its own. Similarly, the base section can be divided into any desired number of compartments with suitable partitions.
The cover section has a shoulder 48 which projects laterally from side walls 22-24 and abuts against the upper surface of flange 42 on the base section, and a peripheral skirt or flange 49 which extends from the outer margin of the shoulder and fits over the flange on the base section to seal the compartment in the cover section. The cover section is retained in its closed position by a catch 51 which extends from side wall 24 and engages a lug 52 on side wall 18. Tabs 53 project from side wall 18 on opposite sides of the lug and facilitate disengagement of the catch.
In one presently preferred embodiment, the entire lunch holder is fabricated as a unitary structure of a semi-rigid plastic material such a polypropylene by a suitable molding process.
In operation and use, cover section 12 and lid 36 are swung to their open positions, and food products such as potato chips, pickles and cookies are placed in compartments 31-33. Lid 36 is closed, sealing these compartments, and another food product such as a sandwich is placed on top of the lid. The cover section is then closed, sealing the sandwich in compartment 49, and catch 51 is engaged with lug 52 to hold the cover section in the closed position.
To open the container, the catch is disengaged from the lug, the cover section is swung to the side of the base section, the sandwich is removed, and the lid is opened to provide access to the food products in the base section. The catch is disengaged from the lug relatively easily by placing the thumb on top of one of the tabs 53, placing the forefinger beneath the catch, and lifting the catch away from the lug with the finger while the thumb bears down on the tab.
The lunch holder has a number of important features and advantages. It is light in weight, economical to manufacture, and easy to use. It is easily cleaned and can be used repeatedly to hold a variety of food products.
It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved lunch holder has been provided. While only certain presently preferred embodiments have been described in detail, as will be apparent to those familiar with the art, certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (28)
1. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products: generally rectangular base and cover sections hingedly connected together in clamshell fashion along one side of each of said sections, the base section having a side wall with a horizontal ledge extending from the upper margin of the wall and an upstanding peripheral flange extending along an outer edge of the ledge, a partition dividing the base section into a plurality of compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the base section along a second side of the base section for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments, the lid resting on the ledge when in the closed position.
2. The lunch holder of claim 1 wherein said lid 18 held in the covering position by frictional engagement between the lid and the flange.
3. The lunch holder of claim 2 further comprising a seal on the under side of the lid for engagement with the upper portion of the partition when the lid is in the closed position.
4. The lunch holder of claim 3 wherein the seal comprises a pair of spaced apart depending flanges defining a channel in which the upper portion of the partition is received.
5. The lunch holder of any one of claims 1-4 wherein the base and cover sections, the partition and the lid are fabricated of a semi-rigid plastic as a unitary structure.
6. The lunch holder of claim 5 wherein the partition is T-shaped.
7. The lunch holder of claim 6 wherein the peripheral flange has a gap, and the lid has a tab which projects laterally through the gap to facilitate lifting of the lid when the lid is in the covering position.
8. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products, first and second box-like container sections having bottom and side walls hingedly connected together along one side thereof in clamshell fashion for movement between an open position in which the two sections are positioned side-by-side and a closed position in which the two sections are superposed one above the other, a divider separating the first section into a plurality of different sized compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the first section along a second side thereof for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments when the two sections are in the open position, said lid being substantially planar and in the covering position thereof lying adjacent said divider to provide substantially complete separation between said compartments.
9. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products: first and second box-like container sections having bottom and side walls hingedly connected together along one side thereof in clamshell fashion for movement between an open position in which the two sections are positioned side-by-side and a closed position in which the two sections are superposed one above the other, a divider separating the first section into a plurality of compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the first section along a second side thereof for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments when the two sections are in the open position, wherein said first sectlon has a side wall with a horizontal ledge extending from the upper margin of the wall and an upstanding peripheral flange extending along an outer edge of the ledge, said lid being releasably held in the covering position by frictional engagement between the lid and the flange.
10. The lunch holder of claim 9 including means forming a seal between the lld and the divider and the side walls of the first section when the lid is in the covering position.
11. The lunch holder of claim 10 wherein the means forming a seal between the lid and the divider comprises a pair of spaced apart flanges on one side of the lid forming a channel in which an edge portion of the divider is received when the lid is in the covering position.
12. The lunch holder of claim 10 wherein the means forming a seal between the lid and the side walls comprises a flange extending along the upper edge of the side walls for peripheral engagement with the lid when the lid is in the covering position.
13. The lunch holder of claim 8 wherein the divider comprises a T-shaped partition having a first panel extending between opposing side walls of the first section and a second panel extending between the first panel and an intermediate side wall of the first section.
14. The lunch holder of claim 8 wherein the first and second sections, the divider and the lid are fabricated of a semi-rigid plastic and formed as a unitary structure by a molding process.
15. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products. generally rectangular base and cover sections hingedly connected together along one side thereof in clamshell fashion, a partition dividing the base section into a plurality of different sized compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the base section along a second side thereof for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments, said lid being substantially planar and in the closed position thereof lying adjacent said divider to provide substantially complete separation between said compartments, said lid being releasably held in the covering position by frictional engagement between the lid and a flange on said base section.
16. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products. generally rectangular base and cover sections hingedly connected together along one side thereof in clamshell fashion, a partition dividing the base section into a plurality of compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the base section along a second side thereof for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments, wherein said base section has a side wall with a horizontal ledge extending from the upper margin of the wall and an upstanding peripheral flange extending along an outer edge of the ledge, said lid being releasably held in the covering position by frictional engagement between the lid and the flange.
17. The lunch holder of claim 16 including a seal on the under side of the lid for engagement with the upper portion of the partition when the lid is in the covering position.
18. The lunch holder of claim 17 wherein the seal comprises a pair of spaced apart depending flanges defining a channel in which the upper portion of the partition is received.
19. The lunch holder of claim 15 wherein the base and cover sections, the partition and the lid are fabricated of a semi-rigid plastic as a unitary structure.
20. The lunch holder of any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the partition is T-shaped.
21. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products: first and second container sections of substantially similar shape and substantially equal size connected together in clamshell fashion along one side of each of said sections for movement between an open position in which the two sections are positioned side-by-side and a closed position in which the two sections are superposed one above the other, a divider separating the first section into a plurality of different sized compartments for holding different food products, and a lid hingedly connected to the first section along a second side of said first section for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments when the two sections are in the open position, said lid being substantially planar and in the covering position thereof lying adjacent said divider to provide substantially complete separation between said compartments, said sections, said divider and said lid being a unitary molded structure of a semi-rigid plastic material.
22. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products, base and cover sections hingedly connected together in clamshell fashion along one side of each of said sections, said base and cover sections each having a generally square base wall and four side walls which taper outwardly from the base wall, a T-shaped partition dividing the base section into a plurality of different compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the base section along a second side of the base section for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments, said lid being substantially planar and in the covering position thereof lying adjacent said divider to provide substantially complete separation between said compartments, said sections, said divider and said lid being a unitary molded structure of a semi-rigid plastic material.
23. A lunch holder having first and second sections of substantially similar size and shape which are hingedly connected together along one side thereof in clamshell fashion, said first and second sections each having a generally square base wall and four side walls of substantially similar size and shape which taper outwardly from the base wall, a divider which separates one of the sections into a plurality of different sized compartments for holding different food products, and a lid which is hingedly connected to the one section along a second side thereof for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments, said lid being substantially planar and in the covering position thereof lying adjacent said divider to provide substantially complete separation between said compartments.
24. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products: first and second container sections connected together in clamshell fashion along one side of each of said sections for movement between an open position in which the two sections are positioned side-by-side and a closed position in which the two sections are superposed one above the other, each of said container sections having bottom and side walls, a divider separating the first section into a plurality of compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the first section for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments when the two sections are in the open position, a shoulder extending laterally in an outward direction from the side wall of one of the sections, and a peripheral flange extending along an outer edge of the shoulder in a direction generally parallel to the side wall of the one section for laterally encompassing the lid when the lid is in the covering position and the two container sections are in the closed position.
25. In a lunch box holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products: first and second container sections of semi-rigid plastic connected together in clamshell fashion along one side of each of said sections for movement between an open position in which the two sections are positioned side-by-side and a closed position in which the two sections are superposed one above the other, a divider separating the first section into a plurality of different sized compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the first section along a second side for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments when the two sections are in the open position, said lid being substantially planar and in the covering position thereof lying adjacent said divider to provide substantially complete separation between said compartments, a lug projecting in an outward direction from a side wall of one of the two sections, a catch extending from the other section for engagement with the lug to retain the two sections in the closed position, and a tab projecting laterally from one of the sections near the lug for engagement by a hand disengaging the catch from the lug, the lug, catch and tab being integral parts of the container sections.
26. The lunch holder of claim 25 wherein the catch extends from an edge portion of a side wall of the one section, said catch having a slotted opening in which the lug is received.
27. In a lunch holder for holding and carrying a plurality of food products: first and second container sections of similar size and shape connected together in clamshell fashion along one side of each of said sections for movement between an open position in which the two sections are positioned side-by-side and a closed position in which the two sections are superposed one above the other, said first and second sections each having a generally square base wall and four side walls which taper outwardly from the base wall, a divider separating the first section into a plurality of different sized compartments for holding different food products, a lid hingedly connected to the first section for movement between covering and uncovering positions relative to the compartments when the two sections are in the open position, said lid being substantially planar and in the covering position thereof lying adjacent said divider to provide substantially complete separation between said compartments, a lug projecting in an outward direction from a side wall of one of the two sections, a catch extending from the other section for engagement with the lug to retain the two sections in the closed position, and a pair of tabs projecting laterally from one of the sections on opposite sides of the lug for engagement by a hand disengaging the catch from the lug.
28. The lunch holder of claim 27 wherein the catch extends from an edge portion of a side wall of the one section, said catch having a slotted opening in which the lug is received.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/874,902 US5277329A (en) | 1992-04-28 | 1992-04-28 | Lunch holder |
| US874,902 | 1992-04-28 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2073303A1 CA2073303A1 (en) | 1993-10-29 |
| CA2073303C true CA2073303C (en) | 1996-08-13 |
Family
ID=25364826
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002073303A Expired - Fee Related CA2073303C (en) | 1992-04-28 | 1992-07-07 | Lunch holder |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (3) | US5277329A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2073303C (en) |
Families Citing this family (70)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5277329A (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1994-01-11 | Plastics, Inc. | Lunch holder |
| US5344024A (en) * | 1993-09-28 | 1994-09-06 | Cohu Gary D | Case for storing, organizing and sorting small articles |
| US5526953A (en) * | 1994-05-24 | 1996-06-18 | Chieng; Walter | Portable box for containing V8 video tapes |
| DE4422936A1 (en) * | 1994-07-01 | 1996-01-04 | Theodor Lentjes | container |
| US5636594A (en) * | 1995-06-05 | 1997-06-10 | Servando R. Pina | Portable cat litter case and travel kit |
| US5695798A (en) * | 1996-02-28 | 1997-12-09 | Thorn Apple Valley, Inc. | Compartmentalized food package |
| US5671846A (en) * | 1996-05-17 | 1997-09-30 | Frank; Richard | Portable picnic salad bar |
| US5638957A (en) * | 1996-07-11 | 1997-06-17 | Brasier; Nacole | Reusable diaper and wipe carrying case |
| US5752464A (en) * | 1996-12-17 | 1998-05-19 | King; Thomas N. | Pet feeding apparatus |
| US5899361A (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 1999-05-04 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Hinged closure for a dual chamber dispensing package |
| USD409484S (en) * | 1997-06-18 | 1999-05-11 | Peter John Tasker | Container with lid |
| US5950834A (en) * | 1997-08-26 | 1999-09-14 | Woodnorth; Brian E. | Lunch holder for holding a food product and a beverage container |
| US5857583A (en) * | 1997-09-18 | 1999-01-12 | Tenneco Packaging | Food service container with beverage cup holding pocket and covered food compartment |
| USD408143S (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 1999-04-20 | Dart Industries Inc. | Carry box |
| US6131760A (en) * | 2000-02-03 | 2000-10-17 | Huang; Cheng-Ho | Storage box |
| US6257436B1 (en) | 2000-03-29 | 2001-07-10 | Mcglauflin Andrew L. | Convertible pastry storage container construction |
| GB0126960D0 (en) * | 2001-11-09 | 2002-01-02 | Fox Design Int | A container |
| US20030234195A1 (en) * | 2002-06-24 | 2003-12-25 | Earl Milan Dennis | Container having adjusting compartments |
| US6761266B2 (en) | 2002-07-03 | 2004-07-13 | Lavonda L. Popish | Personal belongings case |
| US7083818B2 (en) * | 2002-08-16 | 2006-08-01 | Apio, Inc. | Party tray |
| US7240797B1 (en) | 2003-01-27 | 2007-07-10 | Grossman Victor A | Packaging and dispensing system for sandwich food products |
| US7225927B2 (en) * | 2003-07-17 | 2007-06-05 | Pactiv Corporation | Cup holder having frusto-conical cavities |
| US7968132B2 (en) * | 2003-08-15 | 2011-06-28 | Contain This!, Llc | Dual compartment sandwich containers having a hinged divider and removable hot/cold pack |
| CA2466559A1 (en) * | 2004-05-07 | 2005-11-07 | Sistema Plastics Limited | Multi compartment container |
| US7334684B1 (en) | 2005-01-24 | 2008-02-26 | Fontanilla Elisea A | Versatile lunch box |
| WO2006083227A1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2006-08-10 | Kapman Ab | Case |
| US7673747B2 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2010-03-09 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Molded pulp container |
| GB2427398A (en) * | 2005-06-21 | 2006-12-27 | Katherine Jackson | Lunch box with separate compartments |
| US7263949B1 (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2007-09-04 | Kevin Seaford | Animal food and water container assembly |
| US20100181318A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2010-07-22 | Roscoe Louis Bava | Packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
| US7748561B2 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2010-07-06 | Taylor Fresh Vegetables, Inc. | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
| US7748560B2 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2010-07-06 | Taylor Fresh Vegetables, Inc. | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
| US20080245096A1 (en) * | 2007-04-04 | 2008-10-09 | The Coleman Company, Inc. | Fold-up insulated container |
| US8672172B2 (en) * | 2007-07-27 | 2014-03-18 | Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. | Organizer system |
| US20090058047A1 (en) * | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Keter Plastic Ltd | Multi-purpose wheelbarrow |
| US20090166230A1 (en) * | 2007-12-27 | 2009-07-02 | It's Academic Of Illinois, Inc. | Pencil box |
| US20090250368A1 (en) * | 2008-04-03 | 2009-10-08 | Milan Dennis Earl | Self-adjusting container |
| US20100018541A1 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2010-01-28 | Anthony Richard Gerardi | Smokeless tobacco products and processes |
| US20100018882A1 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2010-01-28 | St Charles Frank K | Smokeless tobacco products and processes |
| US20100018539A1 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2010-01-28 | Paul Andrew Brinkley | Smokeless tobacco products and processes |
| US20100018540A1 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2010-01-28 | David James Doolittle | Smokeless tobacco products and processes |
| US20100018883A1 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2010-01-28 | Pankaj Patel | Smokeless tobacco products and processes |
| US20100263399A1 (en) * | 2009-04-10 | 2010-10-21 | Jill Weiss Pollina | Personalizable food storage container |
| GB0910738D0 (en) * | 2009-06-22 | 2009-08-05 | Holden Barry J | Combined candy container and card holder |
| US20110121002A1 (en) * | 2009-11-20 | 2011-05-26 | Stephanie Stiller | Multi-compartment food storage container |
| WO2011106887A1 (en) * | 2010-03-03 | 2011-09-09 | Amhil Enterprises | Molded container with integral split lid |
| US20110215023A1 (en) * | 2010-03-08 | 2011-09-08 | Archie Jr Willard Nelson | Dual compartment sandwich container and method of making same |
| USD658492S1 (en) * | 2010-09-01 | 2012-05-01 | Apple Inc. | Electronic device and packaging therefor |
| US20120152944A1 (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2012-06-21 | The Stanley Works Israel Ltd. | Sealable storage container |
| USD668555S1 (en) | 2011-04-11 | 2012-10-09 | Contain This!, Llc | Dual compartment sandwich container |
| CN103213718A (en) * | 2012-01-18 | 2013-07-24 | 合肥杰事杰新材料股份有限公司 | Bearing box |
| USD704503S1 (en) | 2012-06-19 | 2014-05-13 | Sistema Plastics Limited | Lid for a container |
| USD706084S1 (en) | 2012-06-19 | 2014-06-03 | Sistema Plastics Limited | Lidded container |
| CN103099413B (en) * | 2012-12-13 | 2015-07-08 | 张晶 | Lunch box |
| USD708941S1 (en) | 2013-06-18 | 2014-07-15 | World Centric | Container |
| USD739228S1 (en) * | 2014-03-04 | 2015-09-22 | World Centric | Container |
| USD764237S1 (en) * | 2014-05-22 | 2016-08-23 | Omielife, Inc. | Food storage container |
| USD762467S1 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2016-08-02 | State Garden, Inc. | Container with butterfly lid closure |
| USD776528S1 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2017-01-17 | World Centric | Container |
| US9708102B2 (en) | 2015-07-20 | 2017-07-18 | Maya Barbara Liberman | Soft food shaping and storage container |
| US20170291737A1 (en) * | 2016-04-11 | 2017-10-12 | Helen Pierce | Compartmentalized Tray System |
| USD871927S1 (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2020-01-07 | Joseph Mahon | Sandwich container |
| USD871235S1 (en) * | 2018-03-19 | 2019-12-31 | Joseph Mahon | Food storage container |
| USD871928S1 (en) * | 2018-03-19 | 2020-01-07 | Joseph Mahon | Sandwich container |
| USD871929S1 (en) * | 2018-03-19 | 2020-01-07 | Joseph Mahon | Food storage container |
| US10994892B2 (en) | 2018-06-11 | 2021-05-04 | One Equals Three, LLC | Food container and method of use |
| USD920094S1 (en) | 2018-08-23 | 2021-05-25 | Sargento Foods Inc. | Food package |
| US10926913B2 (en) | 2018-09-24 | 2021-02-23 | Genpak, Llc | Vented tri-fold containers |
| USD938236S1 (en) | 2018-11-08 | 2021-12-14 | Omielife, Inc. | Food storage container |
| FR3132282B3 (en) * | 2022-02-01 | 2024-02-16 | Akim Amari | Waterproof food box |
Family Cites Families (29)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US33946A (en) * | 1861-12-17 | Improved camp-chest | ||
| US2731996A (en) * | 1956-01-24 | Removable insert for a lunch box | ||
| US324443A (en) * | 1885-08-18 | Pocket fishing-tackle box | ||
| US1661728A (en) * | 1921-07-11 | 1928-03-06 | Victor Talking Machine Co | Box or receptacle for holding small articles |
| US1944502A (en) * | 1931-01-27 | 1934-01-23 | Factor Max | Make-up box |
| US1933894A (en) * | 1932-03-08 | 1933-11-07 | Clink Ira | Tool box |
| US2339580A (en) * | 1941-05-09 | 1944-01-18 | Park John Stewart | Lunch box |
| US2457043A (en) * | 1947-06-14 | 1948-12-21 | Histand Albert Ralph | Lunch box |
| US3082903A (en) * | 1960-11-02 | 1963-03-26 | William Lowell Thomas Inc | Reclosable integral package |
| DE1225103B (en) * | 1961-10-21 | 1966-09-15 | Conservatori Ind Brevettati S | Container for fruit u. like |
| US3372690A (en) * | 1966-06-06 | 1968-03-12 | Ruiz Noelia | Insulated lunch box |
| US3580650A (en) * | 1968-12-23 | 1971-05-25 | Philco Ford Corp | Cabinet structure |
| BE755278A (en) * | 1969-08-25 | 1971-02-01 | Standard Oil Co | CONTAINER FOR HOT FOOD |
| US3823817A (en) * | 1972-11-15 | 1974-07-16 | C Hughes | Paper hanger{40 s tool box |
| GB1455126A (en) * | 1973-03-09 | 1976-11-10 | Lunch Locker Systems Ltd | Packaging containers |
| US3999661A (en) * | 1975-04-14 | 1976-12-28 | Charles E. Jones & Associates | Shipping container |
| IT1061912B (en) * | 1975-05-16 | 1983-04-30 | Mcdonalds Corp | PACKAGE FOR SWEET AND SIMILAR SANDWICHES AND RELATED MANUFACTURING PROCEDURE |
| US4412616A (en) * | 1982-10-14 | 1983-11-01 | Williams Sound Corporation | Multicompartment equipment case and cover |
| US4535889A (en) * | 1984-02-08 | 1985-08-20 | The Stouffer Corporation | Frozen food package and cover lid |
| US4653685A (en) * | 1985-07-03 | 1987-03-31 | Mcdonald's Corporation | Dual compartment sandwich package |
| US4915251A (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1990-04-10 | Dolco Packaging Corporation | Snaplock thermoformed container |
| IT1219205B (en) * | 1988-04-13 | 1990-05-03 | Ferrero Spa | COMPLEX OF GIFT ITEM AND RELATED WRAPPING PARTICULARLY FOR CHOCOLATE EGGS AND SIMILAR FOOD PRODUCTS CABLES AND PACKAGING PROCEDURE |
| US4934549A (en) * | 1988-07-05 | 1990-06-19 | Denise Allen | Portable insulated storage chest |
| US5012971A (en) * | 1988-11-07 | 1991-05-07 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Food container and method |
| US4951866A (en) * | 1988-11-07 | 1990-08-28 | Restaurant Technology, Inc. | Food container and method |
| US5312634A (en) * | 1989-09-26 | 1994-05-17 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Compact package for food product |
| US5027972A (en) * | 1990-09-04 | 1991-07-02 | Bartholomew Robert B | Container, especially for foodstuffs |
| US5046659A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1991-09-10 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Latching structure for food container |
| US5277329A (en) * | 1992-04-28 | 1994-01-11 | Plastics, Inc. | Lunch holder |
-
1992
- 1992-04-28 US US07/874,902 patent/US5277329A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-07-07 CA CA002073303A patent/CA2073303C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1993
- 1993-12-15 US US08/168,670 patent/US5323926A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-06-01 US US08/251,894 patent/US5462192A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5462192A (en) | 1995-10-31 |
| CA2073303A1 (en) | 1993-10-29 |
| US5323926A (en) | 1994-06-28 |
| US5277329A (en) | 1994-01-11 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2073303C (en) | Lunch holder | |
| US4838444A (en) | Food service tray and assembly thereof | |
| US4298133A (en) | Integral tray and cover with snap lock | |
| US3732999A (en) | Bottle with external compartment | |
| US5285900A (en) | Stackable storage containers | |
| US4328904A (en) | Spill proof container and closure | |
| CA1285527C (en) | Salt and pepper shaker | |
| US4683674A (en) | Compost bin | |
| US4346813A (en) | Closured and divided box | |
| US4867303A (en) | Bakery foods package | |
| EP0726214B1 (en) | Egg storer | |
| IE800456L (en) | Lunch box | |
| US4648511A (en) | Container for holding flatware and dinnerware for serving food | |
| US3568914A (en) | Plastic covered molded egg carton | |
| US6336552B1 (en) | Organizer for ammunition box | |
| IE910009A1 (en) | Toolbox with peaked roof | |
| US3568916A (en) | Locking mechanisms for egg cartons | |
| CA1072464A (en) | Container | |
| EP0085559B1 (en) | Packaging containers | |
| CA2107705C (en) | Package having a sliding closure for dispensing pill or pellet type products | |
| EP0217997A1 (en) | Panel for forming a garden planter | |
| CA2088594A1 (en) | Container for dispensing pills, tablets and capsules | |
| EP0087306B1 (en) | Packaging boxes or cartons | |
| JP6803952B1 (en) | Packaging container | |
| CA1237700A (en) | Cover for egg tray to be shrink wrapped |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |