US20140238982A1

US20140238982A1 - Sealable sectioned container with recessed compartments

Info

Publication number: US20140238982A1
Application number: US13/938,988
Authority: US
Inventors: Michele Dabney-Wiggs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-22
Filing date: 2013-07-10
Publication date: 2014-08-28

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

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

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

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.
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.
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.
There is thus a need in the art for better sectioned containers having recessed compartments that may be sealable and transportable.

SUMMARY

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.
The sectioned container'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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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:

FIG. 1A is a top and side view of a sectioned container with compartments and extended upward-facing lips;

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. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sectioned container showing recessed compartments with a lid;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sectioned container with attachable lid and cushion; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a sectioned container and cushion showing one embodiment of a cushion attachment strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sectioned container having recessed compartments, the 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.

2. The sectioned container of claim 1 further comprising:

an attachable lid.

3. The sectioned container of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of inlaid compartments includes a raised lip extending in an opposite direction of the downward facing lip.

4. The sectioned container of claim 3, wherein the container platform includes an upward facing lip at its edges.

5. The sectioned container of claim 4, wherein the attachable lid is configured to seal each of the plurality of inlaid compartments.

6. The sectioned container of claim 5, wherein one of the plurality of recessed compartments is a drink holder and wherein the attachable lid has a hole corresponding to the drink holder.

7. The sectioned container of claim 6 further comprising:

an attachable cup, wherein the drink holder is configured to secure the attachable cup.

8. The sectioned container of claim 1 further comprising:

an attachable cushion.

9. The sectioned container of claim 8, wherein the container platform includes side attachment openings, and wherein the attachable cushion attaches to the container platform using the side attachment openings.

10. The sectioned container of claim 9, wherein the attachable cushion includes fabric hook and loop straps for use with the side attachment openings.

11. The sectioned container of claim 8, wherein the attachable cushion is attachable to the sectioned container using snap fasteners.

12. The sectioned container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recessed compartments are at least 2 inches deep.

13. The sectioned container of claim 1, wherein a compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to hold 16 ounces.

14. The sectioned container of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of compartments includes a raised lip at the each of the plurality of compartments edges.

15. A sectioned container assembly with recessed compartments, the sectioned container assembly comprising:

a container platform including 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;

an attachable lid configured to seal each of the plurality of inlaid compartments; and

an attachable cushion configured to attach to the container platform using the side attachment openings.

16. The sectioned container assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of compartments includes a raised lip at the each of the plurality of compartments edges.

17. The sectioned container assembly of claim 16, wherein the attachable cushion includes fabric hook and loop straps for use with the side attachment openings.

18. The sectioned container assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of recessed compartments are at least 2 inches deep.

19. The sectioned container assembly of claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of recessed compartments is a drink holder and wherein the attachable lid has a hole corresponding to the drink holder.

20. The sectioned container of claim 15 further comprising: