U.S. patent application number 13/938988 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for sealable sectioned container with recessed compartments.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michele Dabney-Wiggs. Invention is credited to Michele Dabney-Wiggs.
Application Number | 20140238982 13/938988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51387101 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140238982 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dabney-Wiggs; Michele |
August 28, 2014 |
SEALABLE SECTIONED CONTAINER WITH RECESSED COMPARTMENTS
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.
Inventors: |
Dabney-Wiggs; Michele;
(Newport Beach, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dabney-Wiggs; Michele |
Newport Beach |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51387101 |
Appl. No.: |
13/938988 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29446434 |
Feb 22, 2013 |
D691854 |
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13938988 |
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29446435 |
Feb 22, 2013 |
D691855 |
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29446434 |
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29446436 |
Feb 22, 2013 |
D691856 |
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29446435 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.83 ;
220/525; 220/526; 220/556 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0683 20130101;
B65D 1/36 20130101; A47G 23/0608 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.83 ;
220/556; 220/526; 220/525 |
International
Class: |
A47G 23/06 20060101
A47G023/06; B65D 1/36 20060101 B65D001/36 |
Claims
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: an
attachable cup, wherein the drink holder is configured to secure
the attachable cup.
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.RTM. or other hook and loop faster.
[0008] 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.
[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 11/2-2 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
11/2 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.RTM.. 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.
* * * * *