U.S. patent application number 14/359275 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-13 for lunch box.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ely-Jac Designs Pty Ltd.. Invention is credited to Samantha Rae Judd, Edward Joseph Khoury.
Application Number | 20140332527 14/359275 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48428833 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140332527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Judd; Samantha Rae ; et
al. |
November 13, 2014 |
LUNCH BOX
Abstract
A lunch box (10) comprising a first container (12) and a second
container (14) where one or more hands (16) are provided connecting
the first and second containers (12, 14) such that the first and
second containers are rotatable relative to each other to a
plurality of positions.
Inventors: |
Judd; Samantha Rae; (Swan
View, AU) ; Khoury; Edward Joseph; (Bateman,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ely-Jac Designs Pty Ltd. |
|
|
|
|
|
Family ID: |
48428833 |
Appl. No.: |
14/359275 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 15, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2012/001404 |
371 Date: |
May 19, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20130101;
A45C 11/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.21 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/20 20060101
A45C011/20; B65D 25/04 20060101 B65D025/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 2011 |
AU |
2011904799 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. A lunch box comprising: first and second containers each
including first and second opposed side walls and first and second
opposed edge walls extending between the first and second side
walls, a first band having a first end thereof connected to the
second container at a location adjacent a junction between the
second side wall and the first edge wall and a second end thereof
connected to the first container adjacent a junction between the
second side wall and the second edge wall; a pair of second bands
located on either side of the first bands, each second band having
a first end connected to the first container adjacent a junction
between the first side wall and the first edge wall, and a second
end connected to the second container adjacent a junction between
the first side wall and the second edge wall; and one or more lids
provided on each of the first and second side walls of the first
container; wherein the first and second containers can be rotated
through a first side-by-side configuration, a first edgewise
configuration, a second side-by-side configuration, and a second
edgewise configuration,
10. The lunch box in accordance with claim 9, wherein the length of
each of the first and second bands is the width of one of the
containers between the first and second edge walls plus the depth
of one of the containers, such that each of the first and second
bands can extend across one of either the first or second side
walls and one of the first or second edge walls,
11. The lunch box in accordance with claim 10, wherein each of the
first and second containers comprises one or more internal walls to
divide the interior of the container into a plurality of
chambers.
12. The lunch box in accordance with claim 11, wherein there is
provided a pair of internal walls extending from the first edge
wall to the second edge wall such that there is defined a central
chamber and first and second side chambers,
13. The lunch box in accordance with claim 12, wherein the first
and second containers each comprise a rectangular prism such that
the first and second containers also include third and fourth edge
walls extending between ends of the first and second edge
walls.
14. The lunch box in accordance with claim 13, wherein, each of the
first and second containers comprises: a central lid provided in
the first side wall pivotable about a side adjacent the second edge
wall such that the central lid can be pivoted to provide access to
the central chamber:, and first and second side lids provided in
the second side wall pivotable to provide access to the first and
second side chambers.
15. The lunch box in accordance with claim 14, wherein the first
side lid pivots outwardly about the edge thereof adjacent the third
edge wall, and the second side lid pivots outwardly about the edge
thereof adjacent the fourth edge wall.
16. The lunch box in accordance with clam 15, wherein the first
hand extends across the first side wall centrally across the
central lid, or across the second side wall centrally between the
first and second side lids, and the second bands extend either
across the first side wall on a side of the central lid or across
the second side wall across one of the first or second side lids.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a lunch box.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Children at school generally carry food in a lunch box.
Usually food is carried for the child to eat during a lunchtime
period, as well as at least one further recess period.
[0003] The present invention relates to a lunch box having an
arrangement suitable for providing separate storage for food to be
consumed at more than one time period, such as at lunch and at
recess. The lunch box is also aimed at providing an interesting
modifiable configuration to be appealing to children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a lunch box comprising: [0005] first and second containers
each including first and second opposed side walls and first and
second opposed edge walls extending between the first and second
side walls; [0006] a first band having a first end thereof
connected to the second container at a location adjacent the
junction between the second side wall and the first edge wall and a
second end thereof connected to the first container adjacent the
junction between the second side wall and the second edge wall;
[0007] a pair of second band located either side of the first
bands, each second band having a first end connected to the first
container adjacent the junction between first side wall and the
first edge wall and a second end connected to the second container
adjacent the junction between the first side wall and the second
edge wall; and [0008] one or more lids provided on each of the
first and second side walls of the first container; and [0009] one
or more lids provided on each of the first and second side walls of
the second container; [0010] when the first and second containers
can be rotated through a first side by side configuration, a first
edgewise configuration, a second side by side configuration and a
second edgewise configuration.
[0011] Preferably the length of each of the first and second bands
is the width of one of the containers between the first and second
edge walls plus the depth of one of the containers, such that each
of the first and second bands can extend across one of either the
first or second side walls and one of the first or second edge
walls.
[0012] In one embodiment, each of the first and second containers
includes one or more internal walls to divide the interior of the
container into a plurality of chambers.
[0013] There is preferably provided a pair of internal walls
extending from the first edge wall to the second edge wall such
that there is defined a central chamber and first and second side
chambers.
[0014] In one embodiment, the first and second containers each
comprise a rectangular prism such that the first and second
containers also include third and fourth edge walls extending
between ends of the first and second edge walls.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second
containers further include: [0016] a central lid provided in the
first side wall pivotable about a side adjacent the second edge
wall such that the central lid can be pivoted to provide access to
the central chamber; and [0017] first and second side lids provided
in the second side wall pivotable to provide access to the first
and second side chambers.
[0018] Preferably the first side lid therefore pivots outwardly
about the edge thereof adjacent the third edge wall and the second
side lid pivots outwardly about the edge thereof adjacent the
fourth edge wall.
[0019] Preferably the first band extends across the first side wall
centrally across the central lid, or across the second side wall
centrally between the first and second side lids and the second
bands either across the first side wall on a side of the central
lid or across the second side wall across one of the first or
second side lids.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the following drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a lunch box in
accordance with the present invention with the first and second
containers in a first side by side configuration;
[0022] FIG. 2a is a bottom view of the lunch box of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 2b is an end view of the lunch box of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the lunch box of FIG.
1 with the first and second containers rotated partway from the
first side by side configuration;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an end view of the lunch box of FIG. 1 in the
configuration of FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the lunch box of FIG.
1 with the first and second containers rotated to a first edgewise
configuration;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of the lunch box of FIG.
1 in the first edgewise configuration;
[0028] FIG. 7a is a top view of the lunch box of FIG. 1 in the
first edgewise configuration;
[0029] FIG. 7b is an end view of the lunch box of FIG. 1 in the
first edgewise configuration;
[0030] FIG. 8a is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the
lunch box of FIG. 1 having plain bands in the first edgewise
configuration;
[0031] FIG. 8b is an end cross sectional view of the lunch box of
FIG. 8a in the first edgewise configuration through the line
A-A;
[0032] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the lunch box of FIG. 8;
[0033] FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of the lunch box of
FIG. 10 with the lids of the first and second containers open;
[0034] FIG. 11 a is an end view of the lunch box in a first side by
side configuration;
[0035] FIG. 11b is an end view of the lunch box with the first and
second containers rotated to a position partway between the first
side by side configuration and the first edgewise
configuration;
[0036] FIG. 11c is an end view of the lunch box in a first edgewise
configuration;
[0037] FIG. 11d is an end view of the lunch box with the first and
second containers rotated to a position partway between the first
edgewise configuration and a second side by side configuration;
[0038] FIG. 11e is an end view of the lunch box in the second side
by side configuration;
[0039] FIG. 11f is an end view of the lunch box with the first and
second containers rotated to a position partway between the second
side by side configuration and a second edgewise configuration;
and
[0040] FIG. 11g is an end view of the lunch box in the second
edgewise configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Referring to Figures, there is shown a lunch box 10
comprising a first container 12 and a second container 14. The
first and second containers 12 and 14 are connected by a plurality
of bands 16. The embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 10 is the same as that of
FIGS. 1 to 7 other than the bands 16 being patterned in the first
embodiment and plain in the second. The operation of the lunch box
10 in both embodiments is the same and will therefore be described
with reference to both embodiments.
[0042] Each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 has a
first side wall 18 and a second side wall 19. The first side walls
18 and 19 are parallel to each other and are connected around the
periphery thereof by a plurality of edge walls. In the embodiment
shown, the first and second containers 12 and 14 each comprise
generally a rectangular prism and the first and second side walls
18 and 19 are therefore connected by four edge walls.
[0043] Each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 includes a
first edge wall 20 connecting the first and second side walls 18
and 19 along a first side of the container 12 or 14 and a second
edge wall 21 connecting the first and second side walls 18 and 19
along a second opposite side of the container 12 or 14. In the
embodiment shown, the first and second side edge walls 20 and 21
comprise the longer edge walls and are interconnected by third and
fourth edge walls 22 and 23.
[0044] Each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 includes
one or more internal walls to divide the interior of the container
12 or 14 into a plurality of chambers. In the embodiment shown,
there is provided a pair of internal walls such that the container
12 or 14 is divided into three chambers. The internal walls extend
from the first edge wall 20 to the second edge wall 21 such that
there is defined a central chamber and first and second side
chambers. The first side chamber is located adjacent the third edge
wall 22 and the second side chamber is located adjacent the fourth
edge wall 23.
[0045] Each of the first and second containers 12 and 14 includes
pivotable lids that can be opened to provide access to the central
chamber and the first and second side chambers. The lids are
provided in the first and second side walls 18 and 19 and extend
across the extents of the corresponding chamber.
[0046] The first side wall 18 of each of the first and second
containers 12 and 14 includes a central lid 24. The central lid 24
is pivotable about a side adjacent the second edge wall 21 such
that the central lid 24 can be pivoted to provide access to the
central chamber of the container 12 or 14.
[0047] The second side wall 19 of each of the first and second
containers 12 and 14 is provided with a first side lid 26 and a
second side lid 27. The first side lid 26 is located adjacent the
third edge wall 22 and pivots about the edge thereof adjacent the
third edge wall 22. The first side lid 26 therefore pivots
outwardly as can be seen in FIG. 10 about the edge adjacent the
third edge wall 22. The second side lid 27 is located adjacent the
fourth edge wall 23 and pivots about the edge thereof adjacent the
fourth edge wall 23. The second side lid 27 therefore also pivots
outwardly as can be seen in FIG. 10.
[0048] The first and second containers 12 and 14 are connected
together by a plurality of bands 16 such that the relative
positions of the first and second containers 12 and 14 can be
changed between a number of configurations. In particular, the
first and second containers 12 and 14 can be rotated relative to
each other such that the first and second containers 12 and 14 can
be located in either a side by side configuration (as shown in FIG.
1) and an edgewise configuration (as shown in FIG. 5). In the side
by side configuration, the first side wall 18 of the first
container 12 is located adjacent the second side wall 19 of the
second container 14, or the second side wall 19 of the first
container portion 12 is located adjacent the first side wall 18 of
the second, container 14. In the edgewise configuration, the first
edge wall 20 of the first container 12 is located adjacent the
first edge wall 20 of the second container 14, or the second edge
wall 21 of the first container 12 is located adjacent the second
edge wall 21 of the second container 12.
[0049] In the embodiment shown, there is a first band 30 connected
between the first container 12 and the second container 14 and a
pair of second bands 31 connected between the second container 14
and the first container 12. The first band 30 is connected at a
first end thereof to the second container 14 at location adjacent
the junction between., the second side wall 19 and the first edge
wall 20. The second end of the first band 30 is connected at a
second end thereof to the first container 12 adjacent the junction
between the second side wall 19 and the second edge wall 21.
[0050] The length of the first band 30 is generally the width of
one of the containers 12 and 14 between the first and second edge
walls 20 and 21 plus the depth of one of the containers 12 and 14.
The first band 30 can therefore extend generally across one of
either the first or second side walls 18 and 19 and one of the
first or second edge walls 20 or 21.
[0051] The first band 30 is located such that it extends between
the first and second containers 12 and 14 generally centrally
between the third and fourth edge walls 22 and 23. That is, the
first band 30 will extend across the first side wall 18 centrally
across the central lid 24, or across the second side wall 19
centrally between the first second side lids 26 and 27.
[0052] The second bands 31 extend between the first and second
containers 12 and 14 on either side of the first band 30. That is,
one of the second bands 31 is located between the first band 30 and
the third edge wall 22 and the other is located between the first
band 30 and the fourth edge wall 23. First ends of the second bands
31 are connected to the first container 12 adjacent the junction
between first side wall 18 and the first edge wall 20. Second ends
of the second bands 31 are connected to the second container 14
adjacent the junction between the first side wall 18 and the second
edge wall 21.
[0053] The lengths of the second bands 31 are generally the same as
that of the first band 30. The second bands 31 can therefore also
extend generally across one of either the first or second side
walls 18 and 19 and one of the first or second edge walls 20 or
21.
[0054] The first of the second bands 31 is located such that it
will extend either across the first side wall 18 on a first side of
the central lid 24, or across the second side wall 19 across the
first side lid 26. The second of the second bands 31 is located
such that it will extend either across the first side wall 18 on a
second side of the central lid 24, or across the second side wall
19 across the second side lid 27.
[0055] The arrangement of the first and second bands 30 and 31 is
such that the first and second containers 12 and 14 can be rotated
relative to each other about an axis parallel to the first and
second side edges 20 and 21. FIGS. 11 a to 11 g show the possible
configurations of the first and second containers 12 and 14 as they
move through the range of possible movement. In each configuration,
the first and second bands 30 and 31 extend across one of the first
or second side walls 18 and one of the first or second edge walls
20 or 21.
[0056] In FIG. 11a, the first and second containers 12 are oriented
in a first side by side configuration in which the first side wall
18 of the first container 12 is adjacent the second side wall 19 of
the second container 14. The first and second containers 12 and 14
can move through the position of FIG. 11b to a first edgewise
configuration (as shown in FIG. 11c) in which the first edge wall
20 of the first container 12 is located adjacent the first edge
wall 20 of the second container 14. The first and second containers
12 and 14 can then be moved through the configuration of FIG. 11d.
to a second side by side configuration (as shown in FIG. 11e) in
which the second side wall 19 of the first container 12 is adjacent
the first side wall 18 of the second container 14. The first and
second containers 12 and 14 can then move through the position of
FIG. 11f to a second edgewise configuration (as shown in FIG. 11g)
in, which the second edge wall 21 of the first container 12 is
located adjacent the second edge wall 21 of the second container
14.
[0057] As can be seen in the Figures, in the first side by side
configuration, the first and second side lids 26 and 27 of the
first container 12 and the central lid 24 of the second container
14 can be opened to access the chambers within. In the second side
by side configuration, the first and second side lids 26 and 27 of
the second container 14 and the central lid 24 of the first
container 12 can be opened to access the chambers within. In either
of the edgewise configurations, the first and second side lids 26
and 27 of the first container 12 and the central lid 24 of the
second container 14 can be accessed by placing the lunch box 10 in
one orientation, or the first and second side lids 26 and 27 of the
second container 14 and the central lid 24 of the first container
12 can be accessed by turning the lunchbox 10 over.
[0058] It is therefore possible to access various combinations of
the chambers under the lids by altering the configuration of the
lunch box 10. It may be, for example that a recess meal is placed
in the chambers under the first and second side lids 26 and 27 of
the first container 12 and the central lid 24 of the second
container 14 and then a lunch time meal is placed under the first
and second side lids 26 and 27 of the second container 14 and the
central lid 24 of the first container 12. The lids and or
containers may also be of different colours or have different
markings to indicate the different purposes of the chambers. Such
various configurations therefore provide various options for
storing different meals as well as providing an interesting
variable shape lunch box for children.
[0059] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be
made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already
described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of
the present invention.
* * * * *