NL2007251C2 - Lunchbox. - Google Patents

Description

P95663NL00 Title: Lunchbox

The invention relates to lunchboxes.

Lunchboxes are known to provide for an easy way of carrying food, e.g. fruits and sandwiches, and/or small accessories, e.g. a spoon etc. The lunchbox can be taken to picnics or hikes or to work and has the advantage 5 that the food is readily available in case hunger strikes or in case a snack is desired. Also a lunchbox can be small such that it easily fits into a handbag or rucksack. However, current known lunchboxes have the disadvantages that when they are not fully filled up with food, food and/or other articles can shift around, such that for example sandwich filling can fall out of the sandwich, or 10 moist articles like fruits can get into contact with dry articles like bread, making the bread soggy.

JP 2006-116391 describes a solution for holding articles in a lunchbox such that they do not shift, by inflating an air bag that is connected to the lid of a lunchbox until the air bag presses against articles in the 15 lunchbox to prevent them from shifting to one side.

For inflating the air bag, the air bag either needs an electrical inflator device, making the lunchbox heavy and taking up storage room or the air bag can be inflated with air from the lungs of the user, which can be difficult if the user suffers from shortage of breath. Also, it is time consuming 20 to each time, depending on the amount and size of the articles placed in the lunchbox, the airbag has to be inflated or deflated.

An object of the invention is therefore to obviate at least one of the above mentioned drawbacks.

Thereto, the invention provides a lunchbox comprising a first holder 25 part and a second holder part forming an article receiving space therebetween, wherein a resilient partition, e.g. a resilient flexible membrane or web, is provided at least partly dividing the article receiving space.

2

The resilient partition can engage one or more articles, that is/are present in at least one section of the article receiving space, to hold the article(s) in place, particularly by resiliently clamping the article on an opposite inner face of the lunchbox. The resilient partition may be entirely 5 resilient and flexible, to smoothly follow an engaged side of the article, and e.g. for distributing engagement pressure relatively evenly over the article.

Also, by providing a resilient partition that a least partially divides the article receiving space, articles can be stored at both sides of the resilient partition, such that e.g. moist or wet articles on one side of the resilient 10 partition do not get into contact with dry articles on the other side of the resilient partition. For example, the resilient partition can be a substantially liquid-tight partition, to prevent passage of moist there-through..

The resilient partition, e.g. the resilient flexible membrane or web, can accommodate for articles that have a dimension bigger then the dimension 15 between the partition and the first or second holder part, by being able to resiliently deform. During a deformed condition of the partition, articles may be clamped and/or pressed between the partition and the first or second holder part, preventing the articles to shift during movement of the lunchbox.

The resilient partition at least partly divides the article receiving 20 space, such that for example some articles can be clamped between the partition and the first or second holder part and at the same time allowing some articles to move freely between the first and second holder part.

The resilient partition may be held in the receiving space by a frame. The frame may be a peripheral frame, such that the partition can be 25 stretched within the frame. Alternatively, the frame may be held between the first and second holder part, such that the frame with partition can be fixed at a certain location in the article receiving space, yet still be easily removable for cleaning or for filling the article receiving space with articles.

However, the resilient partition can be also provided to either the 30 first or second holder part. For example the partition may be glued to the first 3 or the second holder part by means of contact adhesive. The partition, however, may be held in place by at least one strap over the outside of either the first or second holder part whereon the resilient partition is provided. The strap may be separately attachable to the partition or the strap may form an 5 integral part with the resilient partition (e.g. being made in one piece with the partition, from the same material). Also, the strap may be adapted to hold articles on the outside of the holder parts, for example a drink bottle may be clamped between one or more straps and the outside of the first or second holder part.

10 The partition may initially divide the article receiving space into an article placement space and a buffer space. The article placement space is for placing articles therein, such that articles may deform and/or stretch the partition from an base position (wherein the partition extends along the buffer space) into a deformed condition; in the latter deformed condition the partition 15 extends at least partly into the buffer space. The resulting (additionally) biased resilient partition urges to return to the base position, at the same time clamping the articles in the articles space between the first or second holder part.

The first and second holder part of the lunchbox may be hingedly 20 connected to each other, e.g. by means of at least one hinge connection at a longitudinal or lateral edge of the first and second holder part. Also the frame holding the partition may be hingedly connected between the first and second holder part. The frame may be connected to either first or second holder part with at least one different hinge or the frame may be connected to the hinge 25 connecting the first and second holder part.

For filling the article receiving space of the lunchbox with articles, e.g. fruit, vegetables, bread, spoons etc, the first holder part and second holder part are mutually movable between a first, open, condition providing access to the article receiving space, and a second, closed, condition for enclosing the 4 article receiving space. In an open position the articles may be filled into the article receiving space.

In a closed condition, when the article receiving space is filled with articles, the resilient partition may clamp all, some or none of the articles in 5 place between the first and/or second holder part. The partition is adapted to deform and/or stretch to at least partially follow the contour and/or shape of at least a part of the articles.

The resilient partition may be spring biased, such that an extra clamping force may be realized on articles being clamped in place in the 10 lunchbox. The lunchbox may hold the resilient partition in a flat condition prior to receiving an article, whereas after receiving articles in the article receiving space, the resilient partition may be at least partly deformed and/or stretched, i.e. not being in a flat condition anymore.

The resilient partition may extend substantially in parallel with 15 opposite inner sides of the two holder parts, and substantially spaced-apart from both inner sides.

The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration of the invention. 20 In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a lunchbox according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first holder part (or second holder part) with a deformed partition according to a first embodiment of the 25 invention;

Fig. 3a, b show a perspective view of a second embodiment, wherein the resilient partition is held by a frame;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the resilient partition is connected to one of the holder 30 parts; and 5

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein an article is clamped to the outside of one of the holder parts.

It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of 5 embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limited example. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows a lunchbox 1 comprising a first holder part 2 and a second holder part 3 forming an article receiving space 4 there-between, 10 wherein a resilient (and flexible) partition 5, e.g. a resilient flexible membrane or web, is provided that divides the article receiving space 4 (in respective sections of that space).

As follows from the drawing, in the present example, the first holder part 2 includes a bottom wall with respective side walls (defining a respective 15 section of an article receiving space). In the example, the second holder part 3 includes a top wall with respective side walls (defining a respective section of the article receiving space). The top wall extends opposite the bottom wall when the lunchbox is in a closed condition.

The present resilient partition 5 is configured to engage one or more 20 articles 6, that is/are present in at least one section of the article receiving space; the partition can resiliently clamp the article 6 onto an opposite inner article supporting surface (of a holder part) of the lunchbox, which inner surface adjoins the respective section of the article receiving space. In assembled state, the present resilient partition 5 has a substantially flat initial 25 condition, and can deform from that flat condition upon engagement of an article 6.

For example, the resilient partition 5 divides the article receiving space 4, such that articles 6 can be stored at both sides of the resilient partition 5. This makes it possible that e.g. moist or wet articles 6, e.g. fruits, 30 on one side of the resilient partition 5 do not get into contact with dry articles 6 6, e.g. bread, on the other side of the resilient partition 5. Also, one side of the partition 5 can be used for food accessories, e.g. knifes, yoghurt spoons etc. that can possibly damage fragile and/or soft articles 6 be separated. Small articles 6 can be separated and placed on either side of the partition 5, whereas big 5 articles 6 such as milk cartons can make use of the full height H of the lunchbox 1.

Articles 6 that are separated on either side of the resilient partition 5 in the article receiving space 4 are generally differently shaped and/or dimensioned compared to the shape of the article receiving space 4 (i.e. the 10 respective section of the space) on either side of the partition 5. Figure 2 shows that the resilient partition 5, e.g. the resilient flexible membrane or web, can accommodate for articles 6 that have a dimension bigger than the height Hp between the partition 5 and the first or second holder part 2, 3, by being able to at least partially resiliently deform. During a deformed condition of the 15 partition 5, articles 6 are clamped between the partition 5 and the first or second holder part 2, 3 (particularly cooperating with a respective inner article supporting surface of the respective holder part 2, 3), preventing the articles 6 to shift during movement of the lunchbox 1. It should be clear that the height Hp between the partition 5 and the first or second holder part 2, 3 can be 20 different at different locations in the lunchbox 1, depending on the shape and position of the first and second holder part 2, 3 relative to the partition 5.

Figure 3a, 3b show in a different embodiment of the invention that the resilient partition 5 can be held in the receiving space 4 by a frame 7. In this case the frame is a peripheral frame 7, including (and enclosing) the 25 partition. The frame 7 with internal partition can be loosely placed in the article receiving space 4 or alternatively the frame 7 may be removable or fixedly held between the first and second holder part 2, 3, e.g. during a closed condition of the lunchbox 1.

In another embodiment shown in figure 4 the resilient partition 5 30 can also be provided to either the first or second holder part 2, 3. In this case 7 the resilient partition 5 is strapped to the second holder part 3, but can also be strapped to the first holder part 2 by means of one or more straps 8. However, the resilient partition can also be fixedly connected to either first or second holder part 2, 3 by means of adhesive, e.g. contact adhesive. Preferably, the 5 strap 8 is integrally formed with the resilient partition 5, however, a separate strap 8 can be used as well. The straps 8 can be strapped along a longitudinal or transverse direction of the holder parts 2, 3 or can also be strapped in crosswise fashion.

In a further embodiment shown in figure 5, the one or more straps 8 10 can be used for holding articles on the outside of one of the holder parts 2, 3 of the lunchbox, e.g. a drink bottle. This can be useful in case an article 6 is too voluminous or big to be placed or fitted in the lunchbox 1 or in case the lunchbox 1 is already filled with other articles 6.

The first and second holder part 2, 3 of the lunchbox 1 can be 15 hingedly connected to each other as shown in figures 1, 3b and 4, e.g. by means of at least one hinge connection 9 at a longitudinal edge of the first and second holder part 2, 3. However, the hinge connection 9 can also be provided on a transversal direction of the holder parts 2, 3. Also the frame 7 holding the partition may be hingedly connected between the first and second holder part 20 2, 3 as shown in figure 3b. The frame 7 can be connected to either holder part 2, 3 by a hinge connection 9 different than the hinge connection 9 connecting the first and second holder part 2, 3 and/or the frame 7 can share the hinge connection 9 with the holder parts 2, 3.

Figure 1, 3b, and 4 show an open condition of the lunchbox 1, 25 whereas figure 5 shows a closed condition of the lunchbox 1. For moving between a closed an open condition of the lunchbox 1, the first holder part 2 and second holder part 3 are mutually movable between the first, open, condition providing access to the article receiving space 4, and a second, closed, condition for enclosing the article receiving space 4.

8

During a closed condition of the lunchbox 1, the article receiving space 4 may be filled with articles 6, such that the resilient partition 5 may clamp all, some or none of the articles 6 in place between the first and/or second holder part 2, 3, according to figure 2. The resilient partition 5 is able to 5 at least partially deform and/or stretch, such that it can at least partially follow the contour and/or shape of the articles 6 placed in the article receiving space. Therefore the resilient partition 5 is preferably inherently spring biased, for example such that the partition is able to stay in a substantially flat condition, at least when no article are filled in the article receiving space 4 10 of the lunchbox 1. Further, the spring biased partition 5 can generate an extra clamping force when being in deformed or stretched condition, as depicted in figure 2, for clamping articles 6 tightly in place.

The figures show that the present resilient partition 5 extends substantially in parallel with opposite inner sides of the two holder parts 2, 3, 15 and is initially substantially spaced-apart from both inner sides 10, 11 of the holder parts 2, 3’ alternatively, the resilient partition 5 can be placed under and angle relative to the inner sides.

The lunchbox 1 can be manufactured of plastic material, e.g. by means of injection molding. The resilient partition 5 may be manufactured of 20 one or more plastics and/or natural rubber, e.g. by means of injection molding, or the partition 5 my by made of a resilient cloth and/or fabric. The straps 8 can be integrally formed with the partition 5. Additionally, the resilient partition 5 can be integrally formed with one of the holder parts 2, 3. The optional frame 7 holding the partition may made of plastic or metal and/or can 25 be integrally formed therewith.

The person skilled in the art should appreciate that the invention is not limited to the in the foregoing described examples. All combinations and/or variants are understood to be comprised within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims (17)

A lunch box comprising a first holder part and a second holder part to form an article receiving space between them, wherein a resilient partition, for example a resilient membrane or web, is provided to at least partially share the article receiving space. The lunch box of claim 1, wherein the resilient partition is held in the receiving space by a frame. A lunch box according to claim 2, wherein the frame is held between the first and second holder part. The lunch box of claim 1, wherein the resilient partition is provided on either the first or second container part. A lunch box according to claim 4, wherein the resilient partition is held in place by at least one band across the outside of either the first or the second container part on which the resilient partition 15 is provided. The lunch box of claim 5, wherein the band forms an integral part with the resilient partition. A lunch box according to claims 5-6, wherein the band is adapted to hold articles on the outside of the holder parts. A lunch box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition divides the article receiving space into an article placement space and a buffer space. A lunch box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second holder part are hingedly connected. 10. Lunch box according to claims 1-3 and 9, wherein the frame is hingedly connected between the first and second holder part. 11. Lunch box as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and second holder part are mutually movable between a first, open state to provide access to the article receiving space, and a second, closed state for closing the article receiving 5. space. A lunch box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient partition extends substantially parallel to opposite inner sides of the two holder parts, and substantially spaced from both inner sides. A lunch box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient partition is biased under spring tension. A lunch box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A lunch box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition is partially resilient or fully resilient. 16. Resilient partition for sharing an article receiving space of a lunch box, for example the partition of a lunch box according to one of the preceding claims 1-15 17. Resilient partition according to claim 16, comprising at least one band for attaching the partition to a holder part of the lunch box.