WO1992013471A1

WO1992013471A1 - Food carrying case and removable tub insert therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1992013471A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/001147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Reyes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-02-08
Filing date: 1992-02-10
Publication date: 1992-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1993-08-08
Also published as: AU1438792A

Abstract

A carrying case (10) is described for transporting food and beverages. The case comprises a main base member (12) and a top (14) hingedly secured thereto at coextensive edges. A support tray (25) is removably positioned in the main base member (12) and includes first and second support surfaces separated by a skirt (30) extending around peripheral edges of the support surfaces, each of the first and second support surfaces including one or more cutout portions therein, the tray (25) being positionable with either the first or the second support surface facing upwards. A set of interlocked storage tubs (35) is removably secured to the tray (25) when the tray (25) is positioned in the main base member (12) with the first support surface facing upwards. The set includes at least two individual tubs (35) secured to each other such that the individual tubs are removable from the carrying case (10) together and are thereafter separable.

Description

FOOD CARRYING CASE AND

REMOVABLE TUB INSERT THEREFOR

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for transporting foods and beverages and more particularly to a carrying case having suitable support structure for a removable tub insert to provide convenient transportation and preservation of food and beverages.

It is known in the prior art to provide an attache case including suitable internal structure for supporting food and beverage items. One such device is shown in U.S. Patent 4,106,597 to Shook et al and includes a removable block of thermally-insulating foam formed with cavities for receiving food and beverage containers. Such items advantageously enable the user to inconspicuously carry lunch to his or her place or employment. Other prior art devices have suggested the use of special internal constructions for supporting food items, such as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,336,776, 2,679,244, Re. 25,530, and 4,336,883. These devices, while generally suitable for their intended purposes, are expensive to manufacture and of little practical use because of their fixed or permanent types of internal configurations.

In particular, it is well known that foods and beverages come in varying-sized packages and containers. Fixed internal support constructions cannot adequately support such size variations. Moreover, many workers desire to take "leftovers" or other prepared food portions to work. The prior art constructions are inadequate to transport such items and cannot be cleaned without cleaning the entire case. Many people thus end up carrying one or more plastic tubs and food packages in unsightly paper bags or the like simply because there is no suitable way to transport all such items that may be desired. It would therefore be desirable to provide a universal carrying case for food and beverages that would overcome these and other problems associated with the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying case for transporting food and beverage items of varying shapes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a carrying case having suitable internal structures that facilitate the transportation and storage of many different types of food and beverage items, regardless of their size or state of preparation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carrying case which can effectively protect food from undesirable temperature changes

These and other objects of the invention are provided in a novel carrying case for use in transporting food and beverages. The case comprises a main base member and a top hingedly secured thereto at coextensive edges. A support tray is removably positioned in the main base member and includes first and second support surfaces separated by a skirt extending around peripheral edges of the support surfaces, each of the first and second support surfaces including one or more cutout portions therein, the tray being positionable with either the first or the second support surface facing upwards. Preferably, a set of interlocked storage tubs is removably secured to the tray when the tray is positioned in the main base member with the first support surface facing upwards. The set includes at least two individual tubs secured to each other such that the individual tubs are removable from the carrying case together and are thereafter separable. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the present invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner of modifying the invention as will be described. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed Description of the preferred embodiment.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference should be made to the following Detailed

Description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of the carrying case of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the carrying case of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side cutaway view of the carrying case with the support tray thereof in an upper position; FIGURE 4 is a plan view in cutaway showing the interlocking tub unit and the beverage cutout when the support tray of the case is in the upper position as shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURES 5-6 are side and plan views, respectively, of the preferred structure of one of the divider plates used in the beverage cutout;

FIGURE 7 is a side cutaway view of the carrying case with the support tray thereof in its overturned position; FIGURE 8 is a plan view in cutaway showing the food package cutout and the beverage cutouts when the support tray of the case is in the overturned position as shown in FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a side view of the adjustment means of the support tray useful in altering the size of one of the cutout portions of the tray when in the overturned position of FIGURE 8.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the carrying case 10 includes a main base member 12 and a top 14 that is hingedly secured to the base member 12 along their coextensive rear edges. Although not meant to be limiting, preferably the carrying case in formed of molded-foam polyester or other suitable rigid material. Case 10 includes a reinforced handle 16 and conventional locking tabs 18 and 20. If desired, the case may include a shoulder strap loop 22 and a cooperating strap ring 24 on opposite side portions thereof to which a shoulder strap can be affixed. The case can be provided in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs.

Referring now to FIGURES 3-4, preferably the main base member 12 and the top 14 each comprise an outer casing 13 and an inner shell 15 separated by a space. The space between the inner shell and the outer casing is filled with "any appropriate type of insulating material such as plastic foam or the like. The insulation advantageously serves to maintain the contents of the carrying case hot and cold as the case may be. The insulation may be omitted if desired.

The carrying case 10 includes a tray 25 supported within a bottom portion of the main base member 12. Tray 25 is preferably formed of molded thermoplastic material and includes a support surface 26 and a support surface 28. Support surfaces 26 and 28 are separated by a skirt 30 extending around the tray 25 and the area therebetween is hollow. As will be described below, certain portions of the upper and lower support surfaces 26 and 28 are cut-out to form food and/or beverage receptacles. Support pins 32 project outwardly from each of the surfaces 26 and 28 at the four corners of the tray for supporting the tray against the floor of the main base member 12. Additional support pin(s) 33 can also be provided near the center of the support tray (as best seen in FIGURE 3) for providing additional centralized support of the tray 25. The tray 25 is removable from the main base member 12 and is turned upside down to facilitate several different types of internal transport structures as will be described.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 3-4, the support tray 25 is located in its normal position, i.e., with support surface 26 facing upwards, for supporting a removable tub insert designated generally by the reference numeral 35. Removable tub insert 35 comprises one or more tubs, such as rectangular tub 36 and square tubs 38, which are interlocked to each other such that the entire interlocked tub unit can be removed from the carrying case at one time; upon removal, the tubs are then separated for individual use. The use of a single tub unit is advantageous because it enables all of the tubs to be rigidly secured within the carrying case to prevent spillage or inadvertent opening of any one tube. It also facilitates quick and efficient removal and cleaning of all the tubs at one time. The user can transport an entire meal in the carrying case with all of the different types of foods separated if desired. Once the integrated unit is removed, individual tubs are separated therefrom for individual use. Food items, such as sandwiches, can be prepared and then stored in the tub units overnight by removing the integrated tub insert 35 and storing the unit in the refrigerator. As can be appreciated, this construction provides significant advantages over the prior art. Of course, the tub(s) can be used in a standalone fashion apart from the carrying case itself. In the preferred embodiment/ each of the tubs of the removable tub unit 35 is substantially airtight and is formed of thermoplastic material and comprises a base portion 36 and a removable top 38. The tubs are microwave and dishwasher compatible. As best seen in FIGURE 3, preferably each base portion 36 has opposed side walls 40 and 42 having suitable structures for interlocking the respective tub to one or more other tubs. For example, side wall 40 has a longitudinally-extending tongue 41 projecting therefrom while opposed side wall 42 has a longitudinally-extending groove 43 projecting therefrom substantially as shown. Each tongue 41 is substantially t-shaped and is adapted to mate with a corresponding groove 43 from an adjacent tub. As seen in FIGURE 4, the large rectangular tub has a tongue 41 that extends longitudinally along one side wall while the opposite side wall includes a groove. Each of the square tubs includes a groove 43 that mates with the tongue 41 of the large rectangular tub. In this manner, the tubs are interlocked together. Upon removal from the carrying case, the tubs are separated by sliding each tub horizontally such that the tongue slides out from the mating groove. Preferably, each tub has this opposed tongue/groove structure (on all four sides) so that tubs can be readily interchanged and interlocked in various ways. Each four-sided tub thus has two tongues and two grooves, with each tongue/ groove pair located in opposed sides as described above. As best seen in phantom in FIGURE 4, the support surface 26 has a plurality of positioning holes 34 therein. These positioning holes are adapted to mate with projecting pins 45 integrally formed with the base portion 36 of each tub. This arrangement insures that the tub or interlocked tubs do not move relative to each other or to the main base member 12 during transportation. As also seen in FIGURE 3, the support surface 26 includes a cutout portion 50 that preferably extends along one side portion of the tray 25. A plurality of sets of opposed positioning slots 52 are located along the cutout portion 50, with each set comprising slots 52a and 52b. Each set is adapted to receive a removable divider plate 54. One or more of such plates are supported in the various slot sets for dividing the cutout portion 50 into two or more beverage support areas. This structure advantageously enables varying-sized beverage and/or fruit cans, boxes or other suitable containers to be supported in the cutout portion 50 during transportation. As shown in FIGURE 3, that portion of the support surface 28 that underlies the cutout portion 50 is also cutout as will be described below. The beverage can(s) are thus supported against lateral movement within the support tray 25. FIGURES 5-6 show elevation and side views of each of the removable divider plates.

Referring briefly back to FIGURE 3, top 14 includes a pocket 21 for storing paper items and the like. Suitable utensil supports (not shown) are secured to the pocket for receiving utensils such as forks, knives and spoons.

Referring now to FIGURES 7-8, the support tray 25 has been inverted to facilitate the transportation of other food type items. When the tray is inverted, normally the interlocking tub unit will not be used. As best seen in the plan view of FIGURE 8, the support surface 28 includes the beverage cutout portion 50 as described above with respect to FIGURES 3-4. In addition, support surface 28 includes a substantially rectangular cutout 56 for supporting a food package or the like, and one or more cutouts 58 for supporting other cylindrical-shaped items. Note that the portions of the support surface 26 that underlie cutouts 56 and 58 are left intact because such surfaces form part of the tub unit support when the tray 25 is turned to its normal position. Cutout 58 also includes one or more sets 52 of divider slots for supporting one or more divider plates as described above.

The effective area of the cutout 56 is varied through the use of an adjustment means 60 as best seen in FIGURE 9. Adjustment means 60 comprises a threaded screw 62 supported in a pair of support brackets 61. Journaled on the threaded screw is a wheel 64, a portion 66 of which extends through the surface 28. One end of the screw 62 is threaded to a wedge member 68 which is urged against the food package to maintain the package within the cutout 58 even if the package is smaller that the area of the cutout. The other end of the screw 62 includes a stop 70. Wheel 64 is rotated by the user to reciprocate the wedge member 68.

The carrying case of the present invention thus provides suitable internal structural members to facilitate the safe and convenient transportation of varying types of foods, beverages and packages. The underlying support tray advantageously supports the removable interlocking tub unit while at the same time providing a beverage support. All items are supported against relative movement with respect to each other and with respect to the main base of the carrying case itself. When the support tray is inverted, other types of food packages and beverage receptacles are likewise easily transported. When the interlocking tub unit is removed from the case, individual tubs are easily separable therefrom. The use of interlocking tubs creates an easy-to-use standalone unit that can be quickly cleaned.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments disclosed above may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIHS

What is claimed is: 1. A carrying case for transporting food and beverages, comprising: a main base member and a top hingedly secured thereto at coextensive edges; a tray removably positioned in the main base member and having first and second support surfaces separated by a skirt extending around peripheral edges of the support surfaces, each of the first and second support surfaces including one or more cutout portions therein, the tray being positionable with either the first or the second support surface facing upwards; and a set of interlocked storage tubs removably secured to the tray when the tray is positioned in the main base member with the first support surface facing upwards, the set including at least two individual tubs secured to each other such that the individual tubs are removable from the carrying case together and are thereafter separable.

2. The carrying case as described in Claim 1 wherein the main base member and the top include insulation means.

3. The carrying case as described in Claim 1 wherein the first support surface of the tray includes a plurality of positioning holes and each of the individual tubs includes at least one projecting pin for cooperating with one of the plurality of positioning holes in the first support surface to secure the tub to the tray.

4. The carrying case as described in Claim 1 wherein each of the tubs includes a base portion and a removable top.

5. The carrying case as described in Claim 4 wherein the base portion of each tub includes opposed side walls having projecting means for interlocking the respective tub to one or more other tubs.

6. The carrying case as described in Claim 5 wherein the projecting means of each tub includes a longitudinally-extending tongue projecting from one side wall and a longitudinally-extending groove projecting from an opposed side wall, wherein each tongue is substantially t-shaped and adapted to mate with a corresponding groove from an adjacent tub.

7. The carrying case as described in Claim 1 wherein the first support surface of the tray includes a cutout portion for receiving a substantially cylindrical-shaped object such as a beverage container.

8. The carrying case as described in Claim 7 further including means for dividing the cutout portion into at least two areas for receiving at least two substantially cylindrical-shaped objects.

9. A carrying case for transporting food and beverages, comprising: a main base member and a top hingedly secured thereto at coextensive edges; and a tray removably positioned in the main base member and having first and second support surfaces separated by a skirt extending around peripheral edges of the support surfaces, each of the first and second support surfaces including one or more cutout portions therein, the tray being positionable with either the first or the second support surface facing upwards.

10. The carrying case as described in Claim 9 wherein the first support surface of the tray includes a cutout portion for receiving a substantially cylindrical-shaped object when the tray is positioned in the main base member with the first support surface facing upwards.

11. The carrying case as described in Claim 10 further including means for dividing the cutout portion into at least two areas for receiving at least two objects.

12. The carrying case as described in Claim 9 wherein the second support surface of the tray includes a first cutout portion for receiving a substantially cylindrical-shaped object when the tray is positioned in the main base member with the second support surface facing upwards.

13. The carrying case as described in Claim 10 further including means for dividing the first cutout portion into at least two areas for receiving at least two substantially cylindrical-shaped objects.

14. The carrying case as described in Claim 9 wherein the second support surface of the tray includes a second cutout portion for receiving a substantially cylindrical-shaped object when the tray is positioned in the main base member with the second support surface facing upwards.

15. The carrying case as described in Claim 9 wherein the second support surface of the tray includes a third cutout portion for receiving a substantially rectangular-shaped object when the tray is positioned in the main base member with the second support surface facing upwards.

16. The carrying case as described in Claim 15 wherein the tray further includes means supported by second support surface for adjusting an area of the third cutout portion.

17. The carrying case as described in Claim 16 wherein the adjusting means includes a threaded screw having a wedge member secured at one end thereof.

18. An insert adapted for being removably positioned within a tray of a carrying case, comprising: a set of interlocked storage tubs removably secured to the tray when the tray is positioned in the carrying case, the set including at least two individual tubs secured to each other such that the individual tubs are removable from the carrying case together and are thereafter separable.

19. The insert as described in Claim 18 wherein each of the tubs includes a base portion and a removable top, the base portion of each tub including opposed side walls having projecting means for interlocking the respective tub to one or more other tubs.

20. The insert as described in Claim 19 wherein the projecting means includes a longitudinally-extending tongue projecting from one side wall and a longitudinally-extending groove projecting from an opposed side wall, wherein each tongue is substantially t-shaped and adapted to mate with a corresponding groove from an adjacent tub.