Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Lunch box transformina into placemat
EELD OF THE 1NVENTIDN
[00t1 The invention rel ates gernsrPly to the field of food serving and
containers but more particularly to a lunch box that can unfold into a
placemat-
E3ACKGRQUND OF THE INVENTIQ,N
[[X.)2] There are several invenfrons in the field of food serving that present
products that have. two uses. Most have to do with combining utensils
with placemats. Others are more like trays with predefined cavitPes that
act like brnMs or ptates_
i[)p;i] There are of course a variet~( of boxes which can be unfolded into
flat
pieces of cardboards desigr-ed for single use but these patents are
generally for the manufactur+n g process or to disclose means for storage
of boxes which are made out of fJat sheets of cardboard.
[004] There does not appear to be a practical way to provide for a lunch box
that also acts as a ptacemat
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SUIV]lViARY OF THE INNENTIDN
[005] ln view of the foregoing d'isadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which vrill be
described subsequentiy in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[CX)61 To provide for a lunch container or lunch box which can be easily
unfolded to create a practicaP placemat.
l OfM71 'ro provide for a lunch contaiiner that is designed for multiple usage
and
not for one time dispQsabfe usage.
[008] To provide for a lunch container that can easily be carried about by
hand
or on a bicycle rack or such racks.
[009] To provide for a lunch container having insulating capabilties.
j0010] To provide for a lunch container wherein the placemat configuration
presents a useable surface that is easy to clean.
[0011] To provide for a iunch container with features such as holding straps
for
utensils and optional integrated pouch_
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[0012.] To provide for a container that can be used for a variety of other
purposes besides carrying foiod, such as a make up kit_
[0013] To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a
structure farming a boxlike configuration in one mode so as to perform
the function of a lunch box. The structure consists of a lid, a front, a
back, a first side, a second side, and a bottom_ The placemat is located
on the interior side of the stucture when the structure performs the
function of a flat ptacemat The structure has a first and a second zipper
that run along ait least three but preferably four sides of the structure.
[0014] In a variation of the embodirrMFnt, a lid handle is located on the lid.
[0015] In another variation of the ennbodiment, a secondary handle is located
on the first side.
[00161 In another variation of the en7bodinlent, an end strap is located on
the
second side_
20[001?] In another variation of the embodiment, a pouch is integrated within
the
placemat_
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(W 18] In another variation of the embodiment, holding straps located on the
placemat fbr receiving catenng articles.
100191 In another variation of the embodiment, an end strap is located on the
second side along with a pair of tying straEps to tie the lunch box to a
bicycle rack.
[0020] In another variation of the embodiment, the structure is made out of a
flexible material having insulating properties,
[00211 The lunch box has the method of use consisting in the steps of a user,
unzipping the first and second zippers and opening and unfolding the
lunch box iMo its placernat configuration so that the user has access to
the food.
(00221 There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may l)e better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that wiN be described hereinafter and which wil!
form the subject mntter of the claims appended hereto.
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[0023] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
5 of the components set forth in the following description or iE<ustrated in
the draWngs. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of descriptioni and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0024] As such, those skilled in the art wi11 appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other sfiructures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
1.5 the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not tlepairt from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[()015] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out vrith
particularity in the claims annexed to and forrrrng a part of this
disclosure. For a better uncFerstanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
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should be made to the acciympanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred ernbodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DFtA1NINGS
5[0026] Fig. ? Perspective view of the lunch box zippered_
[UU27j Fig. 2 Plan view of the lunch box unzipped and in placemat rrtode,
[0028] Fig.3 Perspective view of a variation of the lunch box, zippered,
having
tying straps.
IODUAILED DESCRIPTION
[0(Y29] A lunch box (10) transforming into a placemat (20). The placemat (20)
is
located on the interior side of a stucture (22). The structure (22) is
preferably made out of a flexible materral having insulating properties
and which consists of material that is easy to clean, hard to soil,
15 impermeable as well as having other suitable characteristics for acting
as placemat material.
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(00301 The structure (22) has a first and a second zipper (12, 12) wherein the
first zipper (12) runs along at least thme but preferably four sides
starting along one side of tht, lid (16), then continuing on to one side of a
back (26), then one side of a bottom (30), then,simultaneously on one
side of a front (24) and one side of a first side (28). Attematively, the run
can start at the back (26)_ All the while, the second zipper (12) starts its
run at the long side of the lid (16), then continuing on to the opposite
side of the back (26), then the opposite side of the bottom (30), then,
simuttaneously on the opposite side of the (24) and one side of a
second side (28'). Atternatively, the second zipper (12') can start at the
one side of the lid (16) if not done by the fist zipper (12).
f(X)31 J In other words, the first zipper (12) runs along at least three but
preferably four sides defineti as b, c, d and e (or just c, d and e) while
the second zipper (12') runs along sides a, b', c', d' and e' (or b, a, b',
c',
d' and e').
[0032] A lid handle (14) is located +Dn a!id (16). Besides the lid (16), the
lunch
box (10) has a front (24), a back (26), a first side (28) and a second side
(28'), and a bottom (30). A secondary handle (15) is located on the first
side (28).
20(0033J In an altemate embodiment an end strap (29) is located on the second
side (28') along with a pair of tying straps (34) to tie the lunch box to a
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bicycle rack (not showrt).
f03341 In order to consume the food in the lunch box (10), the user, unzips
the
zippers (12, 12) and opens and unfolds the lunch box (10) into its
pEacemat configuration so that the user has access to the food.
5[00351 The placemat has an optiorial pouch (not shown) integrated within the
placemant (20) as wetl as holding stt-aps (32) for receiving catering
articles such as cutlery.
fM361 As to a further discussion oi' the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
1.0 description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
[00371 With respect to the above diescription then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
15 include v2riations in size, maderials, shape, form, func#ion and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious
to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifiication are
intended to be encompassed by the present invenfion.
[0038] Therefore, the faregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
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principles of the invention. Further, smce numerous n7odifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, antt acxortiingly, atl suitable mod-rFications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
15
