JPH11313710A - Reconstitutible lunch pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pack with soft side parts, which are provided with plural storing sections. SOLUTION: The pack is a storing pack which is connected by a connection panel 38 and provided with first and second cases 12 and 14. The third case 16 is integrally connected to the connection panel 38. The pack can be reconstituted from flat arrangement where the three cases are aligned and positioned on a common plane. The cases are provided with lids 52, 54 and 56 which are opened by a method for preventing them from mutually disturbing one another from the common side of the pack so as to expose the contents of the three cases and to perform access. Moreover, the pack can be reconstituted in an erected shape where the cases are mutually separated by an air gap for heat insulation by permitting the lids 52, 54 and 56 to be arranged on the inner side in order to prevent unprepared opening.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container for carrying food, and more particularly to a soft-sided lunch pack used to carry hot or cold, unprepared food.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art Insulated bags or packs with soft sides for carrying lunch from home to work, school or the like have become popular in recent years. These bags are convenient because they are easy to carry and can be easily stored when empty.

[0003] However, a single bag is well suited for packing everything a user wants to pack, especially one or more beverage containers, such as two 12 oz cans. Not as big. Thus, it is desirable to provide a container having a plurality of compartments that provide additional pack space. The parcels can also be
It also provides a means for organizing things.

Another of the packs currently available
One problem is that there is no means to separate hot food from cold food at the same time. Typically, it is desirable to carry cold food in a compartment separate from the hot food to prevent the flow of heat between the hot and cold food. It is not uncommon for a user to include a freezeable gel body in a soft-sided pack to keep something cool.
However, a single cavity pack does not provide an effective and convenient means to keep such things separate. Even in packs having a plurality of compartments, the compartments are not separated from each other to an effective extent with respect to temperature.

[0005] Still further, existing soft side packs are not convenient to use when carrying multiple items in a common compartment. No means is provided for organizing the contents of the bag, making it inconvenient to find something specific. Furthermore, packs do not provide a convenient means for the user to access, since the things are stored in a stack in a random fashion inside.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A soft sided storage pack having first and second containers connected by a connecting panel is disclosed. Each container is formed including a side wall and a cover therebetween defining an interior compartment for storing food. The pack can be reconfigured from a flat configuration in which the containers are co-planar with each other and the connecting panel, and an upright configuration in which the containers face each other. To provide a means for easily carrying the packs, handles extend from each container and connect to each other in an upright configuration.

A third container is integrally connected to the connecting panel and also includes a side wall and a cover defining a third internal storage compartment. The first, second and third containers are flat, side-by-side, and the cover simultaneously provides access to the first, second and third containers as well as those stored therein. Open upwards out of the way. Convenient and quick access to what is stored in each compartment is facilitated by this.

[0008] The first, second and third containers are physically and thermally separated in both the flat and upright configurations, and the food remains separated therein at different temperatures. Can be. Furthermore, in the upright position, the containers are separated by air gaps to further isolate each container with respect to temperature from the other containers.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a soft side pack having a plurality of storage compartments.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a soft-sided pack having a plurality of storage compartments that are physically separated from each other and that are insulated with respect to temperature.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage pack that can be reconfigured to other shapes to facilitate convenient transport.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage pack that provides quick access to stored items.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a storage pack that is economical, easily manufactured, and convenient for use.

[0014] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are achieved by the preferred embodiments described below and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 5, a plurality of compartment packs made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention are generally
It is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 in the accompanying drawings. Pack 10 contains three separate containers or compartments 12, 14, and 1
6, the containers 12 and 14 can be connected by their elongated handle portions 18,20.

Each container 12, 14 and 16 includes a back wall 28, 30, 32, a bottom wall 34, 36, 38, and a front wall 40, 4, respectively.
2, 44, including a set of side walls 46, 48, 50 and interior compartments 22, 24, 26 defined by respective covers or flaps 52, 54, 56. Covers 52, 54, 56 are mounted on top of the back walls 28, 30, 32, respectively, and
It extends downward toward 40, 42, 44. Cover 52, 54
Alternatively, can be attached to the front walls 40, 42 respectively by suitable connectors such as zippers 60, 58 respectively. Alternatively, other types of fasteners can be utilized, such as a series of VELCRO members. Cover 56
Is preferably flap-shaped and covers the container 16. VELC
The RO member portion 62 secures the retracted edge of the cover 56 to the front wall 44 of the container and can be removed with a finger, as is conventional.

The containers 12, 14, 16 are preferably sewn from a material that includes a vinyl inner liner and an outer layer of nylon material. In this way, the flexible wall panels of the container can be squashed relatively flat when empty for easy storage. This material also provides thermal insulation to keep the food inside at a constant temperature.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a continuous series of fabrics provides the base of the pack, and the bottom walls 34, 36, 38 and the handle 18 of each of the containers 12, 14, 16 , 20 panels 64, 66 are formed. The side wall, front wall and back wall are sewn into the continuous series of fabrics, thereby forming independent containers 12, 14, and 16. Thus, the container pivotally attached to the central container 16
A single pack with 12, 14 is formed.

Although the containers 12, 14, 16 are preferably constructed from a flexible material as described above, the present invention provides that the containers can alternatively be made from a relatively rigid material. Intended. However, the reconstitution of the pack described below is such that the series of backing cloths is sufficiently flexible so that the containers 12 and 14 pivot upwardly into a vertical, opposed relationship with the container 16. Need that.

The handle portions 18, 20 extend upwardly from the upper portions of the back walls 28, 30 of the containers 12, 14, respectively. In some embodiments of the present invention, each handle portion 18, 20 may be integrally formed with a respective back wall 28, 30.

Each handle portion 18, 20 includes a panel 64, 66, respectively. Each panel 64, 66 has an opening 68, 70 and an arcuate hand grip strip 76, 78.
Respectively. The panels cooperate such that the openings 68, 70 and the gripping portions 76, 78 are arranged next to each other to form a handle. Panels 64, 66 further provide hooks and loops VE to engage and support the panel.
Includes LCRO-type member fastener portions 72, 74, respectively. The formed handle is thereby secured until the member fastener portions 72, 74 are released.

Referring to FIG. 3, the pack 10 is shown in an expanded flat shape suitable for removal for use on a table or the like. The containers 12, 14, 16 have a coplanar, aligned shape and are in side-by-side relationship. A central container 16 lines the sides of containers 12 and 14. Cover 52, 5
4, 56 can be opened in this configuration without interfering with each other. The covers 52,54 pull the chuck open from the side walls 46,48, respectively, and pivot outwardly away from the containers 12,14. The cover 56 may pivot the member 62 away from the sides of the container 16 and also out of the way. In this way, the containers open so as to simultaneously expose their contents to the user without being obstructed by their respective covers.

It is clear that the containers 12, 14, 16 are each separated from one another and can be stored with food elements at different temperatures. By way of example, various things, such as napkins and utensils, can be stored in container 16, warm in container 12, cold in container 14. When arranged in this manner, things can be easily accessed and are separated from each other.
In order to further enhance the effectiveness of the pack in storing hot and cold items at their preferred temperatures, if desired, freezeable gel packs and heat-generating chemical packs (not shown) may be used. It turns out that it can be put into a container.

Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, it will be apparent that the entire top of the containers 12, 14, and 16 will open to provide easy access. The article can thus be kept in the container in a suitable temperature environment during use, without having to remove the food from the container to access or consume.

For transport and storage, the pack 10 is reconfigured from the flat configuration shown in FIG. 3 to the upright configuration shown in FIGS. As can be seen from FIG.
With the container 16 still, the containers 12, 14 pivot upward in an opposed relationship. Top cover 56 of container 16
Provides a support surface on which the containers 12, 14 can be placed. Containers 12, 14
When the hand grips 76 and 78 are fully upright
And the openings 68, 70 are aligned as described above. The attachment of the member fastener portions 72, 74 supports the containers 12 and 14 in an upright position.

The pack can thus be shaped assuming an arrangement suitable for transport. Containers 12, 14, and 16
It can be reconfigured into relatively small packages to form a pack 10 that is easy to carry. Further, the containers 12, 14, and 16 in the upright configuration are separated from each other and separated from each other by an air gap, as best shown in FIG. This enhances the insulation of each of the containers at each preferred and often different temperature, and also facilitates the care of each container.

From FIG. 6, it can be seen that the covers 52, 54 and 56 are arranged in an upright configuration inside the pack. Covers 52 and 54 are closely adjacent and face each other. Even if each zipper is inadvertently partially open, the covers 52 and 54 are in close proximity to each other, preventing them from opening and keeping the contents of each container 12, 14 inside. Helps to keep it. Similarly, since containers 12 and 14 rest on the top cover of third container 16, their presence helps to keep cover 56 in a closed position even when fastener 62 is disengaged. The container and its cover cooperate in this manner in an upright configuration to ensure that the contents do not spill.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above, the invention is not intended to be so limited. Other embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art and that utilize the disclosure set forth herein are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pack of the present invention shown in an upright configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the invention showing a continuous deformed shape between a flat shape and an upright shape.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the present invention showing a flat shape.

FIG. 4 is a side view.

FIG. 5 is a front view.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Pack 12 ... First container 14 ... Second container 16 ... Third container 38 ... Connecting panel 52,54,56 ... Cover

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 17, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

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[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pack of the present invention shown in an upright configuration.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention, showing a continuous deformed shape between a flat shape and an upright shape.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the present invention showing a flat shape.

FIG. 4 is a side view.

FIG. 5 is a front view.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

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[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

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FIG.

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[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

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[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 3

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[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 6

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Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A reconfigurable storage pack comprising first and second containers each having a side wall, a cover, and an interior compartment, wherein the connection panel is connected to the first and second containers such that the containers are connected to each other. Wherein the first and second containers are pivotally connected along opposite sides of the first and second containers, wherein the first and second containers are from a first position where the containers and the connection panel are substantially coplanar; The container pivotally moves to a mutually opposed upright second position, wherein the cover of the container is in the first position upwardly of the inner compartment of the first and second containers. Wherein the storage pack surrounds a side wall disposed in the container and is optionally movable to substantially expose the entire upwardly facing side wall of the interior section of the container. 2. The storage pack according to claim 1, wherein said cover includes fastener means for removably connecting said cover to said side wall of said interior compartment of each of said containers. Where storage pack. 3. The storage pack according to claim 2, wherein the cover is opposite each other between the inner compartments of the container in the upright second position. 4. The storage pack of claim 1, wherein a handle portion extends from each of the containers, each of the handle portions has an opening, and the handle portion of one of the containers comprises: A storage pack wherein the handle portion attaches to the handle portion of another container such that the handle portion is aligned to form a single opening. 5. The storage pack according to claim 1, further comprising a third container attached to the connection panel and disposed between the first and second containers. The container includes a side wall, a cover and an interior compartment, wherein the cover of the third container is in the first position,
Enclosing a side wall of the third container disposed above the inner compartment, and optionally substantially covering the entire upwardly directed side wall of the inner compartment of the third container; A storage pack where it can move to be exposed to. 6. The storage pack according to claim 5, wherein said inner compartments of said first, second and third containers are open upwardly and substantially co-exist in said first position. A storage pack on a flat surface. 7. The storage pack according to claim 6, wherein said covers of said first, second and third containers are arranged such that said inner compartment of said containers is not obstructed by said cover. A storage pack wherein the storage pack moves directionally outward in a first position. 8. The storage pack of claim 7, wherein the end walls of the first and second containers are disposed on the third container in the second upright position. A storage pack wherein the cover of the third container is immovable over the inner compartment of the third container. 9. The storage pack according to claim 8, wherein the covers of the first and second containers face each other and are close to each other in the second upright position, whereby , Wherein each of the first and second containers cannot be moved over the interior compartment of the first and second containers.