US20190208881A1 - Stuffed Animal Lunch Box - Google Patents
Stuffed Animal Lunch Box Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20190208881A1 US20190208881A1 US16/242,801 US201916242801A US2019208881A1 US 20190208881 A1 US20190208881 A1 US 20190208881A1 US 201916242801 A US201916242801 A US 201916242801A US 2019208881 A1 US2019208881 A1 US 2019208881A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lunchbox
- fabric pouch
- opening
- insulating liner
- pouch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000001815 facial effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002982 water resistant material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 210000004209 hair Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000006263 elastomeric foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
- A45C11/20—Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/008—Details; Accessories for making water- or air-tight
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/08—Decorative devices for handbags or purses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/10—Arrangement of fasteners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/10—Arrangement of fasteners
- A45C13/1023—Arrangement of fasteners with elongated profiles fastened by sliders
- A45C13/103—Arrangement of zip-fasteners
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/36—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/365—Containers, or parts thereof, simulating or being incorporated into other items, e.g. puppet, animal, vehicle, building, dumb bells
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/38—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
- B65D81/3888—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation wrappers or flexible containers, e.g. pouches, bags
- B65D81/3897—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation wrappers or flexible containers, e.g. pouches, bags formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/10—Arrangement of fasteners
- A45C2013/1015—Arrangement of fasteners of hook and loop type
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to food storage and transportation containers, and in particular, to a lunchbox having features of a stuffed animal.
- Lunchboxes are standard accessories for school-age children and are intended to provide a container for transporting and storing food.
- a typical lunchbox provides a rectangular box of stiff plastic or metal with a hinged lid held by a clasp and the box is often decorated with popular characters or motives that may be enjoyed by young children.
- Such lunchboxes provide relatively little insulation for refrigerated or heated items and can be difficult to open.
- the construction of the hinging and clasp is such as to risk inadvertent opening of the lunchbox and spilling of the lunch contents out onto the ground.
- the present invention provides an improved lunchbox implementing many of the features of a stuffed animal to provide for an attractive container for young children while avoiding conventional rigid box construction.
- the lunchbox may provide a pouch which naturally opens upward eliminating a hinged double door which can spill contents onto the ground while the stuffed plush material provides natural insulation.
- FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a lunchbox constructed according to at least one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 showing the internal construction of the lunchbox;
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail of an upper opening in the lunchbox that may be closed using a hook and loop fastener and showing an upwardly extending handle;
- FIG. 4 is a figure similar to FIG. 3 showing a method of stowing the handle within the lunchbox volume.
- the present invention provides a soft lunch box 10 readily adaptable to have the outward appearance of an animal or other character such as is cartoon character, person, or the like.
- the outer surface may conform to that of a stuffed animal or other similar character, for example, providing facial features 12 sewn or adhered to a flexible fabric body 14 to be visible from a front surface thereof.
- Two or more appendages depicting legs or the like may extend downwardly attached to a lower surface of the body and flaps of material providing ears may extend outwardly attached to the upper portion of the body.
- the fabric body 14 is a plush or artificial fur material having outwardly extending multiple outer hairs 16 that form an entrapped layer of air for improved insulation of the lunch box contents.
- the fabric body 14 and the outer hairs 16 may be given form by a contained layer of batting or other insulation, for example, polyester batting layer 18 .
- This batting layer 18 may extend over an inner fabric sleeve 20 forming an inner sack or pouch 22 having a bottom wall 24 surrounded by four upstanding sidewalls 26 and open at the top.
- the thickness of the batting layer 18 varies to allow the outer shape of the lunch box 10 to differ from the internal volume of the pouch 22 , the latter of which may be substantially rectangular and may be preserved in a relaxed state when the lunchbox is empty.
- One or both of two opposed sidewalls extend upward to provide a handle 28 having a cutout 30 providing a space to receive fingers of the hand.
- Upper edges of the fabric body 14 may be attached to a lower portion of these handles 28 (in the case of two handles) or to one handle 28 with the other edge of the fabric body 14 attach to an upper edge of the opposing side wall 26 and openable to provide access to the pouch 22 .
- a zipper or hook and loop fastener strip 32 may be used (for example, placed on upper inner surfaces of the opposed sidewalls 26 ) to close the opening of the inner pouch 22 preventing spillage or loss of the lunch contents.
- the sidewalls 26 and bottom wall 24 may be constructed of a water resistant or water impermeable material (machine washable) that retains flexibility and/or may be stiffened with a washable plastic batten or the like so that the entire lunch box can be easily inverted and cleaned and yet retain its shape.
- This water resistant or water impermeable material may include reflective elements such as a foil or metallic or metallized strands to reflect heat inward into the pouch 22 and outward away from the pouch 22 further improving the insulating qualities of the pouch 22 .
- the sidewalls 26 and bottom wall 24 maybe a flexible but shape retaining material such as a closed cell elastomeric foam that allows the lunch box 10 to maintain its shape (and representation, for example, of a furry animal or the like) regardless of whether there are materials in the pouch 22 while still providing softness to the lunch box 10 .
- a flexible but shape retaining material such as a closed cell elastomeric foam that allows the lunch box 10 to maintain its shape (and representation, for example, of a furry animal or the like) regardless of whether there are materials in the pouch 22 while still providing softness to the lunch box 10 .
- Seams 38 between the bottom wall 24 and sidewalls 26 may also provide a stiffening of the inner compartment 22 allowing protection against crushing forces and the like.
- Other stiffener elements may include a contained plastic lunchbox or the like.
- the handle 28 may, for example, be an extension of the fabric material or foam material comprising the sidewalls 26 of the lunch box 10 .
- a hook and loop fastener strip 32 on its inner surface may mate with a corresponding hook and loop fastener strip 32 ′ on an upper inner edge of the opposing side wall 26 to allow the pouch 22 to be closed.
- the handle 28 may be folded inward as shown in FIG. 4 down into the pouch 22 to allow the stuffed animal character to provide no visible handle 28 . In this case, the folding process may expose a third hook and loop fastener strip 32 ′′ allowing the pouch 22 to be closed over the handle 28 retained in the pouch 22 .
- this strip 32 may be on an inner surface of the outer flexible body 14 which may attach to an opposite edge of the outer flexible body 14 using a similar strip 32 over the handle or handles 28 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
Abstract
A lunchbox provides an outer plush surface depicting an animal and receiving lunch items through a closable opening to be held within a thermally insulating compartment within the plush surface.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 62/615,764 filed Jan. 10, 2018, and U.S. provisional application 62/652,417 filed Apr. 4, 2018, both hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
- --
- The present invention relates generally to food storage and transportation containers, and in particular, to a lunchbox having features of a stuffed animal.
- Lunchboxes are standard accessories for school-age children and are intended to provide a container for transporting and storing food. A typical lunchbox provides a rectangular box of stiff plastic or metal with a hinged lid held by a clasp and the box is often decorated with popular characters or motives that may be enjoyed by young children. Such lunchboxes provide relatively little insulation for refrigerated or heated items and can be difficult to open. The construction of the hinging and clasp is such as to risk inadvertent opening of the lunchbox and spilling of the lunch contents out onto the ground.
- The present invention provides an improved lunchbox implementing many of the features of a stuffed animal to provide for an attractive container for young children while avoiding conventional rigid box construction. The lunchbox may provide a pouch which naturally opens upward eliminating a hinged double door which can spill contents onto the ground while the stuffed plush material provides natural insulation.
- These particular objects and advantages may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a lunchbox constructed according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1 showing the internal construction of the lunchbox; -
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail of an upper opening in the lunchbox that may be closed using a hook and loop fastener and showing an upwardly extending handle; and -
FIG. 4 is a figure similar toFIG. 3 showing a method of stowing the handle within the lunchbox volume. - The present invention provides a
soft lunch box 10 readily adaptable to have the outward appearance of an animal or other character such as is cartoon character, person, or the like. - Referring now to
FIG. 1 , when thelunch box 10 is closed the outer surface may conform to that of a stuffed animal or other similar character, for example, providingfacial features 12 sewn or adhered to aflexible fabric body 14 to be visible from a front surface thereof. Two or more appendages depicting legs or the like may extend downwardly attached to a lower surface of the body and flaps of material providing ears may extend outwardly attached to the upper portion of the body. - Preferably the
fabric body 14 is a plush or artificial fur material having outwardly extending multipleouter hairs 16 that form an entrapped layer of air for improved insulation of the lunch box contents. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 (being a cross section taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1 ), thefabric body 14 and theouter hairs 16 may be given form by a contained layer of batting or other insulation, for example,polyester batting layer 18. Thisbatting layer 18 may extend over an inner fabric sleeve 20 forming an inner sack orpouch 22 having abottom wall 24 surrounded by fourupstanding sidewalls 26 and open at the top. Generally the thickness of thebatting layer 18 varies to allow the outer shape of thelunch box 10 to differ from the internal volume of thepouch 22, the latter of which may be substantially rectangular and may be preserved in a relaxed state when the lunchbox is empty. - One or both of two opposed sidewalls extend upward to provide a
handle 28 having acutout 30 providing a space to receive fingers of the hand. Upper edges of thefabric body 14 may be attached to a lower portion of these handles 28 (in the case of two handles) or to onehandle 28 with the other edge of thefabric body 14 attach to an upper edge of theopposing side wall 26 and openable to provide access to thepouch 22. - A zipper or hook and
loop fastener strip 32 may be used (for example, placed on upper inner surfaces of the opposed sidewalls 26) to close the opening of theinner pouch 22 preventing spillage or loss of the lunch contents. - The
sidewalls 26 andbottom wall 24 may be constructed of a water resistant or water impermeable material (machine washable) that retains flexibility and/or may be stiffened with a washable plastic batten or the like so that the entire lunch box can be easily inverted and cleaned and yet retain its shape. This water resistant or water impermeable material may include reflective elements such as a foil or metallic or metallized strands to reflect heat inward into thepouch 22 and outward away from thepouch 22 further improving the insulating qualities of thepouch 22. In one embodiment, thesidewalls 26 andbottom wall 24 maybe a flexible but shape retaining material such as a closed cell elastomeric foam that allows thelunch box 10 to maintain its shape (and representation, for example, of a furry animal or the like) regardless of whether there are materials in thepouch 22 while still providing softness to thelunch box 10. -
Seams 38 between thebottom wall 24 andsidewalls 26 may also provide a stiffening of theinner compartment 22 allowing protection against crushing forces and the like. Other stiffener elements may include a contained plastic lunchbox or the like. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thehandle 28 may, for example, be an extension of the fabric material or foam material comprising thesidewalls 26 of thelunch box 10. When thehandle 28 is in its extended form as shown inFIG. 3 , a hook andloop fastener strip 32 on its inner surface may mate with a corresponding hook andloop fastener strip 32′ on an upper inner edge of theopposing side wall 26 to allow thepouch 22 to be closed. Alternatively, thehandle 28 may be folded inward as shown inFIG. 4 down into thepouch 22 to allow the stuffed animal character to provide novisible handle 28. In this case, the folding process may expose a third hook andloop fastener strip 32″ allowing thepouch 22 to be closed over thehandle 28 retained in thepouch 22. Alternatively, thisstrip 32 may be on an inner surface of the outerflexible body 14 which may attach to an opposite edge of the outerflexible body 14 using asimilar strip 32 over the handle or handles 28.
Claims (11)
1. A lunch box comprising:
a fabric pouch providing a plush outer surface with a closable opening on an upper side, the fabric pouch presenting outwardly visible facial features and at least two outwardly extending appendages attached to the fabric pouch;
an insulating liner positioned on the inner surface of the fabric pouch and surrounding a volume sized to receive lunch items through the opening to be retained within the insulating liner when the opening is closed; and
the fabric pouch providing a handle extending upwardly near the opening to support the volume pendant thereunder.
2. The lunchbox of claim 1 wherein the facial features depict an animal.
3. The lunchbox of claim 2 wherein the fabric pouch presents four outwardly extending appendages including the legs.
4. The lunchbox of claim 2 further including the facial features of two eyes and a stuffed muzzle portion positioned at a front surface of the fabric pouch, the muzzle portion depicting a nose and mouth.
5. The lunchbox of claim 2 wherein the opening is in an upper portion of a head of the animal as depicted.
6. The lunchbox of claim 1 wherein the volume is retained by a stiffness of the lunchbox in the absence of contained lunch items.
7. The lunchbox of claim 1 wherein the stiffness is provided by a shape retaining seam between a bottom wall and side wall of the insulating liner.
8. The lunchbox of claim 1 further including a polyester batting material between the insulating liner and fabric pouch.
9. The lunchbox of claim 1 wherein the insulating liner provides a metallized material for heat reflection.
10. The lunchbox of claim 1 wherein the opening may be retained in a closed state by a hook and loop fastener.
11. The lunchbox of claim 1 wherein the fabric pouch and insulating liner are water resistant materials.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/242,801 US20190208881A1 (en) | 2018-01-10 | 2019-01-08 | Stuffed Animal Lunch Box |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201862615764P | 2018-01-10 | 2018-01-10 | |
US201862652417P | 2018-04-04 | 2018-04-04 | |
US16/242,801 US20190208881A1 (en) | 2018-01-10 | 2019-01-08 | Stuffed Animal Lunch Box |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190208881A1 true US20190208881A1 (en) | 2019-07-11 |
Family
ID=67140258
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/242,801 Abandoned US20190208881A1 (en) | 2018-01-10 | 2019-01-08 | Stuffed Animal Lunch Box |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20190208881A1 (en) |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030070954A1 (en) * | 2001-10-17 | 2003-04-17 | Diane Tyler | Soft-sided top-shaped container and method of making same |
US20050000843A1 (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2005-01-06 | Patent Category Corporation | Carrying cases having amusement features |
US8505770B2 (en) * | 2009-10-20 | 2013-08-13 | Four Paws Products, Ltd. | Plush animal waste bag dispenser |
US20150001126A1 (en) * | 2012-05-29 | 2015-01-01 | Rita Floyd-Vester | Picnic size carry container that converts into a protective mat |
US20150041511A1 (en) * | 2013-08-09 | 2015-02-12 | Dennis Powell | Compartmentalized Backpack with Imbedded Tracker Device |
US9226565B1 (en) * | 2015-03-19 | 2016-01-05 | La Teene L. Martin | Backpack with a pillow and extendible sleeping mat |
US9573073B1 (en) * | 2013-06-27 | 2017-02-21 | Catherine E. Mazur | Stuffed animal/garment system |
-
2019
- 2019-01-08 US US16/242,801 patent/US20190208881A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050000843A1 (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2005-01-06 | Patent Category Corporation | Carrying cases having amusement features |
US20030070954A1 (en) * | 2001-10-17 | 2003-04-17 | Diane Tyler | Soft-sided top-shaped container and method of making same |
US8505770B2 (en) * | 2009-10-20 | 2013-08-13 | Four Paws Products, Ltd. | Plush animal waste bag dispenser |
US20150001126A1 (en) * | 2012-05-29 | 2015-01-01 | Rita Floyd-Vester | Picnic size carry container that converts into a protective mat |
US9573073B1 (en) * | 2013-06-27 | 2017-02-21 | Catherine E. Mazur | Stuffed animal/garment system |
US20150041511A1 (en) * | 2013-08-09 | 2015-02-12 | Dennis Powell | Compartmentalized Backpack with Imbedded Tracker Device |
US9226565B1 (en) * | 2015-03-19 | 2016-01-05 | La Teene L. Martin | Backpack with a pillow and extendible sleeping mat |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |