Technical Field The present invention is in the field of containers for transporting and storing solid, liquid, and gelatinous substances. More particularly, the present invention relates to aggressively sealable containers used to transport and hold food items. Yet more particularly, the present invention pertains to food transportation and storage means such as for example, lunch boxes, which are internally sealable so as to obviate the need for individual food wrappings.

Background of the Invention United States Patent No. 4,340,130 to Daniel Dernhardt discloses nesting first and second containers preferably formed from polymeric materials. The nesting containers of Dernhardt employ a cellophane membrane or seal disposed in registry with the first container and optionally in registry with the second container to provide a composite package which includes discrete components having multiple seals. In this manner, multiple (i.e., double) sealing of the containers is provided.

Summary of the Invention In one aspect, the present invention is a food transportation and storage device comprising n housing having a bottom and a top or cover. The bottom of the device is further defined by a bottom

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panel having, upstanding from the perimeter thereof, two side panels, a back panel and a front panel. The bottom has multiple compartments therein which are defined by interior divider panels upstanding from the bottom panel. The top or upper edges, or lands, of the divider panels can be staggered, longitudinally innermost inner walls being provided with greater heights so that top or upper edges, or lands, thereof protrude above top or upper edges, or lands, of outwardly adjacent walls. Such upper edges can also be made convex. Λ bow, with respect to both of two mutually- perpendicular axes, can, thereby, be induced in the cover or top as the cover or top is appropriately secured to the bottom of the device in order to induce a better seal.

The top comprises a top panel with integral back, side and front rims, said top further comprising an elastomeric, compressible sealing panel interiorly covering a portion of the top panel, the sealing panel being located within said top panel so that, when said top panel is placed upon said bottom and urged thereagainst, the seal is compressed, by said top panel, against said divider panel edges to seal said compartments.

In a preferred practice of the present invention, the back panel and back rim have cooperating hinge means, e.g., hinges, which permit said top and said bottom to pivot with respect to each other. In yet another practice of this invention, the front rim and front panel have cooperating latch means, e.g., latches, which positively maintain said top against said bottom.

In a preferred practice of the present invention, the device

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includes one or more hinge means on the back panel and back rim thereof, and one or more latch moans on the front panel and front rim which, when said top is latched to said bottom, compresses said sealing panel against the top edges of the divider panels to seal the interior compartments. In this practice of the invention, the interior compartments are sealed so as to restrict flow of liquid or gelatinous material therefrom.

In yet another embodiment of this invention, the front panel includes handle means, e.g., a handle, thereon. Such a handle can provide ease of transportation.

Brief Description of the Drawings Pig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in Fig. 1 in an inverted orientation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevational view of the invention depicted in Fig. 1 taken generally along line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the bottom of the present invention with the cover or top removed;

Fig. 5 is an inside view of the top or cover of the embodiment of the invention depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is another sectional side elevational view of the invention taken at 90 degrees relative to the section shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a detailed fragmentary sectional view of the invention shown in Fig. 6.

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Detailed Description of the Invention

Figs. 1-7 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like features thereof. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrating one particular application of this invention, e.g., a lunch box. Although particularly disclosed with reference to transportation and storage of food products or comestibles, it is, of course, quite possible that other solid, liquid and/or gelatinous materials could be stored and transported by means of the present invention.

The embodiment of the invention in Fig. 1 comprises a transportation and storage device 10. Device 10 includes a compartmentalized bottom 12 and a cover or top 14. Bottom 12 is defined by a bottom panel 16, end or side panels 10, a back panel 20, and a front panel 22. End or side panels 10, back panel 20, and front panel 22 upstand from approximately the outer edges of bottom panel 16 to define the perimeter of bottom 12.

The cover or top 14 of device 10 comprises a top panel 26, a back rim 20, side or end rims 30, and a front rim 32. The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 includes an optional handle 34 and latch means, i.e., latches 36.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 showing details of the exterior of front panel 22' and front rim 32. The latch means or latches 36 in Fig. 2 comprise a latch window 30 formed in a latch buckle or tab 40. In the embodiment depicted, a latch mating means or peg 42 projects

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outwardly from front panel 22 and engages the latch 36 through latch window 30.

In operation, latch 36 would be preliminarily moved over peg 42 while cover 14 would be pivotally urged toward bottom 12. As latch buckle or tab 40 is moved toward bottom panel 16, cover 14 would be more tightly urged against bottom 12. When latch 36 is completely engaged with window 30 around latch peg or tag 42, the latch means "snaps" i.nto engagement, thereby holding cover 14 against bottom 12.

Shown in Fig. 2 are optional latch guards 46. Latch guards 46 are intended to protect latches 36 from being unintentionally disengaged and are coextensive to a significant degree with corresponding latches 36.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the invention of Fig. 1 taken generally along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Of significance in Fig. 3 is sealing panel 40 which overlies a portion of the interior of cover or top panel 26. Depending upon the application, sealing panel 40 may be manufactured as a single elastomeric, compressible member 51, provided the material is sufficiently resilient and provides a tight seal.

Figure 3 also illustrates, in phantom, a convexly arcuate upper edge, or land 56, of an intermediate divider panel 59. Such an upper edge, or land 56, is illustrated as being embedded into sealing panel 40, cover 14 being securely attached in place to bottom 12. The arcuity of land 56 of divider panel 59 will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

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Any of a number of single composition materials or composite materials may be suggested for use in the sealing panel. A preferred material, KRATON C2706, commercially available from the Shell Corporation, can be utilized to fabricate sealing panel 40. KRΛTON G2706 is sufficiently compliant, having a Shore "A" hardness of 29, and also is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for direct contact with food. In addition, this material is resistant to tears and does not impart flavors or odors to food which might be kept in the device. Sealing panel 40 overlies a substantial portion of the interior of cover 1 .

Sealing panel 40 can be restrictively held or fitted in place by the back, side or front rims 20, 30, 32 of cover 14, or by ribs 49 which can be provided in cover 14. Alternatively, sealing panel 40 may be bonded or sealed to the inside of cover 14. If bonding or βealing is employed to retain sealing panel 40, then care must be taken to ensure that neither adhesives nor adhesive solvents are permitted to come into contact with any food kept in the device.

Fig. 3 also illustrates a preferred hinge mechanism useful with the present invention. The hinge means of Fig. 3 comprises an outwardly projecting hinge rib or lip 50 which is molded into back panel 20 adjacent its top edge to extend outwardly therefrom. Rib or lip 50 cooperates with a channel 52 which is molded into back rim 20 of cover 14. Channel 52, as shown, opens inwardly and cooperates with lip 50 to permit top 14 (and particularly sealing panel 40) to be held against the top edges or lands of the upstanding walls or panels which, in part, define bottom 12. The

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hinge means depicted in Fig. 3, in conjunction with the latch means, permit sealing panel 40 to be held in place to seal the compartments of bottom 12 (discussed more particularly below) .

The continuous, single hinge means shown in the figures is preferred because it permits the cover to be removed from the bottom, e.g., for ease of cleaning the device. Multiple types of single hinges, well known in this art, could be employed.

Fig. 4 provides an interior detail of bottom 12. As shown, bottom 12 comprises a bottom panel 16, end or side panels 10 and back and front panels 20 and 22, respectively. Upstanding from bottom panel 16 are interior walls or dividers 59, 59' and 59". Dividers 59, 59', 59" divide bottom 12 into various compartments.

In the embodiment depicted, the heights of dividers 59, 59', and 59" above the bottom panel 16 can be intentionally and selectively chosen so that sealed and unsealed compartments are created when top 14 is latched to bottom 12. Sealed compartments could be formed by manufacturing interior walls or dividers 59, 59', and 59" so that upper edges, or lands 56, thereof are elevated with respect to upper edges, or lands 57 of end panels 10, the upper edge, or land, of centermost divider 59' being higher than the upper edges, or lands, of intermediate dividers 59, 59". As a result, as the longitudinal center of the device is approached from end or side panels 10, the dividers become increasingly higher. Commensurate with this construction is the provision of back and front panels, 20, 22 which are provided with convoxly arcuate upper edge portions, as at 61, extending between intermediate dividers

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59 , 59 " .

It will be understood that, as previously discussed, the upper edge, or land 56, of intermediate divider 59 is also convexly arcuate. Similarly, the upper edges, or lands 56, of intermediate panels 59' and 59" are also intended to be convexly arcuate in form. It will be appreciated, in view of this disclosure, that panels perpendicular to both of two mutually-perpendicular axes have arcuate upper edges. When such a structure is adopted, it is intended that each of these upper edges of the various planar, generally-vertical panels would lie in a portion of an imaginary spherical surface. The advantages obtained thereby will be discussed hereinafter.

As will be able to be seen then, in view of this disclosure, sealed compartments defined between back panel 20, front panel 22, and dividers 59, 59', 59" are more efficiently sealed as a result of the tighter and more intimate engagement of sealing panel 40 by the arcuate upper edges, or lands 56, of dividers 59, 59', 59" and the arcuate portions 61 of back panel 20 and front panel 22. As previously discussed, since the upper edges, or lands 56, of dividers 59, 59', 59" and a portion of the upper edge of each of the back panel 20 and front panel 22 are convexly arcuate, those upper edges, together, lie in a portion of an imaginary spherical surface. Consequently, as sealing panel 40 and top panel 26 which carries sealing panel 40 are brought into engagement with these upper edges, there will be a tendency for the top-carried sealing panel 40 to be first engaged by the middle of the centermost

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intermediate divider panel 5 ' . As continued downward pressure is exerted upon top panel 26, it will be brought into conformance with the convexly arcuate surfaces it engages. As will be able to be seen in view of this disclosure, therefore, the normally-planar top panel will be made to assume a slightly curved form. The degree of curvature will, of course, be dependent upon the degree of arcuity of the various upper edges of the planar vertical walls or panels. The top panel is, of course, formed from a material which is sufficiently resilient so that deformation can occur without any permanent damage being occasioned.

Further, one will note, in view of this disclosure, that such a construction as described herein will better enable sealing to be accomplished by sealing panel 40. Because of the arcuate upper edges engaged by the panel 40, as latching of the top panel 26 to the bottom 12 is made to occur, the upper edges of the various panels will become embedded into the sealing panel 40.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4, compartments 50, 60, and 62 are sealed compartments as a result of this construction. These compartments 50, 60, 62 are defined within a perimeter defined by dividers 59 and 59" and portions of back panel 20 and front panel 22 having arcuate upper edges. All of these circumscribing panels or dividers are within the perimeter of sealing panel 40.

Fig. 5 shows an inside plan view of the top or cover of the device. Sealing panel 40, described above, interacts with the tops or lands 56 of the interior defining panels 59, 59', 59" of bottom 12. Lip or hinge channel 52 is indicated (in phantom) to be molded

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in back or bottom rim 20. Sealing panel 40 is shown as being set in with respect to top and bottom rims 20 and 32, respectively, and ribs 49.

Fig. 6 is a view of the embodiment in section. More specifically, Fig. 6 illustrates the difference in height between the internal defining walls 59, 59', 59" and the end panels 10. As illustrated, interior compartment defining walls, 59, 59', and 59" are of a greater height than are side panels 10, and innermost panel 59' is of a greater height than dividers 59 and 59". Indicated at 60 is a difference in height between one side panel 10 and divider 59. This difference in height permits interior defining wall 59 to be forced into sealing panel 40 more securely or more tightly than are side panels 10. This means that, for example, compartments 50 and 62 would be sealed whereas compartments 64 and 66 would not be so sealed. Sealing occurs when cover 14 is aggressively or tightly urged against bottom 12 by means of, e.g., latches 36 and hinges 50, 52.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing interaction between one of the upstanding interior compartment defining walls 59 and sealing panel 40. As shown, sealing panel 40 comprises compressible member 51. The top or land 56 of wall segment or divider 59 compresses elastomeric seal member 51 thereby creating a tightly sealed compartment.

The device of the present invention may be molded from any of a variety of thermosetting or thermoplastic polymeric materials. The particular qualifications are that the material chosen should

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be sufficiently rigid to urge the cover and bottom hereof against each other sufficiently aggressj.vely so as to create the desired type of seal.

The exterior panel portions may be molded from, for example, polypropylene. Polypropylene is particularly advantageous in the practice of the present invention because it is both sufficiently rigid and approved for direct contact with food. Polypropylene also cleans relatively easily and stands up to the type of environment in which, for example, lunch boxes would be used.

As described above, it is possible to select a number (or all) of the compartments which are to be sealed. Whether all compartments, or less than all compartments, are to be sealed is within the discretion of the manufacturer. In the embodiment illustrated, it is intended that interior compartments be tightly sealed so as to permit items, such as oranges, apple slices, and other fruit portions to be stored therein. Exterior compartments could be molded so as not to be sealed. Such unsealed compartments would then be used, for example, to contain cans of beverages, napkins, eating utensils and the like.

An advantage achieved in the practice of the present invention is to avoid the use of individual food wrappings or food containers utilized within the container. This permits the user to purchase bulk quantities of food to be carried and stored in this container, e.g., for lunch, and simply pour or place a desired smaller quantity within the sealed compartments of the device. In this way, substantial savings on initial food cost and wrapping costs

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are achieved.

Further, the problem of how to dispose of slowly biodegradable food wrappers and food containers also is solved. Such materials are not required to transport and store food in the utilization of the present invention.

Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. The invention's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

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