Combination carrier and insulated food containers

• US 20100243511A1
• Filed: 12/31/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maria M. Nicholls
• Original Assignee: Maria M. Nicholls
• Inventors: Nicholls, Maria M.
• Application Number:
  US12/654,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20100243511A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/545
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/20 Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/1006 with means embracing the hand article to be carried
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/50 comprising a plurality of articles held together only partially by packaging elements formed otherwise than by folding a blank
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3813 rigid container being in the form of a box, tray or like container

Abstract

The combination carrier and insulated food containers provides a food storage device having a plurality of thermally insulated containers for holding a variety of different types of food. The carrier is substantially planar and has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. Each food container includes a lower wall, at least one sidewall, and an open upper end defining a rim portion formed along an upper edge of the at least one sidewall adjacent the open upper end of each container. Each food container is secured to or integral with the substantially planar carrier so that each respective rim portion projects through or above a respective one of the openings. The containers are permanently fixed to the substantially planar carrier. A plurality of covers are further provided, with each cover releasably sealing a respective open upper end of one of the plurality of food containers.

Claims

1. A combination carrier and insulated food containers, comprising:

a substantially planar carrier;

a plurality of food containers, each of the food containers having a lower wall, at least one sidewall and an open upper end defining a rim portion, each of the food containers extending through the carrier so that the rim portion projects above the carrier, the rim defining an opening into the container; and

a plurality of covers releasably sealing the respective open upper end of a corresponding one of the food containers.

2. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 1, wherein said carrier has a hole therein forming a carrying handle.

3. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 1, wherein each said food container is permanently fixed to the substantially planar carrier.

4. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 1, wherein each said food container is substantially cylindrical.

5. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 4, wherein each said cover is substantially circular.

6. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 5, wherein each said cover is releasably secured to a corresponding one of said food containers by threaded engagement therewith.

7. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 1, wherein said substantially planar carrier is substantially oval.

8. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of food containers comprise a pair of food containers respectively positioned adjacent longitudinally opposed ends of said substantially planar carrier.

9. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 1, wherein said substantially planar carrier is substantially triangular.

10. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of food containers comprise three food containers respectively positioned adjacent corners of said substantially planar carrier.

11. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 10, wherein the corners of said substantially planar carrier are rounded.

12. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 1, wherein said substantially planar carrier is substantially square.

13. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 12, wherein said plurality of food containers comprise four food containers respectively positioned adjacent corners of said substantially planar carrier.

14. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 13, wherein the corners of said substantially planar carrier are rounded.

15. A combination carrier and insulated food containers, comprising:

a substantially planar carrier formed from a material providing thermal insulation, the carrier having at least one hole formed therethrough to form a carrying handle;

a plurality of food containers, each of the food containers having a lower wall, at least one sidewall and an open upper end defining a rim portion, each of the food containers extending through the carrier so that the rim portion projects above the carrier, the rim defining an opening into the food container, each of the containers being formed from a material providing thermal insulation; and

a plurality of covers releasably sealing the respective open upper end of a corresponding one of the food containers.

16. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 15, wherein each said food container is permanently fixed to the substantially planar carrier.

17. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 15, wherein each said food container is substantially cylindrical.

18. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 17, wherein each said cover is substantially circular.

19. The combination carrier and insulated food containers as recited in claim 18, wherein each said cover is releasably secured to a corresponding one of said food containers by threaded engagement therewith.

20. A combination carrier and insulated food containers, comprising:

a substantially planar carrier formed from a material providing thermal insulation, the carrier having at least one hole formed therethrough to form a carrying handle;

a plurality of food containers, each of the food containers having a lower wall, at least one sidewall and an open upper end defining a rim portion, each of the food containers extending through the carrier so that the rim portion projects above the carrier, the rim defining an opening into the food container and being permanently attached to the substantially planar carrier, each of the food containers being formed from a material providing thermal insulation; and

a plurality of covers releasably sealing the respective open upper end of a corresponding one of the food containers.