Lunch box or similar carrier incorporating an audio recording/transmitting system

• US 6,305,547 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karen M. Curran
• Original Assignee: Karen M. Curran
• Inventors: Curran, Karen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FIDEI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US09/532,525
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 206/372, 206/373, 206/459.1, 206/541, 206/542, 206/543, 206/544, 206/545, 206/546, 206/547, 206/548, 206/549
• US Class Current: 206/542
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/20 Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence

Abstract

A carrier or container for transporting food or beverages having a built-in audio system. The exterior of the carrier includes indicia which, in the preferred embodiment, is associated with a well-known theme, character or personality. The audio system includes a recording device and transmitting device for enabling a user to record and audibly transmit an audio message or personal greeting. The audio system further includes a storage medium for enabling the user to store a pre-recorded audio message which is associated with the indicia on the exterior of the carrier. In this manner, the message may simulate the voice of the character or person depicted by the indicia. The carrier further includes a handle or strap for enabling the user to easily transport the carrier.

Claims

1. A carrier comprising:

a. a container having a substantially hollow interior defined by at least one exterior surface and a handle;

b. an audio system having a microchip permanently operably mounted to the container for enabling the user to record, store and transmit an audio message; and

c. a mechanism accessible from the inside of the container to prevent user'"'"'s ability to re-record a previously recorded message.

2. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

indicia positioned on the at least one exterior surface.

3. The carrier of claim 2 wherein the audio system further comprises:

a pre-recorded audio message.

4. A carrier for transporting food items comprising:

a. container means for receiving the food items, the container means having an interior defined by a plurality of enclosure walls and a handle;

b. indicia permanently affixed to an exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of enclosure walls;

c. an audio recording and transmitting device having a microchip permanently operably mounted to the container; and

d. wherein the microchip includes at least one prerecorded stored audio message and means for recording at least one audio message which may be played in conjunction with the at least one prerecorded message, and the audio recording and transmitting device has a mechanism accessible from the inside of the container to prevent user'"'"'s ability to re-record a previously recorded message.

5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the audio system further comprises:

a microphone;

a speaker;

a medium for storing at least one audio message;

manual control means for enabling a user to select any of a plurality of functions associated with the recording, storing or transmitting of the audio message;

and

a power source.

6. The carrier of claim 5 wherein the audio system is disposed within a recess formed in the container means and the control means.

7. The carrier of claim 5, wherein the pre-recorded message corresponds to the indicia.

8. The carrier of claim 5 wherein the medium for storing the at least one audio message comprises:

a microchip.

9. The carrier of claim 5 wherein the control means is accessible from an exterior surface of at least one of the plurality of enclosure walls.

10. The carrier of claim 7, further comprising:

a housing for enclosing the audio system.

11. A carrier for transporting food items, comprising:

a container having a substantially hollow interior formed by a plurality of adjacent enclosure walls and a handle;

indicia permanently affixed to an exterior surface of the at least one enclosure walls,

walls, wherein the indicia is associated with a well-known character; and

an audio recording and transmitting device having a microchip permanently mounted to the container and a mechanism accessible from the inside of the container to prevent a user'"'"'s ability to re-record a previously recorded message; and

wherein the microchip includes a prerecorded stored message and means for recording at least one audio message that can be played audibly in conjunction with the prerecorded message.

12. The carrier of claim 11 wherein the audio system further comprises:

means for recording, storing, and audibly transmitting at least one audio message;

means for controlling the recording and transmission of the at least one audio message; and

a power source.

13. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the at least one audio message further comprises:

an audio message simulating the voice of a well-known character and associated with the indicia.

14. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the means for recording, storing and audibly transmitting at least one audio message comprises:

a microphone;

a speaker; and

a medium for storing a recorded audio message;

means for controlling the recording of the at least one audio message and the transmission of the prerecorded stored message and the at least one audio message; and

a power source.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for controlling the recording and transmission of the at least one audio message composes:

a plurality of knobs operably positioned on an exterior surface of one of the plurality of enclosure walls.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the power source comprises:

a battery.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the medium further comprises:

a microchip capable of recording and storing an audio message.