GB2508179A

GB2508179A - A portable foodstuff container with time lock

Info

Publication number: GB2508179A
Application number: GB1221023.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rick Davnall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-22
Filing date: 2012-11-22
Publication date: 2014-05-28
Also published as: GB201221023D0

Abstract

A portable foodstuff container for storage and transport of foodstuffs comprising a tray. The tray has a base 3 and at least one side 2 upstanding from the base. The tray provides an opening. The container further comprises a displaceable lid 1. The lid is arranged to be movable between a first position in which the lid closes said opening provided by the tray and a second position in which the lid is positioned to permit access to the tray through said opening. Movement between the positions is subject to an electronic management device 5 to restrict access to the contents until a pre-programmed time. The preferred embodiment is a lunchbox for use by children or vulnerable users such as those with diabetes where it is desirable to prevent access to the food contained within until a designated time.

Description

A PORTABLE FOODSTUFF CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable foodstuff container, particularly but not exclusively a lunchbox to assist in diet control such as for children or vulnerable adults.

BackQround There are a number of occasions where people choose to have a packed lunch for example at work or school. Importantly a packed lunch enables the contents of the lunch to be controlled for example so that the lunch includes a balanced, healthy diet, which can be vital in growing children or adults on a weight programme.

A prepared lunch also ensures a user may avoid certain foodstuffs such as foodstuffs they are allergic to.

However as the packed lunch must then be carried by the user from the time they leave home the temptation may be to have some of their lunch before the designated eating time. This may disrupt a users digestive system by causing sugar highs during the day and leading to lethargy later in the day due to the greater gap between having eaten lunch and next eating.

Typically lunchtimes are set by a school or employer and may be at the same or similar time on a regular basis, therefore the designated eating time remains constant and an eating routine may be easily formed, however this can be disrupted if the user chooses to eat their lunch before or after the designated time. * . . *

* 30 In particular vulnerable users such as diabetics need to eat a precise meal at a precise timing to control blood sugar, and some vulnerable users may be unable to monitor such timings. * * *

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with users who *".: 35 wish to or are required to eat at set times and to limit snacking and overeating.

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Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 742 360 (PRICE) discloses a combined container and date-notification mechanism for identifying a freshness date of a perishable food item stored within the container, said combined container and date-notification mechanism comprising: a container having a body and a lid removably attached to said body for maintaining the perishable food item isolated from the environment; means for identifying a date when the perishable food item is placed inside said body such that a user can quickly identify a nUmber of days that the perishable food has been housed within said container without removing said lid from said body; an identification marker adjustably connected to said date-identifying means; and means for removably affixing said date-identifying means onto said lid such that the user can selectively affix said date-identifying means onto alternate containers, said affixing means being formed from water insoluble material, wherein said identification marker is spaced from said affixing means; wherein said date-identifying means comprises a first rotatable disc having an outer band displaying numeric indicia thereon in a sequential pattern ranging from the numerals 1-12, each of said numerals identifying a month in a calendar year; a linear shaft having a top end directly and statically coupled to said first rotatable disc and protruding downwardly therefrom; and a second rotatable disc statically coupled directly to a bottom end of said shaft such that said second rotatable disc is disposed subjacent said first rotatable disc, said first and second rotatable discs rotating in sync when the user rotates said first rotatable disc, said second rotatable disc having an outer band displaying numeric indicia thereon in a sequential pattern ranging from the numerals 1-31, each of said second rotatable disc numerals identifying a day in a calendar month, wherein said * second rotatable disc numerals are outwardly spaced from said first rotatable disc * : 30 numerals such that the user can visually identify said first rotatable disc numerals * and at least one second rotatable disc numerals from atop plan view. *

* United States patent application US 6 144 016 (GARVIN) discloses a lunch box *". : having a first internal chamber for carrying food, wherein said first internal chamber ***. 35 opens upwardly and has a floor and a first peripheral wall projecting upwardly from said floor, and wherein said lunch box includes insulating material disposed to -retard transfer of heat into and out of said first internal chamber, a first cover having a manually removable attachment element disposed to engage and be manually released from engagement with said peripheral wall of said first internal chamber, a downwardly open chamber disposed beneath said first internal chamber, wherein said downwardly open chamber has a peripheral wall projecting below said floor of said first internal chamber, and legs having means for moving between a stowed position wherein said legs are contained within said downwardly open chamber and a deployed position wherein said legs project downwardly from said downwardly open chamber when said first internal chamber is oriented to open upwardly.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a portable foodstuff container for storage and transport of foodstuffs comprising a tray having a base and at least one side upstanding from said base, and in which the tray provides an opening; and a displaceable lid, wherein said lid is arranged to be moveable between a first position in which the lid closes said opening provided by the tray, and a second position in which the lid is positioned to permit access to the tray through said opening; wherein movement between the first and second positions is subject to an electronic management device.

Typically said electronic management device may comprise a timing mechanism or timer and in other embodiments further includes a printed circuit board and data upload, download and/or storage, in order that eating habits may be monitored and/or controlled.

In preferred embodiments however advantageously said electronic management * * device may simply comprise a timer with a time release setting in relation to a lock * . . * adapted to close said opening.

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* * 30 Said selling is programmed simply by addition or subtraction of incremental time units, wherein an activation button is used to activate the setting, and a lock button * * activates the lock. ** * * * . * S. * -* *

Said lock will not be deactivated and contents of said container are inaccessible until said units have elapsed, although amendments may be made prior to use of the lock button, with the activation button used to clear setting.

Preferably the container is not openable by any means until said units have passed and the lock becomes deactivated. Far example if a user is diabetic arid should consume a particular meal at a set time this consumption may be facilitated by the container thereby limiting variation in sugar levels in a user with diabetes by controlling eating times.

In this way the device can be used to ensure that contents are eaten only after a set time period, with little possibility or error or mistake.

In preferred embodiments therefore the foodstuff container is typically embodied as a lunch box with a lid which together provide a sealed volume for storing items, wherein the lid is displaceable (or moveable between said first and second positions).

The device may comprise a lock for securing the lid to the tray. The device may include a timer operated by a controller to manage when the container may be opened, and at least one battery.

The box may be of any suitable shape or cross-section. Preferably the box is rectangular. The box is preferably formed of strong, lightweight, durable material such as synthetic plastic. Ideally the synthetic plastic is of food grade such as food grade polypropylene so as to not have any effect on the items being carried.

Typically the tray comprises a base and four sides upstanding from said base so as to be able to store items. Preferably at least one side includes a recessed portion which accepts at least part of the device. Ideally the recessed portion extends * inwards to the tray so as to maintain a generally rectangular outer shape, wherein the * * 30 recess is filled by at least part of the device when in place.

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* * In preferred embodiments the lid is a rectangular plate which fits to the tray including 0t*t..

a rim which fits concentrically within the tray so as to seal the container. 5 * * .

Preferably the lid may also include a flap which acts to cover the recessed portion of the tray in use therefore providing a generally flat surface on an outward facing side.

In preferred embodiments the flap may include a housing on the flap's inner face to support or house remaining parts of the device, typically comprising the lock, the controller and battery(s). Typically the housing is shaped to fit to the recessed portion of the tray.

Advantageously the lid comprises most of the device, therefore when the lid is displaced, or typically removed, the user may remove contents from the tray without erroneously interfering with or damaging the device.

Ideahy the tray includes at least one aperture or indent into which a portion of the device may extend when activated so as to lock the lid to the tray.

In preferred embodiments the device includes at least one solenoid bolt which when activated extend the bolt into at least one aperture on the tray thereby securing the lid to the tray.

In alternative embodiments the device may be included in the tray whereby the lock engages with the lid when activated.

Typically the lid may be fully displaceable, wherein for example the lid may be detached from the tray so as to allow the tray to be cleaned without risk of damaging operative parts such as the controller, and wherein the lid includes all operative parts.

In some embodiments the lid may be usable on a myriad of container trays.

Alternatively the lid may be hinged or tethered so as to keep the lid within proximity of the tray. * * *

* Ideally the controller is connected to the lock so as to allow direct communication 30 from the controller to the lock. In some embodiments the device may be remotely operated wherein the controller is remote from the container and communicates with * the container wiretessly for example by radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth (Trade * * * Mark). ,, * * * *

*. 35 Preferably the flap may house an interface on the flap outer face wherein the user may programme opening and closing of the container, for example using the interface to set amount of time the box is locked for or to set a particular time for when the container may be opened.

Preferably the interface may be angled between 20-70 degrees in respect of the lid so as to be easily operated, being visible from greater ranges of angles than if it were on a vertical or horizontal surface. The interface is therefore also easily distinguishable on the flap/lid.

In preferred embodiments the interface may include at least one button and a small number of buttons to operate the controller, wherein the controller includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that receives signals generated by the pressing of the buttons and initiates a response.

Typically a first button may turn on and off the controller. A second button or set of buttons may set the time for example an hour button and a minute button. A further button may be included to set the lock. Typically to programme the device the time for the container to be locked is first set using the button(s), the lock button may then be pressed to confirm this and set the timer thereby activating the lock.

Ideally the buttons may be recessed in the interface so as to prevent accidental pressing of the buttons. It is envisaged that the lock activation button may only produce a signal when pressed and held for a period of time therefore reducing the changes of erroneous locking of the container.

In some embodiments the device also includes a screen to display information, such as when the controller is turned on, the opening time or time until opening and if the container is locked. Typically the screen may be a liquid crystal display (LCD). *. .

* It is envisaged that locking and unlocking of the container may be signified by a * * 30 visual or audible indicator such as relevant wording on the screen, for example displaying the words or showing a time countdown to time of opening. Alternatively * : or additionally the container may produce a sound such as beep, tune or pre- * recorded voice alerting the user that the contents of the container may be accessed.

**** : In some embodiments a countdown may be provided so as to aid in planning. a

** * 35 * ** * In preferred embodiments the lock, controller and screen are powered by at least one removable battery. Typically the batteries may be accessed from inside the tray to prevent the batteries being tampered with in use. Ideally the housing may include a removable cover to protect the batteries in use but allow them to be easily replaced when required.

Advantageously the PCB may also be programmed to monitor power remaining in the batteries so that if for example the bafteries are running low the box will automatically open to prevent the batteries running out when the box is locked and/or alarms will be sounded or alerts activated.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the container; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the container; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 2; And Figure 6 shows a top view of the embodiment of Figure 2. * a a * .s

Detailed Description of Figures * *

*.... 30 With reference to the figures, the tray of the container comprises a base 3 with four side portions 2 upstanding Irom the base 3. The side portions 2 are joined at the curved corners to provide a continuous side 2. The curved corners minimise corner cleaning. The tray provides an opening (not shown). * * * * * * **

The container comprises a lid 1 removably attached to the tray. The lid is shaped and dimensioned to be movable between a first position in which the lid 1 completely 7.

covers the opening provided by the tray so as to prevent access to the contents and a second position in which the lid 1 permits access through the opening. The lid also includes a flap 4, which houses the device, wherein the device is accommodated within the side 2 by a recessed portion (not shown). The flap also provides an interface 5 composed of an activation button 6, lock button and incremental time unit buttons 8, to simplify determination of time periods for a user to wait for access to contents of the container.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. * . . * .. * . * * * . * . . * * . S.

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