This invention concerns a portable food container.

In the following description we will refer to a portable container configured as a lunch box or "lunchbox" while understanding that the portable container according to the invention can be used for the containment and transport of additional products.

It is known the use of containers or boxes for lunch including inside them more spaces or compartments wherein to dispose of food to allow consumption outside the house.

Such containers shall, in general, include a tray delimiting one or more spaces within it and at least one closure lid.

The lid includes a flat gasket suitable for abutting against a top of the tray to determine the sealing closure and thus prevent the spillage of liquids or condiments that could dirty a bag or backpack in which the container is stored during its transporting.

The lid includes movable side appendices configured to be snap-connected with respective portions of the side wall that delimits the tray, thus ensuring the connection of the lid to the tray.

Although such a container is able to ensure a tight closure, its use is impractical or not very easy, requiring a precise positioning of the lid with respect to the tray to connect the individual mobile appendices. If, in fact, the lid is not correctly positioned, it is not possible to snap all the mobile side appendices, having to release them, proceed to a new positioning of the lid and then repeating the connection of the individual appendices.

In addition, such appendices which are made mostly of plastic, are subject to wear and a decrease in their performance. This loss of performance and, consequently, of the reliability of the product, requires a user to use a secondary waterproof bag to transport the container to avoid contamination due to leakage from the container itself.

Document US 2011/0121002A1 describes a portable food container comprising a plurality of compartments arranged inside a tray and a lid for selective closure of the container.

Document CN2774240Y describes an additional type of portable food container that comprises several compartments, among which there is a circular compartment that can be sealed through the same lid which is used to close all remaining compartments of the container. It is necessary to have a portable food container that is practical and able to ensure high and long-lasting performance with regard to the sealing closure of the compartments delimited inside the container itself.

In addition, there is a need to have a food container that while having a small footprint, which facilitates the transport in a bag or backpack, has a technical compartment in which cutlery or products are housed to keep them in a hygienic space, separated from the food not to contaminate it.

The purpose of this invention is to allow the simple, efficient and practical transport of food in a container.

Another purpose of this invention is to facilitate the opening and closing of a food container including a lid to be attached to a tray on which the food is placed.

An additional purpose of this invention is to ensure a high strength to a food container from any impact that may occur during its transport.

The specific object of the invention is a portable container comprising a tray in turn comprising at least one internal compartment delimited by a wall that protrudes from the tray, wherein the internal compartment defines an access opening at one of its top ends to access inside, a lid removably and sealingly connectable to the tray, wherein the portable container comprises a connecting element configured to sealingly engage a bounded opening passing through the lid and to sealingly engage the access opening so as to connect the tray and the lid to each other by means of a sealed connection, holding them in place.

According to another aspect of the invention, the connecting member may be configured as a plug and comprise a bottom portion configured to engage the access opening and a top portion configured to abut against the lid when the connecting member is attached to the tray.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the bottom portion of the connecting element is configured as a hollow cylinder provided with an external thread configured to engage a corresponding internal top thread made at the top end of the internal compartment.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the connecting element can have a seat delimited in an interposed position between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the seat is configured to house, at least partially, a gasket, retaining it in position, wherein the gasket defines a seal which abuts against a top surface of the lid when the lid is connected to the tray and both are connected to each other via the connecting member, wherein the gasket abuts against the top end of the inner compartment when the connecting element is completely screwed to the internal compartment.

According to another aspect of the invention, the portable container can comprise an internal container shaped like a cup that can be housed inside the internal compartment, wherein the internal container is operably connectable, via a threaded connection, to the connecting element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the inner container may have a top opening at which there is an external top thread extending outside the internal container, in which the external top thread is configured to engage a corresponding internal thread defined along the bottom portion of the connecting element.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the connection element can have an internal annular seat for housing an internal gasket that defines a seal for the internal container when the internal container is completely screwed to the connection element.

According to another aspect of the invention, the portable container can comprise an external covering element configured to completely cover the side wall of the entire tray, in which the external covering element defines an interposed space between the external covering element and the lid, the external covering element having a footprint corresponding to that of the tray.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the portable container can comprise a screw element configured to engage a central opening delimited passing through a top of the external covering element and to screw into a respective centrally delimited threaded seat along the connecting element, wherein the threaded seat is blind.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the screw element can have a threaded shank, configured to engage the central opening and the threaded seat, and a gripping portion which remains outside the outer covering element, in which the gripping portion, when the screw element is engaged through the central opening and is connected to the connecting element, abuts against the outer covering element, binding it to the tray.

According to another aspect of the invention, the external covering element may have a concavity at the central opening, the concavity housing the gripping portion inside a top of the external covering element.

The advantages offered by a portable food container according to the invention are evident. The portable food container according to the invention has a small number of components that can be easily connected to each other, to ensure a sealed closure or the access to the compartments delimited in the portable container itself.

Furthermore, the portable container for food according to the invention has an optimized and reduced overall size to facilitate its transport inside a backpack or bag while ensuring a sufficient and organized space inside it wherein food and any condiments can be stored, being able to keep them separate from each other.

Furthermore, the portable container for food according to the invention comprises an external covering element which is removably connectable to a tray and to a closing lid thereof, in which the external covering element acts as a protective shell for both the tray and its lid against any knocks that may accidentally occur during transport.

The present invention will now be described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the Figures of the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portable container according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the portable container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a top perspective view of a component of the portable container according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a sectional side view, along a section plane IV, of the component of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view from above, in partial section, of a portable container according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of some components of the portable container according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a side sectional view of the components of the portable container shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view from above of some components of the portable container according to the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a portable container for food according to the invention can be observed, wholly indicated with 1.

The portable container for food 1, hereinafter referred to as portable container 1 for the sake of brevity, comprises a tray 2 in turn comprising at least one internal compartment 3 which extends from the tray 2 itself, in which the internal compartment 3 delimits an access opening 4 to access its interior, a lid 5, removably and hermetically connectable to the tray 2 and a connecting element 6 configured to sealingly engage a delimited opening 7 passing through the lid 5 and the access opening 4 so as to connect reciprocally in a removable way, by means of a sealed connection, the tray 2 and the lid 5, holding them in position.

The lid 5 can be made of a transparent material, such as a plastic or a glass to allow viewing through it, or of an opaque or non-transparent material according to specific requirements, without any limitation. It is understood that if the portable container 1 is provided for transporting food, the lid 5, as well as the remaining components, are made of a material for food use.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached Figures, the tray 2 has a rectangular plan development although it is understood that alternative embodiments are possible which have a development in a square or elliptical or circular or polygonal plan falling within the same concept of the present invention.

The tray 2 has a perimeter wall 8, which protrudes from the tray 2 itself, delimiting it perimetrically.

The internal compartment 3 is delimited laterally by a cylindrical wall which protrudes from the tray 2 and defines a volume separated from the remaining internal volume of the tray 2. In other words, the tray 2 has at least two volumes or compartments inside it, i.e. the one delimited by the internal compartment 3 and the remaining volume between the outside of the internal compartment 3, or rather between the cylindrical wall of the internal compartment 3, and the perimeter wall 8.

It should be noted that the internal compartment 3 and the perimeter wall 8 protrude from a bottom portion of the tray 2 in such a way as to both be encountered or identifiable by the lid 5 when the latter is applied to the tray 2 (see, for example, Figure 4).

The lid 5 has a perimeter abutment portion 9 which develops near the edge of the lid 5 and defines an abutment area between the lid 5 and a top portion of the perimeter wall 8.

Furthermore, the lid 5 has a perimeter seat 10 along which a perimeter gasket 11 is housed (see Figures 4 and 8).

The perimeter seat 10 develops at the perimeter abutment portion 9 so as to face close to the perimeter wall 8. Preferably, the perimeter seal 11 is of the lip type and has an elastically deformable portion able to laterally abut against the inner surface of the perimeter wall 8 to define a sealed connection between the lid 5 and the perimeter wall 8 itself.

The internal compartment 3 is configured cylindrical or substantially cylindrical and, preferably, is positioned centrally to the tray 2 to promote a stable and balanced connection between the lid 5 and the tray 2.

The internal compartment 3 has a top end 12 configured to engage the opening 7 delimited in the lid 5 and to abut the lid 5 at the opening 7. In this regard, it should be noted that the opening 7 is delimited centrally along the lid 5 or, more generally, is delimited so as to face, aligned in plan or in other words concentric, to the internal compartment 3.

The top end of the inner compartment 3, therefore, acts as a support and engagement element for the lid 5, providing a central support to the lid 5.

The connecting element 6 is configured as a plug and comprises a bottom portion configured to engage the access opening 4 of the internal compartment 3, as better described below, and a top portion configured to hold the lid 5, when connecting element 6 is connected to tray 2 (see Figure 7).

More in detail, the connecting element 6 has a bottom portion configured as a hollow cylinder provided with an external thread 13 configured to engage a corresponding internal top thread 14 made at the top end of the internal compartment 3.

In the attached Figures 2 and 3 the internal top thread 14 is illustrated as a partial thread, although it is understood that it is possible to provide an alternative embodiment in which the internal top thread 14 is continuous.

According to a preferred embodiment, the top portion of the connecting element 6 has a circular shape while meaning that alternative embodiments are possible in which, for example, the top portion is square or elliptical.

In general, the top portion of the connecting element 6 has a greater plan development than that of the engagement portion to provide a stop able to hold the lid 5 against the top end of the compartment 3.

The top portion of the connecting element 6 also acts as a gripping portion to be gripped to screw or unscrew the connecting element 6 itself relative to the internal thread of the top 14. The connecting element 6 has a seat 15 delimited in a position interposed between the engagement portion and the abutment portion, in which the seat 15 is configured to at least partially house a gasket 16 and hold it in position (see Figure 7).

The gasket 16 defines a seal that abuts against a top surface of the lid 5 when the lid 5 itself is connected to the tray 2 and both are connected to each other through the connecting element 6.

In addition, the gasket 16 also defines a seal for the internal compartment 3, as it meets against the top end 12 when the connecting element 6 is completely screwed to the internal compartment 3.

It should be noted that the volume delimited between the internal compartment 3 and the perimeter wall 8, as well as the volume of the internal compartment 3 are sealed by, respectively, the perimeter gasket 11 housed in the lid 5 and the gasket 16 connected to the connection 6.

The portable container 1 according to the invention comprises an internal container 17 configured to be housed inside the internal compartment 3 and to be operatively connected to the connecting element 6 via a threaded connection.

The inner container 17 is configured as a glass or similar and has a top opening 18 at which there is a top external thread 19, i.e. the top external thread extends outside the inner container 17.

The top external thread 19 is configured to engage a corresponding internal thread 20 bounded along the bottom portion of the connecting member 6. In other words, the inner container 17 and the connecting member 6 are mutually connectable via a threaded connection.

The connecting element 6 has an internal annular seat 21 for housing an internal gasket 22 which defines a seal for the internal container 17, when the latter is completely screwed to the connecting element 6 (see Figure 7).

The connecting element 6 therefore defines a hermetically closing cap for the internal container 17 which, if desired, can be used to contain a liquid, a food, a condiment keeping it separate from what is contained within the volume delimited between the outside of inner compartment 3 and the tray 2.

The portable container 1 according to the invention comprises an external covering element 23 configured to cover the entire tray 2 and define a protection element for the tray 2 itself, as well as for the lid 5 and the connecting element 6 (see for example Figure 1 wherein the external covering element is illustrated in transparency with dotted lines).

Furthermore, the external covering element 23 delimits a cavity or technical space interposed between the external covering element 23 itself and the lid 5 (see the sectional view of Figure 4).

The external covering element 23 has a plan size corresponding to that of the tray 2.

The external covering element 23 is made of a resistant material capable of protecting the perimeter wall 8 of the tray 2, the lid 5 and the connecting element 6 from possible impacts during the transport of the portable container 1. By way of example, but not limiting, the external covering element 23 is made of metal, for example aluminum or steel, or of plastic, if desired reinforced or of a composite material.

It should be noted that the tray 2 has a perimeter protuberance 24 which extends outside the perimeter wall 8, to define an external frame which acts as a support against which a peripheral bottom portion of the external covering element 23 abuts.

In particular, the perimeter protuberance 24 protrudes in correspondence with a bottom portion of the tray 2.

The portable container 1 comprises a screw element 25 configured to engage a central opening 26, delimited passing through a top of the external covering element 23, and to screw into a respective threaded seat 27 delimited centrally along the connecting element 6.

In practice, the external covering element 23 is connected to the tray 2 in a removable way through the screw element 25 and the connecting element 6. The screw element 25, in fact, can be screwed into the connecting element 6 which, in turn, can be screwed into the inner compartment 3.

It should be noted that the connecting element 6 delimits the threaded seat 27 at its top. In more detail, the threaded seat 27 is delimited in a central position along the abutment and retention portion.

The threaded seat 27 is blind and, therefore, the screw element 25 is separate with respect to the internal container 17, i.e. it does not directly access its interior.

The screw element 25 has a threaded stem 28, configured to engage the central opening 26 of the external covering element 23 and engage the threaded seat 27, and a gripping portion 29 which remains outside the external covering element 23 when the threaded stem 28 is engaged in the central opening 26. The gripping portion 29, in fact, when the screw element 25 is engaged through the central opening 26 and is connected to the connecting element 6, abuts against the external covering element 23, binding it in position to the connecting element 6.

With reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached Figures, the external covering element 23 has a concavity 30 in correspondence with the central opening 26.

The concavity 30 houses the gripping portion 29 which, therefore, is within the overall dimensions of the external covering element 23 or better of a top of the external covering element 23, without protruding from it.

Furthermore, the concavity 30 allows to reduce the separation distance between the screw element 25 and the threaded seat 27, thus allowing to reduce the length of the stem 28 for a greater resistance of the stem 28 itself and, therefore, of the screw element 25.

It is understood that an alternative embodiment of the portable container 1 according to the invention is possible, not illustrated in the attached Figures, in which the concavity 30 is not present and, therefore, the gripping portion 29 of the screw element 25 extends beyond the outer space of the covering element.

Optionally, the gripping portion 29 of the screw element 25 is hollow and delimited at a top portion by a closure 31, removably connected to the gripping portion 29, via an interlocking coupling.

The closure 31 can be customized and bear a symbol and/or an image and/or a color and/or an inscription which allows the screw element 25 to be characterized aesthetically to facilitate immediate recognition of the portable container 1 to which a specific screw element 25 thus characterized.

The portable container 1 comprises an annular gasket 32 operatively connected to the screw element 25 in an interposed position between the stem 28 and the external covering element 23 when the screw element 25 is engaged in the external covering element 23 itself.

In the attached Figures 1 and 2 a portable container 1 is illustrated comprising an external covering element 23, a screw element 25 and an internal container 17 although it is understood that the external covering element 23 and the screw element 25 and/or the inner container 17 may be optional.

According to one version of the invention, the portable container 1 comprises a cutlery kit, indicated as a whole with 33 to be positioned in the interspace delimited between the external covering element 23 and the lid 5, see Figure 5 wherein the external covering element 23 is shown in partial section to allow a view of the cutlery kit 33.

The cutlery kit 33 comprises a casing in which to store and hold cutlery, in a leaning and overlapping position, for example a fork 34, a spoon 35 and a knife 36.

The cutlery kit 33 has a small footprint, with particular reference to the thickness dimension, in order to be able to house it inside the aforementioned cavity, resting on the lid 5.

With reference to the above, it is clear that the portable container 1 according to the invention is able to achieve the intended purposes.

The portable container 1, in fact, has an optimized bulk inside which two compartments are included which are separated from each other and can be sealed in an easy and practical way.

In fact, to connect or remove the lid 5 relative to the tray 2 it is sufficient, respectively, to screw or unscrew the connecting element 6 in the internal thread of the top 14 of the internal compartment 3.

The perimeter gasket 11 together with the gasket 16 ensure the seal between the lid 5 and the tray 2, thus keeping both the compartments delimited inside the tray 2 sealed.

Furthermore, the use of an internal container 17 allows you to easily and safely store a liquid inside the portable container 1, keeping it separate from food present along the tray 2.

Furthermore, the external covering element 23 defines a safety element defining a cover for the lid 5 and the side walls 8 of the tray 2, protecting them from any impact during transport. Furthermore, the external covering element 23 allows to delimit a gap between the lid 5 and the external covering element 23 itself, providing a technical space to house, for example, a cutlery kit or a napkin or other products, keeping them separate from the food contained in the two compartments delimited inside tray 2.

The portable container 1 can be sized in such a way as to promote its transport inside a bag or backpack, ensuring the preservation of the food placed inside it and preventing the leakage of liquids.

The connecting element 6 also determines a uniform closing pressure of the lid 5 against the perimeter wall 8 of the tray 2, being centrally positioned in the portable container 1.

In the foregoing, the preferred embodiments have been described and variants of the present invention have been suggested, but it is to be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and changes without thereby departing from the relative scope of protection, as defined by the claims attached.