Claims:1.A food container for storing and transporting food, having a bottom enclosure means, a top lid enclosure means, a latch means and a plurality containers, such that :
a. the bottom enclosure means comprising :
i) an outer closure means,
ii) an inner closure means,
iii) an EPS foam disposed in-between the outer and inner closure,
iv) an insulator bumper ring disposed peripherally into grooved portion and towards bottom portion of inner closure means,
v) a rubber sealing ring disposed peripherally around the grooved edge of the outer closure means.
b. the top lid enclosure means configured to engage the bottom enclosure means, the said lid means latchable to the bottom enclosure means,
c. the plurality of containers with cover lids to stack upon the bottom enclosure means and said containers comprising a grip means configured to engage with a portion of the lid means to secure the containers relative to bottom enclosure by engaging the protruding grip means of top container of the stack with a recess portion formed on the lid means,
d. the latch means disposed on the bottom enclosure means and engageable with the lid means.
2. The food container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid is a vacuum insulated steel shell.
3. The food container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height of the lid shell is more than the height of the bottom enclosure.
4. The food container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid shell has dome shape.
5. The food container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a configured handle on the top of lid for carrying the stacked food box.
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a enclosed container for storing and transporting food products.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The food carrier is essential for transporting food and storing food safely without spillover/leakage and to be consumed at a later time. The features essential are maintaining the food in good condition and ensuring good locking means for safe transportation.

EXISTING PROBLEM AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present or the current generation of vacuum insulated food boxes that do not use external energy to keep the food or fluids warm (no electrical or induction) have opening typically on the top to insert and remove containers that hold food or fluids. The problem with these food boxes that open at the top is that the warm air rises and escapes through the lids/caps that are typically screwed and results in drop in temperature and making the top containers cooler than the rest. The main object of the invention is to overcome the sufferings of the prior art, such that the product is able to keep the top container warmer than the rest and also ensuring proper seal and closure of the product.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The idea of the new invention is to have the opening of the food box at the bottom, thereby retaining the hot air inside the steel shell and resulting in a warmer temperature of the top most food container inside and overall warmer temperature of all the containers even after a prolonged time of storage compared to the other products that are available in the market.

As shown in the fig.1 the food box has a vacuum insulated steel shell (1) enclosing the tiffin containers (3) (shown in the figure stacked on top of each other) and secured in the bottom by a plastic enclosure (2) that also includes a latch mechanism that results in positive seal and preventing the escape of warm air from inside.

Fig. 2 shows the exploded view of the bottom enclosure more in detail with its components, which are the outer closure (1) and inner closure (2) which are both plastic and the sealing rubber (3), latch mechanism (4), bottom rubber bumper (5) and the molded EPS foam (6)

Fig. 3 shows the Outer Closure sectional view

Fig. 4 shows the Bottom Closure sectional view without the rubber parts and latch mechanism

Fig. 5 shows Steel Shell assembly

The steel shell as the name indicates is double walled and is made of several pieces that are welded together and has a top lid with handle for carrying the food box and a catch in the bottom (2x) to facilitate the closure of the latch.

In Fig.6 shows the exploded view of the steel shell which includes, outer case base (1) outer case side (2) inner case (3) catch for the latch (4) and the top lid with handle (5)

Fig 6 shows Steel shell exploded view

The tiffin containers can be any conventional one as it is just a steel container with a plastic handle to help grab the container and has a lid that is located in a recess to seal the food inside. Preferably there may be oval shaped which fit into corresponding contour of steel shell and the bottom closure which are both oval shaped as well.

Fig. 7 shows the Force transmission

In fig. 7, the unique locking, positioning and force down concept is shown in detail. The bottom rubber bumper is used as an insulator and a locating piece to centre the containers (Tiffin containers) and in addition also take up for the height differences arising from dimensional tolerances. Once the containers are stacked on top of each other and placed on the bottom closure, the steel shell is then placed and the important feature is that the shell presses against the tiffin handle/grip and produces a downward force and a reaction force is produced by the bottom rubber bumper. When the previously mentioned latching mechanism is secured it results in a positive seal (in conjunction with the sealing rubber) and lock of the complete assembly.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONS

The food box with its oval shape (proportions can vary) is designed to be sleeker and more compact so that it fits in better into bags and is able to pack in more volume

The above mentioned design of pressing down on the tiffin container handle/grip by the steel shell presses down the tiffin containers and keep them from moving while in motion and results in improved spill and leak resistance.

In another embodiment of this design is its ability to be modular, wherein different versions and sizes can be achieved by just changing the outer steel shell (from 600 ml to 1400 ml could be achieved).

The heat retention ability is improved with the upside down approach and it was measured to be at least 15% more from preliminary tests done with competitor products that open at the top and are screwed.

SCHEMATICS OF THE INVENTION

In this section additional views and detailed drawings of the product is provided for further understanding of the concept and design of the food box.

Fig.10 shows Additional views of the assembly

Fig. 11 shows Additional two views

Fig. 12 gives the product overview as per the invention.

Fig. 13, 14 and 15 illustrates how it works.

The advantegeous of the invention is many some of which is disclosed herein. Unlike as known in prior art wherein the opening is always from top, the invention discloses opening from bottom.

Opening from bottom has its benefits

- Retains the hot air that rises
- Keeps the food warmer
- Along with an insulated base it has improved performance (~+15%)

Positive pressure and reduced leakage ensured by the rubber bumper and seal and the “Latch” locking mechanism

- The shell puts down force on the top most tiffin lid keeping the tiffins stacked and pressed down
- Positive pressure inside is ensured by the seal and the “Latch” lock mechanism
- The tiffins are centered and held in place with minimal vibration and rattling
- This reduces spill and makes it more robust

Part no. Part name in fig 12, 14 & 15
1 Sealing
2 Rubber bumper
3 Moulded foam
4 Base feature
5 Bottom closure
6 Latch
7 Assembled closure
8 Sealing, ensures a air tight fit between the shell and closure
This improves heat retention
9 Rubber bumper, used as a locator (centre the tiffins) and to accommodate for height variations
10 Improved heat retention
11 Improved leak resistance
12 More flexible meal options
13 Larger capacity
14 slimmer

In one aspects the invention relates to food container for storing and transporting food, having a bottom enclosure means, a top lid enclosure means, a latch means and a plurality containers, such that it has an unique bottom enclosure means which is unknown in prior art. The bottom enclosure means comprises of i) an outer closure means, and ii) an inner closure means, iii) an EPS foam disposed in-between the outer and inner closure, iv) an insulator bumper ring disposed peripherally into grooved portion and towards bottom portion of inner closure means, v) a rubber sealing ring disposed peripherally around the grooved edge of the outer closure means. The arrangement also includes a lid. The top lid enclosure means configured to engage the bottom enclosure means, the said lid means latchable to the bottom enclosure means. The arrangement essentially has the containers enclosed within the enclosure. The device has the capacity to hold number of containers within itself. The plurality of containers with cover lids can be stacked upon the bottom enclosure means. The said containers have a grip means configured to engage with a portion of the lid means which is the top portion of the steel shell assembly to secure the containers relative to bottom enclosure by engaging the protruding grip means of top container of the stack with a recess portion formed on the lid means. The device also includes latching, the latch means disposed on the bottom enclosure means and engageable with the lid means which lid refers to the complete steel shell assembly where the latch engages or connects the steel shell with the bottom closure.

In another aspect, the lid may be a vacuum insulated steel shell.

In another aspect, the height of the lid shell is more than the height of the bottom enclosure.
In another aspect, the lid shell is generally dome shaped which may be oval or eclipse shaped but not necessarily so.

In another aspect, the lid is so configured to have a handle on the top of lid for carrying the stacked food box.

It will be readily understood that the aspects/embodiments of the present invention, as generally described herein and illustrated in figures, can be arranged, combined and designed in different configurations, which may be known to skilled persons in the art. All of such variations are within the spirit and scope of the invention.