GB2367610A - Cool lunch box - Google Patents

Abstract

A cool lunch box comprises an insulated container or bag with built-in mesh pockets or compartments on the interior of its lid and base, making it possible to insert and secure into place provided freezer gel-packs, or thin freezer blocks or plates without squashing or damaging the food or having to manipulate or remove them to gain access to it. The cold released through the net inside the box would provide a refrigerated environment and maintain food at safe temperature for several hours. Sleeves made of absorbent material may be provided to cover the said freezer gel-packs or plates and absorb any moisture released through condensation. The interior lining of the cool lunch box as well as the surface of the freezer gel-packs or freezer blocks and sleeves may be provided with built-in antibacterial protection.

Description

COOL LUNCH BOX This invention relates to a cool lunch box.

It is a known fact that bacteria generally grow and reproduce in food left at room temperature and even at temperatures as low as 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. Certain pathogens, i. e. poisonous bacteria or bacteria which release toxin in food, such as Salmonella, Vibrio, E. -coli, Listeria... etc., etc. ,havehave a log-cycle (i. e. reproduce and double) of 20 minutes under ideal conditions. Such bacteria could grow to a harmful level, i. e. cause serious illness and even death especially in small children and elderly people, in a matter of a few hours. E-coli 0157 for instance, which was responsible for the death of about 30 people in Scotland about a year ago and which may be present in dairy products, meats, and some salads could reach potentially lethal levels in just a couple of hours.

Most people and especially school children carry their lunches in traditional plastic lunch boxes or other plastic containers, which are usually left for a few hours at ambient temperature or on a table in the classroom until lunchtime. Keeping food in such a manner may turn it into a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

The present invention seeks to make lunch boxes safer and more hygienic by maintaining a cool temperature inside the box, for several hours.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a cool lunch box comprising an insulated container or bag with built-in mesh pockets or compartments attached on the interior to its lid and base, wherein a freezer gel-pack or a thin freezer block or plate can be inserted, to provide a refrigerated environment for the food.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only: A cool lunch box comprising a container or bag insulated with closed cell foam or any other type of insulation and which may have an aluminised coating to increase its insulation properties.

The inside of the lid and the base of the container would be provided with built-in mesh pockets or compartments. Freezer gel-packs, or thin freezer blocks or plates are provided to be kept overnight in a home freezer then placed in each net pocket.

The said mesh pockets would allow freezer gel-packs or plates to be inserted and secured in place without squashing or damaging the food or having to remove or manipulate them to gain access to it, as would be the case if they were put in the same compartment as the food.

The cold released through the net, inside the box, would provide a refrigerated environment and maintain food at a safe temperature for several hours.

Sleeves made of absorbent material may be provided to cover the freezer gel-packs or plates and absorb any moisture released through condensation.

The interior lining of the cool lunch box as well as the surface of the freezer gelpacks or freezer blocks and sleeves may be provided with built-in antibacterial protection.

Claims (2)

1. CLAIMS 1. A cool lunch box comprising an insulated container or bag with built-in mesh pockets on the interior of its lid and base, making it possible to insert and secure into place freezer gel-packs or thin freezer plates, providing a refrigerated environment, without squashing or damaging the food and without the need to manipulate or remove them to gain access to it.
2. 2. A cool lunch box as claimed in claiml, wherein the said freezer gel-packs or thin freezer plates may be provided with sleeves made of absorbent material to absorb moisture released on their surface through condensation.