RECIPIENTE TÉRMICO PARA ACONDICIONAMENTO DE ALIMENTOS COM DIVISÓRIAS REMOVÍVEIS - MARMITA COM DIVISÓRIAS REMOVÍVEIS

Description

1 / 7 Thermal food container with removable dividers - lunchbox with removable dividers

[001] This Utility Model Patent application relates to a “LUNCH BOX WITH REMOVABLE DIVIDERS”, which does not yet exist on the market, specifically a lunch box that can be made from different materials such as styrofoam, polymers, metals or expanded polystyrene (EPS), particularly suitable for providing meals with removable dividers and which differs from all sorts of known and traditional lunch boxes available on the current market.

[002] Thus, within the scope of the innovative concept of this lunchbox with removable dividers now claimed, as a whole, it presents an innovation due to its differentiated characteristics that meet the needs identified by many lunchbox consumers. STATE OF THE ART

[003] Below is a presentation of state-of-the-art lunchboxes and restrictions subject to innovation, which are set forth in this application and are recognized by those knowledgeable in the subject.

[004] Traditionally, lunchboxes, which are known and used for storing / providing meals, whether homemade or industrial, are basically a compartment with a certain depth capable of holding an amount of food that will be consumed in a short period of time.

[005] Traditionally, lunch boxes, also called "quentinhas" (hot food containers), are known and used for providing meals, whether homemade or industrially produced. Basically, it is a round container with a certain depth capable of holding a quantity of food that will be consumed in a short period of time. This compartment is closed by a flat lid using a device. Petition 870250059945, dated 07 / 14 / 2025, p. 5 / 12 2P auxiliary tool that creates a fold between the edge of the lid and the edge of the compartment. There are many models and sizes of lunchboxes available.

[006] Over time, and with the increase in meal consumption, some models emerged that featured an internal compartment to separate each type of food, making it possible to choose the quantity and type. However, the dividers in the existing models do not reflect the reality and / or need for quantity and options for those who will consume or serve the meals. In all cases researched, the lunchboxes with dividers are fixed, non-removable, meaning the consumer cannot mix the food during consumption (Figures 05, 06). Other models that allow for division are made only of plastic; the dividers may be removable (Figures 07 and 08), but this makes them expensive and unfeasible, completely different from the method proposed in this patent, which makes it more practical, accessible, and cheaper for the manufacturer and the end consumer.

[007] Nowadays there is talk about healthy eating and initially lunchboxes were developed for workers who remain at the workplace. Thus, the well-known aluminum or styrofoam lunchboxes without dividers and closed by a lid also made of aluminum or styrofoam became standardized.

[008] It turns out that all the food is arranged in layers, mixing together regardless of the consumer's preference. In many cases, the lunchbox contains only popular foods like rice, beans, and meat.

[009] As the number of consumers has greatly increased, each with their own preferences, the lunchboxes of the current state of the art do not fully meet the needs. On the one hand, the lunchbox with fixed dividers is impractical due to its size, and on the other hand, a lunchbox that holds all the food together is also impractical.

[010] After searching for prior art in market databases, a search was conducted in patent databases to verify what exists regarding lunchboxes with dividers, and nothing was found that matches the patent sought here. Petition 870250059945, dated 07 / 14 / 2025, page 6 / 12 3 / 7

[011] Patent BR 202020011824-8 entitled “CONSTRUCTIVE ARRANGEMENT APPLIED TO A THERMAL BOX FOR TRANSPORTING FOOD PACKAGED IN LUNCH BOXES OR CONTAINERS” presents a thermal box with glass wool and ceramic wool lining on its interior, which is adapted with an electric heating system making it a greenhouse, its specific device for connection to 12-volt or 24-volt vehicles with the capacity to raise the temperature up to 100 degrees Celsius. Totally different from the patent intended here, which presents a lunch box with removable dividers that is easy to manufacture, low cost, and very useful for consumers of this product.

[012] Patent BR 102018074638-3 entitled “CONTROLLED CONTAINER FOR FOOD STORAGE - LUNCHBOX” presents a lunchbox composed of 4 or more fixed compartments, which have specific volumes that fit the main foods such as rice (carbohydrate), beans (legumes), meat (protein), and salad (fiber), with each volume, when completely filled with food, corresponding to a partial limit of the average amount of calories established by the lunchbox for calorie control. Unlike the patent claimed here, which presents a lunchbox with removable dividers that is easy to manufacture, low cost, and very convenient for consumers of this product.

[013] Patent 202017016644-4 entitled “CONSTRUCTIVE ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED IN A LUNCHBOX” presents a plastic lunchbox with a hinged handle lid and a container with fixed internal dividers and airtight closure. Unlike the patent claimed here, which presents a styrofoam lunchbox with removable dividers that is easy to manufacture, low cost, and very convenient for consumers of this product.

[014] Patent BR 10 2012 018034-0 entitled “THERMAL CONTAINER FOR FOOD STORAGE - LUNCH BOX” presents a lunch box that has a front lid for controlling the volume of food placed inside. Unlike the patent claimed here, which presents a styrofoam lunch box with Petition 870250059945, dated 07 / 14 / 2025, page 7 / 12 4Π removable partitions that are easy to manufacture, low cost, and very convenient for consumers of this product.

[015] Patent UM 7801117-5 entitled “FOOD DIVIDER FOR SPECIFIC USE CONTAINER” presents a plastic lunchbox with dividers made of molded “T” shaped plates and side flaps at its base. Unlike the patent claimed here, which presents a styrofoam lunchbox with removable dividers that is easy to manufacture, low cost and very convenient for consumers of this product.

[016] International patent US 9414701 B1 entitled “Thermal Lunchbox” presents a plastic lunchbox also with a removable divider, but in a single shape with a hinge on the lid and body of the lunchbox with an integral handle to provide a carrying solution. Unlike the patent claimed here, which presents a styrofoam lunchbox with removable dividers that is easy to manufacture, low cost, and very convenient for consumers of this product.

[017] The applicant, aware of the difficulties encountered and completely dissatisfied with the lunchboxes used, innovatively developed a lunchbox made up of removable dividers where one or two dividers can be attached, separating it into two or four compartments for food, in a simple, inexpensive and extremely effective way, especially for styrofoam lunchboxes. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[018] The following drawings reveal and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[019] FIGURE 1 shows the lunchbox in open perspective without the dividers;

[020] FIGURE 2 shows the lunchbox in open perspective with a divider;

[021] FIGURE 3 shows the lunchbox in open perspective with two compartments;

[022] FIGURE 4 shows the lunchbox in perspective, the dividers with a cut in the middle that allows one to be fitted on top of the other;

[023] The remaining figures 05, 06, 07 and 08 reveal the lunchboxes existing in the state of the art. Petition 870250059945, dated 07 / 14 / 2025, page 8 / 12 5 / 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[024] The THERMAL CONTAINER FOR FOOD STORAGE WITH REMOVABLE DIVIDERS - LUNCH BOX WITH REMOVABLE DIVIDERS, the subject of this Utility Model Patent application, is a thermal container intended for food storage, more specifically a lunch box with removable dividers, which can be manufactured from various materials, preferably including, but not limited to, polystyrene. The lunch box has a predominantly round shape, but can be produced in other shapes, according to the user's needs. The main innovative feature is the possibility of adjusting the removable dividers (Figure 04) that fit into the bottom of the container, allowing the user to customize the internal division of the lunch box.

[025] The thermal container consists of a main body containing one (Figure 02) or two removable dividers (Figure 03), which are fitted in a practical and secure way without contact with the food placed in the lunchbox, including liquids and broths. The lunchbox design includes two small parallel lateral elevations at the bottom of the container that intersect (1), which serve as support for fitting the dividers. In an initial configuration, the lunchbox may contain only one division in the middle (Figure 02), but the structure allows the addition of a second divider (Figure 03) which will be positioned over the first by a small cut in the middle of the divider (Figure 04), creating an additional subdivision in the container. In this way, it is possible to divide the lunchbox into up to four distinct compartments.

[026] The dividers and the two small parallel side elevations (1) are designed to provide an efficient seal, so as to prevent unwanted contact between foods, keeping them organized and preserving their thermal characteristics. The lunchbox can be used in both domestic and commercial environments, being especially useful for transporting food in controlled portions, for workers and students, for example. Petition 870250059945, dated 07 / 14 / 2025, page 9 / 12 6 / 7 TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

[027] Flexibility in use: The modular design of the dividers allows the user to adapt the lunchbox according to the amount of food to be transported, optimizing the internal space.

[028] Efficient thermal materials: Made primarily of polystyrene, the lunchbox maintains the thermal properties necessary for food preservation, helping to keep its temperature for a longer period.

[029] Economy and practicality: Because it is an adaptable utility model, the container can be used by various types of audiences, meeting varied needs, from transporting simple meals to more complex portions.

[030] Robust and secure structure: The partitions are firmly fitted into the side elevations, preventing unwanted movement during transport, which increases safety in use.

[031] Low Manufacturing Cost: Because it is simple and preferably made of polystyrene, there is a low manufacturing and distribution cost.

[032] This utility model aims to improve the user experience compared to conventional lunchboxes, which often lack flexibility regarding internal division or are difficult to clean, among other aspects. The possibility of removing and adjusting the dividers makes the lunchbox more versatile and functional.

[033] A lunchbox with removable dividers consists of a food storage container that can have 2 to 4 compartments, each with specific volumes to hold the main foods such as rice (carbohydrate), beans with broth (legumes), meat (protein), and salad (fiber) without mixing and in sufficient quantity. Once all compartments are filled, the user can remove the dividers and mix the food as desired, unlike current lunchboxes on the market that either have fixed dividers or the dividers are made of expensive material and lack the shape proposed here.

[034] The food storage container consists of a piece, preferably round, but not limited to this shape, composed of 02 or Petition 870250059945, dated 07 / 14 / 2025, page 10 / 12 7 / 7 compartments where food will be placed in the quantity allowed by the size of the lunchbox. The small parallel side ridges are designed to provide an efficient seal and prevent food from mixing, even if it is broth or more liquid foods.

[035] The patent is characterized by being a container with removable dividers, where the dividers fit into the bottom of the container by means of two small aligned lateral elevations that intersect (1) for fitting the divider(s), which can be adjusted with one or two divisions of the same material as the lunchbox, allowing the internal division of the container into up to four compartments, and where the dividers are removable and can be arranged in a way that provides flexibility in organizing the food. In addition, it can be manufactured in any material, with styrofoam being a preference, and can have any shape, with emphasis on the round shape and the possibility of attaching an additional divider on top of the first, allowing the creation of more compartments in the container with easy removal of the dividers, facilitating cleaning and maintenance of the container.

[036] The present invention solves the identified problems of the prior art by providing an easy, lightweight and inexpensive product, with an innovative solution never before explored of removable dividers in styrofoam lunch boxes, but obviously the proposed lunch box can have different sizes, shapes and materials.

[037] From what has been described and illustrated, it can be easily concluded that this is a very useful, practical, inexpensive and efficient product for its intended purpose, which fully satisfies the proposed objectives and satisfactorily fulfills the functions for which it was developed, providing users with a series of benefits and advantages inherent in its applicability and usability.

[038] It is part of the inventive scope that the THERMAL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE DIVIDERS LUNCH BOX WITH REMOVABLE DIVIDERS has different geometric shapes, but preferably round, made of polystyrene and of varying sizes. Petition 870250059945, dated 07 / 14 / 2025, p. 11 / 12

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIM 1- THERMAL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE DIVIDERS - LUNCH BOX WITH REMOVABLE DIVIDERS, characterized by comprising a container with removable dividers, where the dividers fit into the bottom of the container by means of two small aligned lateral elevations that intersect (1) for fitting the dividers, which can be adjusted with one (Figure 02) or two divisions (Figure 03) of the same material as the lunch box, allowing the internal division of the container into up to four compartments, and where the removable dividers have a cut in the middle to facilitate fitting between them (Figure 04) and can be arranged in a way that provides flexibility in organizing food, and can be manufactured in any material, with styrofoam being a preference, and can have any shape, with emphasis on the round shape and the possibility of attaching an additional divider on top of the first (Figure 03 and Figure 04). 04),allowing for the creation of more compartments in the container, with easily removable dividers. Petition 870250006218, dated 01 / 27 / 2025, p. 13 / 20

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