Multi compartment container

Abstract

A multi compartment container where a lid assembly has a lower part thereof setting down within the compartment defining base yet itself providing multiple compartments each closable by a lid.

1 . A multi-compartment container comprising or including 
 a moulded base defining at least one compartment (said at least one compartment optionally being unpartitioned or at least partly partitioned),    a lid assembly hinging from or otherwise articulating relative to the base so as to affect closure of said at least one compartment of the base by at least a partial set down there into,    wherein the lid assembly itself has, at least when considered in its closed condition, a lower member defining at least one compartment of the lid assembly, which compartment or compartments of the lid assembly is or are closable by a lid or lids carried by the lower member of the lid assembly.    
   
   
       2 . A container of  claim 1  wherein there is a separate lid for each compartment defined by the lower member of the lid assembly.  
   
   
       3 . A container of  claim 2  wherein the lid or lids carried by the lower member of the lid assembly has or have at least one projection to act as a living hinge, such projection(s) being receivable by said lower member.  
   
   
       4 . A container of  claim 3  wherein each said projection is click fit retainable in a passageway of the lower member.  
   
   
       5 . A container of  claim 3  wherein each said projection has been moulded as a flap otherwise than in the direction to which flange regions of the lid have been moulded.  
   
   
       6 . A container of  claim 3  wherein the form of the hinging periphery of the or each lid is scalloped, bevelled or the like from above to allow clearance on its opening.  
   
   
       7 . A container of  claim 1  wherein the lid assembly hinges from the base on a single hinge axis.  
   
   
       8 . A container of  claim 7  wherein the hinging of the lid assembly from the base is as a result of interactions of moulded trunnions of the base or lower member with the lower member or base respectively.  
   
   
       9 . A container of  claim 2  wherein the lid assembly has three lidded compartments.  
   
   
       10 . A container of  claim 2  wherein each lid can latch closed.  
   
   
       11 . A container in  claim 1  wherein the lid assembly's lower member can latch closed with respect to the base.  
   
   
       12 . A container of  claim 1  assembled at least predominantly from moulded plastic components.  
   
   
       13 . A container of  claim 1  carrying an inducement to use it as a lunchbox.  
   
   
       14 . A container of  claim 2  wherein the lid assembly has at least two compartments of a different size.  
   
   
       15 . A container of  claim 1  wherein the or each lid assembly compartment can be opened without the lid assembly as a whole being moved to open the compartment or compartments of the base.  
   
   
       16 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lid assembly includes at least one hinge axis of its lid or lids which is orthogonal to that hinge axis of the lid assembly from the base.  
   
   
       17 . A container of  claim 1  wherein the lower member has a peripheral skirt that at least substantially continuously surrounds the rim of the base when the lidding assembly closes the base.  
   
   
       18 . The use of a container of  claim 1  as a lunchbox.