Vending backpack

Abstract

A vending bag or backpack is provided for carrying and displaying drinks and food. The body and lid of the pack are insulated and have a temperature reflective inner surface. A hammock is centrally located in a central compartment to both carry food containers and to locate drink containers. An outer pocket holds and displays containers of condiments or dips. Other pockets are designed to hold a debit machine, napkins and menus. A pocket in the lid is sized to accept a hot or cold pad. A combination comprising the vending backpack and a debit machine bag is also provided.

1 . A folding, vending backpack for carrying and displaying containers of food and drinks, the vending backpack comprising:
 (a) an insulated, soft-cover body defining a central compartment having an open end, the central compartment being lined with a thermally reflective layer;   (b) a hammock having dividers to define segments, the segments for separating and retaining drink containers such that the drink containers can be viewed by a vendor or purchaser, the hammock suspended by the dividers in the central compartment, the hammock for carrying and displaying food containers between the drink containers;   (c) an insulated, soft-cover lid hingeably connected to the body at the open end for covering the open end, the lid being lined with a thermally reflective layer and comprising a pocket for accepted a cold pack or a hot pack;   (d) a zipper disposed between the lid and the body;   (e) a front pocket for holding and displaying containers of food, the front pocket comprising a mesh or transparent, flexible material;   (f) a middle pocket for holding a debit or credit machine;   (g) side pockets for holding menus and napkins; and   (h) a shoulder strap connected to the body, the shoulder strap being adjustable and enabling a vendor to carry the backpack, such that in use, containers of food and drinks are displayed for purchase.   
     
     
         2 . The vending backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising an erasable surface for displaying pricing information, the erasable surface located on the pocket in the lid. 
     
     
         3 . The vending backpack of  claim 2  wherein hammock and dividers define four segments for retaining drink containers. 
     
     
         4 . The vending backpack of  claim 3 , wherein the hammock and dividers comprise a single unit. 
     
     
         5 . The vending backpack of  claim 4  wherein the front pocket comprises a mesh material. 
     
     
         6 . The vending backpack of  claim 5 , wherein the front pocket is sized to hold about four to about six food containers each having a volume of about 100 mL to about 250 mL. 
     
     
         7 . The vending backpack of  claim 6 , further comprising a hand grip. 
     
     
         8 . A folding, vending backpack for carrying and displaying containers of food and drinks, the vending backpack comprising:
 (a) an insulated, soft-cover body defining a central compartment having an open end, the central compartment being lined with a thermally reflective layer;   (b) a hammock having integral dividers to define round or semi-circular segments, the segments for separating and retaining drink containers such that the drink containers can be viewed by a vendor or purchaser, the hammock suspended by the dividers in the central compartment, the hammock for carrying and displaying food containers between the drink containers;   (c) an insulated, soft-cover lid hingeably connected to the body at the open end, the lid being lined with a thermally reflective layer and comprising a pocket for accepted a cold pack or a hot pack;   (d) an erasable surface for displaying pricing information, the erasable surface located on the pocket in the lid;   (e) a zipper disposed between the lid and the body;   (f) a front pocket for holding and displaying containers of food, the front pocket comprising a mesh material;   (g) a middle pocket for holding a debit or credit machine;   (h) side pockets for holding menus and napkins; and   (i) a shoulder strap connected to the body, the shoulder strap being adjustable and enabling a vendor to carry the backpack, such that in use, containers of food and drinks are displayed for purchase.   
     
     
         9 . The vending backpack of  claim 8 , wherein the hammock and dividers define four segments for retaining and displaying drink containers. 
     
     
         10 . A combination for selling drinks and food, the combination comprising the vending backpack of  claim 7 , three or four drink containers, a cold or hot pack and from three to seven containers of one or more of condiments and dips. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10  further comprising menus and napkins. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11  further comprising a cold pack. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12 , further comprising a debit machine. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 12 , further comprising a debit machine bag, the debit machine bag comprising:
 (a) a soft-cover central compartment, defined by a front, a back, an open end, and two sides, the front having a first loop and hook fastener member;   (b) a soft-cover top extending from the back and having a second loop and hook fastener member for releasably attaching to the first loop and fastener member;   (c) a mesh outer pocket extending along the front and two sides;   (d) a belt loop attached to the back;   (e) a debit machine; and   (f) an adjustable shoulder strap.   
     
     
         15 . The vending backpack of  claim 9  wherein the segments are circular apertures.