Backpack meal container systems and methods

Abstract

Containers or kits are shaped to fit within interior voids or spaces of a backpack. Containers resist crushing or other damaging forces that may be present within the backpack interior space. Containers provide for the efficient and effective transport of food and other items within a soft sided carrier, and are easily opened for convenient access to the contents contained therein. Containers can be shaped so that they fit on top of books and other items being held in a backpack. The containers or kits may be designed for a standard adult backpack, a standard child backpack, or any other desired backpack or carrier configuration.

1 . A container for transporting an item within an interior space of a backpack, comprising:
 a lower portion having a substantially flat surface configured to fit on top of an object contained in the interior space of the backpack; and   an upper portion having a contour configured to fit against an upper portion of the backpack.   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises an openable flap defined at least in part by a perforation. 
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion comprises an openable flap. 
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a side portion having an openable flap. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container provides a crush resistant structure. 
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion comprise a cellulosic fiber material. 
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion comprise a fiberboard material. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion comprise a plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion and the lower portion comprise a blister card material. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a food item disposed within the container. 
     
     
         11 . A method of transporting an item within an interior space of a backpack, comprising:
 placing a container containing the item within the interior space of the backpack, such that the container rests upon an object contained in the interior space of the backpack; and   transporting the backpack so as to transport the item;   wherein the container comprises a bottom panel having a substantially flat surface configured to fit on top of the object contained in the interior space of the backpack, and an upper profile having a contour configured to fit against an upper portion of the backpack.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising placing the item within the container prior to transporting the backpack. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising placing the container within a shell prior to transporting the backpack. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the item comprises a food item. 
     
     
         15 . A method for preparing an item for transport within an interior space of a backpack, comprising:
 placing the item within a container; and   placing the container within the interior space of the backpack, such that the container rests upon an object contained in the interior space of the backpack;   wherein the container comprises a bottom panel having a substantially flat surface configured to fit on top of the object contained in the interior space of the backpack, and an upper profile having a contour configured to fit against an upper portion of the backpack.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the item comprises a food item. 
     
     
         17 . A method for making a container for transporting an item in a backpack, comprising:
 providing a container blank; and   folding the container blank to form a container body;   wherein the container body comprises a bottom panel having a substantially flat surface configured to fit on top of an object contained in an interior space of the backpack, and an upper profile having a contour configured to fit against an upper portion of the backpack.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising placing the item within the container body. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the item comprises a food item. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising placing the item within the container body and then sealing the container body. 
     
     
         21 . A prepackaged container for transporting an item within an interior space of a backpack, comprising:
 a lower portion having a substantially flat surface configured to fit on top of an object contained in the interior space of the backpack;   an upper portion having a contour configured to fit against an upper portion of the backpack; and   an item contained within an interior space of the container.   
     
     
         22 . The prepackaged container according to  claim 20 , wherein the item comprises a food item. 
     
     
         23 . The prepackaged container according to  claim 20 , wherein the container is sealed. 
     
     
         24 . A container for transporting an item within an interior space of a backpack, comprising:
 a quadrilateral bottom panel having a substantially flat surface configured to fit on top of an object contained in the interior space of the backpack;   a quadrilateral top panel opposing the lower panel;   a quadrilateral first end panel;   a quadrilateral second end panel opposing the first end panel;   a trapezoidal first side panel having an upper base that joins the top panel and a lower base that joins the bottom panel; and   a trapezoidal second side panel opposing the first side panel, the trapezoidal second side panel having an upper base that joints the top panel and a lower base that joins the bottom panel;   wherein the top, end, and side panels provide a contour configured to fit against an upper portion of the backpack.   
     
     
         25 . A container blank for forming a container body, comprising:
 a trapezoidal first side panel;   a quadrilateral top panel coupled with the first side panel;   a quadrilateral first end panel coupled with the top panel;   a quadrilateral second end panel coupled with the top panel;   a trapezoidal second side panel coupled with the top panel; and   a quadrilateral bottom panel coupled with the second side panel.