# US 12,178,299 B1 · Spinning snack container with attached lunchbox > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,299 B1 - Document ID: US12178299B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/477,699 - Filed: 2021-09-17 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-17 - Applicants: Tomo Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph Blanch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178299B1 ## CPC - A45C 11/20: Lunch or picnic boxes or the like - B65D 1/36: with moulded compartments or partitions - B65D 25/32: Bail handles, i.e. pivoted {rigid} handles of generally semi-circular shape {with pivot points on two opposed sides or wall parts of the conainter} - B65D 43/0202: {without integral tamper element} - B65D 2543/00092: circular - B65D 2543/00231: made of several pieces - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A snack containment and dispensing apparatus having a plurality of separate snack containment compartments, a preferably transparent lid having an opening therein, and a plunger or like means to index or rotate the lid such that access to a singular snack compartment is obtained one at a time. The apparatus is attachable through placement in recesses formed in specially designed external lunch boxes that the tray can attach to. The specially designed lunch boxes can uniquely house the spinning tray as well as provide extra storage for extra foodstuffs. The specially designed lunch boxes include handles for easy transport and carry. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination, comprising: an apparatus base having a detachable tray portion and a detachable lunch box lid portion arranged in a horizontal, side-by-side orientation, said detachable tray portion including one or more pockets; a lid connectible with said detachable tray portion and including an opening, said tray being configured for selective rotation relative to said lid to align one of said one or more pockets with said opening; an actuator configured to actuate rotation of said tray, said actuator including a rotation mechanism that includes a base and a tubular portion, said tubular portion including a plurality of vertical channels connected by a plurality of transverse channels to facilitate selective rotation of said tray; and said apparatus base containing a lunch box recess covered by a lunch box cover portion and a second recess formed to contain said tray portion where said lunch box portion recess and said tray portion recess are connected in a horizontal, side-by-side arrangement; where said tray portion and said lunch box portion are contained within said apparatus base so as to be transported as a single apparatus when said lunch box cover is positioned to enclose said connected lunch box portion and said tray portion is contained within said apparatus base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 1 wherein said tray portion and lunch box portion combination and detachable lunch box lid further comprises a handle attached thereto. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 1 wherein said detachable lunch box includes at least one compartment for the secure placement therein of food items wherein said compartment can be opened and closed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 3 wherein said at least one compartment is positioned adjacent to said recessed portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 3 wherein said at least one compartment is positioned below said recessed portion. ### Claim 6 A snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination comprising: a bowl; a lid connectible with said bowl, said lid including an opening having a hinged flap; a detachable tray disposed with said bowl, said tray including one or more pockets configured for selective rotation relative to said bowl to align one of said one or more pockets with said opening; a plunger button configured to actuate rotation of said tray, said plunger button including a rotation mechanism that includes a base and a tubular portion, said tubular portion including a plurality of vertical channels connected by a plurality of transverse channels to facilitate selective rotation of said tray; and a specialized lunch box base comprising a detachable lunch box cover and wherein said lunch box base includes a recessed portion having side-by-side compartments for the placement within said bowl portion and said lunch box portion connected in a horizontal, side-by-side arrangement with said detachable lunch box cover positioned to enclose said lunch box portion within said specialized lunch box base; where said tray portion and said lunch box portion are connected so as to be transported as a single apparatus when said lunch box lid and said tray are positioned in the side-by-side arrangement. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 6 wherein said bowl and lunch box combination and detachable lunch box lid further comprises a handle attached thereto. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 6 wherein said detachable lunch box includes at least one compartment for the secure placement therein of food items wherein said compartment can be opened and closed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 8 wherein said at least one compartment is positioned adjacent to said recessed portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A snack compartment and dispensing apparatus and lunch box combination of claim 8 wherein said at least one compartment is positioned below said recessed portion.