Beyond the brown bag

Ever since airlines stopped serving meals some years ago, savvy travelers have been brown-bagging their food. But there's a limit to what you can stuff into a paper bag.

Enter Laptop Lunches, a compartmentalized lunch kit that fits on your lap (or your tray table) to let you eat neatly from five inner food containers. Inspired by the Japanese bento box, the kit was developed by two women from Santa Cruz to encourage healthy eating and cut down on waste. It comes with a book of creative menus.

Air travelers with other carry-ons to tote might find the kit to be excess baggage after its contents have been consumed. The container is perhaps more practical for car trips, office lunches or to pack off with the kids to school.

The compact system, which costs $34, includes fork, spoon, water bottle and an insulated carrying case with shoulder strap. Family-size versions and stripped-down models are available. All can be purchased online at www.laptoplunches.com.

Obentec note: In reality, few passengers find Laptop Lunches to be excess baggage. After all, they do need to eat on both the outbound and return flight!