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Boxed up neatly for departure

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Special to The Times

Eating on the go -- for you or your loved ones -- gets easier with these new products.

Movable feast

The Laptop Lunch System: This new lunchbox should appeal to travelers who want or need to take their meals with them, whether a picnic lunch or dinner. Inspired by the Japanese bento lunchbox, the kit is composed of an insulated carrying case -- designed to fit on an airplane tray -- holding a hinged plastic outer container with five brightly colored plastic inner containers (two with lids), a plastic drink bottle, a fork and spoon. To comply with airline carry-on rules, there’s no knife. The carrying case has an outside zippered pocket and inside mesh pouch, as well as a built-in handle and a detachable shoulder strap. It also comes with a “Users’ Guide” that has healthful eating tips and recipes.

Laptop Lunch System (item 310030) is $33.99 from Obentec, (877) 623-6832; www.laptoplunches.com.

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Kibble keeper

Pet King Food Bowl: Whenever I took my dog on the road, I had to scrounge for two containers to hold her food and water, then schlep a bottle of water and bag of food. The Pet King is a better solution. Two generously sized bright yellow plastic bowls (each with a snap-on watertight lid) are joined by a hinge and fold together for compact transport in a zippered travel bag. Closed, the package measures 5.5 by 4.5 by 4.25 inches and weighs 21 ounces when empty. The bowls have plastic handles.

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Pet King Food Bowl (FP330) is $19.85 from Magellan’s, (800) 962-4943, www.magellans.com.

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Taste-maker

Spice Wheel: This is designed for backpackers but can be useful in other places. I keep one at my weekend house and in the car trunk for seasoning emergencies. The plastic wheel, which is 5.5 inches in diameter, is made up of eight conjoined waterproof cylinders (each 1.5 inches long) with screw-top lids. Some of the compartments have plastic shaker tops with holes for sprinkling. The compartments also can be used for shampoo, matches, medications, vitamins or paper clips.

Spice Wheel (167221) is $13.90 from Backpacker’s Pantry, (800) 641-0500, www.backpackerspantry.com.

Gear & Gadgets appears once a month.

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