Space saving,fast erecting,disposable pizza container
An embodiment of the present invention is a pizza pie container that is in a defined distribution mode. The pizza container comprises a bottom with four sidewalls and a lid. Each sidewall is elongated with two outer ends. Each outer end of at least one sidewall is non-detachably connected to an outer end of another sidewall thereby non-detachably connecting at least three of the sidewalls to each other. The lid connects to at least one of the sidewalls and comprises at least one flap to facilitate lid closure. The container is formed from a material having a predetermined means to enhance rigidity of the container to resist distortion of the container when held or transported. The material also has a predetermined means of insulation to resist heat transfer from a pizza through the container. The container is further formed wherein the at least three connecting sidewalls are positioned lying down for space reduction of the container prior to usage thereof yet may be erectable upright, simultaneously, in quick preparation of container usage thereof.
The present invention relates to food storage containers, particularly food storage containers for freshly baked pizza pies, and most particularly for disposable, food storage containers for freshly baked pizza pies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPizza is a food enjoyed around the world by many people and a pizza pie is often stored and transported in a pizza box. In distribution form, a pizza box is generally a pre-cut, pre-scored piece of cardboard sold to restaurants and pizza stores etc. “Distribution form” shall be defined herein as the form in which the pizza box or container is distributed to restaurants and/or pizza stores etc.
When a hot pizza comes out of the oven it is usually impractical and relatively time consuming to fold, manipulate and assemble the pre-cut, pre-scored piece of cardboard into an assembled, fully ready pizza box. So, these boxes are often folded, manipulated and assembled ahead of time by those at restaurants and pizza stores etc. because it's much easier and more practical for someone to remove a freshly baked pizza pie from the oven and drop it in an already assembled pizza box. Unfortunately, this method of preparing and assembling pizza boxes ahead of time requires a lot of available storage space in the kitchen cooking area where space is at premium. In other words, a typical fully assembled and ready pizza box may take more than five times the storage space of the pizza box in its distribution form when it is was just a relatively flat piece of cardboard. Therefore, there is a need for a better pizza box, one that requires minimal storage space, yet may be made fully ready in seconds or instantly for the containerization of a freshly baked pizza pie.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn embodiment of the present invention is a container formed to contain a freshly baked pizza pie. The container is in a defined, distribution form comprising a bottom with four sidewalls and a lid. Each sidewall is elongated with two outer ends. Each outer end of at least one sidewall non-detachably connects to an outer end of another sidewall thereby non-detachably connecting at least three of the sidewalls to each other. The lid connects to at least one of the sidewalls and comprises at least one flap to facilitate lid closure. The container is further formed from a material having a predetermined means to enhance rigidity of the container to resist distortion of the container when being held or transported. The material further has a predetermined means of insulation to resist heat transfer from the pizza through the container. The container is further formed wherein the at least three connecting sidewalls are positioned lying down for space reduction of the container prior to usage thereof yet may be erectable upright, simultaneously, in quick preparation of container usage thereof.
Relative to the present invention above, applicant considers the following objectives:
It is an important objective of the present invention pizza container that it be space-efficient while in a defined distribution form for shipping and handling purposes; and,
it is another important objective of the present invention that it be space-efficient while in a defined distribution form so that it may be stacked and stored in a kitchen or cooking environment where available space is at a premium value; and,
it is another important objective of the present invention that it may be made ready quickly or instantly for usage thereof; and,
it is another important objective of the present invention that it be formed from a material having at least one predetermined means to provide some rigidity so that a freshly baked pizza may be stored, handled and delivered without compromising the pizza pie and/or container; and,
it is another important objective of the present invention that it be formed from a material having at least one predetermined means to provide some insulation to insulate heat from a freshly baked pizza pie from a person handling or transporting the pizza container; and,
it is yet another important objective of the present invention that it be cost-efficient to manufacture so that it is cost-competitive and commercially viable.
The various drawings provided herein are for the purpose of illustrating possible embodiments of the present invention and not for the purpose of limiting same. Therefore, the drawings herein represent only a few of the many possible embodiments and/or variations of the present invention.
In
In
In all embodiments of the present invention, the boxes or containers are formed from a material having at least one predetermined means to enhance rigidity of the container to resist distortion of the container when being held or transported. This simply means that the box is not made from a material inappropriate for the weight, heat, moisture etc. of a fresh pizza pie. For example, the at least one means could simply be that the material is corrugated with small or large corrugation. Or, the material could have increased thickness or ply or any other device and/or means that may provide a reasonable rigidity sufficient to resist distortion of the container when being held or transported. In addition, the boxes or containers of the present invention are formed from a material having at least one predetermined means of insulation to resist heat transfer from the pizza through the container. This means of insulation could simply be that the material is corrugated with small or large corrugation. Or, the material could have increased thickness or ply or any other device or means that may resist heat transfer from a hot pizza pie through the container. In other words, a corrugated cardboard is an excellent example of a material that could be used for the present invention with such material providing for both a reasonable rigidity and insulation.
Although illustrative embodiments have been described herein in detail, it should be noted and will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations may be made within the scope of this invention without departing from the principles and chief advantages of this invention. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the terms and expressions have been used herein as terms of description and not limitation. There is no intention to use the terms or expressions to exclude any equivalents of features shown and described or portions thereof, and this invention should be predetermined in accordance with the claims that follow, or the equivalence thereof.
Claims
1. A pizza pie container in a defined distribution mode comprising a bottom with four sidewalls and a lid, each said sidewall being elongated with two outer ends, each outer end of at least one said sidewall non-detachably connecting to an outer end of another sidewall thereby non-detachably connecting at least three of said sidewalls to each other, said lid connecting to at least one of said sidewalls and comprising at least one flap to facilitate lid closure, said container being formed from a material having a predetermined means to enhance rigidity of said container to resist distortion of said container when being held or transported, said material further having a predetermined means of insulation to resist heat transfer from a pizza pie through said container, said container further being formed wherein said at least three connecting sidewalls are positioned lying down for space reduction of said container prior to usage thereof yet may be erectable upright, simultaneously, in quick preparation of container usage thereof.
2. A container of claim 1, wherein said material is a corrugated type material.
3. A container of claim 1, wherein there is a total of at least two creases formed in said three connecting sidewalls thereby providing the means for the three connecting sidewalls to be positioned lying down and then upright.
4. A container of claim 1, wherein said container further comprises means to hold said three connecting sidewalls in the upright position after they have been simultaneously erected.
5. A container of claim 1, wherein said lid has three flaps, with each said flap having two outer ends non-connecting to another flap.
6. A container of claim 1, wherein said container is formed having at least one vent to vent evaporative gases of said freshly baked pizza.
7. A container of claim 2, wherein there is a total of at least two creases formed in said three connecting sidewalls thereby providing the means for the three connecting sidewalls to be positioned lying down and then upright.
8. A container of claim 2, wherein said container further comprises means to hold said three connecting sidewalls in the upright position after they have been simultaneously erected.
9. A container of claim 2, wherein said lid has three flaps, with each said flap having two outer ends non-connecting to another flap.
10. A container of claim 2, wherein said container is formed having at least one vent to vent evaporative gases of said freshly baked pizza.
11. A pizza pie container in a defined distribution mode comprising a bottom with four sidewalls and a lid, each said sidewall being elongated with two outer ends, each outer end of at least two of said sidewalls non-detachably connecting to an outer end of another sidewall thereby non-detachably connecting four of said sidewalls to each other, said lid connecting to at least one of said sidewalls and comprising at least one flap to facilitate lid closure, said container being formed from a material having a predetermined means to enhance rigidity of said container to resist distortion of said container when being held or transported, said material further having a predetermined means of insulation to resist heat transfer from a pizza pie through said container, said container further being formed wherein said four connecting sidewalls are positioned lying down for space reduction of said container prior to usage thereof yet may be erectable upright, simultaneously, in quick preparation of container usage thereof.
12. A container of claim 11, wherein said material is a corrugated type material.
13. A container of claim 11, wherein there is a total of at least four creases formed in said four connecting sidewalls thereby providing the means for the four connecting sidewalls to be positioned lying down and then upright.
14. A container of claim 11, wherein said container further comprises means to hold said four connecting sidewalls in the upright position after they have been simultaneously erected.
15. A container of claim 11, wherein said lid has three flaps, with each said flap having two outer ends non-connecting to another flap.
16. A container of claim 11, wherein said container is formed having at least one vent to vent evaporative gases of said freshly baked pizza.
17. A container of claim 12, wherein there is a total of at least four creases formed in said four sidewalls thereby providing the means for the four connecting sidewalls to be positioned lying down and then upright.
18. A container of claim 12, wherein said container further comprises means to hold said four connecting sidewalls in the upright position after they have been simultaneously erected.
19. A container of claim 12, wherein said lid has three flaps, with each said flap having two outer ends non-connecting to another flap.
20. A container of claim 12, wherein said container is formed having at least one vent to vent evaporative gases of said freshly baked pizza.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2007
Publication Date: Dec 18, 2008
Inventor: Vito Maranelli (Frenchtown, NJ)
Application Number: 11/820,307
International Classification: B65D 43/16 (20060101);