CONTAINER FOR FOOD OR OTHER OBJECTS

Abstract

An apparatus includes a first container for at least one food item. The container includes a substantially flat bottom panel, and a pair of opposed side panels and front and rear portions extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The container further includes a shelf positioned in an interior of the container. The shelf is configured for allowing a food item to be placed thereon and is accessible from one of the front portion and the rear portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a container for food or other objects that may be classified in U.S. Class 229 Subclass 120.32. In one example, the invention is directed to a cardboard pizza box for carrying out or delivery, or for frozen pizza, but not limited to those purposes.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional pizza box may be bulky and occupy a large footprint, which requires excessive counter or table space to accommodate the pizza box. The large footprint and awkward size of the conventional pizza box further creates difficulty in the transportation of the pizza by foot, motorcycles, bicycles, and automobiles. This difficulty in transportation of the pizza also results from the fact that the pizza box must be held flat to prevent the pizza from sliding and destroying the integrity of the pizza. It is also difficult for a user to hold the conventional pizza box flat by one or two hands while transporting the pizza.

Furthermore, the cheese on a pre-cut pizza placed in the box tends to melt thereby fusing the slices back together during transport. This requires the end user to re-cut the pizza or tear it apart by hand, which creates an unsanitary serving environment.

Pizza boxes or other containers for food or other objects may benefit from improvements.

OBJECTS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of exemplary embodiments to provide an improved container for food or other objects.

It is another object of exemplary embodiments to provide a container for food or other items that can be easily stored and transported.

It is a further object of exemplary embodiments to provide a container that can accommodate various sized items.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments will be made apparent in the following Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments and the appended claims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in one exemplary embodiment by an apparatus that includes a paperboard container for at least one food item. The container includes a substantially flat bottom panel, and a pair of opposed side panels and front and rear portions extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The container further includes a shelf positioned in an interior of the paperboard container and between the side panels. The shelf is configured for allowing a food item to be placed thereon and is accessible from one of the front portion and the rear portion.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, an apparatus that includes a container constructed from a first blank of material is provided. The container includes a substantially flat bottom panel, and a pair of opposed side panels and front and rear portions extending upwardly from the bottom panel. The container further includes a shelf positioned in an interior of the container and between the side panels. The shelf is configured for allowing a food item to be placed thereon and is accessible from one of the front portion and the rear portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for a folded a paperboard pizza box according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank for a folded shelf assembly of the paperboard pizza box according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view the blank of FIG. 1 with some portions folded and assembled.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 with some portions folded and assembled.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 with some portions folded and assembled to illustrate the assembly of the rear panel to the pizza box.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the pizza box showing the shelf assembly of the pizza box positioned outside the pizza box.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front perspective view of the pizza box of the exemplary embodiment with the front cover panel, side front flaps, and top front flap unfolded.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front perspective view of the pizza box of the exemplary embodiment with the front cover panel unfolded.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front perspective view of the pizza box of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment showing a carrying handle secured to two pizza boxes.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a blank for a folded shelf assembly of the paperboard pizza box according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 7 and 9 show an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 20 that comprises a paperboard pizza box 22. The pizza box 22 may be assembled from a blank 24 (FIG. 1). The blank 24 may be formed in one piece of a suitable foldable material such as a continuous sheet of corrugated cardboard. The pizza box 22 may include one or more shelves for receiving food items. Two shelves may be removable from the pizza box and assembled together from a blank 26 (FIG. 2) of a suitable foldable material such as a continuous sheet of corrugated cardboard.

In the following further description of the exemplary embodiment, the words “front”, “rear”, “right”, “left”, “top”, “bottom”, “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “upwardly”, and “downward” are used with reference to the views of FIGS. 7 and 9 unless indicated otherwise. As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pizza box 22 includes a pair of opposite upstanding right and left side panels 28, 30 (as viewed in FIG. 9), a top panel 32, a bottom panel 34 (FIG. 7), an upstanding rear panel 36 (FIG. 10), and a front cover panel 38. The top panel 32 is perpendicular to the side panels 28, 30 and extends between the side panels 28, 30 at the upper ends of the side panels 28, 30.

As seen in FIG. 9, the top panel 32 includes two spaced apart rectangular slots 40 for securely receive axial ends of a wishbone shaped handle 42. The handle 42 may be suitably constructed to be secured to the pizza box 22 so that a user may carry the pizza box 22 using the handle 42. For example, the handle 42 may be a rectangular piece formed of molded plastic with each axial end having laterally extending tabs that extend underneath the top panel and engage the top panel to prevent the handle from being removed. Alternatively, one lengthy rectangular slot 43 (as seen in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7) instead of the two smaller spaced apart rectangular slots 40 may formed in the top panel 32 to securely receive the wishbone shaped handle 42 for carrying the pizza box 22. In another exemplary embodiment, the handle may be a rectangular cardboard piece that is part of or integrally formed with the cardboard bank.

As seen in FIG. 7, the bottom panel 34 is substantially flat and extends between the side panels 28, 30 at the lower ends of the side panels and is parallel with the top panel 32. A rectangular right side flap 44 extends upwardly from the right side end of the bottom panel 34. A slot 46 (FIG. 1) is formed in the right side flap 44 adjacent the right side end of the bottom panel 34. The slot 46 slidably receives a tab 48 extending from the bottom edge of the right side panel 28. The tab 48 frictionally engages the slot 46 after the tab 48 is inserted into the slot 46 to secure the right side panel 28 to the bottom panel 34 and right side flap 44. The tab 48 converges slightly going in the direction away from the right side flap 44 for easy insertion into the slot 46. The right side panel 28 covers the right side flap 44 when assembled. A first pair of vent openings 50 is formed in the right side panel 28, and a second pair of vent openings 52 is formed in the left side panel 30. In addition to allowing venting of the heat and moisture in the interior of the box 22, the vent openings 50, 52 may also be used for viewing an interior 53 of the pizza box 22.

As depicted in FIG. 10, the rear panel 36 extends from the rear end of the right side panel 28 to the rear end of the left side panel 30 and is perpendicular with respect to the side panels 28, 30. As seen in FIG. 5, a rear support flap 54 extends a partial distance from the rear end of the left side panel 30 toward the rear end of the right side panel 28. A pair of slots 56 is formed in the rear support flap 54 adjacent the rear ends of the left side panel 30. The slots 56 slidably receive a pair of tabs 58 extending from the left edge of the rear panel 36. Each tab 58 frictionally engages its respective slot 56 after insertion into the slot 56 to secure the rear panel 36 to left side panel 30 and rear support flap 54. Each tab 58 converges slightly in the direction away from the left edge of the rear panel 36 for easy insertion into its respective slot 56. It should be noted that alternatively, the side panels 28, 30 need not be perpendicular to the rear and front cover panels or the top and bottom panel. For example, the side rear panels may be curved to define an upstanding semicircular side and rear wall.

Referring to FIG. 7, when assembled, the panels define the interior 53 of the box 22. The box 22 includes a built-in center shelf support 60 that is formed when the box is assembled from the blank 24. The shelf support 60 is located in the interior 53 of the box midway between the top and bottom panels 32, 34. The shelf support 60 extends between the side panels 28, 30 and between the rear panel 36 and front cover panel 38. Specifically, the shelf support 60 is formed from upper and lower shelf portions 62, 64 (indicated in FIG. 5). The lower shelf portion 64 includes a rear flap 66 that extends upwardly and perpendicular from the rear end of the bottom panel 34 and a shelf end panel 68 that extends forwardly from the upper end of the rear flap 66. The rear flap 66 and the shelf end panel 68 approximately span the distance between the right and side panels 28, 30. The lower shelf portion 64 further includes opposite left and right side support flaps 70, 72 that extend downwardly and perpendicular from the side ends of the shelf end panel 68. The left side support flap 70 abuts against the bottom panel 34 and the right side support flap 72 abuts against the tab 48. The side support flaps 70, 72 support the shelf end panel 68 from downward forces. The upper shelf portion 62 includes a rear flap 74 that extends downwardly and perpendicular from the rear end of the top panel 32 and a shelf end panel 76 that extends forwardly from the lower end of the rear flap 74. The upper shelf portion 62 further includes a left side support flap 78 that extends upwardly and perpendicular from the left side end of the shelf end panel 76. The left side support flap 78 abuts against the top panel 32 and thus supports the shelf end panel 76 from upward forces. The shelf end panel 76 of the upper shelf portion 62 is positioned upon the shelf end panel 68 of the lower shelf portion 64 and both shelf end panels 68, 76 are oriented parallel with the top and bottom panels 32, 34. This double panel configuration along with the rear and side support flaps provide a strong and rigid center shelf support that minimizes sagging. When the box 22 is assembled, the rear panel 36 covers the rear support flap 54 and rear flaps 66, 74 of the center shelf support 60.

A top front flap 80 extends downwardly from the front end of the top panel 32 and includes a slot 82 (FIGS. 1 and 8) adjacent the front end. A T-shaped flap 84 that defines a serving spatula is detachably attached by a perforation line 86 to the lower end of the top front flap 80. As depicted in FIG. 8, the flap 84 extends downwardly and may terminate near the bottom panel 34, when the box is assembled. The T-shaped flap or spatula 84 may be detached from the top front flap to serve the pizza slices or other food items in the box or may be used to serve items not in the box as well. The spatula includes a serving handle 88 that extends from a serving blade 90, which is used for picking up the food item or other object. Referring to FIG. 8, a right side front flap 92 extends from the front end of the right side panel 28 a distance toward the left side panel 30 such that it is positioned partially over the T-shaped flap 84 and the top front flap 80 when the box 22 is assembled. A left side front flap 94 extends from the front end of the left side panel 30 a distance toward the right side panel 28 such that it is positioned partially over the T-shaped flap 84 and the top front flap 80.

The front cover panel 38 includes a center tab 96 that extends rearwardly from the top end (when the box 22 is assembled). The tab 96 is slidably received by the slot 82 and after insertion into the slot 82, the tab 96 frictionally engages the slot 82 to secure the front cover panel 38 to the top panel 32 and the top front flap 80, yet may be disengaged from the slot 82 by a user applying rearward force on the tab 96 to allow a user to open the front cover panel 38 to gain access to the interior 53 of the box 22. The tab 96 converges slightly in the rearward direction for easy insertion into the slot 82. The front cover panel 38 covers the side front flaps 92, 94 when assembled. The front cover panel 38 may be attached to the bottom panel 34 by a perforation line 98 so that the front cover panel 38 may be easily detached for use as a serving plate. Optionally, the front cover panel may include a perforation line 176 (see FIG. 1) so that a front half 178 of the front cover panel 38 may be torn away from a rear half 180 of the front cover panel 38 and be used as a serving plate.

As seen in FIGS. 6-8, removable shelf assemblies 100a, 100b may be inserted into the interior 53 of the box to create additional shelves. In this exemplary embodiment, an upper shelf assembly 100a may be positioned in the interior 53 of the box 22 above the center shelf support 60 and a lower shelf assembly 100b may be positioned in the interior 53 of the box 22 below the center shelf support 60 as seen in FIG. 7. The shelf assemblies 100a, 100b may be identical with respect to each other and constructed from identical pre-perforated blanks 26 (FIG. 2). The blank 26 may be formed in one piece of a suitable foldable material such as a continuous sheet of corrugated cardboard. Each shelf assembly includes upper and lower shelf panels 102, 104 that are spaced apart from each other. Each of the shelf panels 102, 104 includes an arcuate cutout 106 formed at the center of the front end. The shelf panels 102, 104 are interconnected to each other at their left and right side ends by respective vertical right and left side panels 108, 110. A right support tab 112 extends upwardly and perpendicular from the upper end of the right side panel 108. The upper shelf panel has a cutout 114 that matches and receives the right support tab 112 when the shelf assembly is a blank 26. A rectangular double paneled support flap 116 extends downwardly and perpendicular from the lower end of the right side panel 108.

A left support tab 118 extends downwardly and perpendicular from the upper end of the left side panel 110. The lower shelf panel 104 has a cutout 120 that matches and receives the left support tab 118 when the shelf assembly is a blank 26. A rectangular double paneled support flap 122 extends upwardly and perpendicular from the lower end of the left side panel 110. An upper rear stiffener flap 124 extends upwardly from rear end of the upper shelf panel 102, and a lower rear stiffener flap 126 extends downwardly from the rear end of the lower shelf panel 104. Each of the rear stiffener flaps 124, 126 is identical to each other and arcuately and convexly shaped. Each of the assembled shelf assemblies 100a, 100b has an angle of rotational symmetry of one hundred eighty degrees. That is, when the assembled shelf assembly is rotated one hundred eighty degrees about a central axis A that extends between the front and rear of the shelf assembly, it will retain the same shape or configuration. This symmetrical design of the blank 26 also makes it easier to position and mount the shelf assembly into the box 22.

When the lower shelf assembly 100b is positioned in the box, the right support tab 112 and the support flap 122 at the left side panel 110 abut or are in close proximity to the shelf end panel 68 of the lower shelf portion 64, and the support flap 116 at the right side panel 108 and the left support tab 118 abut the bottom panel 34. The support tabs 112, 118 and support flaps 116, 122 provide upward and downward support for the lower shelf assembly 100b positioned in the interior 53 of the box 22. Also, when the lower shelf assembly 100b is position in the box 22, the rear stiffener flaps 124, 126 bear against the rear flap 66 of the lower shelf portion 64 to prevent sagging of the upper and lower shelf panels 102, 104.

When the upper shelf assembly 100a is positioned in the box 22, the right support tab 112 and the support flap 122 at the left side panel 110 abut or are in close proximity to the top panel 32, and the support flap 116 at the right side panel 108 and the left support tab 118 abut the shelf end panel 76 of the upper shelf portion 62. The support tabs 112, 118 and support flaps 116, 122 provide upward and downward support for the upper shelf assembly 100a positioned in the interior 53 of the box 22. Also, when the upper shelf assembly 100a is positioned in the box 22, the rear stiffener flaps 124, 126 bear against the rear flap 74 of the upper shelf portion 62 to prevent sagging of the upper and lower shelf panels 102, 104.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, each shelf assembly includes the two shelf panels 102, 104 that define two shelves. When the upper and lower shelf assemblies 100a, 100b are positioned in the box 22, the shelf assemblies combine with the bottom panel 34 and the built in center shelf support 60 to provide a total of six individual surfaces to accommodate six food items (e.g. six slices of pizza). The surfaces or shelves may also be equally spaced from each other, and the space between the bottom panel 34 and lower shelf panel 104 of the lower shelf assembly 100b may also be the same distance as the distance between adjacent shelves or surfaces. Because the shelf assemblies 100a, 100b may be removably mounted inside the box 22, one or both of the upper and lower shelf assemblies 100a, 100b may be easily removed and inserted by a user's hand without the use of tools and without breaking the box 22. One or both of the upper and lower shelf assemblies 100a, 100b may also be removed so that the box 22 can accommodate large or tall items such as sandwiches, salads, or breadsticks.

In this exemplary embodiment, two shelf assemblies are used. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the box may be configured such that the height of the interior area is increased to allow more shelf assemblies to be positioned in the box. In these embodiments, the support flaps and support tabs of a first shelf assembly may abut the shelf panel of s second shelf assembly adjacent the first shelf assembly. In other exemplary embodiments, the box 22 may be configured such that the height of the interior area is decreased to so that the center shelf support and bottom panel are only used for placing small items. In general, the size of the box may vary, and the number and position of shelf assemblies may as well be varied to accommodate various sizes and number of food items or other objects. For example, the lower shelf assembly 100b may be removed so that a cold sandwich or salad container may be placed on the bottom panel 34 while hot pizza slices are placed on the shelf panels 102, 104 of the lower shelf assembly and shelf end panel 76 of the center shelf support 60. The shelf assemblies 100a, 100b may also be removed from the interior 53 of the box with food item(s) on one or both of the shelf panels 102, 104 and be used as serving plates. The shelf assembly may be unfolded back to the flat blank formation as seen FIG. 2 and then torn or separated along the perforation lines 128, 130 into two halves in which each half may be used as a serving plate. In an alternative arrangement, the pizza box could be turned around one hundred eighty degrees such that the front cover panel would be the rear cover panel. In this arrangement, the shelves would be accessible from the rear instead of from the front.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the apparatus may comprise first and second pizza boxes 22 connected together by the handle 42 to allow a user to use the handle 42 to carry two pizza boxes 22 at the same time. In particular, the pizza boxes 22 are positioned with respect to each other such that the rear panel 36 of the first pizza box 22 faces and contacts the rear panel 36 of the second pizza box 22. This arrangement allows access to the interior 53 of both pizza boxes from the front of each respective box 22 after the front cover panel 38 and flaps 80, 84, 92, and 94 are folded away. The top panel 32 of the first pizza box 22 includes an additional slot 132 formed therein for securely receiving one axial end of the handle 42, and the top panel 32 of the second pizza box 22 includes an additional slot 132 formed therein for securely receiving the other axial end of the handle 42. Each of the pizza boxes 22 is similar in all other aspects to the pizza box 22 shown in FIGS. 1-9.

Each pizza box 22 may be hand folded from three cardboard blanks with the handle 42 connected to the top panel 32. In particular, the method of assembling the pizza box begins with orienting the blank 24 for the box 22 so that the spatula 84 faces down as viewed in FIG. 1. The reference numbers for fold lines described below are shown in FIG. 1. Then, the left side support flaps 70, 78 of the lower and upper shelf portions 64, 62 are folded forwardly (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) along their respective fold lines 134, 136 adjacent their corresponding shelf end panels 68, 76. With reference to FIG. 3, the side support flaps 70, 78 are then grasped and rolled towards the downward direction D such that the shelf end panels 68, 76 are folded forward along fold lines 138, 140 between the respective shelf end panels 68, 76 and the rear flaps 66, 74. Then, the rear flaps 66, 74 are folded forward along fold lines 142, 144 adjacent the respective rear flaps 66, 74 and top or bottom panels 32, 34 to form the configuration shown in FIG. 3. The top and bottom panels 32, 34 are then folded forwardly (as viewed in FIGS. 1-4) and towards each other along the fold lines 146, 148 between the left side panel 30 and top or bottom panel so that the shelf end panels 68, 76 face and abut each other as seen in FIG. 4. The right side support flap 72 of the lower shelf portion 64 is then folded towards the right side flap 44 along the fold line 150 adjacent the shelf end panel 68 of the lower shelf portion 64 of the central shelf support 60, and then the right side support flap 72 is positioned underneath the right side flap 44 as also shown FIG. 4. The right side panel 28 is then folded (along fold line 152 adjacent the top panel) over the right support flap 72 of the lower shelf portion 64, and the center tab 48 is inserted in to the slot 46 of the right side flap 44. Referring to FIG. 5, the rear support flap 54 is then folded (at the fold line 153 adjacent the right side panel 28) over the rear flaps 66, 74 of the central shelf support 60. The rear panel 36 is then folded over the rear flaps 66, 74 and the rear support flap 54 along a fold line 154 adjacent the right side panel 28 and the tabs 58 are inserted into their respective slots 56 of the rear support flap 54.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the removable shelf assemblies 100a, 100b is then assembled as follows. First, the upper rear stiffener flap 124 is folded forwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2) along its respective fold lines 156 adjacent its respective shelf panel 102, and the lower rear stiffener flap 126 is folded forwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2) along its respective fold lines 158 adjacent its respective shelf panel 104. The blank 26 for the shelf assembly is folded rearwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2) in half at the perforation lines 128, 130. Then, as depicted in FIG. 6, each of the support flaps 116, 122 are grasped by a user's hand and rotated or folded along respective fold lines 160, 162 in the clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 6) which also causes the side panels 108, 110 to rotate or fold along their respective fold lines 164, 166. This folding is continued until the support tabs 112, 118 and support flaps 116, 122 are positioned perpendicular with respect to the shelf panels 102, 104 as seen in FIG. 7. The shelf assembly may then be slidably mounted in the interior 53 of the box 22. With reference to FIG. 8, after the optional one or more shelf assemblies are mounted in the box 22, the top front flap 80 is folded over the interior 53 of the box 22 at a fold line 168 adjacent the top panel 32. The right and left side front flaps 92, 94 are then folded partially over the top front flap 80 and T-shaped flap 84 along fold lines 170, 172 adjacent their respective side panels 28, 30 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The front cover panel 38 is then folded over the side front flaps 92, 94 and the tab 96 is inserted into the slot 82 of the top panel 32 to complete the assembly of the pizza box 22 as seen in FIG. 9. The carry handle 42 is then attached to the pizza box.

To remove the shelf assemblies 100a, 100b, a user unfolds the front cover panel 38, side front flaps 92, 94 and top front flap 80, grasps the shelf assembly and slides it out of the box 22. The shelves carry the slices of a pizza and thus allow the pizza box to be constructed of a smaller footprint than a conventional pizza for the same size pizza. Further, the box and shelf construction is self-contained and uses tab-in-slot type connectors so that gluing is not needed to connect the portions. The pizza box maybe used to carry items other than pizza or food as well.

FIG. 11 shows a blank 224 of a pizza box of another exemplary embodiment. This blank 224 is similar to the blank 24 of the previously mentioned embodiment except for that discussed below. In this blank, the left side support flap 270 of the lower shelf portion 64 and the left side support flap 278 of the upper shelf portion 62 are spaced a distance away from the rear panel 36, when assembled, to allow the tabs 258 to extend completely through the slots 56 without extending forwardly beyond the rear edges of the flaps 270, 278. The tabs 258 also extend a distance shorter than that of the tabs 58 of the previously mentioned exemplary embodiment, such that they extend completely through the slots 56 without extending forwardly beyond the rear edges of the flaps 270, 278. Also, the tabs 248, 296 extend shorter than that of the tabs 48, 96 of the previous mentioned embodiment, and the right side support flap 272 includes a cut out 273 through which the tab 248 to extends. The rear flap 274 of the upper shelf portion 62 and the rear flap 265 of the lower shelf portion 64 include cut outs 259 through which the tabs 258 extend. The elements 270, 278, 258, 248, 296, 274, 265 are substantially similar in all other aspects to their corresponding elements 70, 78, 58, 48, 96, 74, 66, respectively.

Thus exemplary embodiments achieve at least some of the above stated objectives, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, solve problems, and attain the desirable results described herein.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, however, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performing a function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to those skilled in the art as being capable of performing the recited function, and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shown in the foregoing description or mere equivalents thereof. The provisions of an Abstract herewith shall not be construed as limiting the claims to features discussed in the Abstract.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and the advantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first paperboard container for at least one food item comprising: a substantially flat bottom panel; a pair of opposed side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel; a front portion extending upwardly from the bottom panel; a rear portion extending upwardly from the bottom panel; and at least a first shelf positioned in an interior of the first paperboard container and between the side panels, wherein the at least first shelf is configured for allowing a food item to be placed thereon, wherein the first shelf is accessible from one of the front portion and the rear portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a carrying handle secured to the first paperboard container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least first shelf may be removable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least a second shelf, wherein the at least second shelf is positioned in the interior of the first paperboard container and between the side panels, wherein the at least second shelf is removable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first paperboard container is constructed from a blank of material, wherein the blank of material includes a spatula for serving the food item, wherein the spatula is detachably attached to the blank.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first paperboard container is constructed from a blank of material, wherein the front portion comprises a front panel, where the front panel is detachably attached to the blank.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second paperboard container for at least one food item and a carrying handle, wherein the carrying handle is secured to the first paperboard container and the second paperboard container.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first paperboard container is a pizza box, wherein the at least first shelf is configured to receive at least one pizza slice.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rear portion includes a rear panel, wherein the rear panel is positioned between the side panels, wherein the front portion further includes a front cover panel position between the side panels, wherein the front cover is operative to be in a open position for allowing access to the interior of the first paperboard container and a close position for covering the interior of the first paperboard container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first shelf includes a stiffener flap, wherein the stiffener flap is configured to bear against the first paperboard container to help support the first shelf.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first paperboard container includes at least one vent opening.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a shelf assembly formed from a blank of material, wherein the shelf assembly includes the first shelf and a second shelf.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shelf assembly is removably mounted in the first paperboard container.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a shelf assembly formed from a first blank of material, wherein the shelf assembly includes a second shelf and a third shelf, wherein the shelf assembly is removably mounted in the first paperboard container, wherein the first paperboard container is constructed from a second blank of material.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a container constructed from a first blank of material comprising: a substantially flat bottom panel; a pair of opposed side panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel; a front portion extending upwardly from the bottom panel; a rear portion extending upwardly from the bottom panel; and at least a first shelf positioned in an interior of the container and between the side panels, wherein the at least first shelf is configured for allowing a food item to be placed thereon, wherein the first shelf is accessible from one of the front portion and the rear portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a shelf assembly formed from a second blank of material, wherein the shelf assembly is mounted in the container and positioned between the side panels, wherein the shelf assembly includes a second shelf and a third shelf.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the shelf assembly is removably mounted in the container.