US20110272411A1

US20110272411A1 - Pizza box

Info

Publication number: US20110272411A1
Application number: US13/101,715
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Sanders; Glenn WHITE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-05
Filing date: 2011-05-05
Publication date: 2011-11-10

Abstract

An improved food packaging having a plurality of compartments.

Description

The present invention claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/331,475 filed May 5, 2010, and 61/394,892 filed Oct. 20, 2010 both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention also claims priority on U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/391,150 filed May 4, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to containers, more particularly to food packaging containers, even more particularly to foldable food packaging containers, still even more particularly to a foldable food packaging container that includes a plurality of levels, and yet still more particularly to a foldable one-piece paper board and/or corrugated paper board food packaging container that includes a plurality of levels. The present invention will be particularly described with reference to the packaging of pizza; however, it will be appreciated that many other and additional types of foods can be packaged by the same or similar container as described and illustrated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The pizza business makes and sell millions of pizzas for delivery and carryout. The success of these business depends in part on the cost and functionality of the pizza container utilized in the packaging the pizza. These pizza container should be cost economical, easy to use, stackable, rigid and generally crush-resistant. Pizza containers generally constitute a substantially by a box-like body which has a base, side walls and a closure lid. The pizza container is also designed to contain a single pizza.
The pizza containers can have a variety of configurations. For example, some of the pizza containers employ inward-slanting wall constructions in an effort to conserve manufacturing costs and to attain maximum stacking strength. Some pizza containers include rigid cover structures and avoid the use of any tabs projecting above lid so as to allow stacking of multiple cartons one on top of the other. Some pizza containers are formed from foldable blanks capable of being manufactured in nested and inverted configuration in order to minimize materials.
Most prior art folded pizza containers are intended to be used in a manner which requires several steps. These steps include pre-erecting the carton, stacking empty pre-erected cartons on the shelf, removing a pre-erected carton from the shelf and opening a pre-erected carton, placing a cooked and cut pizza into the pizza container, and then closing the pizza container. However, only one pizza can be placed into a pizza container at a time. Connectable pizza containers such as disclosed in US 2005/0199687 have been developed; however, each one of the stackable and connectable pizza containers is designed to only contain a single pizza.
It is common that pizza establishments have multi-pizza promotions. Two for one deals for pizzas are common promotions. Currently, each purchased pizza is placed in its own container. Delivery of multiple pizza containers to a single purchaser can result in delivery mistakes and is wasteful of materials. Pizza establishments are also offering half pizzas and other items such a breadsticks, wings, calzones, and the like. These items are all currently packaged in separate containers.
In view of the prior art, there is a need for a food container that can be used to package multiple pizzas, or a pizza and other food items, and which is material-saving, can be quickly and simply erected, is cost effective and stackable with other pizza container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to food packaging containers that address the past problems associated with prior art pizza containers. The pizza box of the present invention is a foldable food packaging container that includes a plurality of levels. Generally, the pizza box includes two levels when fully assembled; however, it can be appreciated that the pizza box can include more than two levels (e.g., three levels, four levels, etc.) when fully assembled. A majority of the pizza box is generally formed of a single piece of foldable material (e.g., plastic, paper board, cardboard, corrugated paper board, corrugated cardboard, foam, metal, etc.). In one non-limiting embodiment, over 75% of the pizza box is generally formed of a single piece of foldable material. In another non-limiting embodiment, over 80% of the pizza box is generally formed of a single piece of foldable material. In still another non-limiting embodiment, over 85% of the pizza box is generally formed of a single piece of foldable material. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, over 90% of the pizza box is generally formed of a single piece of foldable material. In still yet another non-limiting embodiment, over 95% of the pizza box is generally formed of a single piece of foldable material. In another non-limiting embodiment, 100% of the pizza box is formed of a single piece of foldable material. The size and thickness of the foldable material is non-limiting. Generally, the thickness and type of material is selected so that it is generally light weight (e.g., less than 16 oz., less than 10 oz., less than 8 oz., etc.) and can be easy folded by hand. Paper board and cardboard materials (corrugated or non-corrugated) having a thickness of less than 0.75 inches (e.g., 0.5 inches or less, 0.375 inches or less, 0.25 inches or less, etc.) can be used to form in the pizza box of the present invention. Although the pizza box of the present invention will be particularly described with reference to the packaging of pizza, it will be appreciated that many other and additional types of foods can be packaged by the pizza box (e.g., full pizza, half pizza, calzone, sandwiches, wings, bread sticks, etc.).
Several of the non-limiting features and benefits of the pizza box of the present invention are as follows:
Features:

- Innovative new material saving design.
- Multiple compartments (i.e., separated compartment levels).
- Easy to set up.
- Stronger side-walls and stacking strength.
- Unique to the pizza industry.
- Designed to enable pizza to be cut on both top and bottom levels.

Economic Benefits:

- Saves over 20% on material costs.
- Allows lighter (less expensive) materials due to increased stacking strength.
- Less print area (less ink).
- Less time setting up.
- Allows for more space in store or storage area.

Marketing Benefits:

- Unique brand image container.
- Allows two item pizzas to be separated by partition (e.g., pepperoni pizza in bottom and cheese pizza in top, supreme pizza in bottom and cheese pizza in top, etc.).
- Flexibility—Allows the retailer to mix and/or match meal and side items in the top and bottom compartments (e.g. wings, bread sticks, calzone, pizza, cheese sticks, sandwiches, salads, pastas, etc.).

Environmental Benefits:

- Less material used and less to discard.
- Less space in the trash (as opposed to the large bulky standard pizza box).
- Use of environmentally advantaged recycled papers and/or other materials.
- Naturally grease resistant.

As can be appreciated, the novel pizza box of the present invention can have additional features and/or benefits.
One non-limiting object of the present invention is to provide a foldable pizza box that is highly efficient in structure and use.
Another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that has enhance strength and is stackable.
Still another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that is efficient in packaging a food product such as pizza.
Yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that includes multiple levels.
Still yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that is easy to set up.
Another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that is strong side-walls and stacking strength.
Still another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that is designed to enable pizza to be cut on each level of the pizza box.
Yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that reduces that amount of materials required to package multiple pizzas.
Still yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that allows for the use of lighter (less expensive) materials due to increased stacking strength of the pizza box.
Another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that has less print area, thus uses less when packaging multiple pizzas.
Still another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that is simple and quick to setup and assemble.
Yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that is formed of one piece of foldable material.
Still yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that allows for more space in stores or in a storage area as compared to single pizza box that only can contain a single pizza.
Another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that allows for two different pizzas to be separated by partition or level.
Still another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that allows a retailer to mix and/or match meal and side items in the different levels of the pizza box.
Yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that can be fully or partially formed of recycled materials.
Still yet another and/or alternative non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a foldable pizza box that is grease resistant.
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the drawings, which illustrate several non-limiting embodiments that the invention may take in physical form and in certain parts and arrangements of parts wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the pizza box of the present invention in a fully opened position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 1 in a partially open view;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the pizza box of FIG. 1 in the fully open position;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the pizza box in the fully open position;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 7 in the partially open position;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 7 in a fully closed position;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view along lines 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the pizza box of FIG. 7 in a fully opened position;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the pizza box in the fully opened position;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 13 in a partially closed position;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 13 in a fully closed position;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view along lines 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view along lines 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the pizza box of FIG. 13 in a fully open position;

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the pizza box in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 19 in a partially closed position;

FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the pizza box of FIG. 19 in a fully closed position;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view along lines 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view along lines 23-23 of FIG. 21; and,

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the pizza box of FIG. 19 in the fully open position.

DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating non-limiting embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1-24 illustrate four non-limiting embodiments of a pizza box in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one non-limiting configuration of the pizza box of the present invention. FIGS. 7-12 illustrate another one non-limiting configuration of the pizza box of the present invention that is similar to the pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 except for the shape and size of the food compartments. FIGS. 13-18 illustrate still another non-limiting configuration of the pizza box of the present invention. FIGS. 19-24 illustrate yet another one non-limiting configuration of the pizza box of the present invention that is similar to the pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 13-18 except for the shape and size of the food compartments.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated a pizza box 100. The pizza box includes a base 110, a lid 150, an intermediate shelf partition 200 and a plurality of walls 260, 270, 280, 290, 300. The pizza box 100 will be described with particular reference for use with pizzas; however, it will be appreciated that the pizza box can be used to package other or additional food items. The material used to form the pizza box is non-limiting. Generally, the material used is a foldable material that can be easily folded by the hands of a user. Common non-limiting materials that can be used include paper board, cardboard, corrugated paper board and corrugated cardboard. The pizza box is illustrated as being formed of a single piece of material. The material can be stamped or otherwise cut from a blank of material. The stamped or cut material can include grooves, depressions, notches, serrations, or the like to facilitate in the bending or folding of one or more portion of the stamped or cut material so that the material can be more easily formed into the pizza box; however, this is not required. The thickness of the foldable material is generally no more than about 0.25 inches and generally at least about 0.05 inches; however, this is not required. The thickness of the material is generally uniform; however, this is not required. The foldable material can be an ovenable material to enable a food item such as a pizza to be cooked inside the pizza box; however, this is not required. One non-limiting types of ovenable foldable material is disclosed in United States Patent Publication No. US 2010/0193578, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The upper surface 112 of base 110 is designed to support a food item such as a pizza P. The shape and surface area of upper surface 112 is selected to support a particular sized and shaped food item. As such, the size and shape of the upper surface is non-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper surface has a generally square or rectangular shape. The base 110 includes two side flanges 120, 122 and two end flaps 130, 132. The side flanges are foldably connected to the base. The end flaps are foldably connected to the side flanges. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the side flanges and end flaps are folded up into position, the side flanges and end flaps form an outer boundary for the food item positioned on the upper surface 112 of base 110 so as to facilitate in maintaining the food item on the upper surface of base 110.
The intermediate shelf partition 200 includes a bottom surface 210 and a top surface 220. The intermediate shelf partition 200 includes three side flanges 230, 240, 250. The side flanges are foldably connected to the intermediate shelf partition. Side flanges 230 and 240 include a single end tab 232, 242, respectively. Side flange 250 includes two end tabs 252, 254. The three side flanges are designed to be foldable so as to extend upwardly from the bottom surface of the intermediate shelf partition as illustrated in FIG. 1. The height of the top edge of each of the side flanges from the upper surface of the intermediate shelf partition when I the folded position as illustrated in FIG. 1 is generally the same. The end tabs 232 and 242 are designed to be bent so as to be positioned over the bottom surface 210 of the intermediate shelf partition. Thereafter, the end tabs 252 and 254 are bend inwardly such that the front edge of the end tabs engages end tabs 232 and 242 as illustrated in FIG. 1. This novel tab arrangement on the side flanges results in of the end tabs being in engagement with one another and being maintained in position as illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, end tabs 252 and 254 are bent at over a 110° angle and end tabs 232 and 242 are bent at less than a 90° angle. As will be explained below, the configuration of the end tabs as illustrated in FIG. 1 will provide additional structural support to the intermediate shelf partition when it is folded into its final position to so as to enable a user to cut a pizza that lies on the top surface 220 of the intermediate shelf partition without causing the intermediate shelf partition to collapse downward onto the upper surface 112 of base 110.
A portion of a front wall 280 is foldably connected between base 110 and intermediate shelf partition 200. The front wall 280 includes a tab slot 282 that is designed to receive tab 292 on the other portion of front wall 290.
Back wall 270 is foldably connected between lid 150 and base 110. The width of back wall 270 is generally the same as the width of side walls 260, 300 that are foldably connected to lid 150. Front wall portion 290 is also foldably connected to lid 150. The width of front wall portions 280, 290 is each generally less than the width of walls 260, 270, 300; however, this is not required. Each of side walls 260, 300 include two side flaps 262, 264, 302, 304, respectively. The width of side flaps 262, 302 is generally the same. The width of side flaps 264, 304 is generally the same. The width of side flaps 262, 302 is less than the width of side flaps 264, 304; however, this is not required.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, once the pizza box is folded as illustrated in FIG. 1 and a pizza P is placed on the upper surface 112 of base 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the intermediate shelf partition 200 is then folded over the base as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, intermediate shelf partition 200 is folded over the base and is now in its final folded position. The top surface 220 of intermediate shelf partition 200 can now receive a second pizza SP. The second pizza is positioned above the first pizza P that is resting on the upper surface of base 110. The side flanges 230, 240 are illustrated as being on the interior of side flanges 120, 122 of base 110. The top edges of side flanges 230, 240, 250 and the top edges of side flaps 232, 242, 252, 254 rest upon the upper surface 112 of base 110 to thereby support intermediate shelf partition 200 above the upper surface of base 110. When the intermediate shelf partition 200 is in the final flooded position, a first food compartment FC1 is formed between the bottom surface of intermediate shelf partition 200 and the upper surface of base 110. Within the first food compartment is container pizza P.
Once the second food item SP is placed on the top surface of intermediate shelf partition 200, lid 150 is folded into the fully closed position as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. Prior to folding the lid into the closed position, side flaps 262, 264, 302, 304 are folded inwardly. FIG. 3 illustrates the pizza box in the fully folded and closed position and containing two food items P and SP. The lid is maintained in the closed position by inserting tab 292 into tab slot 282. As can be appreciated, other or additional arrangements can be used to maintain lid 150 in the closed position (e.g., adhesive, friction, hook and loop fasteners, etc.). Once the lid is positioned in the fully closed position, a second food compartment FC2 is form between the top surface of intermediate shelf partition 200 and the bottom surface 152 of lid 150. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two food compartments have generally the same height; however, this is not required. The height of the food compartments is selected so that the bottom surface of intermediate shelf partition 200 is positioned above the food item P that is positioned in the first food compartment FC1 and the bottom surface 152 of lid 150 is positioned above the food item SP that is positioned in the first food compartment FC2. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the food compartment FC2 is positioned above and separated from food compartment FC1 to form a novel packaging arrangement for multiple food items. As such, food compartments FC1 and FC2 enable different food items to be positioned in the respective food compartments so that the food items in each food compartment do not interact or mix with one another. The volume of the two food compartments is generally the same; however, do to the side tab arrangement used to support the intermediate shelf partition 200, food compartment FC1 can have a smaller volume than food compartment FC2. The side tabs and side flanges on the intermediate shelf partition 200 are designed to provide rigidity and support to the intermediate shelf partition 200 to enable a user to cut food items such as a pizza while the pizza lies on the top surface of the intermediate shelf partition 200. As such, when a user or a pizza maker cuts a pizza while on the top surface of the intermediate shelf partition 200, the side tabs and side flanges on the intermediate shelf partition 200 inhibit or prevent the bottom surface of the intermediate shelf partition 200 from bending or collapsing onto a food item that is positioned on the upper surface of base 110 in food compartment FC1.
Referring to FIG. 6, a cut blank of the pizza box in a fully unfolded position is illustrated. Generally the pizza box is stamped out of a foldable material and shipped to a user in an unfolded form; however, this is not required. The dashed lines illustrate the locations that the pizza box is to be folded and/or allow separation of one or more components from another. Depression, serration, notches, etc. can be located on or along the dashed lines to facilitate in the folding of the pizza box and/or separation of components; however, this is not required.
Referring now to FIGS. 7-12, another pizza box in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The components and operation of the pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 6-12 are similar to the pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, thus the same numbering will be used. Also, a discussion of the components of the pizza box and how it is folded and formed will not be repeated. The shape of the two food compartments FC1 and FC2 are different from the food compartments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. As illustrated in FIGS. 7-11, the two food compartments FC1 and FC2 are configured to hold half a pizza. It is common for individuals to over two halves of a pizza with different ingredients or half of a pizza and some other item such as breadsticks, wings, salad, pasta, calzone, cheese sticks, ribs, chicken, etc. The pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 7-12 is configured to package half a pizza so as to not have to use a full pizza box and waste materials. Likewise, this pizza box arrangement can be used to package other non-pizza items.
Referring now to FIGS. 13-18, there is illustrated another non-limiting multilevel pizza box 400 that has the same or similar advantages to the pizza boxes illustrated in FIGS. 1-12. The pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 13-18 can be formed of the same or similar materials as used for the pizza boxes of FIGS. 1-12. Similar to the pizza box of FIGS. 1-7, the pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 13-18 is configured to hold two full pizzas P and SP; however, this is not required. The pizza box 400 includes a base 410, a lid 450, an intermediate shelf partition 500 and a plurality of walls 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610.
The upper surface 412 of base 410 is designed to support a food item such as a pizza P. The shape and surface area of upper surface 412 is selected to support a particular sized and shaped food item. As such, the size and shape of the upper surface is non-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper surface has a generally square or rectangular shape.
Side walls 560 and 570 are foldably connected to base 410. A portion of back wall 580 is also foldably connected to base 410. A portion of front wall 590 is also foldably connected to base 410. The width of front wall portion 590 and back wall portion 580 are generally the same. Likewise, the width of side walls 560 and 570 are generally the same. The width of side walls 560 and 570 is generally greater than the width of front wall portion 590 and back wall portion 580; however, this is not required.
The two side walls 560 and 570 each include four foldable side tabs 562, 563, 566, 568, 572, 574, 576, 578, respectively. Side tabs 564, 568, 574, 578 have generally the same width. Side tabs 562, 566, 572, 576 have generally the same width. Side tabs 564, 568, 574, 578 can have the same width as side tabs 562, 566, 572, 576; however, this is not required. Side tabs 564, 574 are designed to be inserted into back wall portion 580 as illustrated in FIG. 13. This can be accomplished in several ways. On non-limiting way is to fold back wall portion 580 upwardly, then fold side tabs 564, 574 inwardly, and then fold the top section of the back wall portion over the folded side tabs to thereby capture the side tabs within the back wall portion. The two connection tabs 582, 584 positioned on the end edge of the back wall portion can be inserted into tab slots 414, 416 in base 410 to thereby secure the back wall portion in place. The securing of side tabs 564, 574 within back wall portion 580 facilitates in maintaining the side walls 560, 570 in the folded upright position as illustrated in FIG. 13. As can be appreciated, the back wall portion can be maintained in position in other arrangements (e.g., friction, adhesive connection to one or both side tabs, etc.).
Once the side tabs are secured to and/or within the back wall portion 580, a food item P such as a pizza can be positioned in the upper surface 412 of the base as illustrated in FIG. 13. After the food item has been positioned on the upper surface of the base, side tabs 568, 578 are folded inward, if not already done, as illustrated in FIG. 13. Side tabs 568, 578, side walls 560, 570 and back wall portion 580 facilitate in maintaining the food item P on the upper surface of the base as illustrated in FIG. 13. The intermediate shelf partition 500 is then folded over the upper surface of the base as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 13. The bottom surface 502 of the intermediate shelf partition 500 is designed to be supported on the top edges of side tabs 568, 578 and the folded top edge of back wall portion 580. A portion of the front wall 590 is foldably connected between the intermediate shelf partition 500 and base 410. The front wall portion 590 is includes a tab slot 592.
Referring now to FIG. 14, the intermediate shelf partition 500 is positioned in its final position such that the bottom surface 502 overlies the upper surface 412 of the base. A first food compartment FC1 is formed between the bottom surface of intermediate shelf partition 500 and the upper surface 412 of the base. After the intermediate shelf partition 500 is positioned in its final position, side tabs 562, 572 are folded inwardly an over a portion of intermediate shelf partition 500 as illustrated in FIG. 14 so as to secure the intermediate shelf partition in place. The top surface of the intermediate shelf partition 500 can then be used to support a second food item SP such as a second pizza as illustrated in FIG. 14.
Once the intermediate shelf partition 500 is secured in position by side tabs 562, 572, the other portion of back wall 600 is folded upwardly as partially illustrated in FIG. 14. Back wall portion 600 is foldably connected between lid 450 and intermediate shelf partition 500. Once back wall portion 600 is folded upwardly, lid 450 can be folded over the top surface 504 of intermediate shelf partition 500 to thereby cover the second food item SP. Prior to lid 450 be fully closed, side tabs 566, 576 are folded inwardly. The lid is secured in the closed position by inserting tab 612 on the other front wall portion 610 into tab slot 592. Front wall portion 610 is foldably connected to lid 450. As can be appreciated, lid 450 can be secured in the closed position by other or additional arrangements (e.g., adhesive, friction, hook and loop fasteners, etc.).
FIG. 15 illustrates the pizza box in the fully folded and closed position and containing two food items P and SP. Once lid 450 is positioned in the fully closed position, a second food compartment FC2 is formed between the top surface of intermediate shelf partition and the bottom surface 452 of lid 450. As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the two food compartments have generally the same height; however, this is not required. The height of the food compartments is selected so that the bottom surface of intermediate shelf partition 500 is positioned above the food item P that is positioned in the first food compartment FC1 and the bottom surface 452 of lid 450 is positioned above the food item SP that is positioned in the first food compartment FC2. As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the food compartment FC2 is positioned above and separated from food compartment FC1 to form a novel packaging arrangement for multiple food items. As such, food compartments FC1 and FC2 enable different food items to be positioned in the respective food compartments so that the food items in each food compartment do not interact or mix with one another. The volume of the two food compartments is generally the same; however, this is not required. The side tabs on the side walls and back wall portion 580 and front wall portion 590 are designed to provide rigidity and support to the intermediate shelf partition 500 to enable a user to cut food items such as a pizza while the pizza lies on the top surface of the intermediate shelf partition 500. As such, when a user or a pizza maker cuts a pizza while on the top surface of the intermediate shelf partition 500, the side tabs on the side walls and back wall portion 580 and front wall portion 590 inhibit or prevent the bottom surface of the intermediate shelf partition 500 from bending or collapsing onto a food item that is positioned on the upper surface of base 410 in food compartment FC1.
Referring to FIG. 18, a cut blank of the pizza box is a fully unfolded position is illustrated. Generally the pizza box is stamped out of a foldable material and shipped to a user in an unfolded form; however, this is not required. The dashed lines illustrate the locations that the pizza box is to be folded and/or allow separation of one or more components from another. Depression, serration, notches, etc. can be located on or along the dashed lines to facilitate in the folding of the pizza box and/or separation of components; however, this is not required.
Referring now to FIGS. 19-24, another pizza box in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The components and operation of the pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 19-24 are similar to the pizza box illustrated in FIGS. 13-18, thus the same numbering will be used. Also, a discussion of the components of the pizza box and how it is folded and formed will not be repeated. The shape of the two food compartments FC1 and FC2 are different from the food compartments illustrated in FIGS. 13-17. As illustrated in FIGS. 19-24, the two food compartments FC1 and FC2 are configured to hold half a pizza. Such an arrangement is similar to the pizza box arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 7-12, and the advantages of such an arrangement will not be repeated herein.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided herein. This invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A food container comprising a base, a lid, a side wall and an intermediate shelf partition positioned between the base and lid when said lid is in the closed position, said side wall extending fully between said base and lid when said lid is in the closed position, said intermediate shelf partition forming a first and second food compartment, said first food compartment at least partially formed by an upper surface of said base, a lower surface of said intermediate shelf partition, and at least a portion of said side wall, said second food compartment at least partially formed by a lower surface of said lid, an upper surface of said intermediate shelf partition, and at least a portion of said side wall.

2. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein a majority of said base, said lid, said side wall and said intermediate shelf partition are formed of a single piece of foldable material.

3. The food container as defined in claim 2, wherein said base, said lid, said side wall and said intermediate shelf partition are formed of a single piece of foldable material.

4. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein a majority of said base, said lid, said side wall and said intermediate shelf partition are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cardboard, corrugated paper and corrugated cardboard.

5. The food container as defined in claim 3, wherein a majority of said base, said lid, said side wall and said intermediate shelf partition are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cardboard, corrugated paper and corrugated cardboard.

6. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate shelf partition is foldable over said base and said lid is foldable over said intermediate shelf partition after said intermediate shelf partition has been folded over said base, said intermediate shelf partition spaced above said base when said intermediate shelf partition is folded over said base, said intermediate shelf partition spaced below said lid when said lid is folded over said intermediate shelf partition.

7. The food container as defined in claim 5, wherein said intermediate shelf partition is foldable over said base and said lid is foldable over said intermediate shelf partition after said intermediate shelf partition has been folded over said base, said intermediate shelf partition spaced above said base when said intermediate shelf partition is folded over said base, said intermediate shelf partition spaced below said lid when said lid is folded over said intermediate shelf partition.

8. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein said food container includes two of said side walls, a front wall and a back wall, said two side walls foldably connected to said lid.

9. The food container as defined in claim 7, wherein said food container includes two of said side walls, a front wall and a back wall, said two side walls foldably connected to said lid.

10. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein said food container includes two of said side walls, a front wall and a back wall, said two side walls foldably connected to said base.

11. The food container as defined in claim 7, wherein said food container includes two of said side walls, a front wall and a back wall, said two side walls foldably connected to said base.

12. The food container as defined in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of said front walls is foldably connected to both said lid and said base.

13. The food container as defined in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said front wall is foldably connected to both said lid and said base.

14. The food container as defined in claim 8, wherein said base and said intermediate shelf partition include a plurality of foldable side flanges, at least one of said foldable side flanges connected to both said base and said intermediate shelf partition.

15. The food container as defined in claim 10, wherein at least one side wall of said base includes a foldable side tab, said foldable side tab designed to be folded over a portion of said intermediate shelf partition after said intermediate shelf partition has been folded over said base, said foldable side tab designed to maintain said intermediate shelf partition in position over said base.

16. The food container as defined in claim 8, wherein said lid includes a portion of said front wall and a securing tab from said front wall, said securing tab designed to fit into a tab slot positioned in the front wall portion that is foldably connected to said base or said intermediate shelf partition.

17. The food container as defined in claim 10, wherein said lid includes a portion of said front wall and a securing tab from said front wall, said securing tab designed to fit into a tab slot positioned in the front wall portion that is foldably connected to said base or said intermediate shelf partition.

18. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate shelf partition is equally spaced from said base and said lid when said food container is fully assembled and said lid is in a closed position.

19. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second food compartments have generally the same volume when said food container is fully assembled and said lid is in a closed position, each of said first and second food compartments having a shape and volume to contain a full pizza.

20. The food container as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second food compartments have generally the same volume when said food container is fully assembled and said lid is in a closed position, each of said first and second food compartments having a shape and volume to contain less than 75% of a full pizza.