Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/20—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form
  • B65D5/2052—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form characterised by integral closure-flaps
  • B65D5/2057—Inter-engaging self-locking flaps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/001—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable
  • B65D5/0015—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper stackable the container being formed by folding up portions connected to a central panel
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/64—Lids
  • B65D5/66—Hinged lids
  • B65D5/6626—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank
  • B65D5/6629—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank the lid being formed by two mating halves joined to opposite edges of the container body
  • B65D5/6632—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank the lid being formed by two mating halves joined to opposite edges of the container body the lid-halves being held in closed position by flaps or tabs provided at their side edges only
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/64—Lids
  • B65D5/66—Hinged lids
  • B65D5/6626—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank
  • B65D5/6629—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank the lid being formed by two mating halves joined to opposite edges of the container body
  • B65D5/6644—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank the lid being formed by two mating halves joined to opposite edges of the container body the lid-halves being held in closed position by local tabs or projections at the upper edge of opposite walls of the container body, e.g. by entering within slots provided in the lid-halves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2301/00—Details of blanks
  • B65D2301/10—Blanks mutually positioned to minimise waste material upon cutting out the individual blank from a continuous or large sheet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2585/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D2585/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
  • B65D2585/36—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for biscuits or other bakery products
  • B65D2585/363—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for biscuits or other bakery products specific products
  • B65D2585/366—Pizza

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to containers for storing and handling product, and more particularly to containers made from a corrugated paperboard blank for retaining, transporting and serving food, especially pizza.
• Pizza businesses make and sell millions of hot pizzas for delivery and carryout. The success of these businesses depends to an extent on the cost and functionality of the folded boxes utilized in packaging the pizza product. Ideally, it is recognized that these boxes should be inexpensive, easy to use, stackable, rigid, and crush-resistant.
• Some prior art boxes employ inward-slanting wall constructions in an effort to conserve manufacturing costs, or rely on foldable blanks capable of being manufactured in nested and inverted configuration in order to achieve a minimum of material consumption and to attain maximum stacking strength.
• Certain cartons employ various rigid cover structures and avoid the use of any tabs projecting above their cover structure so as to allow stacking of multiple cartons one on top of the other.
• the top and bottom surfaces of these boxes are generally flat and smooth, whereby they tend to slide on top of one another when stacked.
• Prior art pizza cartons generally accomplish this task by venting the carton through seams or gaps between the end walls or sidewalls and the cover structure, or through other vent holes formed in the carton surface.
• the box of the invention is inexpensive, meets the strength and ventilation requirements of pizza boxes, uses a minimum amount of material in its construction, is easy to erect, requires minimal handling of the pizza at the food preparation site, and enables the consumer to easily gain access to and serve pizza from the box, and/or to cut the pizza while it is in the box.
• the pizza box of the present invention is formed from a paperboard blank that may be left flat at the food preparation site, and upon which a pizza may be placed directly from the oven so that it can be cut on the flattened box, after which the box can be closed. This eliminates steps in the handling of the pizza, reduces the risk of contamination, and minimizes cooling of the pizza. It also speeds the process of preparing and packaging the pizza.
• the box of the invention is formed from a blank that includes a substantially rectangular bottom panel, a pair of opposed end wall panels foldably connected to opposite ends of the bottom panel, a pair of opposed side wall panels foldably connected along a first edge to opposite sides of the bottom panel, and a pair of lid panels foldably connected to a second, free edge of the side wall panels.
• Each lid panel has a width less than the width of the bottom panel, and cooperating detents on the lid panels and end panels releasably hold the lid panels closed in a box erected from the blank.
• the lid panels in their closed position are supported at opposite edges on the end walls of the box, and in a second form the lid panels have depending slotted or notched flaps at their opposite ends which mate with slots or notches in the box end walls to support the lid. Both of these variations improve the crush strength of the lid.
• the blank is supplied flat to the food preparer, who stores it flat until it is needed.
• the flat blank is then retrieved from a stack of the flat blanks and laid on a counter or other surface, and a cooked pizza is moved from the oven directly onto the flat blank.
• the pizza may then be cut while it is resting on the bottom panel of the blank.
• the end walls are folded upwardly to an approximately vertical orientation, and the side walls are then folded up and the lid panels are folded inwardly and down over the top of the box, engaging the detents to hold the box in erected position.
• the detents comprise locking tabs projecting upwardly from the upper edge of the end walls, and cooperating slots in opposite end edges of the lid panels.
• only one locking tab is provided on each end wall, and one cooperating slot is in only one end edge of each lid panel.
• the detents comprise down- turned flaps on opposite end edges of the lid panels, with at least one generally V- shaped slot or notch in a lower edge of the flaps, and cooperating generally V-shaped slots or notches in an upper edge of each end wall arranged so that the notches-in the flaps engage with the notches in the end walls when the lid panels are in their closed position, with portions of the flaps overlapping and interwoven with portions of the end walls to frictionally hold the lid panels closed.
• the closing process in this form of the invention is designed to take advantage of the natural motions of the hands and fingers of the worker when setting up the box, and the box can be quickly and easily set up from a flat blank without lifting it from the work surface. This eliminates the need to pre-erect the box, a process that adds additional work elements and often consumes space in the pizza preparation area.
• opposite end edges of the end wall panels are inwardly inclined, whereby when the side wall panels are folded upwardly against these end edges they are slightly inwardly inclined. This reduces the size of the blank and also ensures that the pizza is tightly contained within the box.
• the lid panels slightly overhang the end walls, and the detent slots may be located near the overhanging edge of the lid panels so that when the locking tabs on the end walls are engaged in the slots, the end walls are slightly outwardly inclined. This permits the bottom of one erected box to be received between the upwardly projecting locking tabs of another box when they are stacked on top of one another, thereby preventing sliding of the upper box over the top of the lower box. Also, and as noted previously, with this arrangement the opposite edges of the panels are supported on top of the end walls, improving the crush strength of the lid.
• the locking tabs and slots may be positioned so that multiple, side- by-side, contiguous blanks can be simultaneously cut on a multiple out die, with the locking tabs on one blank cut from the edge of the adjacent blank, thereby reducing the overall blank size and amount of waste material and thus reducing cost.
• the blank size for the various forms of the box of the invention is 2% to 15% smaller than the blank size of conventional boxes.
• the box of the invention can be folded from its blank with the pizza in place, it enables the worker to place the pizza directly on the box after baking. This eliminates the extra steps of placing-the pizza on the counter or cutting surface and re-scooping the cut pizza to place it into a pre-erected box. In other words, the pizza can be placed directly onto the flat blank for cutting, followed by folding of the box. This reduces the amount of labor and increases the speed of packaging the pizza. It also reduces heat loss and possible contamination that occurs when the pizza is placed on a separate cutting surface.
• the box of the invention is also more convenient to use by consumers, since the full size top panel found on conventional boxes has been split in half, making it easier to gain access to and serve pizza from the box. Additionally, in the serving form the box lies flat and this aids in the folding of the box for disposal. Conventional pizza boxes must be broken down for disposal.
• FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of the pizza box according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a blank for making the box of figure 1.
• Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of the box of figure 1, shown with the lid panels open.
• FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a plurality of the boxes of figure 1 in stacked relationship.
• FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the box of the invention.
• Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the box of figure 5, with one of the lid panels open.
• Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a blank for making the box of figure 5.
• Fig. 8 is a top perspective view of a plurality of the boxes of figure 5 in stacked relationship.
• Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the box of the invention.
• Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the box of figure 9 with one lid panel open.
• Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a blank for making the box of figure 9.
• Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a pair of the blanks of figure 11, depicting how plural blanks can be cut on a multiple out die to achieve a saving in material.
• FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the box of the invention.
• Fig. 14 is a top perspective view of the box of figure 13, showing the lid panels in partially closed position and depicting how the notched end flaps on the lid panels interengage with the notched end walls.
• Fig. 15 is a top plan view of a blank for making the box of figure 14.
• Fig. 16 is a top plan view of an alternate blank for making the box of figure 14, wherein the side walls of a box erected from the blank are inwardly inclined.
• the first embodiment of the box of the invention is indicated at 10 in figures 1-4.
• This box comprises a bottom wall 11 with opposed end walls 12 and 13 foldably connected to opposite ends thereof, opposed side walls 14 and 15 foldably connected to opposite sides thereof, and partial lid panels 16 and 17 foldably connected to the respective side walls.
• Locking tabs 18, 19 and 20, 21 project laterally outwardly from respective opposite side edges of each lid panel, and have outwardly divergent opposite side edges 22 and a rounded outer end 23.
• a pair of spaced apart, parallel cuts 24 and 25 extend a short distance into the respective lid panels from approximately the center of each locking tab, perpendicular to the side edges of the lid panels, and a transverse cut 26 connects the cuts 24 and 25 at their outer ends, forming a short bendable tab 27 lying in the plane of the respective lid panel at each locking tab, with the free end of the tabs spaced slightly outwardly of the associated lid panel side edge.
• Raised projections 28 and 29 extend upwardly from the top edge of each end wall 12 and 13 in positions to be in aligned registry with the locking tabs when the lid panels are in closed position.
• Shaped slots 30 and 31 are formed through the projections approximately in line with the height of the top edge of the respective end wall, and a short latching tab 32 projects downwardly from the top center of each slot.
• each lid panel is stepped or offset at its center, defining a wider leading edge 33 and a recessed edge 34, said edges being connected by an angled shoulder 35.
• the opposite side walls 13 and 14 are first folded upwardly, followed by inward folding of the lid panels and interengagement of the angled shoulders 35, whereby the leading edge of one lid panel overlaps the recessed edge of the other. This holds the lid panels in place until the end walls can be erected, and serves to reinforce the lid against collapse when a force is applied on top of it.
• the end walls 11 and 12 are then folded upwardly, with the locking tabs 18, 19 and 20, 21 being inserted through the slots 30 and 31.
• the latching tabs 32 slide along the top of the bendable tabs 27, causing them to flex downwardly until the latching tab passes the free end of the bendable tab, at which time the bendable tab springs back up, latching behind the latching tab 32.
• This arrangement securely holds the box in its erected position until it is desired to open it, at which time slight downward pressure can be exerted on top of the lid panels just behind the projections 28 and 29, thereby releasing the latching tabs and enabling the end walls 13 and 14 to be folded downwardly and the lid panels opened.
• the opposite end edges 37 and 38 of the side walls are slightly outwardly divergent or outwardly angled, whereby the end walls are outwardly inclined and the top of the box has a slightly greater length dimension than the bottom, enabling the bottom of an upper box to fit between the projections 28 and 29 of a lower box so that the boxes can be more stably stacked than conventional boxes.
• the projections 28 and 29 and the associated slots 30 and 3 Ion one end wall are offset relative to the projections and slots on the opposite end wall.
• the locking tabs 18, 19 and 20, 21on the respective lid panels are correspondingly offset.
• the locking tabs on one blank can be cut from the edge of an adjacent blank, as depicted with a different blank in figure 12, resulting in a saving in material.
• the second embodiment of the box of the invention is indicated at 40 in figures 5-8.
• the lid panels 41 and 42 are wider than the bottom wall 43, whereby the lid panels slightly overhang the end walls 44 and 45 in an erected box.
• the locking tabs 46, 47 and 48, 49 project upwardly from the upper edge of the end walls, and the slots 50 and 51 for receiving the locking tabs are formed in the outer end edges of the lid panels.
• the free outer edges 52 of the lid panels are straight, rather than offset as in the first embodiment, and when the lid panels are in closed position the free edges of the lid panels overlap one another.
• the opposite side edges 53 and 54 of the lid panels are supported on top of the end walls, lendmg further strength to the construction.
• this form of the invention is the same as the previously described embodiment, e.g., the opposite side walls 55 and 56 are inwardly inclined due to the convergent side edges 57 and 58 on opposite side edges of the end walls, and the distance between the upwardly projecting locking tabs 46, 47 and 48, 49, respectively, is greater than the width of the bottom so that the bottom of an upper box can fit between the locking tabs of a lower box. Also, the end walls are slightly outwardly inclined due to the placement of the slots 50 and 51 near the outer edges of the extended lid panels. [00049]
• the third embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 60 in figures 9-12.
• This form of the invention is virtually identical to the second embodiment described above, except that one of the locking tabs and its associated slot is omitted from each end of the box.
• latching tab 61 and associated slot 62 associated with each lid panel, with the locking tab and associated slot for the respective lid panels being located on opposite ends of the box and on opposite sides of the box centerline.
• multiple blanks 6OA, 6OB, 6OC and 6OD can be produced on a multiple out die, with the tabs 61 on one blank being cut from the edge of an adjacent blank, forming a void or recess 62 which can aid in ventilating the box.
• the locking tabs and associated slots are omitted, and instead, flaps 71 and 72 extend downwardly from opposite ends of each lid panel 73 and 74, and generally V-shaped notches 75 in the lower edges of the flaps engage with similar V-shaped notches 76 in the upper edge of the end walls 77 and 78 to frictionally hold the lid panels closed.
• the notches 75 are located nearer to the free outer edge of the respective lid panels, defining a relatively long flap 79 adjacent the hinged edge of the lid panel, and a relatively short flap 80 adjacent its free outer edge. In use, the long flaps 79 extend downwardly against the outer surface of the associated end wall, and the short flaps 80 extend downwardly against the inner surface of the end wall.
• the free outer edges of the lid panels extend slightly beyond the short flap, defining a narrow lip or overhang 81 that overlaps with the corresponding edge on the other lid panel when the lid panels are closed. This also results in setting the short flap slightly back from the free outer edge of the lid panel, whereby when the lid panels are in their closed position there is no interference between the flap and the confronting edge of the opposite lid panel.
• Figure 16 depicts a blank 90 for making a box substantially the same as that shown in figures 13-15, except that the opposite side edges 91 and 92 of the end walls 93 and 94 are upwardly convergent, and the end edge 96 of the longer flaps 97 on the lid panels 98 and 99 is angled parallel to the respective edge 91, 92.
• the opposite side walls 100 and 101 are inwardly inclined, and the edge 96 of the flaps 97 conforms to the shape of the lower corners of the ends of the box.
• a box embodying the present invention is formed from a blank typically constructed of corrugated paperboard but may otherwise be fabricated of other suitable foldable materials.
• the intended use for this carton is for the retention, storage and serving of pizza.
• the invention is not restricted in use and may have broader applications for containment of other articles.
• an article such as a pizza taken directly from an oven, is positioned and cut upon the bottom panel of the box while the box remains flat on a supporting surface.
• the flat orientation of the box facilitates cutting of the pizza without damage to or interference from its end and side walls, it being understood that the bottom panel and box are sized to accommodate the pizza.
• the box can be used by the customer to serve the pizza, either by opening both lid panels, or by opening a single lid panel, or by laying the box completely flat.
• the lid panels interlock with the end walls and overlap one another to reinforce each other and provide strength to the top of the box.
• the box when boxing hot pizza, it is important to let moisture escape from the box to prevent a soggy product. While some moisture is released by the seams or gaps between the inside surfaces of the walls and the lateral edges of the lid panels, the lower portions of the tab-receiving openings are sized and shaped to further allow for venting of the moisture. With this design, the box is able to retain sufficient heat to keep the pizza at a desirable temperature while preventing condensation from forming thereon.
• the preferred use of the blank facilitates a highly efficient and economic food packaging operation in comparison with prior art pizza packaging.
• Use of the present invention eliminates the prior art handling steps of pre-erecting a box, stacking multiple pre-erected boxes on a shelf, removing a pre-erected box from the shelf, opening the pre-erected box, placing the pizza on a counter surface for cutting after removing it from the oven, moving the cut pizza (which may have since cooled) to the open box and then re- closing the box.
• loading the pizza directly from the oven reduces labor costs, speed packaging, and prevents potential contamination of the pizza from the counter surface.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
• Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
• Seeds, Soups, And Other Foods (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=35429152

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (14)

Citations (4)

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• 2005
  • 2005-08-18 US US11/207,167 patent/US20060186186A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-08-18 AT AT05791559T patent/ATE444904T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-08-18 WO PCT/US2005/029489 patent/WO2006023692A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-08-18 EP EP05791559A patent/EP1799567B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2005-08-18 DE DE602005017065T patent/DE602005017065D1/de active Active

Patent Citations (4)

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