Convertible Pizza Box

Abstract

A container for pizza formable into a smaller, space saving box useful as, for example, refrigerator containers for pizza slices. Also disclosed are easily environmentally friendly disposable pizza boxes.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 527,986, filed Sep. 26, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety[0002]The present invention generally relates to food storage containers, and more specifically relates to blanks for making boxes useful for pizza and other relatively flat food products.[0003]As the pizza industry has grown, there has developed a need for a pizza carton that can serve multiple functions and solve multiple problems.[0004]Cartons for packaging flat food products, for example, pizza pies, are well known and are provided in a number of shapes and sizes. Typically, these packaging cartons are formed from a single blank, for example, a flat generally rectangular blank made of cardboard, which is scored so that it can be manually folded and formed to define a three dimensional carton. A pizza carton blank is typically cut and scored so as to be foldable to form a substantially square or orthogonal...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides new food storage containers that are convenient, space-saving, and easy to manufacture. These containers have a hinged connection between two parts, with additional side walls that can be folded inward to make the container fit tightly. The containers can be folded up to a flat pizza box size, and are suitable for holding various types of food. The containers are made from a foldable blank that can be easily separated into two parts. The blank has score lines that allow for easy folding and separation of the parts. The score lines are offset from a centerline, and the side walls have a triangular shape in at least one plane. The containers can be stacked and stored flat, making them convenient and space-saving."

Problems solved by technology

For these reasons, a pizza pie is generally considered too messy for consumption during travel, unless, of course, significant preparation and planning is involved, for example, dinner plates are taken along on the trip.

Consumers are well aware that these are not optimal storage means, however.

As mentioned above, a typical pizza box is designed to hold a full sized pizza and therefore requires substantial storage space, often more storage space than may be available in an average refrigerator.

The large flat surface of the pizza box often becomes a surface upon which other food items are placed and stored, for example multiple jars or containers of food, thereby resulting in collapse of the pizza box causing damage to the pizza slices contained therein.

On the other hand, wrapping individual slices of leftover pizza, for example in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, is messy and inconvenient, as well as wasteful of the wrapping material.

This particular container, however, only reduces the length or width of the full-sized box, and not the depth of the box.

Like a full-sized pizza box, this reduced-sized box, if left in a refrigerator for any length of time, will become a surface upon which other food items are stored, thereby damaging the contents of the box.

Another problem with a conventional pizza box is the cumbersome size and shape thereof, which make the box quite inconvenient for disposal in an average kitchen trash container.

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