A takeaway food container assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a takeaway food container assembly. The assembly includes a takeaway food container. A target is provided for fastening to the takeaway food container. A movable object is provided for moving to the target. Advantageously, the takeaway food container may become the focus of playing a game once its primary use for food carriage has been fulfilled.

Description

A TAKEAWAY FOOD CONTAINER ASSEMBLYTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to takeaway food containers such as pizza boxes.BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Pizza boxes are used to transport pizza from pizza shops to home.

[0004] Once the contents have been consumed, the disposable pizza boxes are typically discarded without much further thought.

[0005] The preferred embodiment provides further use for pizza boxes.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a takeaway food container assembly including: a takeaway food container; a target for fastening to the takeaway food container; and a movable object for moving to the target.

[0007] Advantageously, the takeaway food container may become the focus of playing a game once its primary use for food carriage has been fulfilled.

[0008] The takeaway food container may include a pizza box. The target may be removably fastened to the container. The target may include a goal. The movable object may include a ball or a puck. The ball may be a ping pong ball. The object may pass through or into the target.

[0009] The target may include a basket. The target may include a cup for receiving the object. The target may include a net through which the object can pass. The target may include a cup holder for holding the cup. The cup may be disposable. The cup holder may include a panel or hoop. The target may include a hoop. The target may include a backboard or goalpost from which the hoop extends.

[0010] The assembly may include a fastener for fastening the target to the takeaway food container. The fastener may include a hook. The hook may include biasing means to compress against the takeaway food container. The fastener may include a receiver for receiving an edge of the container. The fastener may include a receiver for receiving an edge of the takeaway food container. The fastener may include biasing means, preferably in the form of a pair of inwardly-extending peripheral arms to compress against the takeaway food container.

[0011] The assembly may include a stem extending upwardly from the fastener. The stem may be releasably fastened to target.

[0012] The fastener may include biasing means to compress against opposite sides of the takeaway food container. The fastener may include a mount for mounting to the target. The mount may include one or a pair of mounting tabs for engaging with the target.

[0013] The assembly may further include game rules borne by the container.

[0014] The assembly may further include another takeaway container. The assembly may further include at least one fastener for fastening the takeaway containers together. The containers may be fastened together to form a right angle. The containers may be fastened together end to end. Each fastener may include a clip for clipping the containers together. Each fastener may include a pair of arms for being received in respective containers. Each fastener may include a stop for stopping against a container. The fastener may be molded.

[0015] The containers may be fastened together end to centre. Each fastener may include two receivers for receiving respective edges of the containers.

[0016] The target may include a panel. The panel may define two holes. The target may include a net between the holes. The net may be of one of multiple heights. The target may be a two player target. The panel may define a hole, and a net may surround the hole.

[0017] The target may include a sports target. The target may resemble a basketball basket, a NFL goal, a golf hole, a soccer goal, a hockey goal, a volleyball court, a table tennis table, a tennis court, an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon, a baseball field, a Australian Rules Football (AFL) goal or Australian National Rugby League (NRL) goal.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for forming a takeaway food container assembly, the kit including: a target for fastening to a takeaway food container; and a movable object for moving to the target.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a target for fastening to a takeaway food container to form a takeaway food container assembly.

[0020] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0022] Figure 1 shows projections of a basketball takeaway food container assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective side view of a target of the assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pizza box fastener of the assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pizza box fastener of Figure 3 connecting a pair of pizza boxes;

[0026] Figure 5 shows projections of a golf takeaway food container assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 shows projections of an NFL takeaway food container assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 shows projections of an ice hockey takeaway food container assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0029] Figure 8 shows projections of a soccer takeaway food container assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the NFL takeaway food container assembly of Figure 6 with printed field markings;

[0031] Figure 10A shows a perspective side view of the base of a volleyball takeaway food container assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10B shows a fastener for forming the base of Figure 10A;

[0033] Figure 11 A shows a perspective side view of the top of the volleyball takeaway food container assembly of Figure 10A;

[0034] Figure 11 B shows a fastener for forming the top of Figure 11 A;

[0035] Figure 12 shows an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon-like target;

[0036] Figure 13 shows a baseball field-like target;

[0037] Figure 14 is a perspective front view of a target of basketball takeaway food container assembly; and

[0038] Figure 15 is a perspective front view of a partially assembled target of basketball takeaway food container assembly.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pizza (i.e. takeaway food) box (i.e. container) assembly 100 including an upright pizza box 102.

[0040] Furthermore, the assembly 100 includes a basketball-like target 104 for removably fastening to the pizza box 102. A movable object in the form of a ping pong ball is provided for moving to the target 104.

[0041] The target 104 also includes a disposable cup 106, forming a goal or basket, for receiving the projectile ball which can be bounced off a table or other hard surface such as another horizontal pizza box 108. Advantageously, the pizza box 102 becomes the focus of playing a bouncing or throwing ball game once its primary use for food carriage has been fulfilled and the target 104 resembling a basketball basket has been affixed.

[0042] Figure 2 shows the removable basketball-like target 104. The target 104 includes a hoop cup holder 200 for holding the cup 106. Typically, a mouth lip of the cup 106 rests on the holder 200. The target 104 also includes a backboard 202 from which the hoop cup holder 200 extends.

[0043] Further, the target 104 includes a hook fastener 204 for fastening the target 104 to the pizza box 102. The hook fastener 204 is hung over the top edge of the vertical pizza box 102, and includes biasing means in the form of a pair of inwardly- extending peripheral arms 206A, 206B, to compress against the pizza box 102. The fastener 204 forms a receiver for receiving and locking to the top edge of the box 102.

[0044] Turning to Figure 3, the assembly 100 further includes printed game rules300 borne by the box 108. Additionally, the assembly 100 further includes at least oneclip fastener 302 for fastening the takeaway boxes 102, 108 together at a right angle. Each molded fastener 302 includes a pair of arms 306, 308 for being received in edge seams of respective boxes 102, 108. The arms 306, 308 extend from a common body 310 that stops against the box 102 when clipping the boxes together, end to end, as shown in Figure 4.

[0045] Figure 5 shows a golf pizza box assembly 100. The assembly 100 includes a golf-like target 104 for removably fastening to the pizza box 102. A movable object in the form of a ping pong ball is provided for rolling along the box and into the target 104. The target 104 includes an annular panel cup holder 500, resembling a golf putting green with hole, in which the cup 106 rests. The target 104 also includes a channel fastener 502 extending from the cup holder 500 and that receives an edge of the box 102.

[0046] Figure 6 shows an NFL pizza box assembly 100. The assembly 100 includes a goalpost-like target 104 for removably fastening to the pizza box 102. The target 104 includes a hoop cup holder 200 for holding the cup 106. The target 104 also includes a goalpost 600 from which the hup cup holder 200 extends. The target 104 also includes a U-shaped channel fastener 502 extending from the goalpost 600 and that receives the edge of the box 102. A movable object in the form of a ping pong ball is provided for bouncing through the goal post 600 and into the cup 106 at the rear. In one embodiment, the NFL goalpost 600 can be replaced with an Australian Rules Football (AFL) or Australian National Rugby League (NRL) goalpost.

[0047] Figure 7 shows an ice hockey pizza box assembly 100. The target 104 includes a hockey goalpost 700 extending up from the panel cup holder 500. A movable object in the form of a puck or disc is provided for moving to the target 104.

[0048] Figure 8 shows a soccer pizza box assembly 100. A movable object in the form of a ping pong ball instead passes into the soccer goal 700.

[0049] Figure 9 shows the NFL pizza box assembly 100 of Figure 6 with printed field markings 900 to assist with playing of the game.

[0050] The foregoing pizza box assemblies are provided as a kit. The kit includes a target 104 for fastening to a pizza box 102, and a ball for moving to the target 104.

[0051] The concept of the preferred embodiments, is to supply with the pizza boxes 102, 108 (or separately supply the items of the kit), the kit which enables the boxes 102, 108 to be secured / fixed together either in an upright or flat configuration. On the boxes 102, 108 (typically on the opposite side form that of the main branding) would typically be included game layouts for “playing fields” or playing surfaces 900. The Pizza boxes 102, 108 therefore become objects which are the focus of playing games once the primary use for pizza delivery / carriage has been fulfilled.

[0052] The method of fixing of the boxes 102, 108 together can vary from the method that has been described above. Likewise, the images 900 depicting the “playing fields / surfaces” can be different. The concept of re-use and specifically for enjoyable play related to sporting games is what the embodiments provide.

[0053] The games of interest include the following:• American football (NFL)• Basketball (NBA)• Hockey (or Ice Hockey)• Soccer (Football elsewhere in the world)• Golf

[0054] There can be some simple attaching items particular to each desired playing game (like the basketball goal or ball etc) that can be provided and used along with the pizza boxes 102, 108 to give effect to the experience.

[0055] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pizza (i.e. takeaway food) box (i.e. container) assembly 100 as shown in Figures 10 and 11 . Like reference numerals refer to like features previously described.

[0056] As shown in Figure 10A, the base of assembly 100 is formed when the containers 102, 108 are fastened together, end to centre, using two opposed molded fasteners 1000.

[0057] As can best be seen in Figure 10B, each fastener 1000 includes two U- shaped channel receivers 1002, 1004 for receiving respective edges of the containers 102, 108 to form a right angle.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11A, the assembly 100 includes a hook fastener 1100 for fastening the target 104 to the takeaway food container 102.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11 B, the fastener 1100 includes two biasing means, similar to before, to compress against opposite sides of the takeaway food container 102. Each biasing means includes a pair of inwardly-extending peripheral arms 206A, 206B, to compress against the pizza box 102.

[0060] The fastener 1100 also includes an upper mount for releasably mounting to the target 104. The mount includes a pair of mounting tabs 1102A, 1 102B for engaging within the target 104.

[0061] Returning to Figure 11 A, the target 104 includes a horizontal panel 1104. The target 104 includes a planar panel 1104, representing a court or table, and a net 1106 extending up from the panel 1104. The horizontal panel 1104 defines two holes, on either side of the net 1106, through which the ball can pass. Cups 106 can be received in the holes 1304 to capture the ball once it has passed over the net 1106.Advantageously, two players can concurrently play the game with a view of getting the ball in respective holes 1304.

[0062] The height of the net 1106 from the panel 1 104 varies, depending upon whether the target 104 is a volleyball court-like target (Fig. 11 ), table tennis table-like target or tennis court-like target.

[0063] Figure 12 shows an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon-like target 104. The assembly 100 includes the hook fastener 1 100 for fastening the target 104 to the takeaway food container 102. The target 104 includes a planar panel 1200, upon which a pin-pong ball can be bounced, and an octagon-shaped net 1204 extending up from the panel 1200. The horizontal panel 1200 defines a hole 1206, within the net 1204, through which the ball passes into the removable cup 106 (also located in the hole 1206). The panel 1200 includes a front bouncing pad 1208, above the box 102 and adjacent the net 1204, for bouncing the ball into the hole 1206.

[0064] Figure 13 shows a baseball field-like target 104. As before, the assembly 100 includes the hook fastener 1100 for fastening the target 104 to the takeaway food container 102.

[0065] Figure 14 shows the removable basketball-like target 104. The target 104 includes a hoop cup holder 200 for holding the molded net 1400 through which the ball can pass. Typically, a mouth lip of the net 1400 rests on the holder 200. The target 104 also includes a backboard 202 from which the hoop cup holder 200 extends.

[0066] Further, the target 104 includes a receiver fastener 204 for fastening the target 104 to the edge of the horizontal pizza box 108. The fastener 204 is placed over the side edge of the vertical pizza box 108, and includes biasing means in the form of a pair of inwardly-extending peripheral arms 206A, 206B, to compress against the top of the pizza box 108. The fastener 204 locks to the edge of the box 108.

[0067] As shown in Figure 15, a stem 1500 extends upwardly from the fastener 204, and the head of the stem 1500 releasably clips into the backboard 202 which rests upon it.

[0068] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[0069] The target 104 typically includes the cup 106 into which the ball is received. However, the cup 106 may be omitted so that the ball instead passes through the hoop of the target 104.

[0070] The rigid target 104 may be integrally formed. The target 104 may be molded from plastics material. The target 104 may also include branding or other printed materials.

[0071] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0072] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘anembodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:1 . A takeaway food container assembly including: a takeaway food container; a target for fastening to the takeaway food container; and a movable object for moving to the target.

2. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the takeaway food container becomes the focus of playing a game once its primary use for food carriage has been fulfilled.

3. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the takeaway food container includes a pizza box.

4. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the target is removably fastened to the container.

5. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the movable object includes a ball, and preferably a ping pong ball.

6. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the object passes through or into the target.

7. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the target includes: a basket; a net through which the object can pass; a cup holder for holding a disposable cup; a panel; a hoop; a backboard from which a hoop extends; a goalpost from which a hoop extends; or a goal.

8. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , including a fastener for fastening the target to the takeaway food container.

9. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fastener includes a receiver for receiving an edge of the container.

10. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fastener includes biasing means to compress against the takeaway food container.

11. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the biasing means includes a pair of inwardly-extending peripheral arms to compress against the takeaway food container.

12. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 8, including a stem extending upwardly from the fastener.

13. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stem is releasably fastened to target.

14. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fastener includes a mount for mounting to the target.

15. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mount includes one or a pair of mounting tabs for engaging with the target.

16. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further including game rules borne by the container.

17. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further including another takeaway container, and at least one fastener for fastening the takeaway containers together.

18. A takeaway food container assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the target includes a sports target, preferably resembling a basketball basket, a NFL goal, a golf hole, a soccer goal, a hockey goal, a volleyball court, a table tennis table, a tennis court, an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) octagon, a baseball field, a Australian Rules Football (AFL) goal or Australian National Rugby League (NRL) goal.

19. A kit for forming a takeaway food container assembly, the kit including:a target for fastening to a takeaway food container; and a movable object for moving to the target.

20. A target for fastening to a takeaway food container to form the takeaway food container assembly of claim 1 .

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