U.S. patent application number 09/910203 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-23 for method and apparatus for a food delivery container.
Invention is credited to Goldman, Boris E., Portnoy, Michael E..
Application Number | 20030017243 09/910203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25428456 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030017243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldman, Boris E. ; et
al. |
January 23, 2003 |
Method and apparatus for a food delivery container
Abstract
A food transportation container which will maintain food in a
fresh, hot and undeteriorated condition during delivery of the food
from its point of origin to its destination, while being
disposable, lightweight, thin, and easy to use and store. The
container will not impart undesirable taste to its contents.
Inventors: |
Goldman, Boris E.; (Newtown,
CT) ; Portnoy, Michael E.; (Newtown, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher C. Boehm
101 Merritt 7 Corporate park
Norwalk
CT
06856
US
|
Family ID: |
25428456 |
Appl. No.: |
09/910203 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/392 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3858 20130101;
B65D 2585/366 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/392 |
International
Class: |
B65B 055/00 |
Claims
1. A food transportation container, comprising: a base having a top
surface, a bottom surface and an outside edge comprised of a firm
material; a top having a top surface, a bottom surface and an
outside edge, comprised of a firm material, wherein the outside
edge of the top releasably interconnects with the outside edge of
the base; an integral radiant barrier, comprising a reflective
material applied to at least said bottom surface of said top.
2. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein said
radiant barrier is applied to substantially an exterior portion of
the food transportation container that is exposed to food
therein.
3. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein said
radiant barrier is applied to substantially an interior portion of
the food transportation container that is exposed to food
therein.
4. The food transportation container of claim 3, wherein said
radiant barrier is applied to substantially an exterior portion of
the food transportation container that is exposed to food
therein.
5. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein said
radiant barrier is incorporated into said bottom surface of said
top by painting said reflective material.
6. The food transportation container of claim 5, wherein said
reflective material is metallized polyethylene.
7. The food transportation container of claim 1, wherein said
radiant barrier is a metallized sheet.
8. The food transportation container of claim 7, wherein said
metallized sheet is a metallized polymer sheet.
9. A disposable food container configured as an enveloping
deformable bag for limiting heat energy transfer of food therein,
the bag comprising: an aperture on one side of the bag for
inserting and removing food; an integral thermal convection
barrier; an integral radiant barrier; a flap portion depending away
from said bag proximate to said aperture, said flap portion being
configured and dimensioned to cover said aperture; and an adhesive
being disposed on a surface of said flap portion.
10. The disposable food container of claim 9, wherein said radiant
barrier is a metallized polymer, said container being constructed
out of said metallized polymer.
11. The disposable food container of claim 9, wherein said radiant
barrier includes a highly reflective surface.
12. The disposable food container of claim 10, wherein said
metallized polymer is one of a metallized polyethylene and a
metallized oriented polypropylene.
13. The disposable food container of claim 12, wherein said
metallized polyethylene is about 0.00125 inches thick.
14. The disposable food container of claim 12, wherein said
metalized oriented polypropylene is about 0.0015 inches thick.
15. The disposable food container of claim 12, wherein said
metalized oriented polypropylene is about 0.0030 inches thick.
16. The food transportation container of claim 1, further
comprising an insulative layer.
17. The disposable food container of claim 17, wherein said
insulated layer is selected from the group comprising polymers,
polypropylene or polyethylene.
18. A method for retaining the thermal qualities of a food item,
comprising: inserting a food item with a disposable food container
configured as an enveloping deformable bag, said bag comprising: an
aperture on one side of the bag for inserting and removing food; an
integral thermal convection barrier; an integral radiant barrier; a
flap portion depending away from said bag proximate to said
aperture, said flap portion being configured and dimensioned to
cover said aperture; and an adhesive being disposed on a surface of
said flap portion; sealing said food within said disposable bag by
removing a protective covering from said adhesive and sealing said
aperture with said flap.
19. The method as in claim 18, wherein said food item is a pizza
within a pizza box, said pizza box having venting apertures.
20. The method as in claim 18, wherein said bag is manufactured out
of a metallized polyethylene about 0.00125 inches thick.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] It is customary for pizzas to be prepared for take-out by
customers, or for delivery to the houses of persons who place
orders for pizzas by telephone. One format for packaging pizzas in
such circumstances is to place the pizza in a single-walled,
paper-board box that folds up from a flat paperboard blank. Such
boxes customarily enclose the pizza with a lid. The conventional
means of packaging Chinese food, bakery products, or the like,
other than pizza, for take out or for home delivery are also a
cardboard box of square or rectangular shape.
[0002] Boxes of this type provide only a moderate degree of heat
retention for the pizza during delivery. If the boxes are unvented,
an extended delivery period can result in a pizza/food that is both
cool and soggy.
[0003] The standard cardboard pizza box also has a number of
drawbacks. For one thing, cardboard containers have a low
insulation coefficient. Furthermore, during transportation, the
pizza crust loses the rigid, crispy texture it had only 30 minutes
earlier. The explanation for this is simple. As the steamy hot
pizza is removed from the oven and placed in the box, it continues
to give off moisture and heat until it has cooled. The standard
cardboard box, though not perfectly airtight, retains substantially
all of the moisture given off by the pizza. In essence, the pizza
sits in a steam sauna during delivery. The final result is that the
driest portion of the pizza (the crust) absorbs moisture and
becomes limp.
[0004] Pizza/food loses heat by radiation, conduction, convection
and current pizza boxes provide essentially no barrier to radiated
heat loss and convection (hot air) loss.
[0005] Companies which provide home food delivery services are
constantly seeking ways to improve the service, food quality and
taste due to the competitive nature of the business. Insulated food
and pizza delivery bags have been used for many years whereby
warmed foods will retain a certain temperature level during
delivery, depending on the transportation time and delivery route
length, primarily by blocking conduction of heat through the use of
a bulky thick insulating barrier.
[0006] Yet, despite the proliferation of so-called "delivery" and
"take out" items and services, mechanisms for effectively
transporting the prepared food from one location to another have
changed little over the past several decades. Referring to a
familiar example, this lack of innovation in the food
transportation industry is readily apparent.
[0007] No item of food is delivered to more American homes in
greater quantities than the pizza. As the business of pushing
pizzas exceeds the 32 billion dollar mark annually in the United
States alone, multitudes of both multi-national and local
establishments vie for their "slice" of the action.
[0008] At it's very best, though, a pizza delivered to your door
pales in comparison to the same pizza served at a pizzeria. Apart
from the ambiance of the red-checkered tablecloth and the spectacle
of dough-tossing, pizzeria pizza is far superior because it has not
suffered delivery deterioration. (e.g. cold and soggy)
[0009] The industry standard delivery time, pizza-to-door, is 30
minutes. The journey begins when the fresh, crisp-crusted,
bubbling-cheese delicacy is removed from the oven and placed flat
in the bottom of a box. Typically, the box is of the square, brown
cardboard variety and may have a circular piece of reinforcing
cardboard under the pizza to bolster its bottom. Then, the pizza is
cut with a circular or "wheel" cutter. The box is closed, stacked
on other pizza boxes and, when delivered by pizzeria personnel, is
sometimes placed in a reusable cumbersome insulating bag. The
delivery driver tosses the bag into a delivery vehicle and makes
the appointed rounds. It is during this journey that delivery
deterioration occurs. The deterioration may be worse when a
customer self transports the pizza, since the customer will not
have the benefit of an insulating bag which is bulky, unyielding,
and not easily stored when not in use.
[0010] While previous devices are advantageous under certain
circumstances, the need for a simple, inexpensive delivery/
transportation container for retaining a certain temperature level
during delivery remains. From the foregoing it is apparent that a
food packaging system is required that is low in cost yet ensures
that food, after the time delay required for delivery, are still
warm (or cold), without having become substantially soggy.
Accordingly, there is a need for a food transportation container
which will maintain the food in a freshly-cooked state (or a
refrigerated state) during delivery of the food from its point of
origin to its destination, or simply over an elapsed time period
that will effectively maintain heat, that is lightweight, and can
be effectively used by restaurants and consumers alike.
SUMMARY
[0011] A lightweight, disposable, and sealable food transportation
container having a radiant barrier and a convection barrier,
comprising a reflective material and an airtight material for
slowing the heat transfer of an object placed within the container
by minimizing heat lost by radiation and convection.
[0012] A system for maintaining the heat of a take-out food item,
the system includes a disposable and sealable food transportation
container having a radiant barrier and a convection barrier, the
container includes a reflective material and an airtight material
for slowing the heat transfer of an object placed within the
container by minimizing heat lost by radiation and convection.
[0013] A system for maintaining the heat of a take-out food item,
the system includes a disposable and sealable food transportation
container having an integral radiant barrier and a convection
barrier, the container includes a reflective material and an
airtight material for slowing the heat transfer of an object placed
within the container by minimizing heat lost by radiation and
convection.
[0014] A system for maintaining the heat of a take-out food item,
the system includes a disposable and sealable food transportation
container and an enclosure for surrounding the food item, the
disposable container having a radiant barrier and a convection
barrier, the container includes a reflective material and an
airtight material for slowing the heat transfer of an object placed
within the container by minimizing heat lost by radiation and
convection.
[0015] In addition, the material used for the container should also
be flexible, thin, and light so that it can be easily folded up
when desired. Lastly, it is preferred that the material be
inexpensive so that it is disposable.
[0016] A lightweight disposable container for blocking convection
and radiation losses of an item placed within the container.
[0017] The above-described and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be appreciated and understood by those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description,
drawings, and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
food container having its lid in the open position to reveal the
heated food product;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the food container seen in
FIG. 3 having its lid closed and joined to the body portion of the
food container;
[0020] FIG. 3 is top plan view of a food container before assembly
showing phantom fold lines;
[0021] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] This disclosure relates to packages, and is more
particularly directed to packages for take out and/or delivery of
pizzas, Chinese food, fast food hamburgers, dessert pies, and the
like. The disclosure is more particularly concerned with a
thermally insulated disposable container for pizzas or other food
items to be served hot (or cold), the container being configured
with a radiant barrier, and a convection barrier.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, food container 20 includes a
rectangular body portion 24 provided with a hinged lid 28, both of
which are made of cardboard. The body portion 24 of the food
container 20 includes a rectangular base section 30 integrally
formed with upstanding front and rear walls 32 and 34,
respectively, and a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side walls
38 and 40. The lid 28 has a rectangular top section 42 integrally
formed with a pair downward depending laterally spaced side walls
44 and 46 and a front wall 48. A centrally located tab 50 is
optionally cut out of the front wall 48 and is used to facilitate
opening and closing of the lid 28. In addition, the lid 28 is
hingedly connected to the rear wall 34 of the body portion 24 of
the food container 20 at a score line 52 extending the length of
the rear wall 34. Accordingly, the lid 28 is adapted to be folded
downwardly about the score line 52 to a closed position wherein the
side walls 44 and 46 and the front wall 48 of the lid 28 are
located, as seen in FIG. 2, within the confines of the body portion
24 adjacent the side walls 38 and 40 and front wall 32. Food
containers of this type are typically used for accommodating a
heated pizza 54 as shown in FIG. 1. Once the lid 28 is closed, the
hot pizza 54 is located in a closed rectangular chamber 56, the
inner air of which becomes heated due to the heat loss of the pizza
54. The insulating properties of the cardboard, although limited to
some extent, serve to prevent the heat in the chamber 56 from being
rapidly dissipated. Various pizza companies as well as various "Mom
and Pop" stores utilize food containers of the above-described type
for holding a heated pizza.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, a radiant barrier 60 is attached
to at least an inside or outside portion 62 of rectangular top
section 42 for reflecting heat in chamber 56 back towards the pizza
54, thus helping to retain the temperature level of the pizza and
reduce dissipation of the heat from the rectangular top section 42
of food container 20.
[0028] Radiant barrier 60 provides a thin, integrated
reflection/insulator that is integrated into the box. In one
embodiment, barrier 60 is Aluminum.
[0029] Radiant barrier 60 works by reducing the heat transfer by
thermal radiation across the air space in chamber 56 between the
top of pizza 54 and the inside portion 62 of rectangular top
section 42. Radiant barrier 60 has a reflective surface that faces
the open air in chamber 56 and the top of pizza 54.
[0030] Heat travels from a warm area to a cool area by a
combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flows by
conduction from a hotter material to a colder material when the two
materials touch. Heat transfer by convection occurs when a liquid
or gas is heated, becomes less dense, and rises. Radiant heat
travels in a straight line away from the hot surface and heats
anything solid as the wave of energy hits the solid. Since most of
the heat transfer from pizza 54 is emitted from the top where the
sauce and cheese are not insulated by the crust, an exemplary
embodiment comprises radiant barrier 60 depending from at least an
inside portion 62 of rectangular top section 42 that is directly
above pizza 54.
[0031] Conventional insulation traps still air within the
insulation, and hence also reduces the heat transfer by air
movement (convection). The insulation fibers or particles also
block radiation heat transfer through the space occupied by the
insulation; however, having insulation on top of a pizza is
undesirable for obvious reasons.
[0032] Radiant barrier 60 comprises a thin sheet or coating of a
highly reflective material applied to a substrate (i.e., the
cardboard that makes up rectangular top section 42 in FIG. 1.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, radiant barrier 60 is a
metallized polymer applied to a portion of the inner or outer
surface of container 20. In an alternative embodiment, radiant
barrier is applied to substantially the entire inside or outside
portion 62 of food container 20.
[0034] In yet another alternative radiant barrier is integrated
into the box or the box is formed from a metalized cardboard. In
this embodiment the metalized cardboard is preferably {fraction
(24/1000)} of an inch. Of course, and as applications may require
the metalized cardboard can be greater or less than {fraction
(24/1000)} of an inch.
[0035] In practicing the present disclosure and using the pizza 54
as an example of a food product, the pizza 54 is initially baked
and removed from the oven and placed on a cutting board. While on
the cutting board, the pizza 54 is at a temperature of
approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The pizza 54 is then pre-cut
into pie-shaped pieces and immediately placed within the food
container 20 as seen in FIG. 1 after which the lid 28 is closed.
Once the lid 28 is closed, some of the heat from the hot pizza will
be transferred to the air within the chamber 56 and as well as to
the food container 20 in its entirety by a combination of
convection and conduction. Most of the heat from the pizza 54
radiates from the top of a pizza in a straight line away from the
hot sauce surface because the sauce topping has a higher emissivity
than the surrounding crust and therefore a greater emitted
radiation. The emitted radiation contacts the radiant barrier 60
lining the lid 42 and radiates the heat back towards the pizza
topping, thus aiding in heat retention.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of a food
container 20 is shown before assembly into a box structure. In an
exemplary embodiment, the radiant barrier 60 is applied to
substantially the entire inside or outside portion of food
container 20. The above-described embodiments are also suitable for
packaging hamburgers, hot grinders, and the like when the food
container is configured to contain such foods.
[0037] Turning now to FIGS. 4-7, another exemplary embodiment of a
food container 100 is shown. FIG. 4 depicts a disassembled food
container 100 having a radiant barrier sheet 102 comprising of a
thin rectangular sheet of metalized oriented polyethylene. In an
exemplary embodiment, the metalized oriented polyethylene has a
thickness of about 0.00125 inches or 1.5 mm. Of course, is
contemplated that the thickness of sheet 102 may be greater than or
smaller than 0.00125 inches. Sheet 102 has the metalized layer on
one side of sheet 102 while the other side is the polymer material
from which sheet 102 is formed.
[0038] As an alternative, sheet 102 is a metalized polyethylene of
approximately 1.25 mm or 0.00125. Of course, this thickness may
also vary. As yet another alternative, sheet 102 is polypropylene
or polyethylene material with sufficient optical densities to act
as potent reflective and convection barriers.
[0039] Container 100 provides a light-weight disposable container
that has sufficient optical and reflective densities that will
retain the heat and/or cold qualities of a food product inserted
therein.
[0040] In one embodiment, container 100 is constructed out a thin
polymer material that has an integral convection and reflective
barrier (e.g. metalized oriented polyethylene). The thin and
light-weight material of container 100 makes it ideal for use as a
disposable food container. As will be discussed herein, container
provides an air-tight enclosure with optimum heat retention
characteristics and is convenient for disposable usage. In
addition, and when the container is no longer needed the user
simply tears the container to open it as it is constructed out of a
thin material.
[0041] Moreover, and since the container is used for food products
it is desirable to have it be disposable.
[0042] It is noted that in one embodiment radiant barrier 102 is
provided with a non-metalized periphery 104 to aid in the assembly
of container 100. Alternatively, the entire sheet 102 can have a
metalized layer or coating. During assembly sheet 102 is folded
about line 106 and the non-metalized periphery is sealed at sides
108 and 110 to define the enclosure illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a completed food container 100 that has seams
112 and 114 sealed and an opening 116 to provide a bag or envelope
to place food in for delivery. Seams 112 and 114 are formed by the
melting of the non-metalized portions of the polymer sheet or
alternatively by an adhesive attachment of the same.
[0044] A flap portion 118, as in an envelope, for closing the food
container is formed by folding sheet 102 at an asymmetrical folding
line such as line 106 in FIG. 4. Thus, one half of folded sheet 102
is longer than the other half.
[0045] More specifically, flap portion 118 is a length that one
half of sheet 102 that exceeds the other half when sheet 102 is
folded about line 120. Flap portion 118 further includes an
adhesive strip 122 with a peel off covering (e.g., peel off type
used on envelopes) for adhering flap portion 118 to a portion of
container 100 after an item has been inserted into container 100.
Flap portion 118 is sufficiently long enough to provide enough
material to seal container 100 after an item such as a pizza box
has been inserted inside.
[0046] Due to its light-weight configuration container 100, through
the use of flap portion 118 and its complimentary adhesive strip
allows the sealed configuration of container 100 to be varied. For
example, and in the case when a small item is placed in container
100 (e.g. a single slice of pizza) the user simply folds container
100 until the enclosed item is snugly encased and then the covering
of the adhesive strip is removed and the container is sealed.
[0047] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate container 100 in an assembled state
and being configured to accommodate a box carton in opening 116. In
exemplary embodiment, container 100 has the following dimensions
(24".times.24") in order to accommodate a standard size pizza box.
Of course, the dimensions of container 100 may vary to accommodate
objects of varying sizes.
[0048] Opening 116 is configured for easy placement of a
complementary configured box (e.g., a pizza box) within food
container 100. Due to the flexible nature of sheet 102, container
100 is easily folded and provides a flat configuration for storage.
Thus, numerous containers can be easily stored for use in
restaurant applications.
[0049] Current "pizza bags", (e.g., delivery bags) are primarily
insulators and by necessity, they must be thick and cumbersome. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
and by blocking convection and radiation losses the materials for
the bags or container 100 can be constructed out of much thinner,
lighter, and less costly materials which are disposable.
[0050] In a quantitative test utilizing a pizza bag (i.g., food
container 100) constructed in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, one boxed pizza using a
standard pizza box was placed within the sealed container 100 and
another boxed pizza was left standing alone, both in a room at room
temperature, after 17 minutes elapsed, the temperature of the pizza
placed in the pizza bag was 142.5.degree. Fahrenheit and the
unbagged pizza was 123.4.degree. Fahrenheit. Container 100 provided
a pizza that was 15.5% hotter. In addition, four blinded subjects
accurately picked the bagged pizza as hotter compared to the
un-bagged pizza.
[0051] In addition, while the pizza is placed within container 100
moisture from the steaming pizza as well as moisture from the
standard cardboard box is condensated onto the outside of the box.
This important feature allows the moisture to vent out of the
inside of pizza box 150 and harmlessly condensate on the exterior
surface of the pizza box preventing the pizza from becoming
soggy.
[0052] For example, and referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a
conventional pizza box 150, with the pizza 54 in place, is inserted
into container 100. The container 100 is configured and dimensioned
so as to contain a complementary sized pizza box 150 as well as
expand (FIG. 6) due to heat from pizza 54. After insertion of pizza
box 150 into container 100, pizza box 150 is then sealed within
container 100 through the use of flap 118 and adhesive 122.
[0053] In this configuration, openings 154 provide a ventilation
outlet or outlets to permit escape of moisture that dissipates from
the heated pizza 54, thus diminishing the tendency of such pizzas
to become soggy, while providing a radiant barrier to reflect heat
energy back towards the pizza 54. In such a configuration, the heat
retention by the pizza is enhanced while the amount of moisture
dissipated onto the pizza is limited. Accordingly, the likelihood
of a soggy pizza due to moisture is reduced and/or negated, whilst
simultaneously maintaining the heat of the pizza/food.
[0054] Accordingly, and through the use of container 100, the
heated air travels from the internal cavity of pizza box 150
travels through vent openings 154 and is entrained within the
cavity defined by container 100. In addition, and through this
airflow moisture from pizza 54 as well as the moisture of the
cardboard material comprising box 150 is harmlessly vented out of
pizza box 150 and ultimately condensated on the exterior surface of
the same.
[0055] In yet another alternative, container 100 is used in
combination with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 further enhancing the
heat retention qualities of the present invention.
[0056] Further combinations are also contemplated including but not
limited to pizza box 150 being constructed with radiant barrier 60
on either the inside or outside portion of the pizza box. In
addition, it is also contemplated that radiant barrier 60 may be
positioned on both the inner and outer portions of the pizza box
which is then inserted within container 100, effectively maximizing
heat retention utilizing a bag and box system.
[0057] In addition, a pizza box construction in accordance the
embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 is contemplated for use with container
100.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 8, yet another alternative embodiment
is illustrated, here sheet 102 is provided with a thin layer of
insulative material 130 configured and dimensioned to be about half
the size of sheet 102. Insulative material 130 is disposed on a
first half 132 of radiant sheet 102.
[0059] The other half of sheet 102 is folded over insulative
material 130 at fold 132 and the two sides are sealed essentially
providing a three-ply sheet material. This three-ply sheet material
is then folded as illustrated in FIG. 4 to provide container
100.
[0060] Alternatively, and referring now to FIGS. 4-8 and 11, sheet
102 is folded over itself once and then again and the two sides are
sealed essentially providing a three-ply sheet material 140,
comprising a metal reflective layer 142 as a radiant barrier facing
the food, a middle convection barrier 144 an insulating layer, and
an outer metal reflective layer 146 facing the outside environment
that can be water resistant to protect the food from outside
elements (e.g., rain) and contain the food in the food container in
the event of a the food spill. For example, and when sheet 102 is
folded over itself layers 142 and 146 are provided by the metalized
polymer of sheet 102 and insulative layer 144 is provided by the
air entrained between sheet 102 as it is folder over on itself.
[0061] Thus, and referring now to FIG. 11 a Trilaminar design
including an inner reflective, a middle layer or convection barrier
and an outer layer (reflective) provide the material for container
100.
[0062] In yet another alternative, the surface of sheet 102
comprising layer 146 is configured to have a higher concentration
of metalized polymer.
[0063] In addition, the material used for the container should also
be flexible, thin, and light so that it can be easily folded up
when desired. Lastly, it is preferred that the material be
inexpensive so that it is disposable.
[0064] Additionally, the material for container is also
contemplated to be capable of having indicia printed thereon. The
indicia may included advertising materials or trademarks, etc.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment 300 of
container 100 is shown with a drawstring closure 304 that
considerably reduces the rate of heat loss from a packaged pizza,
Chinese takeout, or the like, stored therein by (reducing the size
of the opening from which the heat energy of the packaged food can
escape to a lower-temperature outside environment) mechanisms
previously described (radiating heat and blocking convection
currents).
[0066] FIG. 10 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a food
container shown generally at 400 for considerably reducing the heat
energy absorbed by a cold food stored therein by reducing the
amount of heat energy from a higher-temperature outside environment
from reaching the cold food stored within bag 400 (i.e., cold soda
can). One embodiment of bag 400 is bag 300 turned inside out,
wherein the reflective layer is facing the higher-temperature
outside environment providing a radiant barrier for the
higher-temperature heat energy and thereby reducing the emissivity
of bag 400 to emit the heat energy to the cold food stored therein.
In quantitative tests with bag 400, two cold soda beverage cans
were taken from a refrigerator at 45.degree. Fahrenheit. One soda
can was placed in bag 400 and closed via drawstring 404, the other
soda can was left alone in the same room at room temperature. After
45 minutes elapsed, the bagged soda can was at a 48.degree.
Fahrenheit and the unbagged soda can was at a temperature of
51.6.degree. Fahrenheit. It will be appreciated that in a warmer
outside climate, the differential is significantly larger.
[0067] Current "pizza bags", (e.g., delivery bags) are primarily
insulators and by necessity, they must be thick and cumbersome. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
and by blocking convection and radiation losses the materials for
the bags or container 100 can be constructed out of much thinner,
lighter, and less costly materials which are disposable.
[0068] As a result of the present disclosure, an economical and
disposable heat maintaining food delivery container is provided.
Through its combination of components, embodiments described herein
meet both the customer's desire to receive delivered pizzas/food
which are still highly palatable, in terms of warmth and crispness,
and the pizza supplier's desire to minimize packaging costs. On the
basis of the foregoing it will be seen that this disclosure has
been described which will allow pizza to be delivered to consumers
in a low cost format, while providing for the preservation of the
quality of the product up to the time of delivery. Likewise, an
economical and disposable bag is provided for keeping food cold
longer.
[0069] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *