U.S. patent application number 11/084677 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for food product container.
This patent application is currently assigned to PIZZA HUT, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert P. Dennen, Dan C. Dickerson, Ronald R. Jones, Homero Ortegon, Stephen D. Tullis, Jeffrey W. Yandian.
Application Number | 20060208046 11/084677 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37009273 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060208046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dennen; Robert P. ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Food product container
Abstract
A pizza box comprises a container having an assembled state as a
box and an unassembled state as a flat sheet, wherein in the
assembled state a top portion and a bottom portion of the box
define a generally polygon shaped enclosure including at least one
diagonal side. The pizza box also comprises means for generating a
visual perception of higher volume of contents within the pizza box
via increasing a horizontal surface area of the box external to the
generally polygon shaped enclosure that contains a pizza pie.
Variations of the pizza box comprise flap structures and
reciprocating slots for securely fastening the top portion relative
to the bottom portion as well as structures for maintaining
continuous display of printed matter whether the box is open or
closed via pivotal movement of the top portion relative to the
bottom portion.
Inventors: |
Dennen; Robert P.; (Plano,
TX) ; Yandian; Jeffrey W.; (Marietta, OK) ;
Dickerson; Dan C.; (Lawson, MO) ; Jones; Ronald
R.; (Jacksonville, FL) ; Ortegon; Homero;
(Carrollton, TX) ; Tullis; Stephen D.; (Dayton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKE, BILLIG & CZAJA, P.L.L.C.
FIFTH STREET TOWERS
100 SOUTH FIFTH STREET, SUITE 2250
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
PIZZA HUT, INC.
|
Family ID: |
37009273 |
Appl. No.: |
11/084677 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/109 ;
229/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/2033 20130101;
B65D 5/001 20130101; B65D 5/6658 20130101; B65D 5/22 20130101; B65D
2585/366 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/109 ;
229/906 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/00 20060101
B65D005/00 |
Claims
1. A food product container comprising: a bottom portion including:
a bottom panel; and a generally polygon-shaped vertical support
wall extending generally perpendicular to the bottom panel, the
vertical support wall including at least four diagonal members, a
first side portion and a second side portion disposed at opposite
side edges of the bottom panel relative to each other, and a front
portion and a rear portion with the front portion and the rear
portion disposed at opposite side edges of the bottom panel
relative to each other, the at least four diagonal members
including a first diagonal member interposed between the rear
portion and the first side portion, a second diagonal member
interposed between the first side portion and the front portion, a
third diagonal member interposed between the front portion and the
second side portion, and a fourth diagonal member interposed
between the second side portion and the rear portion; and four
ledges with each ledge extending generally outward from, and
generally perpendicular to, each of the four diagonal members of
the vertical support wall; a top portion including a generally
polygon shaped top panel with the top panel hingedly connected to
the bottom portion via the rear portion of the vertical support
wall, wherein the top panel is sized and shaped to generally
correspond to the size and shape of bottom panel to enable the top
portion to form an enclosure with the bottom portion upon contact
of the top portion with the vertical support wall of the bottom
portion. with the bottom portion upon contact of the top portion
with the vertical support wall of the bottom portion.
2. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the top portion
includes: a pair of rear flaps with each rear flap extending from a
rear diagonal edge of the top portion, wherein when the top portion
of the food product container is in a closed position relative to
the bottom portion, each rear flap is folded over a respective
diagonal member of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion
to extend against an exterior surface of the respective rear
diagonal member and to be removably secured relative to the bottom
panel to maintain the rear flaps in the folded-over position.
3. The food product container of claim 2 wherein the top portion
comprises: a pair of side flaps with each side flap extending from
a respective side edge of the top panel and each side flap of the
top portion configured to be slidably positioned against an
interior surface of each side portion of the vertical support wall
when the top portion is in a closed position relative to the bottom
portion; and a front flap extending from a front edge of the top
panel with the front flap being sized and shaped for slidable
insertion into a slot in the front portion of the vertical support
wall.
4. The food product container of claim 2 wherein the bottom panel
comprises: a pair of slots with each slot adapted for receiving one
flap of the pair of rear flaps of top portion, each slot being
sized, shaped, and positioned generally parallel to a respective
diagonal member of the vertical support wall.
5. The food product container of claim 1 wherein each ledge is
sized, shaped and positioned relative to the size and shape of the
top portion to be visible when the top portion is closed over the
bottom portion and when the top portion is opened relative to the
bottom portion of the food product container.
6. The food product container of claim 5 wherein at least one of
the ledges comprises printed matter including at least one of a
symbol, a text, a pattern, a numeral, and a color.
7. The food product container of claim 5 wherein each ledge is
generally triangular shaped.
8. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the front portion
of the vertical support wall comprises a pair of front arcuate
supports extending laterally from the front portion as a bridge to
a front edge of the bottom panel.
9. The food product container of claim 8 wherein the rear portion
of the vertical support wall comprises a pair of rear arcuate
supports extending laterally from the rear portion as a bridge to a
rear edge of the bottom panel.
10. The food product container of claim 9 wherein the arcuate
supports of the front portion and of the rear portion are concave
shaped.
11. The food product container of claim 8 wherein the front portion
comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion wherein
each arcuate support extends from opposite side edges of the outer
wall portion.
12. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the top portion
is sized and shaped so that when the top panel is laid over bottom
portion, a front flap of the top portion is insertable into a slot
of the front portion of the vertical support wall, side flaps of
top portion are insertable along an interior surface of the side
walls, and rear flaps of top portion are foldable over and extend
along an exterior surface of the respective rear diagonal members
to be removably secured relative to bottom portion via a slot in
the bottom panel adjacent vertical wall portion.
13. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the generally
polygon shaped vertical support wall and the generally polygon
shaped top panel each comprise a generally octagon shape with eight
sides.
14. A pizza box comprising: a generally polygon shaped bottom
portion defining a vertical support wall and a generally polygon
shaped top portion that is pivotally connected relative to the
bottom portion at a rear portion of the box for enclosing the pizza
box by covering the bottom portion via contact of the top portion
with the vertical support wall; and means for maintaining generally
unimpeded visibility of printed matter on at least one horizontal
surface of the box independent of whether the top portion is closed
or open relative to the bottom portion, wherein the at least one
horizontal surface is external to the generally polygon shape of
the bottom portion.
15. The pizza box of claim 14 wherein the means for maintaining
comprises: four generally horizontal ledges with each ledge
extending generally outward from, and generally perpendicular to,
each respective diagonal member of the bottom portion of the
box.
16. The pizza box of claim 14 wherein each ledge has a generally
triangular shape.
17. The pizza box of claim 14 wherein the generally polygon shaped
bottom portion and the generally polygon shaped top portion each
comprise a generally octagon shape.
18. A food product container comprising: a generally polygon shaped
bottom portion defining a vertical support wall and a generally
polygon shaped top portion that is pivotally connected relative to
the bottom portion at a rear portion of the box for enclosing an
interior of the food product container by covering the bottom
portion via contact of the top portion with the vertical support
wall; and a pair of exterior flaps extending from the top portion
and spaced laterally from each other, with each external flap
configured for folding over the vertical support wall at each rear
diagonal member of each rear corner portion of the vertical support
wall of the bottom portion, the external flaps including at least
one tab for slidable insertion into a slot of the bottom portion to
secure the top portion of the box relative to the bottom
portion.
19. The food product container of claim 18 wherein each external
flap extends outside of an exterior surface of the diagonal member
of vertical support wall when the top portion is closed over the
bottom portion, the top portion further comprising at least one
interior flap that extends inside relative to an interior surface
of the vertical support wall when the top portion is the closed
position.
20. The food product container of claim 19 wherein the at least one
interior flap comprises: a pair of side flaps extending from the
top portion with each side flap positioned for insertion adjacent
an interior surface of a side portion of the vertical support wall
of the bottom portion; and at least one front flap extending from
the top portion and configured for slidable insertion into a front
portion of the vertical support wall, with the front portion being
disposed on an opposite side of the bottom portion relative to the
rear portion of the food product container.
21. The food product container of claim 20 wherein the bottom
portion comprises a pair of ledges with each ledge extending
outwardly and generally perpendicular to the vertical support wall
adjacent the location of each exterior flap at the rear diagonal
members of the rear corner portions of the bottom portion.
22. The food product container of claim 18 wherein the generally
polygon shaped bottom portion and the generally polygon shaped top
portion comprise a generally octagon shape.
23. A pizza box comprising: a container having an assembled state
as a box and an unassembled state as a flat sheet, wherein in the
assembled state a top portion and a bottom portion of the box
define a generally octagonal shaped enclosure, the enclosure
defining eight sides including four diagonal sides and configured
to contain a pizza pie; and means for generating a visual
perception of increased surface area of pizza pie within the
generally octagon shaped enclosure via provision of increased
horizontal surface area of the box external to the generally
octagon shape enclosure.
24. The pizza box of claim 23 wherein the means for generating
comprises: four ledges with each ledge extending generally
horizontally outward from the diagonal sides of the box, wherein
each ledge is sized, shaped, and positioned relative to both the
top portion and the bottom portion to enable the substantially
entire surface area of each ledge to remain visible whether the box
is open or closed via pivotal movement of the top portion relative
to the bottom portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Many national, regional, and local pizza companies compete
with each other, hoping to distinguish themselves from competitors
based on taste, value, quality, delivery, etc. One aspect of retail
pizza business concerns delivery or take-out pizza in which a pizza
pie is prepared and baked, and then boxed for transport to a home
or business. The box ideally keeps the pizza pie warm, protects the
pizza pie from being damaged in transport, and securely maintains
the pizza pie within the box.
[0002] One type of pizza box is an octagon-shaped box. The
octagon-shaped box helps to prevent sliding of the pizza pie within
the box because the general octagon shape more closely mimics the
circular shape of the pizza pie than a square or rectangular shaped
box. Numerous conventional boxes come in an unassembled
configuration as a flat sheet of cardboard having multiple foldable
panels for erecting the sheet into a box. This feature allows the
box to be stored in its flat, unassembled configuration to save
space, and then folded into an in-use position just prior to
containing a pizza pie.
[0003] With huge consumer demand, pizza pie retailers continue
efforts to distinguish themselves from competitors through the
product, e.g. pizza pies, and as well as through improved
packaging, e.g. boxes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Embodiments of the invention are directed to a food product
container. In one embodiment, the food product container includes
an assembled state as a box and an unassembled state as a flat
sheet. In the assembled state a top portion and a bottom portion of
the box define a generally polygon shaped enclosure including at
least one diagonal side. The food product container also comprises
means for generating a perception of increased horizontal surface
area of the food product container. Other embodiments comprise flap
structures and reciprocating slots for securely fastening the top
portion relative to the bottom portion as well as embodiments for
maintaining continuous display of printed matter whether the food
product container is open or closed via pivotal movement of the top
portion relative to the bottom portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect
to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like
elements, and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food product container,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a top portion of a food product
container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bottom portion of a food product
container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a front portion of a food product
container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rear portion of a food product
container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a first side portion of a food
product container, according to an embodiment of the invention,
with a plan view of a second side portion being a mirror image of
the plan view of the first side portion.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically illustrating closing of
a lid of a food product container, according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a food product container with its
lid laid open, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 is plan view of an exterior surface of a food product
container in an unassembled state as a flat sheet, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 10 is plan view of an interior surface of a food
product container in an unassembled state as a flat sheet,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional
terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "leading,"
"trailing," "horizontal," "vertical," "rear," etc., is used with
reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described.
Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be
positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional
terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way
limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims.
[0017] Embodiments of the invention are directed to a food product
container. In one embodiment, the food product container is a box
for a pizza pie. In an assembled state, the food product container
comprises a generally polygon shape including diagonal corner
portions. In one embodiment, the food product container comprises a
generally octagon shape but is not limited to that shape as in
other embodiments, the food product container comprises a generally
hexagon shape, a generally decagon shape, or another generally
polygon shape. The food product container comprises a bottom
portion and a top portion (i.e., a lid) hingedly connected to the
bottom portion to enable closure and opening of the lid relative to
the bottom portion. In an assembled state of the food product
container, the bottom portion includes a bottom panel and a
vertical support wall extending generally perpendicular to and
vertically upward relative to the bottom panel. The vertical
support wall defines the generally polygon shape of the bottom
portion.
[0018] In one embodiment, the bottom portion comprises diagonal
members at four sides of a generally octagon shape (i.e., diagonal
corner portions) with ledge portions extending generally
horizontally from each diagonal corner portion. In one embodiment,
the ledge portions bear printed matter such as a logo, a text, a
symbol, a numeral, or a color. The ledge portions are sized, shaped
and positioned relative to the diagonal corner portions, and
relative to the lid, so that the printed matter on the ledge
portions is visible at all times. In other words, the printed
matter is visible on the ledge portions when the lid of the food
product container is closed and/or when the lid of the food product
container is opened (laid completely outward away from a bottom
portion of the food product container as later shown in FIG. 8). In
addition, even the ledge portions do not include printed matter,
the ledge portions help prevent tipping of the box when jostled and
provide the food product container with the appearance of
containing a larger sized food item, such as a pizza pie, than
would otherwise be perceived without the ledge portions. This
perception is created in part by the increased horizontal surface
area of the food product container external to the generally
octagon shaped enclosure of the food product container, which is
provided by ledge portions extending outward from all four diagonal
members of the food product container.
[0019] In one embodiment, the vertical support wall of the bottom
portion of the food product container includes, among other things,
a front portion that extends from, and is foldable relative to a
bottom panel of the box. This front portion acts as a front wall of
the bottom portion of the food product container, wherein the front
wall comprises a pair of arcuate supports acting as a bridge from
the front wall to a front edge of the bottom panel. In this
embodiment, the arcuate supports of the front portion of the
vertical support wall (i.e., the front wall) enable a robust,
stronger connection to the bottom panel so that when the front
portion of the vertical support wall is folded upward in its
erected position relative to the bottom panel, the front wall
better resists crushing or sagging from vertical forces (e.g.,
stacks of boxes) exerted on the front portion.
[0020] In another embodiment, the vertical support wall of the
bottom portion of the food product container comprises a rear
portion disposed on an opposite side of the bottom portion than the
front portion. The rear portion of the food product container
(i.e., a rear wall) comprises a pair of arcuate supports acting as
a bridge extending from the rear wall to a rear edge of the bottom
panel. These arcuate supports have substantially the same features
and attributes as the arcuate supports of the front wall, except
for their different location at the rear portion of the vertical
support wall.
[0021] In one embodiment, the lid of the food product container
includes a pair of rear flaps sized, shaped, and positioned on the
lid so that when the lid is closed over the top of the bottom
portion, the rear flaps of the lid fold over the rear diagonal
members of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion. Tabs of
the rear flaps are removably secured within a slot formed in the
bottom panel adjacent the diagonal corner portions of the food
product container. In its secured position, the flap extends
outside an exterior surface of the diagonal member of the vertical
support wall portion of the bottom portion of the food product
container. These rear flaps enable secure fastening of the lid
relative to the bottom portion and add to the structural strength
of the generally octagon configuration of the food product
container. In addition, when inserted into slots of the bottom
portion, the rear flaps (or exterior flaps) extend generally
vertically so that rear flaps do not obstruct the visibility of
ledge portions (previously described above), thereby maintaining
substantially the entire horizontal surface area of the ledge
portions external to the vertically extending rear flap.
[0022] In one embodiment, a pair of side flaps of the lid are each
positionable on the inside of the bottom portion adjacent an
interior surface of each side wall of the bottom portion. In
another embodiment, a front flap of the lid is slidably insertable
relative to a front portion of the vertical support wall of the
bottom portion of the food product container. Accordingly, the lid
of the food product container includes flaps (e.g., side flaps and
a front flap) that are insertably secured inside the bottom portion
adjacent an interior surface of the vertical support wall of the
bottom portion (e.g., the side wall and/or the front wall). This
arrangement is in contrast to a pair of rear flap(s) of the lid
that are foldable over, and external to the exterior surface of the
diagonal members of the vertical support wall of the bottom
portion.
[0023] In one embodiment, the above-described features are embodied
via a box layout or blank box material which is foldable from a
flat sheet in its unassembled state into an assembled state.
[0024] These embodiments and other embodiments of the invention are
described and illustrated in greater detail in association with
FIGS. 1-10. FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a food product container in an
assembled state, while FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a food product
container in an unassembled state as a generally flat sheet prior
to assembly.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food product container 10,
according to an embodiment of the invention. Food product container
10 is shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled state to illustrate some of
the features of container 10 while other Figures illustrate
additional features of container 10.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, food product
container 10 comprises a top portion 11 (i.e., a lid) and a bottom
portion 12, and is illustrated in its assembled state. The bottom
portion 12 comprises a bottom panel 15 (also shown in FIGS. 3,
8-10) and vertical support wall 17 that is arranged in a generally
octagon shape while top portion 11 includes top panel 13 defining a
generally octagon shape. In one embodiment, top panel 13 has a size
and shape that generally corresponds to the generally octagonal
shaped defined by vertical support wall 17. In one embodiment,
vertical support wall 17 extends generally perpendicular to bottom
panel 15 and includes side portions 14 and 16 (i.e., side walls),
rear portion 18 (i.e., rear wall), front portion 20 (i.e., front
wall), and diagonal members 52, which together define the generally
octagon shape of vertical support wall 17 of bottom portion 12.
[0027] Food product container 10 also comprises diagonal corner
portions 30, 32, 34, and 36. In its assembled state, each corner
portion 30-36 of food product container 10 comprises diagonal
member 52 of vertical support wall 17 and a ledge 50, which extends
generally outwardly from and generally perpendicular to diagonal
member 52 of vertical support wall 17.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, top panel 13 of lid 11 of food product
container 10 comprises diagonal edges 60, side edges 62, rear edge
64 (with tab 66), and front edge 70 (with tabs 72), which together
define a generally octagon shape. The generally octagon shape of
top panel 13 of lid 11 generally corresponds to the generally
octagon shape of vertical support wall 17 of bottom portion 12. In
one embodiment, front diagonal edges 60 of top panel 13 (e.g.,
diagonal edges 60 that are adjacent front portion 20 of bottom
portion 12) extend generally outward beyond the diagonal members 52
of diagonal corner portions 30 and 32. In contrast, rear diagonal
edges 60 of top panel 13 (e.g., diagonal edges 60 that are adjacent
a rear portion of bottom portion 12) do not extend generally
outward beyond the diagonal members 52 of diagonal corner portions
34 and 36.
[0029] In addition, in one embodiment, front portion 20 of vertical
support wall 17 of bottom portion 12 comprises tabs 80, arcuate
supports 82, and slot 90, which are described in greater detail in
association with FIGS. 8-10.
[0030] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, food product container 10
in its assembled state has a generally octagon shape with ledges 50
protruding from diagonal corner portions 30-36 of the generally
octagon shaped food product container 10. Additional features of
food product container 10 are described in association with FIGS.
2-10.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of food product container 10
according to an embodiment of the invention and primarily
illustrating the lid 11 and ledges 50 of food product container 10.
This top plan view also corresponds to a view commonly seen by a
consumer prior to opening food product container 10 when opening
the container to consume its contents. As shown in FIG. 2, lid 11
comprises display 100 for identifying the contents of the container
or other information such as the name of the retailer or other
advertising information. In one embodiment, ledges 50 of one or
more diagonal corner portions 30-36 comprise printed matter 110.
Printed matter 110 comprises a logo, a symbol, a text, a numeral, a
color, or any combination of these features. In one example,
printed matter 110 comprises the name/logo of the retailer or
product, or other advertising information. In one embodiment,
printed matter 110 is generally the same on each ledge 50 while in
other embodiments, printed matter 100 on the ledges 50 differ from
each other. Accordingly, ledges 50 provide a means for maintaining
generally unimpeded visibility of printed matter 110 on at least
one horizontal surface (e.g., a ledge 50) of the food product
container 10 independent of whether the top portion 11 is closed or
open relative to the bottom portion 12.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, in an assembled state of food product
container 10, ledges 50 are sized, shaped, and positioned to extend
outwardly from diagonal edges 60 of lid 11 to be visible when lid
11 of food product container 10 is closed. In one embodiment,
ledges 50 have a generally triangular shape. In addition, because
the visibility of ledges 50 of diagonal corner portions 30-36 are
not hidden or obscured by the closure of lid 11 over bottom portion
12 of food product container 10, ledges 50 create the appearance of
food product container 10 having a larger volume interior to
vertical support wall 17 than an octagonal box that has the same
size and shape as a food product container 10 that omits ledges 50.
This feature enables food product container to cause a customer to
perceive that pizza pies within food product container 10 are
larger than pizza pies within a rectangular shaped box having the
same size pizza pie that fits within food product container 10.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bottom portion of food product
container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown
in FIG. 3, bottom portion 12 comprises bottom panel 15 having front
edge 120, side edges 122, rear edge 123, and diagonal edges 124 (at
each diagonal corner portion 30-36). Diagonal edges 124 have a
location, size, and shape that generally correspond to an outer
edge 53 of ledges 50, whereas dashed line(s) 129 generally
corresponds to a size, shape, and location of diagonal members 52
of vertical support wall 17. Front edge 120 of bottom panel 15 also
comprises slots 121, which are defined in combination with front
portion 20 of vertical support wall 17 and which are a byproduct of
folding up a panel 270 having tabs 80 (shown in FIG. 9) to form
front portion 20.
[0034] Bottom portion 12 also comprises slots 130 formed in bottom
panel 15 adjacent each diagonal edge 124. Slots 130 are sized,
shaped, and positioned for receiving a tabbed flap 154 (with tab
210) from lid 11 (shown in FIGS. 5-10) and a tabbed flap 250 (with
tab 251) from a rear diagonal corner portion 34-36 (shown in FIGS.
5 and 7). This arrangement is described in detail in association
with FIGS. 8-10. From this bottom view, food product container 10
still presents a generally octagonal shaped box.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a front portion 20 of food product
container 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, and
primarily illustrating arcuate supports 82. As shown in FIG. 4,
front portion 20 of vertical support wall 17 of food product
container 10 defines a front wall member and also includes tabs 80,
arcuate supports 82, and slot 90. In one embodiment, arcuate
supports have a generally concave shape. Arcuate supports 82 extend
from a central area of front portion 20 to act as a bridge to a
side edge 120 of the bottom panel. In this embodiment, the arcuate
supports of the front portion 20 of the vertical support wall 17
enable a robust, stronger connection to the bottom panel 15 so that
when the front portion 20 of the vertical support wall 17 is folded
upward in its erected position relative to the bottom panel 15, the
front portion 20 better resists crushing or sagging from vertical
forces (e.g., stacks of boxes) exerted on the front portion 20.
Front portion 20, including arcuate supports 82 is further
illustrated and described later in association with FIGS. 8-10.
While not shown in FIG. 4, lateral flaps 252 of diagonal corner
portions 30 and 32 extend behind arcuate portions 82 of front
portion 20 to further bolster front portion 20, as further
described and illustrated in association with FIGS. 8-10.
[0036] FIG. 4 also further illustrates ledges 50 of diagonal corner
portions 30 and 32, which comprise front edge 140 and outer edge
142 (also designated as outer edge 53 in other Figures). Lid 11
comprises diagonal edges 60 and tabs 72, while tabs 80 of front
portion 20 extend slightly downwardly from a bottom edge of front
wall 20, and also are shown later in greater detail in association
with FIGS. 8-10.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rear portion 150 (i.e., rear
wall) of food product food product container 10, according to an
embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, food product
container 10 comprises rear wall 150 including arcuate supports 151
and slot 152, as well as tabbed flaps 154 of corner portions 34 and
36. Arcuate supports 151 of rear wall 150 have substantially the
same features and attributes as arcuate supports 82 of front wall
20, except having a different location at a rear portion of food
product container 10. In addition, tabbed flaps 154 are positioned
on an exterior side of rear diagonal corners 32, 36 for removably
securing with slot 130 (FIGS. 8-10). Finally, portions 252
correspond to lateral flaps 252 that are positioned behind arcuate
supports 151, as further described and illustrate in association
with FIGS. 8-10. Arcuate supports 151 combine with lateral flaps
252 to form a robust vertical support wall of food product
container 10.
[0038] FIG. 6 is plan view of a side portion of food product
container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown
in FIG. 6, food product container 10 comprises side wall 14
interposed between corner portions 34 and 30. Rear diagonal corner
portion 34 comprises tabbed flap 154 of lid 11 that extends over
and alongside a vertically disposed diagonal member 52 of rear
diagonal corner portion 34 while diagonal corner portion 30 also
includes a diagonal member 52.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a side portion of food product
container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention,
schematically illustrating lid 11 in a partially open position as
it is being closed relative to the bottom portion 12. As shown in
FIG. 7, lid 11 comprises side flap 160, which is inserted along an
interior portion of side wall 14 and front flap 162, which is
inserted within slot 90 of front wall 20 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 8).
Tabbed flap 154 of lid 11 extends alongside and on an exterior of
diagonal member 52 of rear diagonal corner portion 34, as
previously described in association with FIGS. 5-7. The combination
of exterior-placed rear flaps 154 of lid 11 and interior-placed
flaps 160, 162 of lid 11 together achieve a robust mechanism for
securing lid 11 relative to the bottom portion 12 of food product
container 10.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a plan view of food product container 10,
according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating food
product container 10 in its assembled state but with lid 11 folded
completely open to expose an interior of bottom 12. As shown in
FIG. 8, lid 11 of food product container 10 includes corner edges
60, front edge 70 with tab areas 72, rear tab 66 along rear edge
64, rear flaps 154 with tab 210, and side flaps 160. In addition,
lid 11 comprises front flap 162 with fold line 163. Rear corner
flaps 154 comprise fold line 204, which corresponds to corner edges
60 of lid 11 when viewed in FIGS. 1-2. Lid 11 also comprises fold
line 220, which corresponds to rear edge 64 when lid 11 is viewed
in FIGS. 1-2. Side flaps 160 comprise fold line 202, which
corresponds to side edges 62 of lid 11 when viewed in FIGS.
1-2.
[0041] As further shown in FIG. 8, ledges 50 are sized, shaped, and
located relative to vertical support wall 17 so that ledges 50
and/or printed matter 110 on ledges remain visible when lid 11 is
laid open, enabling a consumer to view printed matter 110 and/or
ledges 50 even while they are accessing the contents of food
product container 10. FIG. 8 also further illustrates the
components of previously described vertical support wall 17, which
is generally perpendicular to bottom panel 15 and which includes
front portion 20, rear portion 150, side portions 14 and 16, and
diagonal members 52 of each corner portion 30-36. Front portion 20
includes slot 90, which is sized, shaped, and positioned for
receiving flap 162 of lid 11, as previously shown in association
with FIG. 7. Printed matter 110 is not limited to the shape, color,
pattern etc. shown in FIG. 8. Diagonal member 52 of vertical
support wall 17 at each corner portion 34 and 36 extends over and
is secured relative to slot 130 of bottom panel 15 to maintain
visibility of substantially the entire horizontal surface area of
ledges 50 and/or any printed matter 110 thereon. In addition, in
one embodiment, lateral flap 252 extends from diagonal member 52 to
be generally parallel to fold line 222, thereby partially forming a
rear portion of vertical support wall 17 in combination with rear
portion 150 (when folded upward at fold line 222) of food product
container 10. These arrangements are further described and
illustrated in association with FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exterior surface of food product
container 10 in its unassembled state as a flat sheet prior to
assembly and having multiple foldable panels and portions arranged
to enable erecting the flat sheet into an assembled state
(previously illustrated and described in FIGS. 1-8). As shown in
FIG. 9, food product container 10 comprises lid 11 with top panel
13, side edges 62 and corner edges 60, along with corner flaps 154,
side flaps 160, and front flap 162 as previously described and
illustrate in association with FIGS. 1-8.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 9, side portion 14 and side portion 16 are
laid flat relative to bottom panel 15. Diagonal corner portions
30-36 each comprise corner wall 250 (which forms diagonal member
52), lateral flap 252, and ledge panel 254 with side members 256
interposed between respective diagonal corner portions 32 and 36
and between respective diagonal corner portions 30 and 34. As also
shown in FIG. 9, front portion 20 of bottom portion 12 of food
product container 10 comprises first portion 270 and second portion
272.
[0044] Manipulation of components of diagonal corner portions 30-36
and of front portion 20 to assemble food product container 10 is
described further in association with FIG. 10. Finally, while
certain aspects of manipulation of components of food product
container 10 are described throughout this description, those
skilled in the art will find ready use of FIGS. 1-10 for assembling
food product container 10 based on their familiarity with general
techniques for manipulating panels of a flat sheet along fold lines
to erect a box, such as in Zion et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,534,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0045] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an interior surface of food
product container 10, which is effectively a mirror image of
exterior side of box shown in FIG. 9, and has substantially the
same attributes and features as FIG. 9. FIG. 10 further illustrates
action at various fold lines for erecting food product container 10
from its unassembled state as a flat sheet to an assembled state
shown in FIGS. 1-8. All of the directional arrows in FIG. 10
indicate folding of one panel or member relative to an adjacent
panel or member.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 10, to raise front portion 20 into its
vertical assembled position, first portion 270 is folded upward to
be generally perpendicular to bottom panel 15 and second portion
272 is folded downward relative to first portion 270 until tabs 273
(labeled in FIG. 9) are inserted into slots 121 (see FIG. 3) formed
by rotation of tabs 80 away from bottom panel 15. When finished,
first portion 270 and second portion 272 are in contact with each
other in a generally parallel relationship, held in place via tabs
273 in slots 121, thereby maintaining a vertically fixed front wall
20. As previously described and illustrated, arcuate supports 82
further bolster front portion 20 to maintain its generally vertical
position relative to bottom panel 15. Moreover, in one embodiment,
arcuate supports 82 of front portion 20 extend alongside or in
front of lateral flaps 252 of diagonal corner portions 30 and 32,
when vertical support wall 17 is in its erected position. This
arrangement is substantially the same as the relationship between
lateral flaps 252 of diagonal corner portions 34 and 36 relative to
arcuate supports 151 of rear portion 150, as previously described
and illustrated in association with FIGS. 8-9.
[0047] As also shown in FIG. 10, to form each diagonal member 52
and ledge 50, ledge panel 254 is folded at fold line 255 to extend
onto bottom panel 15 so that tab 251 is slidably inserted into slot
130 with ledge panel 254 being generally parallel to and on top of
bottom panel 15. In addition, about the same time, panel 250 is
folded to be generally perpendicular to ledge panel 254, thereby
resulting in panel 250 extending generally perpendicular to both
ledge panel 254 and bottom panel 15. In this position, panel member
250 defines vertically disposed diagonal member 52 that has been
previously described and illustrated in association with FIGS. 1-9.
Finally, with diagonal member 52 in its erected position, lateral
flap 252 is rotated slightly inward to the position shown in FIG. 8
to be over and generally parallel to fold line 222, thereby causing
lateral flap 252 to be positioned behind rear portion 150, and
particularly behind arcuate supports 151 (when rear portion 150 is
raised vertically upward to partially define vertical support wall
17).
[0048] Finally, recall that in addition to receiving tab 251 of
panel 250, slot 130 of bottom panel 15 at diagonal corner portions
34 and 36 also slidably receives tab 210 of rear flaps 154 of lid
11 when lid 11 is closed over and fastened relative to bottom
portion 12. Accordingly, slot 130 acts to both anchor diagonal
member 52 at each diagonal corner portion 30-36 and enable securing
lid 11 in a closed position via rear flaps 154.
[0049] In one embodiment, FIGS. 1-6 depict ornamental features of a
food product container, and illustrate perspective, top, bottom,
front, rear, and identical side views, respectively of the food
product container.
[0050] Embodiments of the invention are directed to a food product
container, such as a pizza box. The food product container includes
a lid structure made securely closable by rear flaps that fold over
a rear diagonal member of the bottom portion of the container. The
food product container also includes an arcuate support mechanism
adapted to strengthen vertical support of a front portion and/or a
rear portion of the bottom portion of the container. In addition,
the food product container is further strengthened by ledges that
extend outward horizontally from diagonal members of a vertical
support wall of the bottom portion. The ledges cause the contents
(e.g., a pizza pie) and/or box to appear even larger than the
actual volume of the contents and/or box. Finally, the ledges
enable printed matter, such as a logo, to remain visible to the
consumer at all times, whether the lid of the box is open or
closed. Together, these features provide a much stronger food
product container, that closes more securely, that enhances
consumer perception of value (based on perceived volume), and that
enables better display of information throughout different stages
of use of the container.
[0051] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent
implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown and described without departing from the scope of the present
invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or
variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore,
it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims
and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *