U.S. patent application number 13/071135 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-29 for blank for a box, a box folded from the blank and a box convertible into a serving tray.
Invention is credited to Ashleigh Elizabeth Lombardi, Marco Giuseppe LOMBARDI.
Application Number | 20110233264 13/071135 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44655195 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110233264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LOMBARDI; Marco Giuseppe ;
et al. |
September 29, 2011 |
BLANK FOR A BOX, A BOX FOLDED FROM THE BLANK AND A BOX CONVERTIBLE
INTO A SERVING TRAY
Abstract
This invention relates to a foldable blank 10 and a box 12
folded from the blank 10. The box 12 defines a cavity 14 for
receiving two pizzas 16 and 18, one stacked on top of the other.
The box 12 comprises a base portion 20 on which a first pizza 16 is
receivable, a stacking portion 22 hingedly coupled to the base
portion 20 and locatable within the cavity 14 for receiving a
second pizza 18, and a lid portion 24 also hingedly coupled to the
base portion 20 for opening and closing the cavity 14. The
arrangement is such that the lid portion 24 and stacking portion 22
are removable from the base portion 20 so that the base portion 20
is adapted to provide a first serving tray 26 for serving the first
pizza 16 and the stacking portion 22 provides a second serving tray
28 for serving the second pizza 18.
Inventors: |
LOMBARDI; Marco Giuseppe;
(Johannesburg, ZA) ; Lombardi; Ashleigh Elizabeth;
(Johannesburg, ZA) |
Family ID: |
44655195 |
Appl. No.: |
13/071135 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/103 ;
220/503; 229/120.24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/366 20130101;
B65D 5/20 20130101; B65D 5/48018 20130101; B65D 5/5455 20130101;
B65D 5/6664 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/103 ;
229/120.24; 220/503 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/54 20060101
B65D005/54; B65D 5/488 20060101 B65D005/488; B65D 5/66 20060101
B65D005/66 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 24, 2010 |
ZA |
2010/02067 |
Claims
1. A single-piece blank foldable into a box defining a cavity for
receiving at least two food products, the blank comprising a base
portion on which a first food product is receivable, a stacking
portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and locatable within
the cavity of the box when the box is formed for receiving a second
food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the base
portion being openable and closable to open and close the cavity
within the box when the box is formed.
2. A blank according to claim 1 wherein the arrangement is such
that the blank includes various score lines, some being fold lines
and some being tear lines, so that the lid and stacking portions
are removable from the base portion so that the base portion is
adapted to provide a first serving tray for serving the first food
product and the stacking portion provides a second serving tray for
serving the second food product.
3. A blank according to claim 2 wherein the base portion includes a
substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by
opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of
opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a
fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold
line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold
line.
4. A blank according to claim 3 wherein the base panel defines
first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair
of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation
of the first serving tray.
5. A blank according to claim 4 wherein the stacking portion
includes a stacking panel having a perimeter defined by opposing
side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls
extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front
wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall
extending from the rear edge at a fold line.
6. A blank according to claim 5 wherein the stacking portion is
hingedly and removably connected to the base portion at a first
tear line defined between the front wall of the stacking portion
and the front wall of the base portion, so that the stacking
portion is foldable into and out of the cavity and removable from
the base portion.
7. A blank according to claim 6 wherein a hold tab is coupled to
the front wall of the base portion and removably coupled to the
stacking portion via the first tear line, so that when the stacking
portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab remains
coupled to the front wall of the base portion.
8. A blank according to claim 7 wherein the hold tab includes a
first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs
adapted to be received by the first receiving formation.
9. A blank according to claim 8 wherein the lid portion includes a
lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a
front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from
the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending
from the front edge at a fold line.
10. A blank according to claim 9 wherein the rear edge of the lid
portion is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of
the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is
foldable to open and close the cavity.
11. A blank according to claim 10 wherein the lid portion defines a
second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where
the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major
part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear
wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so
that the first serving tray is formed by folding the base
portion.
12. A blank according to claim 11 wherein the extended rear wall
portion includes a second connecting formation in the form of a
second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation
in the base panel.
13. A box defining a cavity for receiving at least two food
products, the box comprising a base portion on which a first food
product is receivable, a stacking portion hingedly coupled to the
base portion and located within the cavity for receiving a second
food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the base
portion being openable and closable to open and close the
cavity.
14. A box according to claim 13 wherein the arrangement is such
that the box includes various score lines, some being fold lines
and some being tear lines, so that the lid and stacking portions
are removable from the base portion so that the base portion is
adapted to provide a first serving tray for serving the first food
product and the stacking portion provides a second serving tray for
serving the second food product.
15. A box according to claim 14 wherein the base portion includes a
substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by
opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of
opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a
fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold
line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold
line.
16. A box according to claim 15 wherein the base panel defines
first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair
of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation
of the first serving tray.
17. A box according to claim 16 wherein the stacking portion
includes a stacking panel having a perimeter defined by opposing
side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls
extending from the respective side edges at a fold line, a front
wall extending from the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall
extending from the rear edge at a fold line.
18. A box according to claim 17 wherein the stacking portion is
hingedly and removably connected to the base portion at a first
tear line defined between the front wall of the stacking portion
and the front wall of the base portion, so that the stacking
portion is foldable into and out of the cavity and removable from
the base portion.
19. A box according to claim 18 wherein a hold tab is coupled to
the front wall of the base portion and removably coupled to the
stacking portion via the first tear line, so that when the stacking
portion is removed from the base portion, the hold tab remains
coupled to the front wall of the base portion.
20. A box according to claim 19 wherein the hold tab includes a
first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs
adapted to be received by the first receiving formation.
21. A box according to claim 20 wherein the lid portion includes a
lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a
front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from
the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending
from the front edge at a fold line.
22. A box according to claim 21 wherein the rear edge of the lid
portion is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of
the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is
foldable to open and close the cavity.
23. A box according to claim 22 wherein the lid portion defines a
second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where
the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major
part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear
wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so
that the first serving tray is formed by the base portion.
24. A box according to claim 23 wherein the extended rear wall
portion includes a second connecting formation in the form of a
second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation
in the base panel.
25. A box defining a cavity for receiving a food product, the box
comprising a base portion on which the food product is receivable
and a lid portion hingedly coupled to the base portion being
openable and closable to open and close the cavity, the arrangement
being such that the box includes various score lines, some being
fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid is removable
from the base portion and the base portion is adapted to be formed
into a serving tray for serving the food product.
26. A box according to claim 25 wherein the base portion includes a
substantially flat base panel having a perimeter defined by
opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and a pair of
opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a
fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold
line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold
line.
27. A box according to claim 26 wherein the base panel defines
first and second receiving formations in the form of a first pair
of slots and a second slot respectively, for facilitating formation
of the first serving tray is formed.
28. A box according to claim 27 wherein the lid portion includes a
lid panel having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a
front edge and a rear edge; and opposing side walls extending from
the respective side edges at a fold line and a front wall extending
from the front edge at a fold line.
29. A box according to claim 28 wherein the rear edge of the lid
portion is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall of
the base portion at a fold line, so that the lid portion is
foldable to open and close the cavity.
30. A box according to claim 29 wherein the lid portion defines a
second tear line spaced from and parallel to the fold line where
the lid portion is coupled to the base portion, so that a major
part of the lid portion is removable from the box, so that the rear
wall of the base portion includes an extended rear wall portion, so
that the serving tray may be formed by the base portion.
31. A box according to claim 30 wherein the extended rear wall
portion includes a second connecting formation in the form of a
second tab adapted to be received by the second receiving formation
in the base panel.
32. A stacking portion hingedly coupled to a base portion of a food
products box defining a cavity, the stacking portion being
locatable within the cavity of the box while remaining attached to
the base portion and the box thus being adapted to receive a first
food product on the base portion and a second food product on the
stacking portion.
Description
INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a blank for a box, a box folded
from the blank and a box convertible into a serving tray. More
specifically, but not exclusively, the box is useful for containing
at least two pizzas or other relatively flat food products, the
blank is a blank from which such a food products box is folded and
the serving tray formed from a box is adapted to have pizza or any
other flat food product served thereon.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] A box for containing a pizza, generally for delivery or
take-away, is very well known and generally comprises a square box
(although many other shapes are known in the art) for receiving a
pizza therein, made from cardboard, corrugated board or paper
board.
[0003] The known pizza box includes a receiving portion or base and
a covering portion or lid, which is hingedly connected to the base
and which is adapted to open and close the receiving portion in
which the pizza is located. Should the transport or delivery of two
pizzas be required, the known pizza box is usually made to
accommodate this by being relatively longer in length, so that the
two pizzas are located next to one another, in a side-by-side
configuration on the base of the pizza box.
[0004] Original pizza box designs have been patented and registered
as designs since at least 1968. There are thus numerous different
types of pizza boxes known in the art, having different features
and being adapted for different uses.
[0005] It is also known to stack pizza boxes on top of one another
by utilising a stackable pizza box support. The known pizza box
support is generally a plastic support stand which is used with a
cardboard box in which the pizza is located for delivery or in
which they are sold after they have been cooked. The support
prevents the top of the box from touching the pizza when the boxes
are stacked one on top of the other. This stacking means does not
allow the pizzas to be stacked on top of one another in a single
box and each pizza must still be located in its own box.
[0006] It is also known to insert a stacking means into a pizza
box, so that one pizza is locatable underneath the stacking means
on a base of the pizza box and another pizza is locatable on top of
the stacking means. Such a known stacking means is generally made
of a cardboard material and includes a stacking base having
elevation walls for elevating the base from the bottom of the pizza
box and is generally the same size as the pizza box so that is
snugly fits therein. A disadvantage of this stacking means is that
it is a separate portion inserted into an existing pizza box.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a blank for a box, a box folded from the blank and a box
convertible into a serving tray which are useful alternatives to
the above known pizza (or other relatively flat food product) boxes
and which at least partially overcome and alleviate the above
disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a single-piece blank foldable into a box defining a cavity
for receiving at least two food products, the blank comprising a
base portion on which a first food product is receivable, a
stacking portion hingedly coupled to the base portion and locatable
within the cavity of the box when the box is formed for receiving a
second food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the
base portion being openable and closable to open and close the
cavity within the box when the box is formed.
[0009] The food products may be pizza or any other relatively flat
food product.
[0010] The arrangement is such that the blank includes various
score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so
that the lid and stacking portions are removable from the base
portion so that the base portion may be adapted to provide a first
serving tray for serving the first food product and the stacking
portion may provide a second serving tray for serving the second
food product.
[0011] The base portion may include a substantially flat base panel
having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and
a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the
respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from
the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the
rear edge at a fold line.
[0012] The side walls may include corner reinforcing tab members
extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls.
[0013] The base panel may define first and second receiving
formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot
respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving
tray.
[0014] The stacking portion may include a stacking panel having a
perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear
edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side
edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at
a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold
line.
[0015] The stacking portion may be hingedly and removably connected
to the base portion at a first tear line defined between the front
wall of the stacking portion and the front wall of the base
portion, so that the stacking portion is foldable into and out of
the cavity and removable from the base portion.
[0016] A hold tab may be coupled to the front wall of the base
portion and removably coupled to the stacking portion via first
tear line, so that when the stacking portion is removed from the
base portion, the hold tab remains coupled to the front wall of the
base portion.
[0017] When the stacking portion is removed from the base portion,
the hold tab may include a first connecting formation in the form
of a first pair of tabs adapted to be received by the first
receiving formation.
[0018] The lid portion may include a lid panel having a perimeter
defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and
opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a
fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold
line.
[0019] The rear edge of the lid portion may be hingedly coupled to
the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line,
so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the
cavity.
[0020] The lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and
parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the
base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable
from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an
extended rear wall portion, so that the first serving tray may be
formed by the base portion.
[0021] When the lid portion is removed from the base portion, the
extended rear wall portion may include a second connecting
formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the
second receiving formation in the base panel.
[0022] The blank may include various ventilation apertures to allow
for ventilation to the pizzas located in the box.
[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a box defining a cavity for receiving at least two food
products, the box comprising a base portion on which a first food
product is receivable, a stacking portion hingedly coupled to the
base portion and located within the cavity for receiving a second
food product, and a lid portion also hingedly coupled to the base
portion being openable and closable to open and close the
cavity.
[0024] The food products may be pizza or any other relatively flat
food product.
[0025] The arrangement is such that the box includes various score
lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the
lid and stacking portions are removable from the base portion so
that the base portion may be adapted to provide a first serving
tray for serving the first food product and the stacking portion
may provide a second serving tray for serving the second food
product.
[0026] The base portion may include a substantially flat base panel
having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and
a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the
respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from
the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the
rear edge at a fold line.
[0027] The side walls may include corner reinforcing tab members
extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls.
[0028] The base panel may define first and second receiving
formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot
respectively, for facilitating formation of the first serving
tray.
[0029] The stacking portion may include a stacking panel having a
perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear
edge; and opposing side walls extending from the respective side
edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from the front edge at
a fold line and a rear wall extending from the rear edge at a fold
line.
[0030] The stacking portion may be hingedly and removably connected
to the base portion at a first tear line defined between the front
wall of the stacking portion and the front wall of the base
portion, so that the stacking portion is foldable into and out of
the cavity and removable from the base portion.
[0031] A hold tab may be coupled to the front wall of the base
portion and removably coupled to the stacking portion via the first
tear line, so that when the stacking portion is removed from the
base portion, the hold tab remains coupled to the front wall of the
base portion.
[0032] When the stacking portion is removed from the base portion,
the hold tab may include a first connecting formation in the form
of a first pair of tabs adapted to be received by the first
receiving formation.
[0033] The lid portion may include a lid panel having a perimeter
defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and
opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a
fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold
line.
[0034] The rear edge of the lid portion may be hingedly coupled to
the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line,
so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the
cavity.
[0035] The lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and
parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the
base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable
from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an
extended rear wall portion, so that the first serving tray may be
formed by the base portion.
[0036] When the lid portion is removed from the base portion, the
extended rear wall portion may include a second connecting
formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the
second receiving formation in the base panel.
[0037] The box may include various ventilation apertures to allow
for ventilation to the pizzas any other relatively flat food
product located in the box.
[0038] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a box defining a cavity for receiving a food product, the
box comprising a base portion on which the food product is
receivable and a lid portion hingedly coupled to the base portion
being openable and closable to open and close the cavity, the
arrangement being such that the box includes various score lines,
some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the lid is
removable from the base portion and the base portion is adapted to
be formed into a serving tray for serving the food product.
[0039] The food products may be pizza or any other relatively flat
food product.
[0040] The base portion may include a substantially flat base panel
having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and
a rear edge; and a pair of opposing side walls extending from the
respective side edges at a fold line, a front wall extending from
the front edge at a fold line and a rear wall extending from the
rear edge at a fold line.
[0041] The side walls may include corner reinforcing tab members
extending from opposite ends of each of the side walls.
[0042] The base panel may define first and second receiving
formations in the form of a first pair of slots and a second slot
respectively, for facilitating formation of the serving tray.
[0043] The lid portion may include a lid panel having a perimeter
defined by opposing side edges, a front edge and a rear edge; and
opposing side walls extending from the respective side edges at a
fold line and a front wall extending from the front edge at a fold
line.
[0044] The rear edge of the lid portion may be hingedly coupled to
the upper end of the rear wall of the base portion at a fold line,
so that the lid portion is foldable to open and close the
cavity.
[0045] The lid portion defines a second tear line spaced from and
parallel to the fold line where the lid portion is coupled to the
base portion, so that a major part of the lid portion is removable
from the box, so that the rear wall of the base portion includes an
extended rear wall portion, so that the serving tray may be formed
by the base portion.
[0046] When the lid portion is removed from the base portion, the
extended rear wall portion may include a second connecting
formation in the form of a second tab adapted to be received by the
second receiving formation in the base panel.
[0047] The box may include various ventilation apertures to allow
for ventilation to the pizzas or any other relatively flat food
product located in the box.
[0048] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is
provided a stacking portion hingedly coupled to a base portion of a
food products box defining a cavity, the stacking portion being
locatable within the cavity of the box while remaining attached to
the base portion and the box thus being adapted to receive a first
food product on the base portion and a second food product on the
stacking portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The invention will now be described further by way of
non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blank for a box according
to a first embodiment of the invention, which is useful for
containing at least two pizzas;
[0051] FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 with a first pizza located on a
base portion within a cavity of the box;
[0052] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partially folded pizza box
of FIG. 1;
[0053] FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3 with a second pizza located on
a stacking portion within the cavity of the box;
[0054] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a completely folded and
closed box, formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1;
[0055] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of box of FIG. 5 being open and
the stacking portion with the second pizza partially removed;
[0056] FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 6, with the stacking portion
completely removed from the box;
[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first pizza located on
the base portion of the box and the lid portion of the box being
removed;
[0058] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first and second serving
tray formed from the blank of FIG. 1;
[0059] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first serving tray on
which the first pizza is located and the second serving tray on
which the second pizza is located;
[0060] FIG. 11 is the same as FIG. 10 with corner reinforcing tab
members removed from the base portion;
[0061] FIG. 12 is a perspective view from above showing the first
pizza being served on the first serving tray;
[0062] FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 12;
[0063] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a blank for a box according
to a second embodiment of the invention, which is useful for
containing a pizza and which is convertible into a serving tray for
serving said pizza; and
[0064] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the serving tray formed
from the blank of FIG. 14.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 13, a foldable blank according to a
first embodiment of the invention is generally designated by
reference numeral 10 and a box folded from the blank 10 is
generally designated by reference numeral 12. In this example, the
box 12 is specifically a pizza box. However, it is foreseen that
the box could be suitable to contain any type of relatively flat
food product and the invention is thus not limited to a pizza box.
Referring further to FIG. 14, a foldable blank according to a
second embodiment of the invention is generally designated by
reference numeral 10A.
[0066] The blank 10 is a foldable single-piece cardboard,
corrugated board or paperboard blank from which the box 12 is
formed. Once formed, the box 12 defines a cavity 14 for receiving
at least two pizzas (a first pizza 16 and a second pizza 18), one
stacked on top of the other. The box 12 comprises a base portion 20
on which the first pizza 16 is receivable, a stacking portion 22
hingedly coupled to the base portion 20 and locatable within the
cavity 14 for receiving the second pizza 18, and a lid portion 24
also hingedly coupled to the base portion 20 being openable and
closable to open and close the cavity 14 within the box 12.
[0067] The arrangement is such that the blank 10 includes various
score lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so
that the lid portion 24 and stacking portion 22 are removable from
the base portion 20 so that the base portion 20 is adapted to
provide a first serving tray 26 for serving the first pizza 16 and
the stacking portion 22 provides a second serving tray 28 for
serving the second pizza 18, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0068] The base portion 20 includes a substantially flat base panel
30 having a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 32, a front
edge 34 and a rear edge 36. A pair of opposing side walls 38 extend
from the respective side edges 32 at a fold line 40, a front wall
42 extends from the front edge 34 at a fold line 43 and a rear wall
44 extends from the rear edge 36 at a fold line 46, so that the
cavity 14 is formed by the side walls 38, front wall 42 and rear
wall 44, when they are folded in upwardly. The side walls 38
include corner reinforcing tab members 48 extending from opposite
ends of each of the side walls 38. When the box 12 is folded, these
corner reinforcing tab members 48 are located to abut the front
wall 42 and rear wall 44 in order to provide additional strength at
the corners of the box 12. The base panel 30 defines first and
second receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots 50
and a second slot 52 respectively, for facilitating formation of
the first serving tray 26.
[0069] The stacking portion 22 includes a stacking panel 54 having
a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 56, a front edge 58 and
a rear edge 60. Opposing side walls 62 extend from the respective
side edges 56 at a fold line 64, a front wall 66 extends from the
front edge 58 at a fold line 68 and a rear wall 70 and rear wall
portion 71 extend from the rear edge 60 at a fold line 72. The
stacking portion 22 is hingedly and removably connected to the base
portion 20 at a first tear line 74 defined between the front wall
of the stacking portion 22 and the front wall of the base portion
42, so that the stacking portion 22 is foldable into and out of the
cavity 14 and removable from the base portion 20.
[0070] As shown in detail in FIG. 6, a hold tab 76 is coupled to
the front wall of the base portion 42 and removably coupled to the
stacking panel 54 via the first tear line 74, so that when the
stacking portion 22 is removed from the base portion 20 by holding
onto the rear wall portion 71, the hold tab 76 remains coupled to
the front wall of the base portion 42. When the stacking portion 22
is removed from the base portion 20, the hold tab 76 includes a
first connecting formation in the form of a first pair of tabs 78
adapted to be received by the first pair of slots 50, in order to
facilitate in the formation of the first serving tray 26.
[0071] The lid portion 24 includes a lid panel 80 having a
perimeter defined by opposing side edges 82, a front edge 84 and a
rear edge 86. Opposing side walls 88 extend from the respective
side edges 82 at a fold line 90 and a front wall 92 extends from
the front edge 84 at a fold line 94. The rear edge 86 of the lid
portion 24 is hingedly coupled to the upper end of the rear wall 44
of the base portion 20 at a fold line 96, so that the lid portion
24 is foldable to open and close the cavity 14. The lid portion 24
defines a second tear line 98 spaced from and parallel to the fold
line 96 where the lid portion 24 is coupled to the base portion 20,
so that a major part of the lid portion 24 is removable from the
box 12, so that the rear wall of the base portion 44 includes an
extended rear wall portion 100, so that the first serving tray 26
is formed by the base portion 20. When the lid portion 24 is
removed from the base portion 20, the extended rear wall portion
100 includes a second connecting formation in the form of a second
tab 102 adapted to be received by the second slot 52 in the base
panel 30.
[0072] The blank 10 (and thus the box 12) includes various
ventilation apertures 104 to allow for ventilation to the pizzas 16
and 18 located in the box 12.
[0073] In use, the box 12 can be easily folded from the
single-sheet blank 10 by folding the side, front and rear walls 38,
42 and 44 respectively of the base portion 20 in an operatively
upwardly direction to be perpendicular to the base panel 30, to
define the cavity 14. The first pizza 16 is receivable on the base
panel 30, whereafter the stacking portion 22 is folded over and
inserted into the cavity 14 so that the front wall 66 of the
stacking portion abuts the front wall 42 of the base portion and
the base panel 30 rests on the side, front and rear walls 62, 66
and 70 respectively of the stacking portion 22. The stacking panel
54 is therefore spaced from the base panel 30 and forms a surface
for receiving the second pizza 18 thereon. The lid portion 24 is
then folded to close the cavity 14 and the pizzas 16 and 18
contained therein. Similarly, the lid portion 24 is spaced from the
stacking panel 54. The box 12 is easily transportable when folded
and convenient to hold two pizzas. However, it is foreseen that by
increasing the width of the box, the box could hold 4 pizzas, so
that two pizzas are located side-by-side on the increased width
base panel and two pizzas are located side-by-side on the increased
width stacking panel.
[0074] When the lid portion 24 of the box 12 is opened and the
pizzas 16 and 18 are to be removed for consumption, the stacking
panel 54 is removed from the box, as shown in FIG. 6, by holding
the hold tab 76 and pulling the stacking portion 22 in an opposite
direction via the rear wall portion 71. The stacking portion 22 is
thus removed from the box 12 by being torn along the first tear
line 74 and forms the second serving tray 28 on which the second
pizza 18 is served, as shown in FIG. 7. Referring particularly to
FIG. 8, the lid portion 24 is also torn away from the box 12 at the
second tear line 98 and removed. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the
corner reinforcing members 48 could be removed from the side walls
38 of the base portion 20, and the front and rear walls 42 and 44
folded downwardly and under the base panel 30 so that the first
pair of tabs 78 are received by the first pair of slots 50 and the
second tab 102 received by the second slot 52, so that the first
serving tray 26 is formed on which the first pizza 16 is
served.
[0075] According to the second embodiment of the invention, a blank
10A for a box is shown in FIG. 14. The box folded from the blank
10A is similar to the box 12 folded from the blank 10, except that
the stacking portion 22 has been removed. The box therefore defines
a cavity for receiving a single food product (or two food products
arranged side-by-side). The blank 10A thus includes a base portion
20 and a lid portion 24 hingedly coupled to the base portion 20.
The arrangement is such that the blank 10A includes various score
lines, some being fold lines and some being tear lines, so that the
lid is removable from the base portion 20 and the base portion 20
is adapted to be formed into a serving tray 26 for serving the food
product. Therefore, the base portion 20 includes a substantially
flat base panel 30 having a perimeter defined by opposing side
edges 32, a front edge 34 and a rear edge 86; and a pair of
opposing side walls 38 extending from the respective side edges 32
at a fold line 40, a front wall 42 extending from the front edge 34
at a fold line 43 and a rear wall 44 extending from the rear edge
36 at a fold line 46. The side walls 38 include corner reinforcing
tab members 48 extending from opposite ends of each of the side
walls 38. The base panel 30 further defines first and second
receiving formations in the form of a first pair of slots 50 and a
second slot 52 respectively, for facilitating formation of the
serving tray 26. The lid portion 24 includes a lid panel 80 having
a perimeter defined by opposing side edges 82, a front edge 84 and
a rear edge 86; and opposing side walls 88 extending from the
respective side edges 82 at a fold line 90 and a front wall 92
extending from the front edge 84 at a fold line 94. The rear edge
86 of the lid portion 24 is hingedly coupled to the upper end of
the rear wall 44 of the base portion 20 at a fold line 96, so that
the lid portion 24 is foldable to open and close the cavity defined
in the box. The lid portion 24 defines a second tear line 98 spaced
from and parallel to the fold line 96 where the lid portion 24 is
coupled to the base portion 20, so that a major part of the lid
portion 24 is removable from the box, so that the rear wall 44 of
the base portion 20 includes an extended rear wall portion 100, so
that the serving tray 26 may be formed by the base portion 20. When
the lid portion 24 is removed from the base portion 20, the
extended rear wall portion 100 includes a second connecting
formation in the form of a second tab 102 adapted to be received by
the second receiving formation 52 in the base panel 30.
[0076] It will be appreciated that variations in detail are
possible with a blank for a box, a box folded from the blank and a
box convertible into a serving tray according to the invention
without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *