U.S. patent application number 14/757288 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-28 for disposable spice dispenser for use with take-out pizza.
The applicant listed for this patent is Russell Javaruski. Invention is credited to Russell Javaruski.
Application Number | 20160213180 14/757288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56433074 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160213180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Javaruski; Russell |
July 28, 2016 |
Disposable spice dispenser for use with take-out pizza
Abstract
A disposable container for the dispensing of a plurality of
different spices, the container being included in the box for
take-out pizza, the container being segmented into multiple
compartments for the selective and separate storage of multiple
spices in either ground, granulated, flaked, or grated form, the
lid of the container having a peelable foil cover, the lid having a
plurality of apertures in alignment and registration with the
container compartments for the shakable dispensing of a desired
spice, the container being secured or snap fit relationship to a
multi-leg pedestal used to separate and maintain the distance of
the lid of a take-out pizza box from the surface of the pizza.
Inventors: |
Javaruski; Russell;
(Lakewood, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Javaruski; Russell |
Lakewood |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56433074 |
Appl. No.: |
14/757288 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62125515 |
Jan 26, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/366 20130101;
B65D 85/36 20130101; B65D 25/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/24 20060101
A47G019/24; B65D 51/18 20060101 B65D051/18; B65D 25/24 20060101
B65D025/24; B65D 25/04 20060101 B65D025/04 |
Claims
1. A disposable spice dispenser for use with take out pizza and
pizza box, the disposable spice dispenser comprising: a container
defined by a base, an outer peripheral wall forming a cavity, and a
plurality of interior walls segmenting the interior of said cavity
and defining a plurality of separate geometrically shaped
compartments for receipt of spices and flavorings; a lid member
secured above said geometrically shaped compartments and preserving
said spices and flavorings; a removable protective member secured
to said lid member; and a means for positioning said disposable
spice dispenser in a pizza box.
2. A disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said lid member comprises a transparent foil adhesed to an upper
peripheral edge of said outer peripheral wall of said container,
said transparent foil having formed therethrough an array of
apertures aligned with each geometrically shaped compartment for
dispensing spices and condiments stored within said geometrically
shaped cavities after removal of said removable protective
cover.
3. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim wherein
said removable protective member overlaying said transparent foil
and complimentary with said transparent foil, having at least one
pull tab for the removal of said protective member.
4. The disposable spice container in accordance with claim 3
wherein said removable protective member overlaying said
transparent foil member is perforatedly embossed to define
geometric shapes complimentary with said underlying geometrically
shaped compartments, each of said geometric shapes of said
removable protective member having a pull tab for the selective
removal of said geometric shape of said removable protective member
for selectively revealing an underlying compartment and said
apertures of said transparent foil member for dispensing of said
spices and flavorings.
5. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1
wherein said lid member comprises a transparent planar rigid
closure member secured to said outer peripheral wall of said
container, said transparent planar rigid closure member having an
array of apertures formed therethrough in alignment with said
geometric shaped compartments for dispensing of spices and
flavorings.
6. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 5
wherein said transparent rigid closure member is overlaid by
removable protective member forming a removable closure of said
array of apertures and preserving said spices and flavorings.
7. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 6
wherein said removable protective member is formed with at least
one pull tab for selective removal of said removable protective
member.
8. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 7
wherein said removable protective member is perforatedly embossed
to define geometric shapes complimentary with said underlying
geometrically shaped compartments, each of said geometric shapes
having a pull tab for the selective removal of said geometrical
shape for access to said underlying geometric shaped compartment
for dispensement of contents.
9. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1
wherein said lid comprises a transparent rigid closure member
rotatably positioned on and rotatable with respect to said
container, said transparent rigid closure member having a plurality
of apertures geometrically arrayed and complimentary with said
underlying geometric shaped compartments, said transparent rigid
closure member rotatably positioned on said container rotatable for
selective registration of said apertures with said underlying
geometric compartments to selectively dispense contents of said
selected geometric shaped compartments.
10. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 9
wherein said transparent rigid closure member is overlaid with a
removable protective member covering said apertures, said removable
protective member having at least one pull tab for the removal of
said adhesed foil member and for adhering said transparent rigid,
closure member with said container prior to removal of said
removable protective member.
11. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1
wherein said means for positioning said spice dispenser in said
pizza box comprises a pedestal having a plurality of legs depending
from a support member, said support member having a circumferential
wall for snap fit receipt of said container, said pedestal
centrally positioned on said pizza in said pizza box, said pedestal
in combination with said container having a height equal to a side
wall of said pizza box supporting a pizza box lid.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser.
No. 62/125,515, filed Jan. 26, 2015.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to take-out pizza, and more
particular, to a disposable spice container for inclusion within
the pizza box, the spice container segmented to selectively hold
and selectively dispense a controlled portion of ground spices,
granular spices, flake spices, grated spices, or grated cheese, the
container capable of being removably secured within a pizza
box.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Take-out pizza is a popular form of fast food throughout the
world. The pizza is typically removed from the oven, positioned on
the base portion of the pizza box, sliced into the desired number
of slices, and the lid is then secured for the box and the pizza to
be picked up by the patron. Take-out pizza can be consumed at the
office, at home, or at any other locale.
[0006] One drawback to the consumption of take-out pizza at locales
other than a pizza parlor or at home is the unavailability of
additional spices which may be desired by the consumer to dispense
onto the pizza. Typically within the pizzeria, these spices are
available at the main counter and can be applied to the pizza by
the consumer before leaving the store. These spices are oftentimes
expensive, especially in the larger containers in which they are
purchased by pizzerias and for home consumption. Therefore the
pizzeria owner is oftentimes reluctant to disburse these spices
throughout the tables of the pizzeria in that the containers and
the contained spices oftentimes find their way into the pockets of
patrons and are removed. These spices can be available at home for
the take-out pizza consumer, however, many times the take-out pizza
is consumed at another locale.
[0007] There therefore has been a need for the ability to provide a
selection of portion controlled spices commonly utilized and
dispensed over the top of a pizza by consumers who prefer certain
additional spiciness to their pizza. These spices can come in a
ground form, granulated form, flake form, or grated form. The
concept of carrying around in one's pocket a separate jar or
container of these desired spices is both cumbersome and
non-efficient.
[0008] Applicant has developed a disposable container which is
capable of storing portions of a plurality of different spices in
either ground, granulated, flaked, or grated form, and for the
selective dispensing of these spices to the surface of the pizza.
The container is inexpensively manufactured, and can hold just the
desired amount of spices necessary for a single pizza. Further, the
container in its dispenser mode can be easily secured or snap fit
to a multi-leg pedestal. This multi-leg pedestal is made of plastic
and is approximately an inch in height. It is placed in the center
of the pizza after the pizza has been sliced into the desired
number of pieces. It extends upwardly from the pizza and its upper
surface contacts the inner surface of the lid of the take-out pizza
box preventing the lid from contacting the surface of the pizza
during transport, and thus ruining the aesthetic appearance of the
pizza.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel
disposable container and spice dispenser which can be included in a
pizza take-out box for seasoning the pizza to the consumer's
liking.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
novel disposable container spice dispenser includable in a pizza
take-out box which permits the consumer to select from a variety of
spices in a variety of amounts to further add spice to the
pizza.
[0011] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel disposable container and spice dispenser which
allows for the storage and dispensing of ground, granulated,
flaked, or grated spices.
[0012] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel container and spice dispenser which provides a
choice of apertures of different size to accommodate varying sizes
of spice.
[0013] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel container and spice dispenser in which a base
and the cover lid are rotatable with respect to each other for
selection of the desired spice.
[0014] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a novel container and spice dispenser in which the
cover lid and the apertures are covered and sealed with a removable
foil lid until usage.
[0015] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide for a disposable container and spice dispenser which is
readily securable to a support pedestal removably positionable
within the pizza box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A disposable container for the dispensing of a plurality of
different spices, the container being included in the box for
take-out pizza, the container being segmented into multiple
compartments for the selective and separate storage of multiple
spices in either ground, granulated, flaked, or grated form, the
lid of the container having a peelable foil cover, the lid having a
plurality of apertures in alignment and registration with the
container compartments for the shakable dispensing of a desired
spice, the container being secured or snap fit relationship to a
multi-leg pedestal used to separate and maintain the distance of
the lid of a take-out pizza box from the surface of the pizza.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following
illustrations wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical take-out pizza box
and pizza with an open lid;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a first embodiment
of the disposable container for dispensing spices of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
disposable container for dispensing spices in a ready to use
orientation;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the disposable
container for dispensing spices of FIG. 3 illustrating the
alignment and registration of the lid with selective spices;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG. 3 illustrating
alignment and registration of the lid and spice compartments;
and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the first
embodiment of a disposable container for dispensing spices of FIG.
2 illustrating an embossed segmented peelable foil cover and
underlying apertures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical take-out pizza box
with the contained pizza in an open lid position. The pizza box 10
is typically folded from a flat substrate to form the base member
12, the four base side walls 14, and a lid 16, and the three
depending side walls of the lid 18, which are slidably receivable
within and abut with the side walls of the base member 12. The
typical pizza 19 is removed from the oven and placed on the base
member 12 of the preformed take-out box 10 and then cut to the
desired number of slices. A removable multi-leg pedestal 20
prevents the lid member 18 from contacting the upper surface of the
pizza 19 and ruining its aesthetic appearance while the pizza 19
and box 10 are in transit to the location where it will be
consumed.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
disposable spice container 22 having a base member 24, a bottom
wall surface 26, and an annular outer peripheral wall 28. Outer
peripheral wall 28 defines a cavity 30 which is segmented by a
plurality of interior walls 32 into a plurality of geometrically
shaped compartments 34, 35, and 36. These compartments 34, 35, and
36 are designed to receive spices or other grated products or flake
products used to season pizza. In one embodiment, the geometrically
shaped compartments 34, 35, and 36 are overlaid by a transparent
rigid top 38, having a plurality of aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and
40C formed therein in complimentary relationship to the underlying
geometrically shaped compartments 34, 35, and 36, the aperture
arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C for dispensing the underlying spices. In
order to preserve the spices and to protect the spices from
unwanted disbursement, the transparent rigid top 38 is overlaid
with an adhesed protective foil member 42 having a pull tab 44
thereon for selectively removing the adhesed protective foil member
42 permitting access to the aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C and
the underlying spices for dispensing.
[0026] In another version of the first embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 2, the transparent rigid top 38 would be replaced by a
transparent foil member 38A adhesed to the upper edge of peripheral
wall 28 of base member 24, this transparent foil member 38A having
the same aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C therethrough for
selective dispensing of the underlying spices, transparent foil
member 38A being overlaid by the adhesed foil member 42 for the
same purpose as set forth with respect to the rigid lid member. The
size of the apertures in either first embodiment may vary depending
upon the underlying spice, be it granular, flakes, or grated. In
either embodiment the size and shape of the apertures in aperture
arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C are size to allow for the passage and
dispensing of the underlying spice or condiment finely ground,
ground, flaked or powder.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment
of a disposable container 50 of the present invention in a ready to
use position for dispensing a selective spice, FIG. 4 is an
exploded perspective view of the disposable container 50 of FIG. 3,
and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of container 50, ready for use.
Disposable container 50 is comprised of a base member 52, having a
bottom surface wall 54, an annular outer peripheral wall 56, and an
aperture 58 (See FIG. 4) centrally formed in the bottom surface
wall 54, aperture having an annular wall 60 equal in height to the
outer annular peripheral wall 56. Radiating between the outer
annular peripheral wall 56 and the annular wall 60 surrounding
central aperture 58 are a plurality of inner walls 62 which define
a plurality of pie-shaped spice compartments 64, 66, 68, and 70,
and vacant compartments 72 and 74. The compartments 64, 66, 68, and
70 are for the selective placement of ground, granulated, flaked,
or grated spices.
[0028] The outer surface of outer circumferential base wall 56 may
be notched or knurled 76 to assist in its rotation relative to the
lid as described more clearly hereafter. A portion of the outer
circumferential base wall 56 would be smooth 78 which would provide
for ease of rotation with respect to the lid as described
hereafter. Formed on the smooth portion 78 of the outer base wall
56 would be a protruding stop notch 80 which would prevent the lid
of the container from rotating completely in one direction. This
assists in aligning or registering a plurality of opening areas
with the desired spice as described hereafter.
[0029] A rotatable transparent lid 90 complementary with the base
member 50 and having a slightly larger diameter is rotatable
secured to the base member in a horizontal orientation. The lid
member 90 has a depending circumferential side wall 92 which may be
knurled 94 to assist in rotation of lid member 90 relative to the
base. The upper surface 96 of lid member 90 would be transparent to
allow the user to view the location of the spices within the
compartments 64, 66, 68, and 70 viewable below the lid member 90.
The lid member 90 would have a central aperture 98 for receipt of a
pivot pin 100 securing the lid member 90 to the base member 52 and
providing for the rotation of the lid vis-a-vis the base.
[0030] Formed on the transparent lid surface in one embodiment,
would be a first pie-shaped array of apertures 102 extending
outwardly from the central aperture 98 to the outer circumference.
This first pie-shaped array of apertures 102 would be sized to
permit the passage of fine ground or granular spices.
[0031] A second pie-shaped array of apertures 104 extends outwardly
from the central aperture 98 to the outer circumferential side wall
and is sized to permit the passage of larger spice particles, such
as flaked or grated spice particles. These pie-shaped array of
apertures 102 and 104 are rotatably brought into alignment or
registration with the desired spice compartment viewable there
below. When not in use, before opening of the spice container, the
pie-shaped arrays of apertures are in registration and alignment
with opposing blank compartments 72 and 74. It will be noted that
the pie-shaped array of apertures are illustrated in 180 degree
relationship with each other, but may be formed in different
arrangements.
[0032] The disposable container 50 would be prefabricated and
selectively filled with the desired spices, such as oregano, grated
cheese, hot chili flakes, pepper, or other spices. The lid 90 would
be secured thereto and the pie-shaped array of apertures 102 and
104 would be in registration with unfilled blank compartments 72
and 74. The upper surface of the lid would be overlaid with a
sanitary foil wrap 110 or the like having a depending tab 112 to
prevent the unintended rotation of the base member 52 and lid
member 90 to protect the contents and provide for a shelf life, and
to act as a pull tab to remove foil wrap 110.
[0033] The pizzeria owner after making a pizza and positioning the
pedestal 32 on the pizza, would snap fit a disposable container 50
of the type described onto the pedestal 32 and close the lid of the
pizza box, the inner surface of the lid 22 contacting the
disposable container 50 now mounted to the top of the pedestal 32.
The user upon opening the box lid 22, would lift off the disposable
container 50, strip the sanitary foil wrap 110 from the upper
surface of the lid 90, and rotate the lid to bring pie-shaped array
of apertures 102 and 104 into registration with the selected spice
compartments 64, 66, 68, and 70, the consumer then shaking the
desired or selected spices onto the pizza surface.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a modified version
of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment,
the container 120 is formed with a base wall 122, and an annular
circumferential side wall 124 forming a cavity 126. Cavity 126 is
segmented by a series of interior walls 128, into spice
compartments 130,132,134, and 136. These spice compartments would
be filled with different selective spices as set forth with respect
to the first embodiment. The compartments 130-136, would be covered
with a transparent lid member 138 affixed to the container, and
having apertures 140 preformed in the lid member 138 in
registration with the various spice compartments 130-136. To
preserve the spices and prevent their spillage and extend the shelf
life until usage, the transparent lid member 138 would be overlaid
with an adhesive foil member 142 which would be removed utilizing
tab 144 when the time was right for usage.
[0035] The exterior circumferential surface of the annular
circumferential side wall 124 is formed with an annular rib 150.
Annular rib 150 cooperates with an annular groove 152 formed in a
support pedestal 154. Support pedestal 154 is similar to that
illustrated with respect to the first embodiment having a plurality
of legs 156 extending downwardly from an annular ring member 160.
The ring member 160 forms a support in which the container 120 may
be snap fit with the annular rib of container 120, snap fitting
within the annular interior groove of the ring member 160. The
pedestal and container would then be positioned on the pizza within
the pizza box in the same manner as shown with the first
embodiment. Upon reaching the location for consumption of the
pizza, the consumer would merely remove the adhesive foil member
142 forming a protective closure utilizing tab 144 with the
pedestal and container as one, and invert to shake the enclosed
spices onto the pizza. The adhesive foil member 142 may be removed
totally or it may be embossed or perforated in the shape of the
spice compartment with each embossed section 142 having its own tab
144 and indicia for selective removal and dispensing of a single
desired spice.
[0036] The container is inexpensive to manufacture, holds
controlled portions of spices to allow the consumer to add those
spices so desired to the pizza for taste, and then to be discarded.
The container insures that the consumer has the desired spices and
amounts thereof with the pizza regardless of the locale to which
the consumer transports and consumes the pizza, be it a park,
stadium, recreational vehicle, or even a home environment where the
consumer does not have to search for his own spice condiments in a
cabinet.
[0037] Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed
with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes and modifications can be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly
intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the
equivalence thereof.
* * * * *