Abstract:
A generally rectangular blank of preferably cardboard material having a multitude of strategically positioned cut lines, fold lines, and perforated tear lines. The present invention can be formed into at least two differently shaped and sized boxes; thus, efficiently accommodating a whole pizza in its original rectangular shape, and efficiently accommodating a slice or other portion of pizza in its reduced-size, triangular shape. In addition to the typical cut and fold lines found in a common pizza box, the present invention provides, generally, eight sets of perforated tear lines strategically positioned such that a rectangularly-shaped pizza box may be torn along the perforated tear lines to form a generally triangularly-shaped, smaller dimensioned pizza box.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to food service containers, and, more particularly, to a method of forming a variable sized and shaped pizza box and apparatus thereof. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Throughout the world, and especially in the United States, pizza has been and continues to be a well known and loved meal. Going out for pizza, or its ordering in, has become a tradition for many individuals, families, and groups. In order to transport a pizza during delivery, to store a pizza for later consumption, or to take home leftover pizza, the well well-known, typically rectangular, cardboard pizza box is utilized. Although these prior art pizza boxes are suitable for whole pizzas, their designs are deficient for slices or portions of a pizza amounting to less than a whole pizza. 
     For instance, a whole pizza pie is typically round with a plurality of cuts therethrough to form a plurality of generally triangularly-shaped slices. After some of the slices have been removed, the remaining slices no longer fit snugly within the rectangular pizza box. As a result, during transportation and storage, the remaining pizza slices typically slide about the inside of the box, often causing undesirable dislocation of the pizza toppings. 
     Moreover, one of the most prominent disadvantages associated with prior art pizza boxes is their inefficient of use of space. In other words, for storage, many people will place left-over pizza inside the refrigerator in the original pizza box. The large rectangular box inefficiently occupies significantly more space in the refrigerator than is needed. In addition, the standard size prior-art pizza box does not fit within a standard size microwave oven; thus, one must remove the pizza from its box prior to its re-heating. 
     In an attempt to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages, a design has been proposed wherein a standard rectangular pizza box has a plurality of perforated score lines for tearing and folding therealong to form a generally smaller rectangular pizza box. An example of such a design may be found by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,062 to Bradley et al. Although Bradley reduces the overall size of the original standard pizza box, it fails to provide a spatially efficient box that conforms to the shape of typical pizza slices. In other words, triangularly-shaped pizza slices placed within the reduced sized rectangular pizza box results in unused space and, thus, a spatially inefficient design. 
     It is, therefore, readily apparent that a new and improved apparatus and method of forming a variable sized and shaped pizza box is needed that, in its original state, can contain a whole pizza therein, and that, in its altered and reduced state, is transformable into a generally triangularly-shaped pizza box that efficiently can contain a smaller portion of pizza. It is, therefore, to the provision of such an improvement that the present invention is directed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention both overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages, and meets the recognized needs for such a device, by providing an apparatus and method of forming a variable sized and shaped pizza box. 
     More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a generally rectangular blank of preferably cardboard material having a multitude of strategically positioned cut lines, fold lines, and perforated tear lines. The present invention can be formed into at least two differently shaped and sized boxes; thus, efficiently accommodating a whole pizza in its original rectangular shape and efficiently accommodating a slice, or other portion, of pizza in its reduced-size, triangular shape. 
     The original rectangularly-shaped pizza box, preferably, is a commonly-known, prior art pizza box having the typical fold and cut lines. The present invention, however, may be incorporated into any known rectangularly-shaped folding pizza box generally having fold lines formed around all four edges of the box and spaced a distance therefrom for forming the bottom two side walls, the bottom front side wall, the top two side walls, and the top front side wall, and two spaced-apart fold lines formed near the center of the blank for forming the rear side wall of the pizza box. 
     In addition to the typical cut and fold lines found in a common pizza box, the present invention comprises, generally, eight sets of perforated tear lines. The first set generally begins at one side edge of the pizza box and extends approximately along and parallel with the fold line proximal to the front edge, to a predetermined point preferably less than half the width of the pizza box. Next, extending therefrom at approximately a 135-degree angle is the second set of perforated tear lines. The second set generally extends to the fold line formed proximal to the other side edge of the pizza box. Preferably located at approximately the mid-point between the two side edges is the third set of perforated tear lines. This set interrupts the second set by forming a generally U-shaped tab portion extending generally downward from, and perpendicular to, the second set. The tab portion formed by the third set is used to secure the triangularly-shaped pizza box in the closed position. 
     The fourth set extends upwardly from the end of the second set and generally along the fold line to approximately the first spaced-apart fold line formed near the center of the blank for forming the rear side wall of the pizza box when folded. The fifth set extends generally outward to the proximal side edge. The sixth set begins generally at the intersection of the second spaced-apart fold line formed near the center and the side edge fold line proximal thereto, and extends upwardly along said the side edge fold line a predetermined distance equal to approximately the height of a side wall of the box. The seventh set extends therefrom at approximately a 45-degree angle until the seventh set intersects the fold line proximal to the rear edge of the blank, wherein the eighth set extends generally along the fold line proximal to the rear edge to the same side edge as the first set begins. 
     Preferably, two additional fold lines are formed in the blank to assist in folding the two edges formed by the second and seventh set of perforated tear lines to form one side of the triangularly-shaped pizza box when in the closed position. In addition, a slit is formed proximal to the fold line that is distal from the tab portion formed by the third set of perforated tear lines for receiving the tab portion therein to secure the triangularly-shaped pizza box in the closed position. The perforations also serve to vent the steam generated within the box to prevent the pizza from becoming soggy. 
     Thus, an object, feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved variable sized and shaped pizza box that is generally rectangular in its initial state for accommodating a whole pizza and is triangularly shaped in its altered state for accommodating a slice or slices smaller portion of pizza. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved variable sized and shaped pizza box having a plurality of strategically placed perforated tear lines and fold lines such that a standard rectangular pizza box can be easily reduced to a smaller, more efficient, triangularly-shaped pizza box. 
     A further object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved variable sized and shaped pizza box that can be reconfigured without the need for tools or utensils. 
     Another and further object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved variable sized and shaped pizza box that does not require the removal of the pizza in order to reconfigure the box. 
     Yet another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved variable sized and shaped pizza box wherein the reconfigured box may fit into a standard-sized microwave oven. 
     Still another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved variable sized and shaped pizza box having perforations formed therein for venting steam generated by a warm pizza contained inside the box in order to prevent the pizza from becoming soggy. 
     Other objects, features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation, construction, and function of the related elements and structure will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims, with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the cut lines, fold lines, and perforated tear lines; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the reduced-sized triangular apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention after tearing along the perforated tear lines; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reduced-sized triangular apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an open state; and, 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the reduced-sized triangular apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     For purposes of clarity, and with reference to the following descriptions of device  10  of the present invention and the prior art pizza box  15 , fold lines  20  are shown, generally, in the Figures as dashed lines with reference numbers between  20 - 99 ; cut lines  100  are shown, generally, in the Figures as solid lines with reference numbers between  100 - 199 ; tear perforations  200  are shown, generally, in the Figures as spaced-apart dots with reference numbers between  200 - 299 ; and principal portions of device  10 , generally, are designated in the Figures with reference numbers  300 - 399 . 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a common pizza box  15 , well-known within the art, is shown. The pizza box  15  has cut lines and fold lines according to established prior art boxes. Although only one embodiment of commonly known pizza boxes is shown, it should be noted that the present invention  10  may be incorporated within any rectangularly-shaped pizza box without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, because pizza boxes  15  are well known within the art, the description of prior art pizza box  15  will be limited. 
     In FIG. 1, pizza box  15  is shown with the inside surface of pizza box  15  facing up, as though to receive a pizza. Bottom piece  342 , defined by and between fold lines  22 ,  64 ,  80  and  36 , is generally the bottom of pizza box  15  wherein a pizza is placed during use. Top piece  344  is generally known as the top of the pizza box  15  with pieces  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  322 ,  324 ,  330 , and  334  generally defining the sides of the pizza box  15 . To form a box, pieces  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  318 ,  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326 ,  328 ,  334  are generally folded approximately ninety degrees upward. Pieces  318 ,  320 ,  326 ,  328  are then folded approximately ninety degrees inward toward piece  342  with portions  329 ,  327  of pieces  328 ,  326 , respectively, resting within cut sections  336 ,  338 , respectively. Next, piece  330  is folding downward 180-degrees toward piece  342  with extensions  302 ,  304  fitting within and secured by cut sections  336 ,  338 , respectively; thereby, locking pieces  328 ,  327  into position and thus forming the rigid front side of pizza box  15 . To close pizza box  15 , piece  344  is rotated approximately one hundred eighty degrees wherein pieces  310 ,  312 ,  314  fit within pieces  330 ,  324 ,  322 , respectively, and wherein the edges of pieces  310 ,  312 ,  314  rest against piece  342 , thus shaping pizza box  15 . 
     With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the present invention  10  is shown wherein a plurality of perforated tear lines and additional fold lines are formed in pizza box  15  such that a user can tear or cut along perforated tear lines to form a blank, as best seen in FIG. 2, for a generally triangularly-shaped pizza box  18 . It should be noted that, for purposes of illustration, perforated tear lines  208 ,  220 ,  224 ,  228 , and  236  are shown in FIG. 1 as overlaying fold lines  68 ,  36 ,  32 ,  40  and  52 , respectively; thus, perforated tear lines  208 ,  220 ,  224 ,  228 ,  236  are preferably positioned within the creases of fold lines  68 ,  36 ,  32 ,  40  and  52 , respectively. 
     More specifically, perforated tear line  208  begins at edge  400  and extends along fold line  68  to approximately piece  338 , wherein perforated tear line  204  extends approximately at a 135-degree angle therefrom. Approximately at the center of piece  342 , perforated tear lines  212 , formed generally in a U-shape, extend downward from perforated tear line  204  to form tab portion  340 . Perforated tear line  216  continues to extend along the same line as perforated tear line  204  to fold line  36 , wherein perforated tear line  220  extends upward along fold line  36  to approximately fold line  32 . Tear line  224  extends along fold line  32  to edge  440 . Perforated tear line  236  preferably begins at fold line  44  proximal to edges  420  and  410  and extends along fold line  52  to approximately the same vertical distance away from the edge as perforated tear line  208  at the opposing side. Extending at approximately a 225-degree angle from perforated tear line  236  is perforated tear line  232 . Perforated tear line  232  extends to fold line  40 , wherein perforated tear line  228  extends downward along fold line  40  to cut line  120 . 
     Fold line  48  preferably is formed a distance from, and parallel to, perforated tear line  232 , wherein fold line  48  extends approximately from fold line  44  to fold line  40 . Positioned approximately at the center of fold line  48  is slit  160 , dimensioned for receiving tab portion  340 . The distance between fold line  48  and perforated tear line  232  is approximately equal to the width of pieces  314 ,  322 . 
     Formed on piece  350 , parallel to and a distance from perforated tear lines  216  and  204 , is fold line  90 . Fold line  90  extends from fold line  64  to approximately fold line  36 . The distance between fold line  90  and perforated tear lines  216 ,  204  is approximately equal to the width of pieces  314  and  322 , and the distance between fold line  48  and perforated tear line  232 . 
     To form triangularly-shaped pizza box  18 , the rectangularly-shaped pizza box  15  is torn along the above-described perforated tear lines to form a generally triangularly-shaped, smaller dimensioned pizza box blank, best seen with reference to FIG.  2 . In order to complete the construction of triangularly-shaped pizza box  18 , pieces  316 ,  314 ,  322 ,  380  are pivoted about fold lines  48 ,  44 ,  64 ,  90 , respectively, upwardly approximately 90-degrees. Piece  320  is then pivoted along fold line  28  inwardly approximately 90-degrees. Next piece  352 , along with pieces  314 ,  316 , are folded up and over along fold line  56  toward piece  350 , approximately 180-degrees, wherein pieces  314 ,  316  fit inside of pieces  322 ,  380 , respectively, and wherein tab portion  340  is inserted within slit  160  to secure triangularly-shaped pizza box  18  in a closed position. The resulting construction is best seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     It should be noted that the perforated tear lines may vary in size and shape to adjust the degree of force needed to tear and reconfigure rectangularly-shaped pizza box  15  to triangularly-shaped pizza box  18 . 
     As examples of further, useful benefits of the present invention, the perforated tear lines also serve to vent stream generated by the pizza within the rectangularly-shaped box to prevent the pizza contained therein from becoming soggy and undesirable. Also beneficially provided by the present invention, reconfiguration of the rectangularly-shaped box into a triangularly-shaped box does not typically require the removal of the pizza contained therein. Furthermore, in its reconfigured, triangular-shape, the box may fit into a standard-sized microwave oven for the user&#39;s convenience in re-heating any left-over pizza. 
     In view of the above disclosure, it will be further apparent that the variable sized and shaped pizza box of the present invention may further be formed with additional series of tear lines so as to enable the approximately triangular pizza box to be reconfigured by a user into a yet smaller triangular pizza box or boxes. 
     With regard to all such embodiments as may be herein described and contemplated, it will be appreciated that optional features, including, but not limited to, aesthetically pleasing coloration and surface design, and labeling and brand marking, may be provided in association with the present invention, all without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.