Abstract:
A pizza slice container includes an upper member having an upper surface; a lower member having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall, the lower member attached to the upper member by at least one hinge, wherein the upper surface and the bottom surface are opposed. The upper member includes at least one retention spike extending from the upper surface of the upper member toward the bottom surface of the lower member. The lower member includes at least one retaining tab extending substantially perpendicular from a sidewall of the lower member; and at least one rib extending from the bottom surface of the lower member toward the upper surface of the upper member. The upper and lower members are movable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. Other embodiments of the pizza slice container, and methods for its use, are described herein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/740,933 filed Dec. 21, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Take-out and delivery foods, such as pizzas, have long been desired by consumers as a quick meal option. Meals that are ready to eat—either delivered or taken to go—are well known and widely desired. Various types of packaging have been produced for these types of meals including, for example, various types of paper and plastic single-use containers as well as plastic and glass reusable containers. A well-known type of container is the widely used cardboard pizza box. The different types of boxes and containers may accommodate a family sized meal or a single serving. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a food container comprises an upper member having an upper surface; a lower member having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall, the lower member attached to the upper member by at least one hinge, wherein the upper surface and the bottom surface are opposed; at least one retention spike extending from the upper surface of the upper member toward the bottom surface of the lower member; at least one retaining tab extending substantially perpendicular from a sidewall of the lower member; and at least one rib extending from the bottom surface of the lower member toward the upper surface of the upper member; wherein the upper and lower members are movable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. 
     According to another embodiment, a pizza slice container comprises an upper member having an upper surface; a lower member having a bottom surface and a rear wall, the lower member attached to the upper member by at least one hinge, wherein the upper surface and the bottom surface are opposed; and the upper and lower members are in approximately the shape of a circle sector; a plurality of retention spikes extending from the upper surface of the upper member toward the bottom surface of the lower member; at least one retaining tab extending from the rear wall of the lower member; a plurality of ribs formed on the bottom surface of the lower member and extending toward the upper surface of the upper member and radially between a radial center of the bottom surface towards the rear wall; wherein the upper and lower members are movable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. 
     According to another embodiment, a pizza slice container comprises a member formed to approximate the shape of a slice of pizza, the member comprising an upper member formed to approximate the shape of toppings of a slice of pizza, and a lower member formed to approximate the shape of crust of a slice of pizza; the upper member having an upper surface and the lower member having a bottom surface, wherein the upper surface and the bottom surface are opposed; wherein the upper and lower members are movable between an open position and a closed position. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a method of transporting a slice of pizza comprises placing a slice of pizza inside a pizza slice container formed to approximate the shape of the slice of pizza, the member comprising an upper member formed to approximate the shape of toppings of the slice of pizza, and a lower member formed to approximate the shape of crust of the slice of pizza; retaining the slice of pizza inside the pizza slice container with at least one retaining tab; maintaining an air gap between a bottom surface of the lower member and the slice of pizza with at least one rib; and retaining the toppings of the slice of pizza in a predetermined position with at least one retention spike. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a pizza slice container in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 1  in an open position and having a pizza slice located therein; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a pizza slice container in a closed position; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of a pizza slice container in a closed position; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective exploded view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 10  in a closed position; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 10  in an open position; and 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the pizza slice container of  FIG. 10  in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. For example, a pizza slice is used for illustrative purposes in the title and description of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and may be configured for other types of foods and for foods of different shapes. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other equivalent parts can be employed and other methods developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     An embodiment of a pizza slice container  1  is shown on  FIG. 1 . The pizza slice container  1  generally comprises an upper member  3  and a lower member  5  for receiving a sector of a circularly shaped food object (e.g., roughly triangular) such as, for example, a slice of pizza or a slice of pie. According to an embodiment, the upper member  3  is formed to approximate the appearance of toppings of a pizza and the lower member  5  is formed to approximate the appearance of crust of a pizza. According to different embodiments, the upper and lower members may be formed to approximate different elements. For example, in  FIG. 1  the upper member  3  is formed to approximate a cheese topping and the lower member  5  is formed to approximate a pizza crust. As a further example, in  FIG. 9  the upper member  3  is formed to approximate a pepperoni and cheese topping and the lower member  5  is formed to approximate a pizza crust. It is also foreseen that other embodiments may include, for example, the upper member  3  is formed to approximate a pie crust and the lower member  5  is formed to approximate a pie filling. Further variations in appearance will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. 
     The upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be formed from a variety of materials including plastics, such as high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or polypropylene, for example. The upper and lower members may also be formed from glass, metal, or paper-based products. The upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be of substantially rigid material or a pliable material, such as silicon. The upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be formed by injection molding of plastics and other manufacturing techniques as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. According to an embodiment, the upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be formed monolithically. According to another embodiment, the upper and lower members  3  and  5  including the various features shown in, for example,  FIGS. 6 and 7 , may be formed monolithically. Alternatively, upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be formed separately and subsequently attached. An insulating material may be used to store hot or cold foods. As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 , the upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be formed to approximate the shape of the toppings and crust, respectively. According to an embodiment, the toppings and crust may be colored to depict the actual color of the toppings and crust. According to another embodiment, the upper and lower members  3  and  5  may comprise flat surfaces with the toppings and crust drawn or colored on the outer surface of the members. Alternatively, the pizza slice container  1  may be a single color. 
     The upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be attached with hinges  11  and a latch mechanism  13  to form a pizza slice container  1  having a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and an open position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The upper and lower members  3  and  5  may be attached together with at least one hinge  11  located on inner sides of the upper and lower members  3  and  5 , respectively. Although two hinges are shown in  FIG. 7 , it is foreseen that only one hinge may be used or a plurality of hinges may be used. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the hinges  11  may be a flexible material of and integral with the upper and lower members  3  and  5 . For example, the upper and lower members may be made of high-density polyethylene and the hinges may be a thin piece of high-density polyethylene integral with the upper and lower members. According to other embodiments, the hinge  11  may be any type of hinge as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, it is foreseen that a piano hinge, butt hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, or continuous hinge may be used. 
     When the upper and lower members  3  and  5  are in the closed position, the upper and lower members  3 ,  5  may be latched together with a latch mechanism  13 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a dual snap-fit latch mechanism may be used to latch together the upper and lower members  3  and  5 . The snap-fit latch can comprise a cantilevered protrusion  21  and a support receiver  23  on each of the upper and lower members  3  and  5 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , however other embodiments are possible. According to an embodiment, the cantilevered protrusion  21  may include a bead or hook on its free end (not shown). As the upper and lower members  3  and  5  are pushed together to the closed position, the cantilevered protrusion  21  may deflect due to interference between the cantilevered protrusion  21  and the support receiver  23 . Once inside the support receiver  23 , the interaction between the cantilevered protrusion  21  and the support receiver  23  holds the upper and lower members  3  and  5  together. It is foreseen that the latch mechanism of other embodiments may be a single snap-fit latch mechanism or any type of latch mechanism as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 , the pizza slice container  1  is shown in the open position. The inside of the lower member  5  comprises a bottom surface  31 , an inner rear wall  33 , and inner sidewalls  35 . At least one retaining tab  41  can extend radially inwardly from the inner sidewalls  35  or the inner rear wall  33 . According to other embodiments, only one retaining tab or a plurality of retaining tabs may be used. The retaining tabs  41  are shown at the corners or distal positions on the inner rear wall  33 . In other embodiments, the retaining tabs may be located at a center position between the corners on the inner rear wall  33  or spaced along the inner rear wall  33  between the corners. As shown on  FIG. 7 , retaining tabs  41  comprise a rear tab portion  43  and a projecting tab portion  45 . The rear tab portion  43  can be affixed to the inner rear wall  43  and can provide support for the projecting tab portion  45 . The projecting tab portion  45  extends radially inwardly from the rear tab portion  43 , e.g., substantially perpendicular thereto, and is spaced away from the bottom surface  31 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , for example, a pizza slice  100  is shown received in the lower member  5  and secured in place by the retaining tabs  41 . The retaining tabs  41  may be formed monolithically with the lower member  5  or may be formed separate from the lower member  5  and attached thereto. 
     The lower member  5  may include air gap ribs  51  and  52  formed on the bottom surface  31 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the air gap ribs can extend radially from an approximate radial center  53  to substantially adjacent the inner rear wall  33 . A pair of outer air gap ribs may  52  extend parallel to the inner side walls  35  of the lower member  5 . Another pair of inner air gap ribs  51  may extend between the outer air gap ribs  52 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , for example, a pizza slice  100  is shown received in the lower member  5  and on air gap ribs  51  and  52 . The air gap ribs  51  and  52  can elevate the pizza slice  100  or other item placed thereon above the bottom surface  31 . According to an embodiment, the air gap ribs  51  and  52  can form an air gap between the bottom surface  31  and the pizza slice  100  or food item in order to preserve freshness. The radial placement of the air gap ribs  51  and  52  on the bottom surface  31  may be advantageous to keep the pizza slice or food item off the bottom surface  31  with a minimum number of air gap ribs required to form the air gap under substantially all of the pizza slice  100  or food item. According to other embodiments, the air gap ribs may be formed vertically, horizontally, or at other angles in order to form the air gap between the bottom surface  31  and the pizza slice  100  or food item. The air gap ribs  51  and  52  may be formed monolithically with the lower member  5  or may be formed separate from the lower member  5  and attached thereto. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 , the upper member  3  may include retention spikes  61  and  62  formed on the upper surface  65 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the retention spikes  61  and  62  may extend outwardly from the upper surface  65  of the upper member  3 . It is foreseen that the retention spikes  61  and  62  may be formed integrally with the upper surface  65  or affixed to the upper surface  65 . According to an embodiment, a set of retention spikes  61  is formed near and/or at the radial center  67  of the upper member  3  and another set of retention spikes  62  is formed near and/or at the geometric center  69  of the upper member  3 . The placement of retention spikes  61  and  62  may be advantageous for retention of toppings on a slice of pizza. For example, when the pizza slice container  1  of  FIG. 8  is in the closed position, the retention spikes  61  and  62  may pass through the toppings (e.g., cheese, pepperoni, peppers, anchovies, etc.) of the pizza slice and into the crust. Alternatively, the retention spikes  61  and  62  may be sized to apply pressure on the toppings of the pizza against the crust. When the closed pizza slice container  1  containing a slice of pizza is jostled or tilted, the pizza toppings may be less likely to slide or become misplaced because they are held in place by the retention spikes  61  and  62 . According to other embodiments, retention spikes may be formed at other locations on the upper surface  65  such as along the periphery of the upper member  3 . The retention spikes may be formed monolithically with the upper member  3  or may be formed separately and subsequently attached thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pizza slice container  1  may further include a groove  71  and a ridge  73  for containing the pizza slice or food item ingredients within the container  1 . The groove  71  may be formed along the periphery of the upper member  3  and a mating ridge  73  may be formed along the periphery of the lower member  5 . The groove  71  and mating ridge  73  facilitate alignment of the upper and lower members  3 ,  5  upon moving the pizza slice container  1  to the closed position. According to an embodiment, the mating groove  71  and ridge  73  may form a seal along the periphery of the mating surfaces of the upper and lower members  3  and  5 . Alternatively, when air flow is desired, the mating groove  71  and ridge  73  may form a tortuous flow path in order to allow air flow outside the container but substantially maintain food contents insider the container. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-13 , an embodiment of a pizza slice container  200  is illustrated. The pizza slice container  200  may generally comprise a container portion  201  having an upper member  203  and a lower member  205  for receiving a sector of a circularly shaped object. As illustrated at  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a topping member  207  may be removably attached to a top surface  209  of the upper member  203 . 
     The removable topping member  207  may be formed to emulate any shape, such as, for example, any type of pizza topping, different colors, or different words, numbers, or pictures depicted thereon. As illustrated at  FIG. 10 , for example, the topping member  207  is a cheese topping. However, the removable topping member  207  may be a pepperoni topping, as illustrated at  FIG. 9 , or any other type of pizza topping. It is foreseen that the removable topping member  207  may be formed with various colors, textures, and shapes, as desired. 
     The upper member  203  of the container portion  201  may comprise the substantially flat top surface  209  and an end section  211 . For example, the end section  211  may be a crust portion of a pizza. According to an embodiment, the end section  211  may be a fixed decorative element formed on the upper member  203  and the removable topping member  207  may be a variable decorative element of the pizza slice container  200 . The mating edges of the end section  211  and topping member  207  may be non-linear or irregular so as to appear more realistic of a real pizza slice. It is foreseen, for example, that a single container portion  201  may have any plurality of interchangeable and removable topping members  207  that depict different types of objects or foods that may be contained within the container portion  201 . It is also foreseen that the end section  211  may be formed integral with the removable topping member  207 , and removable from the upper member  203 , so that both sections  211  and  207  may be variable. According to an embodiment, it is foreseen that the topping member  207  may be permanently attached to the container portion  201 . 
     As illustrated at  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the topping member  207  may be removably attached to the upper member  203  of the pizza slice container  200 . The topping member  207  may have any plurality of posts  221  extending downwardly from an inner surface of the topping member  207 . As explained further below, the posts  221  may serve to both attach the topping member  207  to the upper member  203 , as well as to function as topping retention spikes, such as retention spikes  61  and  62 , explained above. According to an embodiment, the posts  221  may serve only to attach the topping member  207  to the upper member  203 . According to another embodiment, only one or only two posts  221  may extend from the topping member  203 . 
     In order to attach the topping member  207  to the upper member  203 , the upper member  203  may have post receiving holes  223  extending through the top surface  209  of the upper member  203 . The number of post receiving holes  223  may correspond in location and number to the posts  221  extending from the topping member  207 . For example, the locations of the posts  221  and corresponding receiving holes  223  may be placed similar to the retention spikes  61  and  62 , as explained above. 
     As illustrated at  FIGS. 12 and 13 , when the topping member  207  is placed on the upper member  203 , the posts  221  of the topping member  207  are received into or through the post receiving holes  223 . The posts  221  may be received through the post receiving holes  223  by, for example, a friction fit, so as to fixedly but removably attach the topping member  207  to the upper member  203 . Other means of fixedly attaching the posts  221  in or through the post receiving holes  223  may be used such as, for example, adhesives, a nut, a threaded nut, or other devices. 
     As illustrated at  FIG. 12 , when the topping member  207  is attached to the upper member  203 , the posts  221  extend downwardly into the container portion  201 . It is foreseen that the length of the posts  221  may be adjusted to any length depending on whether it is desired to pass through the toppings or merely apply pressure to a food item or toppings of a food item placed in the container portion  201 . Retention spikes  225  may extend downwardly from the end section  211 . According to an embodiment, retention spikes  225  may extend from a removable section corresponding to the pizza crust so that the removable section is removably attached to the upper member  203  in a fashion similar to that of the topping member  207 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the inside bottom surface of the lower member  205  of the container portion  201  may have at least one or a plurality of air gap ribs  231 . For example, the air gap ribs  231  may be in a cris-cross or overlapping pattern. However, as explained above with respect to air gap ribs  51  and  52 , the air gap ribs  231  may be in other patterns such as, for example, radially extending ribs, circular ribs, or at various angles. 
     Other aspects of the pizza slice container  200  may be similar to those of the previously described embodiments. It is foreseen that the aspects and features of the various embodiments described herein may be used in combination with each other. 
     The pizza slice containers  1  and  200  of the described embodiments may be used to store and transport a pizza slice or other food items. Advantageously, the container may be formed and colored to approximate the appearance of contents of the container, as described above. According to another embodiment, a pizza shop may use the pizza slice containers to identify the contents of the container for customers either by sight, texture, or both. A freshly baked slice of pizza may be inserted into the pizza slice container where freshness of the crust, placement of the toppings, and/or the desired temperature may be preserved for a period of time. For example, a pizza shop customer may simply look at a variety of pizza slice containers, such as the pizza slice containers of  FIGS. 1 and 9 , and select the pizza slice desired. Additionally, the pizza shop customer may feel the texture of the of the pizza slice container to select the desired slice of pizza. When the desired slice of pizza is selected, the customer may purchase the pizza slice container containing the ready to eat slice of pizza. 
     The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.