US20060208046A1

US20060208046A1 - Food product container

Info

Publication number: US20060208046A1
Application number: US11/084,677
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Dennen; Jeffrey Yandian; Dan Dickerson; Ronald Jones; Homero Ortegon; Stephen Tullis
Original assignee: Pizza Hut Inc
Current assignee: Pizza Hut LLC
Priority date: 2005-03-18
Filing date: 2005-03-18
Publication date: 2006-09-21

Abstract

A pizza box comprises a container having an assembled state as a box and an unassembled state as a flat sheet, wherein in the assembled state a top portion and a bottom portion of the box define a generally polygon shaped enclosure including at least one diagonal side. The pizza box also comprises means for generating a visual perception of higher volume of contents within the pizza box via increasing a horizontal surface area of the box external to the generally polygon shaped enclosure that contains a pizza pie. Variations of the pizza box comprise flap structures and reciprocating slots for securely fastening the top portion relative to the bottom portion as well as structures for maintaining continuous display of printed matter whether the box is open or closed via pivotal movement of the top portion relative to the bottom portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many national, regional, and local pizza companies compete with each other, hoping to distinguish themselves from competitors based on taste, value, quality, delivery, etc. One aspect of retail pizza business concerns delivery or take-out pizza in which a pizza pie is prepared and baked, and then boxed for transport to a home or business. The box ideally keeps the pizza pie warm, protects the pizza pie from being damaged in transport, and securely maintains the pizza pie within the box.
One type of pizza box is an octagon-shaped box. The octagon-shaped box helps to prevent sliding of the pizza pie within the box because the general octagon shape more closely mimics the circular shape of the pizza pie than a square or rectangular shaped box. Numerous conventional boxes come in an unassembled configuration as a flat sheet of cardboard having multiple foldable panels for erecting the sheet into a box. This feature allows the box to be stored in its flat, unassembled configuration to save space, and then folded into an in-use position just prior to containing a pizza pie.
With huge consumer demand, pizza pie retailers continue efforts to distinguish themselves from competitors through the product, e.g. pizza pies, and as well as through improved packaging, e.g. boxes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a food product container. In one embodiment, the food product container includes an assembled state as a box and an unassembled state as a flat sheet. In the assembled state a top portion and a bottom portion of the box define a generally polygon shaped enclosure including at least one diagonal side. The food product container also comprises means for generating a perception of increased horizontal surface area of the food product container. Other embodiments comprise flap structures and reciprocating slots for securely fastening the top portion relative to the bottom portion as well as embodiments for maintaining continuous display of printed matter whether the food product container is open or closed via pivotal movement of the top portion relative to the bottom portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food product container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a top portion of a food product container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bottom portion of a food product container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a front portion of a food product container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rear portion of a food product container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a first side portion of a food product container, according to an embodiment of the invention, with a plan view of a second side portion being a mirror image of the plan view of the first side portion.
FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically illustrating closing of a lid of a food product container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a food product container with its lid laid open, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is plan view of an exterior surface of a food product container in an unassembled state as a flat sheet, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is plan view of an interior surface of a food product container in an unassembled state as a flat sheet, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “rear,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a food product container. In one embodiment, the food product container is a box for a pizza pie. In an assembled state, the food product container comprises a generally polygon shape including diagonal corner portions. In one embodiment, the food product container comprises a generally octagon shape but is not limited to that shape as in other embodiments, the food product container comprises a generally hexagon shape, a generally decagon shape, or another generally polygon shape. The food product container comprises a bottom portion and a top portion (i.e., a lid) hingedly connected to the bottom portion to enable closure and opening of the lid relative to the bottom portion. In an assembled state of the food product container, the bottom portion includes a bottom panel and a vertical support wall extending generally perpendicular to and vertically upward relative to the bottom panel. The vertical support wall defines the generally polygon shape of the bottom portion.
In one embodiment, the bottom portion comprises diagonal members at four sides of a generally octagon shape (i.e., diagonal corner portions) with ledge portions extending generally horizontally from each diagonal corner portion. In one embodiment, the ledge portions bear printed matter such as a logo, a text, a symbol, a numeral, or a color. The ledge portions are sized, shaped and positioned relative to the diagonal corner portions, and relative to the lid, so that the printed matter on the ledge portions is visible at all times. In other words, the printed matter is visible on the ledge portions when the lid of the food product container is closed and/or when the lid of the food product container is opened (laid completely outward away from a bottom portion of the food product container as later shown in FIG. 8). In addition, even the ledge portions do not include printed matter, the ledge portions help prevent tipping of the box when jostled and provide the food product container with the appearance of containing a larger sized food item, such as a pizza pie, than would otherwise be perceived without the ledge portions. This perception is created in part by the increased horizontal surface area of the food product container external to the generally octagon shaped enclosure of the food product container, which is provided by ledge portions extending outward from all four diagonal members of the food product container.
In one embodiment, the vertical support wall of the bottom portion of the food product container includes, among other things, a front portion that extends from, and is foldable relative to a bottom panel of the box. This front portion acts as a front wall of the bottom portion of the food product container, wherein the front wall comprises a pair of arcuate supports acting as a bridge from the front wall to a front edge of the bottom panel. In this embodiment, the arcuate supports of the front portion of the vertical support wall (i.e., the front wall) enable a robust, stronger connection to the bottom panel so that when the front portion of the vertical support wall is folded upward in its erected position relative to the bottom panel, the front wall better resists crushing or sagging from vertical forces (e.g., stacks of boxes) exerted on the front portion.
In another embodiment, the vertical support wall of the bottom portion of the food product container comprises a rear portion disposed on an opposite side of the bottom portion than the front portion. The rear portion of the food product container (i.e., a rear wall) comprises a pair of arcuate supports acting as a bridge extending from the rear wall to a rear edge of the bottom panel. These arcuate supports have substantially the same features and attributes as the arcuate supports of the front wall, except for their different location at the rear portion of the vertical support wall.
In one embodiment, the lid of the food product container includes a pair of rear flaps sized, shaped, and positioned on the lid so that when the lid is closed over the top of the bottom portion, the rear flaps of the lid fold over the rear diagonal members of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion. Tabs of the rear flaps are removably secured within a slot formed in the bottom panel adjacent the diagonal corner portions of the food product container. In its secured position, the flap extends outside an exterior surface of the diagonal member of the vertical support wall portion of the bottom portion of the food product container. These rear flaps enable secure fastening of the lid relative to the bottom portion and add to the structural strength of the generally octagon configuration of the food product container. In addition, when inserted into slots of the bottom portion, the rear flaps (or exterior flaps) extend generally vertically so that rear flaps do not obstruct the visibility of ledge portions (previously described above), thereby maintaining substantially the entire horizontal surface area of the ledge portions external to the vertically extending rear flap.
In one embodiment, a pair of side flaps of the lid are each positionable on the inside of the bottom portion adjacent an interior surface of each side wall of the bottom portion. In another embodiment, a front flap of the lid is slidably insertable relative to a front portion of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion of the food product container. Accordingly, the lid of the food product container includes flaps (e.g., side flaps and a front flap) that are insertably secured inside the bottom portion adjacent an interior surface of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion (e.g., the side wall and/or the front wall). This arrangement is in contrast to a pair of rear flap(s) of the lid that are foldable over, and external to the exterior surface of the diagonal members of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion.
In one embodiment, the above-described features are embodied via a box layout or blank box material which is foldable from a flat sheet in its unassembled state into an assembled state.
These embodiments and other embodiments of the invention are described and illustrated in greater detail in association with FIGS. 1-10. FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a food product container in an assembled state, while FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a food product container in an unassembled state as a generally flat sheet prior to assembly.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food product container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. Food product container 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled state to illustrate some of the features of container 10 while other Figures illustrate additional features of container 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, food product container 10 comprises a top portion 11 (i.e., a lid) and a bottom portion 12, and is illustrated in its assembled state. The bottom portion 12 comprises a bottom panel 15 (also shown in FIGS. 3, 8-10) and vertical support wall 17 that is arranged in a generally octagon shape while top portion 11 includes top panel 13 defining a generally octagon shape. In one embodiment, top panel 13 has a size and shape that generally corresponds to the generally octagonal shaped defined by vertical support wall 17. In one embodiment, vertical support wall 17 extends generally perpendicular to bottom panel 15 and includes side portions 14 and 16 (i.e., side walls), rear portion 18 (i.e., rear wall), front portion 20 (i.e., front wall), and diagonal members 52, which together define the generally octagon shape of vertical support wall 17 of bottom portion 12.
Food product container 10 also comprises diagonal corner portions 30, 32, 34, and 36. In its assembled state, each corner portion 30-36 of food product container 10 comprises diagonal member 52 of vertical support wall 17 and a ledge 50, which extends generally outwardly from and generally perpendicular to diagonal member 52 of vertical support wall 17.
As shown in FIG. 1, top panel 13 of lid 11 of food product container 10 comprises diagonal edges 60, side edges 62, rear edge 64 (with tab 66), and front edge 70 (with tabs 72), which together define a generally octagon shape. The generally octagon shape of top panel 13 of lid 11 generally corresponds to the generally octagon shape of vertical support wall 17 of bottom portion 12. In one embodiment, front diagonal edges 60 of top panel 13 (e.g., diagonal edges 60 that are adjacent front portion 20 of bottom portion 12) extend generally outward beyond the diagonal members 52 of diagonal corner portions 30 and 32. In contrast, rear diagonal edges 60 of top panel 13 (e.g., diagonal edges 60 that are adjacent a rear portion of bottom portion 12) do not extend generally outward beyond the diagonal members 52 of diagonal corner portions 34 and 36.
In addition, in one embodiment, front portion 20 of vertical support wall 17 of bottom portion 12 comprises tabs 80, arcuate supports 82, and slot 90, which are described in greater detail in association with FIGS. 8-10.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, food product container 10 in its assembled state has a generally octagon shape with ledges 50 protruding from diagonal corner portions 30-36 of the generally octagon shaped food product container 10. Additional features of food product container 10 are described in association with FIGS. 2-10.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of food product container 10 according to an embodiment of the invention and primarily illustrating the lid 11 and ledges 50 of food product container 10. This top plan view also corresponds to a view commonly seen by a consumer prior to opening food product container 10 when opening the container to consume its contents. As shown in FIG. 2, lid 11 comprises display 100 for identifying the contents of the container or other information such as the name of the retailer or other advertising information. In one embodiment, ledges 50 of one or more diagonal corner portions 30-36 comprise printed matter 110. Printed matter 110 comprises a logo, a symbol, a text, a numeral, a color, or any combination of these features. In one example, printed matter 110 comprises the name/logo of the retailer or product, or other advertising information. In one embodiment, printed matter 110 is generally the same on each ledge 50 while in other embodiments, printed matter 100 on the ledges 50 differ from each other. Accordingly, ledges 50 provide a means for maintaining generally unimpeded visibility of printed matter 110 on at least one horizontal surface (e.g., a ledge 50) of the food product container 10 independent of whether the top portion 11 is closed or open relative to the bottom portion 12.
As shown in FIG. 2, in an assembled state of food product container 10, ledges 50 are sized, shaped, and positioned to extend outwardly from diagonal edges 60 of lid 11 to be visible when lid 11 of food product container 10 is closed. In one embodiment, ledges 50 have a generally triangular shape. In addition, because the visibility of ledges 50 of diagonal corner portions 30-36 are not hidden or obscured by the closure of lid 11 over bottom portion 12 of food product container 10, ledges 50 create the appearance of food product container 10 having a larger volume interior to vertical support wall 17 than an octagonal box that has the same size and shape as a food product container 10 that omits ledges 50. This feature enables food product container to cause a customer to perceive that pizza pies within food product container 10 are larger than pizza pies within a rectangular shaped box having the same size pizza pie that fits within food product container 10.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bottom portion of food product container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, bottom portion 12 comprises bottom panel 15 having front edge 120, side edges 122, rear edge 123, and diagonal edges 124 (at each diagonal corner portion 30-36). Diagonal edges 124 have a location, size, and shape that generally correspond to an outer edge 53 of ledges 50, whereas dashed line(s) 129 generally corresponds to a size, shape, and location of diagonal members 52 of vertical support wall 17. Front edge 120 of bottom panel 15 also comprises slots 121, which are defined in combination with front portion 20 of vertical support wall 17 and which are a byproduct of folding up a panel 270 having tabs 80 (shown in FIG. 9) to form front portion 20.
Bottom portion 12 also comprises slots 130 formed in bottom panel 15 adjacent each diagonal edge 124. Slots 130 are sized, shaped, and positioned for receiving a tabbed flap 154 (with tab 210) from lid 11 (shown in FIGS. 5-10) and a tabbed flap 250 (with tab 251) from a rear diagonal corner portion 34-36 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 7). This arrangement is described in detail in association with FIGS. 8-10. From this bottom view, food product container 10 still presents a generally octagonal shaped box.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a front portion 20 of food product container 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, and primarily illustrating arcuate supports 82. As shown in FIG. 4, front portion 20 of vertical support wall 17 of food product container 10 defines a front wall member and also includes tabs 80, arcuate supports 82, and slot 90. In one embodiment, arcuate supports have a generally concave shape. Arcuate supports 82 extend from a central area of front portion 20 to act as a bridge to a side edge 120 of the bottom panel. In this embodiment, the arcuate supports of the front portion 20 of the vertical support wall 17 enable a robust, stronger connection to the bottom panel 15 so that when the front portion 20 of the vertical support wall 17 is folded upward in its erected position relative to the bottom panel 15, the front portion 20 better resists crushing or sagging from vertical forces (e.g., stacks of boxes) exerted on the front portion 20. Front portion 20, including arcuate supports 82 is further illustrated and described later in association with FIGS. 8-10. While not shown in FIG. 4, lateral flaps 252 of diagonal corner portions 30 and 32 extend behind arcuate portions 82 of front portion 20 to further bolster front portion 20, as further described and illustrated in association with FIGS. 8-10.
FIG. 4 also further illustrates ledges 50 of diagonal corner portions 30 and 32, which comprise front edge 140 and outer edge 142 (also designated as outer edge 53 in other Figures). Lid 11 comprises diagonal edges 60 and tabs 72, while tabs 80 of front portion 20 extend slightly downwardly from a bottom edge of front wall 20, and also are shown later in greater detail in association with FIGS. 8-10.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rear portion 150 (i.e., rear wall) of food product food product container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, food product container 10 comprises rear wall 150 including arcuate supports 151 and slot 152, as well as tabbed flaps 154 of corner portions 34 and 36. Arcuate supports 151 of rear wall 150 have substantially the same features and attributes as arcuate supports 82 of front wall 20, except having a different location at a rear portion of food product container 10. In addition, tabbed flaps 154 are positioned on an exterior side of rear diagonal corners 32, 36 for removably securing with slot 130 (FIGS. 8-10). Finally, portions 252 correspond to lateral flaps 252 that are positioned behind arcuate supports 151, as further described and illustrate in association with FIGS. 8-10. Arcuate supports 151 combine with lateral flaps 252 to form a robust vertical support wall of food product container 10.
FIG. 6 is plan view of a side portion of food product container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 6, food product container 10 comprises side wall 14 interposed between corner portions 34 and 30. Rear diagonal corner portion 34 comprises tabbed flap 154 of lid 11 that extends over and alongside a vertically disposed diagonal member 52 of rear diagonal corner portion 34 while diagonal corner portion 30 also includes a diagonal member 52.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a side portion of food product container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrating lid 11 in a partially open position as it is being closed relative to the bottom portion 12. As shown in FIG. 7, lid 11 comprises side flap 160, which is inserted along an interior portion of side wall 14 and front flap 162, which is inserted within slot 90 of front wall 20 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 8). Tabbed flap 154 of lid 11 extends alongside and on an exterior of diagonal member 52 of rear diagonal corner portion 34, as previously described in association with FIGS. 5-7. The combination of exterior-placed rear flaps 154 of lid 11 and interior-placed flaps 160, 162 of lid 11 together achieve a robust mechanism for securing lid 11 relative to the bottom portion 12 of food product container 10.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of food product container 10, according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating food product container 10 in its assembled state but with lid 11 folded completely open to expose an interior of bottom 12. As shown in FIG. 8, lid 11 of food product container 10 includes corner edges 60, front edge 70 with tab areas 72, rear tab 66 along rear edge 64, rear flaps 154 with tab 210, and side flaps 160. In addition, lid 11 comprises front flap 162 with fold line 163. Rear corner flaps 154 comprise fold line 204, which corresponds to corner edges 60 of lid 11 when viewed in FIGS. 1-2. Lid 11 also comprises fold line 220, which corresponds to rear edge 64 when lid 11 is viewed in FIGS. 1-2. Side flaps 160 comprise fold line 202, which corresponds to side edges 62 of lid 11 when viewed in FIGS. 1-2.
As further shown in FIG. 8, ledges 50 are sized, shaped, and located relative to vertical support wall 17 so that ledges 50 and/or printed matter 110 on ledges remain visible when lid 11 is laid open, enabling a consumer to view printed matter 110 and/or ledges 50 even while they are accessing the contents of food product container 10. FIG. 8 also further illustrates the components of previously described vertical support wall 17, which is generally perpendicular to bottom panel 15 and which includes front portion 20, rear portion 150, side portions 14 and 16, and diagonal members 52 of each corner portion 30-36. Front portion 20 includes slot 90, which is sized, shaped, and positioned for receiving flap 162 of lid 11, as previously shown in association with FIG. 7. Printed matter 110 is not limited to the shape, color, pattern etc. shown in FIG. 8. Diagonal member 52 of vertical support wall 17 at each corner portion 34 and 36 extends over and is secured relative to slot 130 of bottom panel 15 to maintain visibility of substantially the entire horizontal surface area of ledges 50 and/or any printed matter 110 thereon. In addition, in one embodiment, lateral flap 252 extends from diagonal member 52 to be generally parallel to fold line 222, thereby partially forming a rear portion of vertical support wall 17 in combination with rear portion 150 (when folded upward at fold line 222) of food product container 10. These arrangements are further described and illustrated in association with FIGS. 9 and 10.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exterior surface of food product container 10 in its unassembled state as a flat sheet prior to assembly and having multiple foldable panels and portions arranged to enable erecting the flat sheet into an assembled state (previously illustrated and described in FIGS. 1-8). As shown in FIG. 9, food product container 10 comprises lid 11 with top panel 13, side edges 62 and corner edges 60, along with corner flaps 154, side flaps 160, and front flap 162 as previously described and illustrate in association with FIGS. 1-8.
As shown in FIG. 9, side portion 14 and side portion 16 are laid flat relative to bottom panel 15. Diagonal corner portions 30-36 each comprise corner wall 250 (which forms diagonal member 52), lateral flap 252, and ledge panel 254 with side members 256 interposed between respective diagonal corner portions 32 and 36 and between respective diagonal corner portions 30 and 34. As also shown in FIG. 9, front portion 20 of bottom portion 12 of food product container 10 comprises first portion 270 and second portion 272.
Manipulation of components of diagonal corner portions 30-36 and of front portion 20 to assemble food product container 10 is described further in association with FIG. 10. Finally, while certain aspects of manipulation of components of food product container 10 are described throughout this description, those skilled in the art will find ready use of FIGS. 1-10 for assembling food product container 10 based on their familiarity with general techniques for manipulating panels of a flat sheet along fold lines to erect a box, such as in Zion et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,534, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an interior surface of food product container 10, which is effectively a mirror image of exterior side of box shown in FIG. 9, and has substantially the same attributes and features as FIG. 9. FIG. 10 further illustrates action at various fold lines for erecting food product container 10 from its unassembled state as a flat sheet to an assembled state shown in FIGS. 1-8. All of the directional arrows in FIG. 10 indicate folding of one panel or member relative to an adjacent panel or member.
As shown in FIG. 10, to raise front portion 20 into its vertical assembled position, first portion 270 is folded upward to be generally perpendicular to bottom panel 15 and second portion 272 is folded downward relative to first portion 270 until tabs 273 (labeled in FIG. 9) are inserted into slots 121 (see FIG. 3) formed by rotation of tabs 80 away from bottom panel 15. When finished, first portion 270 and second portion 272 are in contact with each other in a generally parallel relationship, held in place via tabs 273 in slots 121, thereby maintaining a vertically fixed front wall 20. As previously described and illustrated, arcuate supports 82 further bolster front portion 20 to maintain its generally vertical position relative to bottom panel 15. Moreover, in one embodiment, arcuate supports 82 of front portion 20 extend alongside or in front of lateral flaps 252 of diagonal corner portions 30 and 32, when vertical support wall 17 is in its erected position. This arrangement is substantially the same as the relationship between lateral flaps 252 of diagonal corner portions 34 and 36 relative to arcuate supports 151 of rear portion 150, as previously described and illustrated in association with FIGS. 8-9.
As also shown in FIG. 10, to form each diagonal member 52 and ledge 50, ledge panel 254 is folded at fold line 255 to extend onto bottom panel 15 so that tab 251 is slidably inserted into slot 130 with ledge panel 254 being generally parallel to and on top of bottom panel 15. In addition, about the same time, panel 250 is folded to be generally perpendicular to ledge panel 254, thereby resulting in panel 250 extending generally perpendicular to both ledge panel 254 and bottom panel 15. In this position, panel member 250 defines vertically disposed diagonal member 52 that has been previously described and illustrated in association with FIGS. 1-9. Finally, with diagonal member 52 in its erected position, lateral flap 252 is rotated slightly inward to the position shown in FIG. 8 to be over and generally parallel to fold line 222, thereby causing lateral flap 252 to be positioned behind rear portion 150, and particularly behind arcuate supports 151 (when rear portion 150 is raised vertically upward to partially define vertical support wall 17).
Finally, recall that in addition to receiving tab 251 of panel 250, slot 130 of bottom panel 15 at diagonal corner portions 34 and 36 also slidably receives tab 210 of rear flaps 154 of lid 11 when lid 11 is closed over and fastened relative to bottom portion 12. Accordingly, slot 130 acts to both anchor diagonal member 52 at each diagonal corner portion 30-36 and enable securing lid 11 in a closed position via rear flaps 154.
In one embodiment, FIGS. 1-6 depict ornamental features of a food product container, and illustrate perspective, top, bottom, front, rear, and identical side views, respectively of the food product container.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a food product container, such as a pizza box. The food product container includes a lid structure made securely closable by rear flaps that fold over a rear diagonal member of the bottom portion of the container. The food product container also includes an arcuate support mechanism adapted to strengthen vertical support of a front portion and/or a rear portion of the bottom portion of the container. In addition, the food product container is further strengthened by ledges that extend outward horizontally from diagonal members of a vertical support wall of the bottom portion. The ledges cause the contents (e.g., a pizza pie) and/or box to appear even larger than the actual volume of the contents and/or box. Finally, the ledges enable printed matter, such as a logo, to remain visible to the consumer at all times, whether the lid of the box is open or closed. Together, these features provide a much stronger food product container, that closes more securely, that enhances consumer perception of value (based on perceived volume), and that enables better display of information throughout different stages of use of the container.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A food product container comprising:

a bottom portion including:

a bottom panel; and

a generally polygon-shaped vertical support wall extending generally perpendicular to the bottom panel, the vertical support wall including at least four diagonal members, a first side portion and a second side portion disposed at opposite side edges of the bottom panel relative to each other, and a front portion and a rear portion with the front portion and the rear portion disposed at opposite side edges of the bottom panel relative to each other, the at least four diagonal members including a first diagonal member interposed between the rear portion and the first side portion, a second diagonal member interposed between the first side portion and the front portion, a third diagonal member interposed between the front portion and the second side portion, and a fourth diagonal member interposed between the second side portion and the rear portion; and

four ledges with each ledge extending generally outward from, and generally perpendicular to, each of the four diagonal members of the vertical support wall;

a top portion including a generally polygon shaped top panel with the top panel hingedly connected to the bottom portion via the rear portion of the vertical support wall, wherein the top panel is sized and shaped to generally correspond to the size and shape of bottom panel to enable the top portion to form an enclosure with the bottom portion upon contact of the top portion with the vertical support wall of the bottom portion. with the bottom portion upon contact of the top portion with the vertical support wall of the bottom portion.

2. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the top portion includes:

a pair of rear flaps with each rear flap extending from a rear diagonal edge of the top portion, wherein when the top portion of the food product container is in a closed position relative to the bottom portion, each rear flap is folded over a respective diagonal member of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion to extend against an exterior surface of the respective rear diagonal member and to be removably secured relative to the bottom panel to maintain the rear flaps in the folded-over position.

3. The food product container of claim 2 wherein the top portion comprises:

a pair of side flaps with each side flap extending from a respective side edge of the top panel and each side flap of the top portion configured to be slidably positioned against an interior surface of each side portion of the vertical support wall when the top portion is in a closed position relative to the bottom portion; and

a front flap extending from a front edge of the top panel with the front flap being sized and shaped for slidable insertion into a slot in the front portion of the vertical support wall.

4. The food product container of claim 2 wherein the bottom panel comprises:

a pair of slots with each slot adapted for receiving one flap of the pair of rear flaps of top portion, each slot being sized, shaped, and positioned generally parallel to a respective diagonal member of the vertical support wall.

5. The food product container of claim 1 wherein each ledge is sized, shaped and positioned relative to the size and shape of the top portion to be visible when the top portion is closed over the bottom portion and when the top portion is opened relative to the bottom portion of the food product container.

6. The food product container of claim 5 wherein at least one of the ledges comprises printed matter including at least one of a symbol, a text, a pattern, a numeral, and a color.

7. The food product container of claim 5 wherein each ledge is generally triangular shaped.

8. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the front portion of the vertical support wall comprises a pair of front arcuate supports extending laterally from the front portion as a bridge to a front edge of the bottom panel.

9. The food product container of claim 8 wherein the rear portion of the vertical support wall comprises a pair of rear arcuate supports extending laterally from the rear portion as a bridge to a rear edge of the bottom panel.

10. The food product container of claim 9 wherein the arcuate supports of the front portion and of the rear portion are concave shaped.

11. The food product container of claim 8 wherein the front portion comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion wherein each arcuate support extends from opposite side edges of the outer wall portion.

12. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the top portion is sized and shaped so that when the top panel is laid over bottom portion, a front flap of the top portion is insertable into a slot of the front portion of the vertical support wall, side flaps of top portion are insertable along an interior surface of the side walls, and rear flaps of top portion are foldable over and extend along an exterior surface of the respective rear diagonal members to be removably secured relative to bottom portion via a slot in the bottom panel adjacent vertical wall portion.

13. The food product container of claim 1 wherein the generally polygon shaped vertical support wall and the generally polygon shaped top panel each comprise a generally octagon shape with eight sides.

14. A pizza box comprising:

a generally polygon shaped bottom portion defining a vertical support wall and a generally polygon shaped top portion that is pivotally connected relative to the bottom portion at a rear portion of the box for enclosing the pizza box by covering the bottom portion via contact of the top portion with the vertical support wall; and

means for maintaining generally unimpeded visibility of printed matter on at least one horizontal surface of the box independent of whether the top portion is closed or open relative to the bottom portion, wherein the at least one horizontal surface is external to the generally polygon shape of the bottom portion.

15. The pizza box of claim 14 wherein the means for maintaining comprises:

four generally horizontal ledges with each ledge extending generally outward from, and generally perpendicular to, each respective diagonal member of the bottom portion of the box.

16. The pizza box of claim 14 wherein each ledge has a generally triangular shape.

17. The pizza box of claim 14 wherein the generally polygon shaped bottom portion and the generally polygon shaped top portion each comprise a generally octagon shape.

18. A food product container comprising:

a generally polygon shaped bottom portion defining a vertical support wall and a generally polygon shaped top portion that is pivotally connected relative to the bottom portion at a rear portion of the box for enclosing an interior of the food product container by covering the bottom portion via contact of the top portion with the vertical support wall; and

a pair of exterior flaps extending from the top portion and spaced laterally from each other, with each external flap configured for folding over the vertical support wall at each rear diagonal member of each rear corner portion of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion, the external flaps including at least one tab for slidable insertion into a slot of the bottom portion to secure the top portion of the box relative to the bottom portion.

19. The food product container of claim 18 wherein each external flap extends outside of an exterior surface of the diagonal member of vertical support wall when the top portion is closed over the bottom portion, the top portion further comprising at least one interior flap that extends inside relative to an interior surface of the vertical support wall when the top portion is the closed position.

20. The food product container of claim 19 wherein the at least one interior flap comprises:

a pair of side flaps extending from the top portion with each side flap positioned for insertion adjacent an interior surface of a side portion of the vertical support wall of the bottom portion; and

at least one front flap extending from the top portion and configured for slidable insertion into a front portion of the vertical support wall, with the front portion being disposed on an opposite side of the bottom portion relative to the rear portion of the food product container.

21. The food product container of claim 20 wherein the bottom portion comprises a pair of ledges with each ledge extending outwardly and generally perpendicular to the vertical support wall adjacent the location of each exterior flap at the rear diagonal members of the rear corner portions of the bottom portion.

22. The food product container of claim 18 wherein the generally polygon shaped bottom portion and the generally polygon shaped top portion comprise a generally octagon shape.

23. A pizza box comprising:

a container having an assembled state as a box and an unassembled state as a flat sheet, wherein in the assembled state a top portion and a bottom portion of the box define a generally octagonal shaped enclosure, the enclosure defining eight sides including four diagonal sides and configured to contain a pizza pie; and

means for generating a visual perception of increased surface area of pizza pie within the generally octagon shaped enclosure via provision of increased horizontal surface area of the box external to the generally octagon shape enclosure.

24. The pizza box of claim 23 wherein the means for generating comprises:

four ledges with each ledge extending generally horizontally outward from the diagonal sides of the box, wherein each ledge is sized, shaped, and positioned relative to both the top portion and the bottom portion to enable the substantially entire surface area of each ledge to remain visible whether the box is open or closed via pivotal movement of the top portion relative to the bottom portion.