IP Library Granted Patent US 7,980,412
Granted Patent B2
US 7,980,412 · App. 11/632,534 · Granted Jul 19, 2011

Pizza container

Assignee: Gruppo Pluripack s.r.l.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,980,412
App. No.
11/632,534
Granted
Jul 19, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A container or package for pizzas, made of thermoplastic material, including a cover ( 1 ) and a dish or plate ( 2 ), wherein the cover ( 1 ) has a plurality of first holes ( 8 ) arranged centrally and a plurality of second holes ( 6 ) arranged along its circumference or circular edge (or in the neighborhood of the latter). Several radial channels ( 11 ) interconnect these two pluralities of holes ( 6 and 8 ). Preferably, the container ( 1, 2 ) is transparent; thereby allowing to recognize the kind of food it contains.

Claims (40)

1. A container, or package, for a pizza and generally for warm food, comprising:

a cover ( 1 );

a dish ( 2 ) that is connectable to the cover ( 1 ) by a joint, in order to close the container, using alignment and engagement means ( 3 , 4 );

a central portion formed from triangles ( 10 , 10 , . . . ) formed in the cover ( 1 );

a plurality of vent windows ( 8 , 8 , . . . ) arranged in central first recesses ( 9 ) in the cover ( 1 ) for allowing steam to escape, said steam being developed by the warm food contained in the container;

a plurality of holes ( 6 ) provided only in second recesses ( 7 ) on an outer edge of the cover ( 1 ), the second recesses ( 7 ) being formed at a height that is more or less equal to that of the first recesses ( 9 ); and

knurled regions ( 13 ) formed on a face of an inner side of the cover ( 1 ), the knurled regions ( 13 ) being adapted to prevent condensate beads from forming, the knurled regions ( 13 ) being formed on a great percentage of the face of the inner side of the cover not occupied by first and second holes,

wherein said first recesses ( 9 ) communicate with a plurality of channels ( 11 ) that are formed on the cover and which extend radially up to an outer edge of the cover ( 1 ) in order to allow the steam to be dispersed in the atmosphere even when several containers are stacked on top of each other.

2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein said holes ( 6 ) are provided in the recesses ( 7 ) communicating with said channels ( 11 ), the channels ( 11 ) extending up to the recesses ( 9 ) which are associated with the windows ( 8 ).

3. The container according to claim 2 , wherein there are further provided transversal channels ( 12 ) that create a communication between said channels ( 11 ) which extend substantially radially up to the outer edge of the cover.

4. The container according to claim 1 , which is formed of thermoplastic moulding material, or polystyrene of a grade used for foodstuffs.

5. The container according to claim 4 , wherein said thermoplastic material is transparent.

6. The container according to claim 1 , wherein an outer periphery of an area delimited by an assembly of the triangles ( 10 ) is provided in order to act as a reinforcement.

7. The container according to claim 1 , said container having a circular form.

8. The container according to claim 1 , wherein on an inner side of the dish ( 2 ) there are provided radial ribs ( 5 ).

9. The container according to claim 7 , wherein ribs ( 5 ) form longitudinal cavities on an outer side of the dish ( 2 ).

10. A container according to claim 8 , wherein several small, pin-shaped, cylindrical projections ( 14 ) are provided in proximity of the outer edge of the cover ( 1 ) and on an outer side of the cover ( 1 ), said small projections being spaced apart at angles corresponding to an angular separation existing between the ribs ( 5 ) of the dish ( 2 ).

11. A container, or package, for a pizza and generally for warm food, comprising:

a cover ( 1 );

a dish ( 2 ) that is connectable to the cover ( 1 ) by a joint, in order to close the container, using an alignment and engagement mechanism ( 3 , 4 );

a central portion formed from triangles ( 10 , 10 , . . . ) formed in the cover ( 1 );

a plurality of central circular vent windows ( 8 , 8 , . . . ) arranged in central first recesses ( 9 ) in the cover ( 1 ) for allowing steam to escape, which steam is developed by the warm food contained in the container;

a plurality of holes ( 6 ) provided only in second recesses ( 7 ) on an outer edge of the cover ( 1 ), the second recesses ( 7 ) being formed at a height that is more or less equal to that of the first recesses ( 9 ); and

knurled regions ( 13 ) formed on a face of an inner side of the cover ( 1 ), the knurled regions ( 13 ) being adapted to prevent condensate beads from forming, the knurled regions ( 13 ) being formed on a great percentage of the face of the inner side of the cover not occupied by first and second holes,

wherein said first recesses ( 9 ) communicate with a plurality of channels ( 11 ) that are formed on the cover and which extend radially up to an outer edge of the cover ( 1 ) in order to allow the steam to be dispersed in the atmosphere even when several containers are stacked on top of each other.

12. The container according to claim 11 , wherein said holes ( 6 ) are provided in the recesses ( 7 ) communicating with said channels ( 11 ), the channels extending up to the recesses ( 9 ) which are associated with the windows ( 8 ).

13. The container according to claim 12 , wherein there are further provided transversal channels ( 12 ) that create a communication between said channels ( 11 ) which extend substantially radially up to the outer edge of the cover.

14. The container according to claim 11 , which is formed of thermoplastic moulding material, or polystyrene of a grade used for foodstuffs.

15. The container according to claim 14 , wherein said thermoplastic material is transparent.

16. The container according to claim 11 , wherein an outer periphery of an area delimited by an assembly of the triangles ( 10 ) is provided in order to act as a reinforcement.

17. The container according to claim 11 , said container having a circular form.

18. The container according to claim 11 , wherein on an inner side of the dish ( 2 ) there are provided radial ribs ( 5 ).

19. A container, or package, for a pizza and generally for warm food, comprising:

a cover ( 1 );

a dish ( 2 ) that is connectable to the cover ( 1 ) by a joint, in order to close the container, using alignment and engagement means ( 3 , 4 );

a central portion formed from triangles ( 10 , 10 , . . . ) formed in the cover ( 1 );

a plurality of central circular vent windows ( 8 , 8 , . . . ) arranged in central first recesses ( 9 ) in the cover ( 1 ) for allowing steam to escape, which steam is developed by the warm food contained in the container;

a plurality of triangular holes ( 6 ) provided in second recesses ( 7 ) only on an outer edge of the cover ( 1 ), the second recesses ( 7 ) being formed at a height that is more or less equal to that of the first recesses ( 9 ); and

knurled regions ( 13 ) formed on a face of an inner side of the cover ( 1 ), the knurled regions ( 13 ) being adapted to prevent condensate beads from forming, the knurled regions ( 13 ) being formed on a great percentage of the face of the inner side of the cover not occupied by first and second holes,

wherein first recesses ( 9 ) communicate with a plurality of channels ( 11 ) that are formed on the cover and which extend radially up to an outer edge of the cover ( 1 ) in order to allow the steam to be dispersed in the atmosphere even when several containers are stacked on top of each other.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2007
From: BELLEGGIA, GIULIA
To: GRUPPO PLURIPACK S.R.L.
Reel/Frame 018823/0608 →
Priority Claims (1)
IT RM2004A0364 · Jul 19, 2004 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070241110A1 · Oct 18, 2007