Pizza separator

Abstract

A pizza separator for use with a pizza box of the type having an upper and lower panel, includes a separator member dimensioned for positioning within a pizza box. The separator member includes a base having at least one compartment for accommodating seasonings and upper and lower support surfaces for respectively positioning adjacent upper and lower covers of the pizza box. The upper and lower support surfaces define a height sufficient to maintain the upper and lower covers at a predetermined spacial distance. The base preferably includes a plurality of compartments, with each compartment dimensioned to accommodate a different seasoning. At least one leg may depend from the base for positioning on the pizza. Preferably, a plurality of legs are provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pizza separator for use with a pizza box of the type having an upper and lower cover, which comprises: 
 a separator member dimensioned for positioning within a pizza box, said separator member including a base having at least one compartment for accommodating seasonings, said separator having upper and lower support surfaces for respectively positioning adjacent upper and lower covers of the pizza box and defining a height between said support surfaces sufficient to maintain the upper and lower covers at a predetermined spacial distance.    
     
     
         2 . The pizza separator according to  claim 1  wherein said base includes a plurality of said compartments, each compartment dimensioned to accommodate respective seasonings.  
     
     
         3 . The pizza separator according to  claim 2  wherein said separator member includes at least one leg depending from said base, said one leg defining said lower support surface.  
     
     
         4 . The pizza separator according to  claim 3  including a plurality of said legs.  
     
     
         5 . The pizza separator according to  claim 1  further including a separator cover connected to said base, said separator cover having at least one dispensing port to permit dispensing of the seasonings from said one compartment.  
     
     
         6 . The pizza separator according to  claim 2  further including a separator cover connected to said base, said separator cover having at least one dispensing opening to permit dispensing of the seasonings from said components.  
     
     
         7 . The pizza separator according to  claim 6  wherein said separator cover is movable relative to said base to permit alignment of said one dispensing port with a selected compartment.  
     
     
         8 . The pizza separator according to  claim 6  wherein said separator cover includes a plurality of dispensing port, for permitting dispensing of seasonings from respective compartments.  
     
     
         9 . The pizza separator according to  claim 5  wherein said separator cover includes a lid mounted adjacent said dispensing port, said lid movable between a closed position substantially closing said dispensing port and an open position exposing said dispensing port.  
     
     
         10 . A method for use of a pizza box of the type having a top cover and a bottom cover, comprising the steps of: 
 placing a pizza in the pizza box;    providing a pizza separator including a base having at least one compartment for accommodating seasonings and upper and lower support surfaces for respectively positioning adjacent upper and lower covers of the pizza box and defining a height between said support surfaces sufficient to maintain the upper and lower covers at a predetermined spacial distance;    positioning a pizza in the pizza box; and    positioning said pizza separator in said pizza box, with said lower support surface disposed adjacent the pizza and said lower cover, and with said upper support surface positioned adjacent said upper cover.