Tortilla-packaging box and support apparatus

Abstract

The present invention comprises a tortilla housing and support apparatus, configured to be manipulated so that the housing performs as a tortilla support device that provides vertical support to at least one tortilla. The tortilla housing and support apparatus is initially used as a tortilla-packaging box, such as tortilla boxes currently in use at supermarkets for housing tortillas. The tortilla housing has a configuration so that it may be manipulated from serving as packaging so that it performs as a tortilla support device.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An tortilla packaging box, comprising: 
 a base plate;    oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, integrally coupled to a first and second end of the base plate, respectively;    oppositely disposed third and fourth sidewalls, integrally coupled to a third and fourth end of the base plate, respectively;    a top plate disposed, opposite the base plate, and integrally coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls; and    wherein the top plate includes at least one perforated region configured to allow openings to be formed in the top plate.    
     
     
         2 . The packaging box of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one perforated region of the top plate is a detachable perforated region defined by a closed set of perforations, wherein the perforations are disposed so as to generally form an elongated shape in a desired location.  
     
     
         3 . The packaging box of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one perforated region of the top plate forms an elongated oval.  
     
     
         4 . The packaging box of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one perforated region of the top plate further comprises a perforated tab portion, operative to provide for detachment of the entire at least one perforated region.  
     
     
         5 . The packaging box of  claim 2 , wherein after the at least one perforated region of the top plate is detached, the packaging box provides at least one tortilla receiving chamber, defined by portions of the top plate which detachably engage the at least one perforated region, operative to provide support to at least one tortilla.  
     
     
         6 . The packaging box of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one perforated region of the top plate wherein the first side wall comprises a singular first and second portion, hingedly coupled to the base plate and top plate, respectively, and wherein further the second portion engages the first portion to secure the second portion to the first portion.  
     
     
         7 . The packaging box of  claim 6 , wherein the engagement of the first portion to the second portion is performed by a tab integrally coupled to the second portion, wherein the first portion has an adhesive applied thereto for securing the first portion to the second portion.  
     
     
         8 . The packaging box of  claim 6  wherein the engagement of the first portion to the second portion is performed by a flap integrally coupled to the second portion, wherein the first portion has a slit therein that is positioned for receiving the flap and thereby securing the second portion to the first portion.  
     
     
         9 . A tortilla packaging and support apparatus, for providing vertical support to at least one tortilla, comprising: 
 a base plate;    oppositely disposed first and second sidewalls, integrally coupled to a first and second end of the base plate, respectively;    oppositely disposed third and fourth sidewalls, integrally coupled to a third and fourth end of the base plate, respectively; and    a top plate disposed opposite the base plate and integrally coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls;    wherein the top plate includes at least one perforated depressible region that creates a tortilla-receiving chamber when depressed, whereby a tortilla is supportably maintained.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one perforated depressible region on the top plate comprises oppositely disposed first and second portions, wherein the first portion is hingedly coupled to top plate along a first edge and the second portion is hingedly coupled to top plate along a second edge, respectfully, wherein the first portion and second portions are coupled to each other along a perforated linear region and coupled to the top plate in a perforated manner along all other edges except the first edge and the second edge.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein when force is applied to the perforated linear region of the depressible region, the first and second portions hingedly deflect so as to be disposed within the tortilla housing and support apparatus, operative to provide internal, vertical support to a tortilla.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the depressible region further comprises a second perforated linear region that is perpendicularly disposed to the perforated linear region, at a first end of the perforated linear region, wherein further a third perforated linear region is perpendicularly disposed to the perforated linear region, at a second end of the perforated linear region.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the depressible region is substantially an elongated oval.  
     
     
         14 . A tortilla packaging and support apparatus, comprising: 
 a rectangular housing, comprising a base wall, a first, second, third and fourth sidewalls integrally coupled to the base wall, a top wall, opposite the base wall and integrally coupled to the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls, wherein the rectangular housing is configured to allow at least a portion of the top wall to be removed;    a tortilla support device, disposed within the rectangular housing, comprising opposing inner first and second walls and a first an inner top wall integrally coupled to the inner first and second walls, wherein the inner top wall is positioned opposite the base wall; and    at least one tortilla-receiving slot formed in the inner top wall for receiving and supporting a tortilla shell.    
     
     
         15 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the top wall of the rectangular housing includes a detachable region, operative to provide access to an interior of the tortilla housing and the tortilla support device.  
     
     
         16 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the top wall of the housing is configured with a perforated region, operative to allow at least a portion of the top wall to be removed.  
     
     
         17 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the inner top wall of the tortilla support device is convexly curved such that the center of the inner top wall is spaced further from the base wall than the ends of the inner top wall, the curved top wall operative to provide improved support for tortillas.  
     
     
         18 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the tortilla support device includes opposing inner third and fourth walls and an inner base wall wherein the opposing inner first and second walls and the opposing inner third and fourth walls are operatively attached to and inner base wall, wherein the inner base wall is secured to the base wall.  
     
     
         19 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the tortilla support device is collapsible to a flat storage position.  
     
     
         20 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the tortilla support device includes a flap having flap securement means mounted thereon, the flap foldably connects to a portion of the inner base, the flap securement means operative to secure the flap to the inner top wall thereby securing the tortilla support device in an upright tortilla support position.  
     
     
         21 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the tortilla support device collapses laterally.  
     
     
         22 . The tortilla packaging and support apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the top wall of the tortilla support device is pleated and provides for lateral collapsing of the tortilla support device.