System and method for packaging and transporting food

Abstract

A system and method for packaging, protecting and transporting food items, such as wedding cakes, from the production location to the site of use includes a primary transportation box into which one or more tier boxes are placed. One cake tier or level is placed within each tier box, and each cake tier is maintained in position within the tier box by a stabilizing member having an aperture sized to receive therein the base of the cake tier. In addition, a vertically adjustable locking pin is inserted through the top of the tier box and downwardly into and through the cake tier for further fixing the cake tier in position within the tier box. The cake tier boxes are removed from their respective primary transportation boxes by the last in first out principle so that the wedding cake can be assembled, cake tier by cake tier, at the wedding reception site.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A system for packaging and transporting the tiers of a wedding cake, comprising: 
 at least one primary packaging and transportation box;    a square-shaped insert for disposition within the primary box so that the insert is spaced inwardly from the side walls of the box thereby forming open spaces between the insert and the side walls of the box;    one or more tier boxes for successive stacked placement within the insert for enclosure by the primary box; and    a locking pin for insertion into and through the top of the tier box and into and through the cake tier for holding the cake tier in position within the tier box during transportation.    
     
     
         2 . The system for packaging and transporting the tiers of the wedding cake further comprising: 
 a plurality of stabilizing collars with each collar adapted for placement within each respective tier box, and the collars having a central opening for receiving therein the base of the cake tier so that the collar can prevent the cake tier from sliding within the tier box during transportation.    
     
     
         3 . The system for packaging and transporting the tiers of a wedding cakes of  claim 2  wherein the tiers of the wedding cake to be packaged and transported are pre-marked with the proper locations for the insertion of pillars for support of the tiers and the tiers include a cardboard base affixed to the bottom thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The system for packaging and transporting the tiers of a wedding cakes of  claim 3  wherein the locking pin is selectively vertically adjustable for insertion through tier boxes having varying sizes and cake tiers having varying thicknesses.  
     
     
         5 . The system for packaging and transporting wedding cakes of  claim 4  wherein the locking pin includes a shank having a threaded end and an opposite pointed end for insertion into and through the top of the tier box and the cake tier contained therein.  
     
     
         6 . The system for packaging and transporting wedding cakes of  claim 5  wherein the locking pin includes a disc having a centrally threaded aperture for mateable engagement with the threaded end of the shank so that rotation of the disc adjusts the distance the shank is inserted into the tier box and cake tier.  
     
     
         7 . The system for packaging and transporting wedding cakes of  claim 6  wherein paraphernalia and decorations associated with the wedding cake can be stored in the spaces formed between the insert and the side walls of the primary box.  
     
     
         8 . The system for packaging and transporting wedding cakes of  claim 7  wherein a sheet of foam or similar material is placed under the stabilizing collars within each tier box.  
     
     
         9 . A system for packaging, protecting and transporting food items such as wedding cake tiers, cakes, and pies, comprising: 
 at least one primary packaging and transporting box;    a square-shaped insert for removable disposition within the primary box so that the insert is spaced inwardly from the side walls of the box thereby forming storage spaces between the insert and the side walls of the box;    one or more tier boxes for successive stacked placement within the insert and for enclosure by the primary box, each tier box including a floor and capable of holding therein at least one food item; and    a locking pin for insertion into and through the top of the tier box and into and through the food item disposed within the tier box for holding the food item in position during transportation of the primary box.    
     
     
         10 . The system for packaging, protecting and transporting food items of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 one or more stabilizing collars with each collar adapted for placement on the floor of each tier box, and each collar having a central opening for receiving therein the food item whereupon the collar prevents the food item from shifting and sliding within the tier box during transportation in the primary box.  
 
     
     
         11 . The system for packaging, protecting and transporting food items of  claim 10  wherein the food item includes a base affixed to the bottom thereof and adapted to be received within the stabilizing collar.  
     
     
         12 . A system for packaging, protecting, and transporting food items such as pies and cakes comprising: 
 a packaging and transportation box including a floor; and    a locking pin for insertion into and through the top of the box and into and through the food item disposed within the box for holding the food item in position during transportation.    
     
     
         13 . The system for packaging, protecting, and transporting food items of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 a stabilizing collar adapted for placement on the floor of the packaging and transportation box and having a central opening for receiving therein the food item whereupon the collar prevents the food item from shifting and sliding within the box during transportation.  
 
     
     
         14 . The system for packaging, protecting and transporting food items of  claim 13  wherein the food item includes a base affixed to the bottom thereof and adapted to be received within the stabilizing collar.