Multiple level carton box assembly for pizza or the like

Abstract

The multiple level carton box assembly consists of a series of open carton boxes, stacked one on top of the other so that the base ( 5 ) of each carton box acts as a serving tray and also becomes the cover of the adjacent carton box below. The carton boxes are secured to each other by means of vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C, 9 C) extending above the front back side walls ( 7, 9 ) of each carton box which are inserted and wedged into the slots ( 7 D, 9 D) on the base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box above thus interlocking and stabilizing the assembly of carton boxes. Stability of the embodiment is attained by the folding corners ( 1, 2, 3, 4 ) which due to the double fold provide firm support of the adjacent carton box above as well as the horizontal semicircular tongues ( 7 E, 7 F, 9 E, 9 F) of each carton box which provide added support to the adjacent carton box above and thus prevent bending or collapsing of the embodiment. The multiple level carton box assembly is closed by only one cover ( 11 ) which is placed on the uppermost carton box.

1 . The multiple level carton box assembly for pizza, various other foods and pastry consists of a series of open carton boxes each of which interlocks into the adjacent carton box above so that the base (floor) of each carton box acts as a serving tray and also becomes the cover of the adjacent box below thus forming a rigid embodiment. The carton boxes (trays) of our multiple level carton box assembly are secured to each other by means of vertical interlocking tongues extending above the front-back side walls of each carton box (tray) which penetrate and lock into cuts on the edges of the front-back side walls of the base of the adjacent carton box (tray) above called “slits-slots”. These “slits-slots” are cuts of different thickness. The center part called “slot” is thicker to guide the vertical interlocking tongue into the slot while the “slits” which are much thinner cuts on either end of the slot wedge the vertical interlocking tongue in place to secure it against movement. By these interlocking devices, the multiple level carton box assembly attains a rigidity which secures it from shifting, sliding, separating, bouncing or any other movement during transport and the assembly becomes an embodiment. 
 The folding corners of each carton box (tray) of the multiple level carton box assembly, due to the double fold of each corner, provide reinforcement to the adjacent carton box (tray) above so the entire embodiment attains stability and is secure from bending or collapsing due to the weight and heat of its contents:    Additional horizontal support is provided by means of horizontal semicircular tongues located on the front-back side walls, placed equidistantly on either side of the vertical interlocking tongues. These horizontal semicircular tongues provide added support for the adjacent carton box (tray) above which is maintained flat and secure against collapsing into the adjacent carton box (tray) below.    The assembly is closed by only one cover which is placed on the uppermost box (tray) of the embodiment secured by means of slits-slots, slots into which the vertical interlocking tongues of the adjacent box (tray) below penetrate and lock into the assembled embodiment.    Each carton box (tray) of our multiple-level carton box assembly consists of;    a base ( 5 ), side wall ( 6 ) with triangles ( 6 A), ( 6 B) on each end, side wall ( 8 ) opposite side wall ( 6 ) with triangles ( 8 A), ( 8 B) on each end, side wall ( 7 ) with triangles ( 7 A), ( 7 B) on each end, vertical interlocking “tongue” ( 7 C) in its center and horizontal semicircular tongues ( 7 E), ( 7 F) placed equidistantly on either side of vertical interlocking tongue ( 7 C), side wall ( 9 ) opposite side wall ( 7 ) with triangles ( 9 A), ( 9 B) on each end, vertical interlocking tongue ( 9 C) in its center and horizontal semicircular tongues ( 9 E), ( 9 F) placed equidistantly on either side of vertical interlocking tongue ( 9 C), folding corners ( 1 ), ( 2 ), ( 3 ), ( 4 ) with teeth ( 1 A), ( 2 A), ( 3 A), ( 4 A) respectively, slits-slots ( 7 D), ( 9 D) and slots ( 1 B), ( 2 B), ( 3 B), ( 4 B) on base ( 5 ), one single cover ( 11 ) with two slits-slots ( 11 A), ( 11 B) to close the uppermost carton box (tray) of the embodiment.    There must be a minimum of two vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C), ( 9 C) and a minimum of two slits-slots ( 7 D), ( 9 D) on base ( 5 ). The number of required horizontal semicircular tongues varies according to the geometric shape of the carton box (tray).    
   
   
       2 . The multiple-level carton box (tray) assembly for pizza, various other foods and pastry, according to  claim 1 , is characterized by the existence on each box of the assembly of two types of “tongues”; vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C,  9 C), ( 7 G,  9 G), ( 7 J,  9 J), and horizontal semicircular “tongues” ( 7 E), ( 7 F), ( 9 E), ( 9 F), the existence of folding corners ( 1 ), ( 2 ), ( 3 ), ( 4 ) with teeth ( 1 A), ( 2 A), ( 3 A), ( 4 A) respectively, side walls ( 6 ), ( 7 ), ( 8 ), ( 9 ) with triangles ( 6 A) ( 6 B), ( 7 A) ( 7 B), ( 8 A) ( 8 B), ( 9 A) ( 9 B), on each end and slits-slots ( 7 D), ( 9 D), slots ( 7 H,  9 H), ( 7 K,  9 K), and slots ( 1 B), ( 2 B), ( 3 B), ( 4 B) on base ( 5 ) of each carton box (tray).  
   
   
       3 . The multiple-level carton box assembly for pizza, various other foods and pastry as described in claims  1 ,  2 , is characterized by the placement of one carton box (tray) on top of the other to form an interlocking assembly of at least two carton boxes (trays) in such way so the vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C), ( 9 C) of the adjacent carton box (tray) below to penetrate the slits-slots ( 7 D), ( 9 D) on base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box (tray) above and by so doing we see that base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box (tray) above is interlocked into the base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box (tray) below to become its cover supported evenly underneath by the horizontal semicircular tongues ( 7 E), ( 7 F), ( 9 E), ( 9 F) of the adjacent carton box (tray) below.  
   
   
       4 . The multiple level carton box assembly according to claims  1 ,  2 ,  3  is characterized by the stability of the form of each carton box (tray) because the folding corners ( 1 ), ( 2 ), ( 3 ), ( 4 ) of each carton box (tray) lock into place securely by the insertion of their end teeth ( 1 A), ( 2 A), ( 3 A), ( 4 A) into slots ( 1 B), ( 2 B), ( 3 B), ( 4 B) respectively on base ( 5 ) and therefore they attain a rigidity which allows them to maintain the side walls ( 6 ), ( 7 ), ( 8 ), ( 9 ) firmly perpendicular to the base ( 5 ). Furthermore, corners ( 1 ), ( 2 ), ( 3 ), ( 4 ), due to the double fold, provide firm support to the adjacent carton box (tray) above so the entire embodiment attains stability and is secure from bending or collapsing due to the weight and the heat of its contents.  
   
   
       5 . The multiple level carton box assembly according to claims  1 ,  2 ,  3 , is characterized by the even support of each carton box (tray) because the horizontal semicircular tongues ( 7 E), ( 7 F), ( 9 E), ( 9 F), of the adjacent carton box (tray) below provide added support and eliminate the possibility of bending or collapsing from heat of base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box (tray) above.  
   
   
       6 . The multiple-level carton box assembly, according to claims  1 ,  2 ,  3 , is characterized by the stability of the assembly, because the vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C), ( 9 C) of each carton box (tray) penetrate the slits-slots ( 7 D), ( 9 D) of the adjacent carton box (tray) above and they are wedged into the thin slits (thin cuts) which exists on either side of each slot thus securing the vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C), ( 9 C) in place to form a rigid embodiment secure from any movement.  
   
   
       7 . The multiple-level carton box assembly for pizza, various other foods and pastry according to  claim 1 , is characterized by the versatility of its shape which allows it to take the shape of any geometric polygon i.e., square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal etc. Furthermore, the carton box (tray) of the multiple level assembly, besides corrugated cardboard, can be constructed from any other material which can be bent and folded to take the shape of a box. Any change in the shape and size of the carton box (tray) does not create any technical difficulty in its construction because the design of the flat surface of the box permits constriction in any shape and size with all its interlocking characteristics intact. To be noted that there are variations in the manner in which the corners fold and the number of interlocking devices required according to the geometric shape of the carton box (tray).  
   
   
       8 . The multiple-level carton box (tray) assembly for pizzas, various other foods and pastry according to  claim 2  is characterized by vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 G), ( 9 G) on the front-back side walls ( 7 ), ( 9 ) which have indentations on one side in the same direction to be inserted into slots ( 7 H), ( 9 H) respectively of base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box (tray) above by a shifting (sliding) movement. For this reason slots ( 7 H), ( 9 H) are placed off center on base ( 5 ) in the same direction to enable the vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 G), ( 9 G) to shift and interlock into the slots ( 7 H), ( 9 H). Cover ( 13 ) with slots ( 13 A), ( 13 B) into which vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 G), ( 9 G) of the uppermost carton box (tray) are inserted is shifted (slided) sideways accordingly to lock in place and cover the assembly, forming a rigid embodiment.  
   
   
       9 . The multiple-level carton box assembly for pizzas, various other foods and pastry according to  claim 2  is characterized by vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 J), ( 9 J) on the front-back side walls ( 7 ), ( 9 ) which have indentations (cuts) on one side in opposite direction to be inserted into slots ( 7 K), ( 9 K) respectively of base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box (tray) above by rotation. For this reason slots ( 7 K), ( 9 K)are placed off center on base ( 5 ) in the opposite direction to enable the vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 J), ( 9 J), to rotate and interlock into the slots ( 7 K), ( 9 K). Cover ( 14 ) with slots ( 14 A), ( 14 B), into which vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 J), ( 9 J) of the uppermost carton box (tray) are inserted rotates to lock in place and cover the assembly, forming a rigid embodiment.  
   
   
       10 . The method of assembly of the multiple level carton boxes for pizza, various other foods and pastry is characterized by the following steps: 
 Step one: We bend (raise) two adjacent side walls, ( 7 ), ( 8 ), perpendicularly to the base ( 5 ), bend (fold) inwards triangles ( 7 B), ( 8 A), bend and fold in half corner ( 1 ) covering triangles ( 7 B), ( 8 A) and securing tooth ( 1 A) of corner ( 1 ) into slot (cut) ( 1 B) on base ( 5 ).    Step two: We repeat the process of step one for side walls ( 6 ), ( 9 ) and corner ( 3 ) that is we bend (raise) side walls ( 6 ), ( 9 ) perpendicularly to the base ( 5 ), bend (fold) inwards triangles ( 6 A), ( 9 B), bend and fold in half corner ( 3 ) covering triangles ( 6 A), ( 9 B) and secure tooth ( 3 A) of corner ( 3 ) into slot (cut) ( 3 B) on base ( 5 ).    Step three: With side walls ( 8 ), ( 9 ) already in upright position, we bend (fold) inwards triangles ( 8 B), ( 9 A) and we bend and fold in half corner ( 2 ) and lock tooth ( 2 A) into slot (cut) ( 2 B) on base ( 5 ).    Step four: With the side walls ( 6 ), ( 7 ) already in upright position, we bend (fold) inwards triangles( 7 A), ( 6 B), bend and fold in half corner ( 4 ) covering triangles ( 6 B), ( 7 A) and secure tooth ( 4 A) into slot (cut) ( 4 B) of base ( 5 ). After the above steps we bend inwards the horizontal semicircular tongues ( 7 E), ( 7 F), ( 9 E), ( 9 F) so as to bring them to a horizontal position and the first carton box (tray) is now completely assembled.    We place one carton box (tray) on top of the other in such a way so that the vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C), ( 9 C) of the bottom carton box (tray) to penetrate the slits-slots ( 7 D), ( 9 D) on base ( 5 ) of the adjacent carton box (tray) above and we immediately see that the base ( 5 ) of the second carton box (tray) interlocks with the carton box (tray) below, becomes the cover of the adjacent carton box (tray) below and it rests on the horizontal semicircular tongues ( 7 E), ( 7 F), ( 9 E), ( 9 F) of the bottom carton box (tray).    This procedure is repeated for the third, fourth etc. carton boxes (trays) so that the assembly is completed for as many levels as they are necessary forming a rigid embodiment for multiple orders of pizza, various other foods and pastry.    
   
   
       11 . The use of the multiple-level carton box assembly for delivery of pizzas, various other foods and pastry according to claims  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  6 , is characterized by the fact that during delivery of the food products there is no distortion of the form of each assembled carton box (tray) and the embodiment which is composed of at least two assembled carton boxes (trays) is maintained without shifting or bending which could be caused from bouncing, shifting, sliding, compression or any other cause even when the transportation vehicle moves on rough roads, because vertical interlocking tongues ( 7 C,  9 C), ( 7 G,  9 G), ( 7 J,  9 J) interlock into slits-slots ( 7 D,  9 D), slots ( 7 H,  9 H), ( 7 K,  9 K) respectively on base ( 5 ).