Molded paper pulp pizza box

Abstract

An apparatus for containing a hot food product for delivery. The apparatus comprises a box member formed of molded paper pulp having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size. The box member has a base portion and a wall portion each of the base portion and the wall portion have an interior surface and an exterior surface. A plurality of raised portions having a second predetermined shape are disposed on the interior surface of the base portion. Such raised portions cover greater than 50 per cent of the interior surface of the base portion of the box member. A molded paper pulp lid member is engageable with the box member. The lid member has a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size and has both an interior surface and an exterior surface. There is at least one closure means having a first portion formed on the lid member and a second portion formed on the box member for closing such box after such hot food product is placed therein.

1 . An apparatus for containing a hot food product for delivery, said apparatus comprising;
 (a) a box member formed of molded paper pulp having a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size, said box member having a base portion and a wall portion each of said base portion and said wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;   (b) a plurality of raised portions having a second predetermined shape disposed on said interior surface of said base portion, said raised portions covering greater than 50 per cent of said interior surface of said base portion of said box member;   (c) a molded paper pulp lid member engageable with said box member, said lid member having a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size and having a substantially flat top portion and a wall portion each of said substantially flat top portion and said wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface; and   (d) at least one closure means having a first portion formed on said lid member and a second portion formed on said box member for closing said box after such pizza is placed therein.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said molded paper pulp lid member is hingedly connected along one edge thereof to a corresponding edge of said box member. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein outer portions of each said plurality of raised portions are disposed a predetermined distance away from an outer periphery of said interior surface of said base member of box member. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus, according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of raised portions are uniformly disposed on said interior surface of said box member. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus, according to  claim 4 , wherein said outer surface of said box member has raised portions, said raised portions corresponding to an area between said outer periphery of said interior surface of said box member and said outer portion of said plurality of raised portions and further corresponding to an area between each uniformly disposed raised portion on said interior surface of said box member, said raised portions on said outer surface of said box member for creating air pockets between said box member and a supporting surface. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined shape is one of substantially circular, hexagonal, octagonal and rectangular. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus, according to  claim 6 , wherein said first predetermined shape is substantially circular. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a thin laminating film disposed on at least said interior surface of said box member and said lid member. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus, according to  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus further includes said thin laminating film disposed on said exterior surface of said box member and said lid member. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus, according to  claim 2 , wherein said wall portions of said box member further includes a ridge member, said ridge member extending outwardly from said wall portion. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , wherein said closure means includes a groove disposed on an upper surface of said ridge member and extending an entire perimeter of said ridge member. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus, according to  claim 11 , wherein said lid member includes a ridge member extending outwardly from said wall portion of said lid member. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus, according to  claim 12 , wherein said closure means includes a rounded projection disposed on a lower surface of said ridge member of said lid member and extending an entire perimeter of said ridge member for engagement with said groove disposed on said ridge member of said wall portion of said box member for securing said lid member to said box member thereby reducing any heat loss when transporting such pizza. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus, according to  claim 13 , wherein said ridge member of said box member further includes a lip member disposed on an outer periphery of said ridge member, said lip member disposed on an outer edge of said groove. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus, according to  claim 14 , wherein said ridge member of said lid member further includes a lip member disposed on an outer periphery of said ridge member of said lip member, said lip member is disposed on an outer edge of said rounded projection, said lip member of said lid member engageable with said lip member of said ridge member of said wall portion of said box member. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , wherein said ridge member further includes a projection extending outwardly therefrom, said projection disposed on a radially opposed portion of said box member from said portion of said box member where said hingedly connected lid member is attached. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus, according to  claim 16 , wherein said projection on said box member includes at least one slit disposed in said projection. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus, according to  claim 17 , wherein said ridge member of said lid member further includes a projection extending outwardly therefrom, said projection for engaging said at least one slit in said projection on said box member. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus, according to  claim 18 , wherein said projection on said box member includes two slits disposed in said projection, said two slits being spaced equidistant on said projection. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus, according to  claim 19 , wherein said projection disposed on said lid member includes two separate projections for engagement with said two slits disposed on said box member. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid member and said box member are separate units. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said second predetermined shape of said raised portions are substantially triangular.