Pizza product, packaging for a pizza product, and method of cooking and distribution for a pizza product

Abstract

This invention relates to a pizza product that is prepared separately utilizing two types of doughs that are combined after heating. The doughs have different characteristics and are heated in combination with different ingredients. The heating process for both doughs is performed under different humidity conditions and may be performed simply with a conventional microwave oven. The present invention also includes an apparatus and method for the preparation of such pizzas, as well as an innovative delivery process, which allows delivery of the pizzas from a central delivery station—without the need of having one or more processing locations (e.g., a chain of physical stores) to prepare and/or cook the pizza product.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A packaging container for a pizza product formed by two dough parts (Dough A and Dough B), the packaging container comprising:
 a lower portion arranged and configured to contain the Dough A;   an upper portion arranged and configured to contain the Dough B, a moisture-rich product and additional ingredients in a closed environment, wherein the upper portion is arranged and configured to produce humid heating conditions from the moisture present in the moisture rich product when the Dough B is heated, whereby a paste-like product is formed from the ingredients;   A middle section separating the upper portion with the lower portion, the middle section arranged and configured to transfer the paste-like product from the upper portion onto Dough A, whereby the pizza product is formed.   
     
     
         19 . The packaging container according to  claim 18 , wherein the container is arranged and configured to enclose a third dough, wherein the third dough is edible, is a part of the microwaveable container, and acts as a separator layer between the first dough and second dough. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging container according to  claim 19 , wherein the third dough corresponds to the underside of the microwaveable container, which facilitates the assembly of the final pizza product 
     
     
         21 . The packaging container according to  claim 19 , wherein the assembly process comprises removing a plastic film or separator from in between both sections of the package, wherein the Dough A is placed over the Dough B in an upside-down manner, whereby the packaging container is rotated 180 degrees to place the Dough A and Dough B in position to form the assembled pizza product. 
     
     
         22 . A delivery process for a pizza product formed by two dough parts (Dough A and Dough B), the process comprising:
 providing at least one preparation hub including a physical store that prepares the parts that compose the pizza product, wherein such preparation hub provides ready-to-heat pizza products to at least one distribution hub such as refrigerated trucks or physical locations located strategically for efficient distribution;   distributing the ready-to-heat pizza products through the at least one distribution hub, wherein the at least one distribution hub is equipped with refrigeration equipment to maintain suitable refrigeration temperature of the pizza product;   transporting the pizza product comprising the Dough A and Dough B through mobile transportation means, such as a delivery car, motorcycles, or similar means that are equipped with a portable microwave device, wherein the portable microwave device heats both parts of the pizza product, namely Dough A and a container containing Dough B, a moisture-rich product, and additional ingredients in a short period of time;   performing a heating process on the mobile delivery means, on the way to the final delivery point, or upon arriving at the final destination; and   delivering the heated the pizza product in a ready-to-assemble basis, wherein either the delivery person or the final consumer assembles the pizza thereby obtaining a final pizza product that maintains high crunchiness and moisture that has not been achieved by previous delivery methods; and   whereby the instant pizza product is delivered in a heated state with very low costs and in a short period of time, while maintaining a high crunchiness and moisture.   
     
     
         23 . The delivery process according to  claim 22 , wherein the central distribution hub is a fixed location. 
     
     
         24 . The delivery process according to  claim 22 , wherein the pizza product is delivered in a ready-to-heat condition, and the final consumer is responsible for heating the two dough parts and assembling the final pizza product. 
     
     
         25 . The packaging container according to  claim 18 , wherein the container is constructed of a material suitable for use in a microwave and wherein the material is a microwaveable safe material. 
     
     
         26 . The packaging container according to  claim 25 , wherein the microwaveable safe material is selected from the group comprising plastic and paper. 
     
     
         27 . The packaging container according to  claim 18 , wherein the container comprises a vacuum sealed package, an easy-open package including zip lock-style packages, a shrink film, a paper bag, an auto-seal bag, cardboard, or a press & seal package. 
     
     
         28 . The packaging container according to  claim 18 , wherein the container includes a safety system to avoid the container from exploding from increased pressure inside the container during heating, the safety system selected from the group comprising valves, pressure relief systems, holes, or special materials that allow air to leave the container. 
     
     
         29 . The packaging container according to  claim 18 , wherein a third dough is provided, where the third dough is edible and a part of the microwaveable container, and acts as a separator layer between the first dough and second dough. 
     
     
         30 . The packaging container according to  claim 29 , wherein the third dough corresponds to the underside of the microwaveable container, which facilitates the assembly of the final pizza product 
     
     
         31 . The packaging container according to  claim 18 , wherein the pizza product assembly process comprises removing a plastic film or separator from in between both sections of the packaging container, wherein the top Dough is placed over the bottom Dough in an upside-down manner, to then flip the complete package and obtain the final assembled pizza product. 
     
     
         32 . The delivery process according to  claim 22 , wherein the distribution hub comprises mobile centers such as distribution trucks or vans that can park in different locations depending on the demand. 
     
     
         33 . The delivery process according to  claim 22 , wherein the distribution hub is a fixed distribution center with a fixed location.