Apparatus for handling food dishes

Abstract

A box for handling a heated dish comprising a plurality of surfaces defining a volume sized to enclose the dish, with one of the surfaces being an operative surface. The box further comprises a score line on the operative surface that defines a removable portion sealing an opening in the operative surface, which is dimensioned to suspend the dish within the volume. A method of manufacturing the box includes identifying cutting lines and crease lines on a box template. The crease lines define a plurality of surfaces of the box, one of which is an operative surface. The method further includes identifying a score line that is on the operative surface and defines a removable portion dimensioned to accommodate the dish. The method further includes cutting a stock material with a cutting die to produce a cut material, and folding the cut material along the crease lines, forming the box.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A box comprising:
 a plurality of surfaces defining a volume sized to enclose a dish, wherein a first surface of the plurality of surfaces is an operative surface; and   a score line disposed on the operative surface, wherein the score line defines a removable portion sealing an opening of a remaining portion of the operative surface, and wherein the opening is dimensioned to suspend the dish within the volume.   
     
     
         2 . The box of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a second surface of the plurality of surfaces is a lateral wall having a first portion and a second portion; and   the first portion is removably coupled to a surface of the second portion.   
     
     
         3 . The box of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first portion comprises a tab; and   the second portion comprises an aperture dimensioned to accommodate the tab.   
     
     
         4 . The box of  claim 3 , wherein after the first portion is removed from the surface of the second portion, the tab of the first portion is inserted into the aperture, thereby coupling the first portion to the second portion and reforming the lateral wall 
     
     
         5 . The box of  claim 2 , wherein
 a third surface of the plurality of surfaces is a bottom surface, the bottom surface is opposing the operative surface; and   the dish does not contact the bottom surface while suspended within the volume.   
     
     
         6 . The box of  claim 2 , wherein
 a third surface of the plurality of surfaces is a bottom surface, the bottom surface is opposing the operative surface; and   the dish contacts the bottom surface while suspended within the volume.   
     
     
         7 . The box of  claim 1 , wherein the removable portion includes a tab for removing the removable portion from the operative surface. 
     
     
         8 . The box of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of surfaces includes one or more lateral walls defining a perimeter of the box;   another score line is disposed on at least one lateral wall; and   the score line disposed on the at least one lateral wall defines a vent.   
     
     
         9 . The box of  claim 1 , wherein:
 another one of the plurality of surfaces is a bottom surface, the bottom surface is opposing the operative surface;   another score line is disposed on the operative surface and/or the bottom surface; and   the score line disposed on the operative surface and/or the bottom surface defines a vent.   
     
     
         10 . A box comprising:
 a plurality of surfaces defining a volume, wherein one of the plurality of surfaces is an operative surface;   a dish disposed within the volume; and   a score line disposed on the operative surface, wherein the score line defines a removable portion sealing an opening of a remaining portion of the operative surface, and wherein the opening is dimensioned to suspend the dish within the volume.   
     
     
         11 . The box of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the dish comprises a lip; and   the opening is dimensioned to permit the remaining portion to engage the lip and suspend the dish within the volume.   
     
     
         12 . The box of  claim 10 , wherein:
 another one of the plurality of surfaces is a lateral wall having a first portion and a second portion; and   the first portion is removably coupled to a surface of the second portion.   
     
     
         13 . The box of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first portion comprises a tab; and   the second portion comprises an aperture to accommodate the tab.   
     
     
         14 . The box of  claim 13 , wherein;
 the dish is withdrawn after the first portion is removed from the second portion; and   after the dish is withdrawn, the tab of the first portion is inserted into the aperture, thereby reforming the lateral wall.   
     
     
         15 . The box of  claim 10 , wherein
 another one of the plurality of surfaces is a bottom surface, the bottom surface is opposing the operative surface; and   the dish does not contact the bottom surface while suspended within the volume.   
     
     
         16 . The box of  claim 10 , wherein the removable portion includes a tab for removing the removable portion from the operative surface. 
     
     
         17 . The box of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the dish comprises a tapered body having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion having a smaller area than the top portion; and   the opening has an area larger than the bottom portion and smaller than the top portion.   
     
     
         18 . The box of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the plurality of surfaces includes one or more lateral walls defining a perimeter of the box;   another score line is disposed on at least one lateral wall; and   the score line disposed on the at least one lateral wall defines a vent.   
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a box for holding a dish, the method comprising:
 identifying one or more cutting lines on a box template;   identifying one or more crease lines on the box template, wherein the one or more crease lines define a plurality of surfaces of the box, and wherein one of the plurality of surfaces is an operative surface;   identifying a score line on the box template, wherein the perforation line is disposed on the operative surface and defines a removable portion dimensioned to accommodate the dish;   cutting a stock material with a cutting die based on the one or more cutting lines and the one or more score lines, thereby producing a cut material; and   folding the cut material along the one or more crease lines, thereby forming a structure of the box.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 identifying one or more glue areas on the cut material; and   applying an adhesive to the one or more glue areas.