Disposable spice dispenser for use with take-out pizza

Abstract

A disposable container for the dispensing of a plurality of different spices, the container being included in the box for take-out pizza, the container being segmented into multiple compartments for the selective and separate storage of multiple spices in either ground, granulated, flaked, or grated form, the lid of the container having a peelable foil cover, the lid having a plurality of apertures in alignment and registration with the container compartments for the shakable dispensing of a desired spice, the container being secured or snap fit relationship to a multi-leg pedestal used to separate and maintain the distance of the lid of a take-out pizza box from the surface of the pizza.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to take-out pizza, and more particular, to a disposable spice container for inclusion within the pizza box, the spice container segmented to selectively hold and selectively dispense a controlled portion of ground spices, granular spices, flake spices, grated spices, or grated cheese, the container capable of being removably secured within a pizza box.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Take-out pizza is a popular form of fast food throughout the world. The pizza is typically removed from the oven, positioned on the base portion of the pizza box, sliced into the desired number of slices, and the lid is then secured for the box and the pizza to be picked up by the patron. Take-out pizza can be consumed at the office, at home, or at any other locale.

One drawback to the consumption of take-out pizza at locales other than a pizza parlor or at home is the unavailability of additional spices which may be desired by the consumer to dispense onto the pizza. Typically within the pizzeria, these spices are available at the main counter and can be applied to the pizza by the consumer before leaving the store. These spices are oftentimes expensive, especially in the larger containers in which they are purchased by pizzerias and for home consumption. Therefore the pizzeria owner is oftentimes reluctant to disburse these spices throughout the tables of the pizzeria in that the containers and the contained spices oftentimes find their way into the pockets of patrons and are removed. These spices can be available at home for the take-out pizza consumer, however, many times the take-out pizza is consumed at another locale.

There therefore has been a need for the ability to provide a selection of portion controlled spices commonly utilized and dispensed over the top of a pizza by consumers who prefer certain additional spiciness to their pizza. These spices can come in a ground form, granulated form, flake form, or grated form. The concept of carrying around in one's pocket a separate jar or container of these desired spices is both cumbersome and non-efficient.

Applicant has developed a disposable container which is capable of storing portions of a plurality of different spices in either ground, granulated, flaked, or grated form, and for the selective dispensing of these spices to the surface of the pizza. The container is inexpensively manufactured, and can hold just the desired amount of spices necessary for a single pizza. Further, the container in its dispenser mode can be easily secured or snap fit to a multi-leg pedestal. This multi-leg pedestal is made of plastic and is approximately an inch in height. It is placed in the center of the pizza after the pizza has been sliced into the desired number of pieces. It extends upwardly from the pizza and its upper surface contacts the inner surface of the lid of the take-out pizza box preventing the lid from contacting the surface of the pizza during transport, and thus ruining the aesthetic appearance of the pizza.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel disposable container and spice dispenser which can be included in a pizza take-out box for seasoning the pizza to the consumer's liking.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel disposable container spice dispenser includable in a pizza take-out box which permits the consumer to select from a variety of spices in a variety of amounts to further add spice to the pizza.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel disposable container and spice dispenser which allows for the storage and dispensing of ground, granulated, flaked, or grated spices.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel container and spice dispenser which provides a choice of apertures of different size to accommodate varying sizes of spice.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel container and spice dispenser in which a base and the cover lid are rotatable with respect to each other for selection of the desired spice.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel container and spice dispenser in which the cover lid and the apertures are covered and sealed with a removable foil lid until usage.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a disposable container and spice dispenser which is readily securable to a support pedestal removably positionable within the pizza box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disposable container for the dispensing of a plurality of different spices, the container being included in the box for take-out pizza, the container being segmented into multiple compartments for the selective and separate storage of multiple spices in either ground, granulated, flaked, or grated form, the lid of the container having a peelable foil cover, the lid having a plurality of apertures in alignment and registration with the container compartments for the shakable dispensing of a desired spice, the container being secured or snap fit relationship to a multi-leg pedestal used to separate and maintain the distance of the lid of a take-out pizza box from the surface of the pizza.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical take-out pizza box and pizza with an open lid;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of a first embodiment of the disposable container for dispensing spices of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the disposable container for dispensing spices in a ready to use orientation;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the disposable container for dispensing spices of FIG. 3 illustrating the alignment and registration of the lid with selective spices;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of FIG. 3 illustrating alignment and registration of the lid and spice compartments; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the first embodiment of a disposable container for dispensing spices of FIG. 2 illustrating an embossed segmented peelable foil cover and underlying apertures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical take-out pizza box with the contained pizza in an open lid position. The pizza box 10 is typically folded from a flat substrate to form the base member 12, the four base side walls 14, and a lid 16, and the three depending side walls of the lid 18, which are slidably receivable within and abut with the side walls of the base member 12. The typical pizza 19 is removed from the oven and placed on the base member 12 of the preformed take-out box 10 and then cut to the desired number of slices. A removable multi-leg pedestal 20 prevents the lid member 18 from contacting the upper surface of the pizza 19 and ruining its aesthetic appearance while the pizza 19 and box 10 are in transit to the location where it will be consumed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a disposable spice container 22 having a base member 24, a bottom wall surface 26, and an annular outer peripheral wall 28. Outer peripheral wall 28 defines a cavity 30 which is segmented by a plurality of interior walls 32 into a plurality of geometrically shaped compartments 34, 35, and 36. These compartments 34, 35, and 36 are designed to receive spices or other grated products or flake products used to season pizza. In one embodiment, the geometrically shaped compartments 34, 35, and 36 are overlaid by a transparent rigid top 38, having a plurality of aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C formed therein in complimentary relationship to the underlying geometrically shaped compartments 34, 35, and 36, the aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C for dispensing the underlying spices. In order to preserve the spices and to protect the spices from unwanted disbursement, the transparent rigid top 38 is overlaid with an adhesed protective foil member 42 having a pull tab 44 thereon for selectively removing the adhesed protective foil member 42 permitting access to the aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C and the underlying spices for dispensing.

In another version of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the transparent rigid top 38 would be replaced by a transparent foil member 38A adhesed to the upper edge of peripheral wall 28 of base member 24, this transparent foil member 38A having the same aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C therethrough for selective dispensing of the underlying spices, transparent foil member 38A being overlaid by the adhesed foil member 42 for the same purpose as set forth with respect to the rigid lid member. The size of the apertures in either first embodiment may vary depending upon the underlying spice, be it granular, flakes, or grated. In either embodiment the size and shape of the apertures in aperture arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C are size to allow for the passage and dispensing of the underlying spice or condiment finely ground, ground, flaked or powder.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of a disposable container 50 of the present invention in a ready to use position for dispensing a selective spice, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the disposable container 50 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of container 50, ready for use. Disposable container 50 is comprised of a base member 52, having a bottom surface wall 54, an annular outer peripheral wall 56, and an aperture 58 (See FIG. 4) centrally formed in the bottom surface wall 54, aperture having an annular wall 60 equal in height to the outer annular peripheral wall 56. Radiating between the outer annular peripheral wall 56 and the annular wall 60 surrounding central aperture 58 are a plurality of inner walls 62 which define a plurality of pie-shaped spice compartments 64, 66, 68, and 70, and vacant compartments 72 and 74. The compartments 64, 66, 68, and 70 are for the selective placement of ground, granulated, flaked, or grated spices.

The outer surface of outer circumferential base wall 56 may be notched or knurled 76 to assist in its rotation relative to the lid as described more clearly hereafter. A portion of the outer circumferential base wall 56 would be smooth 78 which would provide for ease of rotation with respect to the lid as described hereafter. Formed on the smooth portion 78 of the outer base wall 56 would be a protruding stop notch 80 which would prevent the lid of the container from rotating completely in one direction. This assists in aligning or registering a plurality of opening areas with the desired spice as described hereafter.

A rotatable transparent lid 90 complementary with the base member 50 and having a slightly larger diameter is rotatable secured to the base member in a horizontal orientation. The lid member 90 has a depending circumferential side wall 92 which may be knurled 94 to assist in rotation of lid member 90 relative to the base. The upper surface 96 of lid member 90 would be transparent to allow the user to view the location of the spices within the compartments 64, 66, 68, and 70 viewable below the lid member 90. The lid member 90 would have a central aperture 98 for receipt of a pivot pin 100 securing the lid member 90 to the base member 52 and providing for the rotation of the lid vis-à-vis the base.

Formed on the transparent lid surface in one embodiment, would be a first pie-shaped array of apertures 102 extending outwardly from the central aperture 98 to the outer circumference. This first pie-shaped array of apertures 102 would be sized to permit the passage of fine ground or granular spices.

A second pie-shaped array of apertures 104 extends outwardly from the central aperture 98 to the outer circumferential side wall and is sized to permit the passage of larger spice particles, such as flaked or grated spice particles. These pie-shaped array of apertures 102 and 104 are rotatably brought into alignment or registration with the desired spice compartment viewable there below. When not in use, before opening of the spice container, the pie-shaped arrays of apertures are in registration and alignment with opposing blank compartments 72 and 74. It will be noted that the pie-shaped array of apertures are illustrated in 180 degree relationship with each other, but may be formed in different arrangements.

The disposable container 50 would be prefabricated and selectively filled with the desired spices, such as oregano, grated cheese, hot chili flakes, pepper, or other spices. The lid 90 would be secured thereto and the pie-shaped array of apertures 102 and 104 would be in registration with unfilled blank compartments 72 and 74. The upper surface of the lid would be overlaid with a sanitary foil wrap 110 or the like having a depending tab 112 to prevent the unintended rotation of the base member 52 and lid member 90 to protect the contents and provide for a shelf life, and to act as a pull tab to remove foil wrap 110.

The pizzeria owner after making a pizza and positioning the pedestal 32 on the pizza, would snap fit a disposable container 50 of the type described onto the pedestal 32 and close the lid of the pizza box, the inner surface of the lid 22 contacting the disposable container 50 now mounted to the top of the pedestal 32. The user upon opening the box lid 22, would lift off the disposable container 50, strip the sanitary foil wrap 110 from the upper surface of the lid 90, and rotate the lid to bring pie-shaped array of apertures 102 and 104 into registration with the selected spice compartments 64, 66, 68, and 70, the consumer then shaking the desired or selected spices onto the pizza surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a modified version of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the container 120 is formed with a base wall 122, and an annular circumferential side wall 124 forming a cavity 126. Cavity 126 is segmented by a series of interior walls 128, into spice compartments 130,132,134, and 136. These spice compartments would be filled with different selective spices as set forth with respect to the first embodiment. The compartments 130-136, would be covered with a transparent lid member 138 affixed to the container, and having apertures 140 preformed in the lid member 138 in registration with the various spice compartments 130-136. To preserve the spices and prevent their spillage and extend the shelf life until usage, the transparent lid member 138 would be overlaid with an adhesive foil member 142 which would be removed utilizing tab 144 when the time was right for usage.

The exterior circumferential surface of the annular circumferential side wall 124 is formed with an annular rib 150. Annular rib 150 cooperates with an annular groove 152 formed in a support pedestal 154. Support pedestal 154 is similar to that illustrated with respect to the first embodiment having a plurality of legs 156 extending downwardly from an annular ring member 160. The ring member 160 forms a support in which the container 120 may be snap fit with the annular rib of container 120, snap fitting within the annular interior groove of the ring member 160. The pedestal and container would then be positioned on the pizza within the pizza box in the same manner as shown with the first embodiment. Upon reaching the location for consumption of the pizza, the consumer would merely remove the adhesive foil member 142 forming a protective closure utilizing tab 144 with the pedestal and container as one, and invert to shake the enclosed spices onto the pizza. The adhesive foil member 142 may be removed totally or it may be embossed or perforated in the shape of the spice compartment with each embossed section 142 having its own tab 144 and indicia for selective removal and dispensing of a single desired spice.

The container is inexpensive to manufacture, holds controlled portions of spices to allow the consumer to add those spices so desired to the pizza for taste, and then to be discarded. The container insures that the consumer has the desired spices and amounts thereof with the pizza regardless of the locale to which the consumer transports and consumes the pizza, be it a park, stadium, recreational vehicle, or even a home environment where the consumer does not have to search for his own spice condiments in a cabinet.

Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.

Claims

1. A disposable spice dispenser for use with take out pizza and pizza box, the disposable spice dispenser comprising: a container defined by a base, an outer peripheral wall forming a cavity, and a plurality of interior walls segmenting the interior of said cavity and defining a plurality of separate geometrically shaped compartments for receipt of spices and flavorings;a lid member secured above said geometrically shaped compartments and preserving said spices and flavorings;a removable protective member secured to said lid member; anda means for positioning said disposable spice dispenser in a pizza box.

2. A disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lid member comprises a transparent foil adhesed to an upper peripheral edge of said outer peripheral wall of said container, said transparent foil having formed therethrough an array of apertures aligned with each geometrically shaped compartment for dispensing spices and condiments stored within said geometrically shaped cavities after removal of said removable protective cover.

3. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim wherein said removable protective member overlaying said transparent foil and complimentary with said transparent foil, having at least one pull tab for the removal of said protective member.

4. The disposable spice container in accordance with claim 3 wherein said removable protective member overlaying said transparent foil member is perforatedly embossed to define geometric shapes complimentary with said underlying geometrically shaped compartments, each of said geometric shapes of said removable protective member having a pull tab for the selective removal of said geometric shape of said removable protective member for selectively revealing an underlying compartment and said apertures of said transparent foil member for dispensing of said spices and flavorings.

5. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lid member comprises a transparent planar rigid closure member secured to said outer peripheral wall of said container, said transparent planar rigid closure member having an array of apertures formed therethrough in alignment with said geometric shaped compartments for dispensing of spices and flavorings.

6. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 5 wherein said transparent rigid closure member is overlaid by removable protective member forming a removable closure of said array of apertures and preserving said spices and flavorings.

7. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 6 wherein said removable protective member is formed with at least one pull tab for selective removal of said removable protective member.

8. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 7 wherein said removable protective member is perforatedly embossed to define geometric shapes complimentary with said underlying geometrically shaped compartments, each of said geometric shapes having a pull tab for the selective removal of said geometrical shape for access to said underlying geometric shaped compartment for dispensement of contents.

9. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lid comprises a transparent rigid closure member rotatably positioned on and rotatable with respect to said container, said transparent rigid closure member having a plurality of apertures geometrically arrayed and complimentary with said underlying geometric shaped compartments, said transparent rigid closure member rotatably positioned on said container rotatable for selective registration of said apertures with said underlying geometric compartments to selectively dispense contents of said selected geometric shaped compartments.

10. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 9 wherein said transparent rigid closure member is overlaid with a removable protective member covering said apertures, said removable protective member having at least one pull tab for the removal of said adhesed foil member and for adhering said transparent rigid, closure member with said container prior to removal of said removable protective member.

11. The disposable spice dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said spice dispenser in said pizza box comprises a pedestal having a plurality of legs depending from a support member, said support member having a circumferential wall for snap fit receipt of said container, said pedestal centrally positioned on said pizza in said pizza box, said pedestal in combination with said container having a height equal to a side wall of said pizza box supporting a pizza box lid.