Packaging For Pizza

Abstract

A package for a hot food item may include an enclosure adapted to receive the hot food item, and a barrier disposed within the enclosure. The barrier may include a moisture impermeable portion covering at least a first portion of the hot food item such that moisture from the first portion is at least partially retained therein. The package is adapted to retain moisture in the first portion of the hot food item, while reducing moisture accumulation in a second portion of the hot food item.

1 . A package for a hot food item comprising:
 a moisture permeable enclosure adapted to receive said hot food item; and   a barrier disposed within said moisture permeable enclosure, said barrier having a moisture impermeable portion covering at least a first portion of said hot food item such that moisture from said first portion is at least partially retained therein,   wherein said moisture permeable enclosure inhibits moisture from accumulating on a second portion of said hot food item.   
   
   
       2 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rigid insert supporting said hot food item. 
   
   
       3 . The package according to  claim 2 , wherein said rigid insert wicks moisture away from a portion of said hot food item. 
   
   
       4 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said moisture permeable enclosure is a flexible bag. 
   
   
       5 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said moisture permeable enclosure includes gussets facilitating selective expansion and contraction of a volume defined by said moisture permeable enclosure. 
   
   
       6 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier includes an adhesive strip. 
   
   
       7 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier includes a pocket adapted to receive at least a portion of said hot food item. 
   
   
       8 . The package according to  claim 7 , wherein said barrier is removable from said moisture permeable enclosure and a portion of said barrier is adapted to be folded over an opening of said pocket to contain said portion of said hot food item, thereby forming a secondary packaging for said portion of said hot food item. 
   
   
       9 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier includes a plurality of apertures aligned with said second portion of said hot food item. 
   
   
       10 . The package according to  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of apertures allow water vapor to pass therethrough, while inhibiting condensed water from passing therethrough. 
   
   
       11 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier is removed from a common header having a plurality of barriers prior to assembly of said package. 
   
   
       12 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer adapted to maintain a spaced-apart relationship between said hot food item and said barrier. 
   
   
       13 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein said spacer is a ring disposed around a periphery of said hot food item. 
   
   
       14 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein said spacer includes a plurality of legs and a plurality of support members forming a grid. 
   
   
       15 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier is a thin film. 
   
   
       16 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein said barrier is formed from high-density polyethylene. 
   
   
       17 . A food package comprising:
 a bag having a first closed end and a second open end;   an insert supporting a food item, said insert being receivable within said bag;   a moisture barrier having a plurality of apertures, said moisture barrier covering at least a portion of said food item; and   a spacer disposed between said insert and said moisture barrier, said spacer preventing direct contact between said food item and said moisture barrier,   wherein said moisture barrier is formed from a moisture impermeable material, thereby retaining moisture in a first portion of said food item; and further wherein said plurality of apertures are disposed over a second portion of said food item, thereby reducing moisture absorption in said second portion of said food item.   
   
   
       18 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said bag is formed from a moisture permeable material. 
   
   
       19 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said bag includes gussets facilitating selective expansion and contraction of said bag. 
   
   
       20 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said insert wicks moisture away from a portion of said second portion of said food item. 
   
   
       21 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said insert is formed from a thermally insulative material. 
   
   
       22 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said moisture barrier includes an adhesive strip. 
   
   
       23 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said moisture barrier includes a pocket adapted to receive at least a portion of said food item. 
   
   
       24 . The food package according to  claim 23 , wherein said moisture barrier is removable from said bag and a portion of said moisture barrier is adapted to be folded over an opening of said pocket to contain said portion of said food item, thereby forming a secondary packaging for said portion of said food item. 
   
   
       25 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said moisture barrier is removed from a common header having a plurality of moisture barriers prior to assembly of said food package. 
   
   
       26 . The food package according to  claim 17 , wherein said moisture barrier is formed from a non-stick plastic film. 
   
   
       27 . A package for transporting and containing a baked pizza comprising:
 an insert operable to receive and support said pizza;   a covering portion having a first moisture permeability and adapted to cover toppings of said pizza; and   a bag having a second moisture permeability greater than said first moisture permeability and operable to receive said insert and said covering portion.   
   
   
       28 . The package according to  claim 27 , wherein said covering portion includes a film adapted to cover toppings of the pizza. 
   
   
       29 . The package according to  claim 28 , wherein said film is formed from high-density polyethylene. 
   
   
       30 . The package according to  claim 27 , wherein said covering portion includes a plurality of apertures extending through at least a portion of said covering portion. 
   
   
       31 . The package according to  claim 27 , further comprising a spacer adapted to maintain a spaced-apart relationship between said pizza and said covering portion. 
   
   
       32 . The package according to  claim 27 , wherein an open end of said bag is releasably fastened closed to further protect the pizza and facilitate heat retention within the bag. 
   
   
       33 . The package according to  claim 27 , wherein said bag is formed from a perforated impermeable material. 
   
   
       34 . The package according to  claim 27 , wherein said bag includes a first panel formed from a perforated impermeable material and a second panel formed from a permeable material. 
   
   
       35 . A package comprising:
 a plurality of expandable side portions;   a lower portion interconnecting first ends of said expandable side portions;   an upper portion interconnecting second ends of said expandable side portions;   a perforated moisture barrier disposed between said lower portion and said upper portion;   a volume defined by said lower portion, said expandable side portions and said perforated moisture barrier, said volume being adapted to receive a food item; and   a pocket at least partially defined by said upper portion and said perforated moisture barrier,   wherein said pocket is adapted to receive water vapor and retain condensation, thereby thermally insulating said volume.   
   
   
       36 . The package according to  claim 35 , further comprising a rigid insert adapted to support said food item. 
   
   
       37 . The package according to  claim 36 , wherein said rigid insert and said lower portion cooperate to reduce moisture absorption in a crisp portion of said food item. 
   
   
       38 . The package according to  claim 35 , further comprising a spacer disposed within said volume and maintaining a spaced-apart relationship between said perforated moisture barrier and said food item. 
   
   
       39 . The package according to  claim 35 , wherein said lower portion is formed from paper. 
   
   
       40 . The package according to  claim 35 , wherein said perforated moisture barrier is formed from a thin film.