Pizza Box

Abstract

The present invention provides a pizza box having a lower compartment and a cover hingedly connected to the lower compartment for movement between open and closed positions, and a vented panel that is positioned in overlying relation to the upwardly facing surface of the lower compartment. The vented panel includes several holes formed therethrough. When a pizza or other food item is placed upon the vented panel and the cover is closed, any steam emanating from the food item will dissipate at least partially through the holes, and any condensation resulting from the steam will be absorbed by the lower compartment's bottom, thereby minimizing any moisture from being absorbed by the food product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A pizza box, comprising:
 a) a lower compartment having a planar, upwardly facing bottom surface;   b) a cover hingedly connected to said lower compartment and movable relative to said lower compartment between open and closed positions; and   c) a vent panel having a plurality of holes formed therethrough and sized, shaped and/or configured to overlay said upwardly facing bottom surface of said lower compartment.   
     
     
         2 ) The pizza box of  claim 1 , wherein said lower compartment comprises:
 a) a front wall having a first edge hingedly connected to said bottom surface of said lower compartment, and an opposite second edge;   b) first and second opposing sidewalls each having a first edge hingedly connected to said bottom surface of said lower compartment and opposite second edges; and   c) a rear wall having a first edge hingedly connected to said lower surface and an opposite second edge.   
     
     
         3 ) The pizza box of  claim 2 , wherein said vent panel comprises a first edge that is hingedly connected to said second edge of said front wall of said lower compartment. 
     
     
         4 ) A blank for forming a pizza box, comprising:
 a) a vent panel section having a first edge;   b) a lower compartment section having a second edge connected to said first edge of said vent panel, and a third edge positioned opposite said second edge; and   c) a cover section having a fourth edge connected to said third edge of said lower compartment,   d) wherein, said vent panel, said lower compartment, and said cover are all planar and adapted to extend in a common plane.   
     
     
         5 ) The blank according to  claim 4 , wherein said vent panel section further comprises a plurality of holes formed therethrough. 
     
     
         6 ) A blank for forming a plurality of pizza boxes, comprising:
 a) first and second vent panel sections each having a first edge;   b) first and second lower compartment sections each having a second edge connected to said first edge of said vent panel, a third edge positioned opposite said second edge, and a fourth edge extending between said second and third edges, and a fifth edge positioned opposite said fourth edge and extending between said second and third edges; and   c) first and second cover sections each having a sixth edge connected to said third edge of said lower compartment, a seventh edge extending perpendicularly outwardly from said sixth edge;   d) wherein, said first and second vent panel sections, said first and second lower compartment section, and said first and second cover sections are all planar and adapted to extend in a common plane.   
     
     
         7 ) The blank according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and second vent panel sections each include a plurality of holes formed therethrough. 
     
     
         8 ) The blank according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and second lower compartment sections are attached to one another along their respective fourth edges. 
     
     
         9 ) The blank according to  claim 7 , wherein said first and second cover sections are attached to one another along their respective seventh edges.