DISPOSABLE CONTAINER FOR FAST FOOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application concerns a disposable container for fast food. The term fast food is commonly known and used by the general public to describe the food purchased as a "take-away" and intended for rapid consumption, in the absence of seating places, such as for consumption standing at the bar, standing inside the sales point, in vehicles, in the street, for party dishes, picnics, sports events etc... typical of pizzerias, delicatessens, street vendors, etc.

Generally, sales points and chains that supply take-away food also focus part of their marketing strategy on the variety and efficiency of their service to customers, including efficient systems for serving drinks as well as hot and cold take-away meals.

Therefore the system used by take-away suppliers is fundamental for the success of the service provided, both in relation to the advantages for the user who cannot benefit from table service, as well as the economical advantages for the service supplier. BACKGROUND ART

At present, take-away food is contained in plastic or paper plates of various sizes and shapes.

However, conventional systems have certain drawbacks, as regards the consumption of hot meals such as pasta, soups, and more generally, any hot meals containing a sauce or liquid seasonings, as well as regards cold meal consumption. In fact, in order to consume a hot/cold meal, the container must be placed on a table or similar support surface to maintain the dish correctly balanced. Moreover, care must be taken not to burn hands when consuming hot meals.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The aim of this patent is to provide a container for take-away food that allows the user: 1) to consume hot and cold food, such as pasta, soup and all hot meals containing sauces or liquid seasonings, without using a support system such as tables, bar surfaces, etc...; 2) to avoid burning hands when holding a container of hot food.

This container must be able to be used with a single hand, so that the other hand is free to hold a fork or spoon, use a phone, shake hands with a friend, etc. From this point of view it is easy to understand how the user who adopts this new system will no longer find himself in the condition of having to find a position to place and eat his food comfortably and also without burning his hands, being able to remain standing, holding the container with one hand without burning himself, and holding his fork or spoon, for example, in the other hand. The container, object of this patent, presents a further advantage, because, since it facilitates the consumption and transport of food such as pasta, and/or rice, it contributes considerably towards the spreading of the "Mediterranean diet", a healthier and better balanced nutritional regime, and a valid and healthy alternative to the conventional bread roll, slice of pizza, etc... The container, object of this patent, is composed of two parts: a truncated cone-shaped tub made from plastic material or waterproofed paper for foodstuffs (such as the material used for ice-cream tubs) and a cone made of stiff paper with two diamond-shaped side slots.

While in use, the two parts are coupled together, by inserting the tub inside the cone.

The upper tub is conceived to contain the food, while the lower cone serves to support and contain the tub so that it can be held using a single hand. ^;

The container can also be closed with a Hd to prevent the contents from spilling.

This simple description is sufficient to understand how the advantages provided by such a takeaway container are not limited to more comfortable and easier consumption of take-away food, but also the storage of the material in question. In fact, the two components of the invention can be packed separately, to save space, resulting in considerable savings in packing costs as well as storage space in the restaurant facilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows the container in a three-dimensional perspective view;

Figure 2 shows the container in a two-dimensional perspective view; Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional side view of the cone stocking system;

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional front view of the cone stocking system;

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the tub stocking system;

Figure 6 shows a two-dimensional view of the tub stocking system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Further on, an embodiment of the invention will be described in clearer detail.

To understand the description more easily, reference will be made to the annexed drawings, which are provided simply as an illustration and do not limit the concept of the invention in any way.

- Figures 1 and 2 are further perspective views showing the container as described in its operational position, and seen both in a three-dimensional and two-dimensional view; Figures 1 and 2 highlight the truncated cone form (a) of the container upper tub.

The size of the tub can vary according to the amount of food it will contain. The standard size is able to contain a portion of pasta equal to that contained in a conventional plastic plate. The stiff paper cone (b) enables the user to hold the container with a single hand, in a stable manner, and without burning the hand. In fact, the hand is not in direct contact with the hot food container because the area of the cone which is held in the hand is not in direct contact with the tub.

Both the tub (a) and the cone (b) have conically shaped walls thus permitting solid coupling of the two parts, providing the invention with perfect stability during use.

The container can be closed with a lid (c) to prevent food from spilling from the tub, and to permit easier transport.

The cone (b) has two diamond-shaped side slots (d) that are obtained by bending the fins that have been pre-cut in the paper, towards the interior (e). The advantage of the inward bending action is two-fold; on one hand it makes the invention easy to hold with a single hand, and on the other, the inward bending of the fins provides the cone with greater rigidity, by forming a further support element for the upper tub.

The coupling between the tub (a) and the cone (b) is performed at the moment of use by simply inserting the tub (a) into the cone (b). Obviously, the cone must be opened up first and the fins bent towards the interior.

Naturally the tub (a) can be used separately like a conventional plate or dish.

- Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the storage system for the invention.

In fact, for material storage purposes, the cone can be flattened by pressing the sides to obtain a very slim paper triangle that is easy to stack (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4); the tubs can be stacked inside and on top of one another (Fig. 5 and Fig 6).

In a preferred embodiment as shown in the annexed figures, the tub of the invention is made from plastic material or waterproof paper for foodstuffs (a) and the cone is made from stiff paper (b).

The advantage to be gained from using plastic material or waterproof paper for the tub is that it can contain food without absorbing it. ' The advantages of using stiff paper for the cone are the following:

1) this material permits easy bending of the fins inwards inside the cone, as the paper is very easy to handle;

2) it enables the cone to be easily flattened for handy packing and storage;

3) it can be easily and rapidly opened to form the cone at the moment it is required for use. Furthermore, the advantage of using paper is that it can be printed with images, written text, etc. and can therefore be used for advertising purposes.

In fact, on one hand, the user who offers the fast food service can customise the cone by printing the name of the restaurant, to take advantage of name/image recognition, or on the other, he can sell this possibility to third parties to print their own advertising. The description of this patent and the annexed drawings represent an embodiment of the invention provided merely as an example, but on the understanding that the invention can be realised in different shapes and materials.