Pizza delivery#Pizza box

The pizza box or pizza box is a folding box made of cardboard, can be transported in the hot pizza by a delivery service or by entrainment from the pizzeria. The pizza box must be mechanically stable, stackable, be thermally insulated while wicking and suitable for food. It also provides space for advertising. The pizza box is different from the package of frozen pizzas. This includes the frozen product shrink-wrapped and balances the outer packaging of other frozen products.

• 6.1 mineral oil
• 6.2 diisopropylnaphthalene ( DIPN )
• 6.3 diisobutyl phthalate ( DiBP )
• 6.4 fluorotelomer alcohols ( FTOH )

History

Containers for the delivery of fresh pizzas there since at least the 19th century, when Neapolitan pizza maker their products in multilayer metal containers, so-called stage (singular stufa, German: Ofen ), packed up and sent for sellers on the streets. The ventilated container was round and made ​​of tin or copper.

The development of a disposable packaging for pizza began after the Second World War in the United States. At this time the pizza won there in popularity, and the first pizza delivery services emerged. There have been attempts pizzas in simple cardboard boxes, similar to those of Bakeries to deliver. However, these were often damp, dripping, bent or broke completely. Other pizza maker tried to put the pizza on a plate and both to transport together in a paper bag. This taught at less damage. However, it has been almost impossible in a bag to transport more than one pizza at a time. In this method, the upper pizzas damage the surfaces of the lower.

The first patent for a pizza box made ​​of corrugated cardboard in 1963 registered. It already describes the basic features of modern pizza boxes: plane blanks, collapsibility without adhesive, stackability and ventilation slots. By combining ventilation slots receiving a steam material ( adsorbent ) could be reduce the accumulation of moisture conventional transport packaging for fresh pizza.

It is believed that Domino's Pizza was the inventor of pizza boxes, but without having applied for a patent for this. In the pizza box variant used by the pizza chain to 1988, there was no direct connection between the fold formed in the corners between the front wall and the two side walls. Rather, only the connections on the wall surfaces of tabs have been folded inward under the lid. This design is also known as " Chicago folding ". Domino's was the first pizza maker who used pizza boxes in a big way and knew immediately expand its delivery range of the area around the pizzeria around by their use. The introduction of thermal insulation bags for pizza boxes in the late 1960s the range has been extended.

Requirements

Mechanical stability and stackability

Most transport packaging for pizza made ​​of cardboard, since this material is inexpensive and has different functional properties. Be used for both single-wall corrugated cardboard as well. As corrugated frequently e- corrugated cardboard (micro - or fine- wave with a wave pitch of 3.0 to 3.5 mm and a wave height of 1.0 to 1.8 mm ) are used, but it is also slightly thicker B- corrugated cardboard processed with a wave height of 2.2 to 3.0 mm. Not only the geometrical structure of the corrugated board determines the strength of cartons, but also the nature and basis weight of the paper used. As liners come on inside package usually kraft liner used. These make the box not only stable but also more resistant to moisture and oil.

To keep the storage space for packaging small, the pizza boxes are usually folded from planning blanks shortly before use. In the storage space required, different material thicknesses make noticeable. Pizza boxes from cardboard require about half the storage space compared to pizza boxes from e- corrugated and about a quarter of storage space compared to pizza boxes from B- corrugated cardboard. The stability of the cartons is determined not only on the material itself and by the shape of the folding. Enforced have cartons, which are folded fixed to the side walls connected straps in the front wall. Characterized the walls of the carton are connected to one another at the corners and the stability increases. Traditional folding is an example of this Faltart. The disadvantage of this folding is that the walls of the boxes are perpendicular to the top and a cutting of the pizza is difficult within the carton with a pizza roll cutter.

Thermal insulation and moisture management

The pizza box to enable the transport of a baked pizza with minimum quality loss. He should fulfill two tasks that are difficult mutually incompatible: On the one hand, the package should be isolated as much as possible, so the pizza is hot. To reduce the dissipation of heat, the carton must be as close tightly to keep the warm air inside. The consumers at tastings viewed as optimal temperature range is between 70 and 85 ° C. Secondly, it is to prevent moisture penetration, so that the pizza crust arrives crisp and the covering adequately the consumer. To emerging from the pizza steam must be dissipated to the outside ( air holes, and some diffusion through the carton) of the carton, or be included. Pizza corrugated boxes leave without additional insulation the optimum for pizza base area after about ten minutes.

The oil from the pizza dough can be dissolved out of the pulp in contact with untreated corrugated cardboard in these penetrate and flavors. To prevent a change in flavor of the pizza by the ingredients of the pizza boxes and at the same time the saturation of the cardboard material, some pizza boxes on the inside a coating of a thin aluminum foil. Another possibility is to place the pizza on aluminum foil, an associated substrate of corrugated board and wax paper or blotting paper. But by doing this, the thermodynamic properties of the pizza boxes change significantly. The pizza base can deliver down no more moisture, the underlay not only acts as a fat, but also as a kind of vapor barrier.

Outer surface and Advertising

Usually the outer surface of the box is provided with either a generic pizza image or advertising for the supplier or plain. For printing the colors are often used red and green, reminiscent of the colors of the flag of Italy. To produce a high-contrast print, a white cover paper frequently used, but it is also brown recycled paper as the outer layer is used. Individual pizza chains such as " Hello Pizza " use the top of the carton to characterize the pizza topping using a markable list of ingredients. This allows identification without having to open the package.

The carton surface may however also be used for other purposes. The pizza boxes can be used as a special form of advertising in the context of ambient media campaigns. They also are considered unusual and unexpected advertising space for guerrilla marketing. For example, the Economist magazine in 2008 worked in Philadelphia with pizza delivery services near the university together. These printed on their pizza boxes advertise the Economist. This consisted essentially of a pie ( / pizza ) chart, linked the pizza consumed with the world economy and should especially appeal to students.

In 2001, the pizza box was patented by third-party advertisers pressure. Third advertising pressure means that not for pizza or the manufacturer of the product or packaging, but for third party products, eg wireless service provider or movies being advertised. The notifying party supplies Pizzabringdienst services free pizza boxes and is financed by the printed on the pizza boxes advertising.

Variants

Most of the pizza boxes used today have a square base area and a hexagonal base surface, wherein the front two corners are bevelled. The latter variant is often called with the model name " Treviso ". It is slightly stiffer compared to the quadratic variation, but can be a bit slower to assemble through the corners. Pizza boxes are available in different sizes. The dimensions of the commercially available range from about 20 × 20 cm (for very small pizzas ) to 60 × 60 cm, or as a rectangle shape 40 x 60 cm ( for party or family pizzas ). To prevent sticking of the pizza with the lid, the standard height of the boxes is smaller in variations usually 3 cm. There are particularly high for baked pizzas but also offered special sizes from 4 to 5 cm height. For the larger cartons height of 4 cm, as well as 5 cm are most typical. There are also special sizes (eg pizza calzone ) with 7 to 10 cm box height and usually a rectangular base.

The smallest packaging unit is depending on the size and providers, generally 100 or 200 cartons. For special sizes also 50 or 100 boxes can form a packaging unit. The price per carton depends inter alia on the size, the printing, the quality and the order quantity and is of typical pizza box sizes at about 10 to 20 cents.

Most pizza boxes, the front and side flaps of the lid are inserted inwardly into the ground. This consists in careless closing of the carton is a risk that the tabs press the edge of the pizza. In some cartons recesses are provided therefore on the tabs that are designed to prevent exactly this. An internal shutter can show benefits in folding and handling.

While most pizza boxes are square, used, for example, Domino's Pizza octagonal boxes that hold the pizza close and minimize slippage of the pizza. This also reduces the need for packaging material by 10 percent. The American Delivery Service Papa John's, however, has divided within the rectangular box the corners; one hand, this prevents slipping of the pizza, on the other hand can additionally carry sauce or other inserts in the resulting compartments. A further embodiment is a piece of cake modeled triangular Single Slice Pizza carrier that developed around 1990 by Stephen L. France and Gregory P. Phelps was patented in 1992 and used to transport a portion of a pizza.

Since 2009, a cardboard version is on the market, in which the pizza box after removal of half a pizza can be closed by an additional space-saving folding. Furthermore, the cover through perforations in four parts can be split in order to pass the pizza portions.

Tool for pizza delivery

In the United States now have many pizza boxes in the middle of the lid a small tripod made ​​of heat resistant plastic, the so-called pizza saver. This pushes the center of the pizza easily to the ground. So at delivery reduces the risk that it abuts against the edge, and this impact damaged the pizza. At the same time the object maintains a minimum distance between pizza and cardboard lid, so that the pads do not stick to the lid. The pizza saver goes back to a 1985 patent granted in the U.S. American Carmela Vitale.

For the delivery of pizzas in pizza box, there are padded carrying bags and boxes, which are adapted to the typical sizes of cartons. Some bags can be actively heated to preserve the temperature. This can usually be operated with power from the AC outlet or the 12 - volt car power grid. With the use of these tools, the requirement for thermal insulation of pizza boxes itself is no longer so important.

Pizza boxes in the chain Pizza Hut in Morocco and other countries contained on the outside of a thermal indicator, which is intended to provide a colored labeling statements about the temperature of the pizza. When the pizza is hot when delivered, the red lettering, HOT is the indicator ' on a white background can be seen, however, is a certain temperature of the pizza below, then stained the, Hot Dot' black and the writing is no longer legible. Is the pizza at the receiver too cold, this gets a free pizza at the next delivery. The indicator is intended for single use.

Pizza saver to protect from contact with the pizza box lid.

Thermal transport boxes attached to the motorcycles of a pizza delivery services

Possible contamination

The European Regulation No 1935/2004 stipulates that may not be transferred in such quantities by contact of packaging materials with food substances that present a health risk or an unacceptable change or deterioration of the food takes place. In the recommendations of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment ( BfR) all permitted ingredients for Paper and cardboard are collected. In particular, in the BfR recommendation or from waste paper recovered fibers are allowed as paper raw material for the production of food commodities, provided they comply with certain conditions. Depending on the source and type of waste paper raw materials may be present in waste paper, such as those derived from books, magazines and office waste, and were not intended for food contact. Not all of these substances can be removed during the recycling process or individual purification steps may have been omitted to reduce costs. Known potential contaminants are diisopropylnaphthalene ( DIPN ) from carbonless papers, benzophenones from printing inks, phthalates ( DiBP ) of adhesive and mineral oil from newsprint.

Mineral oil

Studies of the cantonal laboratories Zurich ( Switzerland ) showed in 2009 that recycling boxes can contain high levels of mineral oil components. The mineral oils came from printing inks, which are common for newspaper print, and are not completely removed in the recycling process. Animal studies show that mineral oil mixtures with low viscosity are stored in the body and deposits and damage to the liver that can lead to heart valves and lymph nodes. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment therefore came to the conclusion that mineral transitions would have to be minimized to food.

The consumer magazine Öko-Test 2012 has several salami pizzas ordered in large pizza and services can be investigated in the laboratory. In two of three pizzas mineral oil could be detected. One of these samples even contained an increased amount. The color of the pizza boxes was in the process does not guarantee that the cardboard there is also inside of virgin paper.

Diisopropylnaphthalene ( DIPN )

Diisopropylnaphthalene ( DIPN ) is used as a solvent in carbonless papers. These in turn can be part of the waste paper that is used in the manufacture of containers such as pizza boxes for recovering raw materials. By direct contact or via the gas phase ( DIPN is volatile ), the DIPN from the packaging to the fact packaged foods are transferred. In particular, fatty foods such as pizza with cheese topping can take DIPN. Based on the current state of knowledge, there are no concerns about a health risk to consumers. Nevertheless may DIPN loaded papers in the field of food and consumer goods due to the general minimization principle for the transfer of substances to foods not be used.

In 2004, increased from Landesuntersuchungsamt Rhineland -Palatinate in pizza boxes and snack packs values ​​of the solvent diisopropyl naphthalene ( DIPN ) were detected. About 30 percent of the samples contained more than 50 milligrams per kilogram of cardboard DIPN. In studies of the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety a salary from 107.7 to 232.2 mg / kg was detected in five samples of pizza box even. In subsequent reports, the state examination offices, there are no reports of such discoveries more.

Diisobutyl phthalate ( DiBP )

Regarding diisobutyl phthalate ( DiBP ) are since 2007 findings before a transfer of the chemical compound from recycled paper / cardboard to food. DiBP is used as a plasticizer in dispersion adhesives ( eg, corrugated cardboard, adhesive backs of magazines, books ) and registered on the recyclate. The state investigation facilities regularly check packaging and report the results to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety ( BVL). The minimization strategies of the industry to abandon DiBP effective, so that the proportion of abnormal samples continues to decrease and the BfR guideline in 2011 by 1 to 0.3 mg / kg could be withdrawn.

Fluorotelomer alcohols ( FTOH )

This pizza boxes not soften during use, they may be coated with perfluoro chemicals. This fat-and water -repellent chemicals may present as an impurity or Zersetzungs-/Umwandlungsprodukt from the manufacturing process of perfluorocompounds certain amounts of fluorotelomer alcohols ( FTOH ), which can be converted in the body to some extent in perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA) in turn. The European Food Safety Authority ( EFSA) has evaluated in human blood very critical because of toxicological findings in animal studies and the long half -life of PFOA. Investigations at paper mills in North Rhine -Westphalia delivered in individual cases elevated levels of fluorine compounds, although no fluorine compounds were active added in these cases. As a possible pathway would, according to the Federal Environment Agency Presentation of 2009 contaminated waste paper in question. A Schadstoffabreicherung in waste paper cycle lasts even after the cause of the contamination usually several years.

Packaging Ordinance

Pizza boxes set in Germany according to German Packaging Ordinance § 3 sales packaging, since they are offered as a sales unit and by the final consumer. Sales packaging or service packaging within the meaning of Regulation packaging trade, restaurants and other service that allow or support the delivery of goods to the consumer. Put simply, it is a service package when a seller packed the goods immediately before the transfer to the consumer.

According to § 12 are " General requirements " shown on the packaging. " Packaging shall be so manufactured and distribute that

The Packaging Ordinance regulates in § 6, the recycling of packaging. Then there is a licensing requirement for the initial distributor of packaging and goods, so demjeningen that brings the packaging for the first time as a unit of pizza box and pizza on the market, so Pizzeria and delivery service. Due to licensing, the initial distributor participate in the DSD system for the use of the boxes. If, as in the case of pizza boxes, packaging typically obtained from private final consumers, the pizzeria may transfer the license to the manufacturer or distributor of the service package. Thus, to prevent the large number of small and medium-sized enterprises must meet even license agreements with dual systems.

Recycling

For disposal, there is in the individual municipalities in Germany different rules. Clean, uncoated cartons are to be disposed mostly on the paper. For the disposal of soiled pizza boxes with buildup either the compost bin or the waste is proposed. For coated with aluminum pizza boxes are composites that are fed to the yellow bag.

The problem with recycling of pizza boxes are adherent food residues such as cheese and fat and oil which has been absorbed by the paper fibers of the cardboard. While such residues in the recycling of plastic, metal or glass are not a problem, the process of recycling waste paper, however, reacts very sensitive. This is because that is used to unlock the paper fibers to form a pulp, especially water. Water and oil but do not mix and the oil floats along with the paper fibers on the surface. Is the excess water pressed out of the pulp, causing the cavities and oil stains, which reduces the paper quality of the entire batch, or even unusable. In addition, labels can disrupt the pizza boxes to the recycling process also. Impurities are a major problem in the recycling process. The damage is estimated at about $ 750 million per year worldwide.

More than a billion pizzas each year are delivered in pizza boxes. In the United States, one percent of the corrugated board production for pizza boxes is used. Meanwhile, there are separate collection points for used pizza boxes.

In the United States there are now coated pizza boxes, can be recycled easier. Some pizzerias use round containers made of polystyrene. However, these are significantly more expensive than the corrugated variant bleed worse and worse can be recycled. Round corrugated boxes are discussed, but not yet used.

Pizza boxes in art and culture

The British painter and concept artist Adam Neate uses corrugated cardboard cartons and specially unfolded pizza boxes as a cheap replacement screen. Also, the American artist John Landsiedel used closed, reinforced by an inner wooden frame pizza boxes as canvas replacement. His artworks are by painting all six sides between conventional painting and sculpture. He only painted with acrylic paints, for the preservation of colors, and pizza box covers Landsiedel the finished works with an epoxy. The Bremen artist Helene King uses excerpts from the rear of frozen pizza boxes as a surface to be painted and shipped their works in pizza boxes.

Various Artists leaning on the design of their CD cases to the appearance of a pizza boxes, including the band The doctors with jazz is different (2007), Brimstone Howl with European Tour 2008, Cam Deas with My Guitar Is Alive And It 's Singing (2009) or Andrew Coltrane Refuse ( 2009). The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion named one published in 1997 promo album after packaging in pizza box pizza box promo.

Metaphor in Information Technology

Some personal computers and servers have been referred to as "pizza box". Well-known examples are the " pizza box Workstations" ( SPARCstation ) from Sun Microsystems in the year 1989 and the Macintosh LC II by Apple from the year 1992. Both recall by their format and size of a pizza box.