Sofia Martinez
The plastic table in a pizza box, also known as a pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, or pizza nipple, is used to prevent the lid of the pizza box from collapsing and sticking to the pizza. The pizza saver was designed by Carmela Vitale in 1985 and usually consists of a flat surface supported by three or four legs. While it is typically discarded after use, some people repurpose it as a phone holder or an egg holder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, package saver, pizza Ottoman, pizza nipple |
| Purpose | Prevent the top of a food container from collapsing in the center and touching the food inside |
| Secondary purposes | Keeping toppings in place during delivery, enabling customers to pull slices apart without touching them |
| Composition | Plastic |
| Number of legs | Three, sometimes four |
| Color | White |
| Inventor | Carmela Vitale of New York (1985), Claudio Daniel Troglia of Buenos Aires, Argentina (1974) |
| Alternative names for the invention | SEPI ("Separador de pizza" or "pizza separator" in English), guardapizza, mesita |
| Reuse | Can be reused as a phone holder, egg holder, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The plastic table in pizza is called a pizza saver
The plastic table in a pizza is commonly known as a pizza saver. It is a small plastic device with three or four legs that is placed in the centre of a pizza to prevent the lid of the box from collapsing and sticking to the toppings. The pizza saver was invented by Claudio Daniel Troglia of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1974, who was issued a patent for his design of a plastic three-legged stool. However, the patent was not renewed.
In 1985, Carmela Vitale of New York reinvented the pizza saver, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a "tripod". The device is commonly compared to a table due to its similar form, with a flat surface supported by multiple vertical legs. The pizza saver serves multiple purposes. Its primary function is to prevent the pizza box from sagging and sticking to the cheese and toppings, ensuring the pizza remains intact during delivery.
Additionally, the pizza saver helps keep the toppings in place during transport and enables customers to pull slices apart without touching them. After the pizza is consumed, the saver is typically discarded. However, some people find creative secondary uses for it, such as using it as a phone holder or an egg holder by turning it upside down.
Some pizzerias have eliminated the use of plastic pizza savers due to environmental concerns and have returned to the traditional method of baking a bread ball into the centre of the pizza to prevent the box from collapsing. Despite this, the pizza saver remains a common sight in many pizza boxes, playing a crucial role in delivering pizzas to customers in perfect condition.
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It prevents the pizza box from collapsing onto the pizza
The plastic table in a pizza box, also known as a pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, or pizza nipple, serves a crucial function. It is designed to prevent the pizza box from collapsing onto the pizza, ensuring that the pizza remains intact and untouched by the box. This small, often white, plastic device, typically featuring three or four legs, is placed in the centre of the pizza before closing the box for delivery.
The pizza saver plays a vital role in maintaining the quality of the pizza during transport. By supporting the box lid, it prevents the cardboard from sagging due to steam or the weight of the toppings, thus keeping the cheese and toppings in place. This simple invention has revolutionised pizza delivery, ensuring that customers receive their pizzas in pristine condition, with toppings intact and no unsightly cheese stuck to the lid.
The history of the pizza saver dates back to 1974 when Claudio Daniel Troglia of Buenos Aires, Argentina, patented a plastic three-legged stool called "SEPI" ("Separador de pizza" or "pizza separator" in English). However, Troglia's patent was not renewed, and the pizza saver was reinvented in 1985 by Carmela Vitale of New York. Vitale's design, sometimes featuring a serrated leg for cutting, became the widely recognised pizza saver we know today.
While some may consider the pizza saver a waste of plastic, it has undoubtedly improved the pizza delivery experience. Its presence in the box ensures that customers can enjoy their pizza without the disappointment of a crushed or stuck pizza. After serving its primary purpose, the pizza saver can even be reused creatively, such as a phone holder or an egg holder, before ultimately being discarded.
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It keeps the cheese and toppings in place
The plastic table in a pizza box, also known as a pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, or pizza Ottoman, is designed to keep the cheese and toppings in place. It prevents the pizza box from collapsing in the center and sticking to the pizza. This ensures that the pizza is in good condition when it reaches the customer. The pizza saver usually consists of a flat surface supported by three or four vertical legs, which hold the box top up and keep the cheese and toppings from touching the lid.
The pizza saver also has additional benefits, such as enabling customers to pull slices apart without touching the pizza directly. This can improve hygiene and make it easier to serve and eat the pizza. By preventing direct contact with the pizza, the saver also helps to keep the cheese and toppings in place as customers handle the slices.
Furthermore, the pizza saver can be reused for various purposes. Some people repurpose the plastic table as an egg holder by turning it upside down. Others have found it useful as a phone holder, especially while cooking or eating, allowing for hands-free access to recipes, cooking videos, or entertainment.
The design of the pizza saver has evolved over time, with variations invented by different people. For example, Claudio Daniel Troglia of Buenos Aires, Argentina, patented a plastic three-legged stool called "SEPI" ("Separador de pizza" or "pizza separator" in English) in 1974, but the patent was not renewed. Vitale and Troglia also designed a plastic tripod with one serrated leg for cutting through stuck cheese and bread.
While some pizzerias have eliminated the use of plastic pizza savers due to waste concerns, the device remains a common practice to maintain pizza quality during delivery and enhance the customer experience.
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It can be reused as a phone holder
The plastic table in a pizza box, commonly known as a pizza saver, can be reused as a phone holder. While it is typically discarded after use, some people have found secondary uses for it. One such use is as a phone holder, where the pizza saver is flipped upside down and the phone is propped up between its prongs. This allows for hands-free viewing of recipes, cooking videos, or reading a book while eating. For an unobstructed view of the phone, some people suggest cutting one of the legs more than halfway down.
The pizza saver, invented by Carmela Vitale in 1985, is a three-legged plastic device that prevents the pizza box lid from sagging and sticking to the cheese or toppings. It also helps keep the toppings in place during delivery and makes it easier to pull slices apart. While some pizzerias have eliminated its use due to waste concerns, the pizza saver has become a common feature in pizza boxes.
The original patent for a similar device was issued to Claudio Daniel Troglia in 1974, but it was not renewed. Vitale's invention built upon this idea, and her design has become the standard for most pizza delivery companies.
The pizza saver's unique shape and functionality have also inspired creative uses, such as children using them as tables for their dolls or action figures. Promotional campaigns have even turned the pizza saver into miniature patio sets, showcasing its versatility beyond its intended purpose.
So, the next time you order a pizza, consider reusing that plastic table as a handy phone holder or getting creative with other alternative uses!
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Some pizzerias use a baked bread ball instead
The plastic table found in pizza boxes, also known as a pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, or pizza nipple, has been replaced with a more sustainable alternative by some pizzerias. Instead of using this single-use plastic device, they have returned to an older method: baking a bread ball into the centre of their pizzas. This ball of dough serves the same purpose as the plastic table, preventing the pizza box lid from touching the pizza and keeping the toppings in place. Not only does this method reduce plastic waste, but it also provides an edible addition to the pizza, enhancing the overall experience.
The plastic pizza saver was invented to address the issue of pizza boxes sagging onto the pizza due to steam weakening the cardboard. It typically consists of a flat surface supported by three or four vertical legs, resembling a miniature table. While some people discard these savers, others have found creative reuse purposes, such as using them as phone holders or egg holders.
However, the bread ball alternative offers a practical and eco-friendly solution. By baking a small ball of dough, about the size of a golf ball, directly onto the pizza, pizzerias can ensure that the box lid does not come into contact with the pizza. This method eliminates the need for single-use plastic while also providing an additional treat for customers.
Some customers have expressed their preference for this approach, noting that it is a "much more clever, practical, and less wasteful solution." They encourage the adoption of this method by pizza joints worldwide, recognising its dual benefits of functionality and sustainability.
By embracing this traditional technique, pizzerias can showcase their commitment to reducing waste and providing a delightful culinary experience for their patrons. This simple innovation highlights how small changes in practices can lead to significant environmental impacts and enhance customer satisfaction.
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Frequently asked questions
It is called a pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, pizza Ottoman, or pizza nipple. It is used to prevent the top of a pizza box from collapsing and touching the pizza.
A pizza saver is made of plastic and has three or four legs. They are often white.
The pizza saver was invented by Claudio Daniel Troglia of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1974. However, the patent was not renewed. It was reinvented in 1985 by Carmela Vitale of New York.
Some people have found secondary uses for pizza savers, such as using them as phone holders or egg holders when turned upside down.
Yes, some pizzerias have eliminated the use of plastic pizza savers by baking a bread ball into the center of their pizzas to prevent the box from touching the pizza.
