Chloe Zhang
The little plastic table in pizza boxes, officially known as a pizza saver, serves a very important function. It prevents the lid of the pizza box from sagging and sticking to the pizza. This keeps the pizza in good condition during delivery and transport. While some people choose to discard it, others have found secondary uses for it, such as using it as a phone stand or an egg holder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, package saver |
| Purpose | Prevent the pizza box lid from sagging and sticking to the pizza |
| Secondary purposes | Keeping toppings in place, enabling customers to pull slices apart without touching |
| Material | Plastic |
| Number of legs | Three, sometimes four |
| Colour | White |
| Inventor | Carmela Vitale (1983 or 1985) |
| Other inventors | Claudio Daniel Troglia (1974), other variations invented by others |
| Reuse | Typically discarded, but some people repurpose them |
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What You'll Learn
The plastic table in pizza boxes is called a pizza saver
The plastic table in pizza boxes is commonly known as a "pizza saver". It is a small plastic device with a flat surface supported by multiple legs, usually three or four. It is placed in the centre of a pizza to prevent the lid of the box from sagging and sticking to the pizza. This keeps the pizza in good condition during delivery and makes it easier for customers to separate the slices.
The pizza saver was invented by Carmela Vitale, a New Yorker, in 1983 or 1985. Vitale noticed that the steam from freshly baked pizzas could cause the cardboard box to collapse, resulting in the pizza sticking to the lid. The lightweight yet heat-resistant plastic of the pizza saver provided a simple solution to this problem. Typically, the pizza saver is discarded after use, but some people find secondary uses for it, such as an egg holder or a phone stand.
Some pizzerias have eliminated the use of plastic pizza savers by baking a bread ball into the centre of their pizzas. However, the device remains a popular feature of pizza delivery, with some people even finding creative uses for it, such as a table for dolls or action figures. In 2018, Boston Pizza ran a promotional campaign in Canada that turned the pizza saver into a miniature patio set.
The pizza saver has become an iconic feature of pizza delivery culture, with many people finding unexpected uses for this small plastic device. While some may see it as an unnecessary piece of plastic, for others, it is an essential tool for enjoying their pizza. Whether loved or hated, the pizza saver has undoubtedly left its mark on the world of pizza delivery.
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It stops the pizza box from collapsing and sticking to the pizza
The little plastic table in a pizza box, also known as a pizza saver, pizza separator, pizza stool, or pizza table, serves a very important function. It is designed to prevent the pizza box from collapsing and sticking to the pizza. This small plastic table, usually placed in the centre of the pizza, acts as a support structure to intercept any sagging or caving in of the box lid, thereby protecting the pizza from getting squished or stuck to the box.
The pizza saver is typically made of plastic due to its lightweight and heat-resistant properties, ensuring that it can withstand the hot temperatures of freshly baked pizzas without adding significant weight. Its design usually consists of a flat surface supported by three or four vertical legs, providing stability and minimising damage to the pizza.
The invention of the pizza saver is attributed to Carmela Vitale, a New Yorker, who in 1983 or 1985, recognised the common issue of pizza boxes collapsing due to the steam from hot pizzas. She designed this simple yet effective solution to keep pizzas, and even cakes, safe from drooping boxes.
While the primary function of the pizza saver is to prevent the pizza box from collapsing and sticking to the pizza, it also offers secondary benefits. It helps to keep the cheese and toppings in place during delivery, ensuring the pizza remains intact and in good condition upon arrival. Additionally, it can aid in separating pizza slices without touching them, making it easier for customers to pull slices apart.
Although some people might discard the pizza saver after use, others have found creative secondary uses for it, such as using it as an egg holder when turned upside down or as a makeshift phone stand. So, the next time you order a pizza, remember that the little plastic table plays a crucial role in ensuring your pizza arrives safely and in perfect condition!
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It keeps toppings in place during delivery
The little plastic table in a pizza box, also known as a pizza saver, has multiple functions. One of its key purposes is to keep the pizza toppings in place during delivery. By placing the pizza saver in the centre of the pizza, it prevents the box lid from sagging and sticking to the pizza. This ensures that the pizza toppings remain intact and do not get smudged or fall off during transport.
The pizza saver acts as a barrier between the pizza and the box lid, keeping them separated. It provides structural support to the box, especially when multiple boxes are stacked on top of each other during delivery. This helps maintain the integrity of the pizza and ensures it arrives in good condition for the customer.
Additionally, the pizza saver can make it easier for customers to separate pizza slices without touching them. It provides a convenient way to pull apart the slices without having to directly handle the pizza. This adds to the overall convenience and enjoyment of consuming the pizza.
Some people have also found creative secondary uses for the pizza savers. For example, they can be turned upside down and used as egg holders or repurposed as tables for children's dollhouses or action figures. Others have used them as makeshift phone stands or bookstands while eating pizza.
The pizza saver is typically made of lightweight, heat-resistant plastic and has three or four legs with a flat surface on top. It is designed to be sturdy and minimise any potential damage to the pizza during delivery.
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It can be reused as a phone holder
The little plastic table in a pizza box, officially known as a "pizza saver", is often discarded after use. However, some people have found creative ways to reuse this small plastic device, including using it as a phone holder.
The pizza saver is designed to prevent the pizza box's lid from sagging and sticking to the pizza. It also helps keep the toppings in place and makes it easier to separate the slices. Typically, it has three or four legs and a flat surface, and it is placed in the center of the pizza before closing the box for delivery. While its primary function is to protect the pizza, its similarity in shape to a table has inspired various secondary uses.
One such reuse idea is to turn the pizza saver into a phone holder. This involves placing the phone on the flat surface of the pizza saver, with the legs of the device acting as a stand. This can be useful when following a recipe or watching a cooking video while preparing a meal, allowing for hands-free access to the phone while cooking. It can also be handy for reading a book or browsing the web while enjoying a slice of pizza, keeping the phone securely propped up at a comfortable viewing angle.
To enhance the stability of the phone holder setup, some people suggest cutting one of the legs of the pizza saver about halfway down. This modification provides an unobstructed view of the phone screen while ensuring that the device remains firmly in place. However, others find this additional step unnecessary, as the pizza saver can function adequately as a phone holder without any alterations.
By reusing the pizza saver as a phone holder, individuals can not only extend the usefulness of this small plastic item but also find a practical and unique way to support their phone-related tasks, whether in the kitchen or during their pizza dining experience.
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It was invented by Carmela Vitale in 1983/1985
The little plastic table found in pizza boxes, officially known as a "pizza saver", was invented by New Yorker Carmela Vitale. Vitale, who was just an average mother, invented the device in 1983 or 1985, according to different sources. She applied for a patent for her invention in 1983, bringing a common pizza crisis to light. The issue was that pizzerias used carton boxes to deliver pizzas, and because the pizzas were piping hot, the steam caused the carton box to collapse, resulting in the pizza sticking to the box.
Vitale's invention aimed to solve this problem by designing a small piece of plastic with three or four legs and a flat surface, commonly placed in the centre of the pizza, to prevent the lid from caving in and sticking to the pizza. The pizza saver is made of plastic because it is lightweight yet heat-resistant, and its unique design makes it sturdy while minimising damage to the pizza.
The pizza saver not only keeps the pizza from sticking to the box but also has secondary benefits. It helps keep the cheese and toppings in place during delivery, ensuring the pizza is in good condition when it reaches the customer. It also enables customers to pull slices apart without touching them.
Some people have found creative secondary uses for pizza savers, such as using them as egg holders when turned upside down or as makeshift phone stands. Additionally, children have been known to repurpose them as tables for their dolls or action figures, such as the popular G.I. Joe toys of the 1980s.
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Frequently asked questions
The little plastic table in pizza boxes is called a pizza saver or package saver. It is sometimes also referred to as a pizza table, pizza Ottoman, pizza nipple, pizza stool, or pizza separator.
The pizza saver is designed to prevent the lid of the pizza box from sagging and sticking to the pizza due to steam. It also helps keep the toppings in place and enables customers to pull slices apart without touching them.
Yes, the pizza saver can be reused for various purposes. Some people use it as a phone holder, while others have found secondary uses such as egg holders when turned upside down.
