Omar Khalid
The plastic tables in pizza boxes, known as pizza savers, are used to prevent the pizza box from collapsing and sticking to the pizza. They are placed in the centre of the pizza and are typically discarded after use. Some people have found other uses for them, such as egg holders. Pizza Hut and Domino's are known to use these pizza savers, but some pizzerias have eliminated their use by baking a bread ball into the centre of their pizzas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Pizza saver, pizza table, pizza stool, box support, box tent |
| Purpose | Prevent the pizza box from collapsing and touching the pizza, keep toppings in place, and make it easier to separate slices |
| Inventor | Carmela Vitale (patented in 1985, lapsed in 1993) |
| Variations | Disposable plastic spatula, plastic tripod with a serrated leg, dough balls |
| Secondary uses | Doll tables, egg holders |
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What You'll Learn
The plastic table is called a pizza saver
The plastic table found in pizza boxes is commonly referred to as a "pizza saver". This handy little invention serves a crucial role in preserving the integrity of your pizza during delivery. With its three legs (sometimes four), the pizza saver props up the box's lid, preventing it from sagging and sticking to the cheese or toppings. This simple yet effective design ensures that your pizza arrives in pristine condition, with toppings intact and no unsightly box imprints.
The pizza saver's functionality extends beyond just box support. It also enables customers to separate slices effortlessly without directly touching the pizza, promoting hygiene and convenience. Typically crafted from plastic and often coloured white, this nifty gadget is usually placed in the centre of the pizza before the box is sealed for delivery. While some may view it as a mere disposable item, others have discovered creative reuse purposes, such as using it upside down as an egg holder.
The origin of the pizza saver can be traced back to 1974 when Claudio Daniel Troglia of Buenos Aires, Argentina, patented a three-legged plastic stool specifically designed to sit in the middle of a pizza box. Dubbed the "SEPI" (short for "Separador de pizza" or "pizza separator" in English), this innovation aimed to address the all-too-common issue of pizzas adhering to their boxes. However, the patent was not renewed, leaving room for subsequent variations to emerge.
One such variation was introduced by Carmela Vitale, who filed a patent in 1983 for a device she called the "package saver". This invention shared the same purpose of preventing box sag and protecting pizzas from sticking to their containers. Vitale's patent was granted in 1985 but lapsed in 1993 due to unpaid maintenance fees. Despite this, the "package saver" endured, earning its more fitting moniker—the "pizza saver".
Over time, the pizza saver has woven itself into popular culture, even inspiring marketing campaigns. In 2018, Boston Pizza capitalised on the device's resemblance to a table, launching a Canadian promotional campaign that transformed the pizza saver into a miniature patio set, complete with tiny plastic chairs. This playful interpretation showcased the creativity that can arise from even the simplest of objects. So, the next time you encounter a pizza saver, remember that it's more than just a piece of plastic—it's a symbol of innovation, functionality, and perhaps even a touch of whimsy.
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It stops the pizza from sticking to the box
The little plastic tables in the middle of pizza boxes, also known as pizza savers, pizza stools, or box tents, serve a functional purpose beyond being a playful addition to the pizza experience. Their primary function is to prevent the pizza from sticking to the inside of the box.
The plastic tables act as a barrier between the pizza and the box's lid, ensuring that the cheese and toppings don't stick to the box's surface. This keeps the pizza intact and prevents it from being crushed or disturbed during delivery. By holding up the box's lid, the plastic tables maintain the necessary space between the pizza and the box, allowing customers to receive their orders in pristine condition.
The use of these plastic tables is especially crucial when stacking multiple pizza boxes. They help to distribute the weight evenly, ensuring that the bottom pizzas in the stack don't bear the brunt of the pressure and remain undamaged. Without these supports, the boxes can sag or collapse, causing the pizza to come into contact with the box and potentially ruining the presentation and quality of the pizza.
Some pizza places have opted for alternative solutions, such as baking a bread ball into the center of the pizza or re-engineering their boxes with folded corners to achieve a similar effect without the need for separate plastic pieces. However, the plastic tables remain a popular choice for many pizzerias and are appreciated by customers for their effectiveness in maintaining pizza quality during delivery.
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Pizza Hut still uses them
Pizza box savers, or pizza tables, are small plastic tripods placed in the centre of a pizza box to prevent the lid from collapsing and touching the pizza. They also help keep the cheese and toppings in place during delivery and enable customers to pull slices apart without touching them.
Pizza Hut still uses these plastic tables, although they are not as common as they once were. A Reddit user who claims to work for Pizza Hut stated that the company was making its boxes so flimsy that they needed the box supports, along with a paper liner underneath the pizza. They also noticed that the boxes had a larger front top flap, creating a slope that kept the lid from dipping into the pizza.
Another Reddit user who manages a Pizza Hut in NYC and Long Island confirmed that the company had stopped putting the little plastic tables in their pizza boxes. They also expressed nostalgia for the tables, suggesting that they were a beloved feature of Pizza Hut's packaging.
Some customers have also expressed disappointment that Pizza Hut no longer includes the plastic tables in their boxes, with one person stating that they ordered Pizza Hut more than any other chain and couldn't recall the last time they saw one in their delivery.
While Pizza Hut has seemingly reduced the use of plastic tables, they have not eliminated them entirely. The company appears to be using a mix of box designs, with some including the plastic tables and others featuring alternative solutions like larger flaps or paper liners.
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They are sometimes replaced by dough balls
The plastic tables in pizza boxes, also known as pizza savers, are used to prevent the pizza from sticking to the inside of the box. They are placed in the centre of the pizza and act as support for the box's lid, stopping it from sagging and touching the pizza. This is especially important when multiple pizza boxes are stacked on top of each other, as it prevents the bottom pizzas from getting crushed.
Some pizzerias have replaced these plastic savers with a more environmentally friendly alternative: a ball of dough. This method is a return to an older practice of simply baking a bread ball into the centre of pizzas. One person on Reddit reminisced about how, when they were younger, a pizza place they knew used to make small round balls of pizza dough for this specific purpose.
The use of dough balls as pizza savers is not only more environmentally conscious but also eliminates the need for customers to discard the plastic savers after finishing their pizza. It is worth noting that some people have found secondary uses for the plastic savers, such as egg holders when turned upside down.
While the plastic savers are typically discarded, dough balls can be baked and enjoyed as a tasty treat, providing a more enjoyable experience for the customer. This practice is not limited to pizza places but has also been observed in bakeries that utilise similar carton boxes for delivering cakes and other baked goods.
The plastic savers were invented in the 1980s by Carmela Vitale, a woman from Long Island who recognised a common issue with pizza delivery. The patent for the invention, approved in 1985, has since lapsed, and variations on the design have emerged, including disposable plastic spatulas and tripods.
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They were invented by Carmela Vitale
The plastic tables found in pizza boxes, also known as pizza savers, were invented by Carmela Vitale, a Long Islander who filed a patent for her invention in 1983. Vitale named her creation the "package saver". Pizza savers are small, three-legged plastic accessories that are placed in the centre of a pizza box to prevent the top of the box from collapsing and touching the pizza. This was particularly an issue when pizzas were stacked on top of each other, which would cause the bottom pizzas to get crushed.
The invention of the pizza saver changed the pizza industry forever. Before its invention, there was no solution to the issue of pizza boxes collapsing onto the pizza inside. Vitale's invention ensured that pizzas arrived at their destination intact and ready to eat. The pizza saver also had secondary uses, such as keeping cheese and toppings in place during delivery and enabling customers to pull slices apart without touching them.
Some pizzerias have eliminated the use of plastic pizza savers by returning to the old method of baking a bread ball into the centre of their pizzas. However, the plastic pizza saver remains a popular and effective solution to the issue of pizza boxes collapsing.
The identity of the device as a "table" has also led to creative marketing campaigns, such as Boston Pizza's 2018 promotional campaign in Canada, which turned the pizza table into a patio set, adding miniature plastic chairs.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pizza box tables, also known as pizza savers, are small plastic tables placed in the centre of pizza boxes to prevent the lid from collapsing and sticking to the pizza.
Pizza boxes tend to collapse in the centre due to heat and steam, causing the pizza to stick to the lid. Pizza savers protect the pizza from getting ruined.
Carmela Vitale, a woman in Long Island, invented the pizza saver in the 1980s. She noticed that pizza delivery boxes had a fatal flaw and invented the pizza saver to resolve this issue.
Yes, some pizza companies still use them. However, some have opted for alternative solutions, such as baking a bread ball into the centre of the pizza or altering the box design.
