When ordering a pizza for delivery or takeout, customers often find a curious little plastic table placed in the center of their pizza. This tiny tripod-like piece, known officially as the “pizza saver,” serves an important function that goes beyond being a novel toy for children or a makeshift stand for gadgets.
It keeps the lid of the pizza box from sagging and touching the cheesy surface of the pizza, ensuring that your meal arrives without the toppings sticking to the top of the box.
The pizza saver is a simple yet clever invention designed to support the structural integrity of a pizza box during delivery. As pizzas are transported, the steam and heat can make the cardboard box top soggy, increasing the risk of it collapsing onto the pizza.
These little tables prevent the lid from touching the pizza, preserving the appearance and quality of the pizza so that it looks just as good as it tastes when it reaches your door.
The pizza saver’s ubiquity in pizza boxes around the world stems from its effectiveness in solving a common problem. Pizzerias continue to use them to protect the pizza from the effects of transportation and ensure customer satisfaction with every order.
Purpose of the Little Table in Pizza Boxes
The small plastic apparatus commonly found in the center of a delivered pizza plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of the pizza during transport. It is specifically designed to address two main issues: protecting the toppings and providing structural integrity to the box.
Prevent Topping Displacement
The primary function of the little plastic table in pizza boxes is to prevent topping displacement. When a pizza is being delivered, the motion of transportation can cause the cheese and toppings to slide or get stuck to the top of the box lid.
This table, known as a pizza saver, is strategically placed at the center to support the lid, ensuring that it doesn’t collapse onto the pizza, thus keeping the toppings intact.
Structural Support for the Box
In addition to keeping the pizza looking appetizing, the little table also provides structural support for the box itself. Pizza boxes are typically made of thin cardboard, which can sag or bend easily, especially when stacked.
With the insertion of a pizza saver, the box gains an extra point of support in the middle, which is fundamental in keeping the box shape secure and preventing the lid from touching the pizza.
Design and Materials
The small plastic table found in pizza boxes, commonly known as the “pizza saver,” is a result of thoughtful design and carefully selected materials aimed at maintaining the quality of the pizza during transport.
Material Selection
Materials used for pizza savers are typically heat-resistant and food-grade plastics, such as polypropylene. This choice ensures that the pizza saver can withstand the heat of a fresh pizza without melting or releasing harmful substances.
Its robust construction allows it to support the box’s weight, preventing the lid from touching the pizza toppings.
Historical Development
The design of the pizza saver has a patented history. An inventor named Carmela Vitale of Dix Hills, New York, introduced the concept in 1985. These small tables have remained largely unchanged since their inception. They showcase a three-legged design that provides stability and minimal contact with the pizza itself, ensuring that the pizza arrives at its destination as intended.