GB2272151A - Cake tins - Google Patents

Abstract

A cake tin former comprises an elongate band which is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be manipulated into a desired shape for use in forming the peripheral wall of a cake tin. The band can comprise a plurality of pillar portions or components 10 which are coupled together, e.g. by pins (12, Fig. 4) or adapted to be coupled together, one to another, in lateral juxtaposition and in a manner which enables relative lateral orientation therebetween. The former may also include a plurality of clips 22 by which a longitudinal edge portion of the flexible band can be coupled to the peripheral edge of a shaped cooking tray 24 so that the flexible band follows and is held in the shape of the tray. Alternatively the pillar components are coupled together by integral web portions (32, Figs. 11 to 13) or the pillar components are held within pockets (44, Fig. 14) formed by webs of flexible fabric. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION CAKE TINS The present invention is concerned with cake "tins", that is, forming devices used for establishing the peripheral configuration of "cake" mixes during cooking.

Conventional cake tins come in a huge range of shapes and sizes. However, with the vast growing market of speciality cakes, such as fondant iced cakes, the days are gone when a traditional square or round shape is the limit to the required design.

People now seek different imaginative designs, but presently have no option but to buy (or hire) individually shaped cake tins that are expensive. For a birthday cake, for example, quite often these tins are in the shape of a number for a particular birthday and, once used, are therefore redundant. In the case of wedding cakes, to purchase a set of three conventional tins for a traditional wedding cake could involve a substantial cash outlay, only for the purchaser to find once again that he/she is confined to that particular shape only. Hiring is the least expensive option, but for someone who regularly bakes celebration cakes, this is a major overhead.

The list of books on the art of cake decorating is endless, giving many ideas on shapes. Often the suggestion is made that the cake, once baked, is cut to the required shape. In many instances, the cut pieces are simply to be discarded.

Some cookery books show how to "block out" parts of a conventional cake tin to achieve simple shapes.

This involves constructing suitable "blocks" from wood. Proprietary cake tins having "fill-in" blocks are also available but, since these blocks are usually rectangularly cuboidal, the resulting shapes are only rather crude approximations and have a "squared" appearance which is not particularly pleasing to the eye.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a single forming device which will enable a cake to be baked with virtually any desired external peripheral configuration.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cake tin former comprising a plurality of pillar portions or components which are coupled together or adapted to be coupled together, one to another, in lateral 'juxtaposition and in a manner which enables relative lateral orientation therebetween, whereby said plurality of pillar components form a longitudinally flexible band which can be manipulated into a desired shape for use in forming the peripheral wall of a cake tin.

In one embodiment, adjacent pillar components are coupled together by means of spring clips which bias the pillar components into longitudinal abutting or closely juxtaposed relationship.

The spring clips can be generally U-shaped, the two legs of the clips being adapted to engage into respective bores at the ends of the pillar components.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention in its broadest aspect, there is provided a cake tin former comprising a plurality of elements, preferably of metal, which are coupled together in a manner which allows relative frictional displacement therebetween, whereby to form an elongate band which is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be manipulated into a desired shape for use in forming the peripheral wall of a cake tin, but wherein the frictional connection between the metal elements is sufficient to maintain the manipulated shape of the band in use.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cake tin former comprising an elongate band which is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be manipulated into a desired shape for use in forming the peripheral wall of a cake tin, and a plurality of clip means by which a longitudinal edge portion of the flexible band can be coupled to the peripheral edge of a shaped cooking tray so that the flexible band follows and is held in the peripheral shape of said tray.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l is an end view (to an enlarged scale) of a pillar component of one embodiment of cake former in accordance with the present invention; Fig.2 is a front view of part of a clip component of said one embodiment of cake former in accordance with the invention; Fig.3 is an end view of the pillar component of Fig.l but drawn to approximately actual size; Fig.4 shows three of the pillar components in their operational positions and a single clip component about to be inserted into two adjacent ones of said pillar components; Fig.5 shows a clip component alone; Figs.6a - 6d illustrate, to an intermediate scale, some of the relative positions which can be adopted by adjacent pillar components connected by a clip component;; Fig.7 shows one possible configuration into which the illustrated embodiment can be manipulated; Fig. 8 shows a pillar component having a hole for receiving a clip; Fig. 9 shows a clip for use with the pillar of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 shows the clip of Fig. 9 fitted to the pillar of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a plan view of part of a further embodiment in accordance with this invention; Fig. 12 is a partial front view of the embodiment of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a partial end view of the embodiment of Fig. 11; and Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of a still further embodiment in accordance with the invention.

The embodiment of cake former in accordance with this invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 comprises a plurality of pillar components 10 in the form of rigid metallic rods, which are adapted to be coupled together in side-by-side relationship using a plurality of springy clip components 12, whereby to form an elongate metallic band which, while being rigid in a direction parallel to the pillars, is longitudinally flexible to enable it to be manipulated into any selected longitudinal shape. When placed on a flat baking tray, this then defines a container for receiving a cake mix, the container having a peripheral shape corresponding to the shape into which the band has been manipulated.

In this embodiment, the rod forming each pillar component 10 (shown in Fig.1 two a much enlarged scale) has a generally rectangular sectional configuration, with both longitudinal sides radiussed with a radius R1 substantially equal to half the thickness t, as shown in Fig.1. Disposed at each side of the rod, and extending along the full length of the rod, is a respective through-bore 14. In this embodiment, the central axes of the through-bores 14 coincide with the centres about which the curved sides of radius R1 are generated.

The pin components 12 (shown in Fig.2 to a much enlarged scale) are generally U-shaped and made of a springy wire, preferably stainless steel. The diameter of the wire is slightly smaller than the diameter of the through-bores 14 so that the wire can be easily engaged into the through bores with a small lateral clearance therebetween. The two leg centres of each U-shaped pin component 12 are set at substantially the same distance apart as the thickness t of the rod 10 for a reason which will become evident. As shown in Fig.5, the pin components are formed so that their two leg components are sprung together. Thus, if their legs are moved apart, this must be achieved against the inherent spring bias within the clip.

Referring now to the full-size view of Fig.4 and the enlarged scale views of Fig.6, in order to make up the illustrated embodiment of the former, a plurality of the pillar components 10 are coupled together in lateral juxtaposition by inserting a respective pair of clip components 12 into the adjacent through-bores 14 of each pair of laterally abutting pillars 10 at both ends of these pillars. Each pair of adjacent pillars is thus held with a line contact therebetween which extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of these pillars.

It will be evident from Fig.6 that the two pillars in each pair of adjacent, abutting pillars 10 are capable of virtually infinite orientation one relative to the other, over substantially 3600. Thus, if considered from a starting point in which two adjacent pillars 10a,10b are positioned so that the central axes of all four through-bores 14 lie on a straight line X-X (Fig.6a), either one of the pillars (say the pillar 10b) can be adjusted relative to the other pillar (10a) through substantially 1800 in either clockwise direction A (Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) or counterclockwise direction B (Figs. 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i).It will also be understood that the spring bias of the legs of the clip components 12 seeks constantly to urge these two adjacent pillars 10a,10b together, whatever their relative dispositions, thereby maintaining the integrity of the resulting band of pillars at all times.

A flexible band of the pillar components 10, coupled by the clips 12, can thus be formed into an infinite variety of shapes, one single example of which is shown in Fig.7 by way of illustration. The length of the flexible band is obviously also infinitely variable simply by selecting how many pillar components 10 to use before the pillar at the two ends of the band are joined together. The friction between adjacent pillars, resulting from the force applied therebetween by the spring clips 12, is such that, once the band has been manipulated into a particular shape, this shape is maintained until it is required to re-manipulate the band into another shape.

In use, the shaped band is placed on a (normally flat) baking tray and a liner, such as grease-proof paper, is placed around the inside in the conventional manner. The resulting cake assumes a peripheral configuration corresponding to that selected for the band.

The invention is not restricted to the particular method of coupling the pillars described above and any other means of coupling the pillars can be selected which enables their lateral mutual orientations to be adjusted whilst maintaining a selected orientation by the frictional coupling therebetween. The pillar components can be of any suitable transverse configuration, e.g. circular, and may be solid or hollow. In the case of pillars of circular section, an alternative means of coupling them together comprises a plurality of S-shaped spring clips, in which each half of the S has a diameter such that it can embrace and grip the outer periphery of a pillar.

Each pair of two adjacent pillars can then be coupled together satisfactorily using two of these S-shaped clips to achieve a similar capability for infinite relative orientation as in the case of the firstdescribed embodiment. In this case, there is no need for any bore(s) in the pillars, although they could be hollow, if desired. Solid pillars are, however, preferred since they are easier to clean and present fewer cavities for cake mix to collect.

In order to assist in maintaining the desired shape of the flexible band, in some embodiments it can be advantageous to include additional clips at the lower ends of at least some of the upright pillars 10, these additional clips extending generally inwardly towards the centre of the shaped cake "tin" and being adapted to grip the edge of a flat tray which itself has a peripheral configuration corresponding to the desired shape of the cake "tin". The function of the latter clips is therefore to ensure that the band of pillars follows closely, and is maintained in, the desired shape.

One possible embodiment of such additional clips is shown diagrammatically in Figures 8-10. Fig. 8 shows one pillar 10 having a rectangular through-hole 20 near its lower end. Fig. 9 shows a springy clip 22 of generally U-shaped configuration whose arms are biassed together but which diverge at their free ends to enable a flat tray 24 to be entered therebetween and gripped. Fig. 10 shows the clip 22 in position, with one arm extending horizontally through the hole 20. With the clip 22 thus inserted, the shaped tray 24 can be inserted between the arms of the clip whereby the relative positions of the pillar 10 and tray 24 will be maintained.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 13, there is shown a further embodiment in accordance with the present invention in which the pillar components are formed from a special plastics material with integral flexible parts which couple the pillar components together. This embodiment therefore comprises a plurality of elongate pillar portions 30 which are coupled together by integral, flexible web portions 32. In this embodiment, the pillar portions have a similar sectional configuration to the pillars 10 of the embodiment of Figs. 1-7 in that they are of generally rectangular section with both longitudinal sides radiussed. However, this basic shape is capable of wide variation and is not limited to that illustrated.Adjacent pillar portions 30 are coupled together along the whole of their length by integral webs 32 which are considerably thinner than the pillar portions such as to have inherent flexibility and enable the whole structure to be formed into a desired shape, as before. The plastic material has to be capable of withstanding all cooking temperatures, typically up to 2500C, without distortion or deterioration. Such materials are currently available, for example, certain siliconized p.t.f.e.

plastics.

As shown in Fig. 12, this embodiment also preferably includes clips at the lower ends of the pillar portions for gripping a shaped baking tray in a similar manner to the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 8-10. In the case of Figs. 11 to 13, alternate ones of the pillar portions 30 are formed at their lower ends with two parallel, horizontally extending, integral projections 34a,34b, the lower one 34b of which is formed with a bump or pip 36 so that when an edge of a tray 38 (Fig. 13) is forced between the projections 34a,34b, it is gripped resiliently between the bump or pip 36 and the underside of the upper projection 34a. The projections 34a,34b need not be on every other pillar portion 30 as in Fig. 11 but are selected and positioned to enable satisfactory coupling of the band of pillar portions to the tray 38.

The band may include sufficient pillar/web portions to form the complete cake "tin". Preferably, however, the band is made up of a plurality of subbands comprising say two or three pillar portions. In one embodiment, there can be two forms of sub-band, one having two pillar portions and the other having three. These can be joined together, eg. by additional clip means (not shown), to make up a complete band of desired size.

A still further embodiment is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 14. This embodiment comprises two webs 40a,40b, of flexible fabric, eg.

high temperature resistant plastics sheet, which are jointed together at spaced intervals, eg. by sewing or welding 42, so as to form a plurality of elongate pockets 44 which receive therewithin respective metal pillar components 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the pillar components are aluminium tubes of circular section. However, any convenient and appropriate section can be used, such as the solid rectangular section having radiussed sides as shown in Fig. 1.

The pockets can grip the pillars tightly or they can grip them sufficiently slackly to enable the pillars to be removed for cleaning. The jointed parts 42 of the two webs are formed so as to provide the necessary flexibility between adjacent pillar components to enable the band to be formed to the required shape, as in other embodiments. Lateral clips (not shown) can again be incorporated for gripping a shaped tray, if needed.

Thus, the present invention provides a means for achieving a completely flexible cake tin that can be formed into almost any shape. It can accommodate basic conventional designs and also the highly individual requirements sought by many people in the cake decorating world. The retail cost of the device can be low and, since only one such device is needed to enable a huge variety of cake sizes and shapes to be made, considerable savings are available to those who would otherwise have to purchase a number of separate tins. Finally, it will be evident that, when not in use, the present device can be folded or disassembled into a small volume for storage.

Claims (11)

1. A cake tin former comprising a plurality of pillar portions or components which are coupled together, or adapted to be coupled together, one to another, in lateral juxtaposition and in a manner which enables relative lateral orientation therebetween, whereby said plurality of pillar components form a longitudinally flexible band which can be manipulated into a desired shape for use in forming the peripheral wall of a cake tin.

2. A cake tin former as claimed in claim 1, in which adjacent pillar components are coupled together by means of spring clips which bias the pillar components into longitudinal abutting or closely juxtaposed relationship.

3. A cake tin former as claimed in claim 2 in which the spring clips are generally U-shaped, the two legs of the clips being adapted to engage into respective bores at the ends of the pillar components.

4. A cake tin former as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of elongate pillar portions interconnected by integral web portions disposed laterally therebetween.

5. A cake tin former as claimed in claim 4, made from a plastics material capable of withstanding maximum oven cooking temperatures without distortion or deterioration.

6. A cake tin former as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which at least some of the pillar portions carry clip means at their lower ends for engagement with a shaped cooking tray, to enable the cake tin former to be attached to the tray so as to follow its peripheral shape.

7. A cake tin former as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising spring clip means adapted to be mounted within apertures in the lower ends of the pillar components for engagement with a shaped cooking tray, to enable the cake tin former to be attached to the tray so as to follow its peripheral shape.

8. A cake tin former as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pair of sheets of flexible heat resistant material which are joined at intervals to form a series of elongate pockets therebetween which receive respective ones of said pillar components.

9. A cake tin former comprising a plurality of elements which are coupled together in a manner which allows relative frictional displacement therebetween, whereby to form an elongate band which is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be manipulated into a desired shape for use in forming the peripheral wall of a cake tin, but wherein the frictional connection between said elements is sufficient to maintain the manipulated shape of the band in use.

10. A cake tin former comprising an elongate band which is sufficiently flexible to enable it to be manipulated into a desired shape for use in forming the peripheral wall of a cake tin, and a plurality of clip means by which a longitudinal edge portion of the flexible band can be coupled to the peripheral edge of a shaped cooking tray so that the flexible band follows and is held in the peripheral shape of said tray.

11. A cake tin former substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.