GB2515820A

GB2515820A - Piping stand

Info

Publication number: GB2515820A
Application number: GB201312089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Jarvie; Thomas Lamont
Original assignee: Lakeland Ltd
Current assignee: Lakeland Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-05
Filing date: 2013-07-05
Publication date: 2015-01-07
Also published as: GB201312089D0; WO2015001341A1

Abstract

A piping stand for use with a piping bag comprises a base 12 and a body formed by a plurality of members 14a to 14f that are telescopically arranged inside one another, the members being moveable between a retracted condition and an extended condition so as to define an interior receiving volume. Each of the members may be secured together by a generally wedge-shaped protuberance on one member engaging in a recess in another member. A gap may be provided between the members for cleaning. The base may be formed from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonates (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polystyrene (PS), Nylon, Polyamide, Acrylic or Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Description

PIPING STAND

This invention relates to a collapsible receptacle, more particularly, but without limitation to, a culinary piping stand for use with a piping bag. In particular, this invention relates to a piping stand that is readily transformable between a retracted condition for storage purposes, and a telescopically extended condition which defines an interior volume capable of receiving and supporting a piping bag.

A piping or pastry bag is a culinary utensil which is used to dispense icing, toppings and other pliable foodstuffs onto pastries, cakes and the like. Piping bags may also be used for dispensing foodstuffs such as meringue, yoghurt, cream, butterscotch, savoury filHngs and other pliable products of similar consistency.

A piping or pastry bag generally comprises a conical open bag which generally includes an opening or nioulded nozzle which extends through the bottom tip of the bag and through which the pliable foodstuff can be dispensed. The handling and filling of the piping bag Is an entirely manual operation which requires a user to open the top section of the piping bag with one hand, and then pull the rest of the bag over that hand. The foodstuff to be dispensed is then spooned or poured into the bag with the other hand, before twisting the fabric of the bag around the foodstuff.

It Is however difficult to perform this task as Ideally both hands are often needed to hold the piping bag open. Sometimes users resort to ad hoc techniques of placing the piping bag Inside suitably-sized open utensils that may be readily to hand. However, these solutions are often inadequate.

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In order to address this problem various piping stands have been developed over the years. These products generafly consist of a tapered cone section into which the piping bag can be placed. These products do however suffer a number of disadvantages.

The first drawback with these products Is that they tend to be quite bulky and unless the user routinely has the need to use a piping or pastry bag these products are simply too large to justify storage In a users often space-fimited kitchen area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a piping stand which overcomes or reduces the drawbacks associated with known products of this type. The present invention providing a piping stand which is readily transformable between a retracted condition br storage purposes, and a telescopically extended condition which defines an Interior volume capable of receiving and supporting a piping bag. The piping stand can be telescopically extended to the extent that is capable of receMng and supporting a wide range of piping bag sizes.

According to the present invention there is provided a piping stand for use with a piping bag, the stand comprising a base and a body formed by a plurality of members that are telescopically arranged Inside one another, the members being moveable between a retracted condition and an extended condition so as to define an interior receiving volume.

An advaMage of using the piping stand of the present invention to support a piping bag is that a piping stand is provided which is readily and quickly transformable between a retracted condition for storage purposes and an extended condition which defines an interior volume capable of receiving and supporting the piping bag. In the telescopically extended condition, the piping bag Is supported for the purposes of ease of lifting, and to prevent unwanted spiflage during use. The piping stand can also be quickly placed into a retracted condition which presents a low profile design thereby taking up much less room In an often overcrowded kitchen utensil cupboard.

In use, the plurality of members may be arranged coaxially inside one another.

Preferably, the plurality of members are frustoconical-shaped such that the bottom is smaller in section than the top.

Further preferably, in an extended condition, the body defines a tapered receptacle.

In use, in an extended condition, the body may define a frustoconical receptacle.

Preferably, the angle of the taper is around 22 degrees.

Further preferably, the angle or the taper is around 18 to 26 degrees.

In use, the base may be formed Integrally with the body.

Preferably, the base Is removable from the body.

Further preferably, the diameter of the base Is greater than the diameter of the uppermost member of the plurality of members.

In use, the diameter of the base may be around 1.2 tImes the diameter of the uppermost member of the plurality of members.

Preferably, each of the plurality of members are able to be secured together by a generally wedge-shaped protuberance on one member engaging in a recess in another member.

In use, the base may further comprise a rubberised anti slip portion.

Further preferably, a plurality of recesses are provided in one member around Its periphery with grooves extending between adjacent recesses, and a plurality of generally wedgeshaped protuberances on one member being engageable in the recesses and ab'e to travel along the grooves between adjacent recesses to form an Interlock.

in use, the number of recesses and the number of generally wedge-shaped proluberances on one member may be four.

Preferably, in a retracted condition, the members are planar and parallel to each other.

IC) Further preferably, in a retracted condition, the body and base is dimensIoned to fit Inside a lid portion for storage, the lid comprising a base wall and a side wall extending therefrom.

In use, in a retracted condition, the gap between the members and the base may be sufficient to allow a flow of water for cleaning.

Preferably, the cleaning can be achieved In a dishwasher.

Further preferably, the base includes a plurality of slotted apertures around its periphery for meeting a plurality of male parts on the lid to form a bayonet titting.

In use, the base may Include a plurality of concentric Indentations into which the members can be received In a retracted condition.

Preferably, the base further comprises a plurality of cut-outs around its periphery.

Further preferably, the body is moveable to an extended condition using gravity.

In use, the body is moveable to a retracted condItion by rotating each member through an angle of around 50 degrees.

Preferably, the base, the body and/or the lid is formed from a suitable plastics material selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any of the following: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonates (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Poiystyrene (PS), Nylon, Potyamide, Acryflc and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Further preferably, the opening In the uppermost member of the plurality of members is around 110mm.

it Is believed that a piping stand for use with a piping bag in accordance with the present Invention at least addresses the problems outlined above.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a collapsible receptacle comprising a base and a body formed by a plurality of members that are telescopically arranged Inside one another, the members being moveable between a retracted condition and an extended condition so as to define a receiving volume.

Advantageously, the collapsible receptacle of the present invention Is readily and quickly transformable between a retracted condition for storage purposes and an extended condition which defines a receMng volume capable of retaining foodstuffs contained within a piping bag.

Preferably, the receiving volume is dimensioned to support a foodstuff contained within a piping bag.

It wilt be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present Invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

SpecifftnonEimfting embodiments of the invention wUi now be. described by way of exampe only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, ir which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a piping stand in a teescopicaUy extended condition according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the piping stand of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a side perspecbve view of the piping stand of Figure 1 in s retracted condition, the retracted piping stand being retainahe inside a id for storage; Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the retracted piping stand of Figure 3 retained inside the lid; Figure 5 is a pian view from above of the piping stand of Ficure 1; and Figures 6 to 10 Diustrate how the purality of members forming the tapered body of the piping stand are teiescopicafly extendabe and engageabie to form a rigid piping stand in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, a piping stand 10 for use with a piping bag (not shown) is iflustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Figures 1 and 2 show how the piping stand 10 can be paced in a telescopicafly extended condition for receiving and.

supporting a piping baa.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the piping stand 10 according to the present nvention comonses a generaUy circuar base 12 supportinq an upwardw extending tapered body formed by a niurality of generaUy concentric members 14. The tap'ered body, in an extended condition, is capahe of receiving a piping hag (not shown). The base 12 and body formed by the plurality of members 14 are manufactured from a suitable plastics rnatenai, such as Acrionitrile: a butadlene styrene (ABS), Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonates (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polystyrene (PS), Nylon, Polyamide, Acrylic andior Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The piping stand 10 Is capable of being cleaned in a dishwasher environment.

Located at the underside of the base 12, opposite to the body formed by the plurality of members 14, a rubberised grip ring 13 Is retained or over-moulded into an aperture situated around the periphery of the base 12, The rubberised grip ring 13 improves the slip performance of the piping stand 10, especiafly when used on wet surfaces or worktops.

The piping stand 10 of the present invention is intended predominantly for personal and domestic use, although the skifled person can appreciate that larger dimensioned versions could be used in large scale catering environments.

The telescopic body comprises six concentric ring-shaped members 14a to 141.

Each member 14 is slightly tapered to form a frustoconical shape. The lowermost section 14a has a section which connects with the base 12, and the remaining ring-shaped members 14b to 141 are open at both ends.

As can be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2. the uppermost part of the bottornmost member 14a is capable of being received within, the bottommost part of member 14b. Member 14b likewise fits within member 14c above it. as does member 14d within member 14e. Member 14e Is capable of being received within the uppermost member 14f. The uppermost part of the uppermost member 141 of the body also includes an outer rim 18.

In use, a user simply grips the base 12 and turns it upside down. Under the effect of gravity, each of the members 14 of the piping stand 10 is telescopically extended, automatically rotated and locked In position. To then retract the piping stand 10 for storage, the user sirnoly rotates the uppermost section 141 in a anti-clockwise direction so That each member 14 drops into the base 12, as wU he aescnbed n deta further below. flgures 1 and 2 aso show that tne base 12, whrch s generally p:anar, ndudes a senes at concentnc ndentauons lb around the base 12. These are numbered as indentations 1Gb to 161 which receive the respective members 14b to 14f in a retracted condition. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 various external ribs 20 are moulded into the members 14 which define, on theTh other side, shaped pratuberances in members 14 which are used to rotate and engage the members 14 in use, As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the plurality of members 14a to 141 are frustcconicai*-shaped such that the bottommost diameter of each member 14 is smaller than the uppermost diameter. In an extended condition, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the body defines a tapered or frustoconical-shaped receptacle having a gradual decrease in diameter from the uppermost member 141 to the IS hottommost member 14a which is dimensioned to receive and support a piping bag within the interior space defined by the members 14. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of the taper, iflustrated by angle a in Figure 1, is around 22 degrees. The majority of commercially-avadable piping bags can be successfufly retained within the stand 10 when the angle of the taper is somewhere in the region of 18 to 26 degrees.

In the preferred embodiment, the base 12 is formed integraly with the bottommost member 14a, Alternatively, the base 12 can be secured to the bottcmmost member 14a via an interference fit or other attachment means such that the base 12 is removable from the members 14.

To ensure a stable support surface, the diameter of the base 14 is greater than the diameter of the uppermost member 14f of the plurallty of members 14, In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the base is around t2 times the diameter of the uppermost member 14f of the plurailty of members 14.

Figure 3 shows how the piping stand 10 oF the present irvenUon can he readily transformed to a refracted condition for storage purposes. To ensure that the stand 10 is kept dear of dust f it a stored for extended periods of time, the retracted piping stand 10 is dimensioned to lit inside a separate Ud 28. The lid 28 is formed as a base wall with a side wall extending therefrom.

Figure 3 shows some further detafi of how the stand 10 or the collapsible receptacle of the present invention can he telescopically extended and retracted.

As shown, each of the members 14 includes a plurality of recesses 22 situated around its periphery with grooves 24 extending between adjacent recesses 22.

Each of the plurality of members 14 are then able to be secured together by a generally wedgeshaped protuberance on one member 14 engaging in a recess 22 in another member 14. The qeneraily wedge-shaped orotuberance on one member 14 is firstly engageabie in the recess 22 in another member 14 and is able to travel along the groove 24 between adjacent recesses 22 to crm an interlock. This is oniy made possible because the generally wedge-shaped protuberance on one member 14 is dimensioned to fit through the recess 22 in another member 14, and the raised wedge-shaped proflle defines an inclined plane which rotates the member 14 forcing it to travel aiong the groove 24.

Figure 3 also shows that, in a retracted condition, the members 14 are generally planar and parallel to each other to present a low profile design for storage. In a retracted condition, the gap between the members 14a to 14f is large enough to aUow a flow of water between the members 14 for cleaning. In use, deaning can also be achieved in a dishwasher.

Figure 3 SiSO shows that the base 12 includes a pluraUty of slotted apertures 26 around its periphery which meet with a plurality of complementarypositioneo engagements parts 32 situated on the flange 30 of the lid 28 to secure the id 28 to the base 1.2 using a hayonet4ype engagement. To enable ease of use when telescopicaliy extending the stand 10 by hoEding it upside down, the base 12 includes a number of ergonomicafly positioned cut*outs 34 around its periphery.

Figure 4 shows the piping stand 10 according to the present invention in a retracted condition situated securely inside the id 2.8, Also as shown in Figure 4, the id 28 includes rnoulded directional arrows 36 iich indicate the direction of rotation needed to remove the lid 28 from the base 12.

Finure 5 shows a plan view of the pining stand 10 according to the present invention in an extended condition from above. As can be seen, the respective recesses 22 in each of the members 14 and each of the respective grooves 24 extending between recesses 22 are dimensioned to meet with a generally wedgeshaped protuberance 38 in each. of the members 14. in a preferred embodiment, the number of recesses 22 and grooves 24 extending between the recesses 22, and the number of generaPy wedgeshaped ptuberances 38 in each of the members 14b-1.4f is four.

The operation of the telescopicaily extending and retracting piping stand 10 is best illustrated with reference to Figures $10. This shows that the members 14 are abie to be secured together by a' generafly wedgeshaped protuberance 38 on one member 14 enqaqinq in a recess 22 in another member 14. in doing so, the raised we.dge-shaped profile of protuberance 38 rotates the member 14 relative to its adjacent member 14 forcIng it to travel along the groove 24 until it meets with a stop 40 mouided at the thin end of the protuberance 38. This Is best illustrated in FIgure 7. FIgure 7 also shows that at the end of each groove 24 is a notch 42 whIch meets with corresponding detent (not shown) formed In S the protuberance 38. ThIs effectively locks the relative position of the members 14 when telescopically extended. However, a small anticlockwise rotational force Is sufficient to overcome the interlock formed between the notch 42 and the corresponding detent on the protuberance 38 when the user wishes to retract the piping stand 10.

Figures 6-10 show how the piping stand 10 is extended by turning the stand 10 upside down. Figure 6 illustrates that a plurality of recesses 22d are provided in member 14d. The generally wedge-shaped protuberance 38e on member 14e Is engageable In recess 22d and Is able to rotate and travel along the groove 24d.

In this way, the member 14d Is able to be secured to adjacent member 14e by IS protuberance 38e engaging against the groove 244. The protuberances 38 are generally wedge-shaped to allow them to move upwards and rotate along onto the groove 24 In each respective member 14. In use, a user simply uses gravity by holding the base 12 and turning It upside down to achieve a telescopically extended condition using gravity alone.

Alternatively, each member 14 can be lifted, rotated and secured from the base 12 individually, thereby allowing the body to be assembled Incrementally from member 14b through to member 14?. ThIs ensures that the body can be extended to an appropriate height for the respective size of piping bag that it shall be used in conjunction with.

Figures 7-10 flustrate how the uppermost member 141 s t&escopicaUy extended and boked reladve La member 14e.

After use, the members 14 are transformable to a retracted cond Won by rotating uppermost member 141 through an ange of somewhere n the region ci 50 degrees to retract it into its adjacent member 14e, Members 14f and 14e are then retracted by rotation into member 14d and so on untU aV of the members 14 are retracted into the base 12.

Various alterations and modif9caUons may he made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention,

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Claims

CLAIMS1. A piping stand for use with a piping bag, the stand comprisina a base and a body rormd by a p(trlity ci members that are teescopicaUy arranged inside one another, the members being moveable between a retracted o condon and an extenued condtun o a to aetna a nLenor eci\dng voume.
2. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein piurafity oF members that are arranged coaxiaUv inside one another.
3. The piping stand as dairned in claim 1, wherein the pluraUty oF members are frustoconicakshaped such that the bottom is smaller in section than the top.
4. The piping stand as clamed m any oreceding carn, wnersn. n an extended condition, the body defines a tapered receptacle.
5. The piping stand as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in an is extended condition, the body defines a frustoconical receptacle.
6. The piping stand as darned n darn I wherein the angle of the aper s around 22 degrees.
7. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angle of the taper is around 18 to 26 degrees.
8. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is formed integraHy with the body.
9. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is removabie from the body.
10. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the base is greater than the diameter of the uppermost member of the plurality of members.
11. The piping stand as claimed In claim 1, wherein the diameter of the base is around 1.2 times the diameter of the uppermost member of the plurality of members.
12. The piping stand as claimed In claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of members are able to be secured together by a generally wedge-shaped protuberance on one member engaging in a recess In another member.
13. The piping stand as claimed In claIm 1 * wherein the base further comprises a nibberised anti slip portion.
14. The piping stand as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of recesses are provided in one member around its periphery with grooves extending between adjacent recesses, and a plurality of generally wedge-shaped 18 protuberances on one member being engageable in the recesses and able to travel along the grooves between adjacent recesses to form an interlock,
15. The piping stand as claimed in claim 12, wherein the number of recesses and the number of generally wedge-shaped protuberances on one member is four.
16. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein In a retracted condition, the members are planar and parallel to each other.
17. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a refracted cond Won, the body and base Is dimensioned to fit inside a lid portion For storage, the lid comprising a base wall and a side wall extending therefrom.
18. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, whereIn, in a retracted condition, the gap between the members and the base is sufficient to allow a flow of water for cleaning.
19. The piping stand as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cleaning can be achieved in a dishwasher.
20. The piping stand as claimed n claim 1. wherein the base includes a It) plurality of slotted apertures around its periphery for meeting a plurality of mate parts on the lid to form a bayonet fitting.
21. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base includes a plurality of concentric Indentations into which the members can be received In a retracted condition.
22. The piping stand as claimed in claim 1, whereIn the base further comprises a plurality of cut-outs around its periphery.
23. The piping stand as claimed in claIm 1, wherein the body is moveabte to an extended condition using gravity.
24. The piping stand as claimed in claIm 1, wherein the body Is moveable to a retracted condition by rotating each member through an angle of around degrees.
25. The piping stand as claimed In claim 17, wherein the base, the body and/or the lid is formed from a suitable plastics material selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any of the following: Acrylonitrile butadlene styrene (ABS), Polypmpdene (PP), Polycarbonates (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polystyrene (PS). Nylon, Polyamide, Acrylic arid Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
26. The piping stand as claimed In claim 1, whereIn the opening In the uppermost member of the plurality of members is around 110mm.
27. A collapsible receptacle comprising a base and a body formed by a plurality of members that are telescopically arranged inside one another, the members being rnoveable between a retracted condition and an extended condition so as to define a receiving volume.
28. The collapsible receptacle of claim 27, wherein the receiving volume is dimensioned to support a foodstuff contained within a piping bag.
29. The piping stand as described herein with reference to Figures Ito 10 of the accompanying drawings.
30. The collapsible receptacle as described herein with reference to Figures I to 10 of the accompanying drawings.