GB2520917A

GB2520917A - Baked goods

Info

Publication number: GB2520917A
Application number: GB1315456.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Petrie
Original assignee: BAKKAVOR Ltd
Current assignee: BAKKAVOR Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-15
Filing date: 2013-08-30
Publication date: 2015-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-30
Also published as: GB201302657D0; GB201315456D0; GB2520917B

Abstract

A packaged baked food product includes a packaging box (16, figure 1) defining a chamber for receiving food product, a base platform 38, and a baked food product 40. The baked food product 40 is located on the base platform 38 and the base platform 38 is located in the chamber of the packaging box (16). A collar 14 formed from an elongate strip is positioned around the periphery of the baked food product 40, wherein said collar 14 is formed from a material capable of being baked during production of the baked food product and has been positioned around the food product prior to baking of the food product. Also disclosed is a method of preparing baked good including a single-use collar which is configured to be removed from a baked product after retail.

Description

Baked goods

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of preparing baked goods, and/or a packaged baked food product.

BACKGROUND OF TUE INVENTION

An example of baked goods includes a baked cake, such as a baked cheesecake.

Conventionally baked goods, in particular cheesecakes, are baked in a container and supplied to a consumer in the same container. The container is configured so that the baked goods can be removed from the container for consumption by pushing the baked goods out of the container via an aperture in the base of the container.

Uowever, a problem with this conventional type of container is that the cake can become damaged when pushed out of the container. To avoid this problem end users often cut the cake within the container, but even then it is still not easy to remove the cake without damage. Further, when using this method, the baked goods are not generally considered to be in a "table presentable" state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the problems associated with

packaged baked goods of the prior art.

A first aspect of the invention provides a method for preparing baked goods, the method comprising: (i) locating a collar in a baking container; (ii) charging the baking container with goods to be baked, such that the collar is between a side wall of the baking container and a perimeter of the goods to be baked; (iii) baking the goods to be baked in the baking container with the collar in-situ between the side wall of the baking container and said perimeter of the goods to be baked; (iv) removing the baked goods from the baking container with the collar located around said perimeter of the baked goods; and (v) packaging the baked goods with the collar in place for transport to a remote location; wherein the collar is a single-use packaging item configured for removal from the baked goods and disposal thereof after retail of the baked goods.

Providing the baked goods in a collar instead of a container of the prior art means that the baked goods are more readily in a "table presentable" state, because the baked goods are more easily removed, without damage, from the collar of the present invention than from the container of the prior art.

Steps U) to (v) may be sequential steps.

The baking container may be a re-usable baking container configured to be washed and re-used in step (i) after step (iv). A re-usable baking container provides a cheaper, and more environmentally friendly baking container. When the baking container is reusable, the collar ensures that there is little residue on the baking container, which means that the baking container is easy to clean.

During step (i) a base may be located in the baking container, such that the base and the collar defines a region for receiving goods to be baked. The base further improves the ease of transportation of the baked goods and further reduces the risk of damage to the baked goods.

The collar and baking container may comprise complimentary mating members to restrict relative movement of the collar with respect to the baking container.

Restricting movement of the collar with respect to the baking container can be advantageous for the method of production. For example, when the process of charging baked goods into the baking container comprises a depositor that has rotary motion, for example an automated stomping arm or a rotary sauce depositor, the charging process is more efficient because the collar and deposited goods to be baked are prevented from rotation relative to the baking container.

The collar may be formed of an elongate flexible strip. An elongate flexible strip means that the collar can be stored in a more compact, flat, unconnected state. The elongate flexible strip may have complimentary connectors connectable so that the collar defines an annulus. For example. the complimentary connectors may be connectable so that the collar defines a central region of cylindrical or other polygonal shape. The complimentary connectors may be at each end of the elongate flexible strip. The complimentary connectors may be readily connected and unconnected e.g. so that the collar is readily demountable from a periphery of the baked goods. The method may comprise positioning a collar that defines an annulus in a complimentary chamber of a baking container.

One of the complimentary connectors may be a male connector and the other complimentary connector may be a female connector.

The complimentary connectors may be configured to form a mating member for mating with a comphrnentary mating member of the baking container. Forming the connectors to have the dual functionality of connecting the collar and mating with the baking container can reduce the complexity of the collar, which simplifies manufacture and reduces costs.

The complimentary connectors may be arranged to protrude radially outwardly from the annulus defined by the collar. For example, the complimentary connectors may be hollow protrusions dimensioned such that one protrusion clips into a hollow of the other protrusion. Such a configuration has been found to ease removal of the collar from the goods to be baked, whilst also providing the dua' functionality of a connector and a mating member.

The coflar may be made from a plastics material. For example. the collar may be made from p&ypropylene. Polypropylene has been found to withstand the temperatures required for baking most baked goods, and also have characteristics that a consumer finds acceptable, e.g. in terms of flexibility and appearance.

The baking container may be made from a plastics material, for example polypropylene (PP) or crystalline polyethylene terephalate (CPET). The plastics matenal of the baking container may be a plastics material that can withstand higher temperatures than a plastics material of the collar, when the collar is made from a plastics material. Such a plastics material for the baking container ensures that the baking container to be reused multiple times. Such a baking container may also enable the baking temperature to be increased, permitting slower baking times. For example, the baking container may be made from crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET). Such a material would not be possible for use in containers of the prior art because CPET does not have properties such as flexibility and appearance that a consumer would find acceptable.

The baking container may have a wall thickness greater than the collar. Such a construction allows the baking container to withstand an increased number of bakes.

In such embodiments, the baking container and the collar may be made from the same material. e.g. a plastics material, for examp'e polypropy'ene.

The baked goods may be of the type having a crumb base (e.g. a biscuit base), and the method may comprise using a rotary mechanism for tamping down (e.g. stomping down) the crumb base in the baking container. Automating the method of tamping can reduce the lead time for production of the packaged baked goods. In such a method, when the collar and baking container have complimentary mating members to restrict relative movement of the collar with respect to the baking container, the complimentaiy mating members are particubrly useful to ensure efficient and effective tamping of the crumb base, without rotation of the collar and baked goods relative to the container.

The baked goods may be of the type having a swirled filling or topping, and the method may comprise: depositing a swirled filling or topping on the baked goods using a rotating depositor. Automating the method of deposition of swirled filling or topping can reduce the lead time for production of the packaged baked goods. In such a method, when the collar and baking container have complimentary mating members to restrict rdative movement of the collar with respect to the baking container, the complimentary mating members are particularly useful to ensure efficient and effective deposition of the swirled filling, without rotation of the collar and baked goods relative to the container.

The baked goods may be a cheesecake. Step (ii) may comprise: depositing a crumb layer, e.g. a biscuit crumb layer in the baking container and tamping down the crumb layer; and depositing a batter on the crumb layer.

A further aspect of the invention provides a packaged baked food product comprising: a packaging box defining a chamber for receiving food product; a base platform; and a baked food product; wherein the baked food product is located on the base platform and the base platform is located in the chamber of the packaging box; further wherein a collar formed from an elongate strip is positioned around the periphery of the baked food product, wherein said collar is formed from a materia' capable of being baked during production of the baked food product and has been positioned around the food product prior to baking of the food product.

Providing baked goods with such a collar means that the baked goods can be baked with the collar in-situ.

The packaging box may be a two part box, for example having a seat portion and a connectable cover. In an exemplary embodiment, the seat portion and connectable cover may include one or more mating members to removably connect the cover to the seat portion. For example, the seat portion may include a recess or a stepped portion and the cover may include a protrusion or a stepped portion positioned and dimensioned to engage in the recess or the stepped portion of the seat portion respectively. The recess or stepped portion may be positioned near a perimeter of the seat portion. The recess of stepped portion may extend substantially circumferentially around the seat portion. The cover may be transparent. The seat portion may be opaque or transparent.

The seat portion may be hinged to the cover, i.e. the packaging box may be a hinged pack.

In an exemplary embodiment the packaging box is made from one or more plastics material, e.g. amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and/or polypropylene (PP). The seat portion may be made from a different material to the cover. In an alternative embodiment the packaging box may be at least partially made from cardboard e.g. the packaging box may comprise a window. The cardboard may be coated with a liquid resistant coating.

The packaged baked goods may be produced using the method of the previously described aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 shows front perspective of a packaged baked food product; Figures 2 shows a side view of a collar for use in the preparation of baked goods; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the collar shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view of a container, collar, base and goods to be baked for the production of a packaged baked food product; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the collar of Figure 2 being connected to form an annulus; Figure 6 shows a side view of a container for use in the preparation of baked goods; Figure 7 shows a plan view of the baking container of Figure 6; Figures 8 to 9 show steps in a method of preparing a baked food product; and Figures 10 to 12 show steps in a method of dispensing baked goods from packaging of packaged baked goods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

RefelTing to Figure 1, a packaged baked food product is indicated generally at 10.

The packaged baked food product 10 includes baked goods i2 in a display box 16.

The display box 16 has a window 17 through which the baked goods are visible. In the present embodiment, the baked goods 12 is a baked cheesecake having a swirled topping of fruit. A collar 14 is positioned around the periphery of the baked goods 12.

The baked goods 12 are seated within the display box on a base (not visible in Figure 1).

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the collar 14 is formed from an elongate strip 15 that is flexible so as to bend to define an annular region 36 for receiving baked goods. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular region is cylindncal, but it may have a cross-section of any desired polygonal shape.

The collar 14 has two complimentary connectors at each end of the elongate strip. In this embodiment the connectors are hollow projections 18, 20. One of the projections 20 is dimensioned to clip into a hollow region of the projection 18. so as to maintain the collar in a cylindrical shape. To form the collar, the elongate strip 15 is bent in a direction such that the projections 18, 20 protrude radia'ly outwardly from the region 36 for receiving baked goods. In this embodiment, the collar is made from polypropylene (PP). However, in alternative embodiments other suitable plastics materials or other suitable materials may be used.

The method of preparing the packaged baked goods 10 will now be described.

RefelTing to Figure 4, firstly, the collar 14 is positioned in a baking container 22.

RefelTing to Figure 5, to position the collar 14 in the baking container 22, the projections 18, 20 of the collar are clipped together to define an annulus. The collar 14 is then positioned in the container 22.

As can be seen in figures 6 and 7, the baking container 22 of this embodiment has a side wall 24 that defines a cylindrical region 26 for receiving goods to be baked 40 (shown in Figure 4). An aperture 30 is formed in a base of the baking container 22, and defines a periphera' rim 28 extending radially inward from the lower end of the side wall 24.

A circumferential lip 32 extends radially outwardly from an upper end of the side wall 24 to provide a region to ease gripping of the baking container.

A depression 34 is formed in an upper part of the side wall 24. The depression 34 is dimensioned to receive the projections 18, 20 of the collar 14 when in a clipped-together state and to be a close fit thereto, so as to limit relative rotation of the collar 14 with respect to the baking container 22.

The side wall 24 defines a taper so that the container has a wider diameter near the lip 32 than the rim 28, so as to enable compact stacking of the baking containers one inside another when not in use.

In this embodiment the baking container is made from polypropylene, but in alternative embodiments the baking container may be made from crystalline polyethylene terephthaiate (CPET), or any other suitaNe plastics or metallic material.

The baking container may have a wall thickness greater than the collar, so that the baking container can withstand an increased number of multiple bakes.

RefelTing back to Figure 4, after the collar 14 is positioned in the baking container 22, the base 38 is positioned in the baking container 22. The base 38 is substantially circular in shape and is dimensioned to have a arger diameter than the aperture 30 of the baking container 22. When positioned in the container, the base 38 occupies a circular area defined by the collar 14 and forms a platfoirn with the rim 28 of the baking container 22 on which goods to be baked 40 can be positioned.

The goods to be baked 40 are then charged into a region defined by the collar 14 and the base 38.

The goods to be baked 40 include the ingredients to make the baked goods 12, which in this embodiment is a cheesecake. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the region defined by the base 38 and the collar 14 is charged with a crumb mix 42, followed by a batter 44. and a fruit sauce 46. In alternative embodiments, the fruit sauce may be omitted. In an alternative embodiment, the topping may not be a fruit sauce, for example, the sauce may be a caramel or chocolate sauce.

The crumb mix 42 is tamped down (i.e. stomped down) to form a crumb base, for example a biscuit crumb base. In the present embodiment, the crumb base is tamped down using an automated mechanism, which in the present embodiment includes a stomping head that rotates during the stomping process. The engagement of the projection 18, 20 of the collar with the depression 34 of the baking container 22facilitates the stomping process because it prevents the rotary motion of the stomping head causing the collar 14 to rotate relative to the baking container 22.

which would result in an uneven crumb base. In alternative embodiments, the crumb base may be manually tamped down, or automatically tamped down using a mechanism with a non-rotating stomping head.

The fruit sauce is deposited on the cheesecake using an automated process which includes using a depositor head to swirl the fruit sauce 46 onto the batter 44 of the goods to be baked 40. The hollow projections 18, 20 of the collar 22 are seated in the depression 34 of the baking container 22 during this process, which means relative movement between the collar 14 and the baking container 22 is restricted, so the collar 14 and goods to be baked 40 are prevented from rotating with the depositor. If the collar 14 were not prevented from rotating relative to the baking container 22, it would be difficult using an automated process to create a swided decoration or an even distribution of fruit sauce on the batter 44 of the goods to be baked 40.

Alternatively, the fruit sauce may be applied manually.

Referring now to Figure 8, once the baking container 22 is charged with the collar 14, base 38 and the goods to be baked 40, the goods to be baked 40 are baked in an oven 48 at a pre-determined temperature for a pre-determined length of time. The pre-determined temperature and pre-determined length of time are dependent on the type of goods to be baked and also the material of the baking container 22, collar i4 and base 38.

Referring now to Figure 9. once baked, the baked goods 12, base 38 and collar 14 are removed from the baking container 22. The removal is achieved by pushing the base 38 via the aperture 30 of the baking container 22. There is reduced risk of damaging the baked goods using the presently described method than in methods of the prior art, because this process can be automated which provides for greater control. Further, the collar and base mean that there is substantially limited sticking of the baked goods to a surface of the baking container 22.

RefelTing back to Figure 1, once the base 38, collar 14 and baked goods 12 are removed from the baking container 22, they are positioned in a display box 16. In the present embodiment, the collar is dimensioned to cover the entire periphery of the baked goods and to extend from a position in line with the base 38 (not visible in Figure 1) to a position higher than the top of the baked goods 12, so as to ensure that the collar protects the entirety of the periphery of the baked goods 12.

The packaged goods 10 are then shipped to a remote location, for example a supermarket, shop or restaurant, from which an end user may purchase the packaged goods.

Referring to Figure 10, to consume the baked goods 12, the baked goods 12 must firstly be removed from the display box 16. The baked goods are removed by sliding the base out of the display box 16. The base 38 and collar 14 allow the baked goods to be easily removed from the display box 16 without damage. The material of the base and/or display box cati be selected such that the friction between the rnateriah is great enough that the base does not substantially slide within the box (e.g. during transport), but low enough that the base and baked goods are easily removed from the display box when desired.

RefelTing to Figure 11, the collar 14 is easily removed from the perimeter of the baked goods 12 by unclipping the projections 18, 20, which reduces the risk of causing damage to the baked goods.

RefelTing to Figure 12, once the collar 14 has been removed from the baked goods 12, the base and baked goods may be positioned on a plate (for example) for slicing and serving.

There is reduced risk of damage to the baked goods and therefore improved table appearance than the containers of the prior art, because there is no longer the need to push the base and baked goods out of a baking container, at the point of consumption.

The use of a reusable baking container means that there is reduced disposable packaging in the final baked goods. Furthermore, the baking container 22 can be formed of a material capable of withstanding higher temperatures than the conventional disposable containers of the prior art because there is no need for the baking container to satisfy user requirements such as appearance (e.g. plastic with increased clarity, for example white or transparent plastic not black plastic) and flexibility.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example, the connectors of the collar may be of an alternative configuration. For example, the connectors may protrude from the collar but be of a different shape and/or configuration. For example, one connector may be a female connector and one a male connector, e.g. one projection is hollow and the other is solid. Alternatively, the connectors may not protrude from the coflar and a separate or no mating member may be provided to mate with the baking container so as to substantially fix the position of the collar relative to the baking container.

In alternative embodiments, the baked goods may not be a cheesecake, and instead may be an alternative baked goods, for example an alternative type of cake.

In another alternative embodiment, the baking container may be a two-part baking container, for example the container may have a base separable from a neck. When the container is a two-part container, the base may not include an aperture.

In further alternative embodiments, the display box may be a transparent box (e.g. amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) hinge pack). or may be a packaging container having no window.

The display box may be a two part box, for example having a seat portion and a connectable cover. In an exemplary embodiment, the seat portion and connectable cover may include one or more mating members to removably connect the cover to the seat portion. For example. the seat portion may include a recess or a stepped portion and the cover may include a protrusion or a stepped portion positioned and dimensioned to engage in the recess or the stepped portion of the seat portion respectively. The recess or stepped portion may be positioned near a perimeter of the seat portion. The recess of stepped portion may extend substantially circumferentially around the seat portion. The cover nay be transparent. The seat portion may be opaque or transparent. In an exemplary embodiment the packaging box is made from one or more plastics material, e.g. amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), andlor polypropylene (PP). The seat portion may be made from a different material to the cover.

Claims

Claims 1. A packaged baked food product comprising: a packaging box defining a chamber for receiving food product; a base platform; and a baked food product; wherein the baked food product is located on the base platform and the base platform is located in the chamber of the packaging box; further wherein a collar formed from an elongate strip is positioned around the periphery of the baked food product, wherein said collar is formed from a material capable of being baked during production of the baked food product and has been positioned around the food product pnor to baking of the food product.
2. The packaged food product according to claim 1, wherein the packaging box is a two part box.
3. The packaged food product according to claim 2, wherein the packaging box compnses a seat portion and a connectable cover.
4. The package food product according to claim 3, wherein the seat portion and connectable cover include one or more mating members to removably connect the cover to the seat portion.
5. The package food product according to claim 4, wherein the seat portion includes a recess or a stepped portion and the cover includes a protrusion or a stepped portion positioned and dimensioned to engage in the recess or the stepped portion of the seat portion respectively.
6. The package food product according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the cover is transparent and the seat portion is opaque.
7. The package food product according to any one of the previous claims.wherein the packaging box is made form one or more plastics material.
8. The package food product according to claim 7, wherein the packaging box is made from amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
9. A method for preparing baked goods, the method comprising: (I) locating a collar in a baking container; (ii) charging the baking container with goods to be baked, such that the collar is between a side wall of the baking container and a perimeter of the goods to be baked; (iii) baking the goods to be baked in the baking container with the collar in-situ between the side wall of the baking container and said perimeter of the goods to be baked; (iv) removing the baked goods from the baking container with the collar ocated around said perimeter of the baked goods; and (v) packaging the baked goods with the collar in place for transport to a remote location; wherein the collar is a single-use packaging item configured for removal from the baked goods and disposal thereof after retail of the baked goods.
i0. The method according to claim 9. wherein the baking container is a re-usable baking container configured to be washed and re-used in step U) after step (iv).
ii. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein during step (i) a base is located in the baking container, such that the base and the collar defines a region for receiving goods to be baked.
12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the collar and baking container comprise complimentary mating members to restrict relative movement of the collar with respect to the baking container.
13. The method according to any one claims 9 to 12, wherein the collar is formed of an elongate flexible strip that has complimentary connectors at each end connectable such that the collar defines an annulus.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein one of the complimentary connectors is a male connector and the other complimentary connector is a female connector.
15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the complimentary connectors are configured to form a mating member for mating with a complimentary mating member of the baking container.
16. The method according to claim 15. wherein the complimentary connectors are arranged to protrude radially outwardly from the annulus defined by the collar.
17. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the collar is made from a plastics material. e.g. polypropy'ene.
18. The method according to daim 16 or 17, wherein the baking container is made from a plastics material.
19. The method according to daim 18, wherein the baking container is made from a plastics material that can withstand higher temperatures than the plastics material of the collar.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the baking container is made from CPET.
21. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 20, wherein the baked goods is of the type having a crumb base, and the method comprises using a rotaiy mechanism for tamping down the crumb base in the baking container.
22. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 21, wherein the baked goods is of the type having a swirled filling or topping, and the method comprises: depositing a swirled filling or topping on the baked goods using a rotating depositor.
23. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 22, wherein the baked goods is a cheesecake, and step (ii) comprises: depositing a biscuit layer in the baking container and taniping down the biscuit layer; and depositing a batter on the biscuit layer within a region defined by the collar.
24. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as S shown in the accompanying drawings.
25. A packaged baked food product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.