WO2008085145A1

WO2008085145A1 - System, method, and article of manufacture for three dimensional bride and groom cake kit

Info

Publication number: WO2008085145A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/045875
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lisha Dail
Original assignee: Lisha Dail
Priority date: 2006-11-30
Filing date: 2006-11-30
Publication date: 2008-07-17

Abstract

A baking system that allows the user to create a three-dimensional cake having the form of a bride and groom, or man and woman. The kit uses 2 piece pans; (FIG 1-4) having a removable outer rim with spring action hinges, locking spring action clasps, and corresponding pan insets to complete the process. The pan insets are specifically designed to become the interior support system for the cake structure. The entire cake is molded, baked, poured, and stacked prior the removal of the outer rims of the pans. Fitted, plastic snap-on storage lids (FIG 2) are included, enabling the user to bake the cakes in advance, and keep them fresh until ready to assemble and decorate. The system offers the flexibility of easy creation, easy storage, easy assembly, and easy transportation of the completed assembly.

Description

SYSTEM, METHOD, AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL

BRIDE AND GROOM CAKE KIT

1.Technical Field

(001) The present invention relates generally to baking sets that are used for baking cakes; to molds used in baking and candy making; to multi-piece cake pans that can be used to bake either flat cakes or tube cakes; and to cake tier assembly sets that are used to create multi-tier cakes such as wedding cakes.

(002) Multiple tier cake forms and assemblies have long been used in the baking industry. Such products are typically comprised of several parts, both large and small which are put together in various fashion to ultimately create the support structure for multiple tiered cakes, such as wedding cakes. Metallic cake form pans and molds are the usual standard for most cake pans. Plastic is generally used for manufacturing decorative tier plates and columns.

2. Background Art

(003) Creating three dimensional cake forms from the current available products has proven to be a difficult, if not impossible challenge. Essentially, there are no real systems available to create and expand the art of making three- dimensional cakes, especially those cakes whose form is that of one or more humans.

(004) The current available multiple tier products do not focus on three- dimensional effects. Instead, the focus is on separated tiers, simple cake stacks, or form limiting structural inserts which are baked inside the cakes themselves and create serving difficulties.

(005) Assembly and transportation of three-dimensional, cake products; especially those of the human form; has also proven to be a difficult challenge, as most of these cakes are made from whatever forms the creator can conceivably find, design, or create; from other household products; which are usually not necessarily related to baking or to cooking at all.

(006) These difficulties and challenges have limited the bride and groom decoration to small, decorative plastic molds placed on top of the wedding cakes. More recently, the baking industry is creating cakes that have all but eliminated the need or desire to have the bride and groom incorporated or represented on the wedding cake.

(007) Additionally, the removal procedure for most multi tier cakes; is to turn the cake upside down after baking, while still in the pan onto another surface, usually, a plate, the cake tier base, or directly on top of another cake.

The user runs the risk of dropping the cake, cracking or breaking the cake, or crumbling the cake. This is especially difficult when a moist or super-moist batter

(008) is used. The only suitable cake batter for a mold or sculpture is a sturdy, thicker type of batter that will hold its shape and is inferior in taste and consistency. Super-moist and moist batters fall apart when used in a mold or sculpture. Fillings; if used at all; tend to be drier and tasteless.

(009) What is needed is a three dimensional cake system that allows the user to create the desired human forms; quickly and easily assemble it; move or transport if necessary; and safely store the various cake components, keeping them fresh until needed. A system designed to eliminate the need for complete removal of the baked cake matter from the bake-ware, having bake-ware that (010)works itself into the design of the cake and allows the use of moist and super-moist cake batters, which are superior in taste and consistency. Tasty fillings can then be added if desired without compromising the structure or form of the cake. Additionally, a cake system that allows the user to incorporate part of the bake-ware into the structure and form, then remove the outer bake-ware (011)afterward would provide the utmost in convenience, making a once difficult or impossible challenge, a simple and pleasurable experience, that allows the user to focuson creating artistiG decoration rather than breakage and frustration. 3. Disclosure of the Invention

(012)The present invention is of a simple, multi-piece design, wherein an artistic production of a man and woman, or bride and groom cake can be formed and crafted, having been completely assembled prior to the removal of the outer bake-ware, and can be easily moved, transported or stored until it is time for icing and decoration. When served, rods inserted into the pan insets and lifted (013) upward remove the cake layers. Quick clean up is facilitated for the user, as the only pieces that remain with the user are the outer rims of the cake pans and the mold. The insets and decorative base are returned to the user; after the function for which the Gake was crafted; is over. The invention uses two-piece pans, substantially oval shaped, with removable insets. The pan insets form the (014)interior support structure for the cake. The stacked cakes are attached to a decorative base at the bottom, and are topped with an artistic figurine connected by means Of a connector plate. Once assembled, the cake is decorated as desired.

4. Brief Description Of The Drawings

(015) Notice must be taken that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by phantom lines, and diagrammatic representations. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It should be understood, of Gourse, (

(016) that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

Turning first to FIG.1 through FIG. 1B, generally shown are the views of the outer rim of the figure eight pan, this is shown to generally demonstrate the shape of the pan and the outer rim when the pan inset is property inserted. FIG.2 is a general depiction of the snap-on plastic lids, which are used to Gover

(017) the baked cakes, while still in the pan, to keep them fresh and /or facilitate transportation in an unassembled form if desired. Additionally, the lids give the user the option to bake the cakes several days in advance if needed, and quickly assemble them, remove the outer rims, and decorate as desired.

FIG. 2 A shows the preferred insertion of the pan inset into the outer rim of the

(018) figure eight pan.

FIG. 3 shows the shape of the connector plate, which is used to connect an artistic figurine to the top of the cake.

FIG. 3A shows the connector plate attaching to the column of the inset of the figure eight pan.

(019) FIG. 3B shows how an artistic figurine is attached to the Gonnector plate.

FIG.4 is a view of the front of the closed pan rim, showing the clasp, of the rounded pans having a flat side. These pans make up the balance of the cake pans used in the stacking of the cake design.

FIG. 4A is a view of the pan inset having a flat side corresponding to the rim.

(020)FIG.4B is an elevational side view of the outer rim of the rounded pan with a flat side.

FIG.5 Generally shows the stacked cakes with the 2mm spacing..

FIG. 5A is a directional view of how the pans are stacked together with the cakes on them. If desired, the user may run a thin blade knife around the inside of the sidewalls of each cake pan before assembling, thereby loosening

(021) the cake from the sidewalls, to facilitate easier removal of the sidewalls. By creating the ability to assemble all of the cake parts prior to removing the outer bake-ware, the task of assembling, moving, transporting, and/or storing becomes an enjoyable task, rather than having to deal with the frustrations of turning the

(022) cakes out onto tier bases, blindly aligning holes up for column supports, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the decorative base. The column is represented here on the top of the base. The bottom cake pan inset connects to the top of the base. The physical design of each pan inset is such (023) that a horizontal balance may be maintained when assembly of the cake structure is completed. Quick clean up is facilitated because the only parts remaining with the user at the time of assembly are the outer rims of the pans, the mold, and the plastic lids. The pan insets have become part of the cake structure, and are returned to the user at a later date, along with the decorative

(024) base.

FIG.7 shows how the cake structure looks when assembled with figurine, base and removal of the outer rims. A gradual increase in size is repeated with all of the cakes involved to achieve more stability, facilitate the placement of flowers and decoration and gives a pleasing overall appearance to the cake itself.

(025) It should be noted that the above described embodiment is intended to illustrate, rather than limit the invention and that numerous modifications could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Clearly, it is within the contemplation of the present invention that the specific physical dimensions of the mold, outer rims, the flat

(026) cake insets, the rectangular columns and the deporative base could all be slightly modified, while still retaining the necessary function and quick removal described above.

While the present invention has been illustrated in some detail according to the preferred embodiment shown in the foregoing drawings and description, it

(027) will become apparent to those skilled in the pertinent art that variations- and equivalents may be made within the spirit and scope of that which has been expressly disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited solely by the scope of the hereafter appended claims, and not by any specific wording in the foregoing description.

5. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

(028) The present invention is manufactured utilizing conventional manufacturing methods such as too! and die, stamping, etc. Once purchased, the user assembles the two-piece pans, pours cake batter into the pans, and bakes the cakes. After cooling, the outer rims are removed, and the cakes are left intact on the stackable insets to cool. Once cooled, the cakes are iced on the tops, and

(029) then the insets are stacked, beginning with the largest on the top of the decorative base, and then proceeding to the top cake. The connector plate is then applied on the very top, and the figurine is placed. The cake is then decorated aa desired...

6. Industrial Applicability

The present invention is manufactured and sold to retail bakeries for use.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A bride and groom wedding cake kit comprising a cake pan having the shape of a figure eight, with a removable spring-action outer rim, the outer rim having a vertical rounded sidewall and a flat inward directed ledge extending perpendicularly inwardly from a bottom edge of the sidewall member and connected to the bottom edge of the sidewali member wherein a flat cake inset may be downwardly inserted into the outer rim and supported by the ledge, a fiat sidewall on the opposite end of -the rounded sidewall, with a spring action hinge part attached to each end of the flat side of the rim respectively, a spring action hinge part located in the center of each side of the sidewall, and a spring action clip part attached to each end of the rim respectively, when the rim is in open position, and closing in the center of the rim, when the rim is in closed position, the cake pan being shaped so as to create the form of the bottom portion of two bodies to become the first pan in a series of pans to create a bride and groom cake.

2. The bride and groom wedding cake kit as described in claim 1, wherein the cake pan, is further comprising a fiat cake inset, having the shape of a figure eight, separate and apart from the outer rim, having a substantially horizontal planar bottom and a substantially vertical rectangular column attached, having open upper and lower ends with the top diameter of the column having a smaller diameter, open ended, rectangular, attachment integrally formed into the overall form of the column, the lower end being integrally attached within an approximate center of the horizontal bottom; having interlocking devices integrally molded at the top of the rectangular attachment for stacking and connecting to become a part of the interior support diameter of the column having a smaller diameter open ended rectangular attachment integrally formed into the overall form of the column, the lower end being integrally attached within an approximate center of the horizontal top of the base, the connections of all parts creating an interior support structure for the bride and groom cake with 2 millimeter spacing between the cakes when stacked.