CAKE DECORATING ORGANIZER

Abstract

A cake decorating organizer with multiple compartments is provided for storing cake decorating tools. The cake decorating organizer has a lower case section, a middle case section and an upper case section. The upper case section has at least one recessed storage area, preferably with a lid connected thereto. In preferred embodiments, decorating tips of various sizes can be stored in the recessed storage area of the upper case section. The middle and lower case sections each have at least one drawer slidably received therein. Preferably, the cake decorating organizer also has at least one side pocket for storing spatulas.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/319,057, filed Jun. 3, 2008, currently pending.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to containers for cake decorating utensils, and more particularly relates to containers having multiple storage compartments for storing cake decorating utensils in an organized manner.

Decorating a cake usually involves covering a cake with some form of icing or frosting, such as, for example, buttercream, whipped cream, ganache, royal icing, or rolled fondant. Additional decoration can be added to the cake, such as decorative sugars, candies, marzipan, gum paste, chocolate or icing. One technique of adding decorations to a cake is by piping flowers, borders, scrolls, scallops or stringwork onto the cake.

There are a variety of tools and utensils that are used in cake decorating. These include, for example, decorating tips, couplers, coupler rings, decorating bags, spatulas, paste colors, cake impressions and other utensils. It is desirable to be able to store cake decorating utensils in a single organized container, so that any tool that may be desired is on hand during cake decoration.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Cake decorating organizers of the present invention can have a bottom, a top, a right side, a left side, a back, a front, and preferably have multiple storage sections.

In one aspect, the organizer has a lower case section, a middle case section connected to the lower case section, and an upper case section connected to the middle case section. The lower case section has a bottom base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one lower drawer slidably received by the lower case section. The middle case section has a middle base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section. The upper case section has at least one recessed storage area, and preferably also has a handle connected thereto.

In a second aspect, the organizer has a lower case section, a middle case section connected to the lower case section, an upper case section connected to the middle case section, a handle connected to the upper case section, and at least one side pocket connected to one of the sides of the organizer. The lower case section has a bottom base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one lower drawer slidably received by the lower case section. The middle case section has a middle base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section. The upper case section has at least one recessed storage area, and preferably also has a handle connected thereto.

In a third aspect, the organizer has a lower case section, a middle case section connected to the lower case section, an upper case section connected to the middle case section, a handle connected to the upper case section, a left side pocket connected to left side of the organizer, and a right side pocket connected to the right side of the organizer. The lower case section has a bottom base plate, and at least one lower drawer slidably received by the lower case section. The middle case section is connected to the lower case section, and has a middle base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section. The upper case section is connected to the middle case section, and has at least one recessed storage area. The left and right side pockets each have a front wall, and a top cover with at least one slot therein for removably receiving an icing spatula.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification.

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of one embodiment of a cake decorating organizer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of a cake decorating organizer of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8.

FIG. 10 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10.

FIG. 12 is an isolated view of a first middle drawer of a cake decorating organizer of FIGS. 1-6 or 7-12, with the lids closed.

FIG. 13 is an isolated view of a first middle drawer of a cake decorating organizer of FIGS. 1-6 or 7-12, with the lids open.

FIG. 14 is an isolated view of a shelf that can be utilized in a second middle drawer of a cake decorating organizer of FIGS. 1-6 or 7-12.

FIG. 15 is an isolated view of an insert for a recessed storage area of a cake decorating organizer of FIGS. 1-6 or 7-12.

FIG. 16 is an isolated view of a lower case section of a cake decorating organizer of FIGS. 1-6 or 7-12.

FIG. 17 is an isolated view of a middle case section of a cake decorating organizer of FIGS. 1-6 or 7-12.

FIG. 18 is a view of a bottom exterior surface of a middle drawer of a cake decorating organizer of FIGS. 1-6 or 7-12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Cake decorating organizers of the present invention can have multiple storage areas for storing different types of cake decorating tools. Preferably, cake decorating organizers of the present invention have multiple storage compartments that can be individually accessed, such as, for example, flip open compartments and sliding drawers.

A first embodiment of a cake decorating organizer is indicated in general at 100 in FIGS. 1-6. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the cake decorating organizer 100 generally has a bottom 102, a top 104, a right side 106, a left side 108, a back 110, and a front 112. As illustrated, the organizer has a lower case section 114, a middle case section 116 connected to the lower case section 114, and an upper case section 118 connected to the middle case section 116. The case sections can be integrally formed, or can be separately formed and then connected.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, lower case section 114 can have a bottom base plate 120, a left wall 122, a right wall 124, a rear wall 126, and at least one lower drawer 128 (also shown in FIG. 6) that is slidably received by the lower case section 114. Lower drawer 128 can include a single compartment, or can have internal dividers that form a plurality of compartments. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower drawer 128 is preferably slidably removable from the cake decorating organizer 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the at least one lower drawer 128 preferably has a lid having a latch closing mechanism 143.

As illustrated in FIG. 103, middle case section 116 has a middle base plate 130, a left wall 132, a right wall 134, a rear wall 136, and at least one middle drawer that is slidably received by the middle case section 116. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cake decorating organizer 100 has three middle drawers, including a first middle drawer 138, a second middle drawer 140 and a third middle drawer 142. Each middle drawer is slidably received by the middle case section 116. As shown in FIG. 6, each middle drawer is also preferably slidably removable from the cake decorating organizer 100.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first middle drawer 138 (also shown in FIG. 1) can have four exterior side walls 152 and a bottom 154 that define a compartment, and at least one divider wall 156 within the compartment that divides the compartment into a plurality of sections. The first middle drawer 138 can also have a plurality of lid sections 158. Each lid section 158 preferably has a latch closing mechanism 160, and encloses one section of the middle drawer 138.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second middle drawer 140 can have four exterior side walls 162 and a bottom 164 that define a compartment. Second middle drawer 140 preferably has a lid having a latch closing mechanism. Second middle drawer 140 can also have a shelf 166 disposed within the compartment. As shown in FIG. 14, the shelf 166 can have a plurality of circular openings 168 for receiving containers of color for coloring icing.

The cake decorating organizer 100 preferably includes features that will retain lower drawer 128 and middle drawers 138, 140 and 142 within the organizer 100 and prevent them from inadvertently sliding out of the organizer 100, such as during transport. FIGS. 6, and 16-18 illustrate preferred embodiments of such features. FIGS. 16-17 illustrate the lower case section 114 and the middle case section 116 in isolation, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 16, the bottom base plate 120 of the lower case section 114 can have a top surface having at least one raised tab 182. Preferably, the bottom base plate 120 has at least two raised tabs 182. As shown in FIG. 17, the middle base plate 130 has a top surface having at least one raised tab 184 that corresponds to each middle shelf. FIG. 18 illustrates the bottom 154 of first middle drawer 138. The bottom of the lower drawer 128, as well as the bottoms of the other middle drawers 140 and 142 can have a similar or identical structure. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the drawer has a bottom exterior surface 154 having at least two longitudinal rails 184 and at least one transverse rail 186. For drawers having such a structure, the transverse rail 186 engages the raised tab 182 or 184 when the drawer is in a closed position.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cake decorating organizer 100 can also include a handle 148 connected to the upper case section 118.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the upper case section 118 cake decorating organizer 100 has two recessed storage areas 144 and 146. Preferably, the at least one recessed storage area has a plurality of raised receivers 172 for receiving decorating tips. FIGS. 6 and 15 illustrates an insert 170 that can be received by a recessed storage area 144 or 146. Insert 170 has a plurality of raised receivers 172. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 15, the raised receivers 172 can be generally conical or frusto-conical, and can have an upper portion 174 and a lower portion 176. Lower portion 176 preferably has a width that is greater than the width of the upper portion 174. In this manner, the raised receivers 172 can accommodate icing tips of various sizes.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, each recessed storage area of upper case section 118 has a lid connected to the upper case section 118 that encloses the recessed storage area. More specifically, recessed storage area 144 has lid 178 and recessed storage area 146 has lid 180. Each lid can be pivotally or rotatably connected to the upper case section 118 at one end, such as by hinges, and preferably has a latch closing mechanism at the other end. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each lid can have a plurality of circular or domed sections 179 and 181 that correspond to the raised receivers 172 in the recessed storage compartments and provide additional space to accommodate individual icing tips received thereon.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, there can be a clip 150 connected to the back 110 of the cake decorating organizer 100. Clip 150 can be adapted to receive and hold a book, such as a recipe book or instruction book. Clip 150 is preferably connected at a first end to the back 110 or bottom 102 of the cake decorating organizer 100, and extends upwardly to a second end. Clip 150 can be straight, curvilinear, or have any other suitable shape.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of a cake decorating organizer, indicated in general at 200, where a clip is not attached to the back 210 of the organizer.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 11, cake decorating organizer 200 has a left side pocket 186 connected to left side of the organizer and a right side pocket 188 connected to the right side of the organizer. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each side pocket preferably has a front wall 190 and a top cover 192. The top cover 192 can have at least one slot 194, and preferably a plurality of slots 194, therein for removably receiving an icing spatula. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the top cover 192 can have three slots 194 for receiving icing spatulas, two end slots and a middle slot that is offset from the two end slots towards the front wall 190 of the side pocket. The front wall 190 of the side pocket preferably has at least one window 196 through which a bent spatula blade of an icing spatula can protrude when the spatula is removably received by a slot 194 in the top cover 192 of the side pocket. In the illustrated embodiment, the window 196 in the front wall 190 corresponds to the middle slot 194 in the top cover 192.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

1. A cake decorating organizer having a bottom, a top, a right side, a left side, a back, and a front, the organizer comprising:

a lower case section having a bottom base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one lower drawer slidably received by the lower case section;

a middle case section connected to the lower case section, the middle case section having a middle base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section; and

an upper case section connected to the middle case section, the upper case section having at least one recessed storage area.

2. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the upper case section.

3. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, wherein the upper case section comprises at least two recessed storage areas.

4. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, further comprising a lid connected to the upper case section that encloses the at least one recessed storage area.

5. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, wherein the at least one recessed storage area comprises a plurality of raised receivers for receiving decorating tips.

6. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, further comprising a clip connected to the back of the organizer.

7. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, further comprising at least one side pocket connected to one of the sides of the organizer.

8. The cake decorating organizer of claim 7, wherein the side pocket comprises a front wall, and a top cover having at least one slot therein for removably receiving an icing spatula.

9. The cake decorating organizer of claim 8, wherein the front wall of the side pocket comprises at least one window through which a bent spatula blade of an icing spatula can protrude when the spatula is removably received by a slot in the top cover of the side pocket.

10. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, wherein the bottom base plate comprises a top surface having at least one raised tab, the lower drawer comprises a bottom exterior surface having at least two longitudinal rails and at least one transverse rail, and the transverse rail engages the raised tab when the lower drawer is in a closed position.

11. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, wherein the middle base plate comprises a top surface having at least one raised tab, the middle drawer comprises a bottom exterior surface having at least two longitudinal rails and at least one transverse rail, and the transverse rail engages the raised tab when the middle drawer is in a closed position.

12. The cake decorating organizer of claim 1, wherein the at least one lower drawer and the at least one middle drawer each comprise a lid having a latch closing mechanism.

13. A cake decorating organizer having a bottom, a top, a right side, a left side, a back, and a front, the organizer comprising:

a lower case section having a bottom base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one lower drawer slidably received by the lower case section;

a middle case section connected to the lower case section, the middle case section having a middle base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section;

an upper case section connected to the middle case section, the upper case section having at least one recessed storage area;

a handle connected to the upper case section; and

at least one side pocket connected to one of the sides of the organizer.

14. The cake decorating organizer of claim 13, the organizer comprising at least a first middle drawer and a second middle drawer, each middle drawer being slidably received by the middle case section.

15. The cake decorating organizer of claim 14, wherein the first middle drawer comprises four exterior side walls and a bottom that define a compartment, and at least one divider wall within the compartment that divides the compartment into a plurality of sections.

16. The cake decorating organizer of claim 15, wherein the first middle drawer further comprises a plurality of lid sections, each lid section having a latch closing mechanism and enclosing one section of the middle drawer.

17. The cake decorating organizer of claim 14, wherein the second middle drawer comprises four exterior side walls and a bottom that define a compartment, and a shelf disposed within the compartment having a plurality of circular openings for receiving containers of color for coloring icing.

18. The cake decorating organizer of claim 14, wherein the middle base plate comprises a top surface having a first raised tab and a second raised tab, each middle drawer comprises a bottom exterior surface having at least two longitudinal rails and at least one transverse rail, the transverse rail of the first middle drawer engages the first raised tab when the first middle drawer is in a closed position, and the transverse rail of the second middle drawer engages the second raised tab when the second middle drawer is in a closed position.

19. A cake decorating organizer having a bottom, a top, a right side, a left side, a back, and a front, the organizer comprising:

a lower case section having a bottom base plate, and at least one lower drawer slidably received by the lower case section;

a middle case section connected to the lower case section, the middle case section having a middle base plate, a left wall, a right wall, a rear wall, and at least one middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section;

an upper case section connected to the middle case section, the upper case section having at least one recessed storage area;

a handle connected to the upper case section;

a left side pocket connected to left side of the organizer, the left side pocket having a front wall, and a top cover with at least one slot therein for removably receiving an icing spatula; and

a right side pocket connected to the right side of the organizer, the right side pocket having a front wall, and a top cover with at least one slot therein for removably receiving an icing spatula.

20. The cake decorating organizer of claim 19, wherein the organizer comprises a first middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section, a second middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section, and a third middle drawer slidably received by the middle case section.