SHELL SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING BAKED GOODS

Abstract

A system or container for delicate baked goods is provided from two mating parts: a top part including a plurality of domes and a bottom part formed with a plurality of wells. When the two parts are mated, the domes and wells cooperate to form cavities for the individual baked goods, each baked good being grasped or secured within each cavity by a press nip to insure that the delicate crown of the baked good is not damaged.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/314,640 filed Mar. 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a system or apparatus for holding small fragile baked goods such as cupcakes. The system is particularly useful for transporting the baked goods while protecting them from being shaken or turned over.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Baked goods such as cupcakes and the like typically include two elements: a main body that is usually baked from a composition of flour and other ingredients and a decorative crown. The crown is usually deposited on the main body although it can be added before or even during the baking process. However, the crown is usually more delicate and can be easily distorted if it is touched by a person or material, or if the cupcake falls on its side or upside down. Very often the crown can be made of frosting, whipped topping, soft cream or other similar, often pasty or semi-liquid compositions.

Baked goods of this kind are very popular deserts and, as a result, a large number of them are being produced in bakeries, shipped to retail outlets and then sold to customers who then carry them home. However, because their tops are very fragile, the cupcakes are easily damaged during shipping, thereby losing at least some of their aesthetic appeal. This is an especially acute problem when a customer buys some cupcakes and takes them as a gift to someone else. In this latter situation, presenting cupcakes with damaged crowns can be socially embarrassing. To date, the inventors are not aware of any effective system or apparatus other than the inventive apparatus that can be used to either ship cupcakes using a commercial shipping means or carry a plurality of cupcakes without damaging them.

One device that is presently in use includes three members: a top and a bottom member that are joined to form a cavity for the cup cake. Frequently, the top membrane is nothing more than a sheet of stretched cellophane. A spacing member, such as a toothpick or a spike, is inserted into each of the baked goods to insure that the top member does not come into contact with the crown. Hence the baked goods are damaged even before they leave the bakery. Moreover, vibrations may cause the spikes or toothpicks to move sideways, thereby further damaging the crown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system or apparatus for storing and shipping baked goods such as cupcakes, muffin tops and the like is provided. The baked good includes a bottom, a decorative part made of a relatively soft material such as frosting, and an intermediate part. Two shells are provided which have respective wells and domes. When the shells are mated, the shells and domes are aligned to form cavities receiving the baked goods. At least one of the shells is formed with a baked good engaging member that forms a press nip for the intermediate part of the baked good. In this manner, once the shells are mated, the baked goods within the cavities are locked in position and secured so that they do not move with respect to the mated shells. The domes are shaped and sized to insure that their internal walls never touch the decorative part. As a result, the baked goods can be safely stored and transported without damaging their decorative parts. The shells are shaped to provide a seal for the cavities to insure that the baked goods stay fresh.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a plan view of the top shell for a system constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 1B shows an end view of the top shell of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C shows a side view of the top shell of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D shows an orthogonal view of the top shell of FIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 1E shows a plan view of a single dome of the top shell;

FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the bottom shell for a system constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2B shows an end view of the bottom shell of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a side view of the bottom shell of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows an orthogonal view of the bottom shell of FIGS. 2A-2C;

FIG. 3A shows a plan view of the system constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3B shows an end view of the system of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C shows a side view of the system of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C shows an orthogonal view of the system of FIGS. 3A-3C;

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of a single chamber of the system of FIGS. 3A-3d taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of a single chamber of the system of FIGS. 3A-3d taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A system constructed in accordance with this invention includes two shells 10 and 40 shown in FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2D, respectively. Shell 10 includes a plurality of flat, coplanar zones, such as peripheral zones 12 and central zones 14. Central zones 14 are diamond-shaped.

In between these zones there are pluralities of domes 16 that are generally hemispherical. Preferably, the domes 16 are arranged in a rectangular or a square array. In the figures the domes are arranged in a 5×5 array. Laterally and longitudinally adjacent domes are joined by passageways 18. A portion of the wall around each dome between the passageways 18 is shaped to form a plurality of semicircular depressions defining nubs 20 extending downwardly. The bottom-most part of each nub is disposed above the plane of zones 12, 14. Preferably each dome 16 is formed with four nubs 20 disposed radially outwardly of the hemispherical main body of the dome.

Disposed peripherally around shell 12 is an L-shaped lip 22 having a vertical section 22A and a horizontal section 22B extending outwardly from the bottom edge of section 22A. Along at least one of the edges of the shell, lip section 22B is formed with a horizontal tab 24.

Finally, some of the central zones 16 are formed with a hollow projection 26 oriented either upwardly or downwardly of zones 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, the bottom shell 40 includes a plurality of flat peripheral zones 42 and a plurality of central zones 44. These zones 42, 44 are coplanar. Zones 44 are larger than zones 14 so that a portion of the zones 44 extend below the nubs 20.

Disposed between these zones 42, 44, there is a plurality of wells 46. Like domes 16, wells 46 are preferably arranged in a two dimensional array. The array of wells must have the same dimensions and spacing as the array of domes. Laterally and longitudinally adjacent wells are joined by channels 48. Each well may have a bottom floor 50 that may be flat or may be formed with a decorative depression 51. Wells 46 may be hemispherical, frustoconical, cylindrical or utilize other similar shapes. Preferably the top-most diameter of the wells is smaller than the diameter of the domes 16.

Bottom shell 40 further includes a peripheral L-shaped lip 52 including a section 52A extending downwardly and a section 52B extending horizontally. Lip section 52B is formed along one side with a tab 54.

Some of the central zones 44 are formed with vertical projections 56 that extend either upward or downward and match the positions of projections 26.

The two shells are molded, preferably from a clear or translucent material such as polyurethane, polypropylene or other similar materials. The shells can also be made using thermo-forming and their edges may be die cut. Alternatively the shells may be made translucent or opaque and can have one or more colors.

The two shells are sized and shaped so that top shell 10 can be placed over shell 40 and the two shells can be pressed together or mated to form a joined system or apparatus 60, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. The two shells are held together by an interference fit formed between the L-shaped lips 22, 52 to form a peripheral seal 62 around the system 60. In addition, projections 26, 56 are sized and shaped to form an interference fit defining intermediate locks 64 between the two shells 10, 40.

Each dome 16 fits over a respective well 46 to form cavities 66 with longitudinal and transversal tunnels 68 formed by passages 18 and troughs 48. The flat zones 12, 14 on the top shell and 42, 44 on the bottom shell are in intimate contact with each other. This overall arrangement maintains the cavities 66 substantially sealed from the ambient atmosphere. The tabs 24, 54 have different sizes and/or are offset from each other so that they can be easily separated, thereby causing the shells 10. 40 to separate from each other. Thus, the system 60 can be opened or closed at will by separating and joining the shells 10, 40.

The system is used as follows. First, a plurality of cupcakes 70 are placed in the wells 46, the top shell is placed on the bottom shell and the two shells are mated or snapped together along the edges and the center so that the lips 22, 52 and the projections 26, 56 are interlocked respectively. The cupcakes 70 may be identical or may have different bodies or decorative crowns.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show cavities 66A, 66B with respective wells 46A, 46B. A cupcake 70 is shown in cavity 66A but not in 66B, purely for illustrative purposes. The cupcake 70 includes a bottom portion 72 that may have the same size and shape as the wells 46 or it could be smaller as well. Cupcake 70 further includes a top portion 74 that extends into the dome 16. The skirt 76 is generally ring-shaped or toroidal and has an outer diameter larger than the topmost diameter of well 46.

The top portion 74 is provided or covered with a decorative crown 78. The crown 78 is small enough so that it fits within dome 16 and does not touch the inner walls of the dome 16. The bottom portion 72, top portion 74 and skirt 76 form an integral, substantially homogenous main body of the cup cake 70 that is preferably baked. The crown 78 is made of softer ingredients and is more delicate then the main body. Alternatively, the crown 78 may be made of a soft ingredient 80, such as icing, and a decorative object 82, such a chocolate piece, a nut, or a piece or fruit may be imbedded or inserted into the icing.

The relative sizes of the crown 78 and top portion 74 are not important as long as the crown 78 is disposed above skirt 76.

Importantly, and as best seen in FIG. 4, when the two shells are mated, the nubs 20 are positioned above a section of zone 44 at a height H. The skirt 76 of cupcake has a height that is slightly greater than H (before the shells are closed) and therefore when the shells are closed, the nubs 20 and the zones 44 engage the skirts 76. Since the skirt 76 is somewhat soft, the skirt of each cupcake 70 is squeezed between at least some of the four nubs 20 within each of the cavity 66 and the corresponding zones 44. In other words, a press nip or pressure zone is formed between each of the nubs 20 and a corresponding section of zones 44 with the skirt 76 being caught in the press nip to secure and lock the cupcakes within the cavities 66.

The cupcakes 70 remain in place and do not move or shift in any direction while they are stored in the system 60. The system 60 can be moved around. Even if a system 60 loaded with cupcakes is accidentally dropped, or turned upside down, the press nip maintains a grip on the skirt of each cup cake 70 and does not permit the same to move. As a result, the crowns 78 of the cupcakes 70 remain intact and are not damaged. Optionally, a paper band (not shown) may be placed around the shells, and/or a piece of adhesive tape may be placed in the lip or on the tabs to keep the shells closed.

Once the system 60 is loaded with cupcakes, one or more such systems are placed into container that may or may not be refrigerated and stored or shipped to a retail outlet. If two or more systems are disposed in a single box, the systems can be stacked on top of each other. At the retail outlet, the customer buys the system 60 and takes it home or to a host, Once the final destination is reached, the top shell can be removed at will and one or more cup cakes can be removed. The trough 48 makes it easier to remove a cupcake by grabbing it by its skirt while leaving the crown 78 intact.

In the above description, a system is described for storing and shipping or transporting cupcakes. However, the system may be used for other kinds of baked goods such as muffin tops, etc. The inventor has found that the system is particularly useful for storing and transporting small cup cakes starting from cupcakes 1 inch in diameter.

Obviously numerous modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims. For example, the two shells can be made with a frangible portion or hinge that joins them so that they can be easily opened and closed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding a plurality of baked goods comprising:

A first shell having a first shell flat portion with a plurality of domes disposed in a pattern on the first shell flat portion;

A second shell having a second shell flat portion and a plurality of wells disposed in the same pattern on said second shell flat portion, said first and second shells cooperating to define respective cavities between said domes and said wells for receiving the baked goods;

And a plurality of securing members integrally formed on at least one of said first and second shells and arranged to engage the baked goods within said cavities and stop the baked goods from moving within the cavities while said apparatus is subjected to movement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said securing members include a plurality of nubs disposed circumferentially about at least one of said domes and said wells.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nubs are adapted to provide a pressure nip between said nub and one of said shell portions to engage said baked goods.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said baked goods include a main body and a decorative portion that is fragile so that it is distorted when touched, wherein said cavities are sized and shaped to maintain the baked goods in a locked position with said decorative portion being spaced from walls of the cavities.

5. A system for holding baked goods having a baked bottom, a decorative part attached to the baked bottom and an intermediate portion having at least one transversal dimension larger than bottom portion, said system comprising:

A bottom shell having a flat section and a plurality of wells formed on the flat section, said wells being sized and shaped to receive at least said baked bottom, said wells having at least one top dimension smaller than the transversal dimension so that when the baked good is inserted into said well, the intermediate portion extends laterally outwardly of the well;

And a top shell defining a plurality of domes sized and shaped to fit over said wells to form cavities with said wells, said domes having at least a baked good engaging member that engages the intermediate portion of the respective baked product in said cavity to secure the baked good within the cavity.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein at least said top and bottom shells have channel forming members forming channels between said cavities.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said top and bottom shell cooperate to seal said cavities when overlapped.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein at least one of said top and bottom shells includes a peripheral lip creating a seal between said shells.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising an interior lock member forming an interior lock between said shells.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein said domes are shaped to house the decorative part without touching the same while a respective baked good is secured within the respective cavity.

11. A baked goods system consisting of:

A bottom shell forming a well;

A top shell forming a dome sized, shaped and arranged to define a cavity with the well of the bottom shell; and

A baked good having a bottom disposed in said well, a decorative part disposed in said dome without touching the internal walls of the dome and attached to the bottom and an intermediate part;

Wherein said bottom and top shells are constructed to form a press nip there between to capture said intermediate part to secure and lock said baked good in place so that it does not move with respect to the shells when the shells are moved.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said shells form a plurality of cavities, each cavity receiving a respective baked good.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said shells are formed to define tunnels between the cavities.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said shells are formed to define a seal between said cavity and ambient atmosphere.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein one of said shells is formed with a peripheral lip.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said shells are formed with peripheral lips that fit to interlock said shells.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said lips are formed with opening tabs to separate said shells.

18. The system of claim 11 further comprising internal locking members interlocking said shells.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein one of said dome and said well is formed with peripheral nubs, said peripheral nubs generating said press nip.