PROTECTIVE CAKE COVER FOR MAINTAINING THE SANITARY CONDITION OF A CAKE PRIOR TO CONSUMPTION, THE PROTECTIVE CAKE COVER HAVING A GROOVE FOR INSERTING CANDLES AND A RECESS FOR STORING A BOX OF CANDLES

Abstract

A protective cake cover for supporting candles includes a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of the hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cake cover, a groove formed in the top cover wall that is configured to support one or more candles that project above the top cover wall, and a recess formed in a central region of the top cover wall and surrounded by the groove, whereby the recess is configured to receive a box that contains candles. The groove has a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and the recess has a square or rectangular shape that is adapted to receive a box of candles that can be stored on the protective cake cover.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/031,028, filed on May 28, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present patent application is generally related to cake covers, and is more particularly related to protective cake covers for maintaining the sanitary condition of a cake.

Description of the Related Art

In addition, there remains a need for a party kit that includes a combination of a protective cake cover and a storage recess for a box of candles, whereby the protective cake cover and the box of candles may be shipped, stored and sold as a single party kit unit for simplifying the planning and conducting of celebrations such as birthday parties.

Birthday, graduation, and retirement ceremonies typically involve a relatively large gathering of an honoree's family, friends, and associates. In the case of birthdays, the celebration often culminates with the attendees gathered around a cake singing a birthday song to the birthday celebrant. The cake is often decorated and may include a positive message on the top surface of the cake. Candles are typically inserted into the top of the cake and are lit immediately prior to singing the happy birthday song.

At the conclusion of the happy birthday song, the celebrant will often blow out the candles. In many instances, the celebrant will make a wish and seek to blow out all of the candles at once with one breath so that the wish may be granted.

Burning candles over the top of a cake and blowing out the candles by expelling air through the lungs and the mouth combines to produce a very unsanitary environment for the cake. The candle wax, which drips on the cake as the candles burn, may ruin the aesthetic appearance, texture and flavor of the cake. The act of blowing out the candles causes small particles of atomized saliva to be blown upon the cake, contaminating the cake with the celebrant's germs and bacteria. The highly unsanitary act of blowing out burning candles on a cake is particularly concerning during public health crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.

Thus, there remains a need for a protective cake cover that maintains the cake in a highly sanitary condition prior to the cake being consumed.

There also remains a need for a protective cake cover that prevents dripping candle was from ruining the aesthetic appearance of a cake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a protective cake cover for supporting candles preferably includes a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of the hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cake cover, a groove formed in the top cover wall that is configured to support one or more candles that project above the top cover wall, and a recess formed in a central region of the top cover wall and surrounded by the groove, whereby the recess is configured to receive a box that contains candles.

In one embodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and the recess may have a square or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall preferably has a circular, square, or rectangular shape for fitting over circular, square, or rectangular shaped cakes, respectively.

In one embodiment, the lower end of the hollow sidewall is open for receiving a cake.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover is desirably round, cylindrical, square, or rectangular.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover is made of a polymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover is transparent or clear.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover preferably includes a box of candles that are inserted into the recess formed in the central region of the top cover wall. The protective cake cover and the box of candles may be shipped, stored, and sold together as components of a party kit.

In one embodiment, a cake is preferably disposed inside the hollow sidewall with the top cover wall overlying a top surface of the cake, and one or more candles may have lower ends inserted into the groove, whereby the upper ends of the candles project above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, a protective cake cover for supporting candles preferably includes a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of the hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cake cover, a groove formed in the top cover wall, a recess formed in a central region of the top cover wall and surrounded by the groove, and a box of candles disposed within the recess formed in the central region of the top cover wall. The box of candles preferably contains one or more candles that are adapted to be inserted into the groove formed in the top cover wall for projecting above the top cover wall of the protective cake cover.

In one embodiment, the groove preferably has a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and the recess has a square or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, a party kit desirably includes a transparent, protective cake cover including a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of the hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of the protective cake cover, a candle receiving groove formed in the top cover wall, and a recess formed in a central region of the top cover wall and surrounded by the candle receiving groove.

In one embodiment, at least one candle may be disposed within the recess formed in the central region of the top cover wall. In one embodiment, the at least one candle preferably includes a plurality of candles that are contained within a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the recess formed in the central region of the top cover wall has four opposing sidewalls, and the box of candles has four sidewalls that desirably engage the respective four opposing sidewalls of the recess for securing the box of candles within the recess.

In one embodiment, each of the candles has a lower end that defines an outer diameter, and the groove preferably has a width that substantially matches the outer diameters of the lower ends of the candles for forming a friction fit between the lower ends of the candles and the groove.

In one embodiment, the groove preferably has a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and the recess preferably has a square or rectangular shape that matches the shape of the box of candles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollow sidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the top cover wall, and a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surrounded by the groove, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the protective cake cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the protective cake cover shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of a section of the candle receiving groove shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the recess shown in FIG. 2 with a box of candles stored in the recess, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollow sidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the top cover wall, a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surrounded by the candle receiving groove, and a plurality of elongated candle receiving slots that are surrounded by the candle receiving groove, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollow sidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the top cover wall, a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surrounded by the candle receiving groove, and a plurality of candle receiving depressions that are surrounded by the candle receiving groove, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a protective cake cover having a hollow sidewall, a top cover wall, a candle receiving groove formed in the top cover wall, a recess formed in the top cover wall that is surrounded by the candle receiving groove, and a plurality of rows of candle receiving depressions that are surrounded by the candle receiving groove, in accordance with one embodiment of the present patent application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 100 is configured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake and supporting candles that project above the top of the protective cake cover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 preferably includes a hollow sidewall 102 having an upper end 104 and a lower end 106. In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 desirably includes a top cover wall 108 that extends across the upper end 104 of said hollow sidewall 102 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 100.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 preferably includes a groove 110 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the top cover wall 108. The groove 110 is preferably configured to support one or more candles that project above the top cover wall 108.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 preferably includes a recess 112 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region of the top cover wall 108. In one embodiment, the recess 112 is desirably surrounded by the groove 110. In one embodiment, the recess 112 is configured to receive a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the groove 110 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 108 of the protective cake cover 100. In one embodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the recess 112 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 108 of the protective cake cover 100. In one embodiment, the recess 112 may have a square or rectangular shape. In one embodiment, the recess 112 may have a shape that matches the shape of a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 102 of the protective cake cover 100 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 106 of the hollow sidewall 102 is preferably open and defines an open lower end 116 (FIG. 3) of the protective cake cover 100 that is configured for receiving a cake.

In one embodiment, a cake may be passed through the open lower end 116 for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 102 of the protective cake cover 100 with the top cover wall 108 overlying a top surface of the cake. The lower ends of one or more candles may be inserted into the groove 110 so that the upper ends of the candles project above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 may have a round, circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 may be made of a polymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 100 may be made of a material that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cake cover 100 is placed over a cake, the cake may remain visible through the transparent or clear protective cake cover 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, in one embodiment, the groove 110 preferably has opposing sidewalls 118, 120 that define a groove with W₁ a width that substantially matches the outer diameters of lower ends of candles (e.g., birthday candles) for forming a friction fit between the lower ends of the candles and the groove 110. As a result, candles may be inserted into the groove 110 for being held by the protective cake cover 100 and projecting above the top cover wall 108 of the protective cake cover 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, in one embodiment, the recess 112 preferably has four opposing sidewalls 122, 124, 126, and 128 that define the shape of the recess 112. In one embodiment, the recess 112 has a length L1 and a width W2 that preferably matches the shape of a box of candles 130 that are inserted into the recess 112. In one embodiment, the box of candles 130 preferably has four sidewalls that engage the respective four opposing sidewalls 122, 124, 126, and 128 of the recess 112 for securing the box of candles 130 within the recess.

Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 200 is configured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake and supporting candles that project above the top of the protective cake cover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes a hollow sidewall 202 having an upper end 204 and a lower end 206. In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 desirably includes a top cover wall 208 that extends across the upper end 204 of the hollow sidewall 202 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 200.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes a groove 210 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the top cover wall 208. The groove 210 is preferably configured to support the lower ends of one or more candles that project above the top cover wall 208. In one embodiment, the lower end of the groove is closed so that ambient air cannot flow through the top cover wall 208 into the inside of the protective cake cover 200.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes a recess 212 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region of the top cover wall 208. In one embodiment, the recess 212 is desirably surrounded by the groove 210. In one embodiment, the recess 212 is configured to receive a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the groove 210 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 208 of the protective cake cover 200. In one embodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the recess 212 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 208 of the protective cake cover 200. In one embodiment, the recess 212 may have a square or rectangular shape. In one embodiment, the recess 212 may have a shape that matches the shape of a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 202 of the protective cake cover 200 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 206 of the hollow sidewall 202 is preferably open and defines an open lower end 216 of the protective cake cover 200 that is configured for receiving a plate 225 that holds a cake (not shown).

In one embodiment, the plate 225 that holds a cake may be passed through the open lower end 216 for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 202 of the protective cake cover 200 with the top cover wall 208 overlying a top surface of the cake. The lower ends of one or more candles may be inserted into the groove 210 so that the upper ends of the candles project above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 preferably includes a plurality of elongated slots 235 (e.g., elongated depressions) that are adapted to receive the lower ends of candles that are positioned atop the protective cake cover. In one embodiment, the plurality of elongated slots 235 are surrounded by the groove 210. In one embodiment, the elongated slots 235 are preferably positioned around the outer perimeter of the depression 212 that is adapted to hold a box of candles. In one embodiment, the elongated slots 235 may have different lengths. In one embodiment, each elongated slot 235 may hold one or more candles. In one embodiment, the elongated slots 235 may hold rows of candles that extend along lines that are parallel to one another.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 may have a round, circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 may be made of a polymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 200 may be made of a material that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cake cover 200 is placed over a cake and the plate 225, the cake may remain visible through the transparent or clear protective cake cover 200.

Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 300 is configured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake and supporting candles that project above the top of the protective cake cover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes a hollow sidewall 302 having an upper end 304 and a lower end 306. In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 desirably includes a top cover wall 308 that extends across the upper end 304 of the hollow sidewall 302 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 300.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes a groove 310 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the top cover wall 308. The groove 310 is preferably configured to support one or more candles that project above the top cover wall 308.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes a recess 312 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region of the top cover wall 308. In one embodiment, the recess 312 is desirably surrounded by the groove 310. In one embodiment, the recess 312 is configured to receive a box of candles.

In one embodiment, the groove 310 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 308 of the protective cake cover 300. In one embodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the recess 312 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 308 of the protective cake cover 300. In one embodiment, the recess 312 may have a square or rectangular shape. In one embodiment, the recess 312 may have a shape that matches the shape of a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 302 of the protective cake cover 300 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 306 of the hollow sidewall 302 is preferably open and defines an open lower end 316 of the protective cake cover 300 that is configured for receiving a plate 325 that holds a cake (not shown).

In one embodiment, the plate 325 that holds a cake may be passed through the open lower end 316 for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 302 of the protective cake cover 300 with the top cover wall 308 overlying a top surface of the cake. The lower ends of one or more candles may be inserted into the groove 310 so that the upper ends of the candles project above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 preferably includes a plurality of spaced openings 335 (e.g., circular-shaped depressions) that are adapted to receive the lower ends of candles that are positioned atop the protective cake cover. In one embodiment, the plurality of spaced openings 335 are surrounded by the groove 310. In one embodiment, the spaced openings 335 are preferably positioned around the outer perimeter of the depression 312 that is adapted to hold a box of candles. In one embodiment, the spaced openings 335 have closed lower ends, whereby the lower ends of the respective candles abut against the closed lower ends of the spaced openings. In one embodiment, each spaced opening 335 is configured to hold a single candle.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 may have a round, circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 may be made of a polymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 300 may be made of a material that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cake cover 300 is placed over a cake and the plate 325, the cake may remain visible through the transparent or clear protective cake cover 300.

Referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, a protective cake cover 400 is configured for protecting the sanitary condition of a cake and supporting candles that project above the top of the protective cake cover.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes a hollow sidewall 402 having an upper end 404 and a lower end 406. In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 desirably includes a top cover wall 408 that extends across the upper end 404 of the hollow sidewall 402 to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover 400.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes a groove 410 (e.g., a depression) that is desirably formed in the top cover wall 408. The groove 410 is preferably configured to support one or more candles that project above the top cover wall 408.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes a recess 412 (e.g., a depression) that is formed in a central region of the top cover wall 408. In one embodiment, the recess 412 is desirably surrounded by the groove 410. In one embodiment, the recess 412 is configured to receive a box of candles. The protective cake cover 400 and a box of candles 130 (FIG. 5) may be sold together at a retail store, a drug store, or an on-line store (e.g., as part of a party kit including a protective cake cover and a box of candles).

In one embodiment, the groove 410 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 408 of the protective cake cover 400. In one embodiment, the groove may have a circular, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the recess 412 may be a depression that is formed in the top cover wall 408 of the protective cake cover 400. In one embodiment, the recess 412 may have a square or rectangular shape. In one embodiment, the recess 412 may have a shape that matches the shape of a box of candles that is stored within the recess.

In one embodiment, the hollow sidewall 402 of the protective cake cover 400 preferably has a circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the lower end 406 of the hollow sidewall 402 is preferably open and defines an open lower end 416 of the protective cake cover 400 that is configured for receiving a plate 425 that holds a cake (not shown).

In one embodiment, the plate 425 that holds a cake may be passed through the open lower end 416 for being disposed inside the hollow sidewall 402 of the protective cake cover 400 with the top cover wall 408 overlying a top surface of the cake. The lower ends of one or more candles may be inserted into the groove 410 so that the upper ends of the candles project above the top cover wall.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 preferably includes a plurality of spaced openings 435 (e.g., circular-shaped depressions) that are adapted to receive the lower ends of candles that are positioned atop the protective cake cover. In one embodiment, the plurality of spaced openings 435 are surrounded by the groove 310. In one embodiment, the spaced openings 435 are preferably positioned around the outer perimeter of the depression 412 that is adapted to hold a box of candles. In one embodiment, the spaced openings 435 have closed lower ends, whereby the lower ends of the respective candles abut against the closed lower ends of the spaced openings. In one embodiment, each spaced opening 435 is configured to hold a single candle.

In one embodiment, the spaced openings 435 may are positioned in respective rows 545A-545H that extend along axes that are parallel to one another. The rows of candle-receiving enhance the aesthetic appearance of the protective cake cover because the candles may be arranged in neat, straight rows.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 may have a round, circular, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 may be made of a polymer material such as plastic.

In one embodiment, the protective cake cover 400 may be made of a material that is transparent or clear so that after the protective cake cover 400 is placed over a cake and the plate 425, the cake may remain visible through the transparent or clear protective cake cover 400.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, the present invention contemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may be incorporated with any of the features shown in any of the other embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A protective cake cover for supporting candles comprising:

a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end;

a top cover wall extending across the upper end of said hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover;

a groove formed in said top cover wall that is configured to support one or ore candles that project above said top cover wall; and

a recess formed in a central region of said top cover wall and surrounded by said groove, wherein said recess is configured to receive a box that contains candles.

2. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1; wherein said groove has a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and wherein said recess has a square or rectangular shape.

3. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow sidewall has a shape selected from the group consisting of circles, cylinders, squares, and rectangles.

4. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower end of said hollow sidewall is open for receiving a plate or a cake.

5. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective cake cover is round, cylindrical; square, or rectangular.

6. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective cake cover comprises a polymer material.

7. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective cake cover comprises plastic.

8. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective cake cover is transparent or clear.

9. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a box of candles inserted into said recess formed in the central region of said top cover wall.

10. The protective cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a cake disposed inside said hollow sidewall with said top cover wall overlying a top surface of said cake;

one or more candles having lower ends inserted into said groove, wherein said one or more candles have upper ends that project above said top cover wall.

11. A protective cake cover for supporting candles comprising:

a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end:

a top cover wall extending across the upper end of said hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover;

a groove formed in said top cover wall;

a recess formed in a central region of said top cover wall and surrounded by said groove;

a box of candles disposed within said recess formed in the central region of said top cover wall, wherein said box of candles contains one or more candles that are adapted to be inserted into said groove formed in said top cover wall for projecting above said top cover wall of said protective cake cover.

12. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein said groove has a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and wherein said recess has a square or rectangular shape.

13. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein said hollow sidewall and said top cover wall are transparent or clear.

14. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein said protective cake cover comprises plastic.

15. The protective cake cover as chinned in claim 11, wherein said protective cake cover has a round, cylindrical, square, or rectangular shape.

16. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lower end of said hollow sidewall defines an open end of said protective cake cover that is adapted to receive a cake.

17. A party kit comprising:

a transparent, protective cake cover including a hollow sidewall having an upper end and a lower end, a top cover wall extending across the upper end of said hollow sidewall to define a closed upper end of said protective cake cover, a candle receiving groove formed in said top cover wall, and a recess formed in a central region of said top cover wall and surrounded by said candle receiving groove; and

at least one candle disposed within said recess formed in the central region of said top cover wall.

18. The party kit as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least one candle comprises a plurality of candles contained within a box of candles, wherein said recess formed in the central region of said top cover wall has four opposing sidewalls, and wherein said box of candles has four sidewalls that engage the respective four opposing sidewalls of said recess for securing said box of candles within said recess.

19. The party kit as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said candles has a lower end that defines an outer diameter, and wherein said groove has a width that substantially matches the outer diameter of the lower end of said candle for forming a friction fit between the lower end of said candle and said groove.

20. The protective cake cover as claimed in claim 17, wherein said groove has a circular, square, or rectangular shape, and wherein said recess has a square or rectangular shape.