CA3115648A1

CA3115648A1 - Food cover

Info

Publication number: CA3115648A1
Application number: CA3115648A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kenneth Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-04-20
Filing date: 2021-04-20
Publication date: 2022-10-20

Abstract

Releasably-sealable food covers for cakes and other foods, comprise cover components having side and lid portions, and optionally platter components, the components configured to cooperate one another to provide substantially draft-proof enclosures for the food items; the lid portions adapted to releasably support decorative items such as candles and optionally to bear integrally formed or molded decorative items, including designs, patterns, and colors.

Description

FOOD COVER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to cooking, baking, and food service and storage utensils, including particularly covers for cakes and other foods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] At parties and other gatherings, individuals sometimes present food on open plates or dishes, in which condition they are exposed to air currents that may carry germs or other harmful substances contributed by, for example, coughing or sneezing on the part of any of those gathered, or indeed by deliberate blowing on the food, as for example when an individual blows out candles on a birthday cake.
In any of these cases, and under other conditions, bacteria, viruses, and other germs and harmful substances can be carried onto or settle upon food on the plate or dish, and carry infections or other harms to those who may partake of or otherwise share in the food.

[0003] It may be humorous, for example, to see grandpa's teeth fly out of his mouth onto the birthday cake when blowing out the candles, but would you want to eat that cake?

[0004] It is also unhygienic to have someone's finger digging into the icing, or other food, to sample a taste.

[0005] In order to overcome such unhealthy possibilities, there exists need of a cover to protect the surface of cakes and other foods from spray and other forms of contamination, while allowing festive activities such as blowing-out of candles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In various aspects and embodiments the invention provides covers adapted to establish and/or maintain a healthy condition of food on a plate, dish or other surface, when an individual is blowing out candles or otherwise in potentially harmful proximity to a birthday cake or other food, by shielding the food from air currents, and optionally ultraviolet and other radiation.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20

[0007] For example, in one aspect the invention provides a cover adapted to protect the surface of the cake, pie, or other food from spray and other contamination. In addition to providing a partially or fully airtight barrier around the cake or other food, the cover can comprise integrally formed, permanently fixed, and/or wholly or partially removable cups or receptacles adapted to support candles or other decorations.

[0008] In further aspects and embodiments, the invention provides methods and further components for making and using the devices described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which is meant to be exemplary and not limiting.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of components of a food cover in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Various aspects and embodiments of food covers and components thereof according to the invention are described through reference to the drawing.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded view of components of an embodiment of a food cover assembly in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the invention. In the embodiment shown, food cover assembly 100 comprises cover component 102 and optional platter 104,

[0013] In the embodiment shown, cover component 102 comprises at least one of each of a skirt portion 106 and a lid portion 108, which may be detachable or integrally formed, in either case as single parts or sub-assemblies, as for example by injection molding techniques. Side portion(s) 106 and lid portion(s) 108 cooperate to reduce or eliminate air circulation at and near the surface of the top and sides, respectively, or otherwise in the vicinity, of a cake or other food item(s) 200 when the cover component 102 is placed above it/them, as for example by lowering it in the direction of arrow 150 while food item 200 is located beneath the cover 102 on a platter 104, as shown in Figure 1.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20

[0014] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, cover 102 is configured with generally cylindrical side portion(s) 106 and a distinct lid or cap portion 108. In other embodiments, however, cover 102 can be provided in a very wide variety of further forms, including for example spherical and/or other generally curved configurations, such as with elliptical or ovoidal sections. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts, any shape(s) and/or sizes adapted to provide a desired degree of sealing or other flow-reduction action will serve, including for example round, square, and rectangular.

[0015] Applicant finds for example that semi-cylindrical and other shapes having non-reentrant corners or portions are well adapted to facilitate fabrication by injection molding and other manufacturing processes.

[0016] In the embodiment shown, the cover 102 is made of clear, opaque, translucent, and/or other plastic or polymer, with a plurality of integrally-formed or otherwise incorporated plastic ribs 110 to provide added stiffness and strength to the cover assembly 100 and thereby better protect cake or other food object 200.
As will be understood by those skilled in the relevant arts, ribs 110, can be made of suitable materials, and be suitably formed, to provide opaque/translucent qualities, and other aspects of covers 100 can be configured to accomplish aesthetic as well as structural purposes. For example, each of lid portion(s) 108, side portion(s) 106, and platter portion(s) 104 can be comprised of the same or different materials, in the same or different colors, color patterns, surface textures, etc. by use for example of molding and/or co-molding techniques.

[0017] In various embodiments food cover assemblies 100 comprise platter portions 104, which can be generally flat and/or bowl-shaped, and can include optional features such as feet 112 and/or attachment devices 114 adapted to cooperate with attachment devices 116 provided on cover portion(s) 102 to provide airtight and/or otherwise sealed or positive attachments. In the embodiment shown, for example, cover portion 102 comprises molded hooks 116 adapted to engage slots 114 in platter portion 104, for example by lowering cover portion 102 onto the platter portion 104 and rotating them relative to one another in the direction of arrow 120. Engagement of the hoods 116 in slots 114 and rotation in such manner can provide a substantially air-tight, mechanically firm support engagement.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20 (00181 In some embodiments, cover 102 comprises holes 130 and/or other devices for engaging, retaining, or otherwise supporting cups or other receptacles 132 for supporting candles and/or other decorative or functional items 134.
For example, as in the embodiment shown, the top 108 can be punched, molded, or otherwise formed with holes 130 to accommodate candle holders 132 into which candles 134 can be inserted. Such holes can vary in quantity, size, and other characteristics as desired, in order to accommodate candles and/or other objects of desired dimensions and physical qualities.
[0019] As an example of the use of a cover assembly 100, a cake 200 can be placed on a platter 104, iced and/or otherwise decorated with confections, etc., and a cover 102 can be placed over the cake such that attachments 116 engage mating devices 114. Candles or other objects 134 can be placed in cups 132, and thereafter in holds 130, or vice-versa, and the cake can be placed in a desired location while a plurality of guests (not shown) are assembled.
[0020] When the ceremony begins, the candles 134 can be lit, for example by using a match, any desired song(s) can be sung, and, when the ceremony is completed or at any other desired point in time the candles can be blown out.
As the breath of the blower approaches the cake to extinguish the candle(s), any portion that might otherwise have contacted the surface of the cake 200 can be deflected by side and/or lid portions 106, 108, so that any germs or other harmful substances carried by the breath of the blower can be prevented from contacting the cake and potentially consumed by person(s) other than the blower, and thereby spreading an infection or other harm.
[0021] When the candles are extinguished, the cover 102 with the candles 134 can be removed, and the cake or other food 200 consumed in conditions of enhance safety and sanitation. The candles 134 and holders 132 can be separated from the cover which can then be washed and safely used again, if and as desired, or simply discarded and replaced.
[0022] In addition to the obvious health benefits of the foregiong, it is a simpler method to deal with the candles. The shield 102 can for example protect the cake from candle wax and other undesirable substances or conditions.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20 [0023] In some embodiments, it can be advantageous to provide ventilation and/or other holes 138 in any desired portion(s) of the cover assembly 102, in order for example to control humidity and/or other conditions within the assembly either before, while, or after it has been used to contain food item(s) 200.
[0024] Alternatively, assemblies 100 in accordance with the invention can be provided with multiple cover components 102, in order to provide covers having various aesthetic appearance and/or features, such as color, numbers of candles, numbers of co-molded or affixed decorations, etc., in order to provide handy covers for different celebration or decorative purposes.
[0025] Thus in various embodiments the invention provides food covers 100 for cakes and other foods, such covers comprising cover components 102 comprising side portions 106, lid portions 108, and optionally platter components 104, the side portions 106 configured to cooperate with the lid portions 108 and optionally the platter components 104 to provide substantially draft-proof enclosures for the food items; and the lid portions 108 are adapted to releasably support a plurality of decorative items such as candles 134 and/or candle holders 132, and/or integrally-molded designs such as floral or otherwise festive designs, including for example the use of colored opaque and/or wholly or partially translucent designs or patterns.
[0026] According to such aspects and/or embodiments lid, side, and/or platter portions 102, 104, 106, 108 can be formed with thicknesses, which may be substantially uniform, of approximately 0.05 to 1 centimeter, particularly when formed of molded plastics: and/or they can comprise integrally formed rib structures 110, in order for example to stiffen and/or otherwise strengthen side portions 106, platter portions 104, and/or lid portions 108.
[0027] In various aspects and embodiments, any or all of components 102, 104, 106, 108 of food covers 100 in accordance with the invention can comprise pluralities of holes 130 configured to receive candle-holders and/or otherwise removably attach candles and/or other decorative items 134.
[0028] In the same and other aspects and embodiments, any or all of components 102, 104, and 106 of food covers 100 in accordance with the invention can comprise pluralities of holes devices configured to securely, removably, and Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20 optionally sealingly attach cover components 102 to platter components 104, the devices including for example hook devices 116 and mating receptacles 112.
[0029] It will be seen also that the invention provides various combinations and/or pluralities of some or all of components 102, 104, 106, 108 in the form of kits or assemblies, including for example kits comprising multiple cover portions bearing different decorative features such as molded, painted, or otherwise affixed decorative features, including for example designs, patterns, and/or colors, so as to provide distinctive appearances, as for example for different celebratory purposes, such as birthdays and other anniversaries, familial and/or social feast days, etc.
[0030] While the disclosure has been provided and illustrated in connection with specific, presently-preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention(s) disclosed herein. The disclosure and invention(s) are therefore not to be limited to the exact components or details of methodology or construction set forth above.
Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the processes themselves, no particular order to steps or stages of methods or processes described in this disclosure, including the Figures, is intended or implied. In many cases the order of process steps may be varied without changing the purpose, effect, or import of the methods described. The scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims, giving due consideration to the doctrine of equivalents and related doctrines.
[0031] Selected features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be combined to create alternative embodiments not explicitly described, features suitable for such combinations being readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The subject matter described herein in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20

Claims

-7-l claim:

1. A food cover for cakes and other foods, the cover comprising a side portion and a lid portion, the side portion configured to provide a substantially draft-proof enclosure for a food item; and the lid portion adapted to releasably support a plurality of decorative items.

2. The food cover of claim 1, fabricated of translucent plastic.

3. The food cover of claim 2, having substantially uniform thickness of approximately 1 centimeter.

4. The food cover of claim 1, comprising a plurality of integrally-formed structural ribs.

5. The food cover of claim 1, wherein the lid portion comprises a plurality of holes, each configured to receive a candle-holder.

6. The food cover of claim 1, comprising a plurality of integrally formed candle-holders.

7. The food cover of claim 1, comprising one or more attachment devices adapted to engage mating devices of a platter.

8. A food cover assembly comprising a cover and a platter, the platter configured to support a food item such as a cake;
the cover comprising a side portion comprising a side portion and a lid portion, and configured to releasably engage the platter, whereby when the cover is engaged with the plater the assembly provides a substantially draft-proof enclosure for a food item; and the lid portion adapted to releasably support a plurality of decorative items.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one the cover and the platter is fabricated of translucent plastic.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one the cover and the platter comprises a substantially uniform thickness of approximately 1 centimeter.

11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of the cover and the platter comprises a plurality of integrally-formed structural ribs.

12. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of holes, each configured to receive a candle-holder.

13. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of integrally formed candle-holders.

14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the cover and platter comprise mating attachment devices configured for releasable enclosure of the cake or other food.

15. The assembly of claim 8, comprising multiple, interchangeable covers, each cover having a distinctive appearance.