Patent Application
20220408965
The present invention generally relates to the baking of food products using a water bath. In particular, the invention relates to the baking of cheesecakes.
Cheesecakes are desserts containing cheese, eggs, and sugar that are traditionally baked with a water bath, or bain-marie. The water bath controls the heating of the cheesecake and cheesecake pan, and prevents cracking of the surface of the cheesecake. Baking a cheesecake with a water bath requires skill as tilting and/or shaking of the water bath and cheesecake batter during transfer to the oven may cause water to escape the water bath and contaminate or ruin the cheesecake batter. “Moated” cakepans may be used that have a center baking pan section surrounded by a moat that can be filled with water. However, these cakepans constrain the size and/or shape of the cheesecake, and some moated cakepans do not expose the bottom of the center baking section to water, limiting their effectiveness.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a system and method that overcomes the shortcomings described above.
A bracket system is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one illustrative embodiment, the system may include but is not limited to a first pan mounted inside a second pan by means of a bracket. In another illustrative embodiment, the second pan is configured to be filled to a certain level with water and the first pan is configured to be filled with a food product. In another illustrative embodiment, when the first pan and the second pan are baked together, the food product in the first pan receives the culinary benefits of a water bath. In another illustrative embodiment, the bracket is comprised of a plurality of members coupled to one another with a connector. In another illustrative embodiment, a member span spans the length of each of the two or more members. In another illustrative embodiment, the member span is adjustable in length due to the presence of adjustable member spans. In another illustrative embodiment, each member span comprises a first raised portion on one end and a second raised portion on the other, with a water level marking on at least one of the first raised portion or second raised portion. In another illustrative embodiment, a first coupling structure and a second coupling structure are attached to the first raised portion and the second raised portion, respectively. In another illustrative embodiment, the first coupling structure and the second coupling structure couple the bracket to the second pan and allow the first pan to be supported when baking a food product requiring a water bath.
A water bath cooking method is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one illustrative embodiment, the method may include, but is not limited to, filling a first pan with a food product. In another illustrative embodiment, the method may include securing a bracket formed from two or more of a plurality of members onto a second pan. In another illustrative embodiment, the method may include filling the second pan with water. In another illustrative embodiment, the method may include placing the first pan onto the bracket. In another illustrative embodiment, the method may include baking the food product.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a bracket for use in the baking of cheesecakes. The bracket is created from individual members that, when coupled and placed on a water bath, create a surface that can suspend a cheesecake pan, allowing a portion of the cheesecake pan to be immersed in the water bath.
In embodiments, the system 100 contains a first pan 104 configured for baking the food product. The first pan 104 may be configured as any type including but not limited to springform pans, push pans, pie pans, pie tins, or cake pans. The first pan 104 may be configured as any shape including but not limited to circular, square, or heart-shaped. The first pan 104 may be configured as any size or height including but not limited to a 9″×9″×3″ pan, a 10″×10″×3″, a 4″ pan, a 5″ pan, a 6″ pan, a 7″ pan, an 8″ pan, a 9″ pan, or a 10″ pan. The first pan 104 includes a first pan diameter 106.
In some embodiments, the system 100 further contains a second pan 108 configured as a water bath. The second pan 108 may be configured as any device that can be used for a water bath. For example, the second pan 108 may be configured as a bain-marie. In another example, the second pan 108 may be configured as a baking pan having larger dimensions (e.g., circumference and/or height) of that of the first pan 104. The second pan 108 may be configured with a different shape than of the first pan 104. For example, the first pan 104 may be configured as a circular pan, while the second pan 108 may be configured a square pan. The second pan 108 includes a second pan diameter 110. In general, the second pan 108 may be larger (e.g., one size larger) than the first pan 104.
In some embodiments, the system 100 contains a bracket 112 (e.g., mostly hidden from view in
In some embodiments, the bracket 112 includes two or more of a plurality of members 116a, 116b, which, when combined, provide a support surface for the first pan 104. The bracket 112 may contain two members 116a, 116b, and may contain any larger number of members 116a, 116b. For example, the bracket 112 may include six members 116a, 116b. In another example, the bracket 112 may include eight members 116a, 116b. The two or more members 116a, 116b may be permanently coupled (e.g., by welding, adhesives, or forging), movable (e.g., loosely coupled at the midsection of each member 116a, 116b), or removably coupled to each other (e.g., attached with a screw or clasps).
In some embodiments, the one or more of the plurality of members 116a, 116b includes a member span 120a, 120b. The member span 120a, 120b comprises a member length that is both longer than a first pan diameter 106 of the first pan 104 and shorter than a second pan diameter 110 of the second pan 108. One or more of the plurality of members 116a, 116b further includes a first raised portion 124a, 124b, coupled to one end (e.g., a first end) of the member span 120a, 120b and a second raised portion 128a, 128b coupled to the other end (e.g., a second end) of the member span 120a, 120b. When secured on the second pan 108, the first raised portion 124a, 124b and second raised portion 128a, 128b, controls the depth of the suspension of the first pan 104 within the second pan, and determines the maximum first pan diameter 106 that can be used.
It is contemplated, but not shown, that in some embodiments the first raised portion 124a, 124b and the second raised portion 128a, 128b may be adjustable to better accommodate second pans 108 of varying depth.
In some embodiments, the one or more of the plurality of members 116a, 116b includes a first coupling structure 132a, 132b coupled to the first raised portion 124a, 124b and a second coupling structure 136a, 136b coupled to the second raised portion 128a, 128b. The first coupling structure 132a, 132b and the second coupling structure 136a, 136b are configured to stabilize the bracket onto the second pan 108 by coupling to the rim of the second pan 108. For example, the first coupling structure 132a, 132b may be configured to couple to the rim of the second pan 108 in a first position, and the second coupling structure 136a, 136b may be configured to couple to the second pan in a second position approximately antipodal to the first position (e.g., the first coupling structure 132a, 132b and the second coupling structure 136a, 136b are coupled to opposite sides of the second pan 108).
The first coupling structure 132a, 132b and the second coupling structure 136a, 136b may be configured as any type of connecting/securing mechanism including but not limited to a hook, a clamp (e.g., a compression clamp or a screw clamp), an interference fit (e.g., press fit or friction fit), or a magnet. For example, the first coupling structure 132a, 132b and the second coupling structure 136a, 136b may be configured as a gooseneck-like structure that hooks onto the rim of the second pan 108.
In some embodiments, the bracket 112 further includes a connector 140 disposed on a midpoint of the member span 120a, 120b configured to couple two or more of the plurality of members 116a, 116b. The coupling of the two or more of the plurality of members 116a, 116b forms the bracket 112. The connector 140 may be configured as any type of connection technology including but not limited to an adhesive, a weld, a rivet, a screw, a nut and bolt, an interference fit, or a clamp.
In some embodiments, the rotation of the members 116a-b relative to each other along the first axis enables the bracket to fit to different sizes of second pans. For example, for a bracket 112 with two members 116a-b, the bracket 112 will fit a second pan 108 of a smallest circumference when the two members 116a-b are arranged perpendicular to each other (e.g., arrange like a plus sign “+”). By rotating the members 116a-b away from the perpendicular, the bracket 112 may fit a second pan 108 having a larger circumference.
In one or more embodiments, the connector may be configured to allow the members 116a, 116b to be removably couplable. For example, instead of a rivet 148, the connector 140 may be removable (e.g., a screw, nut and bolt, or the like). In this instance, the members 116a, 116b may be separated, which may allow for easier storage or cleaning of the bracket 112.
In some embodiments, the bracket 112 is spring-loaded. For example, the member span 120a, 120b may include a compression spring that allows the member span 120a, 120b to be compressed, shortening the member span 120a, 120b. For instance, the bracket 112 may be configured to fit inside a 10-inch second pan 108 with little or no compression from the compression springs, the member span 120a, 120b reaching across the second pan diameter 110 of the second pan 108. In another instance, the bracket 112 may be configured to fit inside the 10-inch second pan 108 with moderate compression from the compression springs. Once placed inside the second pan 108, the compression springs press the first raised portion 124a, 124b and second raised portion 128a, 128b against the inner circumference of the second pan 108, holding the bracket 112 in place. In another example, the bracket 112 may be configured to fit inside a 10-inch second pan 108 with little or no compression of the compression springs, and may be further compressed to fit inside an 8-inch second pan 108. In this manner, the bracket may be configured to fit multiple sizes of second pans 108, depending on the compression of the compression springs.
In some embodiments, the rotation of the member span 120a, 120b (e.g., one clockwise and one counter-clockwise) about the connector may allow for a better fit into certain second pan 108 shapes and/or sizes. For example, if the members 116a, 116b are rotated in a manner where the distance between the two components of the first coupling structure 132a, 132b and second coupling structure 136a, 136b decrease the bracket 112 will become elongated (e.g., first coupling structure 132a gets closer to second coupling structure 136b). This will help the bracket 112 fit into second pans 108 with a larger second pan diameter 110, while still providing a support for the first pan 104.
In some embodiments the member spans 120a, 120b may be comprised of two or more sub-spans 204a, 204b.
In some embodiments, the two or more sub-spans 204a, 204b may be fashioned in a way where they “telescope,” wherein one or more of the two sub-spans 204a, 204b are hollow and one sub-span has a smaller perimeter than the interior void of another sub-span, allowing one to fit within the other and slide out as necessary to fit larger second pans 108.
In some embodiments, the one or more water level markings 304 may correspond to different water levels required to bake various food products. For example, the bracket 112 may have water level markings 304 for and type of food product that necessitate a water bath, including but not limited to cheesecake, crème brulee, or quiche, or any other type of food product that may necessitate a water bath.
In one or more embodiments, the method 400 further includes a step 408 of securing a bracket 112 formed from two or more of a plurality of members 116a, 116b onto the second pan 108. For example, the bracket 112 may be secured onto the rim of the second pan 108 via the first coupling structures 132a, 132b and the second coupling structures 136a, 136b.
In one or more embodiments, the method 400 further includes a step 412 of filling the second pan 108 with water. For example, water may be poured into the second pan 108 until the water reaches one of the one or more water level markings 304. In another example, the water may be poured into the second pan 108 before the first pan 104 is placed onto the bracket 112. For instance, the one or more water level markings 304 may be designed to not anticipate the displacement of water by the placement of the first pan 104 on the bracket 112, requiring the second pan 108 to be filled before placing the first pan 104 on the bracket.
In one or more embodiments, the method 400 further includes a step 416 of placing the first pan 104 onto the bracket 112. The first pan 104 is suspended within the second pan 108 and as the first pan 104 rests on the members 116a, 116b of the bracket 112 it may be further secured through contact with the first raised portion 124a, 124b and/or the second raised portion 128a, 128b. It may also be supported through contact with the first coupling structure 132a, 132b and/or the second coupling structure 136a, 136b
In one or more embodiments, step 412 may precede step 416. For example, the first pan 104 may be placed on the bracket 112 before step 416 of filling the second pan 108 with water (e.g., the placement of the first pan 104, second pan 108 and the bracket 112 are interchangeable in their order. For example, In another example, the one or more water level markings 304 may be designed to anticipate the displacement of water by the placement of the first pan 104 on the bracket 112. The placing the first pan 104 onto the bracket 112 may precede the filling the second pan 108 with the water. The placing of the first pan 104 onto the bracket 112 may also be subsequent to the filling the second pan 108 with the water.
In one or more embodiments, step 412 may be interchangeable with step 416. For example, the one or more water level markings 304 may both take into account the water displaced by the first pan 104, as well as not take into account the water displaced by the first pan 104.
In one or more embodiments, the method 400 further includes a step 420 of baking the food product. Here, the bracket 112 stabilizes the first pan 104 on top of the second pan 108, inhibiting unwanted movement of the first pan 104 and preventing sloshing of water which could spill onto the floor or into the first pan 104, ruining the food product to be cooked.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be taken limiting.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logically interactable components.
In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such terms (e.g., “configured to”) can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.
While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
Although particular embodiments of this invention have been illustrated, it is apparent that various modifications and embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure. It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the claims appended hereto.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/216,273 entitled “CHEESECAKE PAN BRACKET FOR WATER BATH” filed on Jun. 29, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in the entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63216273 | Jun 2021 | US |
