The present disclosure relates generally to the field of serving devices and more particularly to a device for stacking, displaying, and serving pastries, chocolates, and other food items.
Displaying and serving food has been a long tradition in human culture since the dawn of mankind. Throughout history, people have invented creative ways to display and serve food. Often, food is elevated to create a grand aesthetic as well as to access vertical space to make use of a small surface area. Wedding cakes, cupcake stands, pie racks, and tiered serving stands are just a few of the many devices that food makers use to not only present or display their creations, but also to serve them.
A drawback that all of these devices suffer, however, is that the food item must be removed from the display and placed on a plate or some other serving piece before it can be eaten. Wedding cakes, with all their grandeur, still must be sliced and plated before a person can enjoy it. Pie racks provide a beautiful and space-saving solution for pies, but again, the pies must be cut and individual pieces placed on separate plates before serving. Cupcake and tiered serving stands help to elevate and display cupcakes, cake pops, and other pastries and food items, however, the individual portions must be plated or cupped before displaying them on the stands.
Another drawback of these traditional food displays is the lack of versatility. For example, wedding cake display devices are usually only used for wedding cakes. Pie racks can only be used for holding pies and tiered display stands can only be used to display food items. Food often has to be transported separate from the display. Also, there is often little opportunity to change the aesthetic of the display piece itself.
As such, it would be desirable to provide a device that addresses the shortcomings of the previous approaches listed above.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a device for stacking, displaying, and serving food items. The device may include a base. The device may also include a shaft. The shaft may include at least a first end and a second end. The first end may be removably coupled with the base. The second end may be configured to connect with a removable cap. The device may also include a plurality of stacker pieces. Each stacker piece of the plurality of stacker pieces may be configured to support a food item along positions of the shaft. Each stacker piece may include a support member and a protrusion. The protrusion may have a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft such that the protrusion is configured to surround the shaft. The support member may include at least one of a bowl, a spoke, a cake pop holder, a disk, or a plate.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment 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 presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments may not be limited in application per the details of the structure or the function as set forth in the following descriptions or illustrated in the figures. Different embodiments may be capable of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of terms such as “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein are generally meant to encompass the item listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, unless otherwise noted, technical terms may be used according to conventional usage. It is further contemplated that like reference numbers may describe similar components and the equivalents thereof.
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The removable cap 130 may include an eye-hook, an eye bolt, a loop, or the like. At least one of the eye-hook, the eye bolt, the loop, or the like may be coupled to an s-hook. For example, as shown in
Different removable cap 130 options allow someone to change the overall look and presentation of their device. Removable caps 130 can be made in different colors and finishes and shapes to create the desired presentation. For example, the removable cap 130 with a frame or clip allows someone to incorporate a picture or message at the top of their display. By way of another example, the removable cap 130 may include a wedding topper.
In one embodiment, base 110 may be formed of polycarbonate and may be approximately 7 inches in diameter. The shaft 120 may formed of stainless steel. In an embodiment, shaft 120 may have a diameter of approximately ⅜ inches and may be approximately 18 inches long. In such a configuration, 8 stacker pieces 140 may fit along the length of the shaft 120. In an embodiment, each stacker piece may have a diameter of approximately 5 inches and may be approximately 2.25 inches tall. The stacker pieces may be formed of polycarbonate which may be translucent, or partially translucent, and may be dishwasher safe. The translucent or partially translucent feature of the stacker pieces is highly advantageous as it allows viewers to view a food item from the top and bottom, thus allowing a more enriched experience. In such a fashion, stacker pieces may be ideal for stacking pastries, bundt cakes, dinner rolls, mini cheesecakes, doughnuts, and the like.
It is contemplated that the device 100 for stacking, displaying, and serving food items, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a number of advantages that are not available in conventional devices and are not disclosed or suggested in the prior art. Conventional devices may include a multi-tiered cake stand and stackable trays for food delivery. The multi-tiered cake stand cannot allow transfer of a food item which can be consumed on the stacker piece itself. Further, the conventional devices do not present a stacker piece that has a support member and integrated protrusion that extends from the support member and allows the stacker piece to surround shaft 120. Further, the conventional devices fail to provide stacker pieces that can be oriented in a variety of ways, for example, with the protrusion on top of the support member of the support member on top of the protrusion. For example, it is contemplated that the stacker pieces may be flipped upside down and arranged along the shaft whereby the support member is above the extrusion of the stacker piece as arranged along the shaft. This may be advantageous if a particular food item is larger than others and additional space can be provided between support members of two adjacent stacker pieces. Conventional devices do not provide for such an arrangement. Also, various types of stacker pieces may be employed in order to create a variety of looks and ability to serve a variety of food items. The conventional devices disclose a single type of stacker piece, namely a plate but it does not allow for direct consumption of the food item by one user.
It is contemplated that the stacker pieces of the present disclosure may be used as individual, mobile plates for people to carry around at social/mingling events as in a cocktail party or meet-and-greet. The protrusion coupled with the support member allows a user to grasp the stacker piece by the extrusion and deliver the stacker piece to another user without touching the food item. Stacker pieces may be used in conjunction with/or swapped out for other accessory pieces to allow for non-food/decorative items such as flowers. Conventional devices and the prior art are unable to provide a stacker piece that is configured to fit around a shaft and allow a user to grasp the protrusion and deliver the stacker piece with a food item without touching the food item.
The shaft 120 and stacker pieces 140 provide and allow the stacker pieces to rotate or swivel around the shaft 120 in order to create unique food displays. This feature of the device 100 allows one to decorate small cakes or doughnuts by spinning individual stacker pieces and then serve the food item on the same stacker piece. Conventional devices are unable to provide such use and fail to suggest such use. Stacker pieces of the same type, but of different diameters (width/length dimensions) may further be employed with the device 100 of the present disclosure. Another advantageous aspect of the device 100 of the present disclosure is that stacker pieces may be refilled, for example, if at an event, stacker pieces are removed for serving, then replacement stacker pieces may be quickly and easily slid over the shaft 120 to “refill” the device 100. Conventional devices do not allow for such refill capability.
It is noted herein that the device 100 can be used without the base, by plunging the shaft 120 into any number of items that can serve as a base, without hindering the functionality of the device. For example, a wooden pedestal with a hole drilled in the center would sufficiently support the shaft. A piece of foam placed in a vase or box would also sufficiently support the shaft. This functionality allows for countless design and display options to fit any event or theme.
The base 110 may be any diameter known in the art. For example, the base 110 may be 5 inches in diameter. By way of another example, the base 110 may be 7 inches in diameter. By way of a further example, the base 110 may be 10 inches in diameter. These dimensions are provided merely for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
The threaded portion may be configured to couple with at least the removable cap, an additional shaft, the base 110, or the like. For example, as shown in
It is noted herein that the shaft 120 may in any length and diameter known in the art. For example, the shaft 120 may be 8 inches long. For instance, the shaft 120 having a length of 8 inches would be configured for a single serving of multiple courses. By way of another example, the shaft 120 may be 24 inches long. For instance, the shaft 120 having a length of 24 inches would create a grand presentation of desserts suspended from the ceiling or a hook. By way of a further example, the shaft 120 may be 36 inches long. For example, the shaft 120 may be 1 mm in diameter. By way of another example, the shaft 120 may be 2 mm in diameter. By way of a further example, the shaft may be 4 mm in diameter. These dimensions are provided merely for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
The bottom surface of the support member 140b may include an indent (not shown). The indent may be configured to provide more support for a second stacker plate below a first stacker plate. For example, the protrusion 140b of the first stacker plate may connect with the indent on the support member 140b of the second stacker plate.
It is noted herein that the stacker plates 140 may be constructed of any material known in the art suitable for supporting food items. For example, the stacker plates 140 may be constructed of, but not limited to, food-safe polycarbonate, stainless steel, or the like. By way of another example, the stacker plates 140 may be constructed of any disposable material known in the art. For instance, the stacker plates 140 may be constructed of, but not limited to, paper, cardboard, bio resins, or the like. The disposable stacker plates 140 versions can be colored or patterned to coordinate with various themes. By way of a further example, the stacker plates 140 may be constructed of any edible material known in the art. For instance, the stacker plates 140 may be constructed of, but not limited to, one or more food items, paper, or the like.
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A user may arrange the stacker plates 140 such that the user may use stencils to create patterns and designs using edible paint on the surface of the stacker pieces 140. For example, the user could use a 5 inch stacker piece with a 3 inch cake, which leaves a 1 inch border around the cake. For instance, the user may use a stencil to create a beautiful pattern or text around the 1 inch edge of the stacker piece such that the cake is “framed” with another simple, yet elegant design element, allowing even further design versatility.
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Further, the number of spoked support members may vary and the configuration depicted in
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The stacker plates 140 may be tilted such that the device 100 gives the illusion those foods items are sliding off the stacker plate 140. The tilted stacker plates may or may not also have an edge element to prevent food items from sliding off.
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The stacker plates 140 illustrated in
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It is noted herein that the set of projections on the shaft 120 and the set of recesses on the base 100 may make such that the top surfaces of the set of projections come into contact with the recessed base portion surface. It is additionally noted herein, however, that the set of projections on the shaft 120 and the set of recesses on the base 110 may mate such that the top surfaces of the set of projections are offset from the recessed base portion surface a selected distance.
Once the shaft 120 is coupled to the base 110 via one or more couplers 115, the plurality of stacker plates 140 may be slid onto the shaft 120. After the plurality of stacker plates 140 are slid onto the shaft 120, the removable cap 130 may be coupled to the shaft 120. The removable cap 130 may include a threaded portion configured to couple to the threaded portion of the shaft 120.
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A user may use doilies and paper skirts that fit over the protrusion 140b of the stacker piece 140 to allow for more design capabilities. For example, the user may slide doilies over the protrusion 140b of the stacker piece 140 prior to installing each stacker piece 140.
It is noted herein that the food items may include any food item known in the art. The food items reference in
Constructing the device out of acrylic or some other transparent material would allow for installation of an LED lighting system to create a glowing effect when used.
An alternative design for the post and plate to be joined on the stacker pieces allows the post to twist and lock into place, as opposed to being a rigid union as the current design calls for.
Another alternative design for the post and plate to be joined on the stacker pieces requires a separate post with a small ridge or foot and a “plate” piece that has a hole in the center. The “plate” has a ramp/screw design within the hole that allows the ridge/foot of the foot to twist into place when the post is inserted through the hole.
This eye-hook's functionality can be furthered by creating a joint that allows the loop of the eye-hook to fold flat so that the whole device can be set on a table or other surface without falling over.
The device 100 may further include a container and lid configured to surround the stacker plates 140, the base 110, the shaft 120, and the removable cap 130 such that the device 100 may be easily transported. The container and lid configuration may further include a center element configured to allow the container to slide onto the stacker plates 140 and the shaft 120. For example, the center element may attach to the shaft 120 and the removable cap 130.
It is believed that the novel stacking, display, and serving devices used for pastries, chocolates, and other food items and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure without sacrificing all of its material advantages.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/385,308 filed on Apr. 16, 2019. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/385,308 filed on Apr. 16, 2019 claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/659,496 filed Apr. 18, 2018, titled “NOVEL STACKING, DISPLAY, AND SERVING DEVICE FOR PASTRIES AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/385,308 filed on Apr. 16, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/659,496 filed Apr. 18, 2018 are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62659496 | Apr 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16385308 | Apr 2019 | US |
Child | 17080539 | US |