Abstract:
A method of producing, packaging, and sealing of a prepared food dessert which includes a combination of a brownie mix and a chocolate cake mix to produce a dry mixture. The dry mixture is put into a mason jar or ripple cup and an infusion flavor (candy or chocolate) is added to the mix to obtain a molten lava center after heating. The packaging may comprise a gift cello wrap and/or a heat shrink seal. A spoon may be added to the packaging. The consumer adds water and microwaves the product for a ready to eat dessert.

Description:
[0001]    This is a Nonprovisional patent application claiming priority of Provisional application for Patent No. 61/971,125, filed Mar. 27, 2014, the complete subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to prepared food mixes and in particular to preparing and packaging a food dessert that is baked using microwave radiant energy. 
       Description of Related Art 
       [0003]    In the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,635 issued Aug. 2, 1983 to Richard Roudebush et al. discloses a culinary mix for preparing microwaved baked goods having various basic ingredients. However, it does not disclose a dessert cake mix made primarily of chocolate cake mix and brownie mix and having a molten candy center after heating. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,824 issued May 7, 1985 to Jon R. Blake et al. discloses granulated dry mixes for cakes characterized by the physical features of (1) particle size, (2) bulk porosity, (3) density, and (4) initial rates of moisture absorption. It does not disclose a dessert cake mix of chocolate cake mix and brownie mix and a molten candy center after heating. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,365 issued Nov. 17, 1987 to Louis V. Haynes et al. discloses a chocolate flavor system useful in formulating chocolate chip and other chocolate flavor products for baked goods especially chocolate chip cookies comprising a crumb-continuous matric and a plurality of chocolate flavored chips associated with the crumb-continuous mix. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,353 issued Aug. 15, 1989 to Glenn M. Jackson et al. discloses a dry culinary mix employing high levels of defined nucleating agents. The dry mixes enable the consumer to bake a cake using microwave radiant energy comparable to a conventionally oven baked cake in quality, structure, volume, and texture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a dessert cake mix that is fast and easy to prepare and delicious to taste. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a Jarva™ cake dessert with a molten lava center by inserting a piece of candy as a center ingredient into the middle of the cake prior to heating or cooking of the Jarva™ cake dessert. 
         [0009]    It is another object of this invention to provide unique packaging that is attractive and very functional by being able to mix, cook and eat out the same packaging. 
         [0010]    These and other objects are further accomplished by a method of making a dessert cake mix comprising the steps of providing a predetermined amount of brownie mix comprising about 55% by weight of the dessert cake mix, providing a predetermined amount of chocolate cake mix comprising about 45% by weight of the dessert cake mix, mixing the 55% by weight of brownie mix with the 45% by weight of chocolate cake mix to produce a batch of the dessert cake mix. The method comprises the step of providing a piece of candy for insertion into the dessert cake mix prior to heating of the dessert cake mix to produce a molten lava candy center after heating. The method further comprises the step of measuring approximately a ⅓ cup of the dessert cake mix and placing it into a ripple cup along with an approximately 0.05 oz. piece of meltable candy, and providing instructions for cooking including adding 2 tablespoons of water, blending well the water and dessert cake mix, and placing the candy in the center of the cup before cooking the dessert cake mix. The step of measuring approximately a ⅓ cup of the dessert cake mix and placing it into a ripple cup comprises the step of using a 8 oz. ripple cup. The method comprises the step of placing the ⅓ cup with the dessert cake mix and the candy into a microwave heating oven for a predetermined time to cook the cake mix and produce a candy molten lava center. The method comprises the steps of placing a spoon across a cover placed on the ripple cup, placing a shrink band across the cover portion of the ripple cup and under a bottom portion of the ripple cup, and heat shrinking the band around the ripple cup, thereby making the ripple cup tamperproof. 
         [0011]    The method further comprises the step of measuring approximately a ¼ cup of the dessert cake mix and placing it into a mason jar along with a wrapped approximately piece of meltable candy, and providing instructions for cooking including adding 5 teaspoons of water, mixing well, unwrapping the candy and pressing the candy into the center of the mixed dessert cake mix prior to providing microwave heat for approximately 45 seconds to cook the dessert cake mix. The method further comprises the steps of wrapping the candy in a food safe wrap prior to cooking and attaching the wrapped candy to an inside portion of the mason jar cover, placing the cover on the mason jar, placing a spoon vertically along a side of the mason jar, placing a shrink band around a side of the cover, the spoon and a portion of the jar, and heat shrinking the shrink band around a side of the cover, the spoon and a portion of the jar thereby making the mason jar tamperproof. 
         [0012]    The objects are further accomplished by providing a dessert cake mix, which comprises a brownie mix comprising about 55% by weight of the dessert cake mix, a chocolate cake mix comprising about 45% by weight of the dessert cake mix, the chocolate cake being combined with the brownie mix to form a batch of the dessert cake mix, and a piece of candy that melts when heated is added to each portion of the dessert cake mix separated from the batch. The piece of candy comprises a chocolate ball or square or a caramel square. A preferred batch of the cake mix comprises about six (6) pounds of the brownie mix combined with about five (5) pounds of the chocolate cake mix to produce about an eleven (11) pound batch of the dessert cake mix. 
         [0013]    Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The claims particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of this invention. The various objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will be more fully apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart of a method of making a Jarva™ cake mix dessert and packaging it in a ripple cup or a mason jar. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a ripple cup within a shrink wrap bag, having a spoon positioned on top of a cover, containing a Jarva™ cake mix dessert. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a ripple cup with cover removed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a ripple cup with instructions for preparing the Jarva™ cake mix for microwave heating. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a Jarva™ cake mix with a flavored candy in a ripple cup prior to adding a cover. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a mason jar containing a Jarva™ cake mix and having a spoon attached to a side of the mason jar. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the mason jar containing the Jarva™ cake mix. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the mason jar containing a Jarva™ cake mix with spoon attached to a side of the jar. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a food safe cello bag having enclosed therein a Jarva™ cake mix mason jar positioned within a stabilizing insert. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a flow chart  10  shows a method or process  10  of making and packaging a Jarva™ cake mix dessert in a ripple cup package  50  or in a mason jar package  70 . (JARVA™ is a trademark of Michelle Shields DBA JARVA™ Cakes of Lyman, Me.). The Jarva™ cake mix is a dessert that is fast and easy to cook and delicious to one&#39;s taste with unique packaging of the product. The customer of the Jarva™ cake only adds teaspoons of water and cooks the cake mix dessert in a microwave oven for less than one minute. A spoon  56 , 78  is provided with each package  50 , 70  for mixing prior to heating and for eating the dessert after heating. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 ,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the ripple cup  52  within a shrink wrap bag, having a spoon  56  positioned on top of a cover  54 , containing a Jarva™ cake mix  64 .  FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the ripple cup  52  with the cover  54  removed.  FIG. 4  shows a bottom view  60  of the ripple cup  42  and shows instructions provided on the bottom of the cup  42  for preparing the Jarva™ cake mix  64  for microwave heating. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a top view of a ripple cup  42  is shown containing 8 oz. of the Jarva™ cake mix  64  with a flavored candy  66  in the center of the mix  64 . The candy  66  is inserted into the center of the cake mix  64  as a center ingredient to provide a molten lava center when heated. This step of inserting the candy  66  is not just an ingredient to enhance flavor, but it is the unique step that achieves the candy molten lava center in the Jarva™ cake dessert that is made faster than a traditional recipe of a lava cake. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 to 8 ,  FIG. 6  is a perspective view a Jarva™ cake mix  64  packaged in a mason jar  72  having a cover  74 , a spoon  78  and shrink band  77  around the outer perimeter of the cover  74 . A portion of the shrink band  77  extends over the side of the cover  74  to cover a portion of the sides of the mason jar  72 , thereby making the Jarva™ cake package  70  to be tamperproof. The cover top  76  provides identification words for the mason jar Jarva™ cake packaging  70 .  FIG. 7  shows a side elevational view of the mason jar  72  containing the Jarva™ cake mix  64  along with a flavored candy  66  as shown in  FIG. 5  except that the candy is wrapped and attached under the cover.  FIG. 8  shows a mason jar top view  76  of the Jarva™ cake mix package  70  with the spoon  78  positioned on the side of the mason jar  72 . 
         [0028]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the flow chart  10  shows the steps of the method or process  10  for making and packaging the Jarva™ cake mix dessert in a ripple cup package  50  or a mason jar package  70 . The mason jar package  70  is primarily used for special occasions such as weddings. 
         [0029]    In Step  12  a brownie mix weighing approximately six (6) pounds is provided and the brownie mix may be embodied by a well-known Gold Metal Chocolate brownie mix manufactured by General Mills, of Minneapolis, Minn. 
         [0030]    In Step  14  a chocolate cake mix weighing approximately five (5) pounds is provided and the chocolate cake mix may be embodied by a well-known Devils Food chocolate cake mix manufactured by General Mills of Minneapolis, Minn. 
         [0031]    In Step  16  the brownie mix and chocolate cake mix are mixed together to form a Jarva™ cake mix  64 . Each Jarva™ cake mix  64  is made preferably in approximately eleven (11) pound batches. 
         [0032]    In Step  18  a ⅓ cup of the Jarva™ cake mix  64  is placed into a 8 oz. ripple cup  52  (see  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 ). The ripple cup  52  may be embodied by one manufactured by Pakright of Aberdeen, Id. The quantity of Jarva™ cake mix  64  of the approximately eleven (11) pound batch when used only for 8 oz. ripple cups  52  is sufficient to yield approximately 90-8 oz. ripple cups  52  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0033]    In Step  20  a piece of flavored candy  66  weighing approximately 0.05 oz. is added to the ripple cup  52  within the Jarva™ cake mix  64  ( FIG. 5 ). The candy  66  may be a chocolate ball or square or a caramel square or other flavor infused candy that may be popular with customers of the Jarva™ cake mix  64 . The candy  66  provides a melted molten center for the Jarva™ cake mix dessert when heated in a microwave oven. However, prior to such heating, if a customer is ready to eat the Jarva™ cake mix dessert, two (2) tablespoons of water are added to the Jarva™ cake mix  66  and blended well in the ripple cup  52  and then the candy  66  is pressed into the center of the blended cake mix  64 . 
         [0034]    In Step  22 , a cover  54  is placed on the ripple cup  52  and a spoon  56 , which may be wooden or plastic, is placed across the top cover  54 , each end of the spoon  56  being pressed within the outer rim of the cover  54 . 
         [0035]    In Step  24  the ripple cup cover  54  including the spoon  56  is placed in a shrink bag  58 . The spoon  56  is kept clean because the shrink bag  58  covers it. The shrink wrap bag  58  may be obtained from Uline of Pleasant Prairie, Wis. 
         [0036]    In Step  26  a heat gun is aimed at the bag  58  and the heat shrink bag  58  shrinks around the total ripple cup  50  to make it tamperproof (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0037]    In Step  30  a ¼ cup of Jarva™ cake mix  64  is placed in a 4 oz. mason jar  72  shown in  FIG. 6 . The ball mason jar  72  may be obtained from AG American Grocers. The quantity of the Jarva™ cake mix  64  of the approximately eleven (11) pound batch in Step  16  when used only for 4 oz. mason jars  72  is sufficient to yield approximately 109 4 oz. mason jars. 
         [0038]    In Step  32 , a 0.05 oz. piece of flavored candy  66  is wrapped in a food safe wrap such as commonly available cello wrap. The wrapped candy  66  is attached to the inside of the top cover  76  of the mason jar package  70 . The candy  66  may be a chocolate ball or square or a caramel square or other flavor infused candy that may be popular with customers of the Jarva™ cake jar package  70 . When the customer is ready to prepare the Jarva™ cake mix  64 , five (5) teaspoons of water are added to the mason jar  72 , the cake mix  64  and water are mixed for cooking, and then the candy  66  is unwrapped and sunk in the center of the cake mix  64  prior to microwave heating. 
         [0039]    In Step  34 , a cover  74  is attached to the mason jar  72  and a spoon  78 , with or without a string decoration attached to the spoon  78 , is placed vertically along the side of jar  70 . The spoon  78  may be wooden or plastic. 
         [0040]    In Step  36 , a shrink band  77  is placed around the side of cover  74 , spoon  78  and a portion of the jar  72  adjacent to the lower edge of cover  74 . The spoon  78  stands vertical or upright adjacent to the jar  72 . Instead of the shrink wrap band, a full enclosed shrink wrap sleeve may be used such as the shrink sleeve made by Uline of Pleasant Prairie, Wis. 
         [0041]    In Step  38 , a heat gun is aimed at the shrink band  77  around the side of the cover  74 , spoon  78  and the portion of the mason jar  72  adjacent to the lower edge of cover  74 , which causes the shrink wrap to shrink and make the total mason jar package  70  tamperproof. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 9  the mason jar package  70  is placed in a food safe cello bag  80  which has a stabilizing one (1) inch high by four (4) inch square insert  84  with a center cutout for receiving the lower portion of the jar  72  with spoon  78  attached. The cello bag  80  is sealed at the top and keeps the spoon  78  clean. Also, the cello bag  80  has a sticker  82  applied to the outside of the cello bag with information regarding the ingredients and directions for use. The cello bag  50  with insert may be obtained from www.clearbags.com of Selmer, Tenn. 
         [0043]    This invention has been disclosed in terms of a particular embodiment. It will be apparent that many modifications can be made to the disclosed method and packaging without departing from the invention. Therefore, it is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such variations as come with the true spirit and scope of this invention.