Abstract:
A baking pan with an improved grasping mechanism comprising a baking surface, a plurality of walls extending upward from the baking surface, a silicone wrapping disposed about outer surfaces of the walls, and a tab extending from the silicone wrapping, the tab extending transversely away from the silicone wrapping to provide a gripping surface. A baking tool for use with a baking pan, the baking tool comprising a nylon portion comprising a lower, flat side; an upper, angled side opposite the lower, flat side; and a nylon tip wherein the upper, angled side meets the lower, flat side. The baking tool further comprises a silicone portion comprising a lower, flat side; an upper, angled side opposite the lower, flat side; and a silicone tip where the upper, angled side meets the lower, flat side.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/838,651, filed on Jun. 24, 2013, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to baking pans, and more particularly, to baking pans having tabs for facilitating handling. Related methods are also described. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Baking pans come in many sizes and shapes and are traditionally heated in an oven for baking various food items. Baking pans often include handles located on either side thereof for providing a surface for a user to grasp while carrying the baking pan. Baking pans are thus typically inserted into an oven with the handles being located at lateral sides of the oven as this is the natural way for a user to insert a baking pan into an oven. Such an arrangement makes it difficult to grasp and move the pan at any location other than the handles. Further, the handles are typically integrated handles manufactured from the same material as the baking pan and often conduct heat when placed into the oven. This presents a dangerous situation when the user has to reach far into the oven to locate and grasp the handles that may be dangerously hot. Accordingly, baking pans having improved grasping mechanisms are desired. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Disclosed herein is a baking pan comprising a baking surface, a plurality of walls extending upward from the baking surface, a silicone wrapping disposed about outer surfaces of the walls, and a tab extending transversely away from the silicone wrapping to provide a gripping surface. 
         [0005]    Further disclosed herein is a baking tool for use with a baking pan, the baking tool comprising a nylon portion comprising a lower, flat side; an upper, angled side opposite the lower, flat side; and a nylon tip wherein the upper, angled side meets the lower, flat side. The baking tool further comprises a silicone portion comprising a lower, flat side; an upper, angled side opposite the lower, flat side; and a silicone tip where the upper, angled side meets the lower, flat side. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying figures, in which like reference numbers indicate similar parts, and in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a baking pan comprising a silicone wrap and tabs in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a baking pan comprising a silicone wrap and tabs in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a baking pan comprising a silicone wrap and tabs in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a baking pan comprising silicone handles in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts a muffin baking pan comprising silicone handles and tabs in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  depicts a tool comprising a nylon portion and a silicon portion that may be used with the baking pans depicted in  FIGS. 1-5  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The present disclosure relates generally to a baking pan having a tab coupled thereto for handling the baking pan and a tool for use with the baking pan. In some embodiments, the tab is located on a side of the pan as opposed to lateral ends of the pan where the handles are typically located. In other embodiments, handles are replaced with tabs. For example, baking pans that are small enough to insert length-wise into the oven may utilize a tab located at lateral ends of such pans. The tab according to the present disclosure is preferably rounded; however, the tab may take on a variety of configurations that facilitate grasping by the user. Also, the tab may include a projection or area of raised profile to further facilitate gripping by the user. 
         [0014]    The tab of the present disclosure may be used with a variety of baking pans. For example, the tab may be used with bread pans, cake pans, sandwich pans, thin trays, and/or deep trays. In some embodiments, only one tab is provided on the baking pan, while in other embodiments, several tabs are provided. The tab according to the present disclosure may be formed of silicone, or partially of silicone. 
         [0015]    Having generally described the principles of the present disclosure, attention is now given to exemplary embodiments described with reference to the figures shown herein. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts a baking pan  100  comprising a silicone wrap  106  and tabs  108  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 1 ), in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The baking pan  100  may be sized and shaped to bake a loaf of bread and may comprise a base and a plurality of walls forming a non-stick baking surface  102  and a rolled edge  104  along upper edges of the walls that is operable to provide additional strength to the baking pan  100 . 
         [0017]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the tab  108  is coupled to a side of the wrap  106  and may extend transversely away from the silicone wrap  106  in a manner perpendicular to the upper edges of the walls to provide a gripping surface. In other embodiments, the tab  108  may extend transversely away from the silicone wrap in a manner parallel to the upper edges of the walls to provide a gripping surface. The silicone wrap  106  may be integrally connected to the baking pan  100  in such a manner that it is not removable therefrom. However, in other embodiments, the silicone wrap  106  may be modular in nature and thus removable from the baking pan  100 . The tab  108  may be semi-circular in shape and thus has a rounded profile. In some embodiments, the tab  108  has a raised portion  110  for providing an additional gripping point beyond the tab  108  itself. That is, a user may be able to grasp the raised portion  110  when removing or moving the baking pan  100 . The baking pan  100  may be inserted length-wise into an oven for baking bread. The user may monitor the baking process by grasping the tab  108  and pulling the baking pan  100  towards the user. If more baking is required, the user may engage the tab  108  and push the baking pan  100  back into the oven. If baking is complete, the user may re-position the baking pan  100  and remove the baking pan  100  from the oven. 
         [0018]    The tab  108  may be integrally formed with silicone wrap  106  disposed about the baking pan  100 . The silicone wrap  106  facilitates handling of the baking pan  100 . In some embodiments, indicia may be provided on the silicone wrap  106  to identify the type of baking pan being used. For example, the baking pan  100  may include indicia stating “LOAF” or “BREAD” and indicia may be provided on the silicone wrap  106  to indicate the size of the pan and thus the size of the bread loaf that may be baked in the pan. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts a baking pan  200  comprising a silicone wrap  206  and tabs  208  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 2 ), in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The baking pan  200  may be shaped to bake a cake and may comprise a base and a plurality of walls forming a non-stick baking surface  202  and a rolled edge  204  along upper edges of the walls that is operable to provide additional strength to the baking pan  200 . 
         [0020]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the tab  208  is coupled to a side of the wrap  206  and may extend transversely away from the silicone wrap  206  in a manner perpendicular to the upper edges of the walls to provide a gripping surface. In other embodiments, the tab  208  may extend transversely away from the silicone wrap in a manner parallel to the upper edges of the walls to provide a gripping surface. The silicone wrap  206  may be integrally connected to the baking pan  200  in such a manner that it is not removable therefrom. However, in other embodiments, the silicone wrap  206  may be modular in nature and thus removable from the baking pan  200 . The tab  208  may be semi-circular in shape and thus has a rounded profile. In some embodiments, the tab  208  has a raised portion  210  for providing an additional gripping point beyond the tab  208  itself. That is, a user may be able to grasp the raised portion  210  when removing or moving the baking pan  200 . The baking pan may  200  be inserted length-wise into an oven for baking a cake. The user may monitor the baking process by grasping the tab  208  and pulling the baking pan  200  towards the user. If more baking is required, the user may engage the tab  208  and push the baking pan  200  back into the oven. If baking is complete, the user may re-position the baking pan  200  and remove the baking pan  200  from the oven. 
         [0021]    The tab  208  may be integrally formed with silicone wrap  206  disposed about the baking pan  200 . The silicone wrap  206  facilitates handling of the baking pan  200 . In some embodiments, indicia may be provided on the silicone wrap  206  to identify the type of baking pan being used. For example, the baking pan  200  may include indicia stating “CAKE” and indicia may be provided on the silicone wrap  206  to indicate the size of the pan and thus the size of the cake that may be baked in the pan. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  depicts a baking pan  300  comprising a silicone wrap  306  and tabs  208  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 3 ), in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The baking pan  300  may be round and sized and shaped to bake a cake or pie and may comprise a base and a continuous wall forming a non-stick baking surface  302  and a rolled edge  304  along upper edges of the wall that is operable to provide additional strength to the baking pan  300 . 
         [0023]    As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the tab  308  is coupled to a side of the wrap  306  and may extend transversely away from the silicone wrap  306  in a manner perpendicular to the upper edges of the walls to provide a gripping surface. In other embodiments, the tab  308  may extend transversely away from the silicone wrap in a manner parallel to the upper edges of the walls to provide a gripping surface. The silicone wrap  306  may be integrally connected to the baking pan  300  in such a manner that it is not removable therefrom. However, in other embodiments, the silicone wrap  306  may be modular in nature and thus removable from the baking pan  300 . The tab  308  may be semi-circular in shape and thus has a rounded profile. In some embodiments, the tab  308  has a raised portion  310  for providing an additional gripping point beyond the tab  308  itself. That is, a user may be able to grasp the raised portion  310  when removing or moving the baking pan  300 . The baking pan may  300  be inserted into an oven for baking a cake or pie. The user may monitor the baking process by grasping the tab  308  and pulling the baking pan  300  towards the user. If more baking is required, the user may engage the tab  308  and push the baking pan  300  back into the oven. If baking is complete, the user may re-position the baking pan  300  and remove the baking pan  300  from the oven. 
         [0024]    The tab  308  may be integrally formed with silicone wrap  306  disposed about the baking pan  300 . The silicone wrap  306  facilitates handling of the baking pan  300 . In some embodiments, indicia may be provided on the silicone wrap  306  to identify the type of baking pan being used. For example, the baking pan  300  may include indicia stating “CAKE” or “PIE” and indicia may be provided on the silicone wrap  306  to indicate the size of the pan and thus the size of the cake or the pie that may be baked in the pan. 
         [0025]    Various other tabs are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, with reference to  FIG. 4 , the tab may extend along the length of a baking tray.  FIG. 4  depicts a baking pan  400  comprising silicone handles, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The pan  400  may further comprise a baking surface  402  and a rolled edge  404  that is operable to provide additional strength to the baking pan  400 . In this embodiment, a pair of tabs  406  are coupled to the relatively shallow baking surface  402  and extend along opposing sides of the pan  400 . The tabs  406  are curved away from one another and act as a lip to prevent food from sliding off of the pan  400 . The silicone handles are coupled to the tabs  406  and each include a first portion  408  adjacent to the tabs  406  and a second portion  410  that extends beyond the tabs  406 . Accordingly, the first portion  408  has the same degree of curvature as the tabs  406 . The second portion  410  is thicker than the first portion  408  and continues to curve away from the baking pan  400 . Such an arrangement facilitates handling of the baking pan  400  by providing a thicker gripping area of the silicone handles. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, indicia may be provided on the silicone handles to identify the type of baking pan being used. For example, the baking pan  400  may include indicia stating “COOKIES” and indicia may be provided on the silicone handles to indicate the size of the pan. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  depicts a muffin baking pan  500  comprising silicone handles  508  and tabs  510 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The baking pan  500  may comprise a non-stick baking surface  502  and a rolled edge  506  that is operable to provide additional strength to the baking pan  500 . The baking pan  500  may further comprise a plurality of recesses  504  that are operable to receive batter for a plurality of muffins. In an embodiment, the baking pan  500  may have 6 or 12 recesses  504 , although any number of recesses  504  may be provided. 
         [0028]    As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the handles  508  may extend from opposing ends of the baking pan  500  and may be used for safe and easy handling of the baking pan  500 . The tabs  510  may have a rounded profile, and in some embodiments, the tabs  510  have a raised portion  512  for providing an additional gripping point beyond the tabs  510  themselves. That is, a user may be able to grasp the raised portion  512  when removing or moving the baking pan  500 . The baking pan may  500  be inserted length-wise into an oven for baking muffins. The user may monitor the baking process by grasping the handles  508  or the tabs  510  and pulling the baking pan  500  towards the user. If more baking is required, the user may engage the handles  508  or the tabs  510  and push the baking pan  500  back into the oven. If baking is complete, the user may re-position the baking pan  500  and remove the baking pan  500  from the oven. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, indicia may be provided to identify the type of baking pan being used. For example, the baking pan  500  may include indicia stating “MUFFINS” and indicia may be provided to indicate the size of the pan. 
         [0030]    Various tools may be used with the baking pans of the present disclosure. For example, with reference to  FIG. 6 , a scraper tool for use with the baking pans disclosed herein includes a nylon portion and a silicone portion.  FIG. 6  depicts a tool  600  comprising a nylon portion  602  and a silicon portion  604  that may be used with the baking pans depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0031]    The tool  600  increases in size from the nylon portion  602  to the silicone portion  604 . The nylon portion  602  includes a lower, flat side  610  opposed to an upper, angled side  608 . A third side of the nylon portion is defined at the interface of the nylon and silicone portions. The upper side  608  decreases sharply towards the distal end of the nylon portion  602  to meet the lower side  610  at a tip  606 . Such an arrangement facilitates use of the tool  600  to cut against and loosen the sides of a cake freshly baked in a baking pan. That is, a user may grip the silicone portion  604  and use the nylon portion  602  to free the cake from the pan. 
         [0032]    The silicone portion  604  is generally larger in size than the nylon portion  602  and includes a lower side  616  that angles outward from the lower side  610  of the nylon portion  602 . An upper side  614  of the silicone portion  604  continues to extend along the same angle defined by the upper side  608  of the nylon portion  602  adjacent to the silicone portion  604 . The upper side  614  decreases sharply towards the distal end of the silicone portion  604  to meet the lower side  616  at a tip  612 . Although the silicone portion  604  may be used as a handle for using the nylon portion  602  as a tool, it may also be used as a tool itself. For example, the nylon portion  602  may be gripped by the user and the silicone portion  604  may be used as a bowl scraper. 
         [0033]    While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages. 
         [0034]    It will be understood that the principal features of this disclosure can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and are covered by the claims. 
         [0035]    Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Technical Field,” such claims should not be limited by the language under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of technology in the “Background” section is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.