Abstract:
A variable tip nozzle and cap assembly is disclosed for a dispensing pouch which contains a confectionery, the assembly including threaded portions of different diameters which receive decorating tips for application of the confectionery as a decoration to cakes and cookies, for example.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a nozzle and cap assembly and more particularly to a variable tip nozzle and cap assembly for a pouch for dispensing a confectionery used in the decoration of cakes and cookies, for example.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The application of a flowable confectionery to the top and sides of an iced cake or other pastry is well known in the art. Typically, the confectionery is sufficiently viscous to maintain a shape and is resistant to excessive flow or slumping after being extruded or dispensed from an associated bag or dispensing pouch. Some types of icing may tend to surface harden by reason of water evaporation after being dispensed from the pouch and, accordingly, it is desirable that the pouch and the dispensing system be substantially leak-proof to prevent evaporation of water and the resultant hardening of the contents prior to application. Typically, flexible and collapsible dispensing pouches of the type utilized for decorating cakes and cookies employ a dispensing nozzle, through which a flowable confection such as cake icing may be extruded. An example of a dispensing system is shown and described in assignee&#39;s commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/275,017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0003]     Prior art dispensing nozzles for a dispensing pouch are adapted to receive a decorating tip either alone or with a cooperating collar or compression ring. The collar threadingly engages a threaded portion of the dispensing nozzle to hold the decorating tip in place. The flowable confection is caused to be extruded through the decorating tip by collapsing the dispensing pouch by the application of pressure thereto. The shape of the free end of the decorating tip determines the final shape of the extruded confection.  
         [0004]     In order to create extruded designs of a different type or size, use of a different decorating tip is required. Often, this requires that a different pouch and nozzle/tip assembly be used thereby exposing the confection stored in the dispensing pouch to air, resulting in drying and surface hardening.  
         [0005]     It would be desirable produce a nozzle and cap assembly for a dispensing pouch which accepts decorating tips of different sizes and shapes to maximize decorating efficiency.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Consistent and consonant with the present invention, a nozzle and cap assembly for a dispensing pouch which accepts decorating tips of different sizes and shapes to maximize decorating efficiency and minimize wasted confection due to surface hardening, has surprisingly been discovered.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the nozzle and cap assembly comprises a hollow nozzle section having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be joined with a container, the second end having a first threaded section and a second threaded section formed thereon, the first threaded section having a different diameter than the second threaded section; a first threaded collar adapted to be received on the first threaded section, the first threaded collar having a central aperture formed therein adapted to receive a first decorating tip therein, the first threaded collar cooperating with the first threaded section of the nozzle section to urge the first decorating tip into engagement with the nozzle section; a second threaded collar adapted to be received on the second threaded portion, the second threaded collar having a central aperture formed therein adapted to receive a second decorating tip therein, the second threaded collar cooperating with the second threaded section of the nozzle section to urge the second decorating tip into engagement with the nozzle section.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the nozzle and cap assembly comprises a hollow nozzle section having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to be joined with a container, the second end having a first threaded section and a second threaded section formed thereon, the first threaded section having a different diameter than the second threaded section; a first threaded collar having a central aperture formed therein and adapted to be received on the first threaded section of the nozzle section; a first decorating tip received in the aperture of the first threaded collar, the first threaded collar cooperating with the first threaded section of the nozzle section to urge the first decorating tip to sealingly engage the nozzle section; a second threaded collar having a central aperture formed therein and adapted to be received on the second threaded portion of the nozzle section; a second decorating tip received in the aperture of the second threaded collar, the second threaded collar cooperating with the second threaded section to urge the second decorating tip to sealingly engage the nozzle section.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the nozzle and cap assembly comprises a flexible dispensing pouch having an opening formed therein; a hollow nozzle section having a first end and a second end, the first end joined with the dispensing pouch in the opening, the second end having a first threaded section and a second threaded section formed thereon, the first threaded section having a different diameter than the second threaded section; a first threaded collar adapted to be received on the first threaded section, the first threaded collar having a central aperture formed therein adapted to receive a first decorating tip therein, the first threaded collar cooperating with the first threaded section of the nozzle section to urge the first decorating tip into engagement with the nozzle section; a second threaded collar adapted to be received on the second threaded portion, the second threaded collar having a central aperture formed therein adapted to receive a second decorating tip therein, the second threaded collar cooperating with the second threaded section of the nozzle section to urge the second decorating tip into engagement with the nozzle section. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The above, as well as other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded elevational view partially in section of a nozzle and cap assembly for a dispensing pouch according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the nozzle of  FIG. 1  showing the nozzle connected to an outlet of an associated dispensing pouch;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the nozzle of  FIG. 1  shown with a decorating tip and a collar of a first diameter attached thereto;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the nozzle of  FIG. 1  shown with a decorating tip and a collar of a second diameter attached thereto;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the nozzle of  FIG. 1  shown with a unitary decorating tip of a first diameter attached thereto; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the nozzle of  FIG. 1  shown with a unitary decorating tip of a second diameter attached thereto. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a nozzle and cap assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The nozzle and cap assembly  10  includes a hollow nozzle section  12 , a cap section  14 , and a hollow tip  16 . A radially outwardly extending collar  18  is formed at a first end  19  of the nozzle section  12 . The collar  18  includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs  23  and is adapted to be joined with a container or flexible dispensing pouch  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . A second end  21  of the nozzle section  12  includes a first threaded section  22  of a first diameter and a second threaded section  24  of a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. An opening  26  is formed on the second end  21  of the nozzle section  12  and provides communication with the hollow interior  27 .  
         [0018]     The cap section  14  has an open end  28 , a closed end  30 , and a hollow interior formed by an interior wall  32 . At least a portion of the interior wall  32  has a threaded portion  34  formed thereon. In the embodiment shown, the threaded portion  34  has the same diameter as the second threaded section  24 . A safety ring  36  is releasably attached to a first end of the cap section  14 . A hanger tab  38  is disposed at a second end of the cap section  14 . An aperture  40  is formed in the hanger tab  38 .  
         [0019]     The tip  16  includes a threaded section  41  adjacent a first end thereof adapted to threadingly engage the first threaded portion  22 . A second end of the tip  16  includes an aperture  43 . The cross-sectional shape and configuration of the aperture  43  shown in the drawings is meant to be exemplary, and it is understood that other shapes and configurations can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates the nozzle section  12  having a first decorating tip  42  disposed adjacent the second end  21  thereof. An opening  44  is formed at a distal end of the first tip  42 . The first tip  42  is adapted to abut the second end  21  to form a seal therebetween. A first threaded collar or compression ring  46  receives the first tip  42  in a centrally disposed aperture  48 . The first collar  46  threadingly engages the first threaded section  22  of the nozzle section  12  to urge the first tip  42  into engagement with the second end  21  to create and maintain the seal between the first tip  42  and the second end  21 .  
         [0021]     In  FIG. 4 , the nozzle section  12  is shown with a second decorating tip  50  disposed adjacent the second end  21  thereof. An opening  52  is formed at a distal end of the second tip  50 . The second tip  50  is adapted to abut a portion of the nozzle section  12  between the first threaded section  22  and the second threaded section  24  to form a seal. A second threaded collar or compression ring  54  receives the second tip  50  in a centrally disposed aperture  56 . The second collar  54  threadingly engages the second threaded section  24  of the nozzle section  12  to urge the second tip  50  into engagement with the nozzle section  12  to create and maintain the seal between the second tip  50  and the nozzle section  12 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows the nozzle section  12  having a first threaded unitary decorating tip  58  disposed on the second end  21  thereof. An opening  60  is formed at a distal end of the first unitary tip  58 . The first unitary tip  58  threadingly engages the first threaded section  22  of the nozzle section  12  to create and maintain a seal between the first unitary tip  58  and the second end  21 .  
         [0023]     In  FIG. 6 , the nozzle section  12  is shown with a second threaded unitary decorating tip  62  disposed thereon. An opening  64  is formed at a distal end of the second unitary tip  62 . The unitary tip  62  threadingly engages the second threaded section  24  of the nozzle section  12  to create and maintain a seal between the second unitary tip  62  and the nozzle section  12 .  
         [0024]     As assembled, the nozzle and cap assembly  10  is typically provided with the collar  18  of the nozzle section  12  suitably joined with the dispensing pouch  20  at an open end thereof, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The ribs  23  of the collar  18  cooperate with the walls of the dispensing pouch  20  to provide a leak proof seal therebetween. The collar  18  can be joined with the bag  20  by any conventional joining method such as heat sealing and gluing, for example.  
         [0025]     The tip  16  is provided with the nozzle and cap assembly  10  threaded on the first threaded section  22 . The cap section  14  is threaded to the second threaded section  24 . The hanger tab  38  is used to suspend the nozzle and cap assembly  10  and dispensing pouch  20  for storage, for example.  
         [0026]     In use, the cap section  14  is removed from the nozzle section  12 . To dispense a confectionery from the dispensing pouch  20  through the nozzle section  12 , pressure is applied to the outside of the dispensing pouch  20  by a user. The confectionery is then caused to be extruded through the opening  26 . The nozzle section  12  can be provided without the opening  26 , thus requiring that a hole be formed by puncturing or other means to create an outlet for the confectionery. A variety of tips  16 ,  42 ,  50 ,  58 ,  62  can be used to create shapes and sizes of extruded confectionery as desired. For example, to create writing on a cake, the tip  16  can be used to create an extruded ribbon having a substantially circular cross section. The first decorating tip  42  can be used to create a small flower or extruded ribbon. The second decorating tip  50  can be used to create a large flower or extruded ribbon. If no tips are used, the opening  26  can be used to create an extruded flat ribbon of confectionery which can be used to create flowers or other shapes as desired. It is understood that types of openings other than those shown and described can be provided in the tips  14 ,  16 ,  42 ,  50 ,  58 ,  62  and the first end  21  of the nozzle section  12  as desired.  
         [0027]     By providing the first threaded section  22  and the second threaded section  24  on the nozzle section  12 , a variety of types of decorating tips  42 ,  50 ,  58 ,  62  can be used to create a variety of extruded confectionery shapes as desired. Additionally, the first threaded section  22  and the second threaded section  24  facilitate the use of different sized decorating tips  42 ,  50 ,  58 ,  62 , providing even more flexibility in creating different extruded designs. The threaded sections  22 ,  24  can be sized to accept standard decorating tips such as Wilton type tips, Dec-A-Cake type tips, Tones Brothers type tips, Cake Mate type tips, and Betty Crocker type tips, for example. Although confectionery materials have been used for exemplary purposes, it is understood that other materials such as cheese, for example, can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0028]     The cross-sectional shape and configuration of the aperture  43  shown in the drawings is meant to be exemplary, and it is understood that other shapes and configurations can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0029]     From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.