Abstract:
A modular mold for containing and baking a food product in an oven assembled by detachably interconnecting modular wall segments having endwise cylindrically nesting, rotationally free interlock regions. The modular wall segments are joined to form a mold of desired shape for food product. Magnets in the nested interlock regions serve to prevent slipping against a surface upon which the modular mold is supported.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to apparatus used for baking a food product. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modularly assembled baking mold. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Baking pans, which are essentially molds, are designed to contain a food product while the food product is baked. The pans and molds come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes. There are round pans, square pans, rectangular pans, diamond shaped pans, odd shaped specialty pans, etc., and each type of pan may come in numerous sizes. The number of the various types of pans that may be used for baking is practically endless. 
         [0003]    Not only is a separate pan needed for every shape that is desired but separate pans for each size of the shape are also needed. For example, round pans with different diameters are commonly used. These different diameters may range from four inches to twenty inches or more. Similarly, square or rectangular pans may be needed with varying sizes and dimensions. 
         [0004]    These varying size and shape requirements require amassing a large inventory of different pan shapes and sizes. If a baking pan is not owned for a required shape or size then a new baking pan must be purchased and kept in inventory. This requires not only a large expense to acquire the inventory but also a large amount of storage space in which to keep the inventory. 
         [0005]    Bakers need implements to contain a food product while the food product is baking which are less expensive, meet the requirements for numerous shapes and sizes, and require a minimum of storage space. An object of the invention is to reduce the expense and storage space requirements necessary to maintain such a large inventory of differently sized and shaped baking pans. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The above object has been met with modular molds that may be assembled in different shapes and sizes by using modular wall segments, to contain a food product while the food product is baking. Modular wall segments are detachably interconnected to form the modular molds by using interlocks. Each modular wall segment has a wall section, and two interlocks, a hollow inner cylindrical interlock and a hollow outer cylindrical interlock. The cylindrical interlocks are configured so the inner cylindrical interlock of a first modular wall segment may be detachably inserted into the outer cylindrical interlock of a second modular wall segment and provide at least some rotational freedom between the first and second modular wall segments. 
         [0007]    The modular wall segments may also have slippage-retarding and containment structures. The slippage-retarding structures impede the modular mold from slipping on a surface upon which the modular mold is positioned. The use of magnets in the interlocks anchor the wall segments to an underlying ferromagnetic pan. The anchored wall segments contain baking food product in the assembled modular mold. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a round modular mold assembled from modular segments positioned on a planar baking surface in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing a quarter round modular wall segment of the type illustrated in  FIG. 1  with an inner cylindrical interlock and an outer cylindrical interlock. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a nonstick silicone baking member that may be applied to the wall section of the quarter round modular segment of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of a nonstick silicone baking member of  FIG. 2B  joined to the wall section of the quarter round modular wall segment of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a straight modular wall segment in accordance with the present invention with an inner cylindrical interlock region, an outer cylindrical interlock region, and a magnet in an interlock region. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of detachably interconnecting round modular wall segments during assembly of a round modular mold in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the assembled modular mold of  FIG. 4A  positioned on a planar baking surface having food product being placed within the assembled round modular mold. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of an outline of an assembled rectangular modular mold with rounded corners in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is a top plan view of an outline of an assembled rectangular modular mold with square corners in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5C  is a top plan view of outline of an assembled specially shaped modular mold in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In  FIG. 1 , a baking structure is constructed by modular wall segments joined together to form round modular mold  130  upon a first planar baking surface  110 . The modular wall segments have opposed endwise interlock regions that offer rotational freedom, allowing wall segments to form molds of a selected shape. The first planar baking surface  110  is positioned upon a second planar baking surface  120 . The round modular mold  130  is formed by four interlocking quarter round modular wall segments  140 . As explained below, the interlock portions of the segments may contain magnets to secure the position of the modular mold to an underlying ferromagnetic second planar baking surface  120  using an intervening separator, namely the first planar baking surface  110  which may be a non-stick silicone baking member to prevent food from leaking underneath modular wall segments. Note that the round modular mold  130  is basically a containment wall formed by only the four round interlocking modular wall segments  140 . There is no bottom segment or portion as in conventional baking pans. Round modular wall segments  140  are used for illustrative purposes only. Modular wall segments may be in various shapes, sizes, numbers, lengths, or widths, thus enabling modular molds to be assembled in diverse shapes and sizes. 
         [0019]    The quantity and types of planar baking surfaces upon which the round modular mold  130  may be positioned would depend on use of slippage-retaining magnetic containment structures. 
         [0020]    A planar baking surface  120  may be rigid or semi-rigid, such as a steel cookie sheet or a sheet pan, which allows the baking structure to be easily moved or placed in and out of an oven. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , planar baking surface  120  is rigid. An intervening planar baking surface  110  may be a type of liner, for example, parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Various combinations of planar baking surfaces which may be used are discussed below with magnetic slippage-retaining and containment structures 
         [0021]    Materials used for making modular wall segments  140  are capable of withstanding standard oven temperatures for preparing and baking the food product and of being nonreactive with the food product at the standard oven temperatures. Such materials for preparing and baking food products are well known in the art and need not be discussed further. 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 2A , a modular wall segment  210  has an inwardly projecting inner cylindrical interlock  205  and an outwardly projecting outer cylindrical interlock  215 . Wall section  210 , inner cylindrical interlock  205  and outer cylindrical interlock  215  are unitary and are made from the same material used for modular wall segments  140  as discussed above. Wall section  210  is shown as being arcuate or rounded such as is used in quarter round modular wall segment  140  of  FIG. 1 . Wall section  210  may also be formed in numerous shapes, sizes, shapes, lengths, or widths as discussed above for modular wall segments thus shaping the modular wall segments and the assembled modular mold  130 . 
         [0023]    The wall section  210  is shown with an open wall structure but the wall structure may also be fully closed by sheet material. Wall section  210  may also be a nonstick material, coated with a nonstick material, or covered by a nonstick material. Nonstick coatings and coverings are well known in the art. In addition, wall section  210  may be rigid or flexible. Flexible wall sections allow for greater variations in the shape of assembled modular molds. 
         [0024]    Inner cylindrical interlock  205  is laterally adjacent to wall section  210  with the height of inner cylindrical interlock region  205  matching the height of wall section  210 . The height of inner cylindrical interlock region  205  may vary from the height of wall section  210 . The varying heights would limit an amount of food product that may be placed in any assembled modular mold such as assembled modular mold  130  of  FIG. 1 . Inner cylindrical interlock region  205  is shown with an outwardly facing opening  207 , having an axis running the length of inner cylindrical interlock region  205  and near wall section  210 . Other embodiments of inner cylindrical interlock region  205  may not have opening  207 . Inner cylindrical interlock  205  may have a magnet  225  inserted as shown in  FIG. 2C . Magnet  225  is a magnet that retains its magnetic properties at standard oven temperatures for preparing and baking the food product. Magnet  225  serves as a slippage-retarding structure which is discussed below in detail. Magnet  225  may also completely fill inner cylindrical interlock  205 . A cap  206  may be inserted into inner cylindrical interlock  205  to prevent the entry of food product into the interlocks. Alternate embodiments entail cap  206  inserted into outer cylindrical interlock  215 . 
         [0025]    Returning to  FIG. 2A , outer cylindrical interlock region  215  is joined laterally to wall section  210  opposite inner cylindrical interlock region  205 . Outer cylindrical interlock region  215  is joined to wall section  210  with the height of outer cylindrical interlock region  215  matching the height of wall section  210 . The height of outer cylindrical interlock region  215  may vary from the height of wall section  210 . The varying heights would limit an amount of food product that may be placed in any assembled modular mold such as assembled modular mold  130  of  FIG. 1 . Outer cylindrical interlock region  215  is shown with an opening  220 , along the straight lateral side, parallel to the axis of the outer cylindrical interlock region  215 , running the length of outer cylindrical interlock region  215  and contiguous to wall section  210 . Inner cylindrical interlock region  205  and outer cylindrical interlock region  215  may be made from the same materials and with the same coatings or coverings as wall section  210 . Preferably the wall section and the interlock regions are unitary. Opening  220  allows for detachable insertion of an inner cylindrical interlock by coaxial nesting into an outer cylindrical interlock and provides rotational freedom between the modular wall segments that have been detachably interconnected in this manner. The rotational freedom also extends to an assembled modular mold such as assembled modular mold  130  of  FIG. 1 . As an example, shape of modular mold  130  may be varied, without disassembly or reassembly, between a circle and an oval merely by pressing or pulling on opposite modular wall segments  140 . 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 2B  containment structure  230  is a nonstick silicone baking material that slips over wall section  210  of  FIG. 2A  as a sheath. The sheath material is a non-stick envelope that is disposable and replaceable. In alternate embodiments containment structure  230  may be a nonstick silicone baking material that is molded or cast over wall section  210  thereby becoming a nonremovable, reusable non-stick containment structure. It is not necessary to use a containment structure where the wall section  210  has no openings and provides containment. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2C  illustrates both a completely unitary wall structure of the type shown in  FIG. 1  (or the open wall embodiment of  FIG. 2A  with the containment structure  230  of  FIG. 2B .) 
         [0028]    Modular wall segment  140  has a slippage-retarding structure. Magnet  225  impedes slippage between modular wall segment  140  and an underlying ferromagnetic planar baking surface, such as planar baking surface  120  of  FIG. 1 . The magnet  225  is attracted to the ferromagnetic planar baking surface  120  thereby impeding slippage of modular wall segment  140 , and hence modular mold  130 , with respect to the ferromagnetic planar baking surface. When both planar surfaces  110  and  120  are used, the magnet  225  is attracted to planar baking surface  120 , which is ferromagnetic, impeding slippage with respect to modular wall segment  140  and planar baking surface  120 . Planar baking surface  110 , a type of liner, is entrapped between planar baking surface  120  and modular wall segment  140  thereby impeding slippage with respect to planar baking surface  110 . 
         [0029]    Another embodiment of a slippage-retarding structure may be a non-skid surface applied to the bottom of modular wall segment  140  thus impeding slippage between modular wall segment  140 , and hence modular mold  130 , with respect to planar baking surfaces  110  or  120  with which it is in direct contact. Modular mold  130  may be placed directly onto planar baking surface  120 , which is rigid, and the non-skid material impedes slippage between modular mold  130  and planar baking surface  120 . When planar baking surface  110 , a type of liner, is used in conjunction with a rigid planar baking surface  120 , planar baking surface  110  may be a non-stick silicone baking material. The non-stick silicone baking material of planar baking surface  110  has enough friction between it and both the non-skid surface applied to the bottom of modular wall segment  340  and rigid planar baking surface  120  to impede slippage between all three. 
         [0030]    Another embodiment may use both magnet  225  and the non-skid surface applied to the bottom of modular wall segment  340  as slippage-retarding structures. The magnet may be disk shaped, like a pill, or may be rod shaped. The magnet  225  may occupy the cylindrical interior of the region of the inner or outer interlock regions. The slippage-retarding structures may also function as containment structures impeding leakage of the food product between the assembled modular mold  130  and the planar baking surface, either  110  or  120 , upon which the assembled modular mold  130  is directly positioned. This occurs because the magnet prevents food product leaking into the interlock regions. 
         [0031]    The outer diameter of inner cylindrical interlock  205  is a first diameter. The inner diameter of outer cylindrical interlock  215  is a second diameter. One diameter is slightly smaller than the other diameter. All inner cylindrical interlocks have the same outer diameter. All outer cylindrical interlocks have the same inner diameter. This standardization of first and second diameters allows one type of cylindrical interlock of a modular wall segment to coaxially nest in the other type of cylindrical interlock and provide rotational freedom between the detachably connected modular wall segments. This standardization also of first and second diameters also allows cap  206  to be standardized an able to be inserted into any inner cylindrical interlock or any outer cylindrical interlock. In alternate embodiments wall section  210  may be joined to interlocks that are not cylindrical, i.e., not rounded. Instead of being rounded, interlocks joined to wall section  210  may be based on other geometric forms, for example, octagonal, decagonal, dodecahedral, etc., so long as there are nesting interlocking members. An opening, similar to opening  220  is required and the interlocks are detachably inserted into one another to detachably interconnect modular wall segments. Appropriately shaped caps may be inserted into either inner or outer interlocks. Other geometric forms allow the modular wall segments to be detachably interconnected at various angles. Other geometric forms with a greater number of sides allow for a greater number of angles at which the modular segments may be detachably interconnected. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 3  the modular wall segment is straight. As noted above, modular wall segments may be in numerous shapes, sizes, shapes, lengths, or widths thus enabling modular molds to be assembled in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Straight wall segments may be combined with curved wall segments. Interlock regions, magnets, and caps etc. are the same as previously described. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 4A  detachably interconnecting quarter round modular wall segments  140  are assembled to form the round modular mold  130  of  FIG. 1 . Outer cylindrical interlock  215 , along with its accompanying modular wall segment  140 , is lifted onto inner cylindrical interlock  205  and pushed down towards planar baking surfaces  110  and  120 , resulting in inner cylindrical interlock  205  being detachably inserted into outer cylindrical interlock  215  through opening  220  thereby detachably interconnecting the respective modular wall segments  140 . This process continues until assembly of a modular mold is completed. The rotational freedom described above is available to the modular wall segments  140  and the fully assembled modular mold. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4B  illustrates food product  410  being disposed into assembled round modular mold  130  which is positioned on planar baking surfaces  110  and  120 . Round modular mold  130  is assembled from four quarter round modular wall segments  140 . The baking structure consisting of the assembled round modular mold  130  and planar baking structures  110  and  120 , along with the disposed food product  410  may then placed in an oven and baked. 
         [0035]    In  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C diverse shapes and sizes of modular wall segments of the present invention are used to make modular molds. 
         [0036]    In particular, in  FIG. 5A , an assembled rectangular modular mold  510  with rounded corners in shown. Assembled rectangular modular mold  510  is assembled with three types of modular wall segments. The first type of modular wall segments is straight modular wall segment  510  of which there are two. The second type of modular wall segment is straight modular wall segment  516  of which there are two. Straight modular wall segment  510  is longer than straight modular wall segment  516 . The third type of modular wall segment is quarter round modular wall segment  512  of which there are four. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 5B  an assembled rectangular modular mold  520  has square corners. Assembled rectangular modular mold  520  is assembled with two types of modular wall segments, straight modular wall segment  522  of which there are two, and straight modular wall segment  524  of which there are two. Modular wall segments  522  are shown to be longer than modular wall segments  524 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 5C  an assembled specially shaped modular mold  530  may be described, among other things, as a guitar, a space ship, a tulip, a stemmed champagne glass, etc. The complex shape of specially shaped modular mold  530  is assembled from four types of modular wall segments. Two of the four types are straight modular wall segments  536  and  538  where straight modular wall segment  536  is shorter than straight modular wall segment  538 . The other two of the four types are quarter round modular wall segments  532  and  534  where quarter round modular wall segment  532  is smaller, e.g., has a shorter radius, than quarter round modular wall segment  534 .