Patent Publication Number: US-2006013930-A1

Title: Method and means for decorating bakery goods

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to bakery goods and, more specifically, a method and means for decorating bakery goods with frosting.  
      In recent years, spin art has become increasingly popular, particularly among children. In creating spin art, a small card or disc, which serves as a painter&#39;s canvas, is rotated while the artist or child applies paint. As the card or disc rotates, the paint sprays outwardly in a radial pattern, creating unique and interesting patterns. Because of the nature of spin art, the artist or child need not be artistically inclined to create a work of art. To date, the concept of spin art has only been applied to cards and discs for creating visually stimulating paintings.  
      Bakery goods such as cookies have long been decorated with frosting. Not only does frosting improve the taste of the bakery good, but frosting also serves to dress up the bakery good to create a visually pleasing treat. For example, frosting is often used on cookies to create smiley faces and the like. The disadvantage with applying frosting to a bakery good is that doing so often requires artistic talent. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved method of applying frosting to bakery goods that does not require artistic talent to achieve a visually pleasing treat.  
      It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a method and means of decorating bakery goods with frosting that does not require artistic talent.  
      A further object of this invention is to provide a method and means of decorating bakery goods with frosting that is fun and entertaining.  
      Still a further object of this invention is to provide a device that secures and rotates a bakery good as frosting is applied to decorate the bakery good.  
      These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed toward a device for decorating bakery goods that includes a basin having a bottom and sides. A turntable is provided that is rotatably mounted to the bottom of the basin. Additionally, at least one retainer is provided, the retainer being secured to the turntable.  
      The present invention also is directed toward a method of decorating bakery goods on a turntable having at least one retainer. A bakery good is secured to the turntable with the retainer. The bakery good is then decorated with frosting as the turntable rotates. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2A  is a plan view of a turntable of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2B  is a plan view of another turntable of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2C  is a plan view of another turntable of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the retainer of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3A  is the retainer of  FIG. 3  as shown securing a bakery good; and  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      With reference to  FIG. 1 , a device  10  is shown for use with decorating bakery goods such as cookies. The decorating device  10  includes a frame  12  supported on casters or wheels  14  and having a top surface  16 . The top surface  16  includes a pair of basins  18  and multiple recesses  20  for holding containers of frosting (not shown).  
      Basin  18  is comprised of sides  22  and a bottom  24 . Although the preferred embodiment has a pair of basins  18 , it is contemplated that the decorating device  10  could have any number of basins  18 . Preferably, basin  18  is similar in size to a conventional kitchen sink.  
      A turntable  26  is rotatably mounted to the bottom  24  of the basin  18  and has at least one retainer  28 . Preferably, the turntable  26  has three retainers  28  arranged in a circular configuration and spaced approximately 120° apart, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Alternatively, the turntable  26  has a single retainer (not shown) secured to the center of the turntable  26  that secures a bakery good, such as cookie  30 , about its center. The retainers  28  are adjustable to secure bakery goods of various sizes, such as cookie  30 , to the turntable  26 .  
      With respect to  FIG. 2C , a retaining dish  31  is secured to the turntable  26  for holding the bakery good. The retaining dish has sides  33  of sufficient height to hold and retain the bakery good, such as cookie  30 , as the turntable  26  rotates. As such, no separate retainers are required with the retaining dish  31 .  
      Retainer  28  is comprised of a bolt  32  that extends upwardly through the turntable  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Bolt  32  also extends through a clip member  34 , which is retained by a cap or nut  36  threadably secured to the bolt  32 . A compression spring  38  fits between the head of the bolt  32  and the turntable  26  and biases the bolt in a downward position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this manner, the bolt  32  pulls the nut  36  downwardly such that the clip member  34  is placed against the turntable  26 .  
      Clip member  34  is generally semi-circular in shape, as shown in  FIG. 2A . In this manner, the retainer  28  can be lifted upwardly with respect to the turntable  26 , allowing the clip member  34  to pivot about the bolt  32  for proper placement of the clip member  34  on the bakery good  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . The force of the spring  38  pulls the bolt  32  downwardly with respect to the turntable  26 , allowing the clip member  34  to secure the bakery good  30  to the turntable  26 .  
      Alternatively, retainer  28  includes a generally L-shaped clip member  40 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . In this manner, the clip member  40  can be used to secure bakery goods  30  of smaller size or irregular shape. Specifically, because the clip member  40  is L-shaped, the clip member  40  can secure bakery goods  30  of various sizes by pivoting the clip member  40  about bolt  32  until the clip member  40  is properly positioned on the bakery good  30 .  
      A motor  42  rotates the turntable  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, motor  42  is electric, but any conventional motor may be used. Motor  42  is operatively connected to a power source  44 . Preferably, the power source  44  is a 6V battery that can be recharged by charger  46 . However, any conventional power source may be used.  
      The rotation of the turntable  26  is controlled by a foot pedal  48  operatively connected to the power source  44 . In this arrangement, the foot pedal  48 , which serves as a switch, interrupts the electrical connection between the power source  44  and the motor  42  driving the turntable  26 . Activation of the foot pedal  48  turns the motor  42  on or off, thereby varying the rotation of the turntable  26 . Alternatively, the power source  44  may be equipped with a timer or similar device that operates the motor  42  for a preset amount of time. In this manner, the need for a foot pedal  48  is eliminated.  
      With reference to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment  50  of the bakery good decorating device is shown. The decorating device  50  includes a glass housing  52  supported by a frame  54 . In this embodiment, the decorating device  50  is automated whereby the turntable  26  rotates for a preset amount of time while frosting is applied to the bakery good  30  by an overhead nozzle  56 . A consumer activates the decorating device  50  by inserting money into a coin slot or bill reader  58  and controls the color of frosting applied by selecting buttons  60 . Because the operation is automated, decorating device  50  may be used in any number of commercial venues. Additionally, because of the glass housing  52 , the turntable  26  and other components of the decorating device  50  are protected from non-sanitary conditions.  
      In operation, the decorating device  10  allows a consumer to uniquely decorate cookies and other bakery goods  30  with frosting. Specifically, a consumer places a cookie or bakery good  30  on the turntable  26 . The consumer then secures the bakery good  30  to the turntable  26  by adjusting the retainers  28  such that the clip members  34  are properly placed upon the bakery good  30 . The retainers  28  apply sufficient force to hold the bakery good  30  in place during rotation without breaking the bakery good. The turntable  26  is rotated by a motor  42  operatively connected to a power source  44 . Rotation of the turntable  26  is controlled either by a foot pedal  48  or by a timer incorporated into the power source  44 . As the turntable  26  and bakery good  30  rotate, the consumer uses frosting to decorate the bakery good  30 . Preferably, the frosting is a glaze having the viscosity of a thick liquid that is heated above room temperature. As the heating frosting impacts the bakery good  30 , the temperature differential between the frosting and the bakery good  30  causes the frosting to quickly harden upon the bakery good  30 . Because the bakery good  30  is rotating with respect to the frosting, the frosting spreads across the bakery good  30  in a radial fashion. By using different colored frostings, a consumer can create a unique and visually pleasing bakery good  30 . After the turntable  26  stops rotating, the consumer removes the bakery good  30  from the turntable  26  by releasing the retainers  28 . The consumer is then able to enjoy the unique bakery treat.  
      It is therefore seen that by the use of a turntable with a plurality of retainers, this invention provides for the unique decoration of bakery goods with frosting as the turntable rotates.