Patent Publication Number: US-10315348-B2

Title: Completely disposable cooking apparatus for filling and decorating of foods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/852,507, filed on Mar. 28, 2013 (pending) which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/366,863, filed Feb. 6, 2012 (issued on Jul. 29, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,110), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/184,021, filed Jul. 15, 2011 (issued on Aug. 5, 2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,959). The entire disclosures of those applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The EASY FILL BAG™ (“EFB”) apparatus of this invention “resembles” a commonly used, prior art “Disposable Decorating Bag” (“DDB”), such as those manufactured and sold by Wilton Brands, Inc., Hutzler Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Kitchen Krafts, Inc. 
     However, there are significant differences between the EFB apparatus of this invention and the previous DDB apparatus, both in terms of construction and manner of operation. 
     The typical DDB apparatus is a multi-piece construction, including a bag, a non-disposable rigid decorating tip with treatment means at the annular discharge end of the tip and a coupler and coupler collar. Typical DDB tips are made of metal or rigid white plastic and the coupler and coupler collar are made of rigid white plastic. 
     In order to use the DDB apparatus, a DDB bag is assembled with a desired decorating tip (i.e., with the desired opening size and treatment means at the annular end) using a coupler and coupler collar. 
     The ability to have different sized discharge openings with a DDB apparatus necessitates the user having a selection of different tips. 
     If, after initial use, the user decides a larger size opening is desired, the user must disassemble the DDB apparatus and reassemble the DDB apparatus with a new tip. 
     If the user wants to create an output with a three dimensional ribbon candy design, i.e., a stream of food material with channels having alternating stripes of color on the channel peaks and in the channel valleys, it is not possible with the DDB apparatus. 
     During use of the DDB apparatus, if the selected tip becomes “clogged,” i.e., if the material being expelled out of the DDB apparatus through the tip has a “lump” that gets “stuck” in the tip, the bag and tip must be disassembled so that the tip can be accessed and cleaned. 
     Once use of the DDB apparatus is completed, the DDB apparatus is taken apart, the bag is disposed of, and the tip, coupler and coupler collar are cleaned and stored away for future use. 
     The EFB apparatus of this invention, on the other hand, in the preferred embodiment, is a one-piece, fully disposable construction, comprising a funnel-shaped bag with an integral, flexible, conical shaped discharge orifice at the end for “treating” material being expelled from the bag through the end. The discharge orifice has protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall of the orifice and running longitudinally or parallel to the conical axis, along all or a part of the length of the discharge orifice. The orifice is made of a material so that it is capable of being cut at any point along its longitudinal dimension or along its conical axis to yield an exit opening or hole with a desired size or cross-sectional dimension. Regardless of the point of cut, i.e., regardless of the size of the hole or opening or the cross-sectional dimension, the inwardly extending serrations or ridges that remain insure that the material is “treated” as it is expelled from the bag through the orifice to yield a three dimensional ribbon candy design, i.e., a stream of food material with channels having alternating stripes of color on the channel peaks and in the channel valleys. While the orifice at the end of an EFB apparatus is capable of “treating” the material as it is discharged from the bag, the orifice is also either: (a) elastic or flexible enough in order to allow the hole or opening in the orifice to expand to pass “clogs” or “lumps” and then return to its original shape; or (b) supple or deformable enough in order to allow the orifice to be compressed or collapsed “upstream” of the hole or opening so that the “clogs” or “lumps” can be broken up and then passed through the hole or opening when the orifice returns to its original shape. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the EFB apparatus of this invention has sections of the orifice with protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall of the orifice and running longitudinally or parallel to the conical axis and longitudinal sections without protrusions, serrations or ridges so that the orifice can be cut at one of those areas and used as a piping bag. 
     Prior art patents have issued for a number of decorating, dispensing and icing bags, none of which disclose the unique features or advantages of the EFB apparatus of this invention. Prior art patents noted but not believed to be relevant to the novelty or non-obviousness of the current invention include: Parker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,779; DeLorimiere U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,917; Tkac U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,517; Wallays U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,802; Wallays U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,346; Tedeschi, Jr. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,651; Gross et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,307 B1; Lunghetti U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,395 B1; Franczyk U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,505 B2; Folkmar PCT No. WO 2004/049816 A1; Ejeblad PCT No. WO 2005/115162 A1; and Ejeblad PCT No. WO 2007/090588 A1. 
     In the absence of the availability of EFB apparatus as disclosed herein, individuals have been known to take readily available ZIPLOC® and GLAD® zipper plastic bags, fill them with food material and cut the corner of the bag in order to create “homemade” disposable decorating bags with a “dispensing hole.” Such “homemade” bags are unsatisfactory for several reasons, most notably because: (i) they do not permit the “treatment” of the material as it exits the “hole”; (ii) the lack of an orifice prevents the desired controlled delivery of the food material; and (iii) there are inadequate means for dealing with lumps in the food material and the forced passage of the lumps out of the bag typically causes the opening of the bag to permanently widen, such that thereafter the food material is dispensed at an undesirable flow rate or worse, for the bag to no longer function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The EASY FILL BAG™ (“EFB”) apparatus of this invention in a preferred embodiment is a one-piece disposable construction, comprising a funnel-shaped bag with a soft side wall, having an open first end at the “top” or wider end of the funnel through which food material and coloring agents can be inserted into the bag and a closed second end at the “bottom” or narrow end of the funnel, with an integral, malleable, conical shaped, discharge orifice. The conical shaped orifice has protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall of the orifice and running longitudinally or parallel to the conical axis, along all or a part of the length of the conical shaped orifice. The orifice can either be initially closed or provided with a small opening or hole. The orifice is made of a material so that it is capable of being cut at any point along its longitudinal axis to yield an exit opening or hole with a desired size or cross-sectional dimension. Regardless of the point of cut, i.e., regardless of the size of the hole or opening or cross-sectional dimension, in the preferred embodiment, the inwardly extending serrations or ridges that remain insure that the material is “treated” as it is expelled from the bag through the orifice to yield a three dimensional ribbon candy design, i.e., a stream of food material with channels having alternating stripes of color on the channel peaks and in the channel valleys. While the orifice at the end of an EFB apparatus is capable of “treating” the material as it is discharged from the bag, the orifice is also either: (a) elastic or flexible enough in order to: (a)(i) allow the orifice to “open up” or “expand” so that “clogs” or “lumps” can pass through the orifice while still “treating” the material being passed therethrough; and (a)(ii) cause the orifice to return to its original shape after the “clog” or “lump” has passed in order to continue to “treat” material that subsequently passes through the orifice; or (b) supple or deformable enough in order to: (b)(i) allow the orifice to be compressed or collapsed so that the “clogs” or “lumps” can be broken up so that they can pass through the orifice; and (b)(ii) cause the orifice to return to its original shape after the “clog” or “lump” has been broken up in order to “treat” all of the material that passes through the orifice. 
     In one embodiment, the bag side wall is made of a temperature impervious material, which allows the user to work with a variety of materials, including very warm and very cold materials. 
     In another embodiment the bag side wall has texturing to facilitate gripping by the user. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the EFB orifice of this invention is provided without being attached to an integral bag, but rather, with a mating collar, and the EFB orifice is affixed to a bag in the manner of a traditional DDB apparatus, such that the benefits and features of this invention are achieved albeit at a slightly higher price and without the convenience of the integral one-piece completely disposable design. 
     In still a further embodiment, the EFB apparatus is used in combination with a stand that engages and supports the EFB apparatus during filling. More particularly, the EFB apparatus can be supported by mating mechanisms on the EFB apparatus and the stand, e.g., three “support holes” along the “top” of the EFB apparatus that “attach” to fingers of the EFB stand, or an excess of EFB side wall material that is reversible on itself for folding over arms of the EFB support stand. Using the EFB stand allows the user to fill the bag easily with both hands free. 
     The EFB apparatus of this invention can be used for piping, decorating, filling, assembling and dispensing the food material in connection with any number of other cooking and baking activities without departing from the scope of this invention, e.g., cakes and cupcakes, stuffed shells, manicotti, cannoli&#39;s, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, twice baked potatoes, cookies, canapes, pastry cups, meringue, etc. 
     The EFB apparatus comes in a variety of sizes, with “larger” EFB apparatus having larger bags and comparatively larger orifices. 
     The EFB apparatus is completely disposable once use of it is complete. 
     The EFB apparatus of this invention will be packaged and sold like reusable, re-sealable zipper storage bags, such as the ZipLock® bags originally developed by Dow Chemical Company and now produced by S. C. Johnson &amp; Son or Glad® bags produced by The Glad Products Company. 
     Each box (or each “starter box”) of the EFB apparatus of this invention may include an apparatus stand, which will enable the user to attach each of the EFB apparatus in the box upright on the stand for ease of filling. 
     An object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags that have an integral unique discharge orifice (also sometimes referred to as a nozzle or a tip) that can be used to dispense treated food material and then completely disposed of. 
     A further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the universal orifice of which can be cut to a desired hole or opening size, while still retaining the treatment capacity of the orifice. 
     A further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the orifice of which is made of a malleable material such that “clogs” or “lumps” do not clog the orifice. 
     A still further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the orifice of which is made of a sufficiently elastic material so that the orifice can expand to allow “clogs” or “lumps” to pass through the orifice and the orifice can then return to its original shape. 
     A still further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the orifice of which is made of a sufficiently deformable material so that the orifice can be collapsed to break up “clogs” or “lumps” so that they can pass through the orifice and the orifice can return to its original shape. 
     A still further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the orifices of which have a star-shaped cross section along its longitudinal length. 
     A still further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the orifices of which have cutting guides that can be indicated by scoring or coloring applied to the outside wall of the orifice and corresponding to a preset orifice hole or exit opening size. 
     A still further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags with universal orifices, so that the bags can be interchangeably used both for dispensing food material that has been “treated” with a design and for dispensing food material that can be used for “piping.” 
     A still further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, inside of which color delivery means allows color to be added to the food material as it is forced out of the EFB apparatus. 
     A yet further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the nozzle of which is made out of material with a durometer of between 27 A and 60 A. 
     A yet further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the orifice of which is made out of a material that is elastic, such as a thermoset elastomer, such as latex rubber or silicone rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer, such as polyurethane. 
     A yet further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the orifice of which is made out of a material that is flexible, but not elastic, such as a thermoplastic such as polyethylene. 
     A yet further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, where the orifice can be cut to afford a bag opening with an internal diameter of up to 0.8 inches. 
     A yet further object of the disclosed invention is to provide individuals with bags, the soft side of which is made from polyethylene that can be welded to the orifice material. 
     A yet further object of this invention is to provide individuals with universal orifices and mating clamping mechanisms, that can be used with traditional bags, which orifices can be both cut to a desired hole or opening size while still retaining the treatment capacity of the orifice, or cut to a different desired hole or opening size for piping purposes, and where such orifice is made of a malleable material such that “clogs” or “lumps” do not clog the orifice. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a conical shaped orifice which has protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall of the orifice and running longitudinally or parallel to the conical axis, along the length of the conical shaped orifice, such that regardless of where the orifice is cut and regardless of the resultant size of the hole or opening or cross-sectional dimension, the inwardly extending protrusions, serrations or ridges that remain insure that the food material that has been exposed to coloring agents that were applied to the inside of the bag is “treated” as it is expelled from the bag through the orifice, more particularly, the protrusions, serrations or ridges cut into the food material, causing the food material to split into alternating stripes of food material that: (a) has been in contact with the coloring agents on the inside of the bag and displays the effects of the coloring agents on the food material as it is expelled out through the orifice; and (b) has not been in contact with the coloring agents on the inside of the bag and passes out through the orifice without displaying any effect from the coloring agents. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a conical shaped orifice which has protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall of the orifice and running longitudinally or parallel to the conical axis, along the length of the conical shaped orifice, such that the user can create an output with a three dimensional ribbon candy design, i.e., a stream of food material with channels having alternating stripes of color on the channel peaks and channel valleys, both initially when the orifice is cut for a small size output, and subsequently when, without the muss and fuss of disassembly, the orifice is simply cut for a larger size output. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a sectional view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a bottom view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side view of a second alternative embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a sectional view of the apparatus in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a top view of the apparatus in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  depicts a bottom view of the apparatus in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  depicts the cross-sectional dimension of the orifice of a still further alternative embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein. 
         FIGS. 10 and 10A, 10B, 10C  depict two further alternative embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein, wherein each orifice has cuttable sections for affecting “treated” flow of the food material alternating between sections for affecting “non-treated” or “piping” flow of the food, the former sized for affecting increasingly larger cross-sectional dispensing holes, and the latter sized for affecting constant cross-sectional dispensing holes. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a multiple orifice alternative embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein. 
         FIGS. 12-16  depict a wire stand for use in combination with an EFB apparatus of this invention. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of the wire stand. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a side view of the wire stand of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  depicts a top view of the wire stand of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  depicts a bottom view of the wire stand of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  depicts a side view of the wire stand of  FIG. 12  in combination with the EFB apparatus of this invention shown mounted on the wire stand. 
         FIGS. 17-22  depict a collapsible annular stand for use in combination with an EFB apparatus of this invention. 
         FIG. 17  depicts a perspective view of the collapsible annular stand in the expanded position. 
         FIG. 18  depicts a perspective view of the collapsible annular stand of  FIG. 17  in the collapsed position. 
         FIG. 19  depicts a side view of the collapsible annular stand of  FIG. 17  in the expanded position. 
         FIG. 20  depicts a side view of the collapsible annular stand of  FIG. 17  in the collapsed position. 
         FIG. 21  depicts a top view of the collapsible annular stand of  FIG. 17  in both the expanded and collapsed positions. 
         FIG. 22  depicts a bottom view of the collapsible annular stand of  FIG. 17  in both the expanded and collapsed positions. 
         FIGS. 23 through 26  depict a tubular stand for use in combination with an EFB apparatus of this invention. 
         FIG. 23  depicts a perspective view of the tubular stand. 
         FIG. 24  depicts a side view of the tubular stand of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  depicts a top view of the tubular stand of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26  depicts a bottom view of the tubular stand of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIGS. 27 and 28  display the addition of color reservoirs to the EFB apparatus of this invention, that are either in the bag itself as shown in the former or in the orifice as shown in the latter. 
         FIGS. 29 and 30  display the addition of color deposits to the EFB apparatus of this invention, that are covered with removable sealing strips and that are either in the bag itself as shown in the former or in the orifice as shown in the latter. 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the EFB apparatus of this invention shown with food material being expelled from it with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance, i.e., a stream of food material with channels displaying a different color on the channel peaks than the color displayed in the channel valleys, produced by exposing the food material to coloring agents that were applied to the inside of the bag (for example, during manufacture as seen in  FIG. 29 , or manually before insertion of the food material into the bag) and that was “treated” as it was expelled from the bag through the orifice by the protrusions, serrations or ridges in the orifice, namely, food material that has channel peaks and channel valleys cut into it by the protrusions, serrations or ridges, and where: (a) first portions of food material that were in contact with the coloring agents on the inside of the bag were expelled out on the peaks of the channel displaying the effects of the coloring agents; and (b) second portions of food material that were not in contact with the coloring agents on the inside of the bag were expelled out in the valleys of the channel without displaying the effects of the coloring agents. 
         FIG. 31A  is close-up perspective view of the EFB apparatus of this invention showing the “treatment” of the food material within the orifice that yields the unique three dimensional ribbon candy appearance in the expelled food material. 
         FIG. 31B  is close-up perspective view of the EFB apparatus of this invention showing an orifice that has been cut to a very large opening size (as contrasted, for example, with the size of the opening cut shown in  FIG. 31A ), and which nevertheless achieves the “treatment” of the food material within the orifice that yields the unique three dimensional ribbon candy appearance in the expelled food material. 
         FIG. 32  is a top plan view of a stream of food material expelled from the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance. 
         FIGS. 33-37  are prospective views of streams of food material produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance and, through the manipulation of the EFB apparatus during expulsion, having different and unique decorating designs. 
         FIG. 33  shows a “braid” design with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance. 
         FIG. 34  shows a horizontally undulating “scallop” design with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance ( FIG. 31  shows a vertically undulating “scallop” design with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance). 
         FIG. 35  shows a “swirl” stacked vertically with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance. 
         FIG. 36  shows a “swirl” laid horizontally with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance. 
         FIG. 37  shows a “star” design with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The EASY FILL BAG™ (“EFB”) apparatus of this invention can be used with a variety of viscous foodstuffs, including to assemble, fill and prepare a variety of foods, such as stuffed shells, manicotti, cannoli&#39;s, deviled eggs, stuffed mushrooms, 2× baked potatoes, cookies, canapes, pastry cups, meringue, etc., and to decorate with icing and the like. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the EFB apparatus is a completely disposable, one-piece construction, comprising a bag with an integral, flexible discharge orifice at the end for “treating” material being expelled from the bag through the end. 
     To create an aesthetic design in the dispensed material, the EFB apparatus includes an integral orifice in the end that has jagged inwardly facing edges or protrusions, ridges or serrations that “treat” the material as it passes through the orifice. 
     While the orifice at the end of an EFB apparatus is capable of “decorating” the material as it is discharged from the bag, the orifice is also flexible or supple enough in order to: (i) allow the orifice to “open up” or “expand” so that “clogs” or “lumps” can pass through the orifice; and (ii) cause the orifice to return to its original shape after the “clog” or “lump” has passed in order to “treat” material that subsequently passes through the orifice. 
     The EFB bag can be made of a material that inhibits the transfer of heat or cold from the contents of the bag through to the user&#39;s hands. 
     The EFB bag can be made with a textured exterior surface so as to facilitate the user&#39;s gripping of the EFB bag. 
     Once use of the EFB apparatus is completed, it is the intention of this invention that the entire one-piece EFB apparatus is disposed of. 
     The EFB apparatus comes in several sizes, with larger EFB apparatus having larger bags and respectively larger integral, flexible discharge orifices. 
     The EFB apparatus comes with a stand that engages and supports the EFB bag during filling. More particularly, the EFB apparatus can be supported by mating mechanisms on the EFB bag and the stand, e.g., “support holes” in the EFB bag that “attach” to fingers of the EFB stand, or an excess of EFB bag material that is reversible on itself for folding over arms of the EFB support stand. 
     EFB apparatus will be packaged and sold like reusable, re-sealable zipper storage bags, such as the ZipLock® bags originally developed by Dow Chemical Company and now produced by S. C. Johnson &amp; Son, or the Glad® bags sold by The Glad Products Company. 
     It is envisioned that a “starter” box of EFB apparatus, or possibly every box of EFB apparatus, may include an apparatus stand, which will enable the user to attach each EFB bags upright on the stand for ease of filling. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the EFB apparatus includes a funnel shaped bag for easy filling, handling, decorative dispensing, and disposing. 
     The choice of discharge orifice (or nozzle) material may be driven to some extent by the target cost of the product. Whatever the material is, it must enable the user to clear clogs without taking the food out of the bag, either by expanding to allow the clog to pass (preferred) or allowing the user to crush and break up the clog (preferred and alternate). 
     In an alternative embodiment, the discharge orifices (or nozzles) of the EFB apparatus are sold separately, i.e., without an attached bag, but rather, with a mating connection mechanism, such as a collar, so that the EFB orifice and mating connection mechanism can be attached to a traditional bag of any size. 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIGS. 1 through 4  show a first, preferred embodiment of an EFB apparatus in accordance with this invention. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a side view of the nozzle or discharge orifice  10  is shown, with an integral bag  12 . The bag  12  is funnel shaped and the bag  12  is either attached to the nozzle  10  during manufacture, as a simultaneously created one piece construction, or the bag  12  is attached to the nozzle  10  in a secondary operation, e.g., by making the nozzle first, for example, by injection molding, and then by dip molding the bag over it, or by welding, gluing or connecting the nozzle and bag together by other means available and known in the art, including by using a disposable connection mechanism. The bag  12  has a first end  14  that is at the “top” or wider end of the funnel shape that is “open” and through which the food material  10 A can be inserted into the bag  12 , a second end  16  that is at the “bottom” or narrow end of the funnel shape that is “closed” as a result of the attachment of the nozzle  10 , and a soft side wall  17  that allows the user to squeeze the bag  12  and cause food material  10 A in the bag  12  to be expelled out of the bag  12  through the nozzle  10 . The nozzle  10  is malleable and conical shaped and has a conical axis  18  and a discharge opening or hole  20 . The sections  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d  of the nozzle  10  are increasingly larger in cross-section and each respectively has a “cut line”  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c  and  21   d  at which the nozzle  10  can be cut prior to or during use to achieve different the desired different opening or hole  20 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a cut away view of the nozzle  10  of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  30 - 30  in  FIG. 1 . The elements of the nozzle  10  seen in  FIG. 1  that are still visible in  FIG. 2  are similarly numbered.  FIG. 2  additionally shows the internal wall  32  of the nozzle  10  and the protrusion, serrations or ridges  34  that extend inwardly from said internal wall  32  and run longitudinally along the length of the nozzle  10 , parallel to the conical axis  18 . Thus it can be seen that regardless of whether the nozzle  10  is cut at “cut line”  21   a , i.e., at a point close to the hole  20  and before the protrusions  34  begin, or at any of the other “cut lines”  21   b ,  21   c  or  21   d , which would cause a portion of the protrusions  34  also to be cut, lengths of the protrusions  34  remain within the nozzle  10  that “treat” the food material  10 A as it passes from the bag  12  through the nozzle  10  and out the hole  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the nozzle  10  (as would be seen were one to look at the nozzle down into and through the bag  12 ). The protrusions  34  extending inwardly from the internal wall  32  create a star-shape that is imparted to the food material  10 A as it passes through the nozzle  10  and is “treated” thereby. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the nozzle  10  before any cut has been made, showing all of the sections  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d  and the cut lines  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c  and  21   d.    
     Either before or after the food material  10 A is introduced into the bag  12 , the user cuts the nozzle  10  at a desired cut line  21   a ,  21   b ,  21   c  or  21   d  to achieve a desired opening or hole  20  and controlled dispensation of the food material  10 A out through the nozzle  10 . If the user initially cuts at cut line  21   b , sufficient length of protrusions  34  remain to “treat” the food material  10 A as it passes through the nozzle  10 . If a lump clogs the nozzle  10 , the nozzle is malleable enough to allow the lump to “pass.” The manner in which the nozzle  10  will “pass” the lump depends upon which of the two embodiments of the invention is being employed. If the nozzle  10  is elastic, it will expand upon the user&#39;s application of pressure to the bag  12  and the lump will be expelled and the nozzle  10  will return to its normal size and shape. Alternatively, if the nozzle  10  is plastic, it will allow the user to apply pressure to the lump upstream of the opening  20  by squeezing the nozzle, to thereby break up the lump. The broken up lump will then be able to pass through the opening  20  and the nozzle will return to its normal size and shape. 
     During use, if the user would like to increase the size of the opening or hole  20 , the user can elect to make a further cut in the nozzle  10 . For example, if the user made the first cut at line  21   b  as described above, the user can elect to make a further or second cut in the nozzle  10  at cut line  21   c  or at cut line  21   d  to achieve a desired larger opening or hole  20  and controlled dispensation of a greater amount of the food material  10 A out through the nozzle  10 . If the user cuts at cut line  21   c  or cut line  21   d , sufficient length of protrusions  34  nevertheless still remains to “treat” the food material  10 A as it passes through the nozzle  10 . If a lump clogs the nozzle  10 , the nozzle is still malleable enough to allow the lump to “pass.” The manner in which the nozzle  10  will “pass” the lump still depends upon which of the two embodiments of the invention is being employed. If the nozzle  10  is elastic, it will still expand upon the user&#39;s application of pressure to the bag  12  and the lump will be expelled and the nozzle  10  will return to its normal size and shape. Alternatively, if the nozzle  10  is plastic, it will still allow the user to apply pressure to the lump upstream of the opening  20  by squeezing the nozzle, to thereby break up the lump. The broken up lump will then be able to pass through the opening  20  and the nozzle will return to its normal size and shape. 
     If the user needs to, additional material can be added to the bag  12 . Once the user is finished, the entire EFB apparatus can be completely disposed of. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show a preferred embodiment of the EFB apparatus according to this invention where the protrusions  34  run the length of the nozzle  10 .  FIGS. 5-8  show an alternative embodiment where the protrusions  36  are sections strategically placed between the cut lines. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a side view of an alternative nozzle or discharge orifice  110  is shown, with an integral bag  112 . The bag  112  is funnel shaped and the bag  112  is either attached to the nozzle  110  during manufacture, as a simultaneously created one piece construction, or the bag  112  is attached to the nozzle  110  in a secondary operation, e.g., by making the nozzle first, for example, by injection molding, and then by dip molding the bag over it, or by welding, gluing or connecting the nozzle and bag together by other means available and known in the art, including by using a disposable connection mechanism. The bag  112  has a first end  114  that is at the “top” or wider end of the funnel shape that is “open” and through which the food material  10 A can be inserted into the bag  112 , a second end  116  that is at the “bottom” or narrow end of the funnel shape that is “closed” as a result of the attachment of the nozzle  110 , and a soft side wall  117  that allows the user to squeeze the bag  112  and cause food material  10 A in the bag  112  to be expelled out of the bag  112  through the nozzle  110 . The nozzle  110  is malleable and conical shaped and has a conical axis  118  and a discharge opening or hole  120 . The sections  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  of the nozzle  110  are increasingly larger in cross-section and each respectively has a “cut line”  121   a ,  121   b ,  121   c  and  121   d  at which the nozzle  110  can be cut prior to or during use to achieve different the desired different opening or hole  120 . 
     The difference between the nozzle  10  and nozzle  110  is that, as best seen in  FIG. 6  (a cut away view of the nozzle  110  of  FIG. 5 , taken along the line  40 - 40  in  FIG. 5 ), depending upon where the cut is made in the nozzle  110 , the opening  120  will end up being either an annular opening without protrusions  110  (i.e., if the cut is made at  121   a  or  121   c ) or an opening with the inwardly extending protrusions  134   a  (if the cut is made at  121   d ) or protrusions  134   b  (if the cut is made at  121   b ). The elements of the nozzle  110  seen in  FIG. 5  that are still visible in  FIG. 6  are similarly numbered.  FIG. 6  additionally shows the internal wall  132  of the nozzle  110  and the protrusion, serrations or ridges  134   a  and  134   b  that extend inwardly from the internal wall  132  and run longitudinally for discrete sections along the length of the nozzle  110 , parallel to the conical axis  118 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the nozzle  110  (as would be seen were one to look at the nozzle  110  down into and through the bag  112 ). The protrusions  134   a  and  134   b  extending inwardly from the internal wall  132  create two different star-shapes, one of which might be imparted to the food material  10 A as it passes through the nozzle  110 , depending upon the cut that is made in the nozzle  110 , as described herein. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the nozzle  110  before any cut has been made, showing all of the sections  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c  and  110   d  and the cut lines  121   a ,  121   b ,  121   c  and  121   d.    
     As with the preferred embodiment, either before or after the food material  10 A is introduced into the bag  112 , the user cuts the nozzle  110  at a desired cut line  121   a ,  121   b ,  121   c  or  121   d  to achieve a desired opening or hole  120  and controlled dispensation of the food material  10 A out through the nozzle  110 . If the user initially cuts at cut line  121   a  or  121   c , the food material  10 A will pass through the resultant annular opening without any sort of design “treatment.” If the user cuts the nozzle  110  at  121   b  or  121   d , the protrusions  134   b  and  134   a , respectively, will “treat” the food material  10 A as it passes through the nozzle  110 . 
     Regardless of where the cut in the nozzle  110  is made, if a lump clogs the nozzle  110 , the nozzle is malleable enough to allow the lump to “pass.” The manner in which the nozzle  110  will “pass” once again depends upon which of the two embodiments of the invention is being employed. If the nozzle  110  is elastic, it will expand upon the user&#39;s application of pressure to the bag  112  and the lump will be expelled and the nozzle  110  will return to its normal size and shape. Alternatively, if the nozzle  110  is plastic, it will allow the user to apply pressure to the lump upstream of the opening  120  by squeezing the nozzle, to thereby break up the lump. The broken up lump will then be able to pass through the opening  120  and the nozzle will return to its normal size and shape. 
     During use of the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 5-8 , if the user cuts the nozzle  110  at cut line  121   b , the food material  10 A will be “treated” by protrusions  134   b  as it is passed through the nozzle  110  and out of the opening  120 . If the user would like to switch and have the food material  10 A dispensed without treatment, e.g., for “piping,” the user can elect to make a further or second cut at cut line  121   c . Thereafter, the user can elect to make a still further or third cut in the nozzle  110  at cut line  121   d  so that the food material  10 A will be “treated” by protrusions  134   a  as it is passed through the nozzle  110  and out of the opening or hole  120 . 
     Regardless of where the user cuts the nozzle  110 , if a lump clogs the nozzle  110 , the nozzle  110  is still malleable enough to allow the lump to “pass.” The manner in which the nozzle  110  will “pass” the lump still depends upon which of the two embodiments of the invention is being employed. If the nozzle  110  is elastic, it will still expand upon the user&#39;s application of pressure to the bag  112  and the lump will be expelled and the nozzle  110  will return to its normal size and shape. Alternatively, if the nozzle  110  is plastic, it will still allow the user to apply pressure to the lump upstream of the opening  120  by squeezing the nozzle  110 , to thereby break up the lump. The broken up lump will then be able to pass through the opening  20  and the nozzle  110  will return to its normal size and shape. 
     The user can refill the bag  112  of the apparatus of alternate embodiment as needed and, once the user is finished, the entire EFB apparatus can be completely disposed of. 
       FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of a nozzle  210  according to this invention with a design for protrusions  234  extending inwardly from the inside wall  232  that has been found to be preferred. 
       FIG. 10  shows a nozzle  310  attached to bag  312 , for dispensing food material  10 A, which nozzle  310  is similar to the nozzle  110  shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , in that it has alternating internal profiles. The internal profiles of sections  310   a ,  310   b  and  310   c  are circular and the internal profiles of sections  310   d  and  310   e  are star shaped as a result of the internal protrusions  314   a  and  314   b . Where the cut is made in nozzle  310  will alter the manner in which food material  10 A is dispensed out of hole  320 . 
       FIG. 10A  shows a nozzle  320  attached to the bag  322 , for dispensing food material  10 A, which nozzle is similar to the nozzle  310  shown in  FIG. 10  and the nozzle  110  shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , in that it has alternating internal profiles. The internal profiles of sections  320   a ,  320   b  and  320   c  are all circular and they all are of the same cross-sectional dimension. The internal profiles  320   d  and  320   e  have identically sized internal protrusions  324   a  and  324   b  and they are of the same cross-sectional dimension. Accordingly, during use, the user can select to make a cut at  320   a  for “un-treated” dispensing of the food material, and then to make a cut at  320   d  for effecting “treated” dispensing of the food material, and then another cut at  320   b  for the same “un-treated” dispensing as effected by section  320   a , and then a cut at  320   e  for the same “treated” dispensing as affected by section  320   d , and finally a cut at  320   c  for effecting the same “un-treated” dispensing as effected by sections  310   a  and  310   b.    
       FIG. 11  shows a multiple outlet device with nozzles  410 ,  510  and  610  in accordance with this invention. 
       FIGS. 12-26  disclose various stands for use with the EFB apparatus during filling with food material. 
     The stand shown in  FIGS. 12-16  is a wire stand  910 , shown with a base ring  911  and four extending support arms  912   a ,  912   b ,  912   c  and  912   d . Each support arm has a support finger  914   a ,  914   b ,  914   c  and  914   d  for engaging (as shown in  FIG. 16 ) corresponding to holes  920   a ,  920   b ,  920   c  ( 920   d  not shown) in the bag  990 . 
     The stand  344  shown in  FIGS. 17-22  is a collapsible annular stand with a number of nesting sections  350   a ,  350   b ,  350   c ,  350   d  and  350   e  and a base  325 . Stand  344  engages and supports the EFB bag during filling by having an excess amount of EFB bag material that is reversible on itself folded over the top edge  352  of section  350   a . The stand  344  is “opened” by the user by pulling apart the outer nesting section  350   a  and the base  352 . The stand remains “open” by friction or other means as would be commonly known in connection with such mechanisms. The stand is “collapsed” by the user pushing the outer nesting section  350   a  and the base  352  towards each other. The stand is shown “open” in  FIGS. 17 and 19  and “collapsed” or “closed” in  FIGS. 18 and 20 .  FIGS. 21 and 22  depict the stand in both the “open” and “closed” positions. 
     The stand shown in  FIGS. 23-26  is a tubular stand  810 , shown with three base sections  811   a ,  811   b  and  811   c , three top sections  812   a ,  812   b  and  812   c  and six support legs  814   a ,  814   b ,  814   c ,  814   d ,  814   e  and  814   f . Stand  810  engages and supports the EFB bag during filling by having an excess amount of EFB bag material that is reversible on itself folded over the top sections  812   a ,  812   b  and  812   c.    
     Once the cut is made in a nozzle constructed in accordance with this invention, it remains possible to make a new cut, to enlarge the opening, without having to remove the food material from the bag and without having to take any other intermediary steps. 
     The design of the unique nozzle according to this invention allows the food material to be dispensed through the nozzle in a uniform, controlled and yet easy and effortless manner. Problems of lumps and clogs no longer cause the dispensation to have to be stopped to take time consuming remedial measures. 
     The dimensioning of the tip has been found to be critical. Slitted nozzle end designs of prior art devices may “give enough” to allow food to pass, but they are not capable of both widening out to enable desired passage of lumps and subsequently providing continued “treatment.” Moreover, slitted ends can result in ribbons of food coming out the side of the nozzle hole when a lump is encountered. Further, slitted ends preclude the selection of a cut area anywhere along the longitudinal length of the conical nozzle. The longitudinally extending internal protrusions of this invention overcome such deficiencies. 
     The material used to manufacture the nozzle is critical. It cannot be rigid as with prior art devices as it will not allow lumps or clogs to be passed. At the same time, it must not be too elastic so that the nozzle has no “integrity” and thus no control of the flow of the food material. A suitable elastic material in the embodiment where the nozzle is expected to flex and open would be either a thermoset elastomer, such as latex rubber or silicone rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer, such as polyurethane. A suitable flexible but non-elastic material would be a thermoplastic such as polyethylene. These materials enable the user to clear clogs without taking the food out of the bag, either by expanding to allow the clog to pass (preferred), or by allowing the user to crush and break up the clog (alternative). 
     The nozzle should be made of a material of between 27 A and 60 A durometers, with 60A being the preferred embodiment. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the widest cut of the nozzle should yield a star shaped opening of up to 0.8 inches in inside diameter. 
     The cut lines can be notches as shown and can include colors and a color coded guide to help the user understand where to cut. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , in order to introduce color into the food material as it is expelled, pre-positioned quantities of coloring agents can be manufactured into one or more reservoirs  710   a  and  710   b  in the bag  712  as shown in  FIG. 27  or one or more reservoirs  710   c ,  710   d  and  710   e  in the nozzle  714  as shown in  FIG. 28 , such that pressure (as well as heat and moisture) from the food material (not shown) can activate the reservoirs  710   a - e  and cause the simultaneous expulsion of the coloring agents. If the reservoirs  710   a  and  710   b  are located in the bag  712  ( FIG. 27 ), tubes or piping  716   a  and  716   b  can lead from the reservoirs  710   a  and  710   b  down alongside the edge of the nozzle  718  to a closed end at the area of the end of the nozzle  720 . Cutting the nozzle can simultaneously result in cutting of the color tubes or piping  716   a  and  716   b . If the reservoirs  710   c ,  710   d  and  710   e  are located in the nozzle  714  ( FIG. 28 ), tubes or piping  716   c ,  716   d  and  716   e  (not shown) can lead from the reservoirs  710   c ,  710   d  and  710   e  alongside the edge of the nozzle  714  to a closed end at the area of the end of the nozzle  720 . Cutting the nozzle can simultaneously result in cutting of the color tubes or piping  716   c ,  716   d  and  716   e.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , an alternate embodiment for introducing color into the food material as it is expelled is disclosed. Pre-positioned quantities of coloring agents can be placed in longitudinally extending deposits  740   a  and  740   b  on the internal surface  750  of the bag  752  as shown in  FIG. 29  or placed in longitudinally extending deposits  740   c  and  740   d  on the internal surface  760  of the nozzle  762  as shown in  FIG. 30 . Prior to use, the integrity and viability of the color deposits, whether on the internal wall  750  of the bag  752 , or on the internal wall  760  of the nozzle  762 , is ensured by sealing strips  770   a ,  770   b ,  770   c  and  770   d  that overlay and seal the color deposits. Prior to depositing the food material in the bag  752 , or prior to using the nozzle  762 , in order to prepare the color deposits for “activation” by the passage of food material thereby, such sealing strips  770   a ,  770   b ,  770   c  and  770   d  are removed by pulling on tabs  772   a ,  772   b ,  772   c  and  772   d , respectively. Alternatively, coloring agents such as food coloring gels can be inserted into the bag  752  and applied to the internal surface  750  of the bag  752  just prior to the time when the food material is inserted into the bag. For example, using a stick or any other transfer device, color gel can be taken from a gel pot and applied to the inside wall  750  or  32  of the bag  752  or  12 , respectively. As another example, color gel can be squeezed out of a dispensing tube onto the inside wall  752  or  32 . The sides of the bag  752  or  12  are then rubbed together to distribute the color around the entire outside of the bag. Alternatively, one color gel is applied to one area of the inside wall  750  or  32 , and one or more other colors of gel are applied to one or more other areas of the inside wall  750  or  32  (for example, to achieve a multi-colored three dimensional ribbon candy appearance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 31 , food material  880  with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance is shown being produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention. The food material  880  has channels  882  having peaks  884  and valleys  886 , with a different color  888  on each of the channel peaks  884  than the color  890  in each of the channel valleys  886 . The alternating stripes of color  888  and  890  on the peaks  884  and in the valleys  886  are produced by: (a) exposing the food material  880  to coloring agents  740   a  and  740   b  that were either: (i) applied to the internal surface or inside wall  750  of the bag  752  during manufacture of the bag (as seen in  FIG. 29 ); or (ii) inserted into the bag  752  or  12  and applied to the inside wall  750  or internal wall  32  just prior to insertion of the food material into the bag; and then by (b) “treating” the food material  880  as it is expelled from the bag  752  or  12  through the orifice  762  or  10  by the protrusions, serrations or ridges  34  in the orifice. 
     More specifically, and as best seen in  FIG. 31A , the food material  880  has the channel peaks  884  and the channel valleys  886  cut into it by the protrusions, serrations or ridges  34  as the food material passes through the orifice  762  or  10 . First portions  892  of food material that were in contact with the coloring agents on the inside of the bag pass through the orifice  762  or  10  unobstructed and are expelled out on the peak  884  of each channel  882  with the effects of the coloring agents displayed. On the other hand, the longitudinally extending protrusions, serrations or ridges  34  in the orifice  762  or  10  cut into the food material  880  and expose second portions  894  of the food material that were not in contact with the coloring agents on the inside of the bag, which second portions  894  are expelled out in the valley  886  of each channel  882  without any effect of the coloring agents being displayed. The “treatment” of the food material which occurs within the apparatus of this invention is unique and not possible to replicate with prior art DDB apparatus. 
       FIGS. 31A and 31B  are close-up perspective views of the EFB apparatus of this invention showing the “treatment” of the food material within the orifice that yields the unique three dimensional ribbon candy appearance in the expelled food material. The size of the opening cut into the orifice  762  or  10  of  FIG. 31A  is small whereas that size of the opening cut into the orifice  762  or  10  of  FIG. 31B  is much larger. Nevertheless the unique construction of the orifice  762  or  10  of this invention in both cases achieves the “treatment” of the food material within the orifice that yields the unique three dimensional ribbon candy appearance in the expelled food material. 
       FIG. 32  is a top plan view of a straight line of food material  880  expelled from the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance. The channels  882  with peaks  884  and valleys  886  can be seen with alternating colors  888  and  890 . This figure most clearly shows the unique “treatment” of food material that is only possible with the EFB apparatus of this invention and is much sought after in connection with decorating applications. 
       FIGS. 33 through 37  show various unique decorating designs that can be produced when food material  880  is “treated” with the EFB apparatus of this invention to yield a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance that is not possible with prior art DDB apparatus. 
       FIG. 33  shows a stream of food material produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance and, through the manipulation of the EFB apparatus during expulsion, a “braid” design  894 . A first “piece” of material  894   a  is expelled while moving the outlet of the orifice from one side to the other and then back to and ending in the “center”—all the while making an “S” shape curve design. Then a second “piece” of material  894   b  is expelled with the same shape as the first, starting as if coming out of the side of the first, crossing over the “end” of the first and ending in the center in spaced relationship from the end of the first. Thereafter successive “pieces” of material  894   c  (etc.) are similarly produced to create a “braid” design. 
       FIG. 34  shows a stream of food material produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance and, through the manipulation of the EFB apparatus during expulsion, a horizontally undulating “scallop” design  896   a  ( FIG. 31  shows a vertically undulating “scallop” design  896   b ). 
       FIG. 35  shows a stream of food material produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy design and, through the manipulation of the EFB apparatus during expulsion, having a vertically stacked “swirl” design  898   a.    
       FIG. 36  shows a stream of food material produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy design and, through the manipulation of the EFB apparatus during expulsion, having a horizontally drawn out “swirl” design  898   b.    
       FIG. 37  shows a stream of food material produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy design and, through the manipulation of the EFB apparatus during expulsion, having a “star” design  900 . 
     As is readily apparent to anyone skilled in the art of decorating, many other designs with a ribbon candy appearance that were heretofore not possible with prior art DDB devices are now possible through the novel design of the EFB and manipulation of the EFB apparatus as the stream of food material produced with the EFB apparatus of this invention with a three dimensional ribbon candy appearance is expelled from the EFB apparatus. Although some embodiments have been described with respect to a plastic, disposable nozzle, note that any embodiments might instead be associated with other types of nozzles (e.g., a non-disposable metal nozzle or top). While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.