Patent Publication Number: US-9839304-B2

Title: Convertible baked goods display

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 62/099,865 filed in the United States Patent Office on Jan. 5, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by law. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a stand for holding and displaying a food item such as cupcakes, cake pops, cookies or any combinations thereof, and generally includes a vertical trunk having a plurality of platforms detachably connected to the vertical trunk. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many display stands for holding and displaying food items have a design that is limited to one set configuration which often limits the display stand to one particular food item. These display stands are not customizable and cannot be adjusted or configured to display different food items, especially when the food items have varying heights or different support needs. Accordingly, there is a need for a stand that can easily be used to display different food items, either separately or at the same time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of one embodiment of the invention includes a vertical trunk comprising (a) a first support including a first slot in a lower portion of the first support, and (b) a second support including a second slot in an upper portion of the second support and at least one platform comprising an upper surface facing a lower surface, the platform including a first groove and a second groove configured to connect the platform to the vertical trunk and disconnect the platform from the vertical trunk. In this embodiment, the first and second supports are oriented such that first slot and the second slot align with respect to each other and engage to form a vertical trunk. Further, the first and second supports can both engage and disengage from each other. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the platform can be slidably inserted onto the trunk. Further, the platform can include an opening configured to receive an item therein on the upper surface. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second slots engage with each other to form an x-shaped base. 
     In another embodiment of the invention the first and second support each have a pair of mounts located at a point along the longitudinal axis of the support, each mount is of a shape and dimension sufficient to receive at least a portion of one of the grooves within the platform. The mounts can also include a securing mechanism. 
     In another embodiment of the invention the first and second grooves on the platform have the same corresponding dimensions so as to form a first x-shaped pair that can be conceived to rotate uniformly about a longitudinal axis. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the platform includes a third groove and a fourth groove which have the same corresponding dimensions so as to form a second x-shaped pair that can be conceived to rotate uniformly about the longitudinal axis. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first pair of grooves is configured such that one or more of its depth, length, and width differ from one or more of the depth, length and width of the second pair of grooves. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the location where the platform is attached to the vertical trunk can be changed by rotating the platform such that the first pair of grooves or the second pair of grooves align with the mounts on the vertical trunk. 
     Another embodiment of the invention includes a kit that includes a first support including a first slot in a lower portion of the first support, a second support including a second slot in an upper portion of the second support, and at least one platform comprising an upper surface facing a lower surface, the platform including a first groove and a second groove. In this embodiment, the first and second supports are oriented such that first slot and the second slot align with respect to each other to engage and disengage with each other. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, there is a method for of displaying items comprising the steps of providing a first support including a first slot in a lower portion of the first support, providing a second support including a second slot in an upper portion of the second support, orienting the first slot and the second slot to align with respect to each other to engage and form a vertical trunk and providing at least one platform comprising (a) an upper surface facing a lower surface, and (b) a first groove and a second groove each configured to connect the platform to the vertical trunk and disconnect the platform from the vertical trunk and connecting the platform to the vertical trunk. Further, the first and second support can disengage from each other to form separate parts. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a top view perspective of the display in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the vertical trunk. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a profile perspective of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a view of the base of the vertical trunk with an unengaged platform. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a view of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a view of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a view of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a view of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a view of the vertical trunk according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a view of the vertical trunk according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a view of the vertical trunk according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a view of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  depicts a view of the display according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a top view of a display according to an embodiment of the invention. The display may include a platform  10  or plurality of platforms  10   a ,  10   b  and  10   c , each of which can vary in shape and or size and each of which have an upper surface facing a lower surface. The display can include any number of platforms as desired by a user. In an embodiment, each platform includes at least one groove or channel  16   a ,  16   b ,  18   a , and/or  18   b  configured to connect the platform in a secure and stable manner to the vertical trunk  20  (not shown in this view) and disconnect the platform from the vertical trunk. 
     Planes that bisect the platform may intersect to define a horizontal axis  8  and a longitudinal axis  10  about which the grooves can be spaced such that the platform may be conceived to rotate uniformly about the longitudinal axis  10 . The grooves can be configured such that one or more of its corresponding dimensions, such as its depth, length, and/or width differ from the dimensions of one or more of the other grooves on the platform. In one embodiment of the invention, two grooves can be configured to have the same corresponding dimensions so as to form an x-shaped pair that can be conceived to rotate uniformly about a longitudinal axis  10 . The platform  10  can be removably attached to the vertical trunk by aligning one or more grooves with a mount or mounts on the vertical trunk. In some embodiments, the grooves can also be configured to have a predetermined length that coordinates with a mount or mounts on the vertical trunk. The location where the platform is attached to the vertical trunk can be changed by rotating the platform  12  to vary the groove or grooves that align with the mount or mounts on the vertical trunk. Once the groove or grooves are aligned with the mount or mounts the platform can be maneuvered into place. In an embodiment a user can slide the platform down the trunk to the mount or mounts and engage the groove or grooves with the corresponding mount or mounts. 
     One or more of the platforms can also include an opening  22  or a plurality of openings  22  of a sufficient size to receive a straw or stick commonly used with food items such as a cake pop, lollipop or the like. Each opening is further configured to support the straw or stick when the straw or stick is inserted into the opening  22 . In an embodiment the straw or stick can be supported in the opening by frictionally engaging with interior perimeter of the opening. As shown in  FIG. 4  the opening can have a receptacle  32  with an end cap  33  that may serve as a base to support a straw or stick inserted in an opening. The opening  22  and the receptacle  32  are not limited in shape, size, location or number. To best display items of varying shapes, a cross section through the longitudinal axis of the receptacle may define different perimeters such as triangle perimeter, oval perimeter, rectangular perimeter, circular perimeter or the like. In the case of displaying a cake pop, the opening and receptacle would have a circular perimeter of and an area sufficient to display and support standard sized cake pop sticks  54 . Additionally, the openings can circumscribe the perimeter of a platform, create a design on the platform, create concentric shapes that circumscribe the perimeter of a platform or be randomly placed on the platform. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the vertical trunk  20  that includes a first support  20   a  and second support  20   b . Planes that bisect each support may intersect to define a horizontal axis  30  and a longitudinal axis  32  about which each support may be conceived to rotate uniformly about the longitudinal axis  32 . 
     The first support  20   a  includes a narrow opening or slot  26  in a portion of the first support that is on the longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal axis in a portion. The second support has a narrow opening or slot  28  in a portion of the second support  20   b  that is on the longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal axis that corresponds to the slot  26  on the first support. When assembled, the first and second supports are oriented such that first slot  26  and the second slot  28  align with respect to each other and engage to form a vertical trunk  20  with an x-shaped base. The construction of the supports may be such that the supports can be easily connected and disconnected in order to allow for a display that can be easily assembled or disassembled for compact storage. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each support may have one or more mounts  24   c ;  24   d ;  24   e ;  24   f ;  24   g ;  24   h ;  24   i ;  24   j ;  24   k  &amp;  24   l  located at different positions along the longitudinal axis of the support. Each mount is of a shape and dimension sufficient to receive at least a portion of one groove in the platform. A support can include two mounts  24   c  and  24   d  that face each other to form a pair. The support can include one or more pairs of mounts, as shown by  24   e  &amp;  24   f ;  24   g  &amp;  24   h ;  24   i  &amp;  24   j  and  24   k  &amp;  24   l.    
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when a groove, grooves or pair of grooves are aligned over a corresponding mount or mounts  24 , the platform can removably connect to the vertical trunk. Additionally, the platform can be placed at different locations on the vertical trunk by selecting to align a specific groove, grooves or pair of grooves with the corresponding mount or mounts. For example, in an embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  the platform can be rotated such that grooves  18  align with mounts  24   e  and  24   f  or  24   i  and  24   j . Based on the position that the platform is placed the vertical distance, y, between one or more platforms can be increased or decreased to accommodate different sized baked items. 
       FIG. 4  shows a securing mechanism  30  on the mount, which can be used to provide additional security and rigidity when the platform is connected to the vertical trunk. In this embodiment, the securing mechanism is a tab integrally molded as part of the support. The tab has sufficient flexibility to enable the tab to clear the edge of the groove of a platform allowing the platform to snap into place. The securing mechanism can also take the form of a slide-on clip with a projecting top design having an interlocking edge that is received within the groove of the platform. The groove may have a small ledge around all or a portion of its periphery to cause the securing mechanism to slide into place therein. Clips, snap-on clips and other securing mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the art can also be used to connect and disconnect the platform to the vertical trunk. 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the invention where the platform  10   b  is aligned over a securing mechanism  30  prior to engaging the platform with the mount. Platform  10   a  shows the platform which is connected to the vertical trunk  20  via one or more mounts. The construction of the vertical trunk and the platforms is such that they can be easily connected and disconnected in order to allow for a display with adjustable vertical distances between platforms and that can also be easily assembled or disassembled for compact storage. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the invention where two platforms are connected to the vertical trunk. As shown in this figure, platform  40   b  is connected to the vertical trunk using mounts  46  thereby setting the vertical distance between platform  40   b  and platform  40   a  to a distance y 1 . The platform is connected to the vertical trunk via the mounts  46  by rotating the platform such the pair of grooves align with the mounts  46 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the platform  40   b  can be rotated such that a different pair of grooves on the platform align with a lower pair of mounts thereby reducing the vertical distance y 2  between platforms  40   b  and  40   a.    
     The grooves may also have projecting edges  48  and  49  whose perimeter defines a cavity that circumscribes the perimeter of the groove. The cavity can provide additional support and stability for the platform when it is connected to the vertical trunk. Additionally, the cavity may serve as a guide to help align the groove, grooves or pair of grooves with the corresponding mount, mounts or pair of mounts on the vertical trunk. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show embodiments of the invention where the display stand is customized to accommodate different baked goods and varying amounts of baked goods by changing the heights between the platforms and the number of platforms connected to the vertical trunk. For example, in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the distances between the platforms and the number of platforms connected to the vertical trunk are changed allowing a user to display different types of baked goods by varying platform positions on the vertical trunk. Specifically, the platforms can be adjusted so that the height y 2  between platforms  40   a  and  40   b  can be decreased to accommodate a shorter baked good item such as a cupcake or cookie. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 8 , additional platforms  50   a  and  50   b  can be added to the trunk to increase the display area, allowing for more items to be displayed. Additionally, the diameter of the platforms can vary. For example, platform  50   b  is smaller than the platform  50   a . In an embodiment, the platform can have a diameter of 12 inches, 8 inches, 6 inches, 3 inches or 2 inches. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the platforms  50   a  and  50   b  can be arranged in order to accommodate taller baked good items around the periphery of the lower platform  50   a . In an embodiment this can be accomplished by increasing the height between the platforms. In another embodiment this can be accomplished by adjusting the size of the platform itself. For example, in  FIG. 8  using platform  50   b , which has a smaller circumference than platform  50   a  allows for taller items to be displayed on the periphery of platform  50   a.    
     The height between platforms can be adjusted as shown with y.sub. 2  to accommodate only one sized baked good according to its height. For example, the height between platforms can be increased to display taller baked good items, like a cake pop  52  or lollipop or the height can be decreased to accommodate and display a smaller baked good item like a cupcake  56 . 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the vertical trunk  20  that includes a first and second support  20   a  and  20   b . Planes that bisect each support may intersect to define a horizontal axis  30  and a longitudinal axis  32  about which each support may be conceived to rotate uniformly about the longitudinal axis  32 . 
     In this embodiment, the second support includes a handle  58  configured to allow a user to grasp the handle and transport the vertical trunk from one location to another. The handle has a narrow opening or a third slot  60  in a portion of the handle  58  that is on the longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal axis that corresponds to the slot  26  on the first support. When assembled, the first and second supports are oriented such that first slot  26 , the second slot  28  and the third slot  60  align with respect to each other and engage to form a vertical trunk  20  with an x-shaped base. The construction of the supports may be such that the supports can be easily connected and disconnected in order to allow for a display that can be easily assembled or disassembled for compact storage. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the supports are engaged and the handle  58  allows for improved mobility of the vertical trunk and/or the display stand. 
       FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of the invention where the display stand is customized to accommodate different baked goods and varying amounts of baked goods by changing the heights between the platforms and the number of platforms connected to the vertical trunk. For example, in  FIG. 12  the distances between the platforms and the number of platforms connected to the vertical trunk are changed allowing a user to display different types of baked goods by varying platform positions on the vertical trunk. Specifically, the platforms can be adjusted so that the height y.sub. 2  between platforms  40   a  and  40   b  can be decreased by positioning each platform on its lowest connection point on the vertical trunk. The distance between the platforms can also be increased by adjusting the positioning of each connection point to a higher location on the vertical trunk. In an example, platform  40   a  is a vertical distance from  40   b  such that the baked goods displayed on each platform are easily visible and do not interfere with adjacent baked goods. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the platforms are positioned to accommodate cake pops. Additionally, the diameter of the platforms can vary. For example, platform  50   b  is smaller than the platform  50   a . In an embodiment, the platform can have a diameter of 12 inches, 8 inches, 6 inches, 3 inches or 2 inches. 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the vertical trunk  20  that includes a first support  20   a  and second support  20   b . Planes that bisect each support may intersect to define a horizontal axis  30  and a longitudinal axis  32  about which each support may be conceived to rotate uniformly about the longitudinal axis  32 . 
     The first support  20   a  includes a narrow opening or slot  26  in a portion of the first support that is on the longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal axis in a portion. The second support has a narrow opening or slot  28  in a portion of the second support  20   b  that is on the longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal axis that corresponds to the slot  26  on the first support. When assembled, the first and second supports are oriented such that first slot  26  and the second slot  28  align with respect to each other and engage to form a vertical trunk  20  with an x-shaped base. The construction of the supports may be such that the supports can be easily connected and disconnected in order to allow for a display that can be easily assembled or disassembled for compact storage. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 13 , each support may have one or more mounts  24   c ;  24   d ;  24   e ;  24   f ;  24   g ;  24   h ;  24   i ;  24   j ;  24   k  &amp;  24   l  located at different positions along the longitudinal axis of the support of each vertical support. Each mount is of a shape and dimension sufficient to receive at least a portion of one groove in the platform. A support can include two mounts  24   c  and  24   d  that face each other to form a pair. The support can include one or more pairs of mounts, as shown by  24   e  &amp;  24   f ;  24   g  &amp;  24   h ;  24   i  &amp;  24   j  and  24   k  &amp;  24   l . In an example, these pairs are also located on the second support. 
     Further, in an embodiment a securing mechanism  30  is provided on the mount, which can be used to provide additional security and rigidity when the platform is connected to the vertical trunk. In an example, the securing mechanism  30  is provided on the mounts  24   d  and  24   c  and the mounts  24   m  and  24   n . In another example, securing mechanism  30  can be provided on all of the mounts on the first vertical support, all of the mounts on the second vertical support or all of the mounts on both vertical supports. Additionally, the securing mechanism can be provided in varying combinations on the mounts, e.g. only the lowermost mounts  24   d  and  24   c  and  24   f  and  24   e . In this embodiment, the securing mechanism is a tab integrally molded as part of the support. The tab has sufficient flexibility to enable the tab to clear the edge of the groove of a platform allowing the platform to snap into place. The securing mechanism can also take the form of a slide-on clip with a projecting top design having an interlocking edge that is received within the groove of the platform. The groove may have a small ledge around all or a portion of its periphery to cause the securing mechanism to slide into place therein. Clips, snap-on clips and other securing mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the art can also be used to connect and disconnect the platform to the vertical trunk. 
     In an embodiment, additional support mechanism are provided on the lower portion of each support. As shown in  FIG. 13 , these support mechanisms  70 ( a - d ) are protrusions that extend out horizontally from the surface of the support. In an example, the protrusions are on a first side of the first support. In an example, the protrusions are on the first and second side of the first support. In an example, the protrusions are on the first side of the second support. In an example the protrusions are on the first and second side of the second support. In an example the protrusions are on the first and second sides of both supports. In operation, when a platform is positioned above these support mechanisms, a portion of the lower surface of the platform rests on these protrusions, which provides additional support to the platform. 
     In an embodiment, the second support includes a handle  58  configured to allow a user to grasp the handle and transport the vertical trunk from one location to another. The handle has a narrow opening or a third slot  60  in a portion of the handle  58  that is on the longitudinal axis or parallel to the longitudinal axis that corresponds to the slot  26  on the first support. In an embodiment the top edges of the handle  72  are rounded. In another embodiment, the top edges of the handle form a right angle or an angle that is substantially 90 degrees (as shown in  FIG. 9 ). It is understood that the shape of the handle can easily be modified according to other known shapes known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As can be understood by the embodiments displayed in the Figures, the display stand is highly customizable. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that a kit could be created with one or more platforms of the same or varying sizes with grooves that allow the platforms to connected to the vertical trunk at different positions, based on the selected grooves aligned with the underlying mounts on the vertical trunk. The different grooves in the platform allow the distance between the platforms to be customized to accommodate different sized baked goods and different amounts of baked goods. Further, the number of platforms connected to the vertical trunk can be increased or decreased based on the number of platforms a user selects to connect or disconnect to the vertical trunk, allowing for more or less baked goods to be displayed. Additionally, the openings on one or more platforms provide the option of displaying cake pops or other baked good item that utilizes a stick. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.