Abstract:
A method an appliance for making three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles is described. The three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles have contoured surfaces that define, among other features, the petals of the flower. The underside of flower-shaped waffle includes pyramidal wells that are shaped to allow for even cooking of the flower-shaped waffle.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of Provisional Application 60/536,868, entitled, FLOWER-SHAPED WAFFLES AND BAKING ASSEMBLY, filed Jan. 15, 2004, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to food preparation technology. More particularly, the invention is directed to making three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles with contoured surfaces that define, among other features, the petals of the flower. The underside of flower-shaped waffle includes pyramidal wells that are shaped to allow for even cooking of the flower-shaped waffle.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]     The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation.  
         [0004]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , each illustrates an isometric view of a cooking assembly  100  and flower-shaped waffles, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates some flower-shaped waffles;  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a lower plate of the cooking assembly, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the lower plate taken in the direction A-A as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the lower plate taken in the direction C-C as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the lower plate taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged photographic isometric view of an upper plate of the cooking assembly, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7  except that  FIG. 8  is a line drawing that further illustrates some contour lines in the cavities of the upper plate;  
         [0012]      FIG. 9A  is a line drawing isometric view of a daisy-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 9B  is a top plan view of the daisy-shaped waffle of  FIG. 9A ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of the daisy-shaped waffle taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 9B ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 10A  is a photographic top isometric view of a daisy-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 10B  is a photographic bottom isometric view of a daisy-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 11A  is a line drawing isometric view of a rose-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of the rose-shaped waffle of  FIG. 11A ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of the rose-shaped waffle taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 5B ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12A  is a photographic top isometric view of a rose-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12B  is a photographic bottom isometric view of a rose-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 13A  is a line drawing isometric view of a sunflower-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13B  is a top plan view of the sunflower-shaped waffle of  FIG. 13A ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13C  is a cross-sectional view of the sunflower-shaped waffle taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 13B ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 14A  is a photographic top isometric view of a sunflower-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 14B  is a photographic bottom isometric view of a sunflower-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , each illustrates an isometric view of a cooking assembly  100  and flower-shaped waffles, according to certain embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show a cooking assembly  100  in an open position. Cooking assembly  100  includes an upper plate  102  and a lower plate  104 . Upper plate  102  is receivable on lower plate  104  or vice versa when cooking assembly  100  is in a closed position.  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 1A , upper plate  102  includes cavities  105 ,  106  and  107 , according to certain embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 1B , lower plate  104  includes flower-shaped cavities  113 ,  114  and  115 . According to certain other embodiments, both upper plate  102  and lower plate  104  may include less than three cavities. According to yet other embodiments, both upper plate  102  and lower plate  104  may include more than three cavities.  
         [0029]     In  FIG. 1A , each of cavities  105 ,  106  and  107  has a flower shape perimeter. Cavities  105 ,  106  and  107  include, within them, a plurality of protuberances. The protuberances are described in greater detail herein with reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . Cavities  105 ,  106  and  107  of the upper plate is described in greater detail herein with reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  
         [0030]     In  FIG. 1B , each of cavities  113 ,  114  and  115  has a flower shape perimeter. Cavities  113 ,  114  and  115  include, within them, contoured surfaces for molding waffles into three-dimensional flower shapes. The contoured surfaces are described in greater detail herein with reference to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  further shows a bottom isometric view of baked waffles  108 ,  110 , and  112  with bottom surfaces  108   a,    110   a,  and  112   a,  respectively.  FIG. 1B  further shows a top isometric view of baked waffles  108 ,  110 , and  112  with top surfaces  108   b,    110   b,  and  112   b,  respectively.  
         [0032]     To make flower-shaped waffles, the cavities of the lower plate  104  of the cooking assembly are filled with a suitable waffle batter. The cooking assembly is then closed by overlying and aligning the upper plate over the lower plate. The cooking assembly includes suitable heating and cooking mechanisms for cooking the waffles. According to certain embodiments, the cooking assembly automatically shuts off its cooking mechanism when the waffles are completely cooked. In certain other embodiments, the cooking assembly does not include heating or cooking mechanisms. In such embodiments, heat is applied to the cooking assembly in order to cook the waffles. In certain embodiments, the cooking assembly is adapted for baking boat-shaped waffles. In other embodiments, the cooking assembly is adapted for cooking flower-shaped waffles by steaming.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates some three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles. Illustrated in  FIG. 2  are three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles  208 ,  210  and  212  made by using cooking assembly  200 . Waffle  208  is daisy-shaped. Waffle  210  is rose-shaped. Waffle  212  is sunflower-shaped. The embodiments are not restricted to any particular flower shape. The type of flower shape can vary from implementation to implementation.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a lower plate of the cooking assembly for making flower-shaped waffles, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Top plan view  300  of lower plate  304  shows flower-shaped cavities  313 ,  314  and  315 . Top plan view  300  also illustrates section lines A-A, B-B, C-C, for viewing various cross sections of lower plate  304  of the cooking assembly.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the lower plate taken in the direction A-A as shown in  FIG. 3 . Cross sectional view  425  shows details of the daisy-shaped cavity  413  of the lower plate  404 . The contoured surfaces such as contoured surfaces  429  and  429   a  within cavity  413  are such that a waffle can be molded to look like a three-dimensional daisy. Contoured surfaces  429  are generally for molding the petals for a three-dimensional daisy-shaped waffle. Contoured surfaces  429   a  are generally for molding the center portion for the three-dimensional daisy-shaped waffle. When making a three-dimensional daisy-shaped waffle, waffle batter can be poured into the air space  430  of cavity  413 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the lower plate taken in the direction C-C as shown in  FIG. 3 . Cross sectional view  550  shows details of the rose-shaped cavity  514  of the lower plate  504 . The contoured surfaces such as contoured surfaces  559  within cavity  514  are such that a waffle can be molded to look like a three-dimensional rose. Contoured surfaces  559  are generally for molding the petals for a three-dimensional rose-shaped waffle. When making a three-dimensional rose-shaped waffle, waffle batter can be poured into the air space  560  of cavity  514 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the lower plate taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 3 . Cross sectional view  675  shows details of the sunflower-shaped cavity  615  of the lower plate  604 . The contoured surfaces such as contoured surfaces  679  and  679   a  within cavity  615  are such that a waffle can be molded to look like a three-dimensional sunflower. Contoured surfaces  679  are generally for molding the petals for a three-dimensional sunflower-shaped waffle. Contoured surfaces  679   a  are generally for molding the center portion for the three-dimensional sunflower-shaped waffle. When making a three-dimensional sunflower-shaped waffle, waffle batter can be poured into the air space  680  of cavity  615 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged photographic isometric view of an upper plate of the cooking assembly, according to certain embodiments of the invention. The isometric view  700  of  FIG. 7  shows upper plate  702 . Upper plate  702  includes cavities  705 ,  706  and  707 .  
         [0039]     Cavity  705  includes protuberances, such as protuberances  705   a.  Such protuberances are separated by spaces or grooves, such as grooves  705   b.  Cavity  705  includes a flower-shaped top perimeter  705   c,  and a sloped inner wall  705   e.  Sloped inner wall  705   e  is sloped at an angle such that an imaginary line  705   f  running from top perimeter  705   c  to a bottom edge  705   d  makes a small angle with an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of upper plate  702 . The small angle is such that when a waffle is baked in cavity  705 , the baked waffle can be easily detached from cavity  705  in order to preserve the general structural integrity of the baked waffle.  
         [0040]     Cavity  706  includes protuberances, such as protuberances  706   a.  Such protuberances are separated by spaces or grooves, such as grooves  706   b.  Cavity  706  includes a flower-shaped top perimeter  706   c,  and a sloped inner wall  706   e.  Sloped inner wall  706   e  is sloped at an angle such that an imaginary line  706   f  running from top perimeter  706   c  to a bottom edge  706   d  makes a small angle with an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of upper plate  702 . The small angle is such that when a waffle is baked in cavity  706 , the baked waffle can be easily detached from cavity  706  in order to preserve the general structural integrity of the baked waffle.  
         [0041]     Cavity  707  includes protuberances, such as protuberances  707   a.  Such protuberances are separated by spaces or grooves, such as grooves  707   b.  Cavity  707  includes a flower-shaped top perimeter  707   c,  and a sloped inner wall  707   e.  Sloped inner wall  707   e  is sloped at an angle such that an imaginary line  707   f  running from top perimeter  707   c  to a bottom edge  707   d  makes a small angle with an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of upper plate  702 . The small angle is such that when a waffle is baked in cavity  707 , the baked waffle can be easily detached from cavity  707  in order to preserve the general structural integrity of the baked waffle.  
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7  except that  FIG. 8  is a line drawing that further illustrates some contour lines in the cavities of upper plate  802 . The isometric view  800  of  FIG. 8  shows upper plate  802 . Upper plate  802  includes cavities  805 ,  806  and  807 . Examples of contour lines are contour lines  811 ,  812 ,  813 ,  814 ,  816 ,  817 ,  818 ,  819 ,  820 ,  821 , and  822 .  
         [0043]     Cavity  805  includes protuberances, such as protuberances  805   a.  Such protuberances are separated by spaces or grooves, such as grooves  805   b.  Cavity  805  includes a flower-shaped top perimeter  805   c,  and a sloped inner wall  805   e.  Sloped inner wall  805   e  is sloped at an angle such that an imaginary line  805   f  running from top perimeter  805   c  to a bottom edge  805   d  makes a small angle with an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of upper plate  802 . The small angle is such that when a waffle is baked in cavity  805 , the baked waffle can be easily detached from cavity  805  in order to preserve the general structural integrity of the baked waffle.  
         [0044]     Cavity  806  includes protuberances, such as protuberances  806   a.  Such protuberances are separated by spaces or grooves, such as grooves  806   b.  Cavity  806  includes a flower-shaped top perimeter  806   c,  and a sloped inner wall  806   e.  Sloped inner wall  806   e  is sloped at an angle such that an imaginary line  806   f  running from top perimeter  806   c  to a bottom edge  806   d  makes a small angle with an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of upper plate  802 . The small angle is such that when a waffle is baked in cavity  806 , the baked waffle can be easily detached from cavity  806  in order to preserve the general structural integrity of the baked waffle.  
         [0045]     Cavity  807  includes protuberances, such as protuberances  807   a.  Such protuberances are separated by spaces or grooves, such as grooves  807   b.  Cavity  807  includes a flower-shaped top perimeter  807   c,  and a sloped inner wall  807   e.  Sloped inner wall  807   e  is sloped at an angle such that an imaginary line  807   f  running from top perimeter  807   c  to a bottom edge  807   d  makes a small angle with an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of upper plate  802 . The small angle is such that when a waffle is baked in cavity  807 , the baked waffle can be easily detached from cavity  807  in order to preserve the general structural integrity of the baked waffle.  
         [0046]     The protuberances, such as protuberances  805   a,    806   a  and  807   a  are sized and shaped in a manner to allow the three-dimensional flower-shaped waffles to cook evenly. Further, the protuberances are sized and shaped based on factors including: 1) the type of flower shape, and 2) the contoured surfaces that define top surface (that form the petals) of the three-dimensional flower-shaped waffle.  
         [0047]      FIG. 9A  is a line drawing isometric view of a daisy-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  910  shows a daisy-shaped waffle  955  with a top surface  956 , a base  958  and a sloped-wall  959 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 9B  is a top plan view of the daisy-shaped waffle of  FIG. 9A . Top plan view  920  shows daisy-shaped waffle  955  with top surface  956  and section lines B-B for viewing a cross section of daisy-shaped waffle  955 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional view of the daisy-shaped waffle taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 9B . Cross-sectional view  930  of daisy-shaped waffle  955  shows sloped-wall  959 , base  958 , ridges  962 , wells  964 , top surface  956 . The cross-hatched section  970  represents the solid areas of the waffle. Wells  964  are the negatives of the protuberances in the upper plate daisy-shape cavity of the cooking assembly as described herein. Surface  956  is the negative of the contoured surfaces of the lower plate daisy-shape cavity of the cooking assembly as described herein.  
         [0050]      FIG. 10A  is a photographic top isometric view of a daisy-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1050  shows a daisy-shaped waffle  1055  with a top surface  1056 , a base  1058  and a sloped-wall  1059 . Top surface  1056  is contoured to resemble petals and stamens of a daisy.  
         [0051]      FIG. 10B  is a photographic bottom isometric view of a daisy-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1060  shows a daisy-shaped waffle  1055  with top surface  1056 , base  1058 , sloped-wall  1059 , ridges  1062 , and wells  1064 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 11A  is a line drawing isometric view of a rose-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1110  shows a rose-shaped waffle  1155  with a top surface  1156 , a base  1158  and a sloped-wall  1159 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of the rose-shaped waffle of  FIG. 11A . Top plan view  1120  shows rose-shaped waffle  1155  with top surface  1156  and section lines B-B for viewing a cross section of rose-shaped waffle  1155 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of the rose-shaped waffle taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 11B . Cross-sectional view  1130  of rose-shaped waffle  1155  shows sloped-wall  1159 , base  1158 , ridges  1162 , wells  1164 , top surface  1156 . The cross-hatched section  1170  represents the solid areas of the waffle. Wells  1164  are the negatives of the protuberances in the upper plate rose-shape cavity of the cooking assembly as described herein. Surface  1156  is the negative of the contoured surfaces of the lower plate rose-shape cavity of the cooking assembly as described herein.  
         [0055]      FIG. 12A  is a photographic top isometric view of a rose-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1250  shows a rose-shaped waffle  1255  with a top surface  1256 , a base  1258  and a sloped-wall  1259 . Top surface  1256  is contoured to resemble petals of a rose.  
         [0056]      FIG. 12B  is a photographic bottom isometric view of a rose-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1260  shows a rose-shaped waffle  1255  with top surface  1256 , base  1258 , sloped-wall  1259 , ridges  1262 , and wells  1264 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 13A  is a line drawing isometric view of a sunflower-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1310  shows a sunflower-shaped waffle  1355  with a top surface  1356 , a base  1358  and a sloped-wall  1359 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 13B  is a top plan view of the sunflower-shaped waffle of  FIG. 13A . Top plan view  1320  shows sunflower-shaped waffle  1355  with top surface  1356  and section lines B-B for viewing a cross section of sunflower-shaped waffle  1355 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 13C  is a cross-sectional view of the sunflower-shaped waffle taken in the direction B-B as shown in  FIG. 13B . Cross-sectional view  1330  of sunflower-shaped waffle  1355  shows sloped-wall  1359 , base  1358 , ridges  1362 , wells  1364 , top surface  1356 . The cross-hatched section  1370  represents the solid areas of the waffle. Wells  1364  are the negatives of the protuberances in the upper plate sunflower-shape cavity of the cooking assembly as described herein. Surface  1356  is the negative of the contoured surfaces of the lower plate sunflower-shape cavity of the cooking assembly as described herein.  
         [0060]      FIG. 14A  is a photographic top isometric view of a sunflower-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1450  shows a sunflower-shaped waffle  1455  with a top surface  1456 , a base  1458  and a sloped-wall  1459 . Top surface  1456  is contoured to resemble petals and stamens of a sunflower.  
         [0061]      FIG. 14B  is a photographic bottom isometric view of a sunflower-shaped waffle, according to certain embodiments of the invention. Isometric view  1460  shows a sunflower-shaped waffle  1455  with top surface  1456 , base  1458 , sloped-wall  1459 , ridges  1462 , and wells  1464 .  
         [0062]     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.