KIT AND METHOD FOR IMPARTING COLOR TO FOOD MATERIAL

Abstract

A kit for use in turning plain food material into a stream of food material with sides having different colors. The kit may include: a cylindrical tube that serves as both a packaging container and filling stand; a pastry bag which fits within the tube during shipping and storage and which can be suspended within the tube at a crucial position during use for striping, frosting filling and closing purposes; an output nozzle that fits within the pastry bag and, once the pastry bag is striped, filled with frosting and closed, serves to achieve the desired frosting material output shape; a tube of coloring gel; a coloring gel spreading stick; a closure clip; graphic instructions printed on the outside of the tube explaining the steps for using the kit; and a QR code that lets the user play a video showing how the kit components are used.

Claims

1. A kit for use in turning plain food material into a stream of food material with sides having different colors, said kit comprising: a cylindrical tube, wherein said tube is configured with a length and a diameter such that the internal volume of said tube is large enough to be capable of carrying all of the other components of the kit within it for shipping and storage purposes, and further, wherein said tube is configured to serve as a filling stand for the kit, said tube having a circular shaped first end, a circular shaped second end and an internal wall between them; a first circular shaped end cap, wherein said first cap is configured to frictionally engage and close said first end of said tube; a second circular shaped end cap, wherein said second cap is configured to frictionally engage and close said second end of said tube; at least one pastry bag which fits within said tube when it is closed for shipping and storage purposes, wherein said bag can be: (i) inserted into said tube when it is open by inserting said bag through said first end; (ii) advanced further into said tube by pulling on said bag through said second end; and (iii) ultimately suspended within said tube; wherein said bag is configured with a size and a shape relative to said length and said diameter of said tube, including a conically shaped wall portion, such that when said bag is suspended within said tube said conically shaped wall portion engages said first end of said tube, such that said bag is held in said tube in a predetermined stationary position, said bag will not “collapse” when said tube with said bag inserted is held in one hand and tilted, and wherein said bag has an internal wall to which coloring gel can be applied and said internal wall of said bag will remain “taut” while said tube with said bag inserted is held in one hand and tilted; at least one output nozzle which fits within said tube when it is closed for shipping and storage purposes, wherein said nozzle is configured to be attached to said pastry bag and, once said pastry bag is striped, filled with frosting and closed, serves to achieve the desired output of a stream of food material with sides having different colors, and further, wherein said length and diameter of said tube and said size and shape of said bag cooperate to ensure that said nozzle, when attached to said pastry bag suspended within said tube, does not touch the counter when said tube is rested on the counter; at least one tube of coloring gel which fits within said tube when it is closed for shipping and storage purposes, which contains coloring gel which can be used for the purpose of striping said internal wall of said bag; at least one coloring gel spreading stick which fits within said tube when it is closed for shipping and storage purposes, which can be used to spread said coloring gel on said internal wall of said bag; and at least one closure clip which fits within said tube when it is closed for shipping and storage purposes, which can be used to close the end of said bag once the bag has been striped with coloring gel, filled with frosting and twisted closed.

2. A kit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the length and diameter of said tube are such that said tube can be: (i) held by the user in their one hand and tilted in order to easily permit the user to insert said bag into and adjust the positioning of said bag within said tube with their other hand; (ii) stood by itself on a counter surface while the user uses both hands to fold a top end of said bag over said first end of said tube and to pull said top end of said bag against said first end of said tube to seat said conical portion of said bag against said first end and thereby cause said bag to remain in a predetermined stationary position within said tube; (iii) intermittently stood by itself on a counter during the striping process as the user prepares each step of the striping process; (iv) intermittently held by the user in one hand while the user tilts said tube in order to stripe said internal wall of said bag with the other hand during the striping process; (v) stood by itself on a counter as frosting is dropped into said bag which is held within said tube during the frosting filling process; (vi) intermittently tapped on the counter to remove air bubbles from the frosting during the frosting filling process; and, finally; (vii) stood by itself on a counter during the bag closing process.

3. A kit in accordance with claim 2, wherein when said bag is suspended within said tube and said conically shaped wall portion engages said first end of said tube such that said bag is held in said tube in a predetermined stationary position, said conically shaped wall portion extends from said internal wall of said tube at an angle.

4. A kit is accordance with claim 3, wherein the angle is in the range from approx. 5° to 22.5°.

5. A kit is accordance with claim 3, wherein the angle is in the range from approx. 9° to 15°.

6. A kit is accordance with claim 3, wherein the angle is approx. 11.25°.

7. A kit in accordance with claim 2, wherein said nozzle is attached to said bag and has an internal wall and protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from said internal wall and running longitudinally or parallel along the length of the nozzle.

8. A kit in accordance with claim 2, wherein said coloring gel has a viscosity such that it adheres and does not “run” first when applied to said coloring gel spreading stick and second when applied to said internal wall of said pastry bag.

9. A kit in accordance with claim 2, wherein said coloring gel spreading stick has two sections, a first section which remains free of said coloring gel and can be held by the user and a second section on which said coloring gel is applied and which is long enough to enable the user to insert said coloring gel spreading stick into said bag and apply said coloring gel on said internal wall of said bag from a first point just above where said bag and said nozzle connect to a second point where said bag folds over said first end of said tube.

10. A kit in accordance with claim 2, wherein said closure clip is generally U-shaped and made from a flexible plastic and is configured so that the user can force the ends of said clip apart as said clip in an open position is pushed against the twisted portion of said bag to cause said clip to envelop the twisted portion of said bag and so that when said clip envelops the bag the user can rotate the ends of said clip until they interlock in a closed position.

11. A kit in accordance with claim 2, wherein said tube has an outside wall, a set of step-by-step graphical instructions mounted on said outside wall which explain how the components of the kit are used, and a QR code mounted on said outside wall linked to a “How To” video which a person can view on his/her smartphone which demonstrates how to use the components of the kit.

12. A kit in accordance with claim 2, wherein: (a) the length of said tube is approx. seven (7) inches; (b) the diameter of said tube is approx. three (3) inches; (c) said bag is what is commonly referred to as a “twelve (12) inch pastry bag,” wherein the measurements of said bag can vary depending upon how the bag was manufactured—indeed, said bag may not be a perfect cone shape, i.e., the upper portion may, in fact, be cylindrical in shape, but in all events said bag has a conical shape at the point where said bag engages said first end such that said bag tautly engages said first end of said tube; (d) said bag has a top portion above where said conically shaped wall portion engages said first end of said tube, the length of said top portion being approx. six (6) inches; (e) said bag has a bottom portion below where said conically shaped wall portion engages said first end of said tube, the length of said bottom portion being approx. six (6) inches; (f) said bag has a diameter at the point where said conically shaped wall portion engages said first end of said tube, the dimension of said diameter is approx. three (3) inches; (g) the volume of said bag below the point where said conically shaped wall portion engages said first end of said tube is configured to accept the contents of a sixteen (16) ounce can of frosting available in retail stores; (h) when said nozzle is within said tube, the clearance distance between said nozzle and the second end of said tube (and, hence, between the nozzle and the counter on which said second end of said tube sits) is approx. one (1) inch; (i) said coloring gel tube has a volume of 0.67 ounces, and in a preferred operation approx. one fourth (¼) of the coloring gel in said coloring gel tube is expended onto said coloring gel spreading stick during each stage of striping; (j) said coloring gel spreading stick has an overall length of approx. six (6) inches, and a holding area which is approx. two (2) inches in length and a coloring gel spreading area which is approx. four (4) inches in length; (k) the thickness of each said end cap is approx. one half (½) inch, such that when said tube is fully closed with the two said end caps inserted said tube has an internal length of six (6) inches; (l) the thickness of said twisted top portion of said bag is approx. one half (½) inch; (m) the space within each said closure clip when in the “open” position is approx. seven sixteenth ( 7/16) of an inch; and (n) the space within each said closure clip when in the “closed” position is approx. five sixteenth ( 5/16) of an inch.

13. A method of turning plain food material into a stream of food material with sides having different colors comprising the steps of: 1) opening a cylindrical tube having first and second ends, an internal wall, and a predetermined length and diameter, by removing first and second caps inserted into said first and second ends of said tube; 2) removing the contents of said tube, which are all the components which are required to practice the method, including: a) at least one generally conical shaped pastry bag having an open top end, a side wall, an internal wall and a predetermined size; b) at least one nozzle configured to be attached to said pastry bag; c) at least two tubes of coloring gel; d) at least two coloring gel spreading sticks; and e) at least one closure clip 3) attaching said nozzle to said bag; 4) holding said tube in one hand when it is empty while: a) inserting said bag into said tube with the other hand, nozzle first, through said first end of said tube; and b) advancing said bag further into said tube with the other hand by pulling on said nozzle of said bag through said second end of said tube; 5) standing said tube with said bag inside on a counter surface and using both hands to fold said top end of said bag over said first end of said tube; 6) while said tube and bag remain on the counter, pulling said top end of said bag against said first end of said tube with both hands until a conically shaped portion of said side wall of said bag engages against said first end of said tube, causing said bag to assume a predetermined stationary position within said tube where said bag remains throughout the remainder of the process, and where said nozzle does not touch the counter; 7) while said tube and bag remain on the counter, applying coloring gel from a first of said tubes of coloring gel onto a first of said coloring gel spreading sticks; 8) picking said tube and bag up and holding said tube and bag with one hand while holding said first coloring gel spreading stick with the other hand, and spreading said first coloring gel on said internal wall of said bag; 9) re-standing said tube and bag on the counter, applying coloring gel from a second of said tubes of coloring gel onto a second of said coloring gel spreading sticks; 10) picking said tube and bag up and holding said tube and bag with one hand while holding said second coloring gel spreading stick with the other hand, and spreading said second coloring gel on said internal wall of said bag; 11) repeatedly re-standing said tube and bag on the counter during the striping process as preparations are made for each subsequent step of the striping process, i.e., as a next coloring gel from a next tube of coloring gel is applied onto a next coloring gel spreading stick; 12) repeatedly re-holding said tube and bag with one hand while holding the next coloring gel spreading stick with the other hand during the striping process, i.e., as a next coloring gel is spread on said internal wall of said bag; 13) at the conclusion of the striping process, re-standing said tube and bag on the counter as frosting is dropped into said bag during the frosting filling process; 14) intermittently tapping said tube and bag on the counter to remove air bubbles from the frosting during the frosting filling process; 15) re-standing said tube and bag on the counter during the bag closing process when: a) said open end of said bag is twisted shut; and b) said closure clip is applied to said open end of said bag which has been twisted shut to hold said bag shut; and 16) removing said bag from said tube.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein when said bag is suspended within said tube and said conically shaped wall portion engages said first end of said tube such that said bag is held in said tube in a predetermined stationary position and said conically shaped wall portion extends from said internal wall of said tube at an angle.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the angle is in the range from approx. 5° to 22.5°.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the angle is in the range from approx. 9° to 15°.

17. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the angle is approx. 11.25°.

18. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said nozzle comes pre-attached to said bag and the step of attaching said nozzle to said bag is eliminated.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said nozzle which is pre-attached to said bag has an internal wall and protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from said internal wall and running longitudinally or parallel along the length of the nozzle.

20. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said tube has an outside wall, a set of step-by-step graphical instructions which is mounted on said outside wall, and a QR code which is mounted on said outside wall, and the method includes the additional steps, undertaken simultaneously with all of the other steps, of: (i) following the graphic instructions as the components of the kit are used; and (ii) watching a “How To” video which is called up by the QR code on a smartphone as the components of the kit are used.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of a nozzle which can be used with the kit of this invention which has protrusions, serrations or ridges extending inwardly from the internal wall and running longitudinally or parallel along the length of the nozzle (which length is denoted by the measurement “X”), in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,959 (i.e., the aforementioned Preferred Nozzle).

[0032] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a stream of food material with a three-dimensional ribbon candy appearance expelled from the components of the kit of this invention using a Preferred Nozzle.

[0033] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are perspective views of streams of food material with a three-dimensional ribbon candy appearance produced with the components of the kit of this invention using a Preferred Nozzle and, through the manipulation of the components of the kit during expulsion, having different and unique decorating designs.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tube of this invention partially loaded with a pastry bag of this invention. The nozzle attached to the pastry bag can be either a traditional DDB nozzle or a Preferred Nozzle.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a pastry bag of this invention with an attached Preferred Nozzle.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows two coloring gel tubes of this invention.

[0037] FIG. 8 shows two coloring gel spreading sticks of this invention.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows two closure clips of this invention, one in the open position and the other in the closed position.

[0039] FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of the tube of FIG. 5, with end caps and tamper proof seals of this invention. The end caps are attached to the tube so as to hold the pastry bags of FIG. 6, the coloring gel tubes of FIG. 7, the coloring gel spreading sticks of FIG. 8 and the closure clips of FIG. 9 within the tube during shipment and storage. The tamper proof seals are attached to the tube and end caps so as to readily evidence whether or not there has been tampering with the contents of the tube during shipment. When the kit of this invention is ready for use, the tamper seals are broken and the end caps are removed from the tube. The outside of the tube includes not only a listing of the component parts contained inside, but also, step-by-step graphic instructions for how to use the components and a QR code linked to a “How To” video which a person can view on his/her smartphone when the person encounters the product in the store and contemplates whether to purchase the kit.

[0040] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, respectively, show perspective views of: (A) the tube in the “tilted” position for: (a) inserting the pastry bag; and (b) striping; (B) the tube in the “standing” position on the counter for: (a) folding the pastry bag back over the rim of the tube; (b) pulling the bag taut and thereby positioning the bag at a desired/predetermined position within the tube; (c) resting the tube and loaded bag on the counter during the striping and filling process; (d) filling the bag with frosting; and (e) tapping the tube on the counter for removing air pockets that build up in the frosting in the bag; and (C) the tube in the “standing” position with the pastry bag filled with frosting for: (a) closing the end of the pastry bag by twisting the top closed; and (b) applying the closure clip.

[0041] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a 16 ounce can of frosting that contains the amount of frosting which precisely fills the pastry bag when the pastry bag is in the tube in the desired predetermined position as shown in FIG. 11B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

[0043] The kit of this invention can be used with a variety of viscous foodstuffs, i.e., foodstuffs with a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid, including icing or frosting, to decorate a variety of foods, such as cakes, cookies, canapés, pastry cups, meringue, etc.

[0044] The kit of this invention is a novel and unique combination of novel and unique components that work together in a novel and unique manner not taught by the prior art.

[0045] FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of a Preferred Nozzle which can be used with the kit and method of this invention. The Preferred Nozzle is a conically shaped nozzle 10 with an internal wall 32, a conical longitudinal axis 18, a discharge opening or hole 20, and protrusions, serrations or ridges 34 extending inwardly from the internal wall 32 and running longitudinally or parallel along the length of the nozzle (which length is denoted by axis 18 and the measurement “X”), in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,959.

[0046] The nozzle 10 shown in FIG. 1 is made of a flexible material which can be “cut” with scissors at cut lines 10a, 10b, 10c or 10d to achieve a desired output opening size and, thus, a desired size of the food material that is output. For purposes of this invention, the nozzle 10 would be cut at either cut line 10c or 10d (i.e., at a point where the protrusions, serrations or ridges 34 extend inwardly from the internal wall).

[0047] Nozzles intended for use in this invention in a preferred embodiment can also be manufactured with the internal construction of the nozzle 10 of FIG. 1 and with the “cut” already made, i.e., each nozzle can have a predetermined output opening size and, thus, a desired size of the food material that is output. Such nozzles can be manufactured from an alternative material besides plastic, i.e., from any of the other materials out of which pastry bag nozzles are conventionally manufactured.

[0048] All that is critical is that the height of the nozzle is such that there is space between the counter and the nozzle when the bag 112 is loaded into the tube 110.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a straight line of food material 880 expelled with a three-dimensional ribbon candy appearance, achieved by using the components of the kit of this invention and a Preferred Nozzle. The food material 880 has channels 882 with peaks 884 and valleys 886, with a first color 888 on each of the channel peaks 884 and a second color 890 in each of the channel valleys 886.

[0050] The alternating stripes of color 888 and 890 on the peaks 884 and in the valleys 886 are produced by the ridges 34 of the nozzle 10 which treat the food material after color has been applied to the outer surface of the material by a coloring gel applied to the wall of the bag. More specifically, the ridges 34 cut into the food material and expose inner portions of the food material, i.e., valleys 886, that have not contacted the coloring gel and thus are non-colored portions 890, while at the same time the ridges 34 leave untouched outer portions of the food material, i.e., peaks 884, which have rubbed up against the coloring gel on the pastry bag wall and carry the color 888 as food material is extruded out of the nozzle.

[0051] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show unique decorating designs that can be produced when food material 880 is “treated” with a nozzle like that shown in FIG. 1 to yield a three-dimensional ribbon candy appearance that is not possible with a DDB apparatus.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a stream of food material 880 produced with a nozzle like that shown in FIG. 1 with a three-dimensional ribbon candy appearance and, through the manipulation of the components of the kit during expulsion, a “braid” design 894. A first “piece” of material 894a is expelled while moving the outlet of the nozzle 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 894b 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 894c (etc.) are similarly produced to create a “braid” design.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a stream of food material 880 produced with a nozzle like that shown in FIG. 1 with a three-dimensional ribbon candy appearance and, through the manipulation of the components of the kit during expulsion, a horizontally undulating “scallop” design 896a.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a cylindrical tube 110 of the kit in accordance with the teachings of this invention into which a pastry bag 112 with an attached nozzle 114 has been initially inserted. The construction of the pastry bag 112 can be the same as the construction of the pastry bag covered by the Parent Filings, and can include, in a preferred embodiment, an attached nozzle 10 shown in FIG. 1, all as covered by the Parent Filings. Or the pastry bag 112 can be a traditional pastry bag with a traditional DDB attached. In all cases, the pastry bag must have a generally conical shape below the approx. middle of the bag in order to be able to be used to practice this invention, all as more fully explained below.

[0055] In FIG. 5 the top portion 116 of the bag 112 has been: (i) rolled back over the top rim 118 of the tube 110; in preparation for (ii) pulling the top portion 116 of the bag 112 in a downward direction “D” as seen in FIG. 5 until the bag 112 lies tautly against the top rim 118 of the tube 110 as shown in FIG. 11B. In this manner, as seen in FIG. 11B, the bag 110 is suspended in a predetermined stationary position within the tube 112 and the bag 110 does not engage the inner wall 113 of the tube below the point where the bag 112 lies taut against the rim 118. In one embodiment, when the bag 112 is positioned within the tube 110, the angle “A” at which the bag 112 extends from the inner wall 113 of the tube 110 is in the range from approx. 5° to 22.5°. In another embodiment the angle is between 9° to 15°. In still a further exemplary embodiment, the angle is approx. 11.25°. These angles may be referred to as cone angles. The significance of the suspension of the bag 112 in a predetermined stationary position and of the cone angles is made clear in the description below.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows the critical height “H” and diameter “D1” of the tube 110. Specifically, such dimensions: (i) provide the tube 110 with the requisite internal volume to hold all of the other components of the kit of this invention during shipping and storage; and (ii) when the bag 112 is inserted into the tube 110 and the top portion 116 is rolled back over the top rim 118 and pulled taut against the top rim 118 as shown in FIG. 11B, the bag 112 is positioned in the desired predetermined stationary position within the tube 110 for practicing the invention. More specifically, in such desired predetermined stationary position within the tube, as seen in FIG. 11B: (a) the bag 112 assumes its generally conical-shape below the middle point of the bag and will not “collapse” on itself while the invention is practiced, i.e., while the tube 110 with the bag 112 inside is held in various tilted positions; (b) the bag 112 is held against motion as the coloring gel is applied to the inside wall of the bag 112; (c) coloring gel applied to one part of the inside wall of the bag 112 will not come in contact with any other part of the inside wall and/or in contact with coloring gel applied to any other part of the inside wall of the bag 112; and (d) when the tube 110 with the bag 112 inside is placed on a counter (not shown), a space “N” is provided between the output tip 114A of the nozzle 114 and the plane defined by the bottom rim 120 of the tube 110 so that the output tip 114A of the nozzle 114 will not touch the counter when the tube 110 with the bag 112 suspended within is standing on the counter.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bag 112 with the attached nozzle 114, and the critical dimensioning of the bag and the nozzle. The plane defined by the bottom rim 120 of the tube 110 (not shown) is depicted by the line labeled 120. Specifically, the overall height of the bag 112 is a combination of two parts: (a) the aforementioned top portion 116 having a dimension “R” which extends from the fold line, i.e., the point 116a where the fold over the rim 118 of the tube 110 occurs, to the top edge 116b of the bag; and (b) a bottom portion 122 having a dimension “S” which extends from the point 116a where the fold over the rim 118 of the tube 110 occurs to the output tip 114A of the nozzle 114. The height of the bottom portion S is equal to the height “H” of the tube 110 minus the clearance “N” between the bottom 114A of the nozzle 114 and the counter. The height “G” of the nozzle 114, which is important in the coloring gel spreading process, which is explained later in connection with FIG. 8, and is also important in ensuring that the desired clearance “N” is achieved, in the preferred embodiment is approx. one (1). The volume of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112 is an amount equal to “V1”, which as explained later in connection with FIG. 12 is the volume of frosting contained in a container of frosting sold at retail.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of two tubes of coloring gel 124 and 126, each of which has a nozzle, 124a and 126a, respectively, for dispensing coloring gel from the tube in a controlled manner onto coloring gel spreading sticks 128 and 130 (shown in FIG. 8). The type of coloring gel used is critical, i.e., it must have a viscosity (i.e., resistance to flow or “thickness”) such that it adheres and does not “run”: (a) first, when applied to the coloring gel spreading sticks 128 and 130; and (b) second, when applied to the inside wall of the pastry bag 112.

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of two coloring gel spreading sticks 128 and 130 each of which has an overall length of approx. six (6) inches so that it fits within the tube 110. Each stick 128 and 130 has a holding section, 128a and 130a, respectively, for the user to be able to hold the coloring gel spreading stick, and a spreading section, 128b and 130b, respectively, onto which coloring gel from a coloring gel tube 124 and 126 (such as shown in FIG. 7) is dispensed in a controlled manner for spreading purposes. The length “P” of each spreading section 128b and 130b is approx. four (4) inches, i.e., long enough to reach to all of the inside wall of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112 onto which the coloring gel is spread, namely, approx. equal to the overall length “S” of the bottom portion 122 minus the height “G” of the nozzle 114 (since the coloring gel is not applied inside the nozzle 114). The length “B” of each holding section 128a and 130a is approx. two (2) inches, such that the holding section is large enough for the user to hold and manipulate the coloring gel spreading stick when applying coloring gel to the inside wall of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112, namely, to just above the nozzle 114 (since the coloring gel is not applied inside the nozzle 114). The combined lengths “P” and “B” of the two sections must not be too large such that the coloring gel spreading stick cannot fit within the tube, i.e., the dimensions “P” plus “B” must not exceed the dimension “H” of the tube minus two times the thickness “L” of each end cap (as seen in FIG. 10).

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of two closure clips 132 and 134 made from a flexible material such as plastic. The first clip 132 is shown in the “open” position. The second clip 134 is shown in the “closed” position. The clips are changed from the “open” position to the “closed” position by applying the clip around the item to be held closed by the clip, in this case the twisted end 119 of the closed bag 112 and twisting the ends 136 and 138 over each other until they interlock. The dimension “U1” of the open clip 132 is slightly smaller than the dimension “W” of the twisted end 119 of the closed pastry bag (shown in FIG. 11C). The open clip 132 is placed around the top portion 116 of the bag 112 after it has been twisted closed by pressing the clip 132 against the twisted closed bag, which causes the ends 136 and 138 to flex outwardly until the clip 132 envelops the twisted closed bag 112. The ends 136 and 138 are then twisted so they interlock and cause the opening of the clip to change to the dimension “U2”, which is significantly smaller than the dimension “W” and thus holds the top portion 116 of the bag 112 closed.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a perspective and exploded view of the tube 110, with end caps 140a and 140b that nest inside and engage the rims 118 and 120 of the tube 110 to close the two ends of the tube 110, and with tamper evident seals 142a and 142b that overlap the edges of the rims and caps, to provide visible evidence of whether the kit has been opened. Each end cap 140a and 140b has a thickness dimension “L” such that when the end caps are inserted into the tube 110, the inside dimension of the tube is reduced by an amount equal to twice “L”. In other words, the resulting usable inside of the tube 110 has a dimension of H-2L. If the height “H” of the tube 110 is seven (7) inches and the thickness “L” of each cap 140a and 140b is one half (½) inch, the resulting usable inside space of the tube 110 is six (6) inches.

[0062] The tube 110 has graphical use instructions 110A on its outer surface, which are either printed on the tube during manufacture or printed on a label which is applied to the tube 110 after manufacture. In addition, the tube 110 also has a quick response or “QR” code 110B on its outer surface, which is either printed on the tube during manufacture or printed on a label which is applied to the tube 110 after manufacture. A QR code is a two-dimensional version of the Barcode which is able to convey a wide variety of information almost instantly with the scan of a mobile device. In this case, when the user scans the QR code with their smartphone, they see a “How To” video for the invention. Thus, the user is able to both follow the graphic use instructions 110A and the “How To” video brought up on their smartphone by the QR code 110B.

[0063] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are perspective views of the components of the kit at different points during practicing of the method.

[0064] In FIG. 11A the tube 110 is shown being held in a tilted position by the user's one hand In this position, the bag 112 can be inserted into one end 118A of the tube 110, and advanced into the tube 110 by accessing the bag 112 and pulling it through the other end 120A of the tube 110.

[0065] In FIG. 11B the tube is shown in the upright position standing on the counter. In this position, the top portion 116 of the bag 112 has been folded down over the rim 118 of the tube 110 and the top portion 116 of the bag 112 has been pulled taut against the rim 118 by the user with two hands to thereby cause the bag 112 to assume a desired predetermined stationary position within the tube 110.

[0066] Once in this predetermined stationary position, the bag 112 can be striped, i.e., the tube 110 with the bag 112 inside can be picked up in the manner shown in FIG. 11A and coloring gel can be applied to a desired section of the inside wall of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112. Importantly, the tube 110 can easily be rotated in the user's hand so that the section of the inside wall of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112 which is being striped can be positioned at the downward position or eye level thereby facilitating easy application of the coloring gel to the inside wall of the bag.

[0067] As the process continues and the bag remains in the predetermined stationary position: (a) the tube 110 can be rested in between steps in the striping process; (b) once the striping process is finished, frosting can be added to the fully striped bag; (c) as the frosting filling process progresses, the tube and bag filled with frosting can be tapped on the counter to release air bubbles from the frosting; and (d) finally, the top portion 116 of the bag 112 can be twisted closed.

[0068] In FIG. 11C the tube is shown in the upright position standing on the counter with the top portion 116 of the bag 112 twisted closed. In this position the open closure clip 132 can be applied to the twisted closed top portion 116, and then the closure clip can be twisted closed until the clip assumes the closed position shown by clip 134. The dimensioning of the clip is critical, i.e., the open clip 132 must be able to be flexed far enough open so as to go around the twisted closed top portion 116 of the bag 112 (i.e., the clip must be able to be flexed open beyond the “open” dimension “U1” so as to envelop the twisted top portion 116 of the bag 112 having a dimension “W”), and the closed clip 136 must be able to securely engage and hold closed the twisted top portion 116 of the bag 112 once the clip is twisted closed (i.e., the “closed” dimension “U2” must be sufficiently smaller than the dimension “W”). Once the clip is applied, the bag 112 is ready to be removed from the tube 110 and, after the requisite refrigeration, which in a best mode has been found to be approx. fifteen minutes, the bag is ready to be held and the sides of the bag 112 squeezed so as to extrude the colored frosting output.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a 16 ounce can of frosting 150, which has been found to be the amount of frosting needed to fill the volume “V1” of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112 defined by the area beneath the fold line 116a at the rim 118 of the tube 110.

[0070] In the best mode embodiment of this invention, the components have the following critical dimensions, to thereby best facilitate the desired interworking of the components and assure that the desired results are achieved in practicing the invention: [0071] a. the height (“H”) of the tube 110 is seven (7) inches; [0072] b. the diameter (“D1”) of the tube 110 is three (3) inches; [0073] c. the bag 112 is what is commonly referred to as a twelve (12) inch pastry bag: the measurements of the bag 112 can vary depending upon how the bag was manufactured—indeed, the pastry bag may not be a perfect cone shape, i.e., the upper portion may, in fact, be cylindrical in shape; all that matters is that the bag 112 has a conical shape below the fold line 116a of the bag 112 so that the bag 112 can tautly engage the rim 118 of the tube 110 at the fold line 116a and hang there beneath in spaced relation to the inside wall of the tube 110, i.e., with a cone angle of approx. 11.25°; [0074] d. the length (“R”) of the top portion 116 of the bag 112 extending from the top end 116b of the bag 112 to the fold line 116a is approx. six (6) inches; [0075] e. the length (“S”) of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112 extending from the fold line 116a to the bottom tip 114a of the nozzle 114 is approx. six (6) inches; [0076] f. the diameter (“D2”) of the bag 112 at the fold line is three (3) inches (i.e., self-evidently, the same diameter as that of rim 118 of the tube 110); [0077] g. the clearance distance (“N”) between bottom edge 114a of the nozzle 114 and the plane defined by the bottom 120 rim of the tube 110 (and, hence, between the bottom edge 114a of the nozzle 114 and the counter on which the bottom rim 120 of the tube 110 sits with the loaded bag 112) is approx. one (1) inch; [0078] h. the volume (“V1”) of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112 when the bag 112 is loaded into the tube 110, i.e., the volume (“V1”) of the interior area of the bag 112 below the fold line 116a is approx. the volume of a sixteen (16) ounce can of frosting sold in grocery stores; [0079] i. the volume of each coloring gel tube 124 and 126 is 0.67 ounces and, in a preferred embodiment, approx. one fourth (¼) of the coloring gel in the coloring gel tube 124 or 126 is expended onto the coloring gel spreading stick 128 or 130 during each stage of striping; [0080] j. the length (“B”) of the holding area of each coloring gel spreading stick 128 and 130 is two (2) inches; [0081] k. the length (“P”) of the coloring gel spreading area of each coloring gel spreading stick 128 and 130 is approx. four (4) inches, i.e., long enough to reach to all of the inside wall of the bottom portion 122 of the bag 112 onto which the coloring gel is spread, namely, approx. equal to the overall length “S” of the bottom portion 122 minus the height “G” of the nozzle 114 (since the coloring gel is not applied inside the nozzle 114); [0082] l. the thickness (“L”) of each end cap is one half (½) inch, such that the fully closed tube 110 with the two end caps inserted has an internal height of six (6) inches; [0083] m. the thickness (“W”) of the twisted top portion 116 of the bag 112 is approx. one half (½) inch; [0084] n. the space (“U1”) within each closure clip 132 and 134 when in the “open” position is approx. seven sixteenth ( 7/16) of an inch; and [0085] o. the space (“U2”) within each closure clip 132 and 134 when in the “closed” position is approx. five sixteenth ( 5/16) of an inch.

[0086] The advantage of the kit of this invention is that all of the correctly sized components needed to be used to achieve the desired result are sold in one package, namely, in the tube 110 which serves as both the packaging/shipping container and, in use, the filling stand.

[0087] In terms of operation of the invention, the kit which is shipped to the user fully assembled is broken down into its component parts, i.e.: (i) the tamper evident seals 142a and 142b that overlap the edges of the rims and caps are broken; (ii) the end caps 140a and 140b that nest inside and engage the ends 118A and 120A of the tube 110 to close the two ends of the tube 110 are removed; and (iii) the contents of the tube 110 are removed, namely, the bags 112, the tubes of coloring gel 124 and 126, the coloring gel spreading sticks 128 and 130 and the closure clips 132 and 134. Without departing from the scope of this invention, the number of bags, number of tubes of coloring gel, number of coloring gel spreading sticks and number of closure clips provided in the tube 110 can be varied depending upon the output intended to be accomplished with the kit.

[0088] The method of this invention involves the steps of: [0089] a. picking the tube 110 up in one hand and tilting the tube 110; [0090] b. inserting the bag 112 into the tube 110 through one end 118A using the other hand; [0091] c. advancing the bag 112 into the tube by reaching into the tube 110 through the other end 120A and grasping and pulling the bag 112 into the tube 110 with the other hand; [0092] d. standing the tube 110 with the bag 112 inserted on a counter and folding the top portion 116 of the bag 112 over the top rim 118 of the tube 110 using both hands; [0093] e. while the tube 110 remains standing on the counter, pulling the top portion 116 of the bag 112 down in the direction “D” taut against the rim 118 of the tube 110 using both hands to position the bag 112 within the tube 110 in a desired predetermined stationary position; [0094] f. applying a predetermined amount of a first coloring gel from a first coloring gel tube 124 (approx. one fourth (¼) of the coloring gel in the 0.67 oz tube) onto a first coloring gel spreading stick 128 using both hands; [0095] g. picking the tube 110 loaded with the bag 112 up again with one hand and tilting the tube and bag combination in order to position them to facilitate spreading of the first coloring gel on the inside wall of the bag, i.e., where the section of the inside wall of the bag to be striped is in the downward position and at eye level; [0096] h. applying the first coloring gel to the inside wall of the bag 112 with the other hand; [0097] i. resting the tube 110 and bag 112 with the first coloring gel applied on the counter while applying a predetermined amount of a second coloring gel from a second coloring gel tube 126 (again, approx. one fourth (¼) of the coloring gel in the 0.67 oz tube) onto a second coloring gel spreading stick 130 using both hands; [0098] j. picking the tube 110 loaded with the bag 112 and first coloring gel up again with one hand and tilting the tube and bag combination in order to position them to facilitate spreading of the second coloring gel on the inside wall of the bag, again where the section of the inside wall of the bag to be striped is in the downward position and at eye level; [0099] k. applying the second coloring gel to the inside wall of the bag 112 with the other hand; [0100] l. repeating steps “I”, “j” and “k” until the desired number of coloring gels have been applied to the desired number of sections of the inside wall of the bag; [0101] m. resting the tube 110 and bag 112 with the desired number of coloring gels applied on the counter while loading frosting on a dispensing tool using both hands—it has been found that a large spoon works the best; [0102] n. while the tube 110 and bag 112 with the desired number of coloring gels is resting on the counter, stabilizing the tube 110 with one hand and causing the dispensing tool to drop gobs of frosting into the bag 112 using the other hand; [0103] o. continuing step “n” until all of the frosting is loaded into the bag, i.e., until the volume of frosting “V1” in the frosting container is dropped in the area “V1” of the bag 112; [0104] p. intermittently tapping the tube on the counter during steps “n” and “o” so as to release air bubbles in the frosting; [0105] q. while the tube 110 and bag 112 with the desired number of coloring gels and frosting is resting on the counter, twisting the top portion 116 of the bag 112 closed using both hands; [0106] r. while the tube 110 and bag 112 with the desired number of coloring gels and frosting is still resting on the counter, with the top portion being held twisted closed with one hand, applying the closure clip with the other hand; and [0107] s. finally, removing the bag 112 loaded with frosting from the tube 110 and, after refrigerating the bag 112 for fifteen (15) minutes, commencing dispensing of the frosting.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment of the method of this invention, the bag is pulled taut until the cone angle is approx. 11.25°.

[0109] If the kit is used with a traditional or conventional pastry bag with a traditional or conventional DDB attached as described above in the context of FIG. 5, the bag and DDB can be made of any materials without departing from the scope of this invention so long as the critical dimensioning is observed. Indeed, even a one-piece pastry bag with an attached tip can be used notwithstanding the fact that such one-piece pastry bag with an attached tip may not practice the invention covered by U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,959.

[0110] If the kit is used with a Preferred Nozzle, the nozzle should be cut approx. one half way up the nozzle, i.e., at cut line 10c or cut line 10d or approx. where one achieves a one half (½) inch orifice opening or size.

[0111] Regardless of what nozzle is used, the nozzle must have an open end so that as the tube 110 is tapped on the counter to remove air bubbles, the frosting can shift down within the bag 112, i.e., so that an air pocket is not trapped beneath the frosting and above the end of the nozzle.

[0112] It is important which frosting is used in practicing this invention, particularly when using a Preferred Nozzle. The best sixteen (16) ounce cans of frosting available in grocery stores (in order of efficacy) were found to be: [0113] 1. Pillsbury® White Frosting [0114] 2. Duncan Hines® Creamy Vanilla; Betty Crocker® Rich Creamy Vanilla; Pillsbury® Creamy Supreme Vanilla
What should not be used under any circumstances when practicing this invention with a Preferred Nozzle is any brand of “whipped” frosting as the consistency of such frosting is not “stiff enough” to hold the desired output shape.

[0115] The best frosting was found to be Sam's Club But-R-Crème® white buttercream icing. Unfortunately, this frosting comes in a bulk container and thus has much more frosting per container than what the user needs to fill the bag 112 up to the fold line 116a. A recipe purportedly for making this frosting at home can be found at: Amazing Copycat Sam's Club Buttercream Frosting Recipe (cakedecorist.com).

[0116] Applicants acknowledge that pastry bags, nozzles for pastry bags, stands for holding pastry bags during the filling process, coloring gels for striping pastry bags, coloring gel spreading sticks and closure clips, graphical instructions and QR codes are all well known. What is not known, however, and what is novel and unique, is the kit and method of this invention which include and make use of components of unique sizes and shapes and accompanying instructions and “How To” video disclosed by this invention which make the creation of multi-colored food material output of the type described herein possible.

[0117] As is readily apparent to anyone skilled in the art of decorating, many multi-colored output designs, including with or without a ribbon candy appearance as described herein, that were heretofore not readily and conveniently possible are now possible through the novel and unique design of the kit and method of this invention. Although some embodiments have been described with respect to a Preferred Nozzle, note that any embodiments might instead be associated with other types of nozzles (e.g., a non-disposable metal nozzle). 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.