Cake cover

Abstract

An improved cake cover for protecting and securing a cake, or other food item. The cake cover is preferably comprised of a washable enclosure having a plurality of receptacles positioned thereon for receipt of a plurality of interchangeable inserts, thereby allowing the user to customize the appearance and function of the cake cover. The plurality of inserts may include, without limitation, a candle holding insert, a light emitting insert and a sound emitting insert. An outer surface of the cake cover may further comprise decorative texturing that mimics the appearance of a traditionally baked cake, and/or may be constructed of a transparent or translucent material to enable the cake stored therein to be viewed through the cake cover. Finally, the cake cover may further comprise a securing means for securing the cover to a surface.

Claims

1. A cake cover comprising: an enclosure having an outer surface and defining an interior space for receipt of a cake; a suction device positioned along a bottom edge of the enclosure for securing the enclosure to a surface; a plurality of receptacles on the outer surface; and a plurality of inserts corresponding to the plurality of receptacles.

2. The cake cover of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is formed of a transparent or a translucent material.

3. The cake cover of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises at least one handle.

4. The cake cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts emits pre-recorded music.

5. The cake cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts is a light source.

6. The cake cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts is a candle holder.

7. The cake cover of claim 6, wherein the candle holder has a plurality of openings therein for receipt of one or more candles.

8. The cake cover of claim 5, wherein the light source is a rotating disco ball.

9. A cake cover comprising: an enclosure having an outer surface and defining an interior space for receipt of a cake; an adhesive element positioned along a bottom edge of the enclosure for securing the enclosure to a surface; a first receptacle positioned along the outer surface and a candle holding insert positioned in the first receptacle; and a second receptacle positioned along the outer surface and at least one of a light emitting insert or a sound emitting insert positioned in the second receptacle.

10. The cake cover of claim 9, wherein the enclosure is formed of a transparent or a translucent material.

11. The cake cover of claim 9, wherein the enclosure further comprises at least one handle.

12. The cake cover of claim 9, wherein the candle holding insert has a plurality of openings therein for receipt of one or more candles.

13. The cake cover of claim 9, wherein the enclosure is further comprised of an integrated power supply.

14. A food cover comprising: an enclosure having an outer surface and defining an interior space for receipt of a food item; a first receptacle positioned along the outer surface and a candle holding insert positioned in the first receptacle; a second receptacle positioned along the outer surface and a light emitting insert positioned in the second receptacle; and a third receptacle positioned along the outer surface and a sound emitting insert positioned in the third receptacle, wherein the sound emitting insert comprises a smart phone or a digital music player.

15. The food cover of claim 14, wherein the enclosure is formed of a transparent or a translucent material.

16. The food cover of claim 14 further comprising a securing means for securing the enclosure to a surface.

17. The food cover of claim 16, wherein the securing means is at least one of a non-slip material, a suction cup and an adhesive surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cake cover of the present invention partially covering a cake in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of inserts of the cake cover of the present invention fully enclosing the cake in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a candle holder insert of the plurality of inserts present cake cover in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the plurality of inserts positioned within a plurality of receptacles of the cake cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the cake cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

(7) As noted above, there exists in the art a long felt need for an improved cake cover that allows the user to successfully protect a cake or other dessert from dripping wax, contamination and the like, and that does not interfere with other birthday celebrations such as the use of lighted candles, music, party lighting, etc. In addition, there exist in the art a long felt need for an improved cake cover that is resistant to being inadvertently knocked off of the surface upon which it rests, and that is customizable by the user via a plurality of interchangeable inserts.

(8) The improved cake cover of the present invention is designed to resemble a real and decorated birthday cake in its appearance, and/or may be constructed of a transparent or translucent material to enable participants to view the cake or dessert stored therein without prematurely removing the cake cover from the cake and exposing it to potential contamination. More specifically, certain design elements such as artificial textures that mimic frosting/icing may adorn the outer surface of the improved cake cover of the present invention to make it more visually appealing to the user, in contrast to opaque plastic typically used in existing cake covers.

(9) Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a cake cover 100 of the present invention partially covering a cake 10 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The cake cover 100 comprises an enclosure 110, a securing means 120, and a plurality of inserts 130, 140, and 150.

(10) As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the enclosure 110 is preferably generally rectangular in shape, comprising an outer surface 112, one or more handles 113, a plurality of artificial decorations 114, a top portion 116, a plurality of insert receptacles 118, and an interior space 119. The enclosure 110 is preferably formed of a molded plastic or other suitable materials that is capable of being hand or machine washed to permit reuse of the cake cover 100, and to prevent unwanted contamination. The enclosure 110 may be manufactured of a transparent or translucent material to enable people to view the cake 10 stored therein without having to prematurely remove the cake cover 100 from the cake 10 and risk contamination thereto.

(11) More specifically, the enclosure 110 is configured and sized to accommodate most traditionally sized cakes 10 within its interior space 119. Further, the one or more handles 113 are positioned along and attached to the outer surface 112 of the cake cover 100 to permit secure and easy handling of the same. The plurality of artificial decorations 114 are textured and may be colored in such a way as to mimic the color/texturing of icing on a traditionally baked cake. Similarly, the one or more handles 113 may also be manufactured to exhibit an icing textured appearance that matches the rest of the cake cover 100.

(12) As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the plurality of insert receptacles 118 are positioned along the top portion 116 of the outer surface 112 of the enclosure 110, and are indentations in the surface 112 thereof that are capable of receiving the plurality of inserts 130, 140, 150, as described more fully below. Nonetheless, one of ordinary skill in the art will identify the need to make the overall height of cake cover 100 sufficient so that the indentation of the plurality of insert receptacles 118 into the interior space 119 of the enclosure 110 will not interfere with the cake 10 being stored or housed therein so as to not disturb the decorations thereon. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shape and size of the plurality of insert receptacles 118 and the various interchangeable plurality of inserts 130, 140, 150 would be consistent to enable a user 200 to configure the cake cover 100 in any manner to suit user need and/or preference. More specifically, any of the interchangeable plurality of inserts 130, 140, 150 would fit snugly in any of the plurality of insert receptacles 118.

(13) As stated above, the cake cover 100 of the present invention may further comprise an integrated securing means 120 that removably secures the enclosure 110 and, by extension, the cake 10 contained therein to the surface upon which it rests. The integrated securing means 120 may be in the form of many different alternative embodiments. For example, the integrated securing means 120 may be comprised of a non-slip material, a suction device or an adhesive positioned along the bottom edge of the enclosure 110, as best shown in FIG. 1. The bond between the integrated securing means 120 and the surface to which it is attached should be strong enough to avoid the inadvertent sliding, knocking over or other disruption of the cake cover 100 and the cake 10 stored therein, but capable of being easily breached by the user 200 lifting upward (i.e., away from the surface upon which the cake cover 100 rests) on the cake cover 100 in a manner that does not disturb the integrity of the cake 10 stored therein.

(14) The plurality of inserts 130 may comprise a candle holder insert 130. As best shown in FIG. 3, the candle holder insert 130 is generally shaped and sized to fit within any one of the plurality of insert receptacles 118 and to form a secure friction fit therewith, thereby permitting the user 200 the ability to organize and personalize the cake cover 100 of the present invention to suit user need and/or preference. The candle holder insert 130 comprises a top surface 132, a plurality of openings 1320, and a plurality of sides 134. More specifically, the plurality of openings 1320 may be formed in the top surface 132 of the candle holder insert 130 for receipt of a plurality of candles 12 therein. The candles 12 may be wax candles that can be lit and emit an actual flame, or may be artificial battery powered candles, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In either event, the presence of the enclosure 110 and the candle holder insert 130 between the candles 12 and the cake 10 will prevent the candles 12 from dripping wax onto cake 10, and will further prevent the cake 10 from coming into contact with the bodily fluids and/or germs (not shown) that may be contained on the breath of the user 200 blowing out the candles 12 or an inadvertent sneeze.

(15) The plurality of inserts 130 may further comprise a light emitting insert 140. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the light emitting insert 140 is also generally shaped and sized to fit within any one of the plurality of insert receptacles 118 and to form a secure friction fit therewith, thereby permitting the user 200 the ability to organize and personalize the cake cover 100 of the present invention to suit user need and/or preference. The light emitting insert 140 comprises of a top surface 142, a light emitting device 144, such as a disco ball, strobe light, or other light emitting device, and a plurality of sides 146. The light emitting device 144 is preferably battery powered (not shown) and may further comprise an “on/off” switch (not shown) that can be operated on demand by the user 200 to conserve battery power. Nonetheless, it is also contemplated that the light emitting device 144 may also be capable of being operated by a smart phone or other smart device via a wireless means, such as blue-tooth technology, Wi-Fi, etc., or may be powered by an optional integrated power source (not shown) attached to the enclosure 110.

(16) The plurality of inserts 130 may further comprise a sound emitting insert 150. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the sound emitting insert 150 is also generally shaped and sized to fit within any one of the plurality of insert receptacles 118 and to form a secure friction fit therewith, thereby permitting the user 200 the ability to organize and personalize the cake cover 100 of the present invention to suit user need and/or preference. The sound emitting insert 150 comprises a top surface 152, a smart device 154, and a speaker 156. The smart device 154 may be a smart phone, a music player, an mp3 player or any other device capable of emitting a live stream or a prerecording of music, spoken word or other sounds. The speaker 156 may be integrated into the smart device 154, or it may be its own stand-alone device that communicates, via hardwire or wirelessly, with the smart device 154. If the speaker 156 is a stand-alone device, it is also preferably battery powered (not shown) and may further comprise an “on/off” switch (not shown) that can be operated on demand by the user 200 to conserve battery power.

(17) It is further contemplated that other types of inserts could also be utilized that are shaped and sized to fit within the plurality of insert receptacles 118. Further, any of the above referenced inserts may further comprise an integrated wireless charging surface or integrated charging cable (not shown) that may be located within or below the insert receptacle 118 (e.g., on enclosure 110).

(18) Notwithstanding the forgoing, the improved cake cover 100 of the present invention can by any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of improved cake cover 100 and its various components, as show in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes, sizes and configurations of improved cake cover 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the improved cake cover 100 and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the improved cake cover 100 may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference. This includes embodiments of the device that could be round or oval shaped to allow for the accommodation of round/oval cakes.

(19) Having described the general structure of a preferred embodiment of the improved cake cover 100 and its various components above, its use will now be generally described. More specifically, a user 200 desiring to use the improved cake cover 100 of the present invention to protect a cake 10 will carefully place the improved cake cover 100 over the cake 10 so as to not disturb the cake or the decorations thereon, and press gently down on the enclosure so that the securing means engages with the surface upon which the cake 10 and the improved cake cover 100 rests, thereby securing the improved cake cover 100 and, by extension, the cake 10 to said surface.

(20) The user 200 may then personalize the top surface 116 of the enclosure 110 to suit the user's needs and/or preferences. More specifically, and by way of example, the user 200 may position one or more of candle holder insert 130, light emitting insert 140 and/or sound emitting insert 150 into the various insert receptacles 118 positioned along the top portion 116 of the enclosure 110, and the improved cake cover 100 is now ready to be utilized for a celebration, such as a birthday. Once the celebration is underway, the user 200 can then use the handles 113 on the enclosure 110 to gently pull the improved cake cover 100 of the surface on which it rests to expose the cake 10, which may then be consumed by the celebration's participants. Nonetheless, the improved cover of the current invention is not limited to use with cakes and desserts and can be used with other types of foods as well.

(21) What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.