US3773225A

US3773225A - Pressurized decorating device

Info

Publication number: US3773225A
Application number: US00109458A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Repola
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-25
Filing date: 1971-01-25
Publication date: 1973-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-20

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for decorating pastry and the like comprising housing having a first chamber, means for dividing said first chamber into a plurality of isolated compartments, a second chamber detachably connected to the first chamber, reservoir means for a plurality of differently colored pastry decorating materials, pressurized feed means for selectively feeding the decorating materials from the reservoir means to the first chamber, dispensing means on the second chamber, and valve means for controlling flow of decorating materials outward of the dispensing means. Shaft means extend through the first and second chambers and have the valve means disposed on one end, the shaft means having its other end extending outwardly of the first chamber, and spring means disposed about said shaft in the first chamber for normally urging the shaft and thus the valve means into a closed position and so that depression of the other end of the shaft means will open the valve means and upon release of the other end the spring means will close the valve means.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Repola Nov. 20, 1973 PRESSURIZED DECORATING DEVICE Aldo Repola, 628 E. 240th St., Bronx, NY. 10470 Inventor:

Primary Examiner--Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-Kenneth S. Goldfarb J5 Z4 5;, 24 A m 0 70 &4 Z! 92 5+1 1Z1 'Z 60 f4 55 /fi 57 ABSTRACT This invention relates to an apparatus for decorating pastry and the like comprising housing having a first chamber, means for dividing said first chamber into a plurality of isolated compartments, a second chamber detachably connected to the first chamber, reservoir means for a plurality of differently colored pastry decorating materials, pressurized feed means for selectively feeding the decorating materials from the reservoir means to the first chamber, dispensing means on the second chamber, and valve means for controlling flow of decorating materials outward of the dispensing means. Shaft means extend through the first and second chambers and have the valve means disposed on one end, the shaft means having its other end extending outwardly of the first chamber, and spring means disposed about said shaft in the first chamber for normally urging the shaft and thus the valve means into a closed position and so that depression of the other end of the shaft means will open the valve means and upon release of the other end the spring means will close the valve means.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED NOV 20 i973 R4 3 3 W5 IF m w m i LL PRESSURIZED DECORATING DEVICE This invention relates to a novel apparatus for decorating successive pastry units and the like with semisolid confectionary pastes, creams, or icings, such as butter'cream or sugar icings, and more particularly, to decorating pastry with several differently colored materials at the same time.

In the past, it has not been possible to decorate cakes and other pastries with defferently colored confectionary materials without having to use a different device for each colored material. Because of the many and repetitive steps required by this method, it is highly inefficient for the assembly line production need for rapidity and consistency of results. Therefore, cake and pastry manufacturers have had to either forego colorfulness of design or pay very high salaries to persons with the requisite skill and efficiency for large scale production, the latter resulting in a high cost to the consumer as compared to the cost of a more simply decorated cake or pastry. Hence, persons wishing highly decorative cakes and pastries for special occassions, i.e., having multi-colored designs, rely upon local bakery shops which because of their willingness to accomodate individual purchasers will prepare special orders to the purchasers specification for approximately the same cost as a mass produced decorative cake or pastry.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus for decorating cakes and pastries with a plurality of differently colored confectionary decorating materials. The apparatus of this invention comprises a reservoir to which at least two differently colored confectionary pastes, creams, icings or the like are delivered from isolated compartments through parallel openings at the same time. The decorating materials enter and pass through the reservoir as parallel colored strips and since they are semi-solid they do not diffuse into one another, but rather, the differently colored materials form an interface wherever they come in contact with one another. Thus joined, the several colored materials are dispensed to a conical nozzle and through a central orifice to a suitable surface. In addition to a multi-colored ribboned pattern, a skilled user of this apparatus can apply the different colors of the multi-colored ribbon separately to a surface.

Another problem encountered in conventional decorating devices is that the material being applied to a surface has a tendency to ooze after the supply line for the material being delivered to the dispensing orifice is cut off. This oozing results in either causing the terminal portion of the design to be unclear or eliminates the possibility of producing an intricate design.

Prior attempts to deal with this problem have included instantaneously stopping and starting of the flow of material by means of a cut-off valve at the end of a delivery hose attached to a pressurized source of supply. Depending upon the type of valve system used, this method can either cause spurting or sucking of the material back into the tip of the device. Spurting occurs when the valve is closed and then reopened causing the material to be abruptly expelled from the tip of the device. The second phenomenon is caused by tapered pin" type valves which are normally seated in the orifice and cause a slight vacuum to occur in the vicinity of the orifice when the pin is released for the purpose of discharging the material.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a cake and pastry decorating apparatus which utilizes a cut-off valve for instantaneously controlling the flow of decorating material, which cut-off valve will permit accurate and neat deposition of the decorating material.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a cake and pastry decorating apparatus which is easily handled and which will produce neat, intricate, decorative and ornamental shapes without requiring a fatigue causing concentrated effort by the operator.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a cake and pastry decorating apparatus which may be operated by a relatively unskilled craftsman, which only requires slight hand pressure for operation, which has a body comprising readily detachable elements for ease of cleansing the interior thereof and which does not require duplicity of steps to achieve an attractive multi-colored design permitting the operator to maintain a high production rate.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of this invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this cake and pastry decorating apparatus, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged partial fragmentary sectional view of the interior of a cake and pastry decorating apparatus in accordance with the concepts of the present invention, parts being broken away to show other parts in detail;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the retaining ring which is interposed between two adjacent chambers and delivery pipes for decorating material disposed behind it according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus looking along the plane of line 3-3 in FIG. 1 showing the washer which is located adjacent the closed end of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the interior of an apparatus similar to FIG. 1, parts being broken away to show other parts in detail;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the discharge nozzle for the apparatus looking along the plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view looking along the plane of line 66 in FIG. 1 of the bayonet slot and pin which secures the delivery hoses to the inside of the apparatus.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the cake and pastry decorating device of this invention. The device 10 is provided with an outer housing, generally designated as 12, which includes

detachable wall portions

14 and 16 and an end wall 18 and is internally divided into a cylindrical chamber 20 and its adjacent tapered chamber 22.

Chambers

20 and 22 are separated by a retaining plate 24 provided with several dispensing ports or openings 26 therein. Together,

chambers

20 and 22 provide a passageway for facilitating movement of differently colored cake or pastry decorating material or topping from a remote pressurized supply tank 28, through separate and flexible

hollow delivery hoses

30 and 32 and ultimately to a conical or tapered plug 34.

The ends of

delivery hoses

30 and 32 are inserted into plug 34 and are secured in their positions by

lock nuts

36 and 38, respectively. Plug 34 includes a pair of bushings 40 and 42 and is removably aligned in inlet 44 and locked into place by fitting a pin 46 into bayonet slot 47 in plug 34.

Flexible hoses

48 and 50 transport topping from

delivery hoses

30 and 32, respectively, to tapered chamber 22 and one end of each is seated within bushings 40 and 42 to facilitate communication with delivery hoses 30and 32 while the other end of each of

hoses

48 and 50 is connected to ports 26 in retainer ring 24 by joints 52.

Chamber 22,

delivery hoses

30 and 32, and

hoses

48 and 50 are maintained at a constant internal pressure 7 by

check valves

54 and 46. When lever 58 is depressed,

the portion of central shaft 60 which extends through 'end wall 18 causes helical spring 42 to be compressed against retaining ring 24 and tapered valve 64 to be disengaged from its wedged position against the inner surface 66 at the mouth of wall portion 16. As a consequence of the release of valve 64, air is expelled from chamber 22 through discharge chamber 34 and out of discharge orifice slit 68 in conical nozzle 70, seen in FIG. 2. This reduction in pressure in chamber 22 forces toppings into

different delivery hoses

30 and 32 and

hoses

48 and 50 which enter chamber at inlet 44. The toppings are released from

hoses

48 and 50 through spaced ports 26 in retaining plate 24 and into chamber 22 where an interface is established between the toppings because of their extremely viscous nature. The toppings then flow into discharge chamber 34 around the circumference of valve 63, always maintaining the established interface, and finally it flows out of discharge orifice slit 68 onto the surface being decorated as a ribbon which a skilled operator can manipulate to his advantage so that the ornamental configuration is either of a single color or several colors. It is to be understood that by virtue of the dual delivery hoses, a multi-colored topping can be obtained. When it is desired to end the operation, lever 58 is released and spring 62 returns to its normal position so that the forces exerted against retaining ring 24 and spring pushing plate 72 are equalized. At the same time, valve 64 is virtually instantaneously returned to its original position due to the elasticity of spring 62 and hence the flow of topping through discharge orifice slit 68 ceases. Valve 68 is a washer or other suitable plug which tapers upwardly and outwardly of its base. When spring 62 is in its normal and uncompressed state, valve 68 wedges itself tightly within the mouth or orifice 66 of tapered chamber 16.

The hand held device 12 is constructed for easy detachment of its various components for facilitating the cleaning of its interior chambers and parts. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, cylindrical chamber 14 can be disengaged from tapered chamber 22 by means of screw threads 74 and tapered chamber 22 is already detached from its conical nozzle. To remove retaining plate 24

hoses

48 and 50 are lifted from their positions in bushings 40 and 42, respectively, and slowing slid from chamber 20 so as not to injure spring 62. Shaft 60 and spring 68 may be completely removed from the device after its'other parts are disassembled by unscrewing jacket 76, removing washer 78 and threaded cylinder 80 and sliding the shaft 60 and spring 62 from the interior of cylindrical wall 14. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, shaft 60, spring 62 and spring pushing plate 72 are removed from the back of cylindrical chamber 20 after unscrewing end wall 64 from cylindrical wall 66. FIG. 2 illustrates the device as threadedly attached to conical nozzle 70.

Shaft 60 extends through the entire length of the device, passing through a central annular bore in end wall 18, openings 84 and 86 in plate 74 and plate 24, respectively, and finally through a central bore in valve 64. It is tightly secured to valve 64 by threaded attachment with lock nut 88 when spring 62 is normally extended. Lever 58 controls the depression of shaft 60, the com pression of spring 62 and consequently the discharge of topping through discharge orifice slit 68 by pivotal movement around arm 90 about pin 92 toward the shaft 60. Upon depression of shaft 60, valve 64 moves outwardly from its initial position with respect to orifice 66 and, subsequently, flow of topping through discharge orifice slit 68 begins.

Although only two

delivery hoses

30 and 32 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, it is to be understood that as many different delivery hoses can be used as the number of different colors of topping that are desired. The

hoses

48 and 50 are disposed within cylindrical chamber 20 so that one end of each of

hoses

48 and 50 meets one of the ports 26 in ring 24. Alternatively, in an embodiment, not shown, retaining plate 24 may be dispensed with and the

hoses

48 and 50 extended so that they sit within chamber 22 and the topping can then flow from the

hoses

48 and 50 directly into chamber 22.

The retaining plate 24 may be divided into two or more ports 26. If an equal amount of two differently colored toppings are desired each of the

hoses

48 and 50 may be connected to one of the two ports 26. However, if a retaining ring having more than two ports is the only one available, the two hoses may be connected to two opposite and equally spaced ports. When more than two colors are desired, it is obvious that a retaining plate having at least as many ports must be used. By varying the size of particular ports, proportionate amounts of differently colored toppings will flow through the ports 26 and thus through discharge orifice slit 68.

It is also within the scope of this invention to modify the shapes of the various chambers, the shaft and the like, and also, to operate the device by depressing a pushbutton by hand or finger pressure instead of by lever 58.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for decorating pastry and the like comprising a housing having a first chamber, conduit means for dividing said first chamber into a plurality of isolated compartments, a retaining plate, a second chamber detachably threadedly connected to said first chamber and clampingly detachably holding said retaining plate between said first chamber and said sec ond chamber, dispensing means on said second chamber, valve means for controlling flow of decorating maend of said shaft means will open said valve means and upon release of said other end said spring means will close said valve means, said retaining plate being engaged by said spring means so that upon removal of said second chamber access is provided to the interior of said first chamber, said plate having a plurality of openings therein for introducing said plurality of differently colored pastry decorating materials from said conduit means into said second chamber.

Claims

1. An apparatus for decorating pastry and the like comprising a housing having a first chamber, conduit means for dividing said first chamber into a plurality of isolated compartments, a retaining plate, a second chamber detachably threadedly connected to said first chamber and clampingly detachably holding said retaining plate between said first chamber and said second chamber, dispensing means on said second chamber, valve means for controlling flow of decorating materials outward of said dispensing means, said dispensing means including a conical nozzle threadedly secured on said second chamber surrounding said valve means, shaft means extending through said first and second chambers and having said valve means disposed on one end, said shaft means having its other end extending outwardly of said first chamber, spring means in said first chamber disposed about said shaft for normally urging said shaft and thus said valve means into a closed position and so that depression of said other end of said shaft means will open said valve means and upon release of sAid other end said spring means will close said valve means, said retaining plate being engaged by said spring means so that upon removal of said second chamber access is provided to the interior of said first chamber, said plate having a plurality of openings therein for introducing said plurality of differently colored pastry decorating materials from said conduit means into said second chamber.