Illumination – Plural light sources – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-11
2001-01-09
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
Combined
C362S253000, C362S808000, C108S023000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170961
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to supports for baked goods in general, and to assemblies for supporting elevated cake layers in particular.
A wedding celebration is a momentous occasion, not only for the bride and groom, but also for the families, friends, and acquaintances of the married couple. The importance of the event is marked in numerous ways: the distinctive garb of the wedding party, the provision of music, dancing, floral arrangements, table decorations, food and drink. Pride of place among the table decorations and ornaments is accorded the wedding cake. The wedding cake, in addition to serving as a conclusion to the wedding meal, stands as a prominent symbol of the event, usually in full view of the participants, throughout the time prior to and during the consumption of the wedding lunch or dinner.
Because of its importance, significant care and expense are invested in providing a wedding cake which is not only satisfying to eat, but attractive to look upon. Regardless of the quantity of cake required to satisfy the guests, the symbolic importance of the cake often requires that it extend vertically above the tabletop to serve as an eye-catching centerpiece. Various cake supports and cake stands have been devised to separate the layers of the cake into an imposing structure. These cake supports may be formed of metal or plastic and, in addition to adding structural rigidity to a multilayer cake, also increase the visual volume of the cake assembly without unduly adding to the number of servings. Modular cake stands provide for rapid assembly of the cake and convenient transportation from the bakery to the reception hall. Cake trays formed of molded transparent plastic to simulate the appearance of cut glass may have downwardly protruding legs which support the tray on the tabletop or on tubular plastic pillars.
The importance of the wedding cake calls for prominent lighting. However, the overhead lighting within a banquet hall cannot always be accurately controlled. Furthermore, because the cake is an edible product, usually iced with sugar-based frosting, it should be protected from elevated temperatures, such as might be generated by the long-term directing of a spotlight. Wax candles with their flickering flames have been a traditional way of calling attention to a cake. However, burning candles require supervision, and present a potential fire hazard in crowded locations. Moreover, wax from the candles may drip onto the cake surface or the surfaces of the serving plates causing an unsightly mess.
What is needed is a support for an elevated cake which securely holds the cake layer while drawing visual attention to itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The cake support of this invention has a transparent plastic light assembly illuminated by a strand of miniature electric lights. The light assembly supports a cake on a transparent plastic tray in an elevated position. The light assembly has one or more transparent plastic pillars or tubes which are affixed between a top plate and a bottom plate. The plates have pillar entry holes such that the double strand of lights may pass from the underside of the bottom plate to the top side of the top plate and be affixed thereto. The cake tray has downwardly extending feet which are received within cylindrical protrusions on the top plate. The cake tray has a peripheral rim through which the illuminated miniature lights are visible. An inverted cake tray is positioned beneath the bottom plate such that the feet of the inverted tray engage downwardly extending protrusions on the bottom plate. An electric cord extends from the light string between the bottom plate and the inverted cake tray to be connected to another similar cake support or to an extension cord for connection to a power supply. The inverted tray may be disposed on a tabletop or on an underlying cake layer.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cake support which visually highlights the supported cake.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an illuminated cake stand in which the lighting elements are shielded from the cake.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cake support which is rapidly assembled and easily transportable.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1707539 (1929-04-01), Propp
patent: 1847687 (1932-03-01), Biertuempfel
patent: 2921691 (1960-01-01), Dembinski
patent: 3690610 (1972-09-01), Peirce
patent: 3744166 (1973-07-01), Rielle
patent: 3814032 (1974-06-01), McMains
patent: 3843220 (1974-10-01), Snider
patent: 4069772 (1978-01-01), Haapala
patent: 4416075 (1983-11-01), Bauer
patent: 4947722 (1990-08-01), Lewis
“Wilton Enterprises cake decorating 1999 yearbook,”© 1998 Wilton Industries, Inc., 2240 W. 75thStreet, Woodridge, IL 60517, pp. Cover, 88, 95, 158, 160, 161, and 162.
Exhibit A—lighted Cake Stand device.
Lathrop & Clark LLP
O'Shea Sandra
Ward John Anthony
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