Piping bag cutting tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool for cutting a piping bag to fit a nozzle for applying a foodstuff to a substrate. According to the invention, a piping bag cutting tool may comprise a body, a piping bag receiving portion, and a plurality of correlating elements wherein the positioning of each correlating element relative to the piping bag receiving portion is such that when a piping bag is arranged in or on the piping bag receiving portion and a tip region of the piping bag is cut in correspondence with a target correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements, an opening created by cutting the tip region allows a nozzle to be fitted to the piping bag. The piping bag cutting tool further comprises a nozzle size determining portion configured to allow the association of a size of the nozzle with the target correlating element. The piping bag receiving portion, the plurality of correlating elements, and the nozzle size determining portion are provided in or on the body.

Description

[0001] Piping bag cutting tool

[0002] The present invention relates to a piping bag cutting tool. More in particular, the present invention relates to a tool for cutting a piping bag to fit a nozzle for applying a foodstuff to a substrate. The present invention further relates to a use of the piping bag cutting tool and to an assembly comprising the piping bag cutting tool and at least one piping bag and to an assembly comprising the piping bag cutting tool, at least one piping bag and at least one nozzle.

[0003] The use of piping bags for applying foodstuffs to a substrate has been known for a long time. A nozzle is used at the end of a piping bag to create a funnel for the food to be pushed through. Before inserting the nozzle in the piping bag, filling the piping bag with a foodstuff and using the piping bag, the tip of the piping bag needs to be cut off. Most users do not know exactly at what distance from the tip of the piping bag to cut. Estimating this position can lead to cutting off too much or too little. Cutting off too much will result in the nozzle falling through the opening in the piping bag, making the piping bag unusable. Cutting off too little will result in too little grip between the nozzle and piping bag and thus inconvenient use of the piping bag.

[0004] A better way to measure how much of the piping bag should be cut off to fit a nozzle is to place the nozzle in the empty piping bag, measure where to cut, take the nozzle out of the piping bag and then cut the tip of the piping bag. However, this is very inconvenient and may still lead to inaccuracies by cutting off too much or too little.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a piping bag cutting tool that assists pastry chefs, chocolatiers and other users in cutting the tip of a piping bag to fit a nozzle in an easy and convenient way.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, this object has been achieved with a piping bag cutting tool that comprises a body, a piping bag receiving portion, and a plurality of correlating elements wherein the positioning of each correlating element relative to the piping bag receiving portion is such that when a piping bag is arranged in or on the piping bag receiving portion and a tip region of the piping bag is cut in correspondence with a target correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements, an opening created by cutting the tip region allows a nozzle to be fitted to the piping bag. The piping bag cutting tool further comprises a nozzle size determining portion configured to allow the association of a size of the nozzle with the target correlating element. The piping bag receiving portion, the plurality of correlating elements, and the nozzle size determining portion are provided in or on the body.

[0007] The piping bag receiving portion may have a predefined visual appearance and / or physical shape corresponding to the tip region of the piping bag. This visual appearance and / or physical shape may comprise a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity. The correlating elements may have a visual appearance and / or physical shape. The visual appearance and / or physical shape may comprise a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity. Each correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements may further comprise a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of each correlating element may have a visual appearance and / or physical shape, said visual appearance and / or physical shape may comprise a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity, and wherein the second section of each correlating element may have a visual appearance and / or physical shape, said visual appearance and / or physical shape may comprise a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity.

[0008] The first section of each correlating element may extend from the nozzle size determining portion to a first end of the piping bag receiving portion and the second section of each correlating element may extend from said first end of the piping bag receiving portion to a second end, opposite to the first end, of the piping bag receiving portion or to an outer edge of the body through the piping bag receiving portion.

[0009] The piping bag receiving portion may comprise a plurality of predefined cutting positions and the nozzle size determining portion may comprise a plurality of predefined alignment positions. Each correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements may be associated with a respective alignment position among the plurality of predefined alignment position and with a respective cutting position among the plurality of predefined cutting positions. The association of a size of the nozzle with the target correlating element may comprise the association of a nozzle with a target alignment position among the plurality of predefined alignment position.

[0010] The target alignment position may be the nearest alignment position among said plurality of predefined alignment positions to the nozzle when the nozzle is arranged in the nozzle size determining portion.

[0011] The nozzle size determining portion may have a visual appearance and / or physical shape corresponding to cross sections of nozzles with multiple sizes. The visual appearance and / or physical shape may comprise a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity.

[0012] The nozzle size determining portion may have a shape that is tapered along a first curve, wherein the shape corresponds to a plurality of circles with decreasing radius arranged in an overlapping manner along the first curve. The first curve is preferably a straight line.

[0013] Arranging the nozzle in the nozzle size determining portion may comprise positioning the nozzle in or on the nozzle size determining portion such that the nozzle touches an outer edge of the nozzle size determining portion on opposite sides of the nozzle. The target alignment position may then correspond to the alignment position among the plurality of alignment positions that is closest to a point at which the nozzle touches the outer edge of the nozzle size determining portion.

[0014] Alternatively, the nozzle size determining portion may comprise concentrically arranged circles with different radii. Arranging the nozzle in the nozzle size determining portion may comprise positioning the nozzle in or on the nozzle size determining portion allowing a circle among the plurality of concentrically arranged circles to be determined of which a radius corresponds best to a radius of the nozzle. The target alignment position then corresponds to the alignment position among the plurality of alignment positions that is associated with that circle.

[0015] Each of the alignment positions among the plurality of predefined alignment positions may be connected to a corresponding cutting position among the predefined cutting positions via a respective correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements.

[0016] The piping bag that may be arranged in or on the piping bag receiving portion may have a predefined shape. The piping bag can be provided as a tubular foil, which, when laid flat on the piping bag receiving portion, has a triangular shaped end portion.

[0017] The body may be comprised by or in a food scraper, such as a bench scraper, dough scraper or cake scraper. Other shapes or forms are not excluded. Alternatively, the body may be part of a piping bag.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the invention, a food scraper is provided that comprises the piping bag cutting tool as defined above. Instead of a food scraper, other cooking and / or baking utensils are possible that are provided with the piping bag cutting tool, such as chopping boards or baking mats. In particular, cooking and / or baking utensils that have an essentially flat body are suitable for implementing the piping bag cutting tool. In this case, the body of the piping bag cutting tool can be part of the body of the cooking and / or baking utensil.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the invention, a use of the abovementioned piping bag cutting tool is provided to aid in cutting a tip region of a piping bag to allow a nozzle to be arranged therein for the purpose of using the piping bag to dispense a substance arranged in the piping bag through the nozzle.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, an assembly is provided that comprises the abovementioned piping bag cutting tool and at least one piping bag. The assembly may additionally comprise at least one nozzle.

[0021] Next, the invention will be described in more detail referring to the appended figures, which show a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a piping bag cutting tool according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates a nozzle size determining portion of a piping bag cutting tool according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 illustrates a nozzle size determining portion, a plurality of correlating elements and a piping bag receiving portion of a piping bag cutting tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a nozzle size determining portion with a nozzle, a plurality of correlating elements and a piping bag receiving portion with a piping bag according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates a piping bag receiving portion with a predefined shape with indications of angles and sides for a calculation for achieving correspondence between the alignment positions, correlating elements and cutting positions;

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of a piping bag cutting tool according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 illustrates a further embodiment of a piping bag cutting tool according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of a piping bag cutting tool according to the present invention; and

[0029] Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment of a piping bag cutting tool according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates a piping bag cutting tool 10 formed in a food scraper 1. Piping bag cutting tool 10 comprises a body 20. Food scraper 1 is typically 8 to 15 cm in length and 8 to 15 cm in height and it is typically made of silicone or plastic, like polypropylene. According to an aspect of the present invention, piping bag cutting tool 10 is formed on a side of food scraper 1 where it typically occupies between 50 and 80 percent of the surface area of food scraper 1.

[0031] Piping bag cutting tool 10 may have a color or can be colorless. It may be transparent or non-transparent. In or on body 20, a nozzle size determining portion 30, a plurality of correlating elements 50 and a piping bag receiving portion 40 are provided. The nozzle size determining portion 30, the plurality of correlating elements 50, and piping bag receiving portion 40 each have a visual appearance and / or physical shape comprising a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity. As shown in figure 2, nozzle size determining portion 30 has a shape that is tapered along a first curve D. Nozzle size determining portion 30 comprises a plurality of predefined alignment positions 60. Piping bag receiving portion 40 comprises a plurality of predefined cutting positions 61. Each correlating element 50a, 50b is associated with a respective alignment position 60a, 60b among the predefined alignment positions and is associated with a respective cutting position 61a, 61b among the plurality of predefined cutting positions. The piping bag receiving portion 40 has a predefined shape corresponding to a tip region of a piping bag. Next, the use of piping bag cutting tool 10 will be illustrated with reference to figures 2-4.

[0032] Figure 2 shows nozzle size determining portion 30 in more detail. As shown, nozzle size determining portion 30 has a shape that is tapered along first curve D. Nozzle size determining portion 30 comprises a first outer edge 31 and a second outer edge 32. The shape of nozzle size determining portion 30 corresponds to cross sections of nozzles with multiple sizes. The shape of the nozzle size determining portion 30 corresponds to a concatenation of measurement cross sections of nozzles. Here, it is assumed that the nozzles have a circular shaped cross section although the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0033] Figure 3 shows that each alignment position 60a, 60b corresponds to a size of a cross section of a nozzle. It furthermore shows that correlating elements 50a, 50b each touch and / or run through a respective alignment position 60a, 60b and a respective cutting position 61a, 61b. As will be described next, nozzle size determining portion 30 can be used for determining where to cut a piping bag such that a given nozzle can be appropriately arranged in the piping bag.

[0034] Figure 4 shows how a nozzle 34 can be arranged in or on nozzle size determining portion 30 in such a manner that nozzle 34 touches an outer edge of the nozzle size determining portion on opposite sides of the nozzle. In this case, nozzle 34 touches second outer edge 32 of nozzle size determining portion 30 at position P. Alignment position 60c is closest to position P thereby making alignment position 60c the so-called target alignment position. Target alignment position 60c corresponds to a target correlating element 50c. In addition, target correlating element 50c corresponds to a target cutting position 61c.

[0035] Figure 4 further shows a piping bag 43 arranged in or on piping bag receiving portion 40. When the tip region of piping bag 43 is cut at a position marked by target cutting position 61c, nozzle 34 can be arranged in piping bag 43 for the purpose of using piping bag 43 to dispense a substance arranged in piping bag 43 through nozzle 34.

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates how target correlating element 50c correlates target alignment position 60c with target cutting position 61c. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in figure 4, a line along which piping bag 43 should be cut is in line with target correlating element 50c. Furthermore, target correlating element 50c may at least partially be formed using a groove in body 20 that allows a cutting knife or the like to be guided therein. Moreover, such target correlating element 50c may extend into piping bag receiving portion 40. This would allow the cutting knife or the like of the user to be guided even when piping bag 43 prevents visual inspection of correlating element 50c inside piping bag receiving portion 40.

[0037] Figure 5 illustrates a piping bag 43 that is received in piping bag receiving portion 40. The shape of the tip region of piping bag 43 is identical to the shape of piping bag receiving portion 40. A hypothetical circle 64 can be drawn that has a center point O that corresponds to the tip point of piping bag 43, which corresponds to a tip point of piping bag receiving portion 40. The radius of circle 64 equals B = C + m, wherein C is the distance between center point O and target cutting position 61c. Here, distance C + m corresponds to the length that should be observed between the tip point of piping bag 43 and a position at which piping bag 43 should be cut such that the created opening would exactly fit with the size of nozzle 34. A margin m is used to provide sufficient grip of nozzle 34 inside piping bag 43. Typically, this margin is 2.7cm. Furthermore, an angle a can be defined between bisector 62 and outer edge 44 of piping bag receiving portion 40.

[0038] In the example of figure 5, angle a, which is the angle between bisector 62 and outer edge 44 is 15°. A hypothetical triangle can be formed using bisector 62, a line 63 extending perpendicular to bisector 62 and connecting bisector 62 and the position on outer edge 44 that is at a distance of B from center point O, and the segment of outer edge 44 connecting that position and center point O.

[0039] In this triangle, side A refers to % of the circumference of the cross section of a nozzle that is to be fitted in the cut piping bag. Taking r as the radius of the cross section of said nozzle, results in:

[0040] 1 A = - ■ 2n ■ r

[0041] 4

[0042] Applying rules of geometry, B is calculated using:

[0043] As a result: and

[0044] (C + m) ■ tan (a) r =

[0045] 2 'n

[0046] Using these formulas for multiple nozzle sizes with different radii r, corresponding distances C can be calculated and indicated with cutting positions on the piping bag receiving portion. These are then connected to a respective correlating element and, using the correlating element, to the alignment position on the nozzle size determining portion.

[0047] Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. Piping bag cutting tool 10 comprises body 20 with nozzle size determining portion 30, piping bag receiving portion 40 and plurality of correlating elements 50d, 50e. Each correlating element comprises a first section 5 Id, 51e and second section 52d, 52e. Each first section of correlating elements 5 Id, 51e extends from alignment position 60d, 60e arranged in or on nozzle size determining portion 30 to cutting position 6 Id, 61e arranged in or on piping bag receiving portion 40. Each second section of correlating elements 52d, 52e extends from cutting position 6 Id, 6 le to a corresponding opposite end of piping bag receiving portion 40 through piping bag receiving portion 40. In another embodiment, as shown in figure 7, each second section of correlating element 52d, 52e extends from cutting position 6 Id, 6 le to a corresponding opposite end of body 20 of piping bag cutting tool 10 through piping bag receiving portion 40.

[0048] Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein piping bag receiving portion 40 comprises a cut-out in body 20 and each of the correlating elements 50d, 50e stretches from a corresponding alignment position 60d, 60e to a respective cutting position 6 Id, 61e.

[0049] Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein nozzle size determining portion 30 has a shape that corresponds to cross sections of nozzles with multiple sizes. Each of the cross sections corresponds to a predefined alignment position 60f, 60g. Each predefined alignment position 60f, 60g corresponds to a correlating element 50f, 50g that in turn corresponds to a predefined cutting position 61f, 61g.

[0050] Each of the elements depicted in figures 6-9, more in particular piping bag receiving portion 40, nozzle size determining portion 30, correlating elements 50, first section 5 Id, 52e of correlating elements 50d, 50e, and second section 52d, 52e of correlating elements 50d, 50e, can be formed, shaped, and / or indicated, optionally independently from each other, as one or more of a groove, a recess, a notch, a visual marking such as a line or shape in one or more colors different from a color of body 20.

[0051] For example, piping bag receiving portion 40, nozzle size determining portion 30 and correlating elements 50 can each comprise a groove in body 20. In another embodiment, piping bag receiving portion 40 and nozzle size determining portion 30 can comprise a groove in body 20, whereas correlating elements 50 can comprise a visual marking that is a line in one or more colors different from a color of body 20. The color of body 20 may for example be white, whereas the color of the line may be black. In another embodiment, piping bag receiving portion 40 and nozzle size determining portion 30 can comprise a groove in body 20, whereas correlating elements 50a, 50b can comprise a groove in body 20 and a visual marking that is a line in one or more colors different from a color of body 20. In a further embodiment, nozzle size determining portion 30 may comprise a groove in body 20, piping bag receiving portion 40 may comprise a cut-out in body 20, and correlating elements 50 may comprise a groove in body 20 or a visual marking that is a line in one or more colors different from a color of body 20. In other embodiments correlating elements 50d, 50e can comprise a first section 51d, 51e and a second section 52d, 52e. First section 51a, 51b can comprise a visual marking like a line in one or more colors different from a color of body 20. Second section 52a, 52b can comprise a groove in body 20.

[0052] Body 20 can be realized using polypropylene with or without color pigments. Piping bag receiving portion 40, nozzle size determining portion 30, correlating elements 50, first section 5 Id, 52e of correlating elements 50d, 50e, and second section 52d, 52e of correlating elements 50d, 50e, can be formed using one or more techniques from the group of consisting of embossing, injection moulding, printing, laser engraving, and thermal transfer.

[0053] In the description above, various embodiments have been described to illustrate the inventive concept of the present invention. However, a skilled person will readily understand that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments but that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. In the present invention, expressions such as “comprise”, “include”, “have”, “may comprise”, “may include”, or “may have” indicate existence of corresponding features but do not exclude existence of additional features. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The usage of the words “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. does not indicate any ordering or priority. These words are to be interpreted as names used for convenience.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cooking and / or baking utensil comprising a piping bag cutting tool (10), wherein the piping bag cutting tool (10) comprises: a body (20); a piping bag receiving portion (40); a plurality of correlating elements (50), wherein the positioning of each correlating element relative to the piping bag receiving portion (40) is such that when a piping bag is arranged in or on the piping bag receiving portion (40) and a tip region of the piping bag is cut in correspondence with a target correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements (50), an opening created by cutting the tip region allows a nozzle to be fitted to the piping bag; and a nozzle size determining portion (30) configured to allow the association of a size of the nozzle with the target correlating element; wherein the piping bag receiving portion (40), the plurality of correlating elements (50), and the nozzle size determining portion (30) are provided in or on the body (20); wherein the cooking and / or baking utensil is a food scraper, a baking mat, or a chopping board.

2. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 1, wherein the piping bag receiving portion (40) has a predefined visual appearance and / or physical shape corresponding to the tip region of the piping bag, said visual appearance and / or physical shape comprising a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity.

3. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to any of the previous claims, wherein the correlating elements each have a visual appearance and / or physical shape, said visual appearance and / or physical shape comprising a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity.

4. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 3, wherein each correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements (50) further comprises a first section (51) and a second section (52), wherein the first section of each correlating element (51) has a visual appearance and / or physical shape, said visual appearance and / or physical shape comprising a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity, and wherein the second section of each correlating element (52) has a visual appearance and / or physical shape, said visual appearance and / or physical shape comprising a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity.

5. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 4, wherein the first section of each correlating element (51) extends from the nozzle size determining portion (30) to a first end of the piping bag receiving portion (40) and the second section of each correlating element (52) extends from said first end of the piping bag receiving portion (40) to a second end, opposite to the first end, of the piping bag receiving portion (40) or to an outer edge of the body (20) through the piping bag receiving portion (40).

6. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to any of the previous claims, wherein the piping bag receiving portion (40) comprises a plurality of predefined cutting positions (61); wherein the nozzle size determining portion (30) comprises a plurality of predefined alignment positions (60); wherein each correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements (50) is associated with a respective alignment position among the plurality of predefined alignment positions (60) and with a respective cutting position among the plurality of predefined cutting positions (61); wherein the association of a size of the nozzle with the target correlating element comprises the association of a size of a nozzle with a target alignment position among said plurality of predefined alignment positions (60).

7. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 6, wherein the target alignment position is the nearest alignment position among said plurality of predefined alignment positions (60) to the nozzle when the nozzle is arranged in the nozzle size determining portion (30).

8. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to any of the claims 6-7, wherein the nozzle size determining portion (30) has a visual appearance and / or physical shape corresponding to cross sections of nozzles with multiple sizes, said visual appearance and / or physical shape comprising a marking, groove, notch, recess, or cavity.

9. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle size determining portion (30) has a shape that is tapered along a first curve, said shape corresponding to a plurality of circles with decreasing radius arranged in an overlapping manner along the first curve, wherein the first curve is preferably a straight line.

10. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 9, wherein arranging the nozzle in the nozzle size determining portion (30) comprises positioning the nozzle in or on the nozzle size determining portion (30) such that the nozzle touches an outer edge of the nozzle size determining portion on opposite sides of the nozzle, wherein the target alignment position corresponds to the alignment position among the plurality of alignment positions (60) that is closest to a point at which the nozzle touches the outer edge of the nozzle size determining portion.

11. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle size determining portion (30) comprises concentrically arranged circles with different radii.

12. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 11, wherein arranging the nozzle in the nozzle size determining portion (30) comprises positioning the nozzle in or on the nozzle size determining portion (30) allowing a circle among the plurality of concentrically arranged circles to be determined of which a radius corresponds best to a radius of the nozzle, wherein the target alignment position corresponds to the alignment position among the plurality of alignment positions (60) that is associated with that circle.

13. The cooking and / or baking utensil according to claim 10 or 12, wherein each of the alignment positions among the plurality of predefined alignment positions (60) is connected to a corresponding cutting position among the predefined cutting positions (61) via a respective correlating element among the plurality of correlating elements (50).

14. Use of the cooking and / or baking utensil according to any of the claims 1-13 to aid in cutting a tip region of a piping bag to allow a nozzle to be arranged therein for the purpose of using the piping bag to dispense a substance arranged in the piping bag through the nozzle.

15. An assembly comprising a cooking and / or baking utensil according to any of claims 1-13 and at least one piping bag, the assembly preferably further comprising at least one nozzle.

Images