| Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative houseRelated Patent Categories: Food Or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, And Products, Imitated, Simulated, Ornamental, Three-dimensional Product Or Confectionary Product Having Child-oriented UtilitySystems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070202219, Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/750,700 filed 2 Jan. 2004 and entitled "Interlocking Assembly System and Related Methods for a Decorative House" which claims the benefit of provisional Application Ser. No. 60/437,708, filed Jan. 2, 2003, and entitled "Interlocking Assembly System and Related Methods for a Decorative House." FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the construction of decorative houses. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Decorative structures, particularly edible decorative structures, such as gingerbread houses, are well-known. Such structures are routinely made and displayed, especially for specially occasions, such as birthdays or Christmas. Children, in particular, enjoy participating in the decorating process. Historically, assembly of a gingerbread house has been an awkward and time-consuming task. Icing, in particular icings having an egg white base, such as royal icing, have traditionally been used to bond the individual panels of a structure together. The icing method is difficult to implement due to the amount of drying time required. Gingerbread house builders typically need a great degree of patience and may rely upon some sort of makeshift propping system to help stabilize the structure while the icing is setting. The icing assembly method can therefore be a frustrating experience for both adults and children. The frustration often limits enjoyment of the finished structure and may even prevent completion of the structure. [0004] The need therefore remains for systems and methods for creating a decorative structure that are time and cost-efficient. The need further remains for systems and methods that permit ease of assembly while maintaining an acceptable degree of stability throughout the assembly process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] A special tabbed pattern is integrated into each joining panel of a decorative structure. The tabs are sized and positioned to provide a dovetail joint along each edge of the structure. The protruding tabs or ends are of a slightly smaller dimension than the notches that they fit inside of, thus providing a secure fit. This self-interlocking design allows each individual piece of the structure to be fitted together, one at a time, while maintaining an acceptable degree of stability throughout the assembly process. [0006] One aspect of the invention provides a kit for creating a decorative structure. The kit provides a plurality of pre-made or pre-cut panels and a decorating material. The panels provide a series of tabs and notches that are adapted to interlock the panels. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a pair of end panels, a pair of side panels, a pair of roof panels, and a decorating material. Each end panel has a bottom surface, a pair of opposed side surfaces each having a tab and a notch, and a pair of inclined top surfaces each having a tab and a notch. Each side panel has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a. pair of opposed side surfaces, each side surface having a tab and a notch. Each roof panel has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposed side surfaces, each side surface having a tab and a notch. [0007] Another aspect of the invention provides a kit for creating a decorative structure. The kit comprises a plurality of edible panels. The panels provide a series of tabs and notches adapted to interlock the panels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the cutting of a cookie panel from a tabbed cookie cutter. [0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the interlocking of a pair of tabbed cookie panels having the same configuration. [0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the interlocking of a pair of tabbed cookie panels having different configurations. [0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a make it from scratch baking kit for making a decorative structure. [0012] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating the use of a pair of dough gauges to roll a ball of dough on a cookie sheet to a uniform desired thickness. [0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in which the cookie sheet includes raised edges. [0014] FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating the layout on cookie sheets of a series of panels required to assemble a decorative structure. [0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a lined pan to mold melted chocolate to a desired length, width and height. [0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a series of molds to mold melted chocolate into desired panels. [0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating the dimensions of a side panel cutter in a representative embodiment. [0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrating the dimensions of a roof panel cutter in a representative embodiment. [0019] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustrating the dimensions of an end panel cutter in a representative embodiment. Continue reading about Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house... Full patent description for Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ice-containing products Next Patent Application: Food storage preserver Industry Class: Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Systems and methods for building an interlocking decorative house patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.10726 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
