Holder, display, and transport apparatus for baked goods

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a main body portion for holding cake(s) and/or cupcake(s). The main body portion includes a plurality of recesses configured to retain a baked good therein. Various portions of the main body along with the cake(s) and/or cupcake(s), can be designed, colored, and decorated so as to collectively portray a desired theme for the cake and/or cupcake display.

1 : A system for retaining baked goods, comprising:
 an outer lid having a top surface and side walls and including a substantially transparent portion;   a substantially planar support tray configured to mate with the side walls of the outer lid to thereby securely connect the outer lid and support tray; and   an integrally formed base configured to rest upon the support tray,   wherein the base includes a plurality of spaced apart recesses formed in a top surface of the base, each of the recesses includes a substantially planar bottom surface, each recess being configured to retain a baked good therein,   wherein bottom surfaces of the plurality of recesses are formed on three or more non-coincident planes, and   
       wherein the base further includes a laterally extending area that extends between the plurality of recesses, the laterally extending area substantially entirely bearing one or more ornamental depictions. 
     
     
         2 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a plurality of the non-coincident planes are non-parallel.   
     
     
         3 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the base includes a first recess having at least one first area, and a plurality of second recesses having an area different from each of the at least one first area. 
     
     
         4 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of second recesses have substantially a same second area. 
     
     
         5 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of second recesses are positioned at least partially around a perimeter of the at least one first recess. 
     
     
         6 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 4 , wherein the first area is greater than the second area. 
     
     
         7 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the laterally extending area of the top surface depicts one or more features of an inanimate object. 
     
     
         8 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the laterally extending area includes non-planar regions. 
     
     
         9 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 8 , wherein the non-planar regions are formed around one or more of the plurality of recesses and depict one or more features of the inanimate object. 
     
     
         10 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more colors for the one or more features of the inanimate object are different from a color for the base. 
     
     
         11 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the features of the inanimate object extend above and/or below the top surface of the base. 
     
     
         12 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 7 , wherein the one or more features of the inanimate object include body parts of the inanimate object. 
     
     
         13 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 7 , wherein the inanimate object is a person, place or thing. 
     
     
         14 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 7 , wherein the inanimate object is a cartoon character. 
     
     
         15 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein a side surface of the base includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is located closer to a bottom of the base than the second end. 
     
     
         16 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support member engaged with a bottom portion of the base.   
     
     
         17 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion of the base includes one or more retaining members located along at least one side edge of the base to frictionally engage the support member to secure the support member to the base. 
     
     
         18 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 17 , wherein the support member engages three retaining members. 
     
     
         19 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes one or more locking devices provided integral therewith or provided as an independent fitment. 
     
     
         20 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 19 , wherein the one or more locking devices lock together the base and a support member engaged with a bottom portion of the base. 
     
     
         21 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 19 , wherein locking devices are provided at a plurality of side edges of the base. 
     
     
         22 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein the ornamental depiction on the top surface of the base includes graphical representations relating to decorations provided with the baked goods. 
     
     
         23 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the baked goods includes one or more of icing or other edible decorations, and at least one non-edible item configured to be removed by the user prior to consuming the baked good. 
     
     
         24 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 23 , wherein the non-edible item is a toy ring or other decorations with after-party utility or play value. 
     
     
         25 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of one or more of the recesses includes an aperture. 
     
     
         26 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein a side surface of one or more of the recesses includes at least one groove. 
     
     
         27 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein the baked goods retained in the plurality of recesses are cakes or cupcakes. 
     
     
         28 : The system for retaining baked goods according to  claim 1 , wherein the baked goods retained in the plurality of recesses are a combination of one or more cakes and one or more cupcakes. 
     
     
         29 : An apparatus for retaining baked goods, comprising:
 an integrally formed base; and   a support member engaged with a bottom portion of the base,   wherein the base includes a plurality of spaced apart recesses formed in a top surface of the base, each of the recesses includes a substantially planar bottom surface, each recess being configured to retain a baked good therein,   wherein bottom surfaces of the plurality of recesses are formed on three or more non-coincident planes, and   wherein the base further includes a laterally extending area that extends between the plurality of recesses, the laterally extending area substantially entirely bearing one or more ornamental depictions.