System and method for protecting food decorations

Abstract

A system and method for protecting food decorations is provided. A device or plurality of devices are included, each device having a top portion, a shaft, and a piercing element. The piercing element is inserted into a food item and the shaft extends further than an outermost layer of food decorations. The top portion serves as a protective support structure for application of a protective layer to the food item, such that the protective layer rests or is otherwise supported by the one or more device and does not directly interact or touch the decorative elements of the food item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for protecting food decorations, the device comprising:
 a shaft;   a top portion connected to a first end of the shaft;   and a piercing element associated with a second end of the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top portion includes a first surface, the first surface being opposed to the connection point of the top portion to the first end of the shaft, the first surface being substantially planar. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first surface is circular. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first surface includes a decorative element. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the shaft is of sufficient length to penetrate a food item and extend beyond an outer layer of decorative items of the food item. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the shaft is cylindrical and has a first diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the piercing element is cylindrical and has a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the piercing element includes a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the shaft and having a first piercing end diameter, the second end opposing the first and having a second piercing end diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first piercing end diameter is substantially similar to the first diameter of the shaft and the second piercing end diameter is smaller than the first diameter of the shaft, the first piercing end being tapered between the first and second piercing ends. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the top portion is generally spherical. 
     
     
         11 . A method for protecting food decorations, the method comprising the steps:
 inserting a plurality of devices into a food item, the plurality of food devices each comprising:
 a shaft; 
 a top portion connected to a first end of the shaft; 
 and a piercing element associated with a second end of the shaft. shrouding the food item with a protective layer, wherein the plurality of devices contact 
 the protective layer without the protective layer contacting the food item. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the top portion includes a first surface, the first surface being opposed to the connection point of the top portion to the first end of the shaft, the first surface being substantially planar. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first surface is circular. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first surface includes a decorative element. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft is of sufficient length to penetrate a food item and extend beyond an outer layer of decorative items of the food item. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the shaft is cylindrical and has a first diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the piercing element is cylindrical and has a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the piercing element includes a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the shaft and having a first piercing end diameter, the second end opposing the first and having a second piercing end diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first piercing end diameter is substantially similar to the first diameter of the shaft and the second piercing end diameter is smaller than the first diameter of the shaft, the first piercing end being tapered between the first and second piercing ends. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the device further includes an arch located between the top portion and the shaft.