Edible film and method of using same for decorating foodstuffs

Abstract

An edible film and method of using same for decorating foodstuffs, in particular and baked goods, wherein anyone can easily, inexpensively and artistically decorate foodstuffs. The edible film according to the present invention is composed of an edible polymer film which is preferably releasably mounted upon a flexible substrate to provide a reinforced edible film. The edible film is peelably released from the substrate to provide decorations for the foodstuff. The edible film may be decoratively prepared into predetermined decorations prior to distribution, which may include being pre-printed, pre-cut, colored, or being of pre-selected opacity and sheen. Pre-printing may be accomplished by any suitable printing process utilizing edible inks. Alternatively, the edible film may be distributed in a not yet finalized decoration form, wherein finalization is left up to the user. For example, the reinforced edible film may be distributed without being pre-printed or only partially pre-printed, wherein the user controls subsequent printing, writing, drawing or otherwise marking upon the edible film, such as by use of edible ink writing instruments. Further, the user may purchase sheets of the reinforced edible film and thereafter cut the reinforced edible film sheets into shapes defined by the user.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reinforced edible film for use in providing decoration of a foodstuff, comprising: 
 an edible film; and    a substrate releasably adhered to said edible film, wherein said edible film is manually peelable with respect to said substrate, and further wherein said substrate is constructed of a food compatible material.    
     
     
         2 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is constructed of a mechanically strong, flexible sheet material which provides workability of said edible film.  
     
     
         3 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 2 , wherein said edible film and said substrate are translucent.  
     
     
         4 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 2 , wherein said edible film is provided with score lines for defining at least one decoration provided by said edible film, wherein said score lines do not cut through said substrate.  
     
     
         5 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 2 , wherein said substrate comprises mylar having a thickness of substantially 3 mils.  
     
     
         6 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 5 , wherein said edible film comprises an edible polymer film.  
     
     
         7 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 6 , wherein said edible polymer film comprises one of methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.  
     
     
         8 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 7 , wherein said edible film is provided with score lines for defining at least one decoration provided by said edible film, wherein said score lines do not cut through said substrate.  
     
     
         9 . The reinforced edible film of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said at least one decorations is at least partly finalized by being pre-printed upon.  
     
     
         10 . A kit for providing decoration of a foodstuff, comprising: 
 at least one reinforced edible film, each reinforced edible film comprising: 
 an edible film; and  
 a substrate releasably adhered to said edible film, wherein said edible film is manually peelable with respect to said substrate, and further wherein said substrate is constructed of a food compatible material; and  
   at least one edible ink writing instrument for a user to utilize to mark upon the edible film.    
     
     
         11 . A method for providing a reinforced edible film, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an edible film solution;    providing a substrate constructed of a food compatible material;    placing a quantity of said edible film solution onto said substrate;    smoothing said edible film solution across said substrate at a substantially uniform predetermined thickness with respect to said substrate; and    drying said edible film solution to provide an edible film that is releasably adhered to said substrate.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said step of providing an edible film solution comprises the steps of: 
 mixing a first quantity of edible polymer film material into a second quantity of water to form said solution, wherein the ratio between said first quantity and said second quantity is predetermined to arrive at a preselected viscosity of said edible film.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of providing an edible film solution comprises selecting, color, opacity, sheen, taste and masticulary feel of said edible film.  
     
     
         14 . A method for providing foodstuff decoration, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an edible film;    selectively shaping the edible film to form at least one decoration; and    placing said at least one decoration onto a foodstuff to thereby decorate the foodstuff.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of providing an edible film further comprises selecting viscosity, thickness, color, opacity, sheen, taste and masticulary feel of said edible film.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of marking said edible film.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of placing water upon the foodstuff to cause said at least one decoration to adhere to the foodstuff.  
     
     
         18 . A method for providing foodstuff decoration, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a reinforced edible film, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an edible film solution;  
 providing a substrate constructed of a food compatible material;  
 placing a quantity of said edible film solution onto said substrate;  
 smoothing said edible film solution across said substrate at a predetermined thickness with respect to said substrate; and  
 drying said edible film solution to provide an edible film that is releasably adhered to said substrate;  
   selectively shaping the edible film to form at least one decoration;    peeling said at least one decoration from said substrate; and    placing said at least one decoration onto a foodstuff to thereby decorate the foodstuff.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said step of providing an edible film further comprises selecting viscosity, color, opacity, sheen, taste and masticulary feel of said edible film.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of placing water upon the foodstuff to cause said at least one decoration to adhere to the foodstuff.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of selectively shaping comprises scoring said edible film to define said at least one decoration, wherein said scoring does not cut through said substrate.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of marking said edible film.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of marking said edible film.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said step of marking further comprises the steps of: 
 placing a depiction beneath said reinforced edible film; and    marking said edible film by tracing the depiction as visibly seen through said reinforced edible film.