GUMMY CONFECTIONERY-COATED NON-EDIBLE CONTAINER

Abstract

A confectionery product comprising of a layer of gummy confectionery, made up of one or more sections, which coat a non-edible object or container. This container is purposed to house a children's toy and support the layer of confectionery. Methods of preparing the confectionery-coated object also are provided.

Claims

1. An article comprising of a layer of gummy confectionery loosely removably adhered to an outer surface of a non-edible container.

2.-69. (canceled)

70. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the confectionery layer partially, or completely, covers the non-edible container.

71. The article as claimed in claims 1, wherein the non-edible container is an egg-like shape.

72. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-edible container contains a toy, and the contained toy is not revealed until said container is opened.

73. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gummy confectionery layer thickness is 1 mm-5 mm.

74. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gummy confectionery layer is sufficiently flexible such that it can be removed from the non-edible container without sustaining brittle fragmentation.

75. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery is comprised of one or more sections, wherein each section or sections is removable independently of any other section or sections.

76. The article as claimed in claim 75, wherein the number of independently removable sections is 2 to 10.

77. The article as claimed in claim 75, wherein the article further comprises any of the following features between said sections: an indented groove, a perforation, a gap, or a combination thereof.

78. The article as claimed in claim 75, wherein one or more independently removable section or sections includes any of the following features to assist with removing said removable section from the non-edible container: an indented groove, a perforated line, a gap, or a combination thereof.

79. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery comprises two or more colors.

80. The article as claimed in claim 75, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery comprises of more than one color, and wherein each independently removable section or sections is a single colour.

81. The article as claimed claim 75, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery comprises of more than one flavor, wherein each independently removable section or sections is a single flavour.

82. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gummy confectionery layer comprises one or more of the following gelling agents: Bovine Gelatine, Porcine Gelatine, Fish Gelatine, Modified Starch, Pectin, Carrageenan, and Agar.

83. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gummy confectionery layer comprises Sorbitol.

84. The article as claimed in claims 1, wherein the gummy confectionery layer comprises Maltitol.

85. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-edible container contains a toy or a food item.

86. An article comprising of two or more sections of gummy confectionery on an outer surface of a non-edible container, wherein one or more of the two or more gummy confectionery sections is independently separable from any of the two or more gummy confectionery sections by an indented groove, a perforated line, a gap, or a combination thereof.

87. A method of preparing a gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object, comprising: placing a non-edible object into a mold; closing the mold; and injecting gummy confectionery into the closed mold to form one of more sections of gummy confectionery on an outer surface of the non-edible object.

88. A method of claim 87, wherein the mold comprises a first half and a second half, each with an inner surface, that mate together at their respective faces to form a hollow interior to house the non-edible object.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the second half of the mold is further comprised of two sections that mate together to form the inner surface of said second half

90. The method of claim 87, wherein the non-edible object is a non-edible container.

91. The method of claim 87, wherein one or more protrusions from an inner surface of the mold, when containing the non-edible object, centralize the non-edible object within the mold.

92. The method of claim 87, wherein one or more protrusions from an inner surface of the mold, when containing the non-edible object, creates one or more discrete cavities between the inner surface of the mold and the outer surface of the non-edible object, wherein the injected gummy confectionary fills the discrete cavities.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the protrusions of the mold, when containing the non-edible object, creates one or more cavities between the inner surface of the mold and the outer surface of the non-edible object, wherein each cavity, when injected with gummy confectionary, forms sections of gummy confectionary separable from adjacent sections by any of the following features between said sections: an indented groove, a perforation, a gap, or a combination thereof.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein each of the one or more discrete cavities comprise one or more injection holes.

95. The method of claim 87, wherein the inner surface of the mold comprises shapes, letters, fruit, or any combination thereof embossed or debossed on said surface, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery is debossed or embossed with said shapes, letters, or fruit.

96. The method of claim 87, further comprising cooling the injected gummy confectionery by exposing the closed mold to air.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the air comprises a temperature of 0-10° C.

98. The method of claim 87, further comprising cooling the gummy confectionery by at least partially immersing the closed mold into water.

99. The method of claim 87, wherein the mold comprises one or more cooling channels that pass through the solid section of the mold, and flowing water through the cooling channels to cool the mold and gummy confectionery.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the water comprises a temperature of 1-10° C.

101. The method of claim 87, further comprising, cooling the molded gummy confectionery; opening the mold; and removing the gummy-coated non-edible object.

102. The method of claim 87, wherein the gummy confectionery is injected at a temperature of 50-70° C.

103. The method of claim 87, wherein the mold comprises an ejector pin.

104. The method of claim 88, wherein the inner surfaces of the mold each comprise a non-stick coating.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein the non-stick coating comprises of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP), Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), carnauba wax, corn oil, palm oil, coconut oil, or a combination thereof.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention are incorporated and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0022] In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; a non-edible container with a layer of 8 peelable sections of gummy confectionery.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment and view of FIG. 1, with one of the 8 sections partially peeled from the surface of the non-edible container.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the invention's embodiment from FIG. 1, revealing a toy within the non-edible container.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a three-quarter perspective view of the invention's embodiment from FIG. 1 with the confectionery layer removed from the non-edible container, and the toy being removed.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a similar embodiment to FIG. 1, wherein the sections of removable gummy have unique colours from one another.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, with an example of potential shapes of gummy confectionery sections.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the sections of gummy form the design of a character on the surface of a non-edible container.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the non-edible container's shape may vary, such as a sphere, and/or the contents of the container may be food or other non-toy products.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the non-edible container is a cube shape. An encapsulated toy is also revealed within the non-edible container.

[0032] FIG. 10 displays a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment similar to FIG. 3, wherein the peelable sections of gummy confectionery are connected by an indented groove to assist with separation, instead of a gap.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a side view displaying an alternative embodiment similar to FIG. 1, wherein the peelable sections of gummy confectionery are connected by a perforated line to assist with separation, instead of a gap.

[0034] FIG. 12 is a three-quarter view of a first half of a mould which comprises a cavity that houses a non-edible object to form gummy confectionery on the outer surface of.

[0035] FIG. 13 is a three-quarter view of a second half of a mould which comprises a cavity that houses a non-edible object to form gummy confectionery on the outer surface of.

[0036] FIG. 14 shows three-quarter view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 12, wherein the mould comprises water channels through the body of the mould to cool the gummy confectionery after injecting the confectionery into the mould.

[0037] FIG. 15 is a three-quarter view of an additional alternative embodiment of the mould half of FIG. 12, wherein the inner surface of the mould has shapes and icons debossed into it.

[0038] FIG. 16 shows a three-quarter view of the mould halves from FIGS. 12 and 13 mated together, forming the non-edible object-housing cavity.

[0039] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the mated mould halves from FIG. 16 with a non-edible container located within.

[0040] FIG. 18 shows a three-quarter view of an alternative embodiment of the mould from FIG. 16, wherein the second half is divided into two sections, through its transverse axis.

[0041] FIG. 19 shows a three-quarter view of an additional alternative embodiment of the mould from FIG. 16, wherein the second half is divided into two sections, through its longitudinal axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] As used herein, “longitudinal” refers to an axis along the lengthwise direction of a body passing through the centre of gravity.

[0043] As used herein, “transverse” refers to an axis along the width of a body, orthogonal to and intersecting the longitudinal axis at the centre of gravity.

[0044] The invention as disclosed in its present form, comprises of: A polypropylene non-edible container in the shape of an egg, wherein the longitudinal dimension is longer than its transverse dimension and is rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis; A toy encapsulated within the non-edible container; A peelable layer made up of sections of gummy confectionery on the surface of said non-edible container, including gaps between these sections revealing the non-edible container underneath, wherein the gaps are preferably formed by an outer mould during the confectionery forming process.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, this embodiment comprises of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of gummy confectionery loosely adhered to the surface of a non-edible, egg-shaped, container 9, wherein the confectionery layer conforms to its shape. These confectionery sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are separable from adjacent sections by a gap 10 of 0.5 mm-2.5 mm. Each sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 include a gap 11, 0.5 mm-2.5 mm in width, to assist with peeling 12 the confectionery from the surface of the container 9. Upon peeling the loosely adhered confectionery layer from the surface of the container, a residue-free finish 13 remains, due to the surface texture of the container 9, the formula of the gummy confectionery, or a combination thereof.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment, revealing the encapsulated toy 14 inside the non-edible container. Additionally, the gummy confectionery layer's profile 15 displays the intended thickness to be a thin layer of 1 mm-5 mm gummy conforming to the supporting curved surface.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows this embodiment's egg capsule 17, with the gummy confectionery removed from the surface, and opened into two halves 19, 20 allowing the toy 18 to be removed.

[0048] FIG. 5 displays a preferred design of the invention's present embodiment, wherein each of the gummy confectionery sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 are individually coloured. Furthermore, each of these uniquely coloured sections are uniquely flavoured. For example, the flavours for such sections could be any of the following: cherry, strawberry, orange, pineapple, lemon, lime, apple, raspberry, grape, watermelon, mango, bubble gum, pink grapefruit, cola, chocolate, or a combination thereof.

[0049] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5 also displays the key features from FIGS. 1-4 of: sections of gummy confectionery loosely adhered to the surface of a non-edible, egg shaped, container 29 containing a toy, with a gap 30 between each section, and a gap 31 to assist with peeling said sections.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, this embodiment displays potential for alternative designs formed by the gummy confectionery sections 32, such as pentagons and hexagons, while still featuring the gaps 33 between adjacent shapes to reveal the non-edible container 34.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, this embodiment further displays alternative designs, that conform to the non-edible container 38, using various section shapes. Sections, separable by gaps 37, may form the design of objects, landscapes, or, in this embodiment, a character wherein the sections 35 may represent heads, arms and other features. Additionally, colour 36 may be used to add to the design cohesion between sections, wherein similar sections may share a colour and flavour, such as left and right arms, however differing sections such as hair may be a different colour and flavour.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, these illustrations display embodiments of the invention wherein the non-edible container may be alternative shapes, such as a sphere 39, a cube 44, or any other shape that is beneficial to the product design. These embodiments would preferably support one or more sections 40, 45 of confectionery, each with a unique colour & flavour 41, 46. The section or sections could also comprise features within the section, to assist with peeling, and be separable from any adjacent sections by a gap 42, 47 or alternative features.

[0053] Furthermore, whereas FIG. 9 shows an encapsulated toy 48 within the non-edible container 44, FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the encapsulated material 43 within the container 39, is not a toy, but alternative items such as jelly beans, chocolate, gummy or other food products.

[0054] FIG. 10 displays an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein each independently removable section 49 is separable from adjacent sections 50, 51 by indented grooves, such as a V-shaped indentation 52.

[0055] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment showing an alternative form of the independently removable sections wherein each section 53 is separable from adjacent sections 54, 55 by a perforated tear line 56.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 17, these figures illustrate the method for producing a gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object. Additionally, alternative embodiments of this method are shown.

[0057] FIG. 12 displays a first half 101 of a mould that is used to prepare the aforementioned preferred embodiments of a gummy confectionery-coated non-edible container similar to FIG. 1. This mould shown comprises an inner surface that injected gummy confectionery conforms to and protrusions offset from said inner surface to locate the non-edible container and form the aforementioned gummy confectionery sections. These protrusions include transverse ribs 102 that separate each section of gummy by a gap 10, and a longitudinal rib 103 that creates a peeling gap 11 to allow the consumer to remove sections of gummy independently.

[0058] FIG. 13 displays the second half 104 of a mould designed to mate with the first half 101 from FIG. 12. The transverse ribs 105 align with the ribs 102, although this side does not feature a longitudinal rib. The second half 104 features injection holes 106, to inject the gummy confectionery into, with this embodiment having 1 injection hole for each section of gummy.

[0059] FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a first half 107 of a mould that could mate with the second half 104 from FIG. 13. This mould does not contain a longitudinal rib yet retains the transverse ribs 108 to provide multiple cavities for receiving gummy. This mould additionally comprises cooling channels 109 within the body of the mould that may allow for rapid cooling of the mould, and consequent cooling of the gummy confectionery. Alternatively, these cooling channels could also be designed to receive refrigerant, coolant liquid, or cold air.

[0060] FIG. 15 further displays an alternative embodiment of a first half 110 of a mould that could mate with the second half 104 from FIG. 13. This mould half also retains multiple transverse ribs 111 for locating the non-edible container and creating discrete cavities, however the inner surface of the mould comprises debossed shapes 112. This illustrates the ability to form complex geometry and texture into the formed gummy sections such as polygons, letters, symbols, icons, fruit, or any other features that may improve the sensation or appearance of the gummy.

[0061] FIG. 16 displays a preferred embodiment of a closed mould comprising a first 113 and second 114 half mated at a coupling face 115. These two halves, when mated, form an interior cavity 116 capable of receiving a non-edible object that the protrusions and/or inner surface have been contoured to and/or offset from.

[0062] FIG. 17 further shows a cross-sectional view of two mould halves 117, 118 mated at a coupling plane 119 containing a non-edible object, wherein the object is a non-edible container 120. This view shows the fixed location of the non-edible container within the mould's contoured ribs and offset inner surface, and the separation of discrete cavities between the transverse ribs. The injection hole 124 allows for gummy to be injected into the cavity 121 between the transverse ribs 122, 123. The inner surface of the mould halves can be seen to be contoured and offset from the outer surface of the non-edible container, providing a vacancy with uniform thickness, wherein the resulting injected gummy sections would have uniform thickness.

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, in some alternative embodiments, the aforementioned second half of the mould could be further divided into two parts, through its longitudinal or transverse axis, wherein the dividing plane is perpendicular to the mating plane between the two halves. This division of the second half could produce a folding mould, wherein the mould comprises of a first half, and a second and third section that make up the second half, wherein these second and third sections are each independently connected, via a hinge or a linear rail, to the first half. Furthermore, this division of the second half could be useful to ensure a lower surface area for the gummy confectionery to stick to compared to the first half when opening the mould after cooling. This would provide a more stable mould release process, wherein the gummy confectionery coated non-edible object remains in the first half of the mould upon opening the closed mould to remove the gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object.

[0064] FIG. 18 displays an alternative embodiment of the mould in FIG. 16, wherein the mould comprises a first half 125 and a second half that is divided into a first 126 and second 127 section through its transverse axis. Upon closing the mould, each section of the second half would mate to the other with a face 128, and with the first half of the mould with a face 129, wherein faces 128 129 are perpendicular. Each section of the second half in this embodiment is connected to the first half via a hinge 130.

[0065] FIG. 19 illustrates an additional alternative embodiment of the mould in FIG. 16, wherein the mould comprises of a first half 131 and a second half divided into a first 132 and second 133 section and connected via a hinge as in the embodiment of FIG. 18, however, the second half in this embodiment is divided through its longitudinal axis. Each section of the second half mates with the other with the faces 134 135 and with the first half of the mould with the face 136, wherein the faces 134 135 are perpendicular to 136. This embodiment additionally divides the injection holes 137 which seal upon closing of the mould sections.

[0066] The present and alternative embodiments of the mould, for example, could be mated together using mechanisms such as a hinge, bolts, magnets, automated power screws, cam locks, linear slide rails or other well-known clamping methods.

[0067] The mould can be prepared from any suitable material, such as, for example, aluminium, stainless steel, silicone, or any combination thereof. Selection of a suitable material is within the ability of the skilled artisan. Characteristics of the material that can be considered include, for example, thermal properties, machining time, and durability. For example, a durable material can minimize damage to the mating surfaces after repeated clamping of the two mould halves.

[0068] The moulds for use in the methods provided herein can be coated with a permanent or temporary coating to decrease adherence of gummy confectionery to the mould surface. Decreasing adherence of gummy confectionery can facilitate release of the gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object from the mould. Examples of coatings that can be applied to the mould surface include Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP), Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), carnauba wax, corn oil, palm oil, or coconut oil. In some methods provided herein the mould can be sandblasted, or otherwise roughened, before applying a permanent coating.

[0069] A gummy confectionery-coated non-edible container can be prepared by injection moulding gummy into a mould housing a non-edible container. In an exemplary embodiment, the gummy confectionery-coated non-edible container can comprise 8 sections of independently separable gummy coating, an egg-shaped non-edible container, and a surprise toy therein. Each confectionery section can contain a fruit flavour and a corresponding colour. The non-edible container can be made of polypropylene (PP) with a glossy white colour. Two sections of the non-edible container can be attached by a snap joint to form a sealed container. The gummy confectionery coating can be applied by hot injection moulding within a PTFE coated mould, wherein the injection of gummy is controlled with a pump with adequate volume accuracy. After injection of hot gummy confectionery, the gummy confectionery can be cooled by cooling the mould with cold air or water.

[0070] The gummy confectionery can be prepared to meet an injection temperature suitable to control key parameters that may affect the forming process such as viscosity, or heat energy. As the temperature is increased, the viscosity decreases which may require lower injection pressure, however higher temperature may also result in longer cooling time of the mould and gummy confectionery layer.

[0071] Once the gummy is sufficiently set, the mould can be opened to remove the gummy confectionery-coated container where it can be left to dry in a humidity-controlled environment. This drying process can be used to achieve desired gummy texture and reduce the adhesion of the outer surface of the gummy layer. Once dried, a fine layer of vegetable oil & carnauba wax solution can be applied to improve glossiness and further reduce stickiness adhesive properties of the gummy surface.

[0072] The invention has been described with examples relevant to its current form, however, potential embodiments will include any form that is within the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.