Abstract
A confectionary kit that holds ingredients suitable for making s'mores is described. In some embodiments, the kit takes the form of a box that holds two marshmallows positioned side-by-side and a stack that contains four crackers or biscuits and one or more chocolate pieces. In other embodiments, additional marshmallows and stacks are provided.
Claims
1. A confectionary kit comprising: a box that holds two marshmallows positioned side-by-side, and a stack that contains four crackers or biscuits and one or more chocolate pieces, the marshmallows being positioned at a first end of the stack within the box; and wherein a width of the box is substantially similar to both a first dimension of the stack and a first dimension of the two side-by-side marshmallows, a length of the box is substantially similar to a sum of a second dimension of the stack and a second dimension of the marshmallows, and a height that is substantially similar to at least one of a height of the stack and a third dimension of the marshmallows.
2. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 1 consisting essentially of the box, the two marshmallows, the four crackers or biscuits and the one or more chocolate pieces.
3. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the crackers or biscuits are graham crackers.
4. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 1 wherein a single chocolate piece is provided and the chocolate piece has an integral fracture feature that facilitates readily breaking the chocolate piece into two.
5. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 1 wherein the marshmallows and the stack substantially fill the box.
6. A confectionary kit comprising a box that contains: one or more stacks, each stack containing four crackers or biscuits and one or more chocolate pieces, the stacks being positioned side by side within the box; and a plurality of marshmallows, there being two marshmallows for each stack, the marshmallows being positioned laterally adjacent the one or more stacks at a first end of the one or more stacks within the box; and wherein a height of the box is substantially similar to at least one of a height of the stacks or a first dimension of the marshmallows and a second dimension of the box is substantially the same as the side by side stacks.
7. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 6 consisting essentially of the box, the marshmallows and the stacks, and wherein the stacks each consist of a plurality of crackers or biscuits and the one or more chocolate pieces.
8. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 6 wherein the crackers or biscuits are graham crackers.
9. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 6 wherein a single chocolate piece is provided in each stack and the chocolate piece has an integral fracture feature that facilitates readily breaking the chocolate piece into two.
10. A confectionary kit as recited in claim 6 wherein the marshmallows and stacks substantially fill the box.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention and the advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical, generally cylindrical marshmallow. This view shows the following dimensions (M is for Marshmallow): [0015] Mh: Marshmallow height [0016] Md: Marshmallow diameter
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a small chocolate bar. This view shows the following dimensions (B is for Bar): [0018] Bx: Chocolate bar dimension in the x-axis, or the width [0019] By: Chocolate bar dimension in the y-axis, or the length [0020] Bz: Chocolate bar dimension in the z-axis, or the height or thickness
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a graham cracker cookie, biscuit. This view shows the following dimensions (C is for Cracker): [0022] Cx: Cracker dimension in the x-axis, or the width [0023] Cy: Cracker dimension in the y-axis, or the length [0024] Cz: Cracker dimension in the z-axis, or the height or thickness
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a confectionery assembly in accordance with one embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a top view of the confectionery assembly shown in FIG. 4.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a front view of the confectionery assembly shown in FIG. 4.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the confectionery assembly shown in FIG. 4.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a confectionery assembly.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the confectionery assembly shown in FIG. 8.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a right side view of an alternate embodiment of the confectionery assembly shown in FIG. 8.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a non-circular, generally rectilinear marshmallow. This view shows the following dimensions (M is for Marshmallow): [0033] Mx: Marshmallow dimension in the x-axis, or the width [0034] My: Marshmallow dimension in the y-axis, or the length [0035] Mz: Marshmallow dimension in the z-axis, or the height or thickness
[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a confectionery assembly using rectilinear marshmallows.
[0037] FIG. 13 is a top view of the confectionery assembly shown in FIG. 12.
[0038] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the confectionery assembly shown in FIG. 12.
[0039] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a generally elliptical marshmallow.
[0040] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a confectionery assembly using elliptical marshmallows.
[0041] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a confectionery assembly using multiple confectionery sub-assemblies.
[0042] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the confectionery assembly of FIG. 4 packaged in a containing box (showing the box open).
[0043] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the confectionery assembly of FIG. 12 packaged in a containing box (showing the box open).
[0044] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the confectionery assembly of FIG. 16 packaged in a containing box (showing the box open).
[0045] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the confectionery assembly of FIG. 8 packaged in a containing box (showing the box open).
[0046] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the multiple confectionery assemblies of FIG. 17 packaged in a containing box (showing the box open).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical, generally-cylindrical marshmallow 20. Shown here are the rounded surface 22, one of two appreciably flat faces 24, and the following dimensions: [0049] Mh: Marshmallow height [0050] Md: Marshmallow diameter
[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chocolate bar 30. There may be one or more of the chocolate bars in the confectionery assembly 10. If there is only one chocolate bar 30 it may be readily split into two or more pieces along one or more fracture features 32 that are molded into the chocolate bar 30. Shown here are also the following dimensions: [0052] Bx: Chocolate bar dimension in the x-axis, or the width [0053] By: Chocolate bar dimension in the y-axis, or the length [0054] Bz: Chocolate bar dimension in the z-axis, or the height or thickness
[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a graham cracker 40. While a graham cracker 40 is the preferred embodiment, a cookie, biscuit or other appreciably flat baked good may also be used. Shown here are the width face 42, length face 44, and the following dimensions: [0056] Cx: Cracker dimension in the x-axis, or the width [0057] Cy: Cracker dimension in the y-axis, or the length [0058] Cz: Cracker dimension in the z-axis, or the height or thickness
[0059] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a confectionery assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the invention and arranged as shown. The confectionery assembly 10 features two or more generally cylindrical marshmallows 20, one or more chocolate bars 30, and two or more—preferably four—graham crackers 40, which are arrayed in a stack of crackers 50. In this embodiment the marshmallows 20 are positioned with one of their flat ends 24 touching a flat end of the other marshmallow 20, and the rounded surface 22 of each marshmallow 20 touching one or more of the length faces 44 of the stack 50 of graham crackers 40, Note furthermore that in this embodiment the geometry of the relative components has been sized such that the diameter of the marshmallow Md is approximately the same as the total height of the stack of crackers 50 (4*Cz) plus the chocolate bar thickness Bz. Additionally, the marshmallow height Mh is roughly ½ either the cracker width Cx or cracker length Cy. The width and length of the chocolate bar 30 is proportioned to be less than or equal to the width and length of the graham cracker 40. Described as a mathematical formula the geometries of the relative components in this embodiment are as follows: [0060] a) [Mh≈(0.5*Cx)] OR [Mh≈(0.5*Cy)] [0061] AND [0062] b) Md≈[(4*Cz)+Bz] [0063] AND [0064] c) (Bx<=Cx) AND (By<=Cy)
[0065] By way of example, in the preferred embodiment of the confectionery assembly 10 the geometries of the relative components would be preferably sized as follows (all dimension millimeters):
Marshmallow diameter Md: 28
Marshmallow height Mh: 32
Graham cracker width Cx: 56
Graham cracker length Cy: 64
Graham cracker height Cz: 5.5
Chocolate bar width Bx: 40
Chocolate bar length By: 63
Chocolate bar height Bz: 6.0
[0066] It may be appreciated from the above formulas and example that sizing the geometries accordingly creates an extremely compact arrangement of the components with little empty space leftover. Moreover, it can be appreciated that the juxtaposition of the soft, compliant marshmallows directly next to the frangible graham crackers creates transport advantages to the extent the marshmallows act effectively as resilient bodies akin to foamed packing “peanuts” or tissue paper that can help absorb shock and vibration and therefore help to maintain the structural integrity of the graham crackers.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a top view of a confectionery assembly 10 shown in FIG. 4.
[0068] FIG. 6 is a front view of a confectionery assembly 10 shown in FIG. 4.
[0069] FIG. 7 is a right side view of a confectionery assembly 10 shown in FIG. 4.
[0070] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the confectionery assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the invention and arranged as shown. The confectionery assembly 10 features two or more marshmallows 20 with their round surfaces 22 touching each other as well as touching either the width face 42 or length face 44 of one or more graham crackers 40 assembled into a stack of crackers 50. Additional there is shown one or more chocolate bars 30, and two or more—preferably four—graham crackers 40, which are arrayed in a stack of crackers 50. Note that in this embodiment the geometry of the relative components has been sized such that the height of the marshmallow Mh is approximately the same as the total height of the stack of crackers 50 (4*Cz) plus the chocolate bar thickness Bz. Additionally, the marshmallow diameter Md is roughly ½ either the cracker width Cx or cracker length Cy. The width and length of the chocolate bar 30 is proportioned to be less than or equal to the width and length of the graham cracker 40. Described as a mathematical formula the geometries of the relative components in this embodiment are as follows: [0071] a) [Md≈(0.5*Cx)] OR [Md≈(0.5*Cy)] [0072] AND [0073] b) Mh≈[(4*Cz)+Bz] [0074] AND [0075] c) (Bx<=Cx) AND (By<=Cy)
[0076] By way of example, in this alternate embodiment of the confectionery assembly 10 the geometries of the relative components would be preferably sizes as follows (all dimension millimeters):
Marshmallow diameter Md: 28
Marshmallow height Mh: 28
Graham cracker width Cx: 56
Graham cracker length Cy: 64
Graham cracker height Cz: 5.5
Chocolate bar width Bx: 40
Chocolate bar length By: 63
Chocolate bar height Bz: 6.0
[0077] Note again juxtaposition of the marshmallows directly next to the graham crackers to help cushion the graham crackers from shocks and vibrations during transport which might otherwise cause the crackers to break or crack.
[0078] FIG. 9 is a top view of the alternate embodiment of a confectionery assembly 10 shown in FIG. 8.
[0079] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment of a confectionery assembly 10 shown in FIG. 8.
[0080] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a non-cylindrical or rectilinear marshmallow 60. This view shows the following dimensions: [0081] Mx: Marshmallow dimension in the x-axis, or the width [0082] My: Marshmallow dimension in the y-axis, or the length [0083] Mz: Marshmallow dimension in the z-axis, or the height or thickness
[0084] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the confectionery assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the invention and arranged as shown. The confectionery assembly 10 features two or more non-cylindrical or generally rectilinear marshmallows 60 placed along either the width face 42 or length face 44 of one or more—preferably four—graham crackers 40 arranged into a stack of crackers 50, and one or more chocolate bars 30 resting above, below, or in the middle of the stack 50. Note that in this embodiment the geometry of the relative components has been sized such that the height of the marshmallow Mz is approximately the same as the total height of the stack of crackers 50 plus the chocolate bar thickness Bz. Additionally, the marshmallow width Mx or length My is roughly ½ either the cracker width Cx or cracker length Cy. The width and length of the chocolate bar 30 is proportioned to be less than or equal to the width and length of the graham cracker 40. Described as a mathematical formula the geometries of the relative components in this embodiment are as follows: [0085] a) [Mx≈(0.5*Cx)] OR [My≈(0.5*Cy)] [0086] AND [0087] b) Mz≈[(4*Cz)+Bz] [0088] AND [0089] c) (Bx<=Cx) AND (By<=Cy)
[0090] By way of example, in this alternate embodiment of the confectionery assembly 10 the geometries of the relative components would be preferably sized as follows (all dimension millimeters):
Marshmallow width Mx: 28
Marshmallow length My: 32
Marshmallow height Mz: 28
Graham cracker width Cx: 56
Graham cracker length Cy: 64
Graham cracker height Cz: 5.5
Chocolate bar width Bx: 40
Chocolate bar length By: 63
Chocolate bar height Bz: 6.0
[0091] FIG. 13 is a top view of the confectionery assembly 10 shown in FIG. 12.
[0092] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the confectionery assembly 10 shown in FIG. 12.
[0093] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an elliptical marshmallow 62. This view shows the following dimensions: [0094] Mx: Marshmallow dimension in the minor axis [0095] My: Marshmallow dimension in the major axis [0096] Mz: Marshmallow dimension in the z-axis, or the height
[0097] An elliptical marshmallow could be sized and positioned in similar configurations to those shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8.
[0098] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the confectionery assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the invention and arranged as shown. The confectionery assembly 10 features two or more elliptical marshmallows 62 placed along either the width face 42 or length face 44 of one or more—preferably four—graham crackers 40 arranged into a stack of crackers 50, and one or more chocolate bars 30 resting above, below, or in the middle of the stack 50.
[0099] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a multiple confectionery assembly 12. The multiple confectionery assembly 12 is comprised of two or more of the confectionery assemblies 10 using generally cylindrical marshmallows 20 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 8. Alternately, a multiple confectionery assembly 12 could be constructed using the confectionary assembly 10 shown using rectilinear marshmallows (FIG. 12), elliptical marshmallows (FIG. 16), or other shaped marshmallows.
[0100] FIGS. 18-22 are perspective view of the confectionery assemblies of FIGS. 4, 12, 16, 8 and 17 respectively packaged in containing boxes 70 that are sized appropriately for compactly holding the respective confectionery assemblies.
[0101] Although only a few embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, the invention may be implemented in many other forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, in the various embodiments, the marshmallows within a particular confectionery assembly are oriented the same and have the same geometry. It should be apparent that in other embodiments, these characteristics may be mixed and matched as desired for aesthetic or other reasons. For example, one marshmallow may be stood on its end, while an adjacent marshmallow may rest on its side. In either a lateral or longitudinal orientation; or adjacent marshmallows may be laid on their sides in different orientations (e.g., laterally and longitudinally respectively). In another example, marshmallows having different geometries may be provided. For example, one marshmallow may have a cylindrical geometry while its neighbor may have a rectilinear or elliptical geometry. Of course, a variety of other combinations may be used as well.
[0102] Similarly, in embodiments that utilize multiple cracker stacks, the placement of the marshmallows relative to the stacks may be varied as well. For example, the embodiment of FIGS. 17/22 shows the marshmallows laterally arranged in a row laterally to the side of the cracker stacks. In other embodiments, the marshmallow may be positioned at one or both ends of the stacks, or in between the stacks. For example, two marshmallows could be placed at each end of the illustrated stack instead of laterally to the side of the stack as shown in FIGS. 17/22, or a 2/2 array of marshmallows could be placed at one end of the stack or between the stacks. Of course, other combinations may be used as well. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. The described confectionery assembly has a number of advantages relative to traditional methods of assembly and transporting s'mores. The described s'more assembly is more convenient, eliminates the need to purchase larger quantities of individual components, and is a compact form factor for easy and convenient packing and transport. The sizing of the components creates a small and efficient overall package and helps protect the contents from damage during transport.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0103]
TABLE-US-00001 10 Confectionery assembly 12 Multiple confectionery assemblies 20 Cylindrical marshmallow 22 Rounded surface 24 Flat end 30 Chocolate bar 32 Fracture feature 40 Graham cracker or biscuit 42 Width face 44 Length face 50 Stack of crackers 60 Rectilinear marshmallow 62 Elliptical marshmallow 70 Containing box
