Wrapper for Confectionary or Similar Sized Object
Generally, the invention comprises a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper comprises a written statement or message that is inside of the wrapper when the wrapper is in a closed position, such as when it is holding the confectionary or similar sized object. Upon opening the wrapper to expose or to gain access to the confectionary or similar sized object, the written statement or message is also exposed. The written message may be any word or words, phrase, symbol, or graphic or any other image or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the written message is a saying. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for providing an after-dinner confectionary and for initiating after-dinner conversation.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention and its various embodiments relate to a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. In particular, the invention and its various embodiments relate to a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object comprising a message on the wrapper.
2. Description of Related Art
Restaurant owners often create an atmosphere that compliments the type of food served at the restaurant or the style or theme of the restaurant. In Italian restaurants, for instance, a restaurant owner may put pictures of Italian sceneries on the wall, play Italian music in the background, and employ waiters that speak with an Italian accent. Italian restaurant owners do not want their clientele to just eat Italian food; they want them to have an Italian dining experience. Similarly, other types of ethnic restaurants create atmospheres that compliment the type of food served or the style or theme of the restaurant to give the restaurant patrons a memorable and enjoyable experience to increase the chances for repeat business and word-of-mouth advertising.
The dining experience, however, slowly wears off as the meal progresses. By the time patrons ask for the check, they have appreciated the experience of dining in that particular restaurant and are prepared to end their dining experience. The conversations are coming to an end, and patrons might even get a little impatient waiting for the waiter to return with their bill or credit card receipt. Up until now, there was nothing available to the restaurant owner to re-energize the patron's dining experience right before they leave the restaurant. Therefore, there is a need to enhance or re-energize a patron's dining experience just before they leave a restaurant.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONGenerally, the invention comprises a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper comprises a written statement or message that is inside of the wrapper when the wrapper is in a closed position, such as when it is holding the confectionary or similar sized object. Upon opening the wrapper to expose or to gain access to the confectionary or similar sized object, the written statement or message is also exposed.
In one embodiment, the wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object, comprises a wrapper comprising a first surface; and a written message disposed on a first portion of the first surface of said wrapper; wherein the wrapper is configured to hold a confectionary or similar sized object and to at least partially cover the written message in a closed position and to expose the written message in an opened position. The written message may be any word or words, phrase, symbol, or graphic or any other image or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the written message is a saying.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for providing an after-dinner confectionary and for initiating after-dinner conversation. In one embodiment of the method, the invention provides a method for providing an after-dinner confectionary and for initiating after-dinner conversation comprising serving a restaurant patron a confectionary wrapper containing a confectionary and comprising a first surface and a written message disposed on a first portion of the first surface of the wrapper; wherein the wrapper is configured to at least partially cover the written message in a closed position and to expose the written message in an opened position and wherein the written message comprises a saying relating to a type of food identified with a particular country and written in a predominate language of said particular country, a translation of the saying written in a predominate language of a country in which the wrapper is used, and an explanation of the saying written in a predominate language of the country in which the wrapper is used.
Various embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the Figures; however, this description should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Rather, it should be considered exemplary of various embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Further, it should also be appreciated that references to “the invention” or “the present invention” should not be construed as meaning that the description herein is directed to only one embodiment or that every embodiment must contain a given feature described in connection with the use of such phrases. In fact, various embodiments with common and differing features are described herein. Also, it should be appreciated that the Figures are not drawn to scale and are not necessarily drawn in the correct proportions.
Generally, in some embodiments, the invention comprises a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper comprises a written statement or message that is inside of the wrapper when the wrapper is in a closed position, such as when it is holding the confectionary or similar sized object. Upon opening the wrapper to expose or to gain access to the confectionary or similar sized object, the written statement or message is also exposed. In one embodiment, the wrapper is given to a restaurant patron after a meal, and the message comprises a statement about the restaurant style or theme or the type of food served at the restaurant. In one embodiment the message is intended to initiate conversation among restaurant patrons.
It should be appreciated that the following description refers to a confectionary. However, as noted, the wrapper of the present invention may also be used to hold a similar sized object rather than a confectionary. Therefore, whether the description refers to a confectionary, a similar sized object could be substituted for the confectionary unless otherwise noted.
The size of the wrapper 100 may vary. Generally, the wrapper 100 has a sufficient size to hold a confectionary or similar sized object and to provide a surface upon which a message can be written. The size of the confectionary or similar sized object may also vary. In some embodiments, the confectionary or similar sized object is small enough to be held in a person's hand or by two or three fingers. In some embodiments, the confectionary or similar sized object may fit within the bounds of a five inch cube, a four inch cube, a three inch cube, a two inch cube, a one inch cube, or a one-half inch cube. It should be appreciated, however, that the confectionary or similar sized object may have a size larger than a five inch cube or may have a size smaller than a one-half inch cube.
With respect to the confectionary, it may be any food item, including candy, bon bons, sweetmeats, cake, pastry, candied fruit, sugar-covered nuts or other foods, sugarplums, balls or sticks of candy, chocolate, cookie, a mint or another food item. It should be appreciated that the confectionary enclosed in the wrapper may consist of one, two, three, four, five or more pieces. With respect to the similar sized object, it may be any object such as a promotional item, a collectable, a trinket, a toy, a gift card, an electronic device, or any other object. It should be appreciated that the confectionary or similar sized object may be any shape and any number of condiments or similar sized objects may be held by the wrapper 100.
The shape of the wrapper may also vary and can be any shape. The wrapper 100 shown in
The wrapper 100 may be constructed of any material suitable for holding a confectionary or similar sized object. It should be appreciated that in those embodiments in which the wrapper 100 holds a confectionary the material should be suitable for contacting food. In addition, the material for the wrapper 100 should be suitable for printing of a written message or other designs and colors on a surface of the wrapper 100. Accordingly the wrapper 100 may be made from any type of paper material or plastic material. In the case of plastic material, if a written message cannot be printed or applied directly to the plastic material, the written message may be printed on a label having a sticky back and applied to the plastic material or the written message may be printed on other paper material and adhered to the plastic material using an adhesive.
As shown, a name or other identifier 102 for the wrapper 100 or packaged confectionary may be disposed on an outside surface 104 of the wrapper 100. It should be appreciated that the name or identifier 102 may be any name, design, drawing, logo, or other image. This name or identifier 102 should not be confused with the message concealed by the wrapper 100. This name or identifier 102 may be disposed on the outside surface 104 of the wrapper 100 in a manner similar to placement of the written message on the wrapper as described above. In addition instructions (not shown) for opening the wrapper may he printed on the outside surface 104 as well. For example, “open here” may be printed on this surface indicating where the wrapper can be opened without damaging the written message on the inside.
It should be appreciated that the wrapper 100 shown in
In some embodiments, an adhesive may be used between the two portions 202, 204 to hold the wrapper 100 in a closed position. The adhesive may be placed anywhere between the two portions 202, 204. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be disposed close to the outer edges 208,210 of the two portions 202, 204. In this case, the adhesive may be placed anywhere along the outer edges 208, 210, such as at the corners 212 of the two portions 202, 204. The adhesive may be any adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive is one that allows for relatively easy release of one portion 202 from the other portion 204 without damaging the wrapper 100. It should be appreciated, however, that other means may be used to hold the wrapper 100 in a closed position. For example, a separate tie to gather the wrapper edges together or a slit in one portion 204 into which an edge of the other portion 202 may fit may be used. Alternatively, the wrapper may be folded in a particular manner such that the folds act to hold the wrapper in a closed position. In another embodiment, the wrapper may be designed in the same or similar manner as a paper teabag wrapper that opens to provide access to the teabag. In another embodiment, the two wrapper portions 202, 204 may be integrally connected at one or more locations along their corresponding outer edges 208, 210 wherein such connection(s) may be separated in a tear-away manner. In yet other embodiments, the two wrapper portions 202, 204 may be attached to one another to hold the wrapper 100 in a closed position using buttons, snaps, or Velcro.
It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the outer edges of the two portions may each have a different shape and may only overlap slightly in some areas. In this case, an adhesive can still be used between these portions to secure one portion to the other portion, thereby holding the wrapper in a closed position. Specifically, the adhesive may be used between those parts of each portion that do overlap.
In use, when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position, one portion 202 of the wrapper 100 is adjacent to the other portion 204. The wrapper 100 can then be placed into an opened position by moving one portion 202 away from the other portion 204, as shown by the arrow 213 in
As shown in
It should be appreciated that the written message 214 may be any word or words, phrase, symbol, or graphic or any other image or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the written message may be any word, words, or phrase relating to any topic such as food, geography, politics, culture, specific countries, sports (individual and team based sports), history, tourism, business, religion, or any other topic. In some embodiments, the written message may relate to dialects or national or regional celebrations and holidays, such as the 4th of July, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, etc. In some embodiments, the written message may be an advertisement for any product, service, or business.
The written message 214 may be any size within the confines of the wrapper. It should also be appreciated that the written message may be in any color, including black and white, and any letters or words may be in any color, font, or font size or may be handwritten. In some embodiments, the written message 214 is printed on the surface of that portion 204 of the wrapper 100 that is concealed from view when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position. In some embodiments, the written message 214 may be printed on a label or other material that is attached to the surface of that same portion 204 of the wrapper 100 using, for example, an adhesive.
Further, the written message 214 does not necessarily have to convey any meaning; however, in some embodiments the written message 214 is a saying. The saying may be any expression or group of words, such as a well-known phrase, proverb, or simply a statement of one to tell or more words, such as a slang expression or other commonly used expression or an unknown expression. In some embodiments, the saying may related to any topic, food, geography, phrases or sayings from a particular country or culture, sports (individual and team based sports), history, tourism, politics, business, or religion. In some embodiments, the saying may relate to dialects or national or regional celebrations and holidays, such as the 4th of July, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, etc.
In some embodiments, the saying relates to a type of food served at a restaurant or to the style or theme of a restaurant. In some embodiments, the saying may relate to a type of food from a particular country, and the wrapper may be used in a restaurant serving that type of food. For example, in Italian restaurants the written message may be all Italian proverb, in French restaurants the written message may be a French proverb, and in seafood restaurants the written message may be a proverb about fish or fishing.
In some embodiments, the saying may relate to the atmosphere of the restaurant. In this case, if the restaurant has a particular theme associated with it, such as a sports bar, a child friendly restaurant, a restaurant providing computer games for patrons, an animal based restaurant, the saying may reflect some aspect of that restaurant's theme.
In some embodiments, the saying relates to a type of food from a particular country or associated with a particular country and may be written in a predominant language of that country or the language recognized as the official language of that country. In some embodiments, the message or saying may be written in any language or ill a language that is predominantly used in the country in which the wrapper is used. In some embodiments, the saying is a phrase or word used in a particular country, or a common phrase or word used in a particular country, and in some embodiments that saying is written in the predominant language of that country.
In some embodiments, the saying may relate to some aspect of culture associated with the type of restaurant. For example, in an Italian restaurant, the saying may relate to Italian food, Italian culture, or any other aspect of Italian life. Similarly, in a French restaurant, the saying may relate to French food, French culture, or any other aspect of French life.
It should be appreciated that the wrapper 100 may be used in any country. Accordingly, when the written message 214 includes words that are written in a language different from the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used, the message 214 may also include a translation of those words into the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used. In some embodiments, the written message 214 is a saying as described above written in a language different from the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used. In some embodiments, the written message further comprises a translation of the saying into the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used. For example, the wrapper 100 may be used in the United States. In this case, the written message 214 may include a saying written in Dutch and a translation of that saying into English. It should be appreciated that the written message 214 may include words, such as a saying, written in any language and may further include a translation into any other language.
As described above, the written message 214 may include a saying. In some embodiments, the written message 214 may also include an explanation of the saying. For example, if the saying is a proverb or a phrase whose meaning is not immediately clear or comprehensible or whose literal translation does not reveal the meaning of the saying to a point where it is broadly understood, the underlying meaning or an explanation of that saying may be included as part of the written message 214. It should be appreciated that in those embodiments in which the written message 214 includes words written in a language different from the predominant language in which the wrapper 100 is used, the explanation of the saying may be written in the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is being used.
It should be appreciated that all of the variations of the written message described above may be used together. For example, the written message may include a saying written in a language different from the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper is used, a translation of the saying into the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper is used, and an explanation of the saying written in the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper is used. In addition, such a written message may include a graphic element as well. Further, the written message may also include the identification of the language in which the saying is written. For example, the written message may include the following saying written as: “Non fare il passo piu lungo della gamba” (Italian). Underneath that saying, the written message may include the translation of that saying into English written as: “Don't make a step longer than your leg.” Underneath that translation, the written message may include the meaning of the saying written as: Meaning: “Do not concern yourself with difficulties until they arise.”
It should be appreciated, however, that each separate part of the written message, such as the saying, the translation, and the meaning may each be placed at different locations on the wrapper and do not necessarily have to be placed on the same surface of the wrapper. For example, the written message may be placed on a surface 218 of one portion 202 of the wrapper 100. In some embodiments, the entire written message may be placed on this surface 218. In other embodiments, such as when the written message is a saying, a translation of the saying, and a meaning of the saying, part of the written message, such as the saying and its translation, may be place on a surface 218 of one portion 202 of the wrapper 100 and another part of the written message, such as the meaning of the saying, may be placed on another surface 216 of another portion 204 of the wrapper 100. It should be appreciated that the written message, in whole or part, may be placed on any surface of the wrapper 100 this case. Accordingly, more than one written message may be placed on the wrapper 100, with a written message(s) printed on a surface of one portion of the wrapper and another written message(s) printed on a surface of another portion of the wrapper.
It should also be appreciated that a name or identifier for the wrapper or the confectionary may also be placed on the surface of the same portion of the wrapper as the written message. For example, the name or identifier 102 shown in
A portion 516 of the side opposite the side 412 of the wrapper as shown in
As is evident from
The various embodiments of the wrappers described herein, as well as other wrappers having the same or similar functionalities may be made by another method known in the art for cutting material to be used as a wrapper and for folding and joining edges of the wrapper material together. It should be appreciated that while the wrappers described herein are generally made from a single piece of material, the wrappers can be constructed from multiple pieces of material. In these cases, any technique known in the art for joining pieces of the wrapper material together may be used. In particular, different pieces of wrapper material may be connected rather than using folds within a single piece of material. Similarly, the selection of the confectionary or similar sized object to be used is discretionary and the placement of the confectionary or similar sized object into the wrapper can be done using known techniques for handling and positioning such items. Also, any methods known in the art for printing the written message on the wrapper may be used.
In use, as described above, a particular business entity may utilize the wrappers described herein to enhance their business advertising or a customer's experience with that business. For example, a restaurant may use the wrappers described herein where the written message is directed to some aspect of the restaurant, such as the type of food served or the type or theme of the restaurant. In this case, the wrappers may be given to restaurant patrons at the conclusion of their meal to invoke new conversation between the patrons and to enhance the dining experience. For example, patrons at an Italian restaurant may receive wrappers with a written message written in Italian. Accordingly, after reading their written messages, the patrons may practice their Italian, but they may also challenge each other to guess the meaning of the literal translation of the written message. As a result, the experience of dining in that particular Italian restaurant is enhanced for those patrons, thereby providing a benefit to the restaurant owner of potential repeal business and word-of-mouth advertising.
As described above, an adhesive can be used that allows the wrapper to be opened without significantly damaging the wrapper or at least without significantly damaging the written message. This allows recipients of the wrapper to keep and collect wrappers over time and to motivate the recipient to return to the place of business where the wrapper was initially received. For example, if a restaurant patron received a wrapper with an intriguing or enjoyable written message, that patron may be motivated to return to that restaurant to collect additional wrappers and written messages. It should be appreciated that a particular business entity can be provided with a collection of wrappers with different written messages to minimize giving wrappers with the same written message to a patron. For example, while all of the wrappers for an Italian restaurant will have written messages appropriate for that restaurant, such as Italian proverbs or messages about Italian food, the variety of written messages will be great to minimize giving the same written message to a given group of diners.
In some embodiments, a series of written messages may be selected for use. In this case, the series of messages may be related based upon type of food, type of restaurant or other business that distributes the wrappers, sayings from a particular country or culture, etc. For example, a series of written messages may be centered around theme based sayings, such as sports (individual and team based sports), geography, history, tourism, politics, business, culture, or religion. A series of written messages may also be centered around dialects, national or regional celebrations and holidays, such as the 4th of July, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, etc. In use, a set of wrappers may be generated wherein each wrapper contains a written message from a given series. The entity that gives the wrappers to their customers would then distribute wrappers from a given series, which may motivate customers to return to collect other written messages from that series.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described above. However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments are possible and that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Rather, the description of these embodiments should be considered exemplary of various embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, the wrapper may take different shapes and may be made from different materials. The manner in which the wrapper is held in a closed position may also vary and may not necessarily require the use of an adhesive and may be held in a closed position based upon the particular folds made in the wrapper. The written message may also vary and need not necessarily convey any particular meaning.
Claims
1. A wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object, comprising:
- a wrapper comprising a first surface; and
- a written message disposed on a first portion of said first surface of said wrapper;
- wherein said wrapper is configured to hold a confectionary or similar sized object and to at least partially cover said written message in a closed position and to expose said written message in an opened position.
2. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said wrapper is configured to expose the confectionary or similar sized object in an opened position.
3. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said wrapper is configured to completely cover said written message in a closed position.
4. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said first surface comprises a second portion, wherein said wrapper comprises a fold between said first portion and said second portion, and wherein said closed position comprises said wrapper folded along said fold.
5. The wrapper of claim 4, wherein said first portion and said second portion each comprise an outer edge and wherein each of said outer edges are substantially aligned in said closed positions and further comprising an adhesive disposed adjacent to at least a portion of said outer edges to hold said first portion and said second portion in said closed position and to hold the confectionary or similar sized object.
6. The wrapper of claim 1, further comprising a pocket to hold the confectionary or similar sized object.
7. The wrapper of claim 6, further comprising:
- a second surface, opposite said first surface, comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein said first portion of said first surface is opposite said first portion of said second surface; and
- wherein said wrapper further comprises a first fold between said first portion and said second portion of said second surface such that when folded along said first fold said first portion and said second portion form said pocket and define an opening to said pocket opposite said first fold and such that said message on said first portion of said first surface is disposed on an outside surface of said pocket; and
- wherein said wrapper further comprises a second fold between said second portion and said third portion of said second surface such that when folded along said second fold said third portion covers said message and said opening to said pocket.
8. The wrapper of claim 7, further comprising:
- an adhesive disposed between said first portion and said second portion of said second surface to hold said first portion and said second portion of said second surface together when folded position along said first fold and to seal at least a portion of a perimeter of said pocket; and
- an adhesive disposed between said third portion of said second surface and said first portion of said first surface to hold said third portion of said second surface and said first portion of said first surface together when in a folded position along said second fold.
9. The wrapper of claim 8, wherein said pocket defines an opening for inserting the confectionary into said pocket and said second surface covers said opening when folded along said second fold thereby enclosing the confectionary or similar sized object within said pocket.
10. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises a saying.
11. The wrapper of claim 10, wherein said saying is written in a language other than English.
12. The wrapper of claim 11, wherein said written message further comprises an English translation of said saying.
13. The wrapper of claim 10, wherein said written message further comprises an explanation of said saying.
14. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises a saying relating to a restaurant type.
15. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises a saying relating to a type of food.
16. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises:
- a saying relating to a type of food identified with a particular country and written in a predominate language of said particular country;
- a translation of said saying written in a predominate language of a country in which said wrapper is used; and
- an explanation of said saying written in a predominate language of the country in which said wrapper is used.
17. A wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object, comprising:
- a wrapper comprising a first surface and a pocket configured to hold a confectionary or similar sized object;
- a written message comprising a saying disposed on a first portion of said first surface of said wrapper, wherein said saying relates to a type of food identified with a particular country and is written in a predominate language of said particular country;
- wherein said wrapper is configured to at least partially cover said written message in a closed position and to expose said written message in an opened position.
18. The wrapper of claim 17, wherein said written message further comprises:
- a translation of said saying written in a predominate language of a country in which said wrapper is used; and
- an explanation of said saying written in a predominate language of the country in which said wrapper is used.
19. A method for providing an after-dinner confectionary, comprising:
- serving a restaurant patron a confectionary wrapper containing a confectionary and comprising a first surface and a written message disposed on a first portion of said first surface of said wrapper;
- wherein said wrapper is configured to at least partially cover said written message in a closed position and to expose said written message in an opened position and wherein said written message comprises a saying relating to a type of food identified with a particular country and written in a predominate language of said particular country, a translation of said saying written in a predominate language of a country in which said wrapper is used, and an explanation of said saying written in a predominate language of the country in which said wrapper is used.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 30, 2009
Publication Date: Aug 5, 2010
Inventors: Ferdinand A. Van Buiten (Menlo Park, CA), Maria G. Van Buiten (Menlo Park, CA)
Application Number: 12/363,233
International Classification: B65D 75/00 (20060101); B65D 75/04 (20060101);