SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESEALING A LOLLIPOP OR THE LIKE

Abstract

A combination of food stuff and a removable wrapper provides a containment system for the confectionary item. The confectionary item is disposed on a holder formed partially into said confectionary item to permit the user to hold the confectionary item during consumption. A resealable wrapper encapsulates the confectionary item. A resealing member is removably adhered to the resealable wrapper; the resealing member having adhesive on a first side facing the resealable wrapper to define an overlapping area permitting the resealing member to be selectively removed from the resealable wrapper and replaced onto the resealable wrapper to retain the wrapper around the confectionary item or to provide a collectible item that may be removed and restuck onto another surface. A flag member is interposed between the resealing member and the resealable wrapper. The flag member projects away from the overlapping area. The flag member is provided with indicia to notify the user of the availability and use of the resealing member and/or collectible item.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packaging wrapper for articles, and particularly for the opening and resealing of handheld food products by the end user and/or the use of a collectible item on a food product.

2. Description of Related Art

Confectionary items, such as candies, have been made and consumed for many centuries. Candy can be formed into a multitude of shapes, colors, flavors, sizes and textures. Candies can be divided into crystalline and non-crystalline types. Crystalline candies can be hard, smooth and/or creamy with a defined structure containing small crystals. Non-crystalline candies, such as toffees, brittles, and caramels, are chewy with a homogeneous structure. These types of candies are formed by the addition of milk or other protein products to solutions of sugars at elevated temperatures.

Confectionery products are generally packaged individually in a portion of preprinted film of appropriate size and shape, and may be formed on a stick or holder. It is thus possible for these individually packaged products to be in their turn packed in bulk in a small packaging bag of an appropriate size. Typically, the article to be packaged is first completely wrapped in a rectangular piece of film and the wrapper thus formed may be closed by twisting the wrapper.

The containment of suckers or lollipops and ice cream bars at the time of manufacture, during storage prior to sale after being manufactured, and after partial consumption has presented persistent problems in the past when the end user partially consumes the item and desires to preserve the remainder of the item.

For example, when a paper or plastic film covering has been used, separation of the two at the time of use has frequently resulted in only partial removal of the covering. Sometimes, the stickiness of the lollipop is transferred to the fingers and hands of the user during removal of the covering. Failure to provide a suitable method of resealing such containers, using prior techniques, including coverings, has contributed to a failure to recluse or reseal the item after partial consumption.

Users, especially small children, often desire to only partially consume a lollipop or popsicle at any one point in time, hoping to save the remainder for one or more later points in time. However, the container or covering used during the on-sale stage of the lollipop or popsicle is usually discarded, but, when it has been saved or a new covering is provided, the wetted nature of the partially consumed product makes subsequent separation difficult and messy. Often, the partially consumed lollipop is left on a table, a furniture piece, a chair, or a floor, only to be cleaned up and discarded by a frustrated parent.

Sometimes, the user wishes to carry the partially consumed lollipop or popsicle with him or her for later readily available use. The original or another covering is typically used and a pocket or purse is sometimes the temporary storage site. This tends to fuse the covering and the wetted partially consumed lollipop, making all the more difficult subsequent separation of the two. The pocket or purse may become soiled and sticky as a consequence of direct exposure of the lollipop thereto due to, for example, weeping, pressure, heat, and partial uncovering of the stored lollipop.

It is known to provide a sticker or other means to reseal the confectionary item in its original wrapper; however, the end user fails to recognize the intended use of the sticker. As a result, the end user tends to discard the resealing means rendering it useless. Thus, the end user has discarded the elements necessary to rewrap and reseal the partial consumed item.

There has long existed a need for a more satisfactory way of containing lollipops immediately after manufacture, during storage prior to sale, and after partial consumption by the user.

Additionally, there is a need to provide a collectible item on lollipops and other confectionary items to enhance the experience of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A combination of a food stuff, e.g., a confectionary item, and a removable wrapper provides a containment system for the confectionary item at the time of manufacture, during storage prior to sale after being manufactured, and after partial consumption by an end user. The combination containment system may comprise the confectionary item disposed on a holder formed partially into said confectionary item to permit the end user to hold the confectionary item during consumption. A resealable wrapper is formed to at least partially encapsulate the confectionary item. A resealing member is removably adhered to the resealable wrapper; the resealing member having adhesive on a first side facing a surface of said resealable wrapper to define an overlapping area thereby permitting the resealing member to be selectively removed from the resealable wrapper and replaced onto the resealable wrapper to retain the wrapper around the confectionary item. A flag member is either formed as part of the resealing member or is interposed between the resealing member and the resealable wrapper, wherein the flag member projects away from the overlapping area between the resealing member and the resealable wrapper.

The flag member is preferably provided with indicia to thereby provide notice to the end user of the availability and use of the resealing member so that the end user is aware of the resealing member and the ability to reseal a partially consumed item. When formed as part of the resealing member, the tab or flag member may be perforated for easy removal. Also, the tab or flag member may be coated with a non-sticky coating on top of the adhesive so that the flag member will lie loose and away from the object on which the resealing member is stuck.

As a result of the unique combination of features provided by the present invention, the end user is made aware of his/her ability to reseal the food product after it has been partially consumed by the end user.

Alternatively, a user may utilize the tab or flag member as a collector item. Thus, a user may remove the tab or flag member from the food item on which it is conveyed and stick it on the door to his room, on a school book, school locker, dresser mirror, backpack, literally on anything that is clean. The user may want to keep the flag member because it has graphics of his favorite cartoon character, NASCAR driver, rock and roll star, or a roller coaster ride he rode while visiting a theme park. The flag member for this user becomes a collectible.

If the user doesn't know the resticker can be removed from the object of conveyance and place on a different object without leaving a residue or tearing as he would expect a regular label to do, then the user will not realize the resticker is something he can keep and he will throw it away with the wrapper when unwrapping the Lollipop. The restickers can be stuck on trade show magazines, retail catalogs, church bulletins, newsletters, envelopes, drinking cups and then peeled off and restuck anywhere else. The resticker could be a “save the date” resticker that a person would want to keep and stick on a bulletin board, filing cabinet, or exit door where they will be reminded of that date and to not miss it. Without the tab informing the person seeing the resticker that the resticker is something to keep and that it sticks over and over on any clean surface, the person looking at the resticker is most likely going to think the resticker is a regular label and will throw it away. So the tab is useful for: a. helping to pull the resticker off the object of conveyance; b. informing the consumer what the resticker is; c. informing the customer to keep the resticker and not throw it away; d. the tab can be torn off at the perforation so only the message or art on the resticker remains to be decorative and attractive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a lollipop embodying the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of FIG. 1 showing the resealing member and flag member separated from the lollipop and wrapper.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention wherein the resealing member and flag member are formed as a unitary body.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 whereby the wrapper is shown partially removed from the confectionary product.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the method steps when forming the flag member and the resealing member as a unitary body as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention whereby food stuff 10 comprises a confectionary formed as a lollipop 12 to be supported by a stick or holder 14. While the preferred embodiment of this invention is a lollipop, it will be understood that various different food stuffs (e.g., confectionary products such as lollipops or other food stuff such as ice cream bars or popsicles) may utilize the wrapper system of the invention whereby the end user may reclose and reseal the product after partially consuming the product.

A resealable wrapper 16 at least partially encapsulates the confectionary item or lollipop 12, and a resealing member in the form of a sticker 18 is removably adhered to the resealable wrapper 16. In the preferred embodiment, the resealing member 18 includes adhesive on a first side facing the resealable wrapper 16 to define an overlapping area thereby permitting the resealing member or sticker 18 to be selectively removed from the resealable wrapper 16 and replaced onto the resealable wrapper 16 to retain the wrapper 16 around the confectionary item.

In accordance with the invention, a flag member 20 is interposed between the resealable wrapper 16 and the resealing member 18. The flag member 20 is positioned to project away from the overlapping area between the resealing member 18 and the resealable wrapper 16. The flag member 20 is provided with identifying indicia 22 to alert and inform the user that the sticker or resealing member 18 may be used by the end user to reseal the wrapper 16. The flag member 20 is disposed to project away from the confectionary product 10 and stand out from all other indicia or ornamentation provided by the confectionary product 10, wrapper 16, and/or resealing member 18.

It is known to provide a sticker or other means to reseal the confectionary item in its original wrapper; however, the end user fails to recognize the intended use of the sticker. As a result, the end user tends to discard the resealing means rendering it useless. Thus, the end user has discarded the elements necessary to rewrap and reseal the partial consumed item. According to the present invention, the end user is provided with sufficient notice to use the resealing member 18 in accordance with its intended use by way of the flag member 20 and resealing member 18.

In accordance with the invention, the flag member 20 includes indicia 22 disposed thereon to provide instructions for using the resealing member 18. For example, the flag member 20 may include indicia notifying the end user that the resealing member 18 is actually a resealable sticker to be used by the end user. Alternatively, the flag member 20 may provide specific instructions on how to reseal the confectionary item. Other indicia 22 may be providing in accordance with preferences by the provider of the resealing member 18.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the flag member 20 is sandwiched between the resealable wrapper 16 and the resealing member 18, whereby the flag member 20 is retained in place by adhesive disposed on the resealing member 18.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the wrapper 16 may be formed and disposed in any one of a various number of known methods. Of course, it is preferred that the wrapper 16 may at least be partially overlapped with itself when encapsulating the confectionary item at least along the stick or holder 14. Those of skill in the art, however, will understand that the wrapper 16 may take many forms and may not overlap upon itself.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by FIGS. 4-5 whereby the flag member 20 of FIGS. 1-3 (shown as element 20′ in FIGS. 4-5) is formed as a part of the resealing member 18′ such that the flag member 20′ serves as a pull-tab for the resealing member 18′. In this embodiment, the flag member 20′ and resealing member 18′ are formed as one member with the flag member 20′ projecting away from the resealing member 18′ to stand out from and provide visual notice to the end user that the resealing member 18′ may be used to reseal the wrapper 16. This notice alerts the end user not to discard the resealing member 18 during partial consumption of the food stuff.

For the embodiment of FIGS. 4-5, the flag member 20′ is formed as part of the resealing member 18′ with perforations formed between the two member 18′, 20′. During manufacturing of the combination resealing member 18′ and flag member 20′, adhesive is applied to both the resealing member 18′ and flag member 20′. Then, an additional layer of non-adhesive or non-sticky material is applied to the flag member 20′ so that the flag member 20′ will not adhere to the surface to which the resealing member 18′ is applied. Thus, the flag member 20′ will not stick to the surface and the flag member 20′ will lay loose and away from the object (i.e., mailer, catalog, drink cup, lollipop, etc.) to which the resealing member 18′ is stuck to make it easy to grab hold of the combination in order to pull the resealing member 18′ off the object. The user can also separate the flag member 20′ from the resealing member 18′ at the perforations 19′.

FIG. 7 provides a flow chart showing various steps in the manufacturing process for the combination resealing member 18′ and flag member 20′; i.e., when these two members are formed as a unitary body. In step 30, a substrate is provided to a printing press. In step 32, text or artwork is applied to the substrate by the printing press. In step 34, adhesive is applied to one side of the substrate, then the substrate is die cut at step 36 as a unitary body as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. At step 38, perforations are created between the flag member 20′ and the resealing member 18′ so that the flag member 20′ may be separated from the resealing member. Lastly, a non-adhesive, non-sticky material is applied to the flag member and on top of the adhesive so that the flag member 20′ will not adhere to a surface.

FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 in a partially disassembled state showing the wrapper 16 being removed from the food stuff.

While the foregoing invention has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention as defined herein and by the prior art.

Claims

1. A combination of a confectionary item and a removable wrapper, said combination providing a containment system for said confectionary item at the time of manufacture, during storage prior to sale after being manufactured, and after partial consumption by an end user, said combination comprising:

at least one protein product added to solutions of sugars at elevated temperatures thereby forming said confectionary item;

a holder formed partially into said confectionary item to permit said end user to hold said confectionary item during consumption;

a resealable wrapper formed to at least partially encapsulate said confectionary item;

a resealing member removably adhered to said resealable wrapper, said resealing member having adhesive on a first side facing a opposing surface of said resealable wrapper to define an overlapping area thereby permitting said resealing member to be selectively removed from said resealable wrapper and replaced onto said resealable wrapper to retain said wrapper around said confectionary item; and

a flag member projecting away from said overlapping area between said resealing member and said resealable wrapper.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said flag member comprises indicia disposed thereon providing instructions for using said resealing member.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said flag member is sandwiched between said resealable wrapper and said resealing member.

4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said flag member is formed as part of said resealing member.

5. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising a perforated section separating the flag member from the resealing member to permit the flag member to be separated from the resealing member.

6. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising adhesive disposed on the flag member and an additional layer of non-adhesive material disposed on top of the adhesive on the flag member so that the flag member will not stick to the resealable wrapper.

7. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said flag member is retained in place by said adhesive disposed on said resealing member.

8. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said wrapper at least partially overlapping with itself when encapsulating said confectionary item.

9. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said flag member projects away from said resealing member and said wrapper to stand out and alert the end user of the intended use of the resealing member.

10. A combination of a food product and a removable wrapper, said combination providing a containment system for said food product after partial consumption by an end user, said combination comprising:

a food product;

a holder formed partially into said food product to permit said end user to hold said food product during consumption;

a resealable wrapper formed to at least partially encapsulate said food product;

a resealing member removably adhered to said resealable wrapper, said resealing member having adhesive on a first side facing a opposing surface of said resealable wrapper to define an overlapping area thereby permitting said resealing member to be selectively removed from said resealable wrapper and replaced onto said resealable wrapper to retain said wrapper around said food product; and,

a flag member sandwiched between the resealable wrapper and the resealing member, said flag member projecting away from said overlapping area between said resealing member and said resealable wrapper, wherein said flag member comprises indicia disposed thereon providing instructions for using said resealing member.

11. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said flag member is formed as part of said resealing member.

12. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said flag member is retained in place by said adhesive disposed on said resealing member.

13. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said wrapper at least partially overlapping with itself when encapsulating said food product.

14. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said flag member projects away from said resealing member and said wrapper to stand out and alert the end user of the intended use of the resealing member.

15. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said food product is a lollipop.

16. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said food product is a popsicle.

17. A method of sealing and resealing a combination of a product and a removable wrapper, said combination providing a containment system for said product, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a product;

providing a resealable wrapper;

at least partially encapsulating said product with said wrapper;

providing a resealing member and flag member;

removably adhering said resealing member and said flag member to said resealable wrapper, said resealing member being adhered to said resealable wrapper to define an overlapping area thereby permitting said resealing member to be selectively removed from said resealable wrapper and replaced onto said resealable wrapper to retain said wrapper around said product; and

providing indicia on said flag member defining instructions for using said resealing member.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of forming said flag member as part of said resealing member.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of providing adhesive on the flag member, then providing an additional layer of non-adhesive material on said flag member to cover the adhesive on the flag member.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of forming said flag member separate from said resealing member and sandwiching said flag member between the resealing member and said wrapper.