Patent Application
20160143313
The present invention relates generally to a confection delivery apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a confection delivery apparatus having a stem and a chewable container.
Confections such as sweets and candies are widely consumed and enjoyed. However, the flavor rush that is experienced when a user eats candy may be fleeting if the candy is small or if the user eats the candy quickly. Candies such as a chocolate covered candy and soft candy may also be messy to handle and are also difficult to pair with other consumable items. For example, little, if any, thought has been given to physically pairing a confection with a drink in a manner that improves usability, provides aeration, and simultaneously extends the flavor rush.
A chewable toothbrush is known (U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,013) that releases a wetting material such as toothpaste and mouthwash onto a set of bristles upon application of a chewing force, but does not contemplate extending the flavor rush of a confection with aeration in a new and unconventional manner.
A confection delivery apparatus is provided that enhances the flavor of a confection and extends a flavor rush to creates a new and unique way to enjoy treats and other candied products. The confection delivery apparatus as described herein also eliminates the mess from soft candy treats, pairs easily with a drink, and even provides cooling for a hot drink.
In some embodiments of the invention, a confection delivery apparatus includes a chewable enclosed container formed from a pliable and non-resilient material. The container defines a cavity and a conduit between an outer surface and inner surface of the container. The cavity includes a confection. The container is configured to compress in response to an external force and remain compressed in response to removal of the external force. An edible wax coating is adhered to the outer surface of the container. A stem is connected to the container by a joint.
Optionally, the stem rotates with respect to the container via the joint. The stem defines one of a J shaped end, a sharp curved end and a sharp pointed end. The stem defines a first end contacting the joint, a second end opposite the first end, and an intermediary portion between the first end and the second end. The intermediary portion is bendable. The intermediary portion may be thinner than the first end and the second end of the stem. The stem may define a hollow passage, a first conduit adjacent the joint, and a second conduit opposite the joint. The stem defines at least one hanger. The edible wax coating temporarily seals the confection within the container. A cup of liquid may be attachable to the stem of the apparatus.
In another embodiments, a confection delivery apparatus includes a chewable enclosed container formed from a pliable and non-resilient material. The container defines a cavity and a conduit between an outer surface and inner surface of the container. The cavity includes a confection. The container is configured to compress in response to an external force and remain compressed in response to removal of the external force. The container defines a plurality of uniformly shaped protrusions. A melted confection coating is adhered to the outer surface and the plurality of protrusions. An edible wax coating is adhered to the melted confection coating. A stem is connected to the container.
Optionally, the protrusion defines a hollow cylinder, a ribbed surface, a spherical end, or a mushroom shaped end. The conduit defines a plurality of slits and holes. A type of the edible wax is based on a melting point of the confection and the melted confection coating. The container defines a plurality of interlocks that snap together portions of the container. The confection is a chocolate covered confection. The melted confection coating is melted chocolate.
In some embodiments, a method of forming a confection delivery apparatus includes the steps of loading a confection within a chewable enclosed container formed from a pliable and non-resilient material. The container defines a cavity and a conduit between an outer surface and inner surface of the container. The enclosed container is coated with a melted confection. The melted confection is cooled so as to form a melted confection coating adhered to the outer surface of the container. The melted confection coating of the confection delivery apparatus is coated with a melted edible wax. The melted edible wax is cooled so as to form an edible wax coating adhered to the melted confection coating. The confection is forced through the conduit in response to an external force and remains compressed in response to removal of the external force.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying non-limiting drawings of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a sufficient understanding of the subject matter presented herein. But it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. Moreover, the particular embodiments described herein are provided by way of example and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
The term confection used herein refers to a consumable food product including candies, sweets, a sweet preparation combined with another food, and the like. For example, a confection includes breath freshening products, chocolate covered mint candies, chocolate covered espresso and regular coffee beans, etc.
A second of the stem 200 will be described in detail later and is provided opposite the container 300. The stem 200 may be formed of the same material as the container 300. A first end of the stem 200 is connected to the joint 400 and flex joint 410, which may include ribs that allow the stem 200 to flex in a plurality of directions and angles with respect to the container 300. The flex joint 410 is bendable. From the second end of the stem 200, the joint 400 flares out and become thicker to attach securely to the container 300. The joint 400 broadens and attaches to the container 300 in this manner in order to withstand any external force that is placed on the container 300 and/or the joint 400, such as a biting or chewing force.
In particular, the container 300 is preferably formed from a pliable material that compresses when chewed. The container initially holds an uncompressed shape and compresses upon itself in response to the application of an external force (such as a chewing force) and retains the compressed shape in response to removal of the external force. Container 300 may be formed from a non-resilient material that does not return to its original shape when compressed by an external force. The joint 400 may be formed of a resilient material having elastic memory that allows the joint 400 to return to its original shape. The container 300 and joint 400 may be formed from any suitable plastic, rubber, nylon, composite or other material. However, the hardness, resiliency, elasticity, tensile strength and other physical properties of the container 300 and joint 400 may be selected in accordance with the confection and the application of a large external compressing force such as a bite force. The joint 400 may be reinforced.
The outer surface of the container 300 may include at least one wax anchor 305 that may be generally solid and spherical in shape to promote adhesion of edible wax to the container surface. The wax anchor may be formed of the same material as the container 300. In particular, wax anchor 305 protrudes from the container 300 and includes an oval end while wax anchor 312 has a rounded end. A hollow wax anchor 314 protrudes from the container 300. The wax anchor 316 includes a plurality of short rounded bristles. The wax anchors may be uniformly shaped. The container 300 may include a ribbed surface 320. Seep slits 330 and seep holes 332 are conduits that allow the contents of the container 300 to seep out of the container 300. The seep holes 332 may be 1/16″-¼″ in diameter, for example.
Any texture, protrusion or hole configuration may be provided as a wax anchor that suitably aids in edible wax adhesion to the container 300. The different wax anchor configurations may be combined as necessary to promote edible wax adhesion. The wax anchor structures described herein may be attached to container 300 in any suitable manner. For example, the wax anchor may be molded into container 300, inserted and bonded into holes formed in the container 300, and the like. The anchors may be located in a random manner or in a specified pattern suited to the shape, size and application of the apparatus 100.
For instance, a high temperature edible wax will be used when the melting point requires a higher temperature such as a chocolate covered coffee bean to be submerged in a cup of hot coffee, whereas simple room temperature exposure would require a low temperature edible wax to form the edible wax cocoon 310. After the container 300 is submerged in hot edible wax and quickly cooled, the edible wax cocoon 310 forms around the entirety of the container 300 to seal and form an airtight seal. The wax anchors on the outer surface of the container 300 are provided to form additional surface area for the edible wax to bond strongly to the container 300. Furthermore, prior to forming the wax coating with the edible wax, the edible wax itself may be enhanced by mixing with a flavor. The flavored edible wax is then melted and cooled over the container 300 to form a flavored wax cocoon 310 that will complement the contents of the cavity 340.
The hardness and chewable consistency of the edible wax may also be selected based on the contents of the container 300 so that the chewiness of the wax complements the chewiness of the confection. This allows the contents of the container 300 to easily mix with the edible wax cocoon. In this manner, as the edible wax cocoon is chewed and mixed with the juices of the mouth, flavor and enjoyment is enhanced.
Cavity 340 is suitably configured to hold a confection that is released when an external force is applied to container 300. The apparatus 100 may be specifically sized for use by adults or children, i.e., the size of wax anchors 305 and cavity 340 can be relatively small or relatively large depending upon the intended use. For example, cavity 340 may be sized to contain any volume of material, e.g., between 2 to 10 milliliters. When a user bites down on apparatus 100, the edible wax cocoon 310 and the container 300 are compressed, thus crushing the contents of the cavity 340 and forcing the contents through the seep holes 332 or slits 330 in the container 300, thereby mixing with the chewed edible wax cocoon 310.
Seep holes 332 and seep slits 330 are suitably configured to release the confection contained in cavity 340. When container 300 is compressed, the substance contained in cavity 340 squeezes through seep holes 332 or seep slits 330. Of course, the size, shape, and arrangement of seep holes 332 and seep slits 330 can vary according to the particular design and application of apparatus 100. When apparatus 100 is being chewed, the confection exits cavity 340 and comes into contact with the edible wax cocoon 310 and eventually into contact with the user's mouth. The edible wax cocoon 310 is relatively hard prior to use and becomes relatively soft during use. The wax cocoon may be infused with a flavored substance adding further flavor enhancement to complement the apparatus 100. When chewed, the edible wax mixes with the confection released from cavity 340, and is warmed by the user's mouth, the edible wax becomes soft and mixes with the confection and mouth juices. In this manner, the apparatus 100 extends the flavor rush of the confection.
The released confection is trapped in the edible wax cocoon 310 upon application of external force and is folded over itself, simultaneously mixing with the wetness of the mouth, thereby combining flavored contents with folded edible wax and mouth juices to extend the flavor rush. The chewed edible wax disperses the trapped flavor contents continuously until the edible wax toughens from chewed moisture and the flavor is finally dispersed. The edible wax eventually folds over itself, engulfing the container 300 into a chewed nub, that may then be discarded by the user.
In lieu of seep holes 332 or seep slits 330, container 300 can include cracks, capillaries, fissures, or any suitable conduit configured to transfer the confection from inside the cavity 340 to outside the container 300. Indeed, container 300 may be formed from a porous material capable of releasing the confection via a seeping or leaching action. Alternatively, container 300 can be formed from an absorbent material such as a sponge material or a foam material. In lieu of a confection contained in a cavity, the absorbent material may be impregnated with a confection that is released as the user chews the apparatus 100.
Since the container 300 is exposed to maximum bite force, the container 300 is flexible. The container 300 is hollow and comes in various sizes depending on the confection inside the cavity 340 which may include a hard shelled chocolate covered mint candy, a chocolate covered coffee bean, a chocolate covered mint soft shell candy, and any substance that is edible that may be contained in the container 300. The interior wall of the container 300 will vary in size depending on the contents of the cavity 340. The thickness of edible wax cocoon 310 will also depend on the contents of cavity 340. The stem 200, container 300, and joint 400 is formed of a material capable of withstanding external bite forces without breaking apart the apparatus 100.
Between the second end 210 and the first end 205 is provided an intermediary portion 215 providing another pivot point. The thickness of the intermediary portion 215 is reduced compared to other portions of the stem 200 such that the intermediary portion 215 is flexible enough to bend without breaking. This allows, for example, the intermediary portion 215 to bend the stem 200 into a J shape or L shape, and will be further described in
The apparatus 100 beneficially provides a variable rate of release of the contents of the container 300 as a chewed edible wax receptor. The apparatus 100 further extends the taste of the stored confection considerably over time by mixing the chewed edible wax with mouth fluids such that the edible wax keeps trapping, folding and releasing flavor as the edible wax is chewed, extending the release of flavor. The chewable apparatus 100 creates a unique way to deliver confections in a time controlled delivery system.
The joint 400 includes a reinforced portion 420 where the different portions of the container 300 meet to support the bending and insulation of the container 300 and confection. The reinforced portion 420 may be a thick bendable anchor that functions as a pivot or hinge for the container 300 and may include a thickness of ⅛″- 3/16″ and have a round, square or rectangle shape.
Furthermore, the wax anchors of the container 300 may further include a set of concentric rings 1110 that provide additional surface area to hold the edible wax cocoon 310, and may be ⅛″- 1/16″ in height. The wax anchors may also include a hollow protrusion 314 that may protrude, for example, ⅛″- 1/16″ from the container 300. The apparatus 100 of
The apparatus 100 may be loaded and coated as follows. The opened container 300 is first loaded with a confection and then the interlocks 1100 are snapped together. The apparatus 100 is cooled and then dipped in hot edible wax to form the airtight seal where the hot edible wax adheres to the surface of the container 300, including any wax anchors, rings, etc. that promote adhesion of the edible wax to the surface of the container 300.
In some embodiments, after the container 300 is loaded, interlocked and cooled, the apparatus 100 is dipped in very hot chocolate (e.g., dark or regular pure chocolate), then cooled again and thereafter dipped in hot edible wax to form the airtight seal. If the confection itself is provided a chocolate coating prior to loading, then the apparatus is provided two layers of chocolate coating to provide an extra shot of chocolate for an extra flavor rush. In other words, the confection is provided a chocolate coating within the cavity of the container, and a second chocolate coating layer is provided covering the container 300. Again, the edible wax cocoon may be infused with a complementary flavor prior to coating the container 300.
In
In some embodiments, the container 300 is dipped into any melted flavored confection that compliments the loaded confection. The apparatus 100 is then cooled before dipping in a chewy, hot, edible wax as a coating over the first coating. Preparation of the apparatus 100 in this manner would add additional tastes that would compliment the contents of the container 300. In this case, the wax anchors would be coated by the dipped chocolate or flavored substance. For instance, the hollow protrusions 314 would be filled with chocolate, adding an extra chocolate rush. The edible wax coating may also be mixed with a flavored substance to add additional flavor and/or contrast.
Under this configuration, the apparatus 100 is submerged in the cup 500 from a hanger 220 such that hot coffee 540 flows into the hollow passage 240 via the first conduit 230. As the hot coffee fills the stem 200, cooler external air enters through second conduit 250 to aerate and cool the hot drink. The cooler air and hot coffee mix together to cool the coffee and allow a user to drink their coffee easily at a comfortable temperature more quickly. The number and size of the conduit 250 may be modified to control the amount of aeration provided. The thickness of the stem 200 with a hollow passage 240 may be modified to be stiff or pliable.
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Accordingly, the specification and figures associated with these embodiments are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims described below. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.
