FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
This disclosure relates to providing packaging for a single-serve portion of honeycomb. Honeycomb may interchangeably be referred to as “comb honey.”
BACKGROUND
Packaging food items in bulk is known. Packaging food items in single-serve portions is known. Individually wrapping smaller amounts of food is known.
SUMMARY
Sales and consumption of honeycomb may increase if a conveniently-sized portion is individually packaged and/or wrapped. Honeycomb, potentially combined with one or more supplemental ingredients, may provide health-related and functional benefits to a consumer.
One aspect of the disclosure relates to a food package comprising a single-serve portion of honeycomb, a protective support structure, and/or other components. The phrase “single-serve” may be used interchangeably with the phrase “single serving”. Honeycomb may be naturally produced by honey bees, and include a mass of hexagonal (prismatic) wax cells. In some implementations, a single-serve portion of honeycomb may have a shape of a cylinder, a rectangular prism, or a triangular prism. In some implementations, a single-serve-portion of honeycomb may be an amount that falls within at least one of the following three ranges: (i) a volume of the single-serve portion of honeycomb is between 0.5 and 6 cubic inches, (ii) a number of calories of the single-serve portion of honeycomb is between 50 and 500 calories, and (iii) a weight of the single-serve portion of honeycomb is between 20 and 200 grams. In some implementations, the protective support structure may be configured to protect the single-serve portion of honeycomb from impact. In some implementations, the protective support structure may be configured to protect the single-serve portion of honeycomb from impact from at least two directions by creating a frame having at least two sides. In some implementations, the protective support structure may include one or more of a plastic-based material, a paper-based material, and/or other materials. In some implementations, the protective support structure may be water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. In some implementations, a plastic-based material may include one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and/or other polyolefins. In some implementations, a plastic-based material may include cellophane and/or other viscose-based materials. The single-serve portion of honeycomb may be contained within and protected from impact by the protective support structure.
One aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for packaging a single-serve portion of honeycomb. The method may comprise obtaining the single-serve portion of honeycomb and containing the single-serve portion of honeycomb in a protective support structure to protect the single-serve portion of honeycomb from impact.
These and other features and characteristics of the present technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate pieces of honeycomb.
FIGS. 2A-2B-2C illustrate exemplary shapes of a single-serve portion of honeycomb, in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIGS. 3A-3H, 3J, 4A-4H, 4J-4L, 5A-5H, 5J-N, 5P-5R, and 6A-6D illustrate exemplary support structures for packaging honeycomb, in accordance with one or more implementations.
FIG. 7 illustrates a method for packaging a single-serve portion of honeycomb, in accordance with one or more implementations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate pieces of honeycomb, in this case in the shape of a rectangular prism, a.k.a. cuboid. The height of honeycomb may range from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches. The structure of honeycomb may be fragile and susceptible to breaking and/or collapsing upon impact, especially impact from a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the honeycomb (i.e., from above in FIG. 1A-1B).
FIGS. 2A-2B-2C illustrate exemplary shapes of a single-serve portion of honeycomb. FIG. 2A illustrates a portion of honeycomb in a shape of a rectangular prism 20, having a height 20a. FIG. 2B illustrates a portion of honeycomb in a shape of a triangular prism 21, having a height 21a. FIG. 2A illustrates a portion of honeycomb in a shape of a cylinder 22, having a height 22a. In some implementations, a single-serve portion of honeycomb may have a different shape than depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B-2C. In some implementations, a single-serve portion of honeycomb may have a shape of a polygonal prism having a height between about 0.5 inch and about 2 inches. In some implementations, a single-serve-portion of honeycomb may have a volume between 0.5 and 6 cubic inches. For example, the volume may be about 1 cubic inch, about 2 cubic inches, about 3 cubic inches, about 4 cubic inches, about 5 cubic inches, about 6 cubic inches, and/or another volume. In some implementations, a single-serve portion of honeycomb may have a number of calories between 50 and 500 calories. For example, the number of calories may be about 50 calories, about 100 calories, about 200 calories, about 300 calories, about 400 calories, about 500 calories, and/or another amount of calories. In some implementations, a single-serve portion of honeycomb may weigh between 20 and 200 grams. For example, the weight may be about 20 grams, about 30 grams, about 40 grams, about 50 grams, about 75 grams, about 100 grams, about 150 grams, about 200 grams, and/or another weight.
FIGS. 3A-3H, 3J illustrate exemplary support structures for packaging honeycomb, in particular for portions of honeycomb in a shape of a rectangular prism. FIG. 3A illustrates a protective support structure 30 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions, e.g., two perpendicular directions. FIG. 3B illustrates a side-view of a protective support structure 31 configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions. Protective support structure 31 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 30, though shown from a different view. FIG. 3C illustrates a protective support structure 32 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions. Protective support structure 32 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 31, though shown from a different view.
In some implementations, a protective support structure may be created by using one or more of the following manufacturing techniques: thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding, heat-shrinking, and/or other manufacturing techniques. By way of non-limiting example, thermoforming is a process in which a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold (or onto a mold), and trimmed to create a usable product. By way of non-limiting example, heat-shrinking may use a thermoplastic resin wrapping film which can be shrunk onto and/or around (food) products.
FIG. 3D illustrates a protective support structure 33 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. FIG. 3E illustrates a side-view of a protective support structure 34 configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 34 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 33, though shown from a different view. FIG. 3F illustrates a protective support structure 35 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 35 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 34, though shown from a different view.
FIG. 3G illustrates a protective support structure 36 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Protective support structure 36 may have a shape similar to a sleeve. FIG. 3H illustrates a side-view of a protective support structure 37 configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Protective support structure 37 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 36, though shown from a different view. FIG. 3J illustrates a protective support structure 38 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Protective support structure 38 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 37, though shown from a different view. Additional protective support structures are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. For example, a protective support structure may be configured to provide protection from impact from at least five directions. For example, a protective support structure may be configured to provide protection from impact from at least six directions. Different protective support structures may be configured to be stackable.
FIGS. 4A-4H, 4J-4L illustrate exemplary support structures for packaging a portion of honeycomb 40x. FIG. 4A illustrates a protective support structure 40 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection to portion of honeycomb 40x from impact from at least two directions, in this case two perpendicular directions. FIG. 4B illustrates a side-view of a protective support structure 41 configured to provide protection. Protective support structure 41 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 40, though shown from a different view. FIG. 4C illustrates a food package 42 that includes portion of honeycomb 40x, a protective support structure 42b, and a wrapper 42a. Protective support structure 42b may be configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions, in this case two perpendicular directions. Wrapper 42a may be wrapped around portion of honeycomb 40x and protective support structure 42b. Wrapper 42a may include one or more of a plastic-based material, a paper-based material, and/or an aluminum-based material, and/or other materials. In some implementations, wrapper 42a may include food-grade materials. In some implementations, wrapper 42a may be water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. Protective support structure 42b may be same as or similar to protective support structure 41, though shown from a different view.
FIG. 4D illustrates a protective support structure 43 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection to portion of honeycomb 40x from impact from at least three directions, in this case including two perpendicular directions. FIG. 4E illustrates a side-view of a protective support structure 44 configured to provide protection. Protective support structure 44 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 43, though shown from a different view. FIG. 4D illustrates a food package 45 that includes portion of honeycomb 40x, a protective support structure 45b, and a wrapper 45a. Protective support structure 45b may be configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions, including two perpendicular directions. Wrapper 45a may be wrapped around portion of honeycomb 40x and protective support structure 45b. Wrapper 45a may include one or more of a plastic-based material, a paper-based material, and/or an aluminum-based material, and/or other materials. In some implementations, wrapper 45a may include food-grade materials. In some implementations, wrapper 45a may be water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. Protective support structure 45b may be same as or similar to protective support structure 44, though shown from a different view. In some implementations, wrapper 45a may undergo heat-shrinking and/or thermoforming. In some implementations, wrapper 45a may be transparent.
FIG. 4G illustrates a protective support structure 46 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection to portion of honeycomb 40x from impact from at least four directions. FIG. 4H illustrates a side-view of a protective support structure 47 configured to provide protection. Protective support structure 47 may be same as or similar to protective support structure 46, though shown from a different view. FIG. 4J illustrates a food package 48 that includes a protective support structure 48b and a wrapper 45a (a piece of honeycomb may be obscured from view in FIG. 4J). Protective support structure 48b may be configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Wrapper 48a may be wrapped around a portion of honeycomb (not shown) and protective support structure 48b. Wrapper 48a may include one or more of a plastic-based material, a paper-based material, and/or an aluminum-based material, and/or other materials. In some implementations, wrapper 48a may include food-grade materials. In some implementations, wrapper 48a may be water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. Protective support structure 48b may be same as or similar to protective support structure 44, though shown from a different view. In some implementations, wrapper 48a may undergo overwrapping. In some implementations, wrapper 48a may be sealed using an adhesive. In some implementations, nutritional information may be printed on at least one of wrapper 48a and protective support structure 48b. In some implementations, protective support structure 48b may be resealable. In some implementations, protective support structure 48b may form a clamshell that includes a hinge.
FIG. 4K illustrates a side-view of a food package 49a configured to provide protection to portion of honeycomb 40x from impact. Food package 49a includes a protective wrapper 49c. Protective wrapper 49c may be configured to provide protection from impact. Protective wrapper 49c may be wrapped around portion of honeycomb 40x. Protective wrapper 49c may include one or more of a plastic-based material, a paper-based material, and/or an aluminum-based material, and/or other materials. In some implementations, protective wrapper 49c may include food-grade materials. In some implementations, protective wrapper 49c may be water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. In some implementations, protective wrapper 49c may be created by using one or more of the following manufacturing techniques: thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding, heat-shrinking, and/or other manufacturing techniques.
FIG. 4L illustrates a side-view of a food package 49b configured to provide protection to portion of honeycomb 40x from impact. Food package 49b includes a protective wrapper 49c. Protective wrapper 49c may be configured to provide protection from impact. Protective wrapper 49c may be wrapped around portion of honeycomb 40x. Protective wrapper 49c may include one or more of a plastic-based material, a paper-based material, and/or an aluminum-based material, and/or other materials. In some implementations, protective wrapper 49c may include food-grade materials. In some implementations, protective wrapper 49c may be water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. In some implementations, protective wrapper 49c may be created by using one or more of the following manufacturing techniques: thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding, heat-shrinking, and/or other manufacturing techniques.
FIGS. 5A-5H, 5J-N, 5P-5R illustrate exemplary support structures for packaging a portion of honeycomb. In some implementations, a wrapper (not depicted in FIGS. 5A-5R, but similar to the depiction in FIGS. 4C, 4F, and/or 4J) may be wrapped around a support structure. The small circles depicted within FIGS. 5A-5H, 5J-N, 5P-5R indicate whether a particular surface is facing inwards towards the volume where a portion of honeycomb can be contained (open circle that is not filled in), or outwards (closed circle that is filled in). FIG. 5A illustrates a protective support structure 50 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions, in this case two perpendicular directions. Protective structure 50 has two sides that create a frame that can protect a portion of honeycomb (e.g., a portion in the shape of a triangular prism). FIG. 5E illustrates a protective support structure 54 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 54 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 50 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5J illustrates a protective support structure 58 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 58 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 50 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5N illustrates a protective support structure 62 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Protective support structure 62 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 58 plus 1 additional side.
FIG. 5B illustrates a protective support structure 51 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions, in this case two perpendicular directions. Protective structure 51 has two sides that create a frame that can protect a portion of honeycomb (e.g., a portion in the shape of a triangular prism). FIG. 5F illustrates a protective support structure 55 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 55 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 51 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5K illustrates a protective support structure 59 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 59 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 51 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5P illustrates a protective support structure 63 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Protective support structure 63 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 55 or 59 plus 1 additional side.
FIG. 5C illustrates a protective support structure 52 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions, in this case two perpendicular directions. Protective structure 52 has two sides that create a frame that can protect a portion of honeycomb (e.g., a portion in the shape of a triangular prism). FIG. 5G illustrates a protective support structure 56 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 56 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 52 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5L illustrates a protective support structure 60 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 60 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 52 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5Q illustrates a protective support structure 64 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Protective support structure 62 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 56 or 60 plus 1 additional side.
FIG. 5D illustrates a protective support structure 53 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions, in this case two perpendicular directions. Protective structure 53 has two sides that create a frame that can protect a portion of honeycomb (e.g., a portion in the shape of a triangular prism). FIG. 5H illustrates a protective support structure 57 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 57 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 53 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5M illustrates a protective support structure 61 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least three directions. Protective support structure 61 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 53 plus 1 additional side. FIG. 5R illustrates a protective support structure 65 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least four directions. Protective support structure 65 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 57 or 61 plus 1 additional side.
FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate exemplary support structures for packaging a portion of honeycomb. FIG. 6A illustrates a protective support structure 66 (shown from top view) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions. Protective structure 60 has two sides that create a frame that can protect a portion of honeycomb (e.g., a portion in the shape of a cylinder). FIG. 6B illustrates a protective support structure 67 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions. Protective support structure 67 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 66, though shown from a different view.
FIG. 6C illustrates a protective support structure 68 (shown from top view) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions. Protective structure 68 has two sides that create a frame that can protect a portion of honeycomb (e.g., a portion in the shape of a cylinder). FIG. 6D illustrates a protective support structure 69 (shown isometrically) configured to provide protection from impact from at least two directions. Protective support structure 69 may include the same or similar structure as protective support structure 68, though shown from a different view.
In some implementations, a portion of honeycomb may be protected by a wrapper that includes one or more of a plastic-based material, a paper-based material, and/or other materials. In some implementations, the wrapper may be water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. In some implementations, the wrapper may be created by using one or more of the following manufacturing techniques: thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding, heat-shrinking, and/or other manufacturing techniques. By way of non-limiting example, FIGS. 4K and 4L illustrate such wrappers.
In some implementations, a portion of honeycomb may be chilled and/or frozen prior to being packaged.
In some implementations, a food package such as, by way of non-limiting example, food package 42 may further include one or more supplemental ingredients. The single-serve portion of honeycomb may be combined in a combination with the one or more supplemental ingredients (e.g., dietary supplements). In some implementations, a combination may be created through infusion, injection, topical spraying, rolling, and/or other techniques. In some implementations, the one or more supplemental ingredients may include one or more of a flavor ingredient (e.g., ginger), a spice ingredient, an ingredient that includes vitamin (e.g., vitamin C), a mineral ingredient (e.g., zinc), and/or a medicinal ingredient (e.g., folic acid). In some implementations, consumption of honeycomb (e.g., a combination of honeycomb and one or more supplemental ingredients) may provide health-related and/or functional benefits. In some implementations, a particular supplemental ingredient may have multiple health-related and/or functional benefits. For example, such consumption may provide or aid in cholesterol management and/or liver function. For example, such consumption may be beneficial due to antibacterial and/or antifungal properties. For example, such consumption may have anti-inflammatory benefits. In some implementations, such consumption may treat peptic ulcers. In some implementations, such consumption may provide or aid in weight management, treatment for pollen allergies, and/or treatment for a sore throat. In some implementations, such consumption may reduce the risk of developing diabetes. In some implementations, such consumption may promote restorative sleep. In some implementations, combinations of multiple health-related benefits may be provide to a consumer.
By way of non-limiting example, energy may be increased through one or more of pineapple, ginger, matcha, caffeine, vitamin B12, and/or other supplemental ingredients. By way of non-limiting example, immunity may be enhanced through one or more of orange, lemon, ginger, echinacea, cayenne, reishi mushroom, and/or other supplemental ingredients. By way of non-limiting example, joint pain and/or skin irritations may be improved through one or more of pineapple, chamomile, aloe, turmeric, and/or other supplemental ingredients. By way of non-limiting example, digestive issues may be alleviated through one or more of aloe, ginger, apple cider vinegar, and/or other supplemental ingredients. By way of non-limiting example, liver functionality may be improved through one or more of grapefruit, beet, aloe, burdock root, cayenne, milk thistle, and/or other supplemental ingredients.
FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 a method for packaging a single-serve portion of honeycomb. The operations of method 700 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 700 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 700 are illustrated in FIG. 7 and described below is not intended to be limiting.
At an operation 702, a single-serve portion of honeycomb is obtained. The single-serve portion of honeycomb may have a shape of a cylinder, a rectangular prism, or a triangular prism. Such operations may be performed by a portion of honeycomb, such as portion of honeycomb 40x in FIGS. 4A-4H, in accordance with one or more implementations.
At an operation 704, the single-serve portion of honeycomb is contained in a protective support structure to protect the single-serve portion of honeycomb from impact from at least two directions. The protective support structure includes one or both of a food-grade plastic-based material and/or a food-grade paper-based material. The protective support structure is water-resistant and/or oil-resistant. Such operations may be performed by a protective support structure, such as protective support structure 40 in FIG. 4A, in accordance with one or more implementations.
Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
Patent Application
20200031555
