Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Surface coated – fluid encapsulated – laminated solid... – Having inedible feature
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-12
2001-02-13
Weinstein, Steven (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Surface coated, fluid encapsulated, laminated solid...
Having inedible feature
C426S103000, C426S104000, C426S115000, C426S134000, C426S138000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06187350
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a confectionary product including a plastic base having a hollow interior compartment accessible at one end of the base and a support and retaining structure for a candy mass at an opposite end of the base. A cover removably engages with the base at the end at which the candy mass is situated to enclose the candy mass and a cap removably engages with the base at the opposite end to seal the hollow interior compartment. The candy mass may be a solid product formed upon solidification of a liquid candy or confectionary material.
The present invention also relates to a candy product having a hollow cavity that can be filled up with different kinds of candy so that a combination of different candy items can be provided in a single confection. More particularly, the invention relates to a transparent sweet or candy having a base with a substantially cylindrical or conical shape and a hollow cavity in its interior which is filled up with another confectionery product, such as concentrated syrup with strawberry flavor or any other flavor, or particles of bubble gum, or small pieces of gasified candy. The upper part of the sweet is covered by a cap, also made of a transparent candy material, and may have the same color and taste as the cylindrical base, or a different color or taste.
Further, the present invention relates to a confection having a two-part detachable housing and a candy product arranged within the housing. The housing is at least partially transparent to enable viewing of the candy product therein through the housing while the housing is in a closed position. The candy product described above may be incorporated into the housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Candies can be manufactured by a variety of different manufacturing processes. One particular manufacturing process is the die-system technique. As a result of the steps in this process, candy manufactured by this process is opaque and, if ever provided with a hollow interior space or cavity, the contents of the hollow cavity cannot be distinguished through the opaque surrounding material. In fact, there are several products with such characteristics on the market, and due to their opaqueness, the contents of the hollow cavity must be indicated on the wrapper.
Confections filled with gasified caramel and processes for obtaining the same are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,842 describes a process for obtaining a confection filled with gasified caramel and a confection obtained thereby in which an initial caramel mass is at a temperature of between 90° C. and 150° C. and at a degree of moisture below equilibrium moisture of the resulting gasified caramel. Essences and/or colorants are added to the mass and the mass is then deposited in complementary molds. Cavities having a volume of 0.2 to 20 ml are stamped in the two parts of the caramel mass deposited in the complementary molds and the complementary molds are then cooled to a temperature below about 50° C. Chips of gasified caramel, and possibly bubble gum particles, and placed into the cavities formed in the complementary molds. An adhesive is applied to the parts of the caramel mass deposited in the complementary molds and the caramel mass parts are then joined together. The resulting caramel product is then removed from the molds. To provide a lollipop structure, a stick may be inserted into connection with one of the caramel masses when it situated in the respective mold. The gasified caramel situated in the interior cavity of the caramel mass is protected from moisture.
One particular confectionary product of interest is a candy called a “PUSH POP”, distributed by, e.g., Topps Ireland. This Push Pop is a solid mass of one color candy housed in a two-part detachable plastic container. As its name implies, the candy mass is retained on a slidable member within the housing and thus can be pushed up from the housing to extend beyond the housing a desired distance as needed for licking by the child. The candy product is freely slidable within the housing which is opaque and prevents viewing of the candy product. It is a problem with this product that as the candy mass is converted into a liquid state, i.e., as it is being licked, some of the liquid may drip onto the slidable member and prevent the sliding motion of the candy mass. Also, the continual movement of the candy mass into and out of the housing is detrimental to the cleanliness of the candy product and potentially increases the manufacturing costs of the same.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new candy and confectionary product in which a solid candy mass is securely retained in a holder or base which also includes an accessible, interior compartment in which a small item such as a toy can be placed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved confection which is more pleasing and attractive to the primary intended consumers of confections, i.e., children.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a confectionary product similar to the prior art “Push Pop” but without certain disadvantages thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improve confection in connection with which it is possible to have several different candy products in a single confection, e.g., candy and concentrated syrup, candy and bubble gum, candy and popping candy (gasified caramel). As such, it will be possible to purchase only a single confectionary product and obtain several different confectionary and candy products.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new cylindrical confection whereby the confection has a cylindrical base which provides one distinct taste and has a hollow internal cavity in which another candy product is situated and provides a different distinct taste.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a candy which has a transparent outer wall and an interior hollow cavity which is filled with a candy or confectionary product so that the candy or confectionary product in the hollow cavity is viewable through the outer wall. As such, it is not absolutely necessary to indicate the contents of the hollow cavity on the outer packaging since the contents of the hollow cavity can be viewed (provided the wrapping is somewhat transparent to provide an unobstructed view of the interior hollow cavity.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved confection housing which enables viewing of the contents of the confection situated within the housing without having to physically open the confection.
To obtain these objects and others, the confection in accordance with the invention generally comprises a housing and a candy product arranged within the housing. In one basic embodiment, the housing comprises a substantially cylindrical base or holder member made, e.g., of plastic, and having an interior compartment, an opening at one end leading into the interior compartment and a support and retaining structure at the opposite end. The candy mass or product is placed into connection with the support and retaining structure to fixedly attach the candy mass to the base. A sealing member or plastic tap removably engages with the open end of the base to close the opening and thus the interior compartment. A small toy of interest to a child may at least initially be placed in the compartment for sales purposes. The candy mass is covered by a cover which is preferably at least partially transparent to enable viewing of the candy mass and engages with the base at the end at which the support and retaining structure is situated. The candy mass is preferably a solid mass formed by the solidification of a liquid material which is brought into connection with the support and retaining structure of the base while in a liquid state to enable the candy mass to be embedded in connection with projections and orifices of the support and retaining structure upon solidification of the candy
Bayes Turull Ramon
Escola Gallart Ramon
Steinberg & Raskin, P.C.
Weinstein Steven
Zeta Espacial S.A.
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