U.S. patent application number 11/209880 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for package for marketing visibly distinct variations of an edible product.
Invention is credited to James A. Glydon.
Application Number | 20070048414 11/209880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37772306 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070048414 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glydon; James A. |
March 1, 2007 |
Package for marketing visibly distinct variations of an edible
product
Abstract
A gum package including a blister pack and a sleeve member
having first and second apertures for displaying first and second
different varieties of gum pellets contained within the blister
pack. The first and second apertures to permit first and second
cavities in the blister pack to be viewed through a surface of the
sleeve member. This allows a consumer to view first and second
different varieties of gum pellets contained within the package. In
addition, first and second surface treatments are applied to the
outside surface of the package to provide a consumer a visual
indication associated with the first and second varieties of gum
pellets.
Inventors: |
Glydon; James A.;
(Hackettstown, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSH, FISCHMANN & BREYFOGLE LLP
3151 SOUTH VAUGHN WAY
SUITE 411
AURORA
CO
80014
US
|
Family ID: |
37772306 |
Appl. No.: |
11/209880 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/327 20130101;
B65D 77/04 20130101; B65D 5/4204 20130101; B65D 2203/00 20130101;
B65D 5/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/120 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20060101
B65D081/32 |
Claims
1. A package for containing pieces of first and second different
edible products, comprising: a package having a plurality of
separate compartments formed as cavities therein; a first edible
product disposed in a first predetermined sub-set of less than all
of the separate compartments; a second edible product disposed in a
second predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments, wherein the first and second edible products are
different; a sealing layer disposed over at least a portion of a
first surface of the package, the sealing layer sealing each of the
separate compartments.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the separate compartments are
composed of an at least partially transparent material to allow the
contained product to be visible through a second surface of the
package
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is composed of a
plastic material.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein there is a one-to-one
correspondence between the combined total number of the first and
second edible products in the package and the number of separate
compartments formed in the package.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein the first and second edible food
products are first and second different types of chewing gum.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein the first and second types of
chewing gum are visibly distinct.
7. The package of claim 1, further comprising an opaque cover
having first and second apertures, the opaque cover being disposed
over at least a second surface of the package.
8. The package of claim 7, wherein a first edible product in a
first predetermined compartment is visible through the first
aperture and a second edible product in a second predetermined
compartment is visible through the second aperture.
9. The package of claim 7, wherein an outside surface of the opaque
cover further includes: a first surface treatment corresponding
with the first aperture; and a second surface treatment
corresponding with the second aperture, wherein the first and
second surface treatments are visibly distinct.
10. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is perforated
between the first sub-set of compartments and the second sub-set of
compartments.
11. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealing layer is
opaque.
12. The package of claim 1, wherein individual pieces of the first
and second edible products are like-shaped.
13. The package of claim 12, wherein the separate compartments and
the individual pieces of the first and second edible products are
like-shaped.
14. The package of claim 1, wherein the cavities are disposed on
the package in a first geometric array containing rows and
columns.
15. The package of claim A16, wherein the first edible product is
disposed in a first predetermined sub-set of the first geometrical
array, wherein the first predetermined sub-set forms a second
geometrical array.
16. A method for packaging first and second different edible
products in a common package, comprising providing a package having
a plurality of substantially transparent and separate compartments
formed as cavities therein; first disposing a first edible product
into a first predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments; second disposing a second edible product into a
second predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments; and applying a sealing layer over a surface of the
package, wherein the sealing layer seals the separate compartments,
wherein the first and second edible products are visible within the
separate compartments.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein first and second disposing
includes disposing first and second visibly distinct edible
products into the first and second predetermined sub-sets of the
separate compartments.
18. The method of claim 16, further including: applying a wrapper
over at least a portion of the package, wherein at least one of the
first edible products and one of the second edible products are
visible through the wrapper.
19. A packaged gum product, comprising: a package having a
plurality of separate compartments formed as cavities therein,
wherein the separate compartments are composed of an at least
partially transparent material; a first plurality of gum pellets
disposed in a first predetermined sub-set of less than all of the
separate compartments; a second plurality of gum pellets disposed
in a second predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments, wherein the first and second gum pellets are visibly
distinct and wherein the first and second gum varieties are visible
when disposed within the separate compartments; a sealing layer
disposed over at least a portion of a first surface of the package,
the sealing layer sealing each of the separate compartments.
20. The product of claim 19, further including: a wrapper covering
at least a portion of the package, wherein at least one of the
first gum pellets and at least one of the second gum pellets are
visible through the wrapper.
21. A package for containing pieces of first and second different
edible products, comprising: a package having a plurality of
separate compartments formed as cavities, wherein the separate
compartments are disposed in a geometric array including at least
two rows and at least two columns; a first edible product disposed
in a first predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments; a second edible product disposed in a second
predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments, wherein the first and second edible products are
different; a sealing layer disposed over at least a portion of a
first surface of the package, the sealing layer sealing each of the
separate compartments.
22. The package of claim 21, wherein the first and second edible
products are disposed in one of: alternating rows of the
geometrical array of the separate compartments; and alternating
columns of the geometrical array of the separate compartments.
23. The package of claim 21, wherein none of the separate
compartments containing the first edible products borders another
of the separate compartments containing the first edible
products.
24. The package of claim 21, wherein the first sub-set of less than
all the separate compartments forms a first geometrical sub-array
within the geometrical array of the separate compartments.
25. The package of claim 24, wherein the second first sub-set of
less than all the separate compartments forms a second geometrical
sub-array within the geometrical array of the separate
compartments.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This application relates generally to packaging for chewing
gum and other products, and more particularly to multiple
compartment packaging for visibly displaying first and second types
of chewing gum and other products in at least first and second
compartments having display windows while providing an indication
of the flavor of the first and second types of chewing gum and
other products.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Chewing gum is currently available to consumers in a variety
of different formats. These include stick gum, slab gum, pellet
gum, extruded gum, and others. Stick gum may come in sizes with a
length of approximately 6-7 cm, a width of approximately 1.5-2 cm,
and a thickness of approximately 0.2 cm. Slab gum may come in a
size of approximately 4.5 cm in length, 1.2 cm in width, and 0.3 cm
in thickness. Pellet gum may come in a variety of sizes with but
one example being a size of approximately 2 cm in length, 1.3-1.5
cm in width, and 0.8-1.0 cm in thickness.
[0003] A variety of types of gum packaging also exist, including
certain types of packaging used predominately for one or the other
of the gum formats. Pellet gum may be packaged together in a carton
that can be opened to dispense one or more pellets at a time.
Various other package configurations exist, but in one
configuration packages each pellet individually in what has come to
be known as a blister pack or package. Such a package configuration
may include a sheet of plastic having multiple cavities (bulged
structures) that may typically be formed in an array. The gum
pellets are placed into the individual cavities and a sheet of foil
is attached to the plastic sheet to contain/seal the gum pellets
within the individual cavities.
[0004] Generally, the blister package is itself packaged (e.g.,
wrapped) to protect the blister pack from damage prior to sale. In
one arrangement, this packaging includes an opaque paperboard
sleeve member having a hollow interior into which the blister pack
may be selectively inserted and removed. The outside surface of
this sleeve member may contain printed subject matter that
identifies the contents of the blister package. In some instances,
a single aperture may be formed though the sleeve member such that
a gum pellet in one of the individual blisters may be viewed by a
consumer prior to purchase of the gum package.
[0005] Such packaging is currently popular and achieves
satisfactory results. It has been discovered, however, that this
approach does have certain drawbacks. These drawbacks relate to the
display of different varieties of such gum pellets that may be
contained within a single gum package.
[0006] It is against this background and with a desire to improve
on the prior art that a packaging design for gum and other products
has been developed.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to one aspect, a package for containing pieces of
first and second different-edible products is provided. The package
includes a blister package having a plurality of separate
compartments formed as cavities therein. A first edible product is
disposed in a first predetermined sub-set of less than all of the
separate compartments and a second edible product is disposed in a
second predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments. The first and second edible products are different. A
sealing layer is disposed over at least a portion of a first
surface of the blister package, which seals each of the separate
compartments.
[0008] In one arrangement, the separate compartments are composed
of an at least partially transparent material to allow a contained
product to be visible through a second surface of the blister
package. The transparent material may include a plastic
material.
[0009] In one arrangement, there is a one-to-one correspondence
between the combined total number of the first and second edible
products in the package and the number of separate compartments
formed in the blister package. That is, each compartment contains a
single edible product. These products may include first and second
different varieties of chewing gum, which may be visibly distinct.
The separate compartments or cavities in the blister package may be
of any appropriate shape. However in one arrangement the separate
compartments are like-shaped with the first and second products,
which may also be like-shaped. In any arrangement, the first and
second edible products are disposed in predetermined compartments.
This allows aligning predetermined compartments with apertures in
overlying wrappers such that the different products may be
displayed.
[0010] In one arrangement, the cavities of the blister package are
disposed in a first geometric array containing rows and columns. In
this arrangement, the first edible product may be disposed in a
first predetermined sub-set of the first geometrical array and this
first predetermined sub-set may form a second geometrical array.
Likewise, the second edible product may be disposed in a second
predetermined sub-set of the first geometrical array and this
second predetermined sub-set may form a third geometrical array.
Alternatively, the first and second edible products may be
alternated, for example by row, by column or in a checkerboard
fashion.
[0011] In a further arrangement, the package may include an opaque
cover having first and second apertures. The opaque cover is
adapted to be disposed over at least a second surface of the
package. The opaque cover may generally define a sleeve having an
interior volume sized to receive the blister package. Such a sleeve
may include at least one open end to permit receipt of the blister
package therein. In another arrangement, a common wall of the
opaque cover includes the first and second apertures. In a further
arrangement, an outside surface the opaque cover further includes a
first surface treatment corresponding with the first aperture and a
second surface treatment corresponding with the second aperture.
Generally, such first and second surface treatments are visibly
distinct and may correspond to one or more properties/attributes of
the first and second edible products.
[0012] According to another aspect, a method for packaging first
and second different edible products in a common package is
provided. The method includes providing a package having a
plurality of substantially transparent and separate compartments
formed as cavities therein. A first edible product is disposed into
a first predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments and a second edible product is disposed into a second
predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments. A sealing layer is then applied over a surface of the
package that seals the separate compartments. Once so sealed, the
first and second edible products are visible within the separate
compartments.
[0013] The method may include disposing first and second visibly
distinct edible products into the first and second predetermined
sub-sets of the separate compartments. Additionally, the method may
include applying a wrapper over at least a portion of the package,
wherein at least one of the first edible products and one of the
second edible products are visible through the wrapper.
[0014] According to another aspect, a packaged gum product is
provided. The product includes a package having a plurality of
separate compartments formed as cavities therein. These separate
compartments are composed of an at least partially transparent
material. A first plurality of gum pellets are disposed into a
first predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate
compartments and a second plurality of gum pellets are disposed
into a second predetermined sub-set of less than all of the
separate compartments. The first and second gum pellets are visibly
distinct. Further, the first and second gum varieties are visible
when disposed within the separate compartments. A sealing layer is
disposed over at least a portion of a first surface of the package
that seals each of the separate compartments.
[0015] The product may further include a wrapper that covers at
least a portion of the package. The wrapper may further permit at
least one of the first gum pellets and at least one of the second
gum pellets to be visible through the wrapper.
[0016] According to another aspect, a package for containing pieces
of first and second different edible products is provided. The
package includes a blister package having a plurality of separate
compartments formed as cavities. These separate compartments are
disposed in a geometric array including at least two rows and at
least two columns. A first edible product is disposed in a first
predetermined sub-set of less than all of the separate compartments
and a second edible product is disposed in a second predetermined
sub-set of less than all of the separate compartments. The first
and second edible products are different. A sealing layer is
disposed over at least a portion of a first surface of the package
and seals each of the separate compartments.
[0017] The first and second edible products are disposed in a
predetermined manner and may be disposed in alternating rows of the
geometrical array of the separate compartments or in alternating
columns of the geometrical array of the separate compartments.
Alternatively, the products may be disposed such that none of the
separate compartments containing the first edible products borders
another of the separate compartments containing another of the
first edible products.
[0018] Numerous additional features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
consideration of the further description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the packaging design.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging design of FIG.
1, shown with the blister pack removed from the sleeve member.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the blister
pack.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an unfolded paperboard blank used
to form the sleeve member.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the packaging design of FIG.
1, shown with the surface of the sleeve member having first and
second visually distinct surface treatments.
[0024] FIGS. 6a and 6b are plan views which shows application of
different surface treatments to the surface of the sleeve
member.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a process flow sheet and illustrating a marketing
method for use with the packaging design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which assist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the
packaging design. Although the invention will now be described
primarily in conjunction with gum packaging, it should be expressly
understood that the invention may be applicable to other
applications where it is desired to display multiple different
edible products through a surface of a common package. In this
regard, the following description of a gum packaging design is
presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill
and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the
packaging design. The embodiments described herein are further
intended to explain modes known of practicing the invention and to
enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such,
or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the
particular application(s) or use(s) of the packaging design.
[0027] As shown, the package 100 includes a blister pack 10 that is
receivable within the interior of a hollow sleeve member 40. See
FIGS. 1 and 2. The sleeve member 40 contains first and second
apertures 42, 44 that permit first and second edible products 32,
34 contained within the blister pack 10 to be displayed through a
front surface of the sleeve member 40 when the blister pack 10 is
disposed therein.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the blister pack
10. As shown, the blister pack includes a substantially transparent
plastic sheet 20 that includes a plurality of cavities 22 formed
therein. In this regard, a flat plastic sheet may be die pressed to
produce the plastic sheet 20 including the cavities 22. One
exemplary plastic material that may be utilized to form the sheet
is PVC, however, it will be appreciated that other materials may be
utilized as well. As shown, the cavities 22 are arranged on the
plastic sheet 20 in a geometrical array having three cavities 22
across the width of the sheet 20 and four cavities 22 along the
length of the sheet 20 (i.e., a 3.times.4 array having three rows
and four columns). In the embodiment shown, each cavity 22 is
box-shaped having a generally rectangular cross-section in both
length and width. In the illustrated embodiment, the all of the
cavities 22 are of a common size and shape and are equally spaced
on the plastic sheet 20. However, it will be appreciated that the
shape of the cavities 22 and/or the arrangement of such cavities 22
on the plastic sheet are each a matter of design choice. For
instance, one or more of the cavities 22 may be differently sized
and/or shaped in comparison to another cavity 22 on the blister
card. Further, the spacing of the cavities 22 may also be
varied.
[0029] Disposed in each of the cavities 22 on the plastic sheet 20
is an individual edible product. In the embodiment shown, these
edible products are individual gum pellets 32 or 34. As shown, a
first variety of gum pellets 32 are disposed in a first portion of
less than all of the cavities 22 and a second variety of gum
pellets 34 are disposed in the remainder of the cavities 22.
Generally, these first and second edible products, gum pellets 32,
34, will include one or more features in common and may each
include one or more features not included in the other product. For
instance, the first and second gum pellets 32, 34 may share one or
more features such as shape, size texture and/or functional
benefits (e.g., tooth whitening) while differing in one or more of
such features. That is, in some embodiments the gum pellets 32, 34
may differ in one or more features while having at least one
feature in common. In the embodiment shown the first and second gum
pellets 32, 34 are visibly distinct while having a common size and
shape. That is, the first and second gum pellets 32, 34 may include
any variation (i.e., visible distinction) that allows an observer
to distinguish one pellet 32 variety from a second pellet 34
variety.
[0030] Once disposed within the formed cavities 22, the individual
gum pellets 32, 34 are sealed within the cavities 22 by a foil
sheet 30 that is adhered to the bottom surface of the plastic sheet
20. Specifically, the top surface of the foil sheet 30 is adhered
to a bottom surface of the plastic sheet 20 about the periphery of
each of the cavities 22. In this regard, each cavity 22 and the gum
pellet 32 or 34 disposed therein are individually sealed. Such
sealing generally prevents the gum pellets 32, 34 from drying
out/dehydrating. Though discussed herein as utilizing a foil layer
30, it will be appreciated that other materials (e.g., plastic and
paper) may also be utilized to form the sealing layer 30.
[0031] As shown, the first and second varieties of gum pellets 32,
34, have a shape that corresponds generally to the shape of the
cavities 22. That is, each gum pellet 32, 34 is generally
box-shaped having a rectangular cross-sectional shape in both
length and width. In the embodiment shown, the first and second
varieties of gum pellets 32, 34 are disposed in first and second
3.times.2 arrays. That is, when disposed within the cavities 22 in
the plastic sheet 20 the first variety of gum pellets are disposed
in one-half of the cavities 22 and the second variety of gum
pellets 34 are disposed in the other half of the cavities 22.
However, other non-random or predetermined distributions of the gum
pellets may be utilized. For instance, each row or column of the
cavities may contain a different variety of gum pellets.
Alternatively, the first and second products may be arranged in a
checkerboard fashion (not shown) where no cavity containing the
first variety of gum pellets borders another cavity containing the
first variety of gum pellets.
[0032] In any arrangement, it is desirable that the first aperture
42 permit viewing of at least a portion of one or more cavities 22
containing the first variety of gum pellets 32 and that the second
aperture 44 permit viewing of at least a portion of one or more of
the cavities 22 containing the second variety of gum pellets 34. As
shown, the apertures 42, 44 of the illustrated arrangement are
aligned with separate portions of the blister pack 10 as defined by
the first and second arrays of gum pellets 32, 34, respectively.
What is important is that the first and second varieties of gum
pellets 32, 34 are disposed in a non-random/predetermined
arrangement such that the apertures 42, 44 may display first and
second different products.
[0033] In order to arrange the gum pellets 32, 34 in a
non-random/predetermined arrangement, it will be appreciated that
specialized manufacturing machinery may be required. That is, for
previous blister packages that held either a single variety of gum
pellets or randomly dispersed varieties of pellets, the individual
placement of a certain variety of gum pellet in on ore more
predetermined cavities was not required. Accordingly, the gum
pellets could be placed and/or mixed in a single hopper that feeds
multiple chutes aligned with the multiple cavities in the blister
pack. In accordance with the blister pack 10 discussed herein, it
will be appreciated that the requirement that certain cavities
include certain varieties of gum pellets increases the complexity
of the machinery utilized to form the blister pack 10. For
instance, rather than using a single hopper to feed chutes aligned
with the cavities, multiple different hoppers for holding
individual varieties of gum pellets are required. Likewise
different chutes leading from the different hoppers must be routed
such that they align with desired cavities.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates the sleeve member 40 prior to being
formed to have a hollow interior for receiving the blister pack 10.
As shown, a paperboard blank 50 is utilized to form the sleeve
member 40. The paperboard blank 50 has a flap 52 that extends from
a top edge thereof and an opposing flap 54 that extends from a
bottom edge thereof. These flaps 52, 54 are adhered together
utilizing an adhesive 56 that is disposed on the top flap 52. To
permit the top flap 52 and bottom flap 54 to be adhered together,
the paperboard blank 50 is folded along fold lines 58a-d. This
allows the top surface of the top flap 52, which includes the
adhesive 56, to mate with the bottom surface of the bottom flap 54.
Generally, the paperboard blank 50 is folded into a four sided
sleeve member 40 having a front wall 60, a back wall 62, and first
and second lateral walls 64, 66. See FIG. 2. In the embodiment
shown, both ends of the sleeve member 40 are open to permit receipt
of the blister pack 10 into the interior of the sleeve member.
[0035] Prior to folding the paperboard blank 50, first and second
apertures 42, 44 are formed through a portion of the paperboard
blank 50 that forms the front wall 60 of the sleeve member 40. See
FIG. 4. Generally, the size and position of these apertures 42, 44
are selected to permit displaying first and second separate
portions of the blister pack 10 that will be disposed within the
resulting sleeve member 40. Though shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being
arranged to display first and second cavities 22 in the blister
pack 10 which are on opposite ends of a common row, it will be
appreciated that other positional arrangements of the apertures 42,
44 are possible. For instance, the first and second apertures 42,
44 may de positioned to display cavities 22 in different rows
and/or different columns. What is important is that the apertures
42, 44 are positioned such that different products, first and
second varieties of gum pellets 32, 34 in the present embodiment,
may be displayed through the front wall 60 of the sleeve member 40.
As further shown in FIG. 4, a side surface of the paperboard 50
also includes a recess 62. The recess 62 is formed in a portion of
the paperboard blank 50 that forms the back wall 62 of the sleeve
member 40. When the paperboard blank 50 is folded to form the
sleeve member 40, the recess 62 allows a user to grasp a portion of
the blister pack 10 when the blister pack 10 is disposed within the
sleeve member 40.
[0036] Generally, the interior volume of the sleeve member 40
substantially corresponds to the outside dimensions of the blister
pack 10. In this regard, the width and height of the interior
volume of the sleeve member 40 may be sized to provide a frictional
fit with the blister pack 10. When the blister pack 10 is inserted
into the sleeve member 40, friction between the inside surface of
the sleeve member 40 and the outside surfaces of the blister pack
10 may be utilized to maintain the blister pack 10 within the
sleeve member 40. In addition, a clear film, (not shown) may be
utilized to wrap the package 100 prior to purchase.
[0037] In one embodiment, the paperboard blank 50 is composed of an
SBS (solid bleach sulfate) paperboard, in part because of the good
folding properties of this material. Alternatively, the paperboard
blank 50 may be composed of some other suitable material such as
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The paperboard material may have a white
clay emulsion coating on an outside surface thereof and no coating
on an inside surface thereof. The coating enhances the ability to
print on the paperboard material, which may occur prior to folding
the paperboard blank 50 into the sleeve member 40.
[0038] As noted, the use of the first and second apertures 42, 44
through the front wall 60 of the sleeve member 40 permit displaying
first and second cavities 22 within the blister pack 10. Moreover,
use of the substantially transparent plastic sheet 20 allows for
products disposed within the cavities 22 to be viewed from outside
the package 100. Specifically, in the embodiment shown the first
variety of gum pellets 32 may be seen through the first aperture 42
and the second variety of gum pellets 34 may be seen through the
second aperture 44. In this regard, consumers may see first and
second different types of edible products (e.g., gum pellets)
disposed within a common blister pack 10.
[0039] To further enhance the presentation of first and second
types of edible products to a consumer, the outside surface of the
sleeve member 40 (e.g., of the outside surface of the front wall
60) may contain first and second visibly distinct surface
treatments that correspond to the first and second edible products
disposed therein. In this regard, the front surface of the front
wall 60 may provide first and second visible indications of the
type of products contained therein. For instance, as shown on FIG.
5 a first surface treatment 72 on the surface of the front wall 60
may correspond in style and/or color to the surface treatment,
color, coating, flavor, type (e.g., gel filled), texture and/or
shape (e.g., pellet, slab etc.) of the first variety of gum pellet
32. Additionally or alternatively, the first surface treatment 72
may provide an indication of one or more ingredients, which may
include, for example, the absence of one or more ingredients (e.g.,
sugar) as well as the presence of one or more ingredients (e.g.,
actives). Such actives may include warming, cooling, tingling,
breath freshening, tooth whitening and/or throat soothing actives.
Likewise, a second surface treatment 74 may correspond in style
and/or color to the surface treatment, color, flavor, type,
texture, shape and/or ingredients of the second variety of gum
pellet 34. Alternatively and/or in addition, the one or more of the
surface treatments may include a physical variation to the surface
of the front wall (e.g., dimpling, etc). Such surface treatments
72, 74 may cover the entire outside surface of the front wall, as
shown in FIG. 5, or the first and second surface treatments 72, 74
may cover smaller portions of the outside surface of the front wall
60. See FIGS. 6a and 6b. Generally, each surface treatment 72, 74
will correspond at least partially with an area on the front
surface 60 of the sleeve member 40 that includes the first and
second apertures 42, 44.
[0040] In conjunction with the above-described package 100, a
method for marketing visibly distinct variations of an edible
product in a common package is provided. As set forth in FIG. 7,
the method includes providing (110) a package including first and
second different edible products. These first and second different
edible products are aligned (120) with first and second apertures
in the surface of an opaque package. First and second visual
indications associated with the first and second edible products
are provided (130) on the surface of the package. Such visual
indications may include, without limitation, indications to the
style, color, flavor, type, shape and/or ingredients of the first
and second edible products. The surface of the package containing
the apertures and surface treatments is then presented (140) at a
location that is visible to consumers. In this regard, consumers
are able to see the first and second edible products through the
first and second apertures in the package as well as receive a
visual indication on the surface of the package associated with the
first and second edible products. In one particular arrangement,
multiple packages 100 are presented at a location that is visible
to consumers. For instance, a plurality of the individual packages
100 may be packaged together in a single carton (e.g., two stack of
six packages disposed side-by-side). Further, this single carton
may allow viewing of the surfaces (i.e., containing the apertures
and surface treatment) of at least first and second packages 100.
In such a carton, a plurality of individual packages 100 having the
same non-random distribution of gum pellets may be provided.
[0041] The foregoing description of the packaging design has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and
knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the
invention. For instance, rather than utilizing a sleeve member to
receive the blister pack, a sheet member having first and second
apertures may be attached to or otherwise cover the top surface of
the blister pack. In another arrangement, the apertures may be
formed as transparent windows, for example, in a plastic sheet.
Further arrangements may utilize additional apertures (e.g., three
or more) to display additional products. The embodiments described
hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of
practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to
utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with
various modifications required by the particular application(s) or
use(s) of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be
construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent
permitted by the prior art.
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