U.S. patent number RE37,362 [Application Number 09/177,093] was granted by the patent office on 2001-09-11 for book including edible articles such as candy as a part of the pages.
Invention is credited to Deborah D'Andrea.
United States Patent |
RE37,362 |
D'Andrea |
September 11, 2001 |
Book including edible articles such as candy as a part of the
pages
Abstract
The present invention relates to a book for young readers
designed to make reading more enjoyable. The book of the present
invention preferably includes illustrations on at least some of the
pages thereof. Additionally, edible candy is provided as a part of
the book pages and may be positioned to form a part of an
illustration found on a page. The candy is attached to or otherwise
provided as a part of the book pages in a manner so that it may be
easily removed from the book and eaten by the reader. In an
alternative embodiment, the book pages may include holes formed
therein and the candy may be provided on an insert designed to be
placed behind the page so that the candy is in registry with the
holes formed in the page and so that the candy extends out through
the holes when the insert is placed immediately behind the page. In
this manner, after the candy has been removed from book, the insert
may be removed and replaced with another candy containing
insert.
Inventors: |
D'Andrea; Deborah (Akron,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
23699948 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/177,093 |
Filed: |
October 22, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
428686 |
Apr 25, 1995 |
05573438 |
Nov 12, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/149; 426/104;
434/429; 446/386; 446/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
33/38 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
33/38 (20060101); A63H 033/38 (); A63H 003/00 ();
A63H 003/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;426/104,132,135
;446/71,73,147,149,151,386,385,72-74
;40/124.06,124.01,124.09,124.19,124.191 ;206/472,460,457
;281/511,38 ;283/117 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Barbara Barbieri McGrath, "The M&M's Brand Counting Book,"
Charlesbridge Publishing (Watertown, MA), (Jul. 1994)..
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Primary Examiner: Muir; D. Neal
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oldham & Oldham Co., L.P.A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A book .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.comprising:
.Iadd.a plurality of similarly configured edible candy pieces;
a book comprising a front cover, a rear cover and a plurality of
pages including at least one page having a pictorial illustration
on at least a portion thereof which suggests that one or more
artistic features of said pictorial illustration can be supplied
apart from the book;.Iaddend.
.[.at least one piece of.]. .Iadd.said plurality of similarly
configured .Iaddend.edible candy .Iadd.pieces .Iaddend.releasably
attached to an outer surface of said at least one .[.illustrated.].
page, such that said .[.at least one piece of.]. .Iadd.plurality of
.Iaddend.edible candy .[.forms.]. .Iadd.pieces are used to provide
said suggested artistic features and form .Iaddend.a part of
.[.an.]. .Iadd.said pictorial .Iaddend.illustration on said at
least one .[.illustrated.]. page. .[.
2. A book as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one page
includes an illustration thereon and said at least one piece of
edible candy is releasably attached to said at least one
illustrated page such that said at least one piece of edible candy
forms a part of said illustration..].
3. A book .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.as recited in claim 1, wherein
said .[.at least one piece of.]. edible candy .[.releasably
attached to said at least one illustrated page is provided by a
plurality of pieces of candy.]. .Iadd.pieces are .Iaddend.provided
in at least one substantially straight row.
4. A book .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.comprising:
.Iadd.a book comprising a front cover, a rear cover, and a
plurality of pages including .Iaddend.at least one page having
.Iadd.a pictorial illustration and .Iaddend.at least one hole
formed therethrough; and
at least one piece of edible candy releasably attached to a
substrate in a predetermined position to form a candy insert such
that said at least one piece of edible candy is in registry with
and extends out of said at least one hole formed through said page
when said at least one page and candy insert are positioned
immediately adjacent to one another, wherein said substrate is
selectively positioned adjacent to said page.Iadd., said at least
one piece of edible candy forming a part of said
illustration..Iaddend.
5. A book .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.as recited in claim 4, wherein,
said at least one page includes an illustration thereon and said at
least one hole is formed through at least a portion of said
illustration such that said at least one piece of candy is in
registry with and extends out of said at least one hole to form a
part of said illustration when said at least one illustrated page
and said candy insert are positioned immediately adjacent one
another.
6. A book .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.as recited in claim 4, wherein,
said at least one hole formed through said at least one page
.Iadd.comprises a plurality of holes.Iaddend., and said at least
one piece of edible candy releasably attached to said substrate
.[.are.]. .Iadd.comprises a plurality of pieces, said holes and
said pieces of candy .Iaddend.each .Iadd.being .Iaddend.provided in
at least one substantially straight column.
7. A book .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.as recited in claim 4, wherein,
said at least one hole formed through said at least one page
.Iadd.comprises a plurality of holes.Iaddend., and said at least
one piece of edible candy releasably attached to said substrate
.[.are.]. .Iadd.comprises a plurality of pieces, said holes and
said pieces of candy .Iaddend.each .Iadd.being .Iaddend.provided in
at least one substantially straight row.
8. A book .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.as recited in claim 5, wherein
said candy insert includes an illustration thereon corresponding to
said illustration on at least one of said pages of said book .[.at
least one piece of edible candy releasably attached to an outer
surface of said at least one illustrated page, such that at least
one piece of edible candy forms a part of an illustration on said
at least one illustrated page.]. ..Iadd.
9. A book assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of
pages have pictorial illustrations thereon which each suggest that
one or more artistic features of said pictorial illustration can be
supplied apart from the book, said plurality of similarly
configured candy pieces are capable of releasable attachment to any
such pictorial illustration..Iaddend..Iadd.
10. A book assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of
edible candy pieces are removable from said
page..Iaddend..Iadd.
11. A book assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said backing
sheet is formed from an adjacent page of said
book..Iaddend..Iadd.
12. A book assembly comprising:
a plurality of similarly configured edible articles;
a book comprising a front cover, a rear cover and a plurality of
pages including at least one page having a pictorial illustration
on at least a portion thereof which suggests that one or more
artistic features of said pictorial illustration can be supplied
apart from the book; and
said plurality of similarly configured edible articles capable of
being removably positioned on said pictorial illustration in a
manner such that said edible articles are used to provide said
artistic features which said illustrations suggested be supplied
apart from the book, said edible articles thereby forming a part of
said illustration..Iaddend..Iadd.
13. A book assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one
said edible article is supplied by a plurality of candy to be
positioned on said at least one page by a person within a group
consisting of a reader of said book, a parent of the reader of said
book and any other person entrusted with assisting and supervising
the reader of said book..Iaddend..Iadd.
14. A book assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein a plurality of
similarly configured edible articles is provided with said
book..Iaddend..Iadd.
15. A book assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least
one edible article is releasably attached to said at least one
page..Iaddend..Iadd.
16. A book assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said at least
one edible article is releasably attached using an
adhesive..Iaddend..Iadd.
17. A book assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein a plurality of
pages have pictorial illustrations thereon which each suggest that
one or more artistic features of said pictorial illustration can be
supplied apart from the book, said plurality of similarly
configured edible articles are capable of being removably
positioned to any such pictorial illustration..Iaddend..Iadd.
18. A book assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said edible
articles are pieces of candy..Iaddend..Iadd.
19. A book assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said plurality
of edible articles are removable from said page..Iaddend..Iadd.
20. A book assembly comprising:
a front cover, a rear cover and a plurality of pages, including a
plurality of said pages having an illustration thereon;
a supply of similarly configured edible articles;
a plurality of said illustrated pages having at least one hole
formed therethrough; and
at least one of said similarly configured edible articles capable
of being placed in registry with and extending out of said at least
one hole formed through said page to form a part of said
illustration on said page, with like edible articles capable of use
to form parts of illustrations on one or more additional pages,
said edible articles being removable from said
pages..Iaddend..Iadd.
21. A book assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein said at least
one page includes an illustration thereon and said at least one
hole is formed through at least a portion of said illustration such
that said at least one edible article is in registry with and
extends out of said at least one hole to form a part of said
illustration..Iaddend..Iadd.
22. A book assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein said at least
one edible article placed in registry with and extending out of
said at least one hole formed through said page is supplied by said
plurality of edible articles included with said book and to be
placed in registry with and extending out of said at least one hole
by a reader of said book..Iaddend..Iadd.
23. A book assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said edible
articles are pieces of candy..Iaddend..Iadd.
24. A book assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said illustrated
pages having at least one hole formed therethrough further includes
a backing sheet connected to said page..Iaddend..Iadd.
25. A book assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said at least
one hole is formed in a predetermined location on said at least one
page..Iaddend..Iadd.
26. A book comprising:
a front cover, a rear cover and a plurality of pages including
at least one page having a plurality of holes formed therethrough;
and
a plurality of pieces of edible candy releasably attached to a
substrate in a predetermined position to form a candy insert such
that at least one piece of edible candy of said plurality of pieces
of edible candy is in registry with and extends out of a hole of
said plurality of holes formed through said page when said at least
one page and said candy insert are positioned immediately adjacent
to one another, wherein said substrate is selectively positioned
adjacent to said page said at least one piece of edible candy
forming a part of said illustration..Iaddend..Iadd.
27. A book as recited in claim 26, wherein each hole of said
plurality of holes and each piece of edible candy of said plurality
of pieces of edible candy releasably attached to said substrate are
provided in at least one substantially straight
column..Iaddend..Iadd.
28. A book as recited in claim 26, wherein each hole of said
plurality of holes and each piece of edible candy of said plurality
of pieces of edible candy releasably attached to said substrate are
provided in at least one substantially straight
row..Iaddend..Iadd.
29. A method of encouraging the reading of a book comprising:
obtaining a book having at least one illustrated page, said at
least one illustrated page having one or more predetermined
locations for the placement of edible articles;
obtaining a supply of edible articles;
placing at least one edible article at a predetermined location on
said illustrated page such that said edible article is removably
positioned on said at least one page to form a part of said
illustration; and
removing said at least one edible article in conjunction with
reading or viewing said illustrated page..Iaddend..Iadd.
30. A method as recited in claim 29 wherein said edible article is
a candy..Iaddend..Iadd.
31. A method as recited in claim 29 wherein said positioned edible
article is releasably attached to said at least one
page..Iaddend..Iadd.
32. A method as recited in claim 29 wherein at least one of said
one or more predetermined locations is a hole formed in said page
such that said at least one edible article is in registry with and
extends out of said at least one hole to form part of said
illustration..Iaddend..Iadd.
33. A book assembly comprising:
a plurality of similarly configured edible articles;
a book comprising a front cover, a rear cover and a plurality of
pages including at least one page having a pictorial illustration
thereon which suggests that one or more artistic features of said
pictorial illustration can be supplied apart from the book; said
plurality of similarly configured edible articles releasably
attached to an outer surface of said at least one illustrated page,
such that said edible articles are used to provide said suggested
artistic features and form a part of said pictorial illustration on
said at least one page..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to books, and more
particularly to a book for young readers designed to make reading
more enjoyable. The book of the present invention preferably
includes illustrations on at least some of the pages thereof.
Additionally, edible candy is provided as a part of the book pages
and may be positioned to form a part of an illustration found on a
page. The candy is attached to or otherwise provided as a part of
the book pages in a manner so that it may be easily removed from
the book and eaten by the reader.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Encouraging children to read has always been a concern of society.
As school and work become increasingly competitive, the importance
of encouraging children to read at a young age has increased.
Many different types of books have been designed to make reading
more enjoyable for young readers. For example, there are books that
allow the reader to see his or her image superimposed on the pages
thereof. Other books are designed to play music or other sounds.
However, parents and others are continuously looking for new ways
to encourage young readers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is therefore directed to a book designed to
make reading more enjoyable for young readers comprising at least
one page and at least one piece of edible candy releasably attached
to the page. Preferably, the page includes an illustration thereon
and the candy is attached to the page so that it forms a part of
the illustration. In the manufacturing process, the candy may be
placed on the pages of the book by hand or by the use of an
automated machine. In a preferred embodiment, the pieces of candy
are positioned on each illustrated page in one or more
substantially straight columns and/or rows to facilitate the
automated manufacturing of the book pages.
In an alternative embodiment, the pages of the book may include one
or more holes formed therein, and the candy may be provided in the
proper relative positions on a separate substrate to form a candy
insert such that when the book page and the candy insert are
positioned immediately adjacent to one another, the candy pieces
are in registry with and extend out through the holes formed in the
page. Preferably, the book page is illustrated and the holes formed
therein are positioned so that when the candy insert and the book
page are positioned immediately adjacent one another, the candy
pieces are in registry with and extend out through the holes formed
in the page such that the candy forms a part of the
illustration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 pictorially illustrates a book in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 1A is a side elevational view of a page including candy in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 pictorially illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
2;
FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
2 in its final assembled form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
A book in accordance with the present invention is shown generally
at 10 and 10' in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively and comprises one or
more pages 12 bound together in book form by a binding 14. Binding
14 may be formed in any suitable manner known in the book binding
art. For example, a spiral wire binding or an adhesive may be used
to bond the various pages 12 of book together. Book 10 is
contemplated for use by children and as such, book 10 may be
manufactured to withstand some amount of mistreatment. For example,
pages 12 of book 10 may be formed from relatively heavy paper stock
so that the pages 12 will resist tearing. Also, a front cover 16
and a rear cover 18 are preferably provided to protect the pages 12
of book 10.
A preferred embodiment of the book 10 of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A wherein at least one of the pages 12 of
book 10, and preferably a plurality of pages 12 include an
illustration 30 printed, painted, or otherwise disposed on at least
a portion thereof. Any illustration may be utilized and the
invention is not meant to be limited to the examples shown in the
figures. One or more pieces of candy 40 are attached to the page 12
including an illustration 30 thereon such that the candy forms a
part of the illustration 30. In an alternative embodiment, the
candy 40 may be attached to a page 12 of book 10 for reasons other
than to form a part of an illustration 30 found on the page 12. For
example, a piece of candy 40 may be attached at the bottom of each
page 12 so that upon reading the page 12 a child may remove and eat
the candy 40 as a reward.
In a preferred embodiment, the candy 40 is "button" candy having a
generally dome or droplet shape and may be of any size and color.
However, any other suitable candy 40 may be used and the invention
is not meant to be limited to the particular candy 40 described
herein. The candy 40 is preferably attached to the pages 12 of book
10 by a nontoxic adhesive substance or by the action of the natural
sticky properties of the candy 40 upon the page 12 such that the
reader of the book may remove and eat the pieces of candy 40 from
the pages 12 of book 10. The portion of the page 12 under each
piece of candy 40 may be colored to correspond to the surrounding
area of the page or may be white so that the reader can use a
crayon or the like to color the area after the piece of candy 40
has been removed from the page 12. In the manufacturing of book 10,
candy 40 may be attached to each page 12 by hand, or by the use of
an automated machine. Many different types of depositing machines
exist and are suitable for use in depositing candy 40 upon pages 12
or upon separate insert sheets 42 (FIG. 2) as is discussed in more
detail below. For example, suitable depositing machines are
manufactured by Knobel and may be purchased in the United States
from American Chocolate Mould Co., Inc., 3194 Lawson Boulevard,
Oceanside, N.Y. 11572. The present invention may also be provided
in kit form wherein a supply of candy 40 is provided to be attached
to the pages 12 of book 10 by the reader. It is thought in a
further preferred embodiment, although not required, to design the
illustrations 30 such that the candy pieces 40 may be deposited on
the pages 12 in one or more substantially straight columns
c1,c2,c3,c4,c5 and/or one or more substantially straight rows
r1,r2,r3,r4. Such an arrangement is thought to facilitate the
automated process of depositing the candy pieces 40 onto the pages
12. Not depositing candy pieces 40 on pages 12 in substantially
straight columns c1-c5 and/or rows r1-r4 would necessitate more
sophisticated equipment and additional manufacturing time, although
such is contemplated by the present invention.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown at 10'
in FIG. 2 wherein at least one page 12 includes an illustration 30
printed, painted, or otherwise disposed thereon. One or more holes
50 are formed through the page 12 at predetermined locations
relative to the illustration 302A and 2B, page 12 preferably
includes a backing sheet 60 connected to page 12 in such a manner
to form a pocket 62 between page 12 and backing sheet 60. Backing
sheet 60 may be formed by an adjacent page 12 of book 10'. Candy
pieces 40 are releasably adhered to a separate sheet of paper or
another suitable substrate material in relative positions
corresponding to the placement of holes 50 through page 12 to form
a candy insert 42. Insert 42 is designed to be received within
pocket 62 formed between page 12 and backing sheet 60 such that
when page 12 and insert 42 are positioned immediately adjacent one
another as is shown in FIG. 2B, candy pieces 40 are in registry
with and extend outward through holes 50 formed through page 12 to
form a part of the illustration 30. Illustration 30 may include
printed regions 31 that are of a similar size, shape, and color as
candy pieces 40 to complete the overall appearance of the
illustration 30 when the book is assembled as is shown in FIG. 2B.
The candy pieces 40 may then be removed from the book 10' and eaten
by the reader. However, it can be seen that after candy pieces 40
are removed from the book 10', it is then a simple matter to
replace insert 42 with another similar insert 42 containing
additional candy 40 attached thereto. In this manner, it can be
seen that the invention provides a book 10', including candy 40
that may be reused numerous times by a child or others. As was
discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 1A, it is thought preferable
to arrange holes 50, and consequently candy pieces 40 in
substantially straight columns c1,c2,c3, and/or substantially
straight rows r1,r2,r3 to facilitate the automated placement of
candy pieces 40 onto insert 42 in the required configuration,
although such is not required. Although it is preferred that the
candy 40 form part of the illustration 30 of page 12, holes 50, and
consequently candy 40 may be positioned on a non-illustrated page
12 and/or at any desired location upon a page 12.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the alternative
embodiment of the present invention discussed it relation to FIGS.
2 through 2B may also be provided in kit form, wherein the kit
includes several inserts corresponding to various illustrated pages
12 of book 10'. The insert 42 may be marked to indicate an
association with a particular page 12 of book 10' or, this
association between certain inserts 42 and pages 12 may be made by
the young reader upon examination and comparison of the holes 50
formed through any page 12 and the placement of the candy pieces 40
upon the various insert sheets 42. For example, in FIG. 2, it may
be seen that insert 42 includes an illustration shown in phantom at
30' that corresponds to illustration 30 on page 12. The
correspondence between illustrations 30,30' will assist a young
reader in choosing the proper insert 42 for each page 12 of book
10.
While the foregoing description has set forth the preferred
embodiment of the invention in particular detail, it must be
understood that numerous modifications, substitutions, and changes
may be undertaken without departing from the true spirit and scope
of the present invention as defined by the ensuing claims.
* * * * *