HK1095550A - Article of commerce comprising edible substrate and game elements - Google Patents

Description

Article of commerce comprising edible substrate and play element

Technical Field

The present invention relates to articles of commerce comprising edible substrates. More particularly, the present invention relates to edible substrates having an image disposed thereon.

Background

The food not only provides nutrition to the body but also provides entertainment through visual appeal and the like. Many popular foods, such as cookies, cakes and candies, include some type of decoration that makes the food more visually appealing. However, the value that such decorations offer to consumers is limited by the visual aesthetics of the decoration. This leads to greater reliance on the decorative aspect of the decoration itself in order to encourage and encourage consumers to enjoy the food.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a food item comprising an image that provides more than just an aesthetic value. It is particularly desirable to provide a food item in which the value of the image is not solely dependent on aesthetics. It is also desirable that the food provide enhanced value to the consumer.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention provides an article of commerce comprising an edible substrate having an image that provides a value beyond the aesthetic value of the image. Thus, the edible substrate provides enhanced value to the consumer.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an article of commerce comprising:

(a) an edible substrate;

(b) a first image disposed on an edible substrate, wherein the first image comprises a first game element;

(c) a second image disposed on the edible substrate, wherein the second image comprises a second game element; and

(d) optionally a container for holding the edible substrate;

wherein the first play element and the second play element provide elements of a game.

In a preferred embodiment, the edible substrate comprises a fabricated snack chip.

The edible substrate may be used to play a game, whereby the edible substrate has an enhanced value in addition to being edible. This enhancement in turn leads to continued appeal and excitement to the consumer, increases the popularity of the product, and also helps to establish a more secure relationship between the manufacturer and the consumer of the article.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an article of commerce comprising at least first and second edible substrates. Each of the first and second substrates includes play elements, but each of the two substrates is used to play a different type of game. By providing more than one type of game, the value that the article brings to the consumer is further enhanced.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following disclosure and appended claims.

All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a top view of an edible crisp shape with game elements disposed on a concave surface.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the edible crisp of fig. 1. The figure shows how the concave shape of the crisp is used to hide the playing element.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the edible crisp shape with the game elements disposed on the convex surface.

Figure 4. perspective view of the edible crisp of figure 3. The figure shows how the convex shape of the crisp is used to hide the game element.

Fig. 5. edible crisp wherein the game element displays reference information.

FIG. 6. part of a booklet providing an answer to the question in FIG. 5, as suggested by a second game element including the following text: "see answer # 22".

Fig. 7 edible crisp wherein the playing elements show distinctions. In this embodiment, the distinction is made by different fonts, font orientations. Further, the first and second elements are separated by a line disposed therebetween.

Fig. 8 edible crisp wherein the playing elements show the entire code.

Fig. 9. edible crisp wherein the game element shows a partial code.

Fig. 10 is a portion of a container label that provides a code to interpret the second game element of fig. 8 and 9.

Detailed Description

The present invention provides an article of commerce comprising:

(a) an edible substrate;

(b) a first image disposed on an edible substrate, wherein the first image comprises a first game element;

(c) a second image disposed on the edible substrate, wherein the second image comprises a second game element; and

(d) optionally a container for holding the edible substrate;

wherein the first play element and the second play element provide elements of a game.

A. Edible substrate

The term "edible substrate" or "substrate" as used herein includes any material suitable for being consumed and capable of having an image disposed thereon. Any suitable edible substrate may be used in the invention herein. Examples of suitable edible substrates can include, but are not limited to, snack chips (e.g., sliced potato chips), fabricated snacks (e.g., fabricated chips such as tortilla chips, potato crisps), extruded snacks, cookies, cakes, chewing gum, candy, bread, fruit, dried fruit, beef jerky, cookies, pasta, hot dogs, sliced meats, cheese, pancakes, waffles, sliced nuts, breakfast cereals, toaster pastries, ice cream cones, ice cream, jelly, ice cream sandwich, ice lollies, yogurt, desserts, cheesecake, pies, cupcakes, english muffins, pizzas, pies, meat patties, and fish strips.

The edible substrate may be in any suitable form. For example, the substrate can be a finished food ready to eat, a food product that requires further preparation before it can be eaten (e.g., snack chip dough, dry pasta), or a combination thereof. In addition, the substrate can have a hardness (e.g., fabricated snack pieces) or no hardness (e.g., jelly, yogurt).

Further, the edible substrate may include pet foods such as, but not limited to, dog biscuits and dog foods.

The article of commerce may include one or more edible substrates.

In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is a fried fabricated snack chip. The image can be placed on the snack piece by any suitable method. For example, the image can be placed on the chip dough before the dough is fried to make a fried fabricated snack piece, or the image can be placed on the chip after frying.

In one embodiment, the fabricated snack piece is a potato-based fabricated snack piece as described by Lodge in U.S. patent 5,464,643 and Villagran et al patent 6,066,353. Figures 1 through 4 show examples of fabricated snack pieces.

B. An image disposed on the edible substrate

The edible substrate includes an image disposed thereon. The image may include one or more words, graphics, or a combination thereof. The term "text" as used herein refers to one or more alphanumeric symbols. The text may include letters, numbers, words, and combinations thereof. The term "graphic" as used herein refers to a pictorial representation.

For example, the graphic may include an object, a symbol, a scene, a character, an animal, a toy, or a character. Suitable symbols may include cartoon characters and authorized characters, as well as characters related to popular characters familiar in media, advertising, or a particular culture.

Further, the images may be in the form of all or part of a word, number, prompt, hint, joke, revelation, quiz, photograph, picture, puzzle, story, game, or series of events. For example, the image may include a question portion of a quiz.

The term "disposed on" is used herein to mean that one component may be integral with another component or that one component may be a separate structure that is bonded or placed onto another component. Thus, the image may be applied directly or indirectly to the edible substrate, to a material placed on the edible substrate, within the edible substrate, or other variations or combinations thereof. In particular embodiments, the image may be printed, sprayed, or otherwise applied directly onto the surface of the substrate. In other embodiments, the image may be applied to a material placed on the surface of the substrate. The image may be located on the outer surface of the substrate, or may be located on the interior of the substrate, or a combination thereof.

Any suitable method of disposing an image on a substrate may be used herein. For example, the image may be printed, drawn, sprayed, or otherwise attached to the edible substrate. The image may be a single color or multiple colors. The image may include dyes, pigments, or other natural or synthetic substances, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the image is printed on the substrate. Printing methods may include, but are not limited to, laser, ink jet (e.g., thermal bubble jet, piezoelectric drop on demand, continuous ink jet), gravure, flexographic, and thermoprinting.

In another embodiment, an edible sticker including an image is affixed to a substrate.

In another embodiment, the film comprising the image is affixed to the substrate by an edible adhesive.

In a preferred embodiment, the ink-jet image is printed on the fabricated snack piece.

Further, the image may be permanent or active. Permanent images include those in which the edible substrate does not change before it is consumed. Live images include those that can be modified before the edible substrate is consumed.

For example, active images include those that can be visually modified. In one embodiment, the invisible image will become visible upon contact of the substrate with saliva (e.g., the substrate is licked). In another embodiment, the image becomes visible when the substrate is placed under a black light source. In another embodiment, the visible image will become invisible upon contact of the substrate with saliva. In another embodiment, the visible image disappears and a second, different image appears when the substrate is contacted with saliva.

C. Image including game elements

Disposed on the edible substrate is a first image and a second image. The first image includes a first game element and the second image includes a second game element. The first and second play elements provide elements of a game that can be played by a consumer. Fig. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 show exemplary embodiments of edible substrates in which the first images (11), (21), (31), (41), (51), and (61) comprise a first game element and the second images (12), (22), (32), (42), (52), and (62) comprise a second game element.

The term "consumer" as used herein includes any purchaser, potential purchaser, user or potential user of the article of commerce.

As used herein, the term "game element" refers to any text, graphic, or combination of text and graphic elements that can be used to play a game in combination with another game element.

The term "game" as used herein refers to an activity that provides entertainment or recreation by using provided game elements. The game may be educational, entertaining, intellectual, informative, or otherwise appealing. For example, games may include, but are not limited to, trivia games (e.g., trivia, joke, riddle, question, and multiple choice), math questions and answers, pattern recognition games, passwords, spelling games (e.g., providing missing letters), completion games (e.g., phrases, words), word games (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, language translations), encoding information and interpreting code, and graphical prompts and answers.

Further, the game types herein may include graphics games, hybrid games, and text games. The term "graphic game" as used herein refers to a game in which both the first game element and the second game element are graphics. The term "word game" as used herein refers to a game in which both the first game element and the second game element are words. The term "hybrid game" as used herein refers to a game having a combination of textual and graphical elements within and/or throughout the game elements.

It has been found that children learning to read cannot easily rearrange a statement into a question and answer format, making the first game element in an easily shared form (e.g., a question) can facilitate the child's interaction with others. In one embodiment, the first play element of a game disposed on an edible substrate may be read by one consumer to attract another consumer to participate in a conversation without rearranging the presentation. In another embodiment, the first game element provides a method of determining the second game element. In a particular embodiment, the first game element is a question that can be answered by the second game element. For example, the first game element may include the following text: "what is the best friend of human? And the second game element may include the following text: "dog". In another embodiment, the first game element is a mathematical expression and the second game element is a solution to the expression. For example, the first game element may include the following text and graphics: "3 × 7 ═ and the second game element includes the following text: "21". In another embodiment, the first game element is a portion of a sentence, which may be completed by a second game element comprising the remainder of the sentence. For example, the first game element may include the following text: "beautiful synonyms are: and the second game element may include the following text: "beautiful". In another embodiment, the first game element may include a combination of graphics and text that can be answered by the second game element. For example, the first game element may include a combination of the following text and graphics: "what is the next in the pattern? And the second game element comprises the following figures: "".

In one embodiment, the first play element includes a prompt, punctuation, word or hint to provide the consumer with an answer or response to the question or incomplete sentence provided by the first play element. This may include, but is not limited to, a question mark, a colon, a symbol, or some other indicia indicating that an answer or solution is required. Furthermore, this may help to create a visual and/or psychological separation between the first game element and the second game element.

Furthermore, it has been surprisingly found that when consumers play a game according to the present invention comprising text, their level of interaction in a given time is particularly increased, while their level of consumption (consumption) is decreased in the same time period. This may be preferred because such an effect may help reduce the amount consumed in a given period of time (e.g., snacks placed before a dinner after school).

In one embodiment, an article of commerce includes a first edible substrate and a second edible substrate. The first edible substrate includes first and second game elements of a first game. The second edible substrate includes first and second game elements of a second game. The first game and the second game are different types of games.

In one embodiment, the first play element and the second play element are both disposed on the same side of the edible substrate. In a particular embodiment, the fabricated snack piece includes a first game element and a second game element disposed on the same side of an edible substrate. The term "face" as used herein refers to a surface defined by the continuous outer perimeter of an edible substrate. In this embodiment, the fabricated snack pieces are shaped in a manner such as those curved snack pieces described in U.S. patent 3,498,798 issued to Bauer et al on 3.3.1970. For example, figures 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 show the first side (16), (26), (36), (46), (56), (66) and the second side (18), (28) separated by the peripheral edges (17), (27), (37), (47), (57), (67) of the fabricated snack piece (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6).

It is desirable to have both the first and second game elements on the same side of the edible substrate, as this simplifies the manufacturing process. However, when both the first and second game elements are provided on the same surface, a problem may arise in that the second game element is prematurely exposed. For example, a consumer may inadvertently see the second while viewing the first gaming element, thereby depriving him of the opportunity to play a game.

To control exposure of one or more play elements, exposure of at least a portion of the play elements may be controlled by methods including referencing, distinguishing, encoding, hiding, pre-positioning, and/or combinations thereof. This may be particularly desirable when both the first game element and the second game element are disposed on the same face of the edible substrate.

1. Reference to

The reference may be used to prevent the consumer from seeing the answer or solution by providing the answer or solution outside of the edible substrate. For example, rather than providing the answer to the question on an edible substrate, the prompt answer may be found in another source.

In one embodiment, the first play element is a question and the second play element is a number. The numbers direct the consumer to another source, such as a brochure or web site, where answers to the questions can be found. Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the use reference, wherein the second image (32) printed on the face (36) of the edible substrate (3) comprises the following text: "see answer # 22" for a second game element. The first image (31) is printed on the face (36). Fig. 6 shows a portion of a booklet providing an answer to a first game element in a first image (31) of the edible substrate (3) in fig. 5, as suggested by a second game element (32).

2. Distinguishing

Differentiation may be used to distinguish the first play element from the second play element in order to help a consumer focus on the first play element before using the second play element.

In one embodiment, the first play element is a question and the second play element is an answer. The first game element is printed in large, legible text. However, the second game element is more difficult to see. For example, the second game element may be inverted, used in a smaller font, used in a different font, used in a lighter color than the matrix type to make it more difficult to see, used in italics, used with a strikethrough (simple line or other paint) to make it difficult to see, or highlighted with a frame or any other method (e.g., asterisk or other graphic) to suggest to the consumer where the line of sight should be focused.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the edible substrate (2) in which the first image (21) comprises a first game element "what is the most popular movement in the world? ", the second image (22) comprises the second game element" soccer "as an inverted version. Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the edible substrate (4) in which the first image (41) comprises a first game element "what is measured by a barometer? ", the second image (42) includes an inverted second game element" air pressure ", the second game element using a smaller font than the first game element and using a finer, more difficult to see font than the first game element. Fig. 7 also shows an embodiment of a separation function (45) located between the first image (41) and the second image (42) to assist the consumer in visually distinguishing the first game element from the second game element.

3. Encoding

The code may be used to decipher the second game element so that it is less readily available. For example, the second game element may be a word written in reverse order, or a code may be provided in the package to decipher the answer (e.g., a-B, B-C, etc.).

In one embodiment, to simplify consumer decoding, only a portion of the answer may be encoded, using a different font or color or designation for a particular letter or symbol. In another embodiment, only consonants are provided for the answer, and vowels are symbolized (e.g., encoding a portion of the second game element).

Fig. 8 and 9 show embodiments of full coding and partial coding, respectively. In the edible substrate (5) of fig. 8, the second image (52) includes a coded second game element. The second game element includes the text "BOTXFS," which is decodable by the exemplary decoding method provided in FIG. 10 to show that the text "BOTXFS" represents an "answer" in this particular embodiment. In the edible substrate (6) of fig. 9, the second image (62) includes a partially encoded second game element. The second game element includes the text "BnswFr" which is decodable by the exemplary decoding method provided in fig. 10 to show that in this particular embodiment the text "BnswFr" represents an "answer". The instructions provided to the consumer may indicate that only the upper case letters (601) and (602) are encoded, and that the lower case letters (611), (612), (613), and (614) are not encoded.

4. Hiding

The second game element may be hidden from view. For example, the second play element may be printed using invisible ink that becomes visible upon chemical reaction (e.g., contact with saliva) or under special light or heat.

In another embodiment, the questions and answers are printed on the convex surface such that the edible substrate may be oriented to display only the questions in the visible portion of the convex surface. After reaching a new direction, the consumer may also be made to see the answer if desired. This embodiment is shown in fig. 3 and 4, where looking straight from the bottom of the edible substrate (2) shown in fig. 3 will display both a first image (21) and a second image (22), the first image comprising a first game element "what is the most popular movement in the world? ", the second image comprises a second game element" football ", both images being provided on the same face (26). Fig. 4 shows that holding the edible substrate (2) in a particular orientation can hide the second image (22) while still making the first image (21) visible.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, some delineation line between the question and the answer may be provided to help discern how much to see to avoid prematurely exposing the answer. Fig. 7 shows a delineation line (45) between a first image (41) comprising a question and a second image (42) comprising an answer.

In another embodiment, both the first and second images are printed on the concave surface of the fabricated snack piece such that the answer can be at least partially hidden by the nature of the shape of the chip until needed, while the question remains visible. This embodiment is shown in fig. 1 and 2, where looking straight from the bottom of the edible substrate (1) shown in fig. 1 will display both a first image (11) and a second image (12), the first image comprising a first game element "question? ", the second image includes the second game element" answer ", both images being provided on the same face (16). Fig. 2 shows that holding the edible substrate (1) in a particular orientation can hide the second image (12) while still making the first image (11) visible.

In another embodiment, a second game element is provided interspersed with confusing objects. The confusing objects may be text and/or graphics to create confusion. Due to the color difference between the second game element and the confusing object, the confusion can be filtered by a special viewing device. For example, the second game element may include the word "dog" in red, and the confusing objects include blue colored wipes, symbols, and other letters that are disposed over the word "dog" to make it illegible. After viewing the second game element using a blue device, the word dog will become easily visible.

In another embodiment, the first and second play elements are disposed on the edible substrate and have different colors such that the first play element can be viewed with one eye and the second play element can be viewed with the other eye using a two-color mirror having the same corresponding color.

5. Pre-positioning

In this embodiment, the answer is located in a known, predetermined location so that the consumer knows where to look to keep the answer hidden until needed.

In one embodiment, the edible substrate is shaped into a recognizable shape to assist the consumer in determining how to hold and orient the substrate when held so that the consumer can see the question but avoid seeing the answer before it is needed.

For example, questions and answers can be printed simultaneously on the fabricated snack piece. The questions are printed towards one edge of the sheet and the answers are reverse printed near the opposite edge near the notch in the sheet. A notch in the sheet indicates to the consumer that the answer is on that area of the sheet, thereby enabling the consumer to keep hiding that portion of the sheet until needed.

In another embodiment, the first and second play elements of one edible substrate and the other edible substrate are located in equivalent positions, thereby providing predictability to the consumer where the first play element can be found and where the second play element can be found. This may be particularly beneficial when the edible substrate is in a sequential arrangement such as a stack of identical potato crisps (e.g., Pringles) or in a stacked arrangement (e.g., cookies). It may be particularly beneficial to use in combination with the previously described concealment mechanism. In this manner, a consumer may hold a stack of sheets in a manner so that only a first gaming element can be viewed, and then remove one sheet from the stack when a second gaming element is ready for viewing. Holding the stack still will automatically retain the second game element of the edible substrate.

In some embodiments, the text is elongated to correct the visual aspect ratio when viewed from an angle relative to when viewed directly, in the case of characters printed on curved surfaces.

D. Optionally a container for holding the edible substrate

Optionally, the article of commerce includes a container for holding the edible substrate. Any container from which the edible substrate may be dispensed, presented, displayed or stored is suitable. Suitable containers include, but are not limited to, bags, jars, boxes, bowls, dishes, basins, and cans. In one embodiment, the container is a circular cylindrical can that can hold fabricated potato crisps. In another embodiment, the container is a plastic pot that can hold fabricated potato crisps.

In one embodiment, the container comprises a plurality of edible substrates, wherein more than one edible substrate in the container comprises the same image. (e.g., at least two are identical)

In another embodiment, the container comprises a plurality of edible substrates, wherein at least one edible substrate comprises an image. (e.g., at least one printed potato chip in a container)

In another embodiment, the container comprises a plurality of edible substrates, wherein at least two edible substrates have first and second images disposed thereon. At least two of the edible substrates have first and second images that are different from each other.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (9)

1. An article of commerce, comprising:

(a) an edible substrate;

(b) a first image disposed on the edible substrate, wherein the first image comprises a first game element;

(c) a second image disposed on the edible substrate, wherein the second image comprises a second game element; and

(d) optionally a container for holding the edible substrate;

wherein the first play element and the second play element provide elements of a game.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the first image comprises a textual image.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the second image comprises a textual image.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the first image comprises a question, and wherein the second image comprises an answer to the question.

5. The article of claim 3, wherein the first image comprises a question, and wherein the second image comprises an answer to the question.

6. The article of claim 4, wherein exposure of at least a portion of the answers is controllable by a method selected from the group consisting of: reference, differentiation, encoding, concealment, pre-positioning, and combinations thereof.

7. The article of claim 5, wherein exposure of at least a portion of the answers is controllable by a method selected from the group consisting of: reference, differentiation, encoding, concealment, pre-positioning, and combinations thereof.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein exposure of at least a portion of the second image is controllable by a method selected from the group consisting of: reference, differentiation, encoding, concealment, pre-positioning, and combinations thereof.

9. An article of commerce, comprising:

(a) a container;

(b) a first edible substrate comprising first and second game elements of a first game, wherein the first game type is selected from the group consisting of a graphic game, a hybrid game, a text game, and combinations thereof; and

(c) a second edible substrate comprising first and second game elements of a second game, wherein the second game type is selected from the group consisting of a graphic game, a hybrid game, a text game, and combinations thereof;

wherein the first game type and the second game type are different, and wherein the first edible substrate and the second edible substrate are contained in a container.