GB2476975A

GB2476975A - Confectionery product with removable item

Info

Publication number: GB2476975A
Application number: GB1000747A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Harris; Hannah Woodward; Tanya Sulewski
Original assignee: Cadbury UK Ltd
Current assignee: Cadbury UK Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-18
Filing date: 2010-01-18
Publication date: 2011-07-20
Also published as: EP2525666A1; GB201000747D0; WO2011086390A1; AU2011206409B2; AU2011206409A1

Abstract

A confectionery product 2 comprises a first portion 10 that is edible, and a second portion 20 which is edible and distinct from the first portion 10, and a removable item 30. The first and second portions 10, 20 make up the body of the confectionery product 2. The second portion 20 contains part of a removable item 30 therein, and part of the removable item 30 extends from the second portion 20 to the exterior of the product through openings 22. The first portion 10 may comprise an edible shell (12, figure 1) containing an edible component such as a mousse-filling. The removable item 30 may comprise an edible medium in the form of rice paper with a message also being edible.

Description

Confectionery Product The present invention relates to confectionery products.

The present invention aims to provide a new confectionery product, which in example embodiments is used in a similar way to fortune cookies.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a confectionery product comprising: a first portion that is edible; a second portion that is edible and distinct from the first portion; and a removable item, wherein the second portion contains at least part of the removable item therein.

It is considered that this new product will be highly desirable to consumers, giving an edible treat which has the added excitement of a removable item associated therewith in a pleasing and convenient combination.

Suitably, the first portion comprises an edible shell. Suitably, the first portion contains an edible component there-within. Suitably, the second portion comprises a shell to contain at least part of the removable item.

Suitably, the removable item is at least in part contained in a hollow within the second portion.

Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages the second portion to resist removal there-of from the second portion. Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the second portion to resist removal there-of from the second portion.

Suitably, the second portion comprises a first opening through which the removable item is accessible. Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the second portion away from the first opening, to resist removal of the removable item from the second portion. Suitably, the removable item is threaded through the first opening.

Suitably, the second portion comprises a second opening. Suitably, the removable item extends from both first and second openings. Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the second portion at the second opening, to resist removal of the removable item from the second portion. Suitably, the removable item is threaded through the first and second openings.

Suitably, the removable item comprises an interior-lying part and an exterior-lying part, wherein the exterior-lying part of the removable item extends through an opening in the second portion, and wherein the interior-lying part of the removable item is has a larger dimension than a dimension of the opening such that the removable item is retained in the second portion by engagement of the interior-lying part with an interior surface of the second portion at the opening.

Suitably, the confectionery product comprises a built-in point or line of weakness in one or both of the first and second portions, and/or in the removable item, to facilitate breakage there-of and thereby facilitate removal of the removable item.

Suitably, the first and second portions meet at a planar interface.

Suitably, the first and second portions meet at an interface through which the removable item does not pass. Suitably, the first and second portions comprise a blocking interface there-between. Suitably, the first and second portions are separable from one another. Suitably, the first and second portions do not have any degree of spatial overlap. Suitably, the first portion extends from the interface between first and second portions in one direction, and the second portion extends from said interface in a second, different direction Suitably, the removable item is edible.

Suitably, the removable item comprises a message on a carrier medium.

Suitably, the first and/or second portions comprise chocolate.

Suitably, the second portion and removable item are arranged such that removal of the removable item does not damage the removable item. Suitably, the second portion and removable item are arranged such that removal of the removable item does not damage the second portion. In some embodiments, the removable item is removable while leaving the confectionery product substantially intact. In some embodiments, the removable item is removable without substantially affecting the structural integrity of the confectionery product.

In some embodiments, the removable item is removable such that the first and/or second portions are unaltered, save for the absence of the removable item.

Suitably, the removable item is arranged with the second portion, such that removal of the removable item requires breakage of one or both of the second portion and the removable item.

Suitably, the second portion is smaller than the first portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a confectionery product comprising a removable item, the removable item contained partially within the body of the confectionery product and partially extending from the body of the confectionery product, wherein the removable item is removable from the body of the confectionery product without damaging the body of the confectionery product.

It is considered that this new product will be highly desirable to consumers, giving an edible treat which has the added excitement of a removable item associated therewith in a pleasing and convenient combination. In some embodiments, the removable item is removable while leaving the body of the confectionery product substantially intact. In some embodiments, the removable item is removable without substantially affecting the structural integrity of the body of the confectionery product. In some embodiments, the removable item is removable such that the body of the confectionery product is unaltered, save for the absence of the removable item.

Suitably, the removable item is at least in part contained in a hollow within the body of the confectionery product.

Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages the body of the confectionery product to resist removal from the confectionery product.

Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the body of the confectionery product to resist removal from confectionery product.

Suitably, the confectionery product comprises a first opening in the body at which the removable item is accessible. Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the body of the confectionery product away from the first opening, to resist removal of the removable item. Suitably, the removable item is threaded through the first opening.

Suitably, the confectionery product comprises a second opening in the body. Suitably, the removable item extends from both first and second openings. Suitably, the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the second portion at the second opening, to resist removal of the removable item. Suitably, the removable item is threaded through first and second openings.

Suitably, the removable item comprises an interior-lying part and an exterior-lying part, wherein the exterior-lying part of the removable item extends through an opening in the body of the confectionery product, and wherein the interior-lying part of the removable item is has a larger dimension than a dimension of the opening such that the removable item is retained in the body of the confectionery product by engagement of the interior-lying part with an interior surface of the body at the opening.

Suitably, the removable item is edible.

Suitably, the removable item comprises a message on a carrier medium.

Suitably, the body comprises chocolate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided method of manufacturing a confectionery product, comprising producing two or more components of the confectionery product, then coupling the components to one another around a removable item such that the removable item extends beyond the body of the confectionery product and is removable there-from without damaging the body of the confectionery product.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided method of manufacturing a confectionery product, comprising producing two or more components of the confectionery product, coupling the components to one another, and then introducing a removable item at least in part into the confectionery product.

Suitably, the components comprise parts of distinct first and second edible portions, and wherein the removable item extends from the second portion.

Suitably, the method comprises a method of manufacturing a confectionery product according to the first or second aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention there is provided an product and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims,

and the description which follows.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the confectionery product according to an example embodiment of the present invention and further shown in Figures 2-4, sectioned along line A-A of Figure 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the front and side of the confectionery product of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the confectionery product of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the confectionery product of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a front view of a component for assembly into a confectionery product according to an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view from the front and side of a confectionery product according to another example embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 shows a perspective view from front and above of two confectionery products according to further example embodiments of the present invention, said embodiments being of generally spherical shape.

Where appropriate, like reference numerals are used to illustrate like parts.

Figures 1-4 show a confectionery product 2 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The confectionery product 2 comprises: a first portion 10 that is edible; a second portion 20 that is edible and distinct from the first portion 1 0; and a removable item 30.

The removable item is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The first and second portions make up the body of the confectionery product 2. In the confectionery product 2 the second portion 20 contains part of a removable item 30 therein, and part of the removable item 30 extends from the second portion 20 to the exterior of the confectionery product 2. The removable item 30 extends from the second portion through openings 22 shown in Figures 2 and 3, and provided in the second portion 20. The removable item 30, and the features that serve to make the first and second portions 10,20 distinct will be described in more detail below.

In the confectionery product 2 the removable item 30 comprises a carrier medium with a message provided thereon, similar in style to the paper medium and printed message provided in fortune cookies. The message may comprise a motivational statement, famous quotation or the like. The removable item 30 in the example embodiments shown comprises a medium in the form of rice paper (or an alternative edible medium), with the message also being edible.

In this way the confectionery products shown are entirely edible when provided with edible first and second portions 10,20. The user can have the fun of removing the removable item before eating the confectionery product. By providing the removable item in a second portion that is distinct from the first portion greater manufacturing flexibility is achieved. The provision of distinct first and second portion allows various types of confectionery product to be produced with relative ease, to thereby also improve consumer choice.

The first portion 10 comprises an edible shell containing an edible component 12 there-within.

The edible shell of the first component is a chocolate shell, with a centre-fill material, e.g. a mousse filling as the edible component 12. Other confectionery materials may be provided in place of the centre-fill material in other embodiments that are not illustrated. Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a generally hollow component 21 that may be used in the manufacture of a confectionery product according to an example embodiment of the present invention, either with or without an edible component as a filling for the first portion 10. Similarly, in other embodiments that are not illustrated confectionery materials may be provided in place of chocolate, which forms the shell of the first portion 10 in the example embodiments shown.

The second portion 20 comprises a shell to contain at least part of the removable item 30. The shell that forms the second portion is generally hollow, and in the embodiments shown comprises a chocolate shell. The second portion 20 is smaller than the first portion 10. The first and second portions 10,20 are kept distinct from one another. The first portion 10 provides an edible portion that does not contain part of the removable item and the second portion 20 provides an edible portion that receives and at least partially contains the removable item 30. An interface is provided between first and second portions through which the removable item does not pass. The interface between first and second portions may serve to keep any edible component contained in the first portion from passing into the second portion.

The capacity of the interface to provide a barrier prevent any edible component contained in the first portion from entering into the second portion, and the capacity of the interface to provide a barrier to prevent the removable item from entering into the first portion give the interface a blocking character. The interface between first and second portions is suitably a planar interface.

In the embodiments shown, the first and second portions 10,20 include sections thereof that do not have any degree of spatial overlap. No part of the first portion 10 is contained in the second portion 20. No part of the second portion 20 is contained within the first portion 10.

The first and second portions 10,20 are mutually exclusive. The first portion 10 extends from the interface between first and second portions in one direction, and the second portion 20 extends from said interface in another direction.

As is apparent from Figures 1 and 3, in the confectionery product 2 the second portion 20 comprises two openings 22 through which the removable item 30 is accessible. As shown, the removable item 30 extends through each opening 22 and is accessible from two sides of the confectionery product 2. However, a single opening 22 is envisaged for other embodiments.

In other embodiments more than one removable item 30 may be provided. For example, a first removable item may be provided as accessible from a first opening, and with a second removable item provided as accessible from a second opening.

In example embodiments the removable item 30 may be threaded into the confectionery product 2 via one or more openings in the body thereof. In other embodiments the removable item may be provided and the first and second portions formed with the removable item in situ.

The removable item may comprises constant cross sectional dimensions along its length, for example to facilitate threading thereof. Other embodiments may include a removable item of cross sectional dimensions that are not constant along the length thereof, to enable the removable item to be at least initially retained, or to enhance retention there-of in the confectionery product. In such embodiments the body of the confectionery product is formed around the removable item rather than the removable item being threaded into the confectionery product.

The removable item 30 is optionally held in the second portion by engagement with interior surfaces or other parts of the second portion 20. The removable item 30 is optionally held in the second portion, for example by friction, said friction serving to prevent the removable item from falling out of the second portion under its own weight, while still enabling the removable item to be removed by manually pulling there-on. In example embodiments a convenient arrangement for holding the removable item uses first and second openings of different sizes. A relatively smaller second opening may be provided to frictionally engage the removable item, with the removable item extending from a relatively larger first opening. A portion of the removable item that extends from the relatively larger first opening is accessible to be manually grasped and pulled from the confectionery product. Suitably the removable item is held in the confectionery product by engagement at the second opening only.

These arrangements provide convenient ways to produce a hold on the removable item, more specifically a hold that provides sufficient retention to prevent the removable item from falling out or being accidentally removed, while enabling the removable item to be removed without ripping or otherwise damaging the removable item, and furthermore without damaging the structure of the confectionery product.

The removable item 30 is suitably removable from the second portion without damaging the second portion, or generally damaging the structure of the confectionery product. In such embodiments removal of the removable item 30 has no damaging effect on the structure of the body of the confectionery product, in particular on the structure of the first or second portion.

In embodiments where the removable item is removable without damaging the product, the remainder of the product left behind by removal of the removable item is left substantially intact. The structural integrity of the product is suitably not affected by removal of the removable item. The removable item is conveniently removable such that the first and/or second portions are unaltered, save for the absence of the removable item.

However, in other embodiments that are not illustrated the removable item may be coupled to part of the second portion. For example, a bond either directly or indirectly coupling the removable item with the second portion may be provided.

Removal of the removable item may require or be facilitated by breakage of one or more of the first portion, the second portion and the removable item. For example, the removable item may extend from an opening in the confectionery product, with the interior-lying portion of the removable item being dimensioned such that it will not pass through the smaller dimensioned opening. One or more then one characteristic dimensions of the interior lying portion may be greater than a corresponding maximum dimension of the opening, such that that correct orientation of the removable item, e.g. by rotation relative to the opening, is required to enable the interior-lying portion thereof to pass through the opening. In any of the embodiments described, the removable item, first and/or second portion may be provided with one or more built-in points or lines of weakness, to facilitate breakage thereof and thereby facilitate removal of the removable item.

Figure 6 shows a confectionery product 1 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The confectionery product 1 comprises: a first portion 10 that is edible; a second portion 20 that is also edible and distinct from the first portion 10; and a removable item. In the confectionery product 1 the second portion contains the whole of a removable item therein. To remove the removable item the second portion 20 must be broken. Within the confectionery product 1 of Figure 6 a distinction between the first and second portions 10,20 is provided, such that in cross section the confectionery product 1 is generally as shown in Figure 1 or 5, but without the presence of openings 22.

Equally, the first and second portions may comprise a separable interface there-between, and be separable from one another, suitably along said interface. One or more built-in points or lines of weakness may be provided to facilitate separation of the first and second portions from one another.

Manufacture of the confectionery products described herein may conveniently include producing two or more components comprising parts of the first and/or second portions and then coupling the parts to one another. The parts may suitably be coupled to one another after placing around one another, or alternatively the removable item may be introduced into the confectionery product as a separate manufacturing step. The embodiment of Figures 1-4 may conveniently be manufactured by providing two sections as shown in Figure 1 and then coupling the sections to one another.

The confectionery product may be packaged in a standard way, for example by being wrapped with aluminium foil, or by being flow-wrapped and/or boxed. Example dimensions (in mm) of the height, width and thickness of the confectionery product 2 are given in Figures 1, 3 and 4 respectively.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

For example, whilst the invention has been described in relation to confectionery products in the form of star-shaped or spherical bodies, it can be equally applied to products in which the chocolate bodies have different shapes. For example the hollow chocolate bodies may be formed in an egg shape, or in the shape of characters or other items. The example embodiments of confectionery product 3,4 of Figure 7 have surface decoration applied thereto in the form or recessed areas, and other forms of decoration may equally be used.

The centre-fill material may be a confectionery material. A number of confectionery centre-fill materials will be apparent to the skilled addressee. In certain embodiments, the centre-fill material is a fat-based centre-fill material or a water-based centre-fill material. Suitable fat-based centre-fill materials include truffle, mousse, and chocolate. Suitable water-based centre-fill materials include caramel, fondant crème and gels such as Turkish delight. In one embodiment the centre-fill material is a liquid or flowable material at room temperature. For example, the centre-fill material may be a viscous liquid, such as a caramel, a fondant crème or a gel, such as Turkish delight. The centre-fill material may be aerated, for example, a mousse. The centre-fill material has a different composition from the chocolate shell material so that the centre-fill is distinguishable from the chocolate shell. In one embodiment, the chocolate shell material is a milk chocolate and the centre-fill material is a white chocolate.

The chocolate shell material and/or the centre-fill material may comprise various additions such as colourings, flavourings and small solid inclusions. Suitable solid inclusions will be apparent to the skilled addressee and will, amongst other things, include nut pieces, cereal pieces and popping candy. It will be understood that such inclusions will be deposited together with the chocolate shell material and/or centre-fill material and so must be suitably sized otherwise the apparatus would become clogged.

The term chocolate in the context of the present invention is not restricted by the various definitions of chocolate provided by government and regulatory bodies. A chocolate shell material is simply a product that contains a fat phase and which is obtained from cocoa products and sweeteners.

The chocolate shell material may be a dark chocolate, a milk chocolate or a white chocolate.

The chocolate shell material comprises at least one fat. The fat may be cocoa butter, butterfat, a cocoa butter equivalent (CBE), a cocoa butter substitute (CBS), a vegetable fat that is liquid at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP, 25CC and lOOkPa) or any combination of the above. In a particular embodiment, the chocolate shell material comprises cocoa butter.

CBEs are defined in Directive 2000/36/EC. Suitable CBEs include illipe, Borneo tallow, tengkawang, palm oil, sal, shea, kokum gurgi and mango kernel. CBE's are usually used in combination with cocoa butter. In one embodiment, the chocolate shell material comprises no more than 5wt% CBE's.

The chocolate shell material may comprise a cocoa butter substitute (CBS) (sometimes known as a cocoa butter replacer, CBR) in place of some or all of the cocoa butter. Such chocolate materials are sometimes known as compound chocolate. Suitable CBS's include CBS laurics and CBS non-laurics. CBS laurics are short-chain fatty acid glycerides. Their physical properties vary but they all have triglyceride configurations that make them compatible with cocoa butter. Suitable CBS's include those based on palm kernel oil and coconut oil. CBS non-laurics consist of fractions obtained from hydrogenated oils. The oils are selectively hydrogenated with the formation of trans acids, which increases the solid phase of the fat.

Suitable sources for CBS nonlaurics include soya, cottonseed, peanut, rapeseed and corn (maize) oil.

The chocolate shell material may comprise at least one vegetable fat that is liquid at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP, 25°C and 1 OOkPa). Suitable vegetable fats include corn oil, cotton seed oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil.

The present invention is further applicable to chocolate shell materials in which some or all of the fat is constituted by a partly or wholly non-metabolisable fat, for example Caprenin.

Were the terms comprise, comprises, comprised or comprising are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

C'aims 1. A confectionery product comprising: a first portion that is edible; a second portion that is edible and distinct from the first portion; and a removable item, wherein the second portion contains at least part of the removable item therein.
2. The confectionery product of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises an edible shell.
3. The confectionery product of claim 2, wherein the first portion contains an edible component there-within.
4. The confectionery product of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second portion comprises a shell to contain at least part of the removable item.
5. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the removable item is at least in part contained in a hollow within the second portion.
6. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the removable item frictionally engages the second portion to resist removal there-of from the second portion.
7. The confectionery product of claim 6, wherein the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the second portion to resist removal there-of from the second portion.
8. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion comprises a first opening through which the removable item is accessible.
9. The confectionery product of claim 8, wherein the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the second portion away from the first opening, to resist removal of the removable item from the second portion.
10. The confectionery product of claim 8 or 9, wherein the removable item is threaded through the first opening.
11. The confectionery product of claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the second portion comprises a second opening.
12. The confectionery product of claim 11, wherein the removable item extends from both first and second openings.
13. The confectionery product of claim 11 or 12, wherein the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the second portion at the second opening, to resist removal of the removable item from the second portion.
14. The confectionery product of claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the removable item is threaded through first and second openings.
15. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein an exterior-lying part of the removable item extends through an opening in the second portion, and wherein an interior-lying part of the removable item is has a larger dimension than a dimension of the opening such that the removable item is retained in the second portion by engagement of the interior-lying part with an interior surface of the second portion at the opening.
16. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, comprising a built-in point or line of weakness in one or both of the first and second portions, and/or in the removable item, to facilitate breakage there-of and thereby facilitate removal of the removable item.
17. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second portions meet at a planar interface.
18. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second portions meet at an interface through which the removable item does not pass.
19. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second portions comprise a blocking interface there-between.
20. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second portions do not have any degree of spatial overlap.
21. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion extends from the interface between first and second portions in one direction, and the second portion extends from said interface in a second, different direction
22. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second portions are separable from one another.
23. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the removable item is edible.
24. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the removable item comprises a message on a carrier medium.
25. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second portions comprise chocolate.
26. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion and removable item are arranged such that removal of the removable item does not damage one or both of the removable item and the second portion.
27. The confectionery product of claim 26, wherein the removable item is removable without substantially affecting the structural integrity of the second portion.
28. The confectionery product of claim 26 or 27, wherein the removable item is removable such that the body of the confectionery product is unaltered, save for the absence of the removable item.
29. The confectionery product of any one of claims 1-25, wherein the removable item is arranged with the second portion, such that removal of the removable item requires breakage of one or both of the second portion and the removable item.
30. The confectionery product of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion is smaller than the first portion.
31. A confectionery product comprising a removable item, the removable item contained partially within the body of the confectionery product and partially extending from the body of the confectionery product, wherein the removable item is removable from the body of the confectionery product without damaging the body of the confectionery product.
32. The confectionery product of claim 31, wherein the removable item is at least in part contained in a hollow within the body of the confectionery product.
33. The confectionery product of claim 31 or 32, wherein the removable item frictionally engages the body of the confectionery product to resist removal from the confectionery product.
34. The confectionery product of claim 33, wherein the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the body of the confectionery product to resist removal from confectionery product.
35. The confectionery product of any one of claims 31-34, comprising a first opening in the body at which the removable item is accessible.
36. The confectionery product of claim 35, wherein the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the body of the confectionery product away from the first opening, to resist removal of the removable item.
37. The confectionery product of claim 35 or 36, wherein the removable item is threaded through the first opening.
38. The confectionery product of claim 35, 36 or 37, wherein the body comprises a second opening.
39. The confectionery product of claim 38, wherein the removable item extends from both first and second openings.
40. The confectionery product of claim 38 or 39, wherein the removable item frictionally engages an interior surface of the body at the second opening, to resist removal of the removable item.
41. The confectionery product of claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein the removable item is threaded through first and second openings.
42. The confectionery product of any one of claims 31-41, wherein an exterior-lying part of the removable item extends through an opening in the body of the confectionery product, and wherein an interior-lying part of the removable item is has a larger dimension than a dimension of the opening such that the removable item is retained in the body of the confectionery product by engagement of the interior-lying part with an interior surface of the body at the opening.
43. The confectionery product of any one of claims 31-42, wherein the removable item is edible.
44. The confectionery product of any one of claims 31-43, wherein the removable item comprises a message on a carrier medium.
45. The confectionery product of any one of claims 31-44, wherein the body comprises chocolate.
46. A method of manufacturing a confectionery product, comprising producing two or more components of the confectionery product, then coupling the components to one another around a removable item such that the removable item extends beyond the body of the confectionery product and is removable there-from without damaging the body of the confectionery product.
47. A method of manufacturing a confectionery product, comprising producing two or more components of the confectionery product, coupling the components to one another, and then introducing a removable item at least in part into the confectionery product.
48. The method of claim 46 or 47, wherein the components comprise parts of distinct first and second edible portions, and wherein the removable item extends from the second portion.
49. A confectionery product substantially as described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings.