GB2509699A

GB2509699A - Themed comestible product

Info

Publication number: GB2509699A
Application number: GB1221562.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robin Neil Maitland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-30
Publication date: 2014-07-16

Abstract

A themed comestible product comprises edible components shaped to resemble an element associated with the theme. The edible components are shaped to be reversibly engageable with each other. They may be savoury snacks or confectionery including chocolate, jelly sweets, toffee, marshmallow and chewing gum. The theme may relate to hobbies, such as car repair, fishing, DIY or sewing, or may relate to employment or movies or musicians. The application also describes a comestible product comprising at least one shaped edible element and a compartmentalised container, and a method of making an edible component comprising moulding or extruding.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicacion Nc,. (lB 1221562.0 RTM Date: 2 May 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should he rcad as such wherever they occur in this document: Rawl plug Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk Thcmcd Comestible Product

Field

[0001] The invention relates to a themed comestible product, in particular to a comestible product comprising at least one edible component shaped to resemble an clement associated with the theme. Products additionally comprising containers for the edible components, and methods of assembling the product, arc also described.

Background

[0002] Novelty products have been around for many years, such products, often intended as gifts, arc typically ifin and morc-or-lcss disposable, in that it is expected that they will be discarded after the initial interest in the product has won off Some products of this type are themed, for instance, linked to a particular interest of the purchaser or receiver of the gift. Such themcd gifts are often simply household products or apparel bearing an image or logo relevant to the interest, or alternatively arc equipment associated with the interest, modified to make it more desirable. An example of the former type of novelty product would be a mug printed with an image of a vintage car, examples of the latter type of themed product would be pink golf tees for women golfers, chocolate moulded into the shape of a bicycle for cyclists, or candy bead-bracelets. However, the concepts behind such products are well known, and for this reason, although the images or modifications associated with the products may be fin, the overall products can fail to excite the user or gift recipient.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a themed product which incorporates the theme in a different, often more sophisticated way, and the invention is intended to provide such a product.

Summary

[0004] Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention there is provided a themed comestible product comprising at least two edible components of different shape each edible component being shaped to resemble an element associated with a theme, wherein at least one of the edible components is shaped to be reversibly engageable with at least one other of the edible components, the at least one other of the edible components being shaped to allow the reversible engagement. Whilst the resemblance of the edible components to elements associated with the theme may be pleasing to the purchaser and/or the receiver of any gift, the interaction of components will be truly surprising, creating a product which is highly memorable.

[0005] Alternatively, the themed comestible product may comprise: a. at least one edible component shaped to resemble an clement associated with a theme; and b. a eompartmentalised container designed to be retained and to store elements other than the edible components; wherein in use the edible component is housed in the container. The product has the benefit of being surprising to the purchaser, and where the product is offered as a gift to the recipient as at first glance it appears to be a packaged container for his or her hobby. However, when the product is studied it becomes clear that the contents of the container are edible, offering an exciting novelty aspect to the product. Often, the container will include at least two edible components of different shape, adding interest to the product, and often these will each be shaped to be reversibly engageable with at least one other of the edible components. This reversible engagement will surprise the purchaser, and provide a fun talking point to the gift.

[0006] As used herein the term "resemble" is intended to mean that the edible component has features of appearance in common with the element associate with the theme. In particular, it is intended that as used herein, for an edible component to "resemble" the element associated with the theme the size (in terms of overall dimensions and aspect ratios of different parts of the element) must be similar to that of the element. It is envisaged that, in this case, for the size to be similar' the difference between the size of the edible component and the element could be in the range 0 -20%, possibly 0.1 -15% or 0.5 -10%. This allows for the edible component to be up to 20% smaller or 20% larger than the element which is resembles.

[0007] As used herein the term "reversibly cngagcable" is intended to mean that the components are retained relative to one another, but can be disengaged. As such, reversible engagement requires more than two components being designed to fit together, as may be the ease for an egg sitting in an egg cup; instead reversible engagement requires that there be a form of retention, such that the components will not simply fall-apart if one of the edible components is lifted, and the other is not.

[0008] It will often be the case that the edible components comprise, as a substrate, confectionery. In many cases, they will be entirely confectionery, although other food stuffs, such as mouldcd savoury snacks may be present in addition to or imstcad of the confectionery components. In many cases, the confectionery will be selected from chocolate, carob, jelly sweets (aLso known as gummi sweets), liquorice, toffee, marshmallow, hard candy, fudge, bubble gum, chewing gum and combinations thereof Often the confectionery will comprise choc&ate, liquorice, jelly sweets, hard candy and combinations thereof Often more than one type of confectionery will be used, as the different textures and/or colours present add visual interest to the product. This may be different confection types (for instance a combination of jelly sweets and hard candy), or different colours within a single confection type (for instance, different varieties of chocolate). Often, the confectionery will comprise chocolate, whether alone or in combination with edible components made from other food stuffs. The chocolate may be dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate or combinations thereof Also, single source chocolate may be used. The chocolate may also contain sccondary ingredients such as dried fruit or nuts. As used herein, the term "chocolate" is intended to encompass all of these different forms of chocolate. Chocolate is often used as it is a very popular confection, it is easy to mould, and the moulding can produce shapes which are sufficiently detailed to allow reversible engagement between the different shapes of edible component, for instance, a screwed thread may be moulded on a bolt, which can reversibly engage with a thread of a separately moulded nut.

[0009] The chocolate may also be coated, for instance with a sugar coating, which may be dyed. Where the coating is dyed, this will generally be to improve the resemblance of the edible component to the element of the theme which it is intended to resemble. This could be, for instance, to make a sugar coated chocolate "pendant" (for a "necklace") which is of silver colour.

[0010] Often the theme will be a hobby, although themes related to a persons employment, or to specific movies, or musicians may also be adopted. Where the theme is a hobby, it will often be a hobby which includes the use of a range of small components, as these are well suited to storage in the containers of the product, and to being formed as edible mimics through the edible components of the product. For instance, the hobby may be selected from car repair, home renovation, sewing, fishing and jewellery design.

[0011] Where the hobby is car repair, maintenance or other engineering related interest, the edible components may resemble nuts, bolts, washers, spark plugs or combinations thereof Often, the nuts and washers will reversibly engage with, for instance, bolts and/or spark plugs [0012] Where the hobby is home renovation or do-it-yourself, the edible components may resemble screws, nails, washers, Rawl plugs (TM), tacks or combinations thereof In S such examples, screws could reversibly engage with Rawl plugs.

[0013] Where the hobby is sewing, or needlework, the edible components may resemble needles, thread, ribbon, bobbins, buttons, safety pins, sewing pins, or combinations thereof The thread could reversibly engage with needles, buttons, or bobbins for instance.

[0014] Where the hobby is fishing, the edible components may resemble fishing lures, bait, hooks, wire, or combinations thereof. The wire could reversibly engage with the hooks and the hooks with the bait or lures.

[0015] Where the hobby or interest is jewellery or jewellery making, the edible components may resemble necklace chains, bracelet chains, charms, pendants, rings, earrings, earring backs or combinations thereof In these examples, the charms or pendants could be threaded onto the chains providing for reversible engagement, and the earrings and earring backs reversibly engage with one another.

[0016] As such, the shapes of the edible components of the product will be selected to please the recipient or purchaser of the product, by relating these to their interest, and the overall theme ofthe product.

[0017] The shapes will generally be produced using known methods, for instance moulding. Elongate items, such as thread, ribbon, or fishing wire may be formed using extrusion techniques, and such items may often be formed from confections such as liquorice, or gummy sweets.

[0018] Generally, the container will be designed to be retained and used for storage of elements other than the edible components. As such, the containers of the product will generally be more robust than typical packaging for edible foodstuffs. The containers will, in particular, generally be more robust than eompartmentalised chocolate boxes, which typically comprise relatively flimsy disposable plastics trays placed inside disposable cardboard boxes. The containers of the invention will often be of a plastics material, in some cases metal or wood. Often the container will be designed for the storage of elements which the edible components resemble. For instance, the container may be a eompartmentalised plastics or wooden container which could hold nuts, bolts and other small car related components. In view of this, it will seldom be the case that the compartments arc shaped specifically to receive the edible components, as would generally be the case with a disposable chocolate box for instance, but will generally be of simple shape, often square or rectangular. In addition, the container may be covered, if appropriate for the ultimate storage use of the container. For instance, the container may be a wooden or heavy cardboard base, covered in fabric to make it aesthetically pleasing and suitable for the storage of items such as jewellery or sewing materials. As such, it may be that the container is a storage container for elements in accordance with the theme. It may even be the case that the container is a storage container for the elements which the edible components resemble. This link between the container and the shape of the edible components housed within the compartments is intended to be pleasing to the user, and to provide an added aspect of fun to the product.

[0019] The compartments may be of standard size, or a range of sizes. In addition, the compartments may be formed as a tray which can be removed from the container, the tray may be of reduced depth relative to the container to allow storage of larger items below the tray, or to allow for the presence of a second tray. There may be 2 or more compartments, often in the range 4 -12, or 6 -8. This number of compartments offers useftil storage after consumption of the edible components, and provides for a range of different edible components to be present if desired.

[0020] It may be the case that the edible components are housed within the container so that only one shape of edible components is placed in any compartment. This adds to the aesthetic appeal of the product. Alternatively, it may be that the edible components are intentionally randomised within the compartments to create the effect of an untidy drawer.

[0021] In some eases, the edible components will be wrapped. This may be where the container is unsuitable for direct housing of the edible components, because either the edible components or the container would be damaged by such contact. For instance, it may be preferable not to place the edible components directly in a wooden container, for fear of splinters becoming associated with the edible component. Alternatively, it may be that the edible component, for instance where this is chocolate, would damage a fabric lined container such as may be used for a jewellery themed box. The edible components may be individually wrapped, or multiply wrapped by type of component. Such a selection would depend upon the size of the product, type and whether or not randomisation within the compartments is desired.

[0022] Typically, the container will be lidded. This may be a hinged lid, or simple lift-off lid, as appropriate for containers associated with the theme of the product. The inchision of a lid has the advantage of protecting the edible components prior to consumption, and of enhancing the storage value of the container during subsequent use.

[0023] It will generally be the case that the container will be of a size and shape to allow passage through a standard domestic letter box. Typical domestic lcttcrboxcs have apertures of approximately 200mm x 38mm, and so this would generally be the maximum size of the container in one cross-section. Often the size of the container would be in the range 100mm -200 mm, in some cases 120mm -180mm, often 140mm -160mm in one direction (possibly the length, possibly the width as these terms are commonly used); by 10mm -38mm, 20mm -35mm, or 25mm -30mm in a second direction (generally the depth as this term is commonly used). Sizing the container in this way allows for remote purchase of the product, and delivery to the home of the purchaser, or direct to the home of the recipient of a gift, without the delivery problems in terms of need to be at home to receive the parcel, or the need to collect the parcel, commonly associated with parcels above this size.

[0024] It is also generally the case that the container will be sufficiently robust to protect the edible components during transport. This allows for internet or mail order sales of the product in addition to classic retail sales models.

[0025] In many examples, the product additionally comprises a themed insert. The insert will adopt the theme of the product as a whole. Often, the insert comprises information or images related to the theme, the user of the product and/or to the edible components. For instance, the insert may contain a theme related picture, such as a car, fish, hammer, or sewing box. Alternatively, a quotation relevant to the theme may appear on the insert, often a witty quotation, intended to make the purchaser or recipient of the gift smile. General information about the theme, such as the history of a particular car, sport, or movie star, may also be present.

[0026] In addition, an image directly relevant to the purchaser or recipient may be included, for instance a family photograph, in particular of the recipient taking part in an activity relevant to the theme of the product. Such images may be uploaded to a wcbsitc prior to assembly in an internet purchasing model, or added to the product by the purchaser in a shop-based purchasing situation.

[0027] Further, information about the company behind the product, the ingredients in the edible component, dietary information etc may be included on the insert.

[0028] This information may be printed or hand written, and the insert may comprise a single sheet insert or booklet. Often the insert will be a single sheet, often a post card.

The post card will generally include at least an image relevant to the theme on a first side of the card. Often a message from the purchaser to the recipient of the product will be found on a second side of the post card. This may be printed or hand written. Where post cards arc provided as inserts, this can also be kept after consumption of the edible components, offering a memento of the gift.

[0029] The insert will generally be retained in a sleeve or pocket, and so the product may further comprise a first sleeve or pocket for the insert. As used herein, the term "sleeve" is intended to mean a tube of material wrapped around the container but not generally covering at least two opposing sides of the container. The sleeve may be modified to include a pocket for the insert, or may retain the insert in place through friction fit between the container and the sleeve (for instance, as would be derived by shrink wrapping the sleeve around the container). Where a pocket is used, this may be adhered to the container to prevent loss of the insert using any known non-destructive method. By "non-destructive", is meant that removal of the pocket from the container should not damage the container, as this is intended to be retained for future use. Therefore, it will often be the ease that the pocket is affixed to the container using clips, removable glues, or combinations thereof.

[0030] In many eases, so that the insert is clearly visible, the first sleeve or pocket is at least partially translucent or transparent. The first sleeve or pocket may be coloured, but even in such instances it will often be the ease that the sleeve or pocket will be translucent.

Often the sleeve or pocket will be formed from a plastics material, often polyethylene or polypropylene. However, where the sleeve or pocket need not be translucent or transparent, paper or card may also be used. In such cases, the pocket may comprise an envelope, and the insert a card, for instance a greetings card, related to the individual for whom the product is intended, or to the theme, or to both.

[0031] The product may additionally or alternatively comprise an outer wrapper. This will most commonly be present where the product is being sold through mail or internet order services, where the outer wrapper acts to protect the product during transit through the postal system.

[0032] The outer wrapper may be an outer sleeve or pocket; however, often the outer wrapper will substantially envelop the container, in order to protect this feature of the product, and so the outer wrapper is more likely to be a pocket into which the container is placed. The outer wrapper may be a box, or flexible packaging, and may be formed of card, plastics or other materials. Often plastics bubble wrap or expanded polystyrene will be used to provide both a protective and insulating wrapper, often bubble wrap will be used for its aesthetically pleasing properties.

[0033] The outer wrapper may be printed with a variety of indicia, these may be associated with the them or purely for information. Informational content will usually include recipient name and delivery address and often also a corporate logo associated with the company selling the product. Further themed indicia may also be present.

[0034] Often the outer wrapper will have insulating properties, to protect the edible components from heat fluctuations in transit to the recipient of the product. This may be transit through the postal system, or transit from a warehouse to a retail outlet.

[0035] A product is therefore provided which optionally includes five parts, the edible components, the container, the insert, a pocket or sleeve for the insert, and an outer wrapper.

[0036] In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly method for a comestible product comprising the steps of: a. selecting a theme for the product; and b.

assembling the product based upon the choice of theme. This assembly may be in a retail store, such as a supermarket, or using online or mail order techniques for the decision process, with assembly in a warehouse prior to postal despatch. Where online selection methods are used, the method of the invention may be implemented, at least in part, on a computer. Typically the computer will be used for the selection process and for instruction despatch to a warehouse. Often, the comestible product will be the product of the first aspect of the invention.

[0037] The method may comprise the additional step of selecting an insert prior to assembling the product. In such cases, the choice of insert will also affect the assembly of the product. It is possible that the insert will be selected from a range supplied by the vendor, or that the insert will comprise an image uploaded via the internet or supplied by the purchaser. As such, the selection of the insert may include a step of uploading an image or data for the insert via the internet.

[0038] It may be the case that the selection of the theme (and optionally the insert) determines the edible components to be incorporated into the product. Alternatively, there may be an additional selection step, wherein the purchaser specifically selects the edible components. This may be by genre (so an overall grouping of inserts in line with a theme), or specific selection of each type of edible component to be present in the product.

[0039] A further additional step which may be present, is the step of selecting a container to house the edible components.

[0040] In some instances, it may also be that the purchaser selects the outer wrapper, in others the outer wrapper may be standardised so that it is the same for each product, or so that there is only a single option per theme. As such, there may be an additional step of selecting the outer wrapper.

[0041] It may be that the choice of theme affects the subsequent choices available to the purchaser when designing the product. Such that, once a theme has been selected, only edible components, containers and inserts appropriate to that theme will be shown to the purchaser, for instance in an internet based selection system. This would ensure that the theme was completely carried through to the final product, with all aspects of the product being related to the theme. Altematively, the purchaser may have free choice to determine what they believe is within the scope of the theme suggested, with recommendations only being provided. This would provide the user with a greater degree of design freedom.

[0042] Once all necessary selections have been made, which may be of several parts of the product, simply of an overall theme or somewhere in between, the product will be assembled. Typical assembly steps could include housing the edible components in a container. This housing could be with each type of edible component in a separate compartment, or randomised as described above. There may be one type of edible component, but typically at least two, often more. In most instances there will be between 2 and 10 types of edible component, often 4 -6, as these numbers of edible components provide a range of engageable products, offering added interest. Where the edible components are Tapped, individually or in packets containing more than one of any given edible component, wrapping will have been completed prior to assembly of the product.

[0043] Once the edible components have been housed in the container, often a pocket containing an insert will be affixed to the container, often to a lid of the container.

Alternatively, the insert may be held in place using a sleeve.

[0044] In some cases the product will also include an outer wrapper, which must be applied. Where present, the final step of product assembly will be the application of this wrapper.

[0045] In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for making an edible component according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising moulding or extruding a substrate for the edible component.

[0046] Unless otherwise stated each of the integers described in the invention may be used in combination with any other integer as would be understood by the person skilled in the art. Further, although all aspects of the invention preferably "comprise" the features described in relation to that aspect, it is specifically envisaged that they may "consist" or "consist essentially" of those features outlined in the claims. In addition, all terms, unless specifically defined herein, are intended to be given their commonly understood meaning inthe art.

[0047] Further, in the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the smaller and greater of the alternatives, is itself also disclosed as a possible value for the parameter.

[0048] In addition, unless otherwise stated, all numerical values appearing in this application are to be understood as being modified by the term "about".

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0049] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, it will be described further with reference to the figures and to the specific examples hereinafter.

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of part of the product of the invention showing the insert and container; [00511 Figure 2 is a schematic representation of part of the product of figure 1, showing the compartments and container; [0052] Figures 3a -3f are schematic representations of some edible components in accordance with the invention; [0053] Figures 4a and 4b are schematic representations of the insert of figure 1; and [0054] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the product of the invention.

Detailed Description

[0055] The invention provides a comestible product 5, in this example the comestible product 5 includes a container 10, an insert 15, a sleeve for the insert 20, edible components 25 and an outer wrapper 30.

[0056] Figure 1 shows a reusable container 10 of a car themed product, the container 10 includes a lid 35 which is closed as shown in this figure. The insert 15 is held in position relative to the lid 35 using sleeve 20 which is transparent shrink wrapped polyethylene.

The insert in this example is a post card, and on the first surface 40 there is provided an image of a 1950's Dodge (figures 1 and 4a), on the second surface 45 (figure 4b) there is provided ingredient information 50 for the edible components 25 and a pre-printed message 55 to the recipient of the product.

[0057] Figure 2 shows the container of figure 1 with the lid 35 open. The container is of a plastics construction, the lid 35 being translucent to allow the products stored therein to be seen without opening the container. The base 60 of the container 10 is opaque. The lid is attached to the base 60 by two hinges 65. Inside the container 10 of this example is a plastics tray 70 including seven compartments 75, six small roughly square compartments 75 and a larger elongate compartment 75 as shown. The tray 70 is supported in the upper half of the container 10 by shelves (not shown) supporting the tray 70 from beneath. The container I 0 is therefore constructed to allow for the storage of small items in the tray 70 and larger items below. In this example, it will be car repair related items which will be stored in the container once the edible components 25 have been consumed.

[0058] Figures 3a -3e show possible edible components 25 for use in the product of the invention. Figures 3a and 3b show a moulded milk chocolate bolt and a moulded white chocolate nut respectively. The nut and the bolt each include threads 80 which allow the nut and bolt to reversibly screw together. The nut and bolt are examples of edible components which would be used with this example of the invention.

[0059] Figure 3e shows a moulded dark chocolate pendant which has been sugar coated, Figure 3d a liquorice lace necklace with a hook at one end and a receiving eye at the other to allow the necklace to close. The pendant may be threaded onto the necklace. Figures 3c and 3d therefore provide an alternative example of the edible components which may be present in the product of the invention.

[0060] Figures 3c and 3f show a lemonade flavoured and coloured jelly screw and a cola flavoured and coloured jelly Rawl plug (TM). The screw may be pushed into the Rawl plug (TM). Figures 3e and 3f therefore show a further alternative example of the edible components which may be present in the product of the invention.

[0061] Figure 5 shows the product 5 of the invention. The container of Figure 1 has been wrapped in an outer wrapper 30. As shown, the outer wrapper 30 is a pocket, scaled with flaps 85 at one end. The outer wrapper 30 is formed from bubble wrap to provide a protective, insulating wrapper.

[0062] The product 5 of the invention may be assembled in a warehouse and posted to the purchaser or recipient of a gift. In this example, the selection decisions are via a website which requests selection of a theme. Selection of the theme determines the edible components 25 for inclusion in the product 5, a choice of containers 10 is then offered.

The choice will be from containers 10 appropriate for storage of elements relevant to the theme selected. A choice of postcard inserts 15 relevant to the theme is then offered, and once an insert 15 has been selected an invitation to enter text for a message 55 for the recipient given. Any message 55 that is entered will be printed onto the reverse of the postcard insert 15 before assembly of the product 5. Once these selections have been made, and payment processed, the order will be transferred to the warehouse where the edible components 25 will be placed in the container 10. The insert 15 will be shrink wrapped onto the container 10, also sealing the container for transport. An outer wrapper is applied, and sealed and the product 5 dcspatehed.

[0063] It should be appreciated that the products and methods of the invention are capable of being incorporated in the form of a variety of embodiments, only a few of which have been illustrated and described above.

Claims

Claims 1. A themed comestible product comprising at least two edible components of different shape each edible component being shaped to resemble an element associated with a theme, wherein at least one of the edible components is shaped to be reversibly cngageablc with at least one other of the edible components, the at least one other of the edible components being shaped to allow the reversible engagement.
2. A themed comestible product comprising: a. at least one edible component shaped to resemble an clement associated with a theme; and b. a compartmentalised container designed to be retained to store elements other than the cdiblc components; wherein in use the edible component is housed in the container.
3. A product according to claim 2, wherein there are at least two edible components of different shape.
4. A product according to any preceding claim, wherein the edible components comprise confectionery.
5. A product according to claim 4, wherein the confectionery is selected from chocolate, carob, jelly sweets, liquorice, toffee, marshmallow, hard candy, fudge, bubble gum, chewing gum and combinations thereof
6. A product according to claim 5, wherein the confectionery comprises chocolate.
7. A product according to claim 6, wherein the chocolate comprises chocolate selected from milk, dark and white chocolate, and combinations thereof
8. A product according to any preceding claim, wherein the theme is a hobby.
9. A product according to claim 8, wherein thc hobby is selected from car repair, home renovation, sewing and jewellery design.
10. A product according to claim 9, comprising edible components which resemble nuts, bohs, washers, spark plugs or combinations thereof
11. A product according to claim 9, comprising edible components which resemble screws, nails, washers, Rawl plugs, tacks or combinations thereof.
12. A product according to claim 9, comprising edible components which resemble needles, thread, ribbon, bobbins, buttons, safety pins, sewing pins, or combinations thereof
13. A product according to claim 9, comprising edible components which resemble fishing lures, bait, wire, or combinations thereof
14. A product according to claim 9, comprising edible components which resemble necklace chains, bracelet chains, charms, pendants, rings, earrings, or combinations thereof
15. A product according to any of claims 2 to 14, wherein the container is lidded.
16. A product according to any of claims 2 to 15, wherein the storage is of elements which the edible components resemble.
17. A product according to any of claims 2 to 16, wherein the container is a storage container for elements in accordance with the theme.
18. A product according to claim 17, wherein the container is a storage container for the elements which the edible components resemble.
19. A product according to any of claims 3 to 18, wherein the edible components are housed within the container so that only one shape of edible components is placed in any compartment.
20. A product according to any of claims 2 to 19, wherein the container is of a size to allow passage through a standard domestic letter box.
21. A product according to any of claims 2 to 20, wherein the container is sufficiently robust to protect the edible components during transport.
22. A product according to any of claims 3 to 21, wherein the edible components are each shaped to be reversibly engageable with at least one other of the edible components.
23. A product according to any preceding claim, wherein the edible components arc individually wrapped, or multiply wrapped by t)pe of component.
24. A product according to any of claims 2 to 23, wherein the product additionally comprises a themed insert.
25. A product according to claim 24, wherein the insert comprises inlbrmation or images related to the theme, the user of the product and/or to the edible components.
26. A product according to claim 25, wherein the infonnation is printed or hand written.
27. A product according toy of claims 24 to 26, wherein the insert is a post card.
28. A product according to any of claims 24 to 27, thrther comprising a first sleeve or pocket for the insert.
29. A product according to claim 28, wherein the sleeve or pocket is at least partially translucent or transparent.
30. A product according to any of claims 2 to 29, further comprising an outcr wrappcr.
31. A product according to claim 30, wherein the outer wrapper is an outer sleeve or pockct.
32. A product according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the outer wrapper substantially cnvclopcs thc container.
33. A product according to any of claims 30 to 32, whcrcin thc outcr wrappcr is insulating.
34. A product according to any of claims 30 to 33, whcrcin the outcr wrappcr protccts thc container.
35. An assembly method for a comestible product comprising the steps of: a. selecting a theme for the product; and b. assembling the product based upon the choice of theme.
36. A method according to claim 35, wherein thc comestible product is thc product of any of claims Ito 34.
37. A method according to claim 35 or 36, comprising the additional step of selecting an insert prior to assembling the product.
38. A method according to any of claims 35 to 37, wherein selection of the theme determines the edible components to be incorporated into the product.
39. A method according to any of claims 35 to 38, comprising the additional step of selecting the edible components.
40. A method according to any of claims 35 to 39, further comprising the step of selecting a container to house edible components.
41. A method according to any of claims 35 to 40, further comprising the step of app'ying an outer wrapper.
42. A method according to any of claims 35 to 41, comprising implementation on a computer
43. A method according to claim 42, comprising uploading an image or data for the insert via the internet.
44. A method for making an edible component shaped to resemble an element associated with a theme, comprising moulding or extruding a substrate for the edible component.
45. A product of method substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.