WO2023211388A1

WO2023211388A1 - Chocolate picker as an integral part of the chocolate packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2023211388A1
Application number: PCT/SI2023/050003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ana HAFNER; Mihael MOLKA
Original assignee: Placat 3 D.O.O.
Priority date: 2022-04-25
Filing date: 2023-02-16
Publication date: 2023-11-02
Also published as: SI26342A

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a picker for chocolate, which is an integral part of the chocolate packaging (11). It is meant preferably for chocolate bars (3), but can also be used for candies or cookies (13). The invention solves the problem of packaging design for chocolate, which includes one or more pickers which can be used to pick up an individual piece of chocolate (2), chocolate candy or cookie (13) without the chocolate itself coming into direct contact with the user's fingers (5). This allows for greater hygiene when eating chocolate bars (3), pieces of chocolate (2), candies or cookies (13). The picker can be made in various possible versions (1, 6, 7, 9, 16) or other related, and is intended for either multiple (1, 6, 7, 9) or single use (16). It can be integrated into the packaging (11), inserted into it or attached to it on an additional outer surface (19).

Description

Chocolate picker as an integral part of the chocolate packaging

The subject of the invention is a specific type of packaging for chocolate, chocolate candies or cookies, more specifically, an addition to this packaging. Chocolate can be in the form of block that can be broken into individual pieces before consumption, in the form of a chocolate bar or in the form of separate pieces that are not attached to each other. The packaging includes a picker (a holder) which functions as tongs, a tool or utensil with two movable arms joined at one end that are used for picking up and holding things, therefore, a device that can be used to pick and hold a piece of chocolate, candy or cookie and carry it to the mouth.

This invention addresses the issue of hygienic consumption of chocolate, which can be in the form of a classic bar, e.g. weighing 100 or 300 grams, or any other form. Chocolates can be of different types: cooking, bitter, dark, milk, white. These various types differ in the amount of cocoa butter and solid cocoa (cocoa mass) they contain and, of course, in the amount of sugar and other additives such as milk and flavorings. Common chocolate typically contains 30% sugar, about 38% cocoa butter and 32% cocoa mass.

Regardless of the type of chocolate, the temperature at which chocolate begins to melt is around 34 degrees Celsius. We usually eat chocolate with our hands which have a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius. This means that the piece of chocolate torn from the bar melts slightly between fingertips before it is brought to the mouth. In the case of milk chocolates, which have less cocoa mass, this is even more apparent. When consuming chocolate, some of its fat, sugar or cocoa substances remain on the fingers, which those who consume it then try to clean by washing their hands, wiping or licking their fingers. If there is no water nearby, this can be quite annoying. This problem can be quite common since the chocolate bar, due to its nutritional value, is ideal for taking with us on a trip, when running, traveling, or hiking. An additional problem with hygienic chocolate consumption is the need to offer it to others nearby due to social customs. If we had the opportunity or desire to eat a whole bar of chocolate at once, the problem of breaking its parts and eating each piece separately may not even arise.

The technical problem solved by the invention is how to design such a packaging of a chocolate bar that will include one or more pickers (holders or tongs), which can be used to pick a piece of chocolate in a way that the chocolate itself will not come into direct contact with the user's fingers.

State of the art. The packaging of the chocolate bar has remained the same for many years, but two types predominate: chocolate bar which is first wrapped in aluminum foil which is then inserted into paper/paperboard packaging, and chocolate bar wrapped in plastic foil. The first option is more often used by products of a higher price range. In both cases, the chocolate is consumed by first partially or completely unwrapping it from the packaging, then breaking it into smaller pieces and offering it, or breaking it into smaller pieces while being still wrapped up in the packaging and after that opening it. Some chocolate bars have a paperboard plate inserted, which protects the chocolate bar from damage during transport and additionally can serve as an aid when serving the chocolate. Typical packaging is designed as foldable packaging and in the case of plastic foil it is sealed on the back (bottom) side, as well as on both shorter sides. A number of patents can be found on the topic of chocolate packaging or similarly packaged food.

Patent application AU201716183 describes a design that is supposed to be novel in how colors that form shading and pattern of flowers are assembled to form a packaging. From the description we can conclude that this is rather an example with a new graphic design solution than a new function.

Quite simple solution appears also in the patent (industrial design) CN203410834 (U) which is also a design which describes a box of chocolate which is designed in such a form that after consuming the chocolate the packaging can be kept to store earrings or other small things.

Patent family EP3380404 describes packaging for a product which could be chocolate. The wrapper is opaque, but there is a transparent window on the top through which graphic images are visible. As in the previous example, the key purpose of the invention with this original packaging is to attract the attention of customers. A solution with a window at the top, into which a picture can be inserted, was also previously disclosed in the patent family WQ2010040592.

Patent CN104843329 describes a wallet-shaped chocolate packaging where each individual chocolate bar is stored in a separate portion. The purpose of this packaging is practicality in the sense that even after opening it, the packaging can be easily closed and uneaten chocolate blocks can be saved for later. A similar method of separating individual chocolate blocks is also implemented in the solution described in patent US2015136642, although it looks more like a book rather than a wallet. In contrast, patent family US2010044263 describes packaging for multiple chocolate bars or similar products lying on top of each other. Patent (industrial design) DE1981252U describes a classicshaped chocolate bar, which differs only in the fact that its pieces are not stuck together but are separated.

Patent (industrial design) USD594323 describes chocolate packaging in the form of an envelope (a letter), which is certainly practical solution as the unused part of the chocolate bar can be easily closed. A similar solution is described also in patent CH701734. In the patent family EP2132110, a packaging solution for chocolate is described, which is already in the form of a letter or greeting card, so that a chocolate bar can be sent to the recipient without the need for additional wrapping - what we usually do when we ship packages. Patent RU2520009 describes a robust packaging that is suitable for chocolate or other products and protects them from damage during transport, and it has also an option to insert a valve for multiple openings and closings. Furthermore, the patent application DE102009014245 describes an invention of a tubular food packaging for flat or block shaped food, which can be hermetically sealed and at the same time designed in such a way that the user can open it without damaging the product. The patent family W02010121731 describes regular chocolate packaging with the addition of a practical dividing cut which allows for easier opening of the plastic foil. Patent US20160152406 describes packaging that precisely fits to the shape of the chocolate, which enables that the chocolate is safely held and opened while also allowing the user to see the shape of the chocolate.

None of the solutions listed above explicitly addresses the problem of hygienic consumption of chocolate which would be related to the shape of the packaging, except the invention described in the patent KR20190134405, which refers to a plastic wrap for chocolate that can be peeled off in pieces with several strips sewn into the foil. This way it is avoided getting your hands dirty with chocolate when opening the packaging. The solution is more useful and probably intended for chocolates that are not in the form of a plate, but rather in a higher and narrower block shape where the user after the opening of packaging directly bites off a part of the block avoiding direct contact between the chocolate and hands, as in the case of products such as Mars and Snickers brands.

There are also special dining utensils specifically designed for eating chocolate. For example, the Finger Play cutlery designed by Qiyun Deng is intended for eating chocolate candies of higher quality. It is a sophisticated accessory that enables easy gripping and lifting the individual candy. The device is made in gold-colored metal, it works like a pair of tweezers or pliers, and has rounded plates for squeezing the candies. In addition, patent EP2845700, for example, describes a device intended primarily for separating the triangles of the Toblerone chocolate bar. Different sophisticated solutions for utensils for enjoying chocolate candies in the form of special tweezers or pincers, designed for this purpose, are actually very old and differ mainly in their design. They all work on the same principle: basically, they consist of two metal handles joined together, which enables the chocolate candy to be gripped with.

The invention described in this patent application actually solves the problem of how to incorporate the function of such a dedicated dining tool for chocolate, which must be purchased separately, into the chocolate packaging itself, so that it is immediately available to the user when purchasing a chocolate bar or a box of chocolates.

Description of the invention. The invention described in the patent presented here therefore differs from all solutions stated above. Below the invention will be described with some implementation examples and with the help of the following drawings showing: Fig. 1: Basic concept of a picker - single folded picker

Fig. 2: Design of a single folded picker

Fig. 3: Use of a single folded picker

Fig. 4: Double folded picker

Fig. 5: Design of a double folded picker

Fig. 6: Use of a double folded picker

Fig. 7: Picker with additional tab

Fig. 8: Design of picker with additional tab

Fig. 9: Use of a picker with additional tab

Fig. 10: Picker with finger holes

Fig. 11: Design of a picker with finger holes

Fig. 12: Use of a picker with finger holes

Fig. 13: Integration of picker into existing chocolate packaging - an example according to Fig. 5

Fig. 14: Integration of picker into existing chocolate packaging - an example according to Fig. 8

Fig. 15: Design of a set of pickers with perforation added to the back side of the packaging - an example according to Fig. 8

Fig. 16: Design of several pickers together separated by perforation - an example according to Fig. 8 Fig. 17: Disposable pickers added to chocolate bar, wrapped around individual pieces of chocolate - an isometric projection

Fig. 18: Disposable pickers added to chocolate bar, wrapped around individual pieces of chocolate

Fig. 19: Disposable picker wrapped around a piece of chocolate

Fig. 20: Disposable pickers - option with a tray/base with cutouts for easier grip

Fig. 21: Picker design for a cookie or round chocolate candy

Fig. 22: Chocolate candies/cookies wrapped with pickers on a tray/base with recesses for easier grip (box of chocolates)

List of individual drawing references:

1 - single folded picker

1A - individual arm (or handle) of picker

IB - individual arm (or handle) of picker

2 - a piece of chocolate

3 - chocolate bar

4 - crease (or folding or joint)

5 - hand

6 - double folded picker

7 - picker with additional tab

8 - additional tab for holding the picker with forefinger and middle finger

9 - picker with finger holes

10 - perforation 11 - outer packaging of chocolate

12 - tray

13 - chocolate candy or cookie

14 - cuts (cutouts)/recesses in the tray

15 - plate with recesses (candy box)

16 - disposable picker

17 - cut (cutout)

18 - finger hole

19 - additional packaging surface for pickers

Figure 1 shows the simplest concept of the picker 1, which has one single crease 4 (Figure 2), which divides the picker into two arms 1A and IB. Suitable material for the picker would be thicker paper, which is sometimes already a part of the packaging of chocolates of a higher price range - cheaper ones are usually packed with plastic foil or aluminum foil wrapped by thinner paper which is less suitable for a picker. With this version of the picker it is important that the paper has such properties that it allows the picker to open automatically while we open the fingers of the hand 5 holding the picker 1. This allows a "tweezers" like grip of individual piece of chocolate 2 by holding the picker 1 with the fingers of your hand 5, as shown in Figure 3, grabbing a piece of chocolate 2 and carrying it to the mouth.

The picker 6 (Figure 4) is quite similar to picker 1, it only differs in this feature that it has a double crease 4 (Figure 5) instead of a single crease. Its use is shown in Figure 6.

The picker can also be made with an additional tab 8 which is connected to one of the arms of picker. This picker 7 is shown in Figures 7 and 8. The additional tab 8 is placed between the index finger and the middle finger on the arm 5 (Figure 9) which enables better stabilization of the picker 7 in the hand 5, which significantly improves the handling of the picker and consequently holding a piece of chocolate 2.

Next version of the picker is shown in Figures 10 to 12. This picker 9 is slightly more complex, as two finger holes 18 are provided and a cut-out 17 is designed for this purpose. Picker 9 therefore has two finger openings 18 through which the user inserts their thumb and index finger on hand 5 for its use. Its advantage is that, for the reason of good grip due to better stabilization of the picker with two fingers of the hand 5 which are put through finger holes 18, thus it can also be made of thinner paper or other similar materials.

These are just a few examples of possible designs. Of course, different shapes are also possible - with various designs which have rounded, triangular or otherwise shaped individual parts - this however does not change the essence of the invention. Different versions of the pickers 1, 6, 7 and 9 and their variations, can be integrated into the chocolate packaging itself, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. Specifically Figure 13 shows the outer packaging of chocolate 11 made of paperboard or thicker paper with the pickers 6 with double crease 4 as an integral part of packaging, the pickers are separated from each other by a perforation 10. There may be a single picker 6 on the packaging, or there may be numerous pickers. The user simply tears them out of the packaging 11 and can start using them. In a similar way, the picker 1 or the picker with the additional tab 7 can be located on the top or bottom (back) of the package 11. The user also tears them off, as they are separated by a perforation 10, folds them at the crease 4 and starts using them. This option is shown in Figure 14. Of course, these are not the only options for integrating the grippers into the outer packaging 11; for example, they could also be located at the sides of packaging for thicker chocolates 3.

The pickers can also be added to the packaging 11 on extra surface for the pickers 19 which is attached to the back of the packaging 11 via perforation 10, as shown in Figure 15. They can also be added in other ways, e.g. on the top. The advantage of this version is that the basic envelope or the packaging 11 is not ruined from tearing-off the pickers 7 from the packaging 11. In this way, when the pickers 7 are torn-off, the basic shape and function of the packaging 11 remains intact, even when the pickers 7 are torn-off from the packaging.

However, all variations of pickers (e.g. 1, 6, 7 and 9) can also be designed and manufactured separately from the packaging 11 and supplied individually within the packaging 11. Such attached pickers can already be set apart of each other or made in the form of a picker-set where individual pickers are separated by perforation (Figure 16). Pickers can be perforated in different ways depending on the design or other factors, e.g. depending on the structure and shape of the chocolate. Such solutions can be more user-friendly, but are less environmentally efficient than the version where the pickers are already integrated into the packaging.

In this sense, it is also possible to provide pickers for single use, which are shown in Figures 17 to 22. In these designs, each chocolate piece 2 or chocolate candy or cookie 13 has a picker 16 attached, which is already prepared for immediate use, being wrapped around chocolate piece 2, chocolate candy or cookie 13. This version is preferably made of thinner food grade paper suitable for contact with food or other appropriate material. The option in Figure 20 also shows the tray 12 on which the chocolate pieces 2 are placed. Each chocolate piece / candy / cookie 13 has its own attached picker 16, which is discarded after eating a chocolate piece 2, candy or cookie 13. This version is the least environmental friendly, but is suitable for more luxurious chocolates.

Claims

1. Chocolate picker, which is an integral part of the chocolate packaging (11) and designed for consumption of chocolate bars (3), pieces of chocolate (2), candies or cookies (13), characterized in that, is basically made of two arms (1A, IB), which are separated by a crease (4), has various designs (1, 6, 7, 9, 16), and provides that the user's fingers (5) do not come into direct contact with chocolate, whereby the usage of picker is intended either for multiple times (1, 6, 7, 9) or being disposable (16), and can be integrated into the basic outer packaging (11), inserted into it (16) or is attached to it on additional outer surface (19).

2. Picker according to claim 1, characterized in that, its basic version has one or two creases (4), which divides it into two arms (1A, IB) and is made of material which gives a proper rigidness, such as paperboard or thicker paper which enables the picker (1) to open automatically when we spread our fingers on the hand (5) and a good grip on chocolate piece (2), candy or cookie (13), thus providing a so-called 'tweezer' grip with the arms (1A, IB).

3. Picker according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, it can be designed as a picker (7) with an additional tab (8), which can be held with index and middle finger of the arm (5), whereby the additional tab (8) enables greater stabilization of the picker (7) in the user's hands (5).

4. Picker according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, it can be designed as a picker (9) with openings (18) for the thumb and index finger on the hand (5), wherein the advantage of this design is that due to good stabilization it can also be made from thinner paper or other suitable materials.

5. Picker according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the pickers (1, 6, 7, 9) or their variations can be integrated into the chocolate packaging (11) if it is made of a suitable material, preferably paperboard or stiffer paper, of which the pickers (1, 6, 7, 9) are also made, and are separated from each other by perforation (10), so that the user can easily tear them off from the packaging (11) before use, and they may be located on the top, back, or sides of the packaging (11). Picker according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the pickers (1, 6, 7, 9) can be added to the packaging (11) also on the additional surface for the pickers (19), which is attached to the back or other side of the packaging (11) with the perforation (10). Picker according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, all the versions of pickers (1, 6, 7, 9) can also be designed separately from the packaging (11) and can be inserted inside the packaging (11), both in an individual form or as a set where the pickers are separated from each other by a perforation (10). Picker according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, its application is also possible as a disposable item, where each piece of chocolate (2), chocolate candy or cookie (13) is already wrapped with the picker (16) which is attached and prepared for immediate use, and in this case the thickness or strength of the material of which the pickers (16) are made, is less important. Picker according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the version of picker (16) for individual chocolate pieces (2), chocolate cookies or candies (13), it is optimal that inside the outer packaging (11) a tray with recesses (15) is added on which the chocolate pieces (2) or candies (13) are placed, which are already wrapped with pickers (16).