Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and system for providing indicia for structure function claims for consumer products, including dietary supplements, consumable food products, health and beauty aids. More specifically, the system employs a series of data sets that correlates a particular nutrient, component or ingredient to one or more related structure function claims. Once the correlation is made, the system then provides approved or permitted structure function claim indicia that can be printed on a package or advertising to communicate the desired result of matching a product to a functional human health benefit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a method and system for providing indicia for structure function claims. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of such a system for providing information for consumable food products, dietary supplements, health and beauty aids and other consumer products. 
   More specifically, the system employs a series of data sets that correlates a particular component, nutrient and/or ingredient to one or more related scientifically accepted structure function claims as it pertains to a particular health issue or other health benefit. Once the correlation is made, the system then provides an approved or permitted structure function claim indicia that can be printed or imaged on a package or submitted in advertising to communicate the desired result of matching a consumer product having such nutrient component or ingredient to a functional health benefit or human health issue. 
   Currently, there is a desire for the manufacturers, producers and distributors of consumer products to advertise and mark the product packaging with beneficial structure function claims, touting one or more of the nutrients, components and/or ingredients contained within the product as having a perceived health benefit to the consumer. From a marketing, manufacturing and sales point, the ability to label product offerings with approved or permitted functional wording provides an additional commercial benefit to the manufacturer and distributor in creating new product offerings that meet consumer demands for products that provide a benefit to the consumer in maintaining good health. 
   The problem associated with the foregoing strategy, in essence to educate consumers about the benefit of certain items, is the difficulty in keeping track of current research findings, clinical studies and other materials relating to certain properties or benefits of nutrients, ingredients and other components and their interaction in contributing to human well-being. In addition, long held beliefs of certain components can change and regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may mandate the handling of such components differently or even require the removal of certain components from consumer food products altogether. 
   At any given time, there are numerous clinical studies going on, and other research projects and related efforts. All of these endeavors create a plethora of related publications and articles that must be understood and communicated as part of the product offering when necessary. 
   Manufacturers and producers are also required to retain information relevant to the current regulatory status of each nutrient, component and or ingredient. In addition to this, each such nutrient, component or ingredient typically has a scope of permissible structure functions claim indicia that a manufacturer may provide in connection with such product including such nutrient, component and or ingredient in its products. The product labeling is usually provided on the packaging for the product, but it can be provided in collateral material as well. 
   Such regulatory status may include GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) items which may be done by the manufacturer or component producer itself but only for certain applications or uses of the component, nutrient or ingredient. For example, a particular component may be GRAS approved for use as a food coloring, but not for use in communicating the benefit of preventing macular degeneration in humans. Or the use of a nutrient may be approved for use in promoting bone health but not approved for use related to weight management or the treatment of obesity. 
   Failure to use acceptable or approved wording in connection with a particular nutrient, component and or ingredient or misstating the value or benefit of a specific nutrient, component and/or ingredient can lead the manufacturer or producer to be subject to monetary fines, penalties and recalls, not to mention potential public embarrassment and loss of perception and/or standing due to undesirable advertising relating to certain product recalls. The unfortunate result of such action can create undesirable loss in market share and of course overall loss in sales. 
   Presently, the only manner by which this information can be tracked or traced is through conducting specific, singular research concerning the effects or benefits of a specific nutrient, component or ingredient. Then additional research must be done to determine the type or permissible structure function claim that can be associated with the particular nutrient, component or ingredient. This second tier of information is obtained from the FDA. Complicating the matter further are the labeling requirements that relate to the size and placement of the structure function claim indicia on the packaging or in the advertising related to the product. 
   Such prior art techniques are often time consuming and labor intensive as the individual charged with the task must sort through significant amounts of data and seek details from various sources. Often, without knowing, such procedures can be duplicative of recent efforts of others. Moreover, once such structure function claims are provided with a product, there is often no manner to track which products carry which messages or claims. As such, maintaining and providing information which is not misleading can be problematic. 
   What is therefore needed is a method and system to accurately track and update data related to the nutritional, health or other benefits of macronutrients, micronutrients and other nutrients, components and/or ingredients as well as the ability to provide such information in a “just in time” format so as to avoid slowing down production schedules or marketing campaigns, thereby allowing manufacturers and consumers the ability to quickly capitalize on a newly discovered or other known benefits of the nutrient, component and or ingredient. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing approved indicia for structure function claims is provided and includes a database having at least first through third data sets. Each of the data sets contains information that is distinct from each of the other data sets. The first data set contains a listing of items that include nutrients, components and ingredients. Those items are collected and formed together to create a catalog. The nutrient, component and ingredient catalog includes at least one macronutrient and at least one micronutrient. A second data set contains a listing of human health related issues. The third data set contains an approved grouping of structure function claims indicia that is relevant to each item in the ingredient catalog and the listing of human health related issues. 
   The system further includes a first input module that is capable of receiving data from at least one of the data sets contained in a central database or data network based on information selected from one of the first through third data sets. A first output module is used to display information received from the data sets. The information that is received from the data sets is then used to produce an integrated message, which includes the structure function claim, the items in the catalog all of which are linked to the listing of health related issues. 
   In a further embodiment of the present invention a method for providing indicia for structure function claims for food products is described. The method includes a first step of collecting a listing of items that consists of nutrients, components and ingredients. That listing comprises at least one macronutrient and at least one micronutrient. Once collected that listing information is stored in a first data set. Next, a grouping of human related health issues is provided and stored in a second data set that is distinct from the first data set. Structure function claims indicia is then identified and arranged in a third data set. The structure function claims are related to at least one item in the first data set and one human related health issues in the second data set. By creating a query in the first through third data sets, information is generated that is useful in informing a consumer of a benefit of one of the items in the listing. Once that information has been received, printing is requested which results in an identification of one item from the listing, information about a human health related issue and the relevant structure function indicia such that the beneficial relationship between consumption of the item from the listing and the maintenance of human health is identified. 
   In a still further embodiment of the present invention, a system for controlling the production of structure function claims is provided. The system comprises a data network connected to at least a first data base and a first input module and a first output module. The first database has at least first through third data sets. The system receives information from at least one of the first through third data sets. The first data set has a listing of nutrients and components. The second data set has a grouping of human health related issues and the third data set has an arrangement of structure function claims that are related to the listing of nutrients and components and the grouping of health claims. The system selects at least one of the health related issues and at least one of the listing of nutrients and components related to the health related issue. Then the system through the first output device generates a structure function claim relevant to the listing and the health related issue. 
   The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail by way of the following examples, but it should be understood that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of the system; 
       FIG. 2  is block diagram representing the operation of the system; 
       FIG. 3  is a representative illustration of packaging printed with structure function claims and the proper or approved placement of such claims; and 
       FIG. 4  is a representative view of a predetermined output display created by the system of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail by way of the following detailed description, but it should be understood that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. 
   The present invention includes a system, generally depicted as  10  in  FIG. 1 . The system  10  has a central database  12  having at least first through third data sets,  14 ,  16  and  18 , respectively. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the database  12  has additional data sets  20 ,  22  and  24 , which contain different and distinct information from that of data sets  14 ,  16  and  18 . The database  12  is connected to an input module  28  which may be a desktop computer or other means suitable for entering and retrieving data or information. The input module  26  is connected to at least one output module  28 . The output module  28  is used to render and or display the information gathered from the various data sets  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  and is depicted as numeral  30 . The output module  28  can be a printer, a visual display or other device which can be used to illustrate the results obtained from the data sets. 
   The output  30  can be printed information such as for a newsletter, newspaper, product package, magazine, advertisement or the like or it may be material scripted for use with an audiovisual device such as a television commercial. In addition, the scripted output  30  may also be read as a script for radio or part of a presentation to a trade association, conference or the like. 
   The system  10  may also be connected to a remote database  32  over the Internet or other conventional means. The remote database  32  can provide commercial information such as product market share, demographic information as to the type of consumer to whom the product is applicable, seasonal purchasing habits, geographical information and other useful information in preparing targeted marketing campaigns. The remote database may also be a listing of current regulatory status for the ingredients, nutrients or components. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2  a block diagram is provided and shows the operation of the system  10 . The input device  26 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 , receives information from one or more data sets and for the purposes of this illustration only three data sets  14 ,  16  and  18  are provided and relate to the nutrition, component and ingredient data set  14 , the human health related data set  16  and the structure function claims  18 . Once the information is received as a result of a particular query, the relevant information is then extracted and shown in step  40 . The information is then arranged and submitted to the output device in step  42  to create the desired linking between the individual items from the data sets. 
   An exemplary query as provided by the system and method of the present invention is as follows. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Nutrient/Component 
                 
               Structure 
             
             
               Ingredient 
               Health Issue 
               Function Indicia 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               Beta Glucan 
               Heart Disease; 
               May help to maintain 
             
             
                 
                 
               a Cholesterol healthy 
             
             
                 
               Cholesterol 
               Cardiovascular system; 
             
             
                 
                 
               (2) useful in the 
             
             
                 
                 
               maintenance/regulation of 
             
             
                 
                 
               blood cholesterol 
             
             
                 
                 
               which is within normal 
             
             
                 
                 
               limits; (3) as part of a 
             
             
                 
                 
               heart-healthy diet; (4) 
             
             
                 
                 
               the soluble fiber in 
             
             
                 
                 
               Cheerios ® can 
             
             
                 
                 
               reduce your cholesterol. 
             
             
               B Complex Vitamins 
               Energy Metabolism 
               Important to the activity 
             
             
                 
                 
               of many enzymes and in 
             
             
                 
                 
               energy metabolism. 
             
             
               Calcium 
               Bone Development 
               Important/critical to 
             
             
                 
                 
               growing strong and 
             
             
                 
                 
               healthy bones. 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The foregoing example sets forth a summary of the type of representative information, which might be found in data sets  14 ,  16  and  18 , namely the nutrient, component or ingredient information in data set  14 , the human related health issue in data set  16  and the permissible structure function claims indicia of data set  18 . 
   The above example also illustrates that more than one health issue can be associated with a particular component, nutrient or ingredient. As the number of permutations increase, the complexity of maintaining the information becomes more and more unwieldy making individual investigations considerably more time consuming. Hence the need for the method and system of the present invention. 
   As indicated previously, additional data sets may be provided in accordance with the system  10  of the present invention. Such data set might include a classification of the type of nutrient, component or ingredient, current regulatory status, supporting reference material. For example, linked to the data sets provided above, the additional data sets  20 ,  22  and  24  may be as follows. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Classification 
               Reference Notes 
               Regulatory Status 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Other 
               ABC 
               GRAS 
             
             
                 
               Vitamin 
               ABC 
               GRAS 
             
             
                 
               Mineral 
               ABC 
               GRAS 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The term “other” is used in the above example as a miscellaneous class representation as Beta Glucan, a dietary fiber, is not a recognized member of another class such as a vitamin or mineral. Under “reference notes” the applicant has simply provided a generic listing of a reference source (“ABC”). Regulatory status for Beta Glucan is “GRAS” or Generally Recognized as Safe and was obtained via a producer or supplier of the material rather than an approval of a governmental agency. 
   Additional data sets and databases may also be present and utilized by the present method and system of the invention. For example, a remotely accessible database  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , may provide other useful information which may be important in collecting data on other products in the marketplace, such as market share, whether there are competitive products and the marking which competitors are using on products which may contain the same nutrient, component or ingredient. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Geographic 
               Market Share 
               Competitive Products 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               All US 
               26% 
               Yes 
             
             
                 
               Northeast 
               14% 
               Yes 
             
             
                 
               Southwest 
               22% 
               Yes 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The foregoing is exemplary only and is not intended to display actual competitive data. The columns are simply provided as an illustration of additional data sets that may be utilized by the present invention. 
   Another grouping of internally and externally available data sets and database may occur as in the following example. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Used On Packaging 
               Used In Advertising 
               Not In Use 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               RTE Cereal Boxes (3) (4) 
               Television, Print and 
               Not Applicable 
             
             
                 
               Radio, Internet 
             
             
               RTE Meal 
               Packaging 
               Yes 
             
             
               Bread 
               Packaging 
               Yes 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   It is important from a manufacturing and distribution standpoint to continue to track whether a particular structure function claim is being used in connection with a product offering. New research can prove additional benefits of the component, nutrient or ingredient and as such, quick identification of products having such items would need to be identified so that the wording and imaged indicia could be updated promptly. 
   In addition, where it is subsequently learned that the structure function claim becomes the subject of a dispute or can no longer be substantiated and is removed from an approved listing of acceptable phraseology, the manufacturer and distributor need to promptly identify and change the claim to something more appropriate as well as be able to recall any products which may contain the objectionable wording. 
   As used herein, the term ingredients, components and nutrients is intended to include items that are included in consumable food products, including but not limited to macronutrients, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), sugars, fat content, carbohydrates, conventional ingredients such as flour, water, salt, preservatives and flavorings and the like. 
   In the example set forth in the instant application, multiple structure function claims are provided. Upon the selection of an item from the ingredient, component or nutrient category and a related health issue, the system can generate any number of structure function claims, for example from 1 to 10, that are available and approved for use in communicating the benefit of such nutrient, component or ingredient. 
   Another function of the output portion  28 ,  30  and  42  of the system  10  (illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is that the system  10  will also determine the positioning of the structure function claims on the packaging, advertising or other format in which the indicia is to appear. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  the structure function claims are imaged directly on the packaging using conventional processes (flexographic, ink jet, offset lithography, electrostatic, etc.). The structure function claims can be printed or imaged on advertising materials by similar and known processes as set forth above. 
   Wording or indicia for such structure function claims is important from both a marketing perspective, and even more important from a regulatory view in order to protect consumers from over-reaching statements. Tracking of approved wording or indicia is quite cumbersome and leads to a host of logistical issues, particularly as packaging or advertising materials are headed to production and release to the wholesale and retail environments. 
   In addition, the system also can aid the user in a determination of the appropriate placements and sizing of the structure function claim to appear on the packaging. This information is drawn from another data set that can be part of an internal database or accessible through a remote database containing general information about printing such indicia. This data set can also be used to determine product labeling requirements for the consumer food product. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates an exemplary output of the system of the present invention on a product package. In this example a number of components, nutrients and ingredients are entered into the input device  28  and a query is created to pull out the related health issues and structure function claims contained within data sets  14 ,  16  and  18 . In addition in preparing to generate the output  42 , additional data sets are queried, to provide information relating to the regulatory status of the nutrient, component or ingredient as well as whether the structure function claims are currently in use. The system will also provide the listing of the available research to support the structure function claim. In the interest of brevity,  FIG. 4  merely provides the reference material in the abbreviated format of “ABC.” However, in the actual data set, the reference information would contain clinical results, published reports, scholarly articles, doctorial thesis and other published information which supports and substantiates the structure function claim indicia. 
   Once the information is collected, as is shown in step  40  of  FIG. 2 , the user can select from the various ingredients, components or nutrients, which will make up some of the components of the finished product. As shown in  FIG. 3 , indicia of the structure function claim relating to Beta Glucan, a dietary fiber, is selected for imaging on the packaging and advertising of the consumer product, in this example a ready to eat (“RTE”) cereal, marketed under the trademark CHEERIOS® available from General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, Min. 55426. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  are illustrative of the systems being used in connection with consumer food products, such as a ready to eat cereals, however, the invention is useable with a number of other products as well. There are ready to eat meals, or other ready to eat food products. RTE cereals and other meals may be grain based or may be produced from dough, such as breads, rolls and the like. The consumer product may be a dairy based or dairy type product, such as yogurt or yogurt beverage(s). 
   The system can also be used for sorting and providing structure function claims for use with the food service and bakeries business by providing advertising collateral or other indicia on menus to facilitate a choice by a potential consumer of various culinary selections. 
   While the embodiments and examples presented in this application have been directed at consumable food products, this in no event should be construed as a limitation on the scope of this invention. The system and method of the invention is also usable with other consumer goods, such as dietary and nutritional supplements, health care and beauty aids and food intended for animal consumption. 
   While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.