Patent Description:
Packaging for confectionery products such as chewing gum, candy, or mints tends to be highly customized. Such packaging may include a container formed in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and designs such that particular types and flavors of confectionary products are readily distinguished with distinct packaging for the benefit of the consumers in locating their confections of choice at a point of sale. Customization of the packaging for branding purposes, however, tends to be tedious and costly to confectionary product manufacturers. Especially for large scale manufactures of confectionary products, managing a large inventory of different packages can present substantial cost and consume substantial resources to packaging operations in mass production processes.

Conventional packaging of confectionary products such as chewing gum also tend to be designed principally for the point of sale rather than for later use of the package by the consumer. Confectionary product packages tend to be relatively small in comparison to other packages of multi-article edible food products, and also tend to be handled and carried on a more frequent basis than packages of other types of products. This presents a number of challenges from the manufacturer side as well as the consumer side that have yet to be completely addressed in the marketplace. Improvements are desired. <CIT> provides for a cleansing wipe container includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of side panels and a lid. The cleansing wipe container may be filled with a plurality of cleansing wipes that are contained in a cartridge. The cartridge and container interact such that a message is displayed on or through a panel of the container. The message is based on the cartridge of wipes and may include a type of wipe, a list of ingredients of the wipes, and/or instructions for using the wipes. <CIT> provides for a chewing gum packaging system comprising a container that contains a volatile-flavor adsorber and at least two flavors of chewing gum. The volatile-flavor absorber prevents the flavors of the gums from cross-contaminating each other by adsorbing the volatile flavor components from each gum while the gum is stored in the package. The chewing gum pieces are packaged in multi-piece packages. Retail packages include multiples of individually wrapped pieces, overwrapped in foil, paper, plastic or wax-paper or multiple pieces of gum that are not individually wrapped, but are segregated by paper bands. <CIT> discloses a reclosable package for storing elongated items such as chewing gum sticks. The package includes a bottom wall, side walls and a hinged cap. Inside the container are dividers that form slots adapted for receiving the elongated items in an upright position.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package for confectionary products comprising: a durable hard-shell container that is at least partly transparent, wherein the container includes a base portion defining a first receptacle and a reclosable lid portion defining a second receptacle; and; an inner graphic branding layer disposed inside at least one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle, wherein the inner graphic branding layer is externally visible through the at least partly transparent container; confectionary products, and an organization element disposed internal to the inner graphic branding layer, and wherein the organization element receives a portion of confectionary products, wherein the organization element is in the form of belly bands, and wherein the belly bands embrace the lower ends of the confectionary products to facilitate the side-by-side arrangement of the products.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of packaging a confectionary product in a hard-shell durable container that is at least partly transparent, wherein the container includes a base portion defining a first receptacle and a reclosable lid portion defining a second receptacle, the method comprising: providing an inner graphic branding layer inside the first receptable such that it is visible through the at least partly transparent container from an exterior of the base portion; and providing an outer graphic branding layer disposed on an exterior surface of the container such that the outer graphic branding layer is visually superimposed on the inner graphic branding layer; further comprising holding the confectionary products in a predetermined arrangement with the inner graphic branding layer by disposing at least a portion of the confectionary product in an organizational element wherein the organizational element is in the form of belly bands, and wherein the belly bands embrace the lower ends of the confectionary products to facilitate the side-by-side arrangement of the confectionary products and loading the inner graphic branding layer including the confectionary product in the receptacle.

In the first aspect, the package for a confectionary product includes a container that is at least partly transparent, wherein the container includes a base portion defining a first receptacle and a reclosable lid portion defining a second receptacle. The package further includes an inner graphic branding layer disposed inside at least one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle, wherein the inner graphic branding layer is externally visible through the at least partly transparent container.

In the second aspect, the method of packaging a confectionary product is in a container that is at least partly transparent, wherein the container includes a base portion defining a receptacle and a reclosable lid portion, includes providing an inner graphic branding layer inside the receptacle such that it is visible through the at least partly transparent container from an exterior of the base portion. The method further includes providing an outer graphic branding layer disposed on an exterior surface of the container such that the outer graphic branding layer is visually superimposed on the inner graphic branding layer.

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

In order to understand the invention to its fullest extent, some discussion of the state of the art is presented below in which certain problems and disadvantages are discussed, followed by a discussion of exemplary embodiments of the invention that overcome the problems and disadvantages in the art. Method aspects will be in part apparent and in part explicitly discussed in the following description.

A great variety of packaging is known that tends to be rather customized to present a particular type or flavor of confectionary product at a point of sale with a distinctive appearance. Paper board and foil-based packages have been conventionally provided in different sizes and shapes, and in different colors with stylized branding and logos that are unique to each type of product in the package. Hard shell plastic containers are sometimes utilized with certain types of confectionary products, and such containers may be designed with integrally formed and molded branding features including but not limited to unique shapes, colors, and surface artwork including stylized logos and design elements. While traditional branding of such packaging can be effective for product manufacturers and consumers alike, maintaining adequate inventories of customized packaging elements across a full line of different confectionary products tends to be tedious and expensive as conventionally implemented.

In use, packaged confectionary products such as chewing gum sticks are typically consumed over a period of time after the package is initially opened. The confectionary products in the package may be removed in small amounts, or even one at a time, for consumption while the rest are saved for later. If the consumer does not open a conventional paper-based or foil-based package carefully, however, it can rather quickly become practically useless to retain the packaged chewing gum sticks thereafter. Hard shell containers may avoid this problem, but conventional hard shell containers present access problems for dispensing larger items such as chewing gum sticks. Smaller candy and mint articles may also be more densely packed in a hard shell container than the larger chewing gum sticks, with higher density packaging offsetting the higher cost of hard shell containers. Hard shell containers therefore accordingly tend to be adopted only for relatively smaller confectionary product items such as candy and mints.

Unlike packages for other types of edible food products, packages for confectionary products may be small enough to be conveniently carried in a pocket of a person's clothing, carried in a purse, brief case or travel bag, or carried in a storage compartment of a vehicle so that the confectionary product is easily transported by the consumer and available wherever, as well as whenever, a consumer desires.

When carried by a consumer in such a manner, however, confectionary product packages are typically placed in contact with other items that are loosely packed, jostled, and subjected to a variety of impact forces and compressive loads. As a result, conventional confectionary product packages may be exposed to a good deal of wear and tear that relatively quickly compromises the package appearance and function. In the case of chewing gum sticks, once a piece of chewing gum has been removed from a paper-based or foil-based package the package becomes effectively collapsible and vulnerable to scratching, marring and tearing quite easily. The package can quickly become nearly unrecognizable in some instances and any branding provided in the packaging may become ineffective.

For some consumers, wear and tear of the package can negatively affect use and enjoyment of the confectionary products as the worn package may impart a perceived undesirability of the confectionary products within. Specifically, a well-worn package tends to look older than a new one, and a worn package can create an impression for the consumer that the confectionary product is not fresh and accordingly is undesirable. Improvements in confectionary product packages are accordingly desired.

As explained in detail below, a package for confectionary products such as chewing gum sticks is proposed including a durable hard shell container that is at least partly transparent, in combination with a multi-layered graphic application that facilitates packaging processes, provides for distinctly different visual appearance of packages at relatively low cost, and better withstands wear and tear after purchase. While described in the exemplary context of packaging of chewing gum sticks, it is appreciated that the concepts disclosed may apply to other confectionary products, other edible food items, and even non-edible products as desired.

Turning now to the Figures, and as seen in <FIG>, a package <NUM> for confectionary products such as chewing gum sticks <NUM> is disclosed including a durable hard shell container <NUM> that is at least partly transparent, in combination with a multi-layered graphic application including an inner graphic branding layer <NUM>, an outer graphic branding layer <NUM>, and an overwrap graphic branding layer <NUM> (<FIG>). As also shown in <FIG>, a freshness seal element <NUM> may also be provided in combination with the inner graphic branding layer <NUM> for a point of sale purchase. An organization element <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is also provided that is internal to the inner graphic branding layer <NUM> to facilitate packaging process of the chewing gum sticks <NUM>, which are in contemplated embodiments wrapped in foil or paper according to known techniques in the art separately and apart from the packaging described herein.

In contemplated embodiments, the container <NUM> may be a hard shell, reclosable container fabricated from a durable plastic material such as polypropylene according to known molding techniques. The container <NUM> may be formed free of manufacturing artifacts such as injector pin marks, witness lines, etc. to provide a clean container design without blemish that could detract from the graphic branding layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> later described. The container <NUM> may be integrally formed with a flat bottomed base portion <NUM> defining a receptacle <NUM> dimensioned to receive a number of articles of confectionary products therein such as the wrapped chewing gum sticks <NUM>, and a reclosable lid portion <NUM> coupled to the base portion <NUM> and selectively positionable relative to the base portion <NUM> between an opened position (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and a closed position (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) without detaching from the base portion <NUM>. In the opened position of the lid portion <NUM>, access to the receptacle <NUM> and all of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> packed therein is provided, whereas in the closed position the lid portion <NUM> covers the receptacle <NUM> and encloses the receptacle and chewing gum sticks <NUM> remaining therein. In another embodiment, the lid portion <NUM> could be separately formed and detachable from the base portion <NUM> if desired.

As best shown in <FIG>, the base portion <NUM> and lid portion <NUM> may be provided with complementary sealing elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> respectively in the form of projections and recesses that collectively provide an interlocking sealing arrangement producing tactile and audible feedback when fully closed. A snap-fit engagement may be designed to produce an audible click sound when the lid portion <NUM> is completely closed and engaged with the base portion <NUM>. By virtue of the tactile and audible feedback provided on the snap/seal feature the consumer may intuitively know that the lid portion <NUM> is completely closed and sealed, as well as to communicate a sense of security and freshness when the lid portion <NUM> is opened and closed. Once closed, the lid portion <NUM> is latched to the base portion <NUM> and remains closed until again opened by a consumer.

The base portion <NUM> in the example shown is formed with multiple walls defining interior and exterior faces or surfaces such as a front wall <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM> opposing the front wall <NUM>, opposing lateral side walls <NUM>, <NUM> interconnecting the front and rear walls <NUM> and <NUM>, and a flat bottom wall <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> is formed interior to the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and is open-ended opposite the bottom wall <NUM>. In contemplated embodiments, all of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> are transparent or fabricated from a see through material. It is appreciated, however, that in alternative embodiments, less than all of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be transparent, and is possible for one or more of the walls to be only partly transparent for at least some of the benefits of the claimed invention to be realized. The bottom wall <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> may include a flat support surface allowing the container <NUM> to stand upright when desired. The front and rear walls <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed with convex curvature providing an elegant and distinctive shape that is not possible using conventional paperboard or foil packaging.

In the example shown, the reclosable lid portion <NUM> is permanently attached to the base portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG> via an elongated and integrally formed living hinge such that the lid portion <NUM> may be folded opened or closed about the hinge while the lid portion <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> remain attached to one another. The lid portion <NUM> may include corresponding walls to the base portion <NUM> of the container <NUM>. That is, the lid portion <NUM> may be formed with multiple walls defining interior and exterior faces or surfaces such as a front wall <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM> opposing the front wall <NUM>, opposing lateral side walls <NUM>, <NUM> interconnecting the front and rear walls <NUM> and <NUM>, and a top wall <NUM>. The walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> define an interior and open-ended receptacle or cavity <NUM> therebetween.

In combination, the receptacle <NUM> of the lid portion <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> enclose the chewing gum sticks <NUM> when the lid portion <NUM> is closed. In the example shown, the receptacle <NUM> in the lid portion <NUM> is much smaller than the receptacle <NUM> in the base portion <NUM>. As such, the receptacle <NUM> in the base portion <NUM> receives a much large proportion of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> than the receptacle <NUM> of the lid portion <NUM> when the lid portion <NUM> is closed. As best shown in <FIG>, the chewing gum sticks <NUM> are oriented vertically in the container <NUM> and upper ends of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> protrude from the receptacle <NUM> when the lid portion <NUM> is opened such that the chewing gum sticks <NUM> may be easily accessed for withdrawal from the container <NUM> by a consumer when the lid portion <NUM> is opened.

As also shown in <FIG>, the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>, as well as the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the lid portion <NUM> are sloped and tapered such that the back side of the receptacle <NUM> is deeper than the front side of the receptacle <NUM>. As seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the front side of the lid portion <NUM> extends farther down on the front wall <NUM> than on the rear wall along the height dimension H (<FIG>). The height dimension H is seen to be greater than the width dimension W of the package as shown in <FIG>. The package <NUM> accordingly has relatively large length L and height H but a relatively small width W. Other relative dimensional proportions are possible in other embodiments as desired.

The receptacles <NUM> and <NUM> in the container base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM> are differently shaped as well in the illustrated example. While the receptacle <NUM> in the base portion <NUM> is flat on the bottom, the receptacle <NUM> is curved on the top. The asymmetry of the base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM> also contributes to ease of access of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> when the lid portion <NUM> is opened and also facilitates clearance of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> as the lid portion <NUM> is closed. The shape and relative proportions of the receptacles <NUM> and <NUM> in the base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM> are exemplary only, and may vary in different embodiments.

Like the base portion <NUM>, all of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the lid portion <NUM> may be transparent or fabricated from a see through material. It is appreciated, however, that in alternative embodiments, less than all of the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be transparent, and is possible for one of the walls to be only partly transparent for at least some of the benefits of the claimed invention to be realized. In some embodiments, the base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM> may be tinted, but still transparent or see through to facilitate the branding effects described below with still more variation of appearance of the package.

By virtue of the curved shape of the walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM>, the hinge connecting the base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM> extends between curved surfaces. As such, once the lid portion <NUM> is opened it may remain open until again closed by the consumer. Unlike conventional containers including integrally formed hinges, the shape of the lid portion <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> at the location of the hinge may resist a tendency of the lid portion <NUM> to naturally return to the closed position once it has been fully opened. Full access to the chewing gum sticks <NUM> is accordingly provided for as long the consumer wishes.

An opening groove <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) is located on the exterior of the front wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> as a visual cue for opening of the lid portion <NUM>. The groove <NUM> further facilitates a natural interaction point for opening the lid portion <NUM> with the consumer's thumb and/or index finger. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> and the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> are each flared and oppositely sloped toward the rear wall <NUM> such that the front wall <NUM>, <NUM> of each of the base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM> are longer in the length dimension L (<FIG>) than the corresponding rear walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The sides of the container <NUM> accordingly have a wing-like shape that is easily grasped with one's fingers. Curved indents are also provided in the lid portion <NUM> as primary interaction points for opening the container <NUM>. The curved front surface of the container base portion <NUM> further assists in opening of the lid portion <NUM> when depressed. The concave curvature of the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> conforms to the human hand for optimal ergonomic interaction.

Material savings are also realized by the flared side walls relative to more conventional box-like containers <NUM> having opposing sides of equal length L. The curved walls of the lid portion <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> in the example shown are more ergonomic than conventional containers and are accordingly easier to grasp and use for dispensing of the chewing gum sticks <NUM>. In particular, the lid portion <NUM> in <FIG> is shown to have a complex curvature that facilitates a gripping of the lid portion <NUM> at the side walls thereof to easily open and close the lid portion <NUM>.

The multi-layered graphic branding application will now be explained that in combination with the transparent portions of the container <NUM> provides further cost savings while facilitating very different and distinct branding capability to the package <NUM>.

In a contemplated embodiment, the material used to wrap the chewing gum sticks <NUM> may itself include branding graphics and convey a sense of freshness to the consumer. The branding may be enhanced significantly with the other branding layers <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> that are each separately provided and applied to the container <NUM> to complete the package <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first or inner graphic bonding layer <NUM> of the multi-layered graphic branding application is extended inside the receptacle <NUM> defined by the container base portion <NUM>. Specifically, the inner layer <NUM> extends along and against each of the interior surfaces of the receptacle <NUM>. Because the base portion is transparent, the inner layer is visible from the exterior through the exterior surfaces of the container <NUM>. The multi-layered graphic branding application also includes the second or outer layer <NUM> extending on an exterior surface of the container base portion <NUM>, and the third overwrap layer <NUM> extending over the base portion <NUM> and the lid portion <NUM> of the container <NUM> and also overlying the second layer <NUM> and the first layer <NUM> when the package <NUM> is completed.

Each of the first and second layers <NUM>, <NUM> and the overwrap layer <NUM> may include portions thereof having distinct colors, text and/or graphical indicia that collectively provide packages of distinctly different appearance on the various faces of the container as explained below. The first layer <NUM> is visible through the transparent surface(s) of the container <NUM>, the second layer <NUM> is visible on the exterior surface of the container and is effectively visually superimposed on the first layer <NUM>, and the third layer <NUM> is superimposed over the first and second layers <NUM> and <NUM> to collectively create a desired visual impression.

By using different inner, outer and overwrap layers <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> in the same container <NUM>, various different branding schemes may be implemented with the first and second layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the overwrap layer <NUM> to differentiate different type of confectionary products, or different flavors of the same type of confectionary product such as chewing gum sticks <NUM>. The inner, outer and overwrap layers <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured differently with, for example, printing processes or other known techniques to provide desired graphics at relatively low cost that may be used without altering the container <NUM>. Substantial cost savings may thus be realized relative to more conventional packaging including customized containers with integrated branding features such as container colors and integrally formed indicia and artwork.

In contemplated examples, the inner graphic branded layer <NUM> may be provided with a color or pattern that relates to the branding strategy or theme of the confectionary product <NUM>. The color or pattern of the inner layer <NUM> is visible through the transparent container <NUM>, such that the container <NUM> may easily assume a practically unlimited number of colors or patterns in appearance via the inner layer <NUM> provided on the interior of the container <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM>. For example, if the inner layer <NUM> is colored green the transparent container <NUM> visually appears to be green and if the inner layer <NUM> is colored blue the container <NUM> visually appears to be blue. As another example, if the inner layer <NUM> includes a spearmint leaf picture or pattern, the container visually appears to have spearmint leaves and a flavor cue is provided when the package includes spearmint flavored chewing gum sticks <NUM>. Any color or arrangement of colors, artwork, picture or patterns may be adopted to provide a practically unlimited number of different appearances of the container <NUM> on its various surfaces by virtue of the inner layer <NUM> to promote any desired branding of the confectionary product therein. Text, symbols, or indicia may also be provided on the inner layer <NUM> as desired for branding purposes if desired.

Beneficially, the inner layer <NUM> extending inside the receptacle <NUM> of the container base portion <NUM> is protected by the transparent container <NUM> and is accordingly wear resistant from the exterior of the container <NUM>. The package <NUM> may accordingly retain a fresh and attractive appearance over an extended period of time.

In contemplated embodiments, and as also shown in the example shown in <FIG>, the first or inner layer <NUM> may be fabricated from paper board or another suitable material that is wrapped or folded around the bottom and side edges of a number of the confectionary products such as wrapped chewing gum sticks <NUM>. The inner layer <NUM> may accordingly hold the confectionary products <NUM> together in a predetermined arrangement before being inserted into the hard shell transparent container <NUM>. The inner layer <NUM> accordingly facilitates packaging processes by facilitating packing or loading of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> as a group or collection of confectionary products into the container <NUM> in a single manufacturing step. By virtue of the inner layer <NUM>, the confectionary products <NUM> may be loaded into the container <NUM> as a subassembly in a larger packing process.

In the example shown, five stacks of chewing gum sticks <NUM> including seven sticks in each stack are arranged side-by-side inside the inner layer <NUM>, such that thirty-five sticks of chewing gum sticks <NUM> may be pre-assembled with the inner layer <NUM> for insertion into the receptacle <NUM> of the container base portion <NUM> as a group. In other embodiments varying numbers of chewing gum sticks <NUM> may be included, but the higher density of the packed gum sticks relative to conventional packages the greater the costs in packaging processes that may be realized. The increased density of chewing gum stacks in the package <NUM> offsets the cost of the hard shell container <NUM> while also reducing assembly and packaging costs via simpler loading of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> into the container <NUM>.

The inner layer <NUM> when wrapped around the chewing gum sticks <NUM> is generally box-like and conforms to the orthogonal sides of the stacks of chewing gum sticks <NUM>. The bottom end of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> inside the inner layer <NUM> is therefore rectangular, but the opening of the receptacle <NUM> in the container base portion <NUM> is curved. The curved opening of the receptacle <NUM> provides a clearance, however, that easily receives the bottom end of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> inside the inner layer <NUM> without alignment difficulties being presented. The box-like inner layer <NUM> when seen through the non-box-like container <NUM> also creates a unique visual impression that may aid in the branding of the chewing gum sticks <NUM>.

The outer graphic branding layer <NUM> may include one or more adhesive layers applied to strategic locations on one or more of the outer surfaces of the transparent container. Like the inner graphic branding layer <NUM>, the outer graphic branding layer may include a color, a picture, a pattern, artwork, a logo, text, patterns, symbols or indicia that when overlaid over the inner layer <NUM> that is visible through the transparent container <NUM> further provides a distinctive appearance to the package <NUM>. Especially when the outer layer <NUM> is deliberately selected and configured to contrast with the inner layer <NUM>, effective and distinct brand strategies may be employed to differentiate the confectionary products <NUM> in the package <NUM>. Different outer layers <NUM> may be utilized with the same inner layer <NUM> at various different locations on the surfaces of the container <NUM>, or unique combinations of inner and outer layers <NUM> and <NUM> and relative locations of the outer layers <NUM> may be adopted, again for use with a common transparent container <NUM> to obtain a practically unlimited number of different appearances of the package <NUM> at relatively low cost. When the outer layer <NUM> is implemented with adhesive sticker elements to the outer surface of the hard shell container <NUM>, the outer layer <NUM> is durable and may maintain a fresh appearance over an extended period of time. Portions of the adhesive stickler elements may themselves be transparent to allow the inner layer <NUM> to be seen beneath.

The overwrap layer <NUM> (<FIG>) may, like the inner and outer graphic layers <NUM> and <NUM> include a color, a picture, a pattern, a logo, text, symbols or indicia that when overlaid over the inner layer <NUM> and outer layer <NUM> on the package <NUM> may provide a further distinctive appearance of the package <NUM> than the inner layer <NUM> and outer layer <NUM> can provide alone. The overwrap layer <NUM> may be a transparent material including a portion <NUM> that is not transparent and includes a graphical color, a pattern, text, symbols or indicia as desired. In contemplated embodiments, the branded indicia or effect provided by the overwrap layer <NUM> is distinct from the outer graphic brand layer <NUM> and the inner graphic brand layer <NUM>. The overwrap layer <NUM> may also include removable technical and legal information such as violator, bar code, nutrition facts and piece count for a clean branded pack in use as well as secondary branding graphics.

By virtue of the overwrap layer <NUM>, the package <NUM> may be provided with a distinct shelf appearance at the point of purchase. After removal of the overwrap layer <NUM> the package may have another appearance for use and enjoyment of the consumer. In particular, the portion <NUM> of the overwrap layer <NUM> is no longer visible once the overwrap layer <NUM> is removed. As seen in the example of <FIG>, the overwrap layer extends around the front, rear, top and bottom sides of the package but not around the lateral side walls of the container <NUM>. This tends to make the overwrap layer <NUM> easier to remove and also utilizes less material than conventional packaging wherein the overwrap extends completely around the entire container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the freshness seal element <NUM> overlies and surrounds an upper portion of the stacks of chewing gum sticks <NUM>. That is, the freshness seal element <NUM> extends over top and side edges of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> in the arrangement shown. The freshness seal element <NUM> is coupled to the inner layer <NUM>, but is configured for easy removability by the consumer after purchase of the package <NUM>, while the inner layer <NUM> is permanently adhered in place inside the container <NUM>. For example only, the freshness seal may include a peelable adhesive, perforations, or other known features to provide ease of removal while providing assurance of product freshness at the point of purchase. The freshness seal element <NUM> in contemplated embodiments is fabricated from cellophane or another suitable material, and like the layers <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the freshness seal element <NUM> may be printed or otherwise provided with any background color, emotive element, flavor cue, text, symbols, patterns or indicia. The freshness seal element <NUM>, like the inner layer <NUM>, is interior to the container <NUM> but is visible through the transparent container <NUM> at the point of purchase as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Finally, and as seen in <FIG>, the organization element <NUM> may be provided to embrace the lower ends of the stacks of chewing gum sticks <NUM> and facilitate the side-by-side arrangement of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> prior to assembly with the inner graphic branding layer <NUM>. The organization element <NUM> may be provided in the form of belly bands that hold and organize the stacks of wrapped chewing gum sticks <NUM> in the arrangement desired with a fresh appearance. The stacked chewing gum sticks <NUM> may first be secured with the belly bands and then inserted into the inner layer <NUM>. Alternatively, the inner layer <NUM> may be formed by wrapping around the gum sticks <NUM> after the belly bands secure them in place. The organization element <NUM> may include a combination of separately provided belly bands or may be formed as one element that can accommodate a plurality of stacks of chewing gum sticks <NUM>. The organization element <NUM> may facilitate the assembly of the inner layer <NUM> described above and insertion of the chewing gum sticks <NUM> into the container <NUM> as a subassembly per the discussion above.

While the multi-layered graphic branding layers are explained in relation to an exemplary container <NUM>, the multi-layered graphic branding layers are not limited to the exemplary container <NUM> as shown and described. Rather, the multi-layered graphic branding layers are widely applicable to the same and different containers for a variety of different products.

The benefits of the inventive concepts are now believed to have been amply illustrated in relation to the exemplary embodiments disclosed.

A package for a confectionary product has been disclosed including: a container that is at least partly transparent, wherein the container includes a base portion defining a first receptacle and a reclosable lid portion defining a second receptacle; and an inner graphic branding layer disposed inside at least one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle, wherein the inner graphic branding layer is externally visible through the at least partly transparent container.

Optionally, the package may further include an outer graphic branding layer disposed on an exterior surface of the container. The outer graphic branding layer may be visually superimposed on the inner graphic branding layer. The package may include an overwrap layer disposed over the container and visually superimposed on the inner and outer graphic branding layer. The reclosable lid portion may be permanently attached to the base portion with an elongated hinge. The reclosable lid portion may be configured to engage the base portion with tactile or audible feedback to a user as the lid portion is being closed.

The package includes an organization element disposed interior to the inner graphic branding layer. The organization element receives a portion of the confectionary product. The confectionary product may include chewing gum sticks. The chewing gum sticks may be individually wrapped. A freshness seal element may be provided and may be disposed interior to the container. The container may be entirely transparent. The first and second receptacles may be differently proportioned but collectively dimensioned to receive and enclose multiple articles of a confectionary product when the lid portion engages the base portion in a closed position. The inner graphic branding layer may be proportioned and disposed in the package to hold a portion of multiple articles of a confectionary product in a predetermined position.

A method of packaging a confectionary product in a container that is at least partly transparent has also been disclosed. The container includes a base portion defining a receptacle and a reclosable lid portion. The method includes: providing an inner graphic branding layer inside the receptacle such that it is visible through the at least partly transparent container from an exterior of the base portion; and providing an outer graphic branding layer extending on an exterior surface of the hard shell container such that the outer graphic branding layer is visually superimposed on the inner graphic branding layer.

The method further includes holding the confectionary products in a predetermined arrangement with the inner graphic branding layer, and loading the inner graphic branding layer including the confectionary product in the receptacle. The method further includes disposing the confectionary product in an organization element. The method may further include providing a freshness seal element interior to the container, and providing an overwrap layer that is visually distinct from the inner and outer graphic branding layers and that is visually superimposed over the inner and outer graphic branding layers. The method may also include loading a plurality of individually wrapped chewing gum sticks into the receptacle.

Claim 1:
A package for confectionary products, the package comprising:
a durable hard-shell container (<NUM>), wherein the container includes a base portion (<NUM>) defining a first receptacle (<NUM>) and a reclosable lid portion (<NUM>) defining a second receptacle (<NUM>); characterized in that
the container (<NUM>) is at least partly transparent, and in that
an inner graphic branding layer (<NUM>) is disposed inside at least one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle, in that the inner graphic branding layer is externally visible through the at least partly transparent container;
and in that
an organization element (<NUM>) is disposed internal to the inner graphic branding layer, and wherein the organization element is configured to receive a portion of confectionary products (<NUM>) and wherein the organization element is in the form of belly bands, and wherein the belly bands can embrace the lower ends of the confectionary products (<NUM>) to facilitate the side-by-side arrangement of the confectionary products (<NUM>).