US20100193577A1

US20100193577A1 - Wrapper for Confectionary or Similar Sized Object

Info

Publication number: US20100193577A1
Application number: US12/363,233
Authority: US
Inventors: Ferdinand A. Van Buiten; Maria G. Van Buiten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-30
Filing date: 2009-01-30
Publication date: 2010-08-05

Abstract

Generally, the invention comprises a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper comprises a written statement or message that is inside of the wrapper when the wrapper is in a closed position, such as when it is holding the confectionary or similar sized object. Upon opening the wrapper to expose or to gain access to the confectionary or similar sized object, the written statement or message is also exposed. The written message may be any word or words, phrase, symbol, or graphic or any other image or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the written message is a saying. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for providing an after-dinner confectionary and for initiating after-dinner conversation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention and its various embodiments relate to a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. In particular, the invention and its various embodiments relate to a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object comprising a message on the wrapper.
2. Description of Related Art
Restaurant owners often create an atmosphere that compliments the type of food served at the restaurant or the style or theme of the restaurant. In Italian restaurants, for instance, a restaurant owner may put pictures of Italian sceneries on the wall, play Italian music in the background, and employ waiters that speak with an Italian accent. Italian restaurant owners do not want their clientele to just eat Italian food; they want them to have an Italian dining experience. Similarly, other types of ethnic restaurants create atmospheres that compliment the type of food served or the style or theme of the restaurant to give the restaurant patrons a memorable and enjoyable experience to increase the chances for repeat business and word-of-mouth advertising.
The dining experience, however, slowly wears off as the meal progresses. By the time patrons ask for the check, they have appreciated the experience of dining in that particular restaurant and are prepared to end their dining experience. The conversations are coming to an end, and patrons might even get a little impatient waiting for the waiter to return with their bill or credit card receipt. Up until now, there was nothing available to the restaurant owner to re-energize the patron's dining experience right before they leave the restaurant. Therefore, there is a need to enhance or re-energize a patron's dining experience just before they leave a restaurant.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the invention comprises a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper comprises a written statement or message that is inside of the wrapper when the wrapper is in a closed position, such as when it is holding the confectionary or similar sized object. Upon opening the wrapper to expose or to gain access to the confectionary or similar sized object, the written statement or message is also exposed.
In one embodiment, the wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object, comprises a wrapper comprising a first surface; and a written message disposed on a first portion of the first surface of said wrapper; wherein the wrapper is configured to hold a confectionary or similar sized object and to at least partially cover the written message in a closed position and to expose the written message in an opened position. The written message may be any word or words, phrase, symbol, or graphic or any other image or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the written message is a saying.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for providing an after-dinner confectionary and for initiating after-dinner conversation. In one embodiment of the method, the invention provides a method for providing an after-dinner confectionary and for initiating after-dinner conversation comprising serving a restaurant patron a confectionary wrapper containing a confectionary and comprising a first surface and a written message disposed on a first portion of the first surface of the wrapper; wherein the wrapper is configured to at least partially cover the written message in a closed position and to expose the written message in an opened position and wherein the written message comprises a saying relating to a type of food identified with a particular country and written in a predominate language of said particular country, a translation of the saying written in a predominate language of a country in which the wrapper is used, and an explanation of the saying written in a predominate language of the country in which the wrapper is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top side view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an opened position;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an opened position;

FIG. 4 is a top side view of one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention are described below in conjunction with the Figures; however, this description should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Rather, it should be considered exemplary of various embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Further, it should also be appreciated that references to “the invention” or “the present invention” should not be construed as meaning that the description herein is directed to only one embodiment or that every embodiment must contain a given feature described in connection with the use of such phrases. In fact, various embodiments with common and differing features are described herein. Also, it should be appreciated that the Figures are not drawn to scale and are not necessarily drawn in the correct proportions.
Generally, in some embodiments, the invention comprises a wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper comprises a written statement or message that is inside of the wrapper when the wrapper is in a closed position, such as when it is holding the confectionary or similar sized object. Upon opening the wrapper to expose or to gain access to the confectionary or similar sized object, the written statement or message is also exposed. In one embodiment, the wrapper is given to a restaurant patron after a meal, and the message comprises a statement about the restaurant style or theme or the type of food served at the restaurant. In one embodiment the message is intended to initiate conversation among restaurant patrons.
It should be appreciated that the following description refers to a confectionary. However, as noted, the wrapper of the present invention may also be used to hold a similar sized object rather than a confectionary. Therefore, whether the description refers to a confectionary, a similar sized object could be substituted for the confectionary unless otherwise noted.
FIG. 1 is a top side view of one embodiment of the invention. The wrapper 100 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to hold a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper 100 as shown in FIG. 1 is in a closed position such that the confectionary or similar sized object is held inside. The wrapper also has a written message disposed on an inside surface of the wrapper that is exposed for viewing once the wrapper is opened to retrieve the confectionary or similar sized object. Accordingly, in a closed position, the wrapper 100 holds the confectionary or similar sized object within the wrapper 100 and conceals or covers the message from view. In an opened position, as described further below, the wrapper 100 allows access to the confectionary or similar sized object and exposes the message to view.
The size of the wrapper 100 may vary. Generally, the wrapper 100 has a sufficient size to hold a confectionary or similar sized object and to provide a surface upon which a message can be written. The size of the confectionary or similar sized object may also vary. In some embodiments, the confectionary or similar sized object is small enough to be held in a person's hand or by two or three fingers. In some embodiments, the confectionary or similar sized object may fit within the bounds of a five inch cube, a four inch cube, a three inch cube, a two inch cube, a one inch cube, or a one-half inch cube. It should be appreciated, however, that the confectionary or similar sized object may have a size larger than a five inch cube or may have a size smaller than a one-half inch cube.
With respect to the confectionary, it may be any food item, including candy, bon bons, sweetmeats, cake, pastry, candied fruit, sugar-covered nuts or other foods, sugarplums, balls or sticks of candy, chocolate, cookie, a mint or another food item. It should be appreciated that the confectionary enclosed in the wrapper may consist of one, two, three, four, five or more pieces. With respect to the similar sized object, it may be any object such as a promotional item, a collectable, a trinket, a toy, a gift card, an electronic device, or any other object. It should be appreciated that the confectionary or similar sized object may be any shape and any number of condiments or similar sized objects may be held by the wrapper 100.
The shape of the wrapper may also vary and can be any shape. The wrapper 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a square shape in a closed position and a rectangular shape in an opened position as described in connection with FIG. 2 further below. However, the wrapper may be circular, triangular, rectangular, or any other geometric shape or a completely random or irregular, non-symmetrical shape.
The wrapper 100 may be constructed of any material suitable for holding a confectionary or similar sized object. It should be appreciated that in those embodiments in which the wrapper 100 holds a confectionary the material should be suitable for contacting food. In addition, the material for the wrapper 100 should be suitable for printing of a written message or other designs and colors on a surface of the wrapper 100. Accordingly the wrapper 100 may be made from any type of paper material or plastic material. In the case of plastic material, if a written message cannot be printed or applied directly to the plastic material, the written message may be printed on a label having a sticky back and applied to the plastic material or the written message may be printed on other paper material and adhered to the plastic material using an adhesive.
As shown, a name or other identifier 102 for the wrapper 100 or packaged confectionary may be disposed on an outside surface 104 of the wrapper 100. It should be appreciated that the name or identifier 102 may be any name, design, drawing, logo, or other image. This name or identifier 102 should not be confused with the message concealed by the wrapper 100. This name or identifier 102 may be disposed on the outside surface 104 of the wrapper 100 in a manner similar to placement of the written message on the wrapper as described above. In addition instructions (not shown) for opening the wrapper may he printed on the outside surface 104 as well. For example, “open here” may be printed on this surface indicating where the wrapper can be opened without damaging the written message on the inside.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an opened position. As noted above, the wrapper 100 may be in a closed position or an opened position. FIG. 1 illustrates the wrapper 100 in a closed position, and FIG. 2 illustrates the wrapper 100 in an opened position. In this embodiment, the wrapper 100 comprises two portions 202, 204 that are separated by a fold 206 in the wrapper 100 itself. The fold 206 may be a pre-defined fold in the wrapper material. For example, if the wrapper is made from paper, the fold 206 may be a crease in the paper made during manufacturing.
It should be appreciated that the wrapper 100 shown in FIG. 2 illustrates that the two portions 202, 204 each have the same shape. In this case, the outer edges 208, 210 of each portion 202, 204 are aligned when the wrapper is in a closed position. In other words, the outer edges 208, 210 of each portion 202, 204 for a common perimeter of the wrapper 100 in a closed position. It should be appreciated that the outer edges 208, 210 need not be perfectly matched and may only be substantially aligned such that when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position the outer edges 208, 210 form a substantially common perimeter of the wrapper 100.
In some embodiments, an adhesive may be used between the two portions 202, 204 to hold the wrapper 100 in a closed position. The adhesive may be placed anywhere between the two portions 202, 204. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be disposed close to the outer edges 208,210 of the two portions 202, 204. In this case, the adhesive may be placed anywhere along the outer edges 208, 210, such as at the corners 212 of the two portions 202, 204. The adhesive may be any adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive is one that allows for relatively easy release of one portion 202 from the other portion 204 without damaging the wrapper 100. It should be appreciated, however, that other means may be used to hold the wrapper 100 in a closed position. For example, a separate tie to gather the wrapper edges together or a slit in one portion 204 into which an edge of the other portion 202 may fit may be used. Alternatively, the wrapper may be folded in a particular manner such that the folds act to hold the wrapper in a closed position. In another embodiment, the wrapper may be designed in the same or similar manner as a paper teabag wrapper that opens to provide access to the teabag. In another embodiment, the two wrapper portions 202, 204 may be integrally connected at one or more locations along their corresponding outer edges 208, 210 wherein such connection(s) may be separated in a tear-away manner. In yet other embodiments, the two wrapper portions 202, 204 may be attached to one another to hold the wrapper 100 in a closed position using buttons, snaps, or Velcro.
It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the outer edges of the two portions may each have a different shape and may only overlap slightly in some areas. In this case, an adhesive can still be used between these portions to secure one portion to the other portion, thereby holding the wrapper in a closed position. Specifically, the adhesive may be used between those parts of each portion that do overlap.
In use, when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position, one portion 202 of the wrapper 100 is adjacent to the other portion 204. The wrapper 100 can then be placed into an opened position by moving one portion 202 away from the other portion 204, as shown by the arrow 213 in FIG. 2. These two portions 202, 204 of the wrapper can be moved away from each other by moving the portions 202, 204 as if hinged together along the fold 206 in the wrapper 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, in an opened position, the wrapper 100 presents a written message 214 on a surface 216 of one portion 204 of the wrapper 100. Specifically, the written message 214 is disposed on that portion 204 of the wrapper that is concealed from view by the other portion 202, which may be referred to as a flap, when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the written message 214 may not be completely concealed from view when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position and may only be partially concealed or covered. In other embodiments, the written message 214 is completely concealed from view when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position. In either case, when the wrapper 100 is in an opened position, the written message 214 is exposed and can be viewed.
It should be appreciated that the written message 214 may be any word or words, phrase, symbol, or graphic or any other image or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the written message may be any word, words, or phrase relating to any topic such as food, geography, politics, culture, specific countries, sports (individual and team based sports), history, tourism, business, religion, or any other topic. In some embodiments, the written message may relate to dialects or national or regional celebrations and holidays, such as the 4th of July, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, etc. In some embodiments, the written message may be an advertisement for any product, service, or business.
The written message 214 may be any size within the confines of the wrapper. It should also be appreciated that the written message may be in any color, including black and white, and any letters or words may be in any color, font, or font size or may be handwritten. In some embodiments, the written message 214 is printed on the surface of that portion 204 of the wrapper 100 that is concealed from view when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position. In some embodiments, the written message 214 may be printed on a label or other material that is attached to the surface of that same portion 204 of the wrapper 100 using, for example, an adhesive.
Further, the written message 214 does not necessarily have to convey any meaning; however, in some embodiments the written message 214 is a saying. The saying may be any expression or group of words, such as a well-known phrase, proverb, or simply a statement of one to tell or more words, such as a slang expression or other commonly used expression or an unknown expression. In some embodiments, the saying may related to any topic, food, geography, phrases or sayings from a particular country or culture, sports (individual and team based sports), history, tourism, politics, business, or religion. In some embodiments, the saying may relate to dialects or national or regional celebrations and holidays, such as the 4th of July, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, etc.
In some embodiments, the saying relates to a type of food served at a restaurant or to the style or theme of a restaurant. In some embodiments, the saying may relate to a type of food from a particular country, and the wrapper may be used in a restaurant serving that type of food. For example, in Italian restaurants the written message may be all Italian proverb, in French restaurants the written message may be a French proverb, and in seafood restaurants the written message may be a proverb about fish or fishing.
In some embodiments, the saying may relate to the atmosphere of the restaurant. In this case, if the restaurant has a particular theme associated with it, such as a sports bar, a child friendly restaurant, a restaurant providing computer games for patrons, an animal based restaurant, the saying may reflect some aspect of that restaurant's theme.
In some embodiments, the saying relates to a type of food from a particular country or associated with a particular country and may be written in a predominant language of that country or the language recognized as the official language of that country. In some embodiments, the message or saying may be written in any language or ill a language that is predominantly used in the country in which the wrapper is used. In some embodiments, the saying is a phrase or word used in a particular country, or a common phrase or word used in a particular country, and in some embodiments that saying is written in the predominant language of that country.
In some embodiments, the saying may relate to some aspect of culture associated with the type of restaurant. For example, in an Italian restaurant, the saying may relate to Italian food, Italian culture, or any other aspect of Italian life. Similarly, in a French restaurant, the saying may relate to French food, French culture, or any other aspect of French life.
It should be appreciated that the wrapper 100 may be used in any country. Accordingly, when the written message 214 includes words that are written in a language different from the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used, the message 214 may also include a translation of those words into the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used. In some embodiments, the written message 214 is a saying as described above written in a language different from the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used. In some embodiments, the written message further comprises a translation of the saying into the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is used. For example, the wrapper 100 may be used in the United States. In this case, the written message 214 may include a saying written in Dutch and a translation of that saying into English. It should be appreciated that the written message 214 may include words, such as a saying, written in any language and may further include a translation into any other language.
As described above, the written message 214 may include a saying. In some embodiments, the written message 214 may also include an explanation of the saying. For example, if the saying is a proverb or a phrase whose meaning is not immediately clear or comprehensible or whose literal translation does not reveal the meaning of the saying to a point where it is broadly understood, the underlying meaning or an explanation of that saying may be included as part of the written message 214. It should be appreciated that in those embodiments in which the written message 214 includes words written in a language different from the predominant language in which the wrapper 100 is used, the explanation of the saying may be written in the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper 100 is being used.
It should be appreciated that all of the variations of the written message described above may be used together. For example, the written message may include a saying written in a language different from the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper is used, a translation of the saying into the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper is used, and an explanation of the saying written in the predominant language of the country in which the wrapper is used. In addition, such a written message may include a graphic element as well. Further, the written message may also include the identification of the language in which the saying is written. For example, the written message may include the following saying written as: “Non fare il passo piu lungo della gamba” (Italian). Underneath that saying, the written message may include the translation of that saying into English written as: “Don't make a step longer than your leg.” Underneath that translation, the written message may include the meaning of the saying written as: Meaning: “Do not concern yourself with difficulties until they arise.”
It should be appreciated, however, that each separate part of the written message, such as the saying, the translation, and the meaning may each be placed at different locations on the wrapper and do not necessarily have to be placed on the same surface of the wrapper. For example, the written message may be placed on a surface 218 of one portion 202 of the wrapper 100. In some embodiments, the entire written message may be placed on this surface 218. In other embodiments, such as when the written message is a saying, a translation of the saying, and a meaning of the saying, part of the written message, such as the saying and its translation, may be place on a surface 218 of one portion 202 of the wrapper 100 and another part of the written message, such as the meaning of the saying, may be placed on another surface 216 of another portion 204 of the wrapper 100. It should be appreciated that the written message, in whole or part, may be placed on any surface of the wrapper 100 this case. Accordingly, more than one written message may be placed on the wrapper 100, with a written message(s) printed on a surface of one portion of the wrapper and another written message(s) printed on a surface of another portion of the wrapper.
It should also be appreciated that a name or identifier for the wrapper or the confectionary may also be placed on the surface of the same portion of the wrapper as the written message. For example, the name or identifier 102 shown in FIG. 1 may be duplicated on the surface 216 of the same portion 202 of the wrapper 100 either above, below, beside, or around any portion of the written message. Such a name or identifier may also be placed on a surface of any portion of the wrapper.
FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an opened position. In this view, the confectionary 302 is shown as being partially within a pocket 304 of the wrapper 100. As described further below in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, the pocket 304 is part of the wrapper 100 and is defined by the wrapper 100. As shown, the pocket 304 is part of the portion 204 of the wrapper 100 containing the written message 212. In this way, the one portion 202 or flap of the wrapper 100 that folds over the other portion 204 of the wrapper along the fold 206 encloses the pocket or covers the opening of the pocket thereby retaining the confectionary or similar sized object within the pocket 304 when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position. In addition, as described above, this portion 202 or flap of the wrapper 100 also conceals the written message 212 when the wrapper 100 is in a closed position.
FIG. 4 is a top side view of one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the wrapper 400 is a single piece of material, such as a single piece of paper. The wrapper 400 is rectangular in shape, but it should be appreciated that it may be any shape or size sufficient to contain a confectionary or similar sized object. The wrapper has two folds 402, 404 that are parallel to each other. These folds 402, 404 essentially divide the wrapper 400 into three portions 406, 408, 410. Each of these portions 406, 408, 410 share one surface of one side 412 of the wrapper 400, whereas the opposite side (i.e., the side underneath the side 412 shown in FIG. 4) has a second surface that is characterized as being opposite the surface of the one side 412 shown in FIG. 4. The opposite side can also be characterized as also having three portions, each one being opposite the portions 406, 408, 410 shown in FIG. 4. As described further below in connection with FIG. 5, the folds 402, 404 enable the wrapper 400 to be folded along these folds 402, 404 to construct a pocket to hold a confectionary or similar sized object and to provide a flap to enclose the pocket and to conceal a written message placed on one portion of the wrapper 400.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4. The wrapper 400 is shown as being partially folded along the two folds 402, 404 shown in FIG. 4, thereby forming three segments 502, 504, 506 of the wrapper 400. As shown, when folded along one fold 404, two segments 504, 506 can be configured to be adjacent to one another. Accordingly, two portions 408, 410 corresponding to these two segments 504, 506 also will be adjacent to each other. In this configuration, the edges 508, 510 of these two segments 504, 506 are aligned and form a common or substantially common perimeter. An adhesive can be placed along the edges 508, 510 of these two segments 504, 506 to hold the two segments 504, 506 together, thereby forming a pocket 512 for holding a confectionary or similar sized object. The adhesive may be placed in a contiguous manner along the edges, with the exception of the edge formed by the fold 404, or only in certain locations along the edges 508, 510. The adhesive may be placed on the surface of the corresponding portions 408, 410 near their respective edges 508, 5 10 to mate the surfaces together, or the adhesive may be used to connect specifically the edges 508, 510 thereby forming a joint between the edges 508, 510. Once the edges 508 and 510 are held together, the pocket 512 has an opening 514 into which the confectionary or similar sized object can be placed during manufacture and from which the confectionary or similar sized object can be retrieved in use.
A portion 516 of the side opposite the side 412 of the wrapper as shown in FIG. 4, which is part of one segment 508 of the wrapper 400, has a surface 518 that is an outside surface of the pocket 514. A written message 520 may be disposed on this outside surface 518 of the pocket 514. The written message may be any written message as described above. The remaining segment 502 may be folded along the other fold 402 to act as a flap to both enclose the pocket 514 or more specifically the opening 514 of the pocket 512 and to conceal the written message 520. In other words, this segment 502 is folded over the surface 518 of the portion 516 that contains the written message 520.
As is evident from FIG. 5, this remaining segment 502 has approximately the same dimensions as the other segments 504, 506. Therefore, when folded along the other fold 402, the edges 522 of this segment 502 will align with the edges 508, 510 of the other segments 504, 506. Similar to the use of an adhesive to hold the other two segments 504, 506 together, an adhesive may be used to hold this remaining segment 502 against the surface 518 of the portion 516 that contains the written message 520, noting that the positioning of the adhesive along the aligned edges 508, 510, 522 or the corresponding segments 502, 504, 506 may also be the same as described above. In this manner, the written message 520 remains concealed until the wrapper 400 is opened to retrieve the confectionary or similar sized object, at which point the written message 520 is exposed and viewable. Accordingly, the adhesive used should be one that allows this particular segment 502 to be lifted from the surface 518 of the portion 516 containing the written message 520 without imparting any significant damage to the wrapper 400 or, in particular, to the written message 520. It should be appreciated, however, as described above, that a written message or other name or identifier may be printed or placed on any surface of any of these segments 502, 504, 506. Further, to facilitate the correct opening of the wrapper 400, directions, such as “open here,” may be used to indicate which particular segment should be lifted from the remaining portion of the wrapper 400.
The various embodiments of the wrappers described herein, as well as other wrappers having the same or similar functionalities may be made by another method known in the art for cutting material to be used as a wrapper and for folding and joining edges of the wrapper material together. It should be appreciated that while the wrappers described herein are generally made from a single piece of material, the wrappers can be constructed from multiple pieces of material. In these cases, any technique known in the art for joining pieces of the wrapper material together may be used. In particular, different pieces of wrapper material may be connected rather than using folds within a single piece of material. Similarly, the selection of the confectionary or similar sized object to be used is discretionary and the placement of the confectionary or similar sized object into the wrapper can be done using known techniques for handling and positioning such items. Also, any methods known in the art for printing the written message on the wrapper may be used.
In use, as described above, a particular business entity may utilize the wrappers described herein to enhance their business advertising or a customer's experience with that business. For example, a restaurant may use the wrappers described herein where the written message is directed to some aspect of the restaurant, such as the type of food served or the type or theme of the restaurant. In this case, the wrappers may be given to restaurant patrons at the conclusion of their meal to invoke new conversation between the patrons and to enhance the dining experience. For example, patrons at an Italian restaurant may receive wrappers with a written message written in Italian. Accordingly, after reading their written messages, the patrons may practice their Italian, but they may also challenge each other to guess the meaning of the literal translation of the written message. As a result, the experience of dining in that particular Italian restaurant is enhanced for those patrons, thereby providing a benefit to the restaurant owner of potential repeal business and word-of-mouth advertising.
As described above, an adhesive can be used that allows the wrapper to be opened without significantly damaging the wrapper or at least without significantly damaging the written message. This allows recipients of the wrapper to keep and collect wrappers over time and to motivate the recipient to return to the place of business where the wrapper was initially received. For example, if a restaurant patron received a wrapper with an intriguing or enjoyable written message, that patron may be motivated to return to that restaurant to collect additional wrappers and written messages. It should be appreciated that a particular business entity can be provided with a collection of wrappers with different written messages to minimize giving wrappers with the same written message to a patron. For example, while all of the wrappers for an Italian restaurant will have written messages appropriate for that restaurant, such as Italian proverbs or messages about Italian food, the variety of written messages will be great to minimize giving the same written message to a given group of diners.
In some embodiments, a series of written messages may be selected for use. In this case, the series of messages may be related based upon type of food, type of restaurant or other business that distributes the wrappers, sayings from a particular country or culture, etc. For example, a series of written messages may be centered around theme based sayings, such as sports (individual and team based sports), geography, history, tourism, politics, business, culture, or religion. A series of written messages may also be centered around dialects, national or regional celebrations and holidays, such as the 4th of July, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, etc. In use, a set of wrappers may be generated wherein each wrapper contains a written message from a given series. The entity that gives the wrappers to their customers would then distribute wrappers from a given series, which may motivate customers to return to collect other written messages from that series.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described above. However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments are possible and that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Rather, the description of these embodiments should be considered exemplary of various embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, the wrapper may take different shapes and may be made from different materials. The manner in which the wrapper is held in a closed position may also vary and may not necessarily require the use of an adhesive and may be held in a closed position based upon the particular folds made in the wrapper. The written message may also vary and need not necessarily convey any particular meaning.

Claims

1. A wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object, comprising:

a wrapper comprising a first surface; and

a written message disposed on a first portion of said first surface of said wrapper;

wherein said wrapper is configured to hold a confectionary or similar sized object and to at least partially cover said written message in a closed position and to expose said written message in an opened position.

2. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said wrapper is configured to expose the confectionary or similar sized object in an opened position.

3. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said wrapper is configured to completely cover said written message in a closed position.

4. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said first surface comprises a second portion, wherein said wrapper comprises a fold between said first portion and said second portion, and wherein said closed position comprises said wrapper folded along said fold.

5. The wrapper of claim 4, wherein said first portion and said second portion each comprise an outer edge and wherein each of said outer edges are substantially aligned in said closed positions and further comprising an adhesive disposed adjacent to at least a portion of said outer edges to hold said first portion and said second portion in said closed position and to hold the confectionary or similar sized object.

6. The wrapper of claim 1, further comprising a pocket to hold the confectionary or similar sized object.

7. The wrapper of claim 6, further comprising:

a second surface, opposite said first surface, comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein said first portion of said first surface is opposite said first portion of said second surface; and

wherein said wrapper further comprises a first fold between said first portion and said second portion of said second surface such that when folded along said first fold said first portion and said second portion form said pocket and define an opening to said pocket opposite said first fold and such that said message on said first portion of said first surface is disposed on an outside surface of said pocket; and

wherein said wrapper further comprises a second fold between said second portion and said third portion of said second surface such that when folded along said second fold said third portion covers said message and said opening to said pocket.

8. The wrapper of claim 7, further comprising:

an adhesive disposed between said first portion and said second portion of said second surface to hold said first portion and said second portion of said second surface together when folded position along said first fold and to seal at least a portion of a perimeter of said pocket; and

an adhesive disposed between said third portion of said second surface and said first portion of said first surface to hold said third portion of said second surface and said first portion of said first surface together when in a folded position along said second fold.

9. The wrapper of claim 8, wherein said pocket defines an opening for inserting the confectionary into said pocket and said second surface covers said opening when folded along said second fold thereby enclosing the confectionary or similar sized object within said pocket.

10. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises a saying.

11. The wrapper of claim 10, wherein said saying is written in a language other than English.

12. The wrapper of claim 11, wherein said written message further comprises an English translation of said saying.

13. The wrapper of claim 10, wherein said written message further comprises an explanation of said saying.

14. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises a saying relating to a restaurant type.

15. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises a saying relating to a type of food.

16. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein said written message comprises:

a saying relating to a type of food identified with a particular country and written in a predominate language of said particular country;

a translation of said saying written in a predominate language of a country in which said wrapper is used; and

an explanation of said saying written in a predominate language of the country in which said wrapper is used.

17. A wrapper for a confectionary or similar sized object, comprising:

a wrapper comprising a first surface and a pocket configured to hold a confectionary or similar sized object;

a written message comprising a saying disposed on a first portion of said first surface of said wrapper, wherein said saying relates to a type of food identified with a particular country and is written in a predominate language of said particular country;

wherein said wrapper is configured to at least partially cover said written message in a closed position and to expose said written message in an opened position.

18. The wrapper of claim 17, wherein said written message further comprises:

19. A method for providing an after-dinner confectionary, comprising:

serving a restaurant patron a confectionary wrapper containing a confectionary and comprising a first surface and a written message disposed on a first portion of said first surface of said wrapper;

wherein said wrapper is configured to at least partially cover said written message in a closed position and to expose said written message in an opened position and wherein said written message comprises a saying relating to a type of food identified with a particular country and written in a predominate language of said particular country, a translation of said saying written in a predominate language of a country in which said wrapper is used, and an explanation of said saying written in a predominate language of the country in which said wrapper is used.