Gummy confectionery-coated non edible container

Abstract

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Description

It is an objective of this invention to form the layer of gummy such that it may partially encapsulate the non-edible container to comply with FDA safety regulations when required. For purposes of this description, ‘encapsulation’ is defined by the non-edible container being completely covered by the gummy layer, whereas ‘partial encapsulation’ refers to incomplete coverage. Furthermore, it is an objective of this invention to comprise the confectionery layer of multiple sections that are separable from adjacent sections by various physical features, such as a perforated line, a groove, an indentation, or a continuous vacancy, to achieve the aforementioned disclosure of the non-edible container to the consumer. Furthermore, it is an objective of this invention to provide a method of manufacturing a gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object. This method can yield products that include the aforementioned features within, and between, each section of gummy with the use of an external mould which locates the non-edible container during the forming process. An additional objective of this invention is to form the confectionery layer in such a method as to loosely adhere it to a surface of the non-edible container, wherein ‘loosely adhered’ is defined by: ‘adhered’ referring to the gummy layer’s capacity to remain in place on the container surface due to surface-to-surface adhesion, rather than protrusions from the non-edible container, connections to adjacent sections, or a combination thereof, that may traditionally provide support for other forms of confectionery; while ‘loosely’ refers to the ease in which the layer may be removably peeled from the container surface, wherein the layer is removed in a fashion that does not require a tool, and is reasonable for a child to remove with their fingers. Furthermore, it is an objective of this invention to control the surface texture of the non-edible container and / or the formulation of the confectionery to create an experience which does not leave residue or substantially does not leave residue on the non-edible container following the layer being peeled from the surface. 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 It is also an objective of this invention to control the size and / or physical form of the non-edible container to ensure that it is not a choking hazard to the consumer. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realised and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended figures. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention are incorporated and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; a non-edible container with a layer of 8 peelable sections of gummy confectionery. Figure 2 shows the same embodiment and view of Figure 1, with one ofthe 8 sections partially peeled from the surface of the non-edible container. Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of the invention’s embodiment from Figure 1, revealing a toy within the non-edible container. Figure 4 shows a three-quarter perspective view of the invention’s embodiment from Figure 1 with the confectionery layer removed from the non-edible container, and the toy being removed. Figure 5 shows a side view of a similar embodiment to Figure 1, wherein the sections of removable gummy have unique colours from one another. 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 Figure 6 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, with an example of potential shapes of gummy confectionery sections. Figure 7 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the sections of gummy form the design of a character on the surface of a non-edible container. Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the non-edible container’s shape may vary, such as a sphere, and / or the contents of the container may be food or other non-toy products. Figure 9 shows a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the non-edible container is a cube shape. An encapsulated toy is also revealed within the non-edible container. Figure 10 displays a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment similar to figure 3, wherein the peelable sections of gummy confectionery are connected by an indented groove to assist with separation, instead of a gap. Figure 11 is a side view displaying an alternative embodiment similar to Figure 1, wherein the peelable sections of gummy confectionery are connected by a perforated line to assist with separation, instead of a gap. Figure 12 is a three-quarter view of a first half of a mould which comprises a cavity that houses a non-edible object to form gummy confectionery on the outer surface of. Figure 13 is a three-quarter view of a second half of a mould which comprises a cavity that houses a non-edible object to form gummy confectionery on the outer surface of. Figure 14 shows three-quarter view of an alternative embodiment of Figure 12, wherein the mould comprises water channels through the body of the mould to cool the gummy confectionery after injecting the confectionery into the mould. Figure 15 is a three-quarter view of an additional alternative embodiment of the mould half of Figure 12, wherein the inner surface of the mould has shapes and icons debossed into it. Figure 16 shows a three-quarter view of the mould halves from Figure 12 and 13 mated together, forming the non-edible object-housing cavity. 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 Figure 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the mated mould halves from Figure 16 with a non-edible container located within. Figure 18 shows a three-quarter view of an alternative embodiment of the mould from Figure 16, wherein the second half is divided into two sections, through its transverse axis. Figure 19 shows a three-quarter view of an additional alternative embodiment of the mould from Figure 16, wherein the second half is divided into two sections, through its longitudinal axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, “longitudinal” refers to an axis along the lengthwise direction of a body passing through the centre of gravity. As used herein, “transverse” refers to an axis along the width of a body, orthogonal to and intersecting the longitudinal axis at the centre of gravity. The invention as disclosed in its present form, comprises of: A polypropylene nonedible container in the shape of an egg, wherein the longitudinal dimension is longer than its transverse dimension and is rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis; A toy encapsulated within the non-edible container; A peelable layer made up of sections of gummy confectionery on the surface of said non-edible container, including gaps between these sections revealing the non-edible container underneath, wherein the gaps are preferably formed by an outer mould during the confectionery forming process. Referring to Figures 1-5, this embodiment comprises of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of gummy confectionery loosely adhered to the surface of a non-edible, egg-shaped, container 9, wherein the confectionery layer conforms to its shape. These confectionery sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are separable from adjacent sections by a gap 10 of 0.5mm-2.5mm. Each sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 include a gap 11, 0.5mm-2.5mm in width, to assist with peeling 12 the confectionery from the surface of the container 9. Upon peeling the loosely adhered confectionery layer from the surface of the container, a residue-free finish 13 remains, due to the surface texture of the container 9, the formula of the gummy confectionery, or a combination thereof. 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment, revealing the encapsulated toy 14 inside the non-edible container. Additionally, the gummy confectionery layer’s profile 15 displays the intended thickness to be a thin layer of 1mm-5mm gummy conforming to the supporting curved surface. Figure 4 shows this embodiment’s egg capsule 17, with the gummy confectionery removed from the surface, and opened into two halves 19, 20 allowing the toy 18 to be removed. Figure 5 displays a preferred design of the invention’s present embodiment, wherein each of the gummy confectionery sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 are individually coloured. Furthermore, each of these uniquely coloured sections are uniquely flavoured. For example, the flavours for such sections could be any of the following: cherry, strawberry, orange, pineapple, lemon, lime, apple, raspberry, grape, watermelon, mango, bubble gum, pink grapefruit, cola, chocolate, or a combination thereof. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 5 also displays the key features from Figures 1-4 of: sections of gummy confectionery loosely adhered to the surface of a nonedible, egg shaped, container 29 containing a toy, with a gap 30 between each section, and a gap 31 to assist with peeling said sections. Referring to Figure 6, this embodiment displays potential for alternative designs formed by the gummy confectionery sections 32, such as pentagons and hexagons, while still featuring the gaps 33 between adjacent shapes to reveal the non-edible container 34. Referring to Figure 7, this embodiment further displays alternative designs, that conform to the non-edible container 38, using various section shapes. Sections, separable by gaps 37, may form the design of objects, landscapes, or, in this embodiment, a character wherein the sections 35 may represent heads, arms and other features. Additionally, colour 36 may be used to add to the design cohesion between sections, wherein similar sections may share a colour and flavour, such as left and right arms, however differing sections such as hair may be a different colour and flavour. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, these illustrations display embodiments of the invention wherein the non-edible container may be alternative shapes, such as a sphere 39, a cube 44, 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 or any other shape that is beneficial to the product design. These embodiments would preferably support one or more sections 40, 45 of confectionery, each with a unique colour & flavour 41, 46. The section or sections could also comprise features within the section, to assist with peeling, and be separable from any adjacent sections by a gap 42, 47 or alternative features. Furthermore, whereas Figure 9 shows an encapsulated toy 48 within the non-edible container 44, Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the encapsulated material 43 within the container 39, is not a toy, but alternative items such as jelly beans, chocolate, gummy or other food products. Figure 10 displays an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein each independently removable section 49 is separable from adjacent sections 50, 51 by indented grooves, such as a V-shaped indentation 52. Figure 11 illustrates an embodiment showing an alternative form of the independently removable sections wherein each section 53 is separable from adjacent sections 54, 55 by a perforated tear line 56. Referring now to Figures 12 to 17, these figures illustrate the method for producing a gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object. Additionally, alternative embodiments of this method are shown. Figure 12 displays a first half 101 of a mould that is used to prepare the aforementioned preferred embodiments of a gummy confectionery-coated non-edible container similar to Figure 1. This mould shown comprises an inner surface that injected gummy confectionery conforms to and protrusions offset from said inner surface to locate the non-edible container and form the aforementioned gummy confectionery sections. These protrusions include transverse ribs 102 that separate each section of gummy by a gap 10, and a longitudinal rib 103 that creates a peeling gap 11 to allow the consumer to remove sections of gummy independently. Figure 13 displays the second half 104 of a mould designed to mate with the first half 101 from Figure 12. The transverse ribs 105 align with the ribs 102, although this side does not feature a longitudinal rib. The second half 104 features injection holes 106, to inject the 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 gummy confectionery into, with this embodiment having 1 injection hole for each section of gummy. Figure 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a first half 107 of a mould that could mate with the second half 104 from Figure 13. This mould does not contain a longitudinal rib yet retains the transverse ribs 108 to provide multiple cavities for receiving gummy. This mould additionally comprises cooling channels 109 within the body of the mould that may allow for rapid cooling of the mould, and consequent cooling of the gummy confectionery. Alternatively, these cooling channels could also be designed to receive refrigerant, coolant liquid, or cold air. Figure 15 further displays an alternative embodiment of a first half 110 of a mould that could mate with the second half 104 from Figure 13. This mould half also retains multiple transverse ribs 111 for locating the non-edible container and creating discrete cavities, however the inner surface of the mould comprises debossed shapes 112. This illustrates the ability to form complex geometry and texture into the formed gummy sections such as polygons, letters, symbols, icons, fruit, or any other features that may improve the sensation or appearance of the gummy. Figure 16 displays a preferred embodiment of a closed mould comprising a first 113 and second 114 half mated at a coupling face 115. These two halves, when mated, form an interior cavity 116 capable of receiving a non-edible object that the protrusions and / or inner surface have been contoured to and / or offset from. Figure 17 further shows a cross-sectional view of two mould halves 117, 118 mated at a coupling plane 119 containing a non-edible object, wherein the object is a non-edible container 120. This view shows the fixed location of the non-edible container within the mould’s contoured ribs and offset inner surface, and the separation of discrete cavities between the transverse ribs. The injection hole 124 allows for gummy to be injected into the cavity 121 between the transverse ribs 122, 123. The inner surface of the mould halves can be seen to be contoured and offset from the outer surface of the non-edible container, providing a vacancy with uniform thickness, wherein the resulting injected gummy sections would have uniform thickness. 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 Referring now to Figures 18 and 19, in some alternative embodiments, the aforementioned second half of the mould could be further divided into two parts, through its longitudinal or transverse axis, wherein the dividing plane is perpendicular to the mating plane between the two halves. This division of the second half could produce a folding mould, wherein the mould comprises of a first half, and a second and third section that make up the second half, wherein these second and third sections are each independently connected, via a hinge or a linear rail, to the first half. Furthermore, this division of the second half could be useful to ensure a lower surface area for the gummy confectionery to stick to compared to the first half when opening the mould after cooling. This would provide a more stable mould release process, wherein the gummy confectionery coated non-edible object remains in the first half of the mould upon opening the closed mould to remove the gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object. Figure 18 displays an alternative embodiment of the mould in Figure 16, wherein the mould comprises a first half 125 and a second half that is divided into a first 126 and second 127 section through its transverse axis. Upon closing the mould, each section of the second half would mate to the other with a face 128, and with the first half of the mould with a face 129, wherein faces 128 129 are perpendicular. Each section of the second half in this embodiment is connected to the first half via a hinge 130. Figure 19 illustrates an additional alternative embodiment of the mould in Figure 16, wherein the mould comprises of a first half 131 and a second half divided into a first 132 and second 133 section and connected via a hinge as in the embodiment of Figure 18, however, the second half in this embodiment is divided through its longitudinal axis. Each section of the second half mates with the other with the faces 134 135 and with the first half of the mould with the face 136, wherein the faces 134 135 are perpendicular to 136. This embodiment additionally divides the injection holes 137 which seal upon closing of the mould sections. The present and alternative embodiments of the mould, for example, could be mated together using mechanisms such as a hinge, bolts, magnets, automated power screws, cam locks, linear slide rails or other well-known clamping methods. The mould can be prepared from any suitable material, such as, for example, aluminium, stainless steel, silicone, or any combination thereof. Selection of a suitable material 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 is within the ability of the skilled artisan. Characteristics of the material that can be considered include, for example, thermal properties, machining time, and durability. For example, a durable material can minimize damage to the mating surfaces after repeated clamping of the two mould halves. The moulds for use in the methods provided herein can be coated with a permanent or temporary coating to decrease adherence of gummy confectionery to the mould surface. Decreasing adherence of gummy confectionery can facilitate release of the gummy confectionery-coated non-edible object from the mould. Examples of coatings that can be applied to the mould surface include Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP), Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), carnauba wax, corn oil, palm oil, or coconut oil. In some methods provided herein the mould can be sandblasted, or otherwise roughened, before applying a permanent coating. A gummy confectionery-coated non-edible container can be prepared by injection moulding gummy into a mould housing a non-edible container. In an exemplary embodiment, the gummy confectionery-coated non-edible container can comprise 8 sections of independently separable gummy coating, an egg-shaped non-edible container, and a surprise toy therein. Each confectionery section can contain a fruit flavour and a corresponding colour. The non-edible container can be made of polypropylene (PP) with a glossy white colour. Two sections of the non-edible container can be attached by a snap joint to form a sealed container. The gummy confectionery coating can be applied by hot injection moulding within a PTFE coated mould, wherein the injection of gummy is controlled with a pump with adequate volume accuracy. After injection of hot gummy confectionery, the gummy confectionery can be cooled by cooling the mould with cold air or water. The gummy confectionery can be prepared to meet an injection temperature suitable to control key parameters that may affect the forming process such as viscosity, or heat energy. As the temperature is increased, the viscosity decreases which may require lower injection pressure, however higher temperature may also result in longer cooling time of the mould and gummy confectionery layer. Once the gummy is sufficiently set, the mould can be opened to remove the gummy confectionery-coated container where it can be left to dry in a humidity-controlled 2026216746   11 Aug 2026 environment. This drying process can be used to achieve desired gummy texture and reduce the adhesion of the outer surface of the gummy layer. Once dried, a fine layer of vegetable oil & carnauba wax solution can be applied to improve glossiness and further reduce stickiness adhesive properties of the gummy surface. The invention has been described with examples relevant to its current form, however, potential embodiments will include any form that is within the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An article for containing a toy comprising:multiple sections of gummy confectionery layer loosely adhered to an outer surface of a non-edible container, wherein each section of the multiple sections is removable from the outer surface independently from other sections of the multiple of sections by one or more physical features.

2. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the confectionery layer partially, or completely, covers the non-edible container.

3. The article as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the non-edible container is an egglike shape.

4. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contained toy is a surprise toy that is not explicitly revealed until said container is opened.

5. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gummy confectionery layer thickness is between 1 mm and 5mm, inclusive.

6. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gummy confectionery layer is flexible, and can be removed from the non-edible container without sustaining fragmentation.

7. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gummy confectionery layer is removed by peeling it from the non-edible container.

8. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the number of independently removable sections is between 2 and 10, inclusive.

9. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one or more independently removable section or sections of gummy confectionery are separable from adjacent sections by including any of the following physical features between said sections: an indented groove, a perforation, or a combination thereof.2026216746   11 Aug 202610. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one or more independently removable section or sections includes any of the following physical features to assist with removing said removable section from the non-edible container: an indented groove, a perforated line, or a combination thereof.

11. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery comprises two or more colours.

12. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery comprises more than one colour, wherein each independently removable section is a single colour.

13. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the layer of gummy confectionery comprises more than one flavour, wherein each independently removable section is a single flavour.

14. The article as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein each colour corresponds to a flavour for all sections of said colour.

15. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gummy confectionery layer constitutes of one or more of the following gelling agents: Bovine Gelatine, Porcine Gelatine, Fish Gelatine, Modified Starch, Pectin, Carrageenan, and Agar.

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