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US 2004/0170725 A1Published application
Edible articles that include edible optical elements and methods for producing same
OwnerEric Begleiterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides edible articles (e.g., candies, confections, foods and medicines) that incorporate optical elements (e.g., holographic or lenticular gratings, and/or printed patterns) capable of producing visually interesting and unique optical images and/or effects, wherein such optical elements are safe to consume, and do not detract from the taste of the edible articles, and wherein the edible articles can be manufactured (to incorporate the optical elements) via a variety of differing techniques, thus providing the ability to produce unique and visually interesting edible articles.
Claims47
An edible article, comprising:
- an outer periphery;
- an inner area, at least a portion of which defines an optical gap;
- and
- at least one edible pattern in communication with the edible article, the pattern being carried on an edible image retaining element and being capable of producing at least one image or effect.
1 more element
A method for producing an edible article, comprising the steps of:
- introducing an edible film forming material into at least two holding areas, wherein at least one holding area is designed to allow for transfer of at least one pattern to the film forming material, and wherein the pattern is selected from the group consisting of a diffraction pattern, a lenticular pattern, a printed patterns, and combinations thereof;
- allowing the film forming material to set in each holding area to form a substrate in each holding area;
- removing the substrates from each holding area, each substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the pattern has been transferred to one of the first and second surface of at least one of the substrates;
- and
- causing the first and second surfaces of the substrates to be connected such that an optical gap is defined between the first and second surfaces of each substrate to which the pattern has been transferred.
2 more elements
A method for producing an edible article, comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second substrates, each having first and second surfaces;
- transferring a diffraction relief grating onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of at least one of the plurality of substrates;
- and
- causing the first substrate to be connected to the second substrate such that an optical gap is formed between the first and second substrates, and such that each surface of the each substrate that includes a diffraction relief grating is facing toward the other surface of the substrate.
1 more element
A method of preparing an edible article having a high resolution diffraction relief which confers a holographic image on said product comprising the steps of:
- providing a high energy source;
- and
- exposing an edible article to a directed energy emanating from the high energy source such that a portion of the edible article is ablated to form a high resolution relief grating or pattern on the edible article.
A method for producing an edible article, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a film forming material into at least two holding areas, wherein at least one holding area is designed to allow for the transfer of at least one pattern to the film forming material, and wherein the pattern is selected from the group consisting of a diffraction pattern, a lenticular pattern, a printed patterns, and combinations thereof;
- allowing the mixture to set in each holding area such that a substrate is formed in each holding area, each substrate having first and second surfaces;
- coating at least one of the substrates in the holding areas with a layer of hard boiled candy;
- removing at least first and second substrates from their respective holding areas, at least one of the first and second substrates having a pattern on one of their first and second surfaces;
- and
- causing the first and second substrates to be connected such that one of the first and second surfaces of the each substrate is facing one of the first and second surfaces of the other substrate, and such that an optical gap is defined between the facing surfaces of the first and second substrates.
3 more elements
A method for producing an edible article, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a first film forming material into a first holding area that includes a pattern with which the film forming material is in communication;
- introducing a second film forming material into a second holding area;
- allowing the mixtures to set in the first and second holding areas such that a first substrate is formed in the first holding area, and a second substrate is formed in the second holding area, the first substrate having a first surface in communication with the first holding area, and a second surface, and the second substrate having a first surface in communication with the second holding area, and a second surface;
- bonding the second surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate together with molten candy such that the second surface of the first substrate is separated from the second surface of the second substrate by a predetermined distance;
- adjusting the predetermined distance;
- allowing the molten candy to substantially cool;
- and
- removing the first and second holding areas.
5 more elements
A method of forming an edible article, comprising the steps of:
- providing a mold;
- introducing film forming solution onto the mold;
- allowing the film forming solution to form a substrate having a first, bottom surface, and an exposed, top surface;
- introducing a printed pattern onto the exposed, top surface of the substrate;
- placing the exposed, top surface of the substrate into communication with a surface of a quantity of molten candy;
- allowing the substrate to become attached to the surface of the quantity of molten candy, such that the printed pattern is in contact with the surface of the molten candy;
- and
- removing the mold, such that the substrate remains attached to the molten candy.
5 more elements
A method of producing an optical pattern on an edible article via a laser, comprising the steps of:
- providing an edible article;
- and
- causing the laser to emit first and second beams of light that interfere to produce a desired interference pattern on a surface of the edible article, and wherein the interference pattern produces an optical pattern on the surface of the edible article.
A method of producing an edible article, comprising the steps of:
- providing a blank mold;
- introducing film solution material onto the blank mold;
- allowing the film forming solution to form a first substrate having a first, bottom surface, and an exposed, top surface;
- and
- producing an optical pattern on the exposed, top surface of the first substrate;
- combining the first substrate with at least one other substrate to form an edible article.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.