Thermoformed plastic container for chocolate

A method of releasably securing a candy within a container, comprising:

• providing a three-dimensionally shaped edible candy having an outer surface comprising chocolate;
• providing a hollow container comprising a wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollow portion having a shape which substantially conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the candy for releasably securing the candy within the hollow shape of the container, wherein the container comprises at least two portions removably secured to one and the other for releasably securing the candy, and further wherein the container comprises a plastic material;
• securing the candy within the container;
• providing an air space of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm so that substantial portions of the candy are non-abuttingly disposed away from the interior surface of the container;
• and
• heat wrapping a plastic sleeve over a portion of the exterior surface of the container, wherein the air space is formed between the candy and the interior surface of the container proximal to the plastic sleeve and further wherein the candy within the container is not melted or deformed by elevated temperatures of the heat wrapping, and further wherein portions of the edible product contact the interior surface of the container at a location distal from the plastic wrapping.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• a three-dimensionally shaped, heat or moisture sensitive edible product;
• a hollow container comprising a wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollow portion having a shape which substantially conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the edible product for releasably securing the edible product within the hollow shape of the container, wherein the container comprises at least two portions hingeably secured to one and the other for releasably securing the edible product, and further wherein the container comprises a plastic material;
• and
• a removable plastic covering over a portion of the exterior surface of the container wherein the plastic covering is a shrink-wrapped plastic covering, wherein an air space of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm is disposed between substantial portions of the edible product and the interior surface of the container, such that substantial portions of the edible product are non-abuttingly disposed away from the interior surface of the container proximal to the plastic wrapping, and further wherein portions of the edible product contact the interior surface of the container at a location distal from the plastic wrapping.

A method of releasably securing a heat or moisture sensitive edible product within a container, comprising:

• providing a three-dimensionally shaped edible heat or moisture sensitive edible product having an outer surface;
• providing a hollow container comprising a wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollow portion having a shape which substantially conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the edible product for releasably securing the edible product within the hollow shape of the container, wherein the container comprises at least two portions hingeably secured to one and the other for releasably securing the edible product, and further wherein the container comprises a plastic material;
• securing the edible product within the container;
• providing an air space of from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm so that substantial portions of the edible product are non-abuttingly disposed away from the interior surface of the container;
• and
• heat wrapping a plastic sleeve over a portion of the exterior surface of the container wherein the air space is formed between the edible product and the interior surface of the container proximal to the plastic sleeve and further wherein the edible product within the container is not melted or deformed by elevated temperatures of the heat wrapping, and further wherein portions of the edible product contact the interior surface of the container at a location distal from the plastic wrapping.