Method and apparatus to facilitate encapsulating an edible substance

Abstract

An apparatus is provided comprising an edible substance, a discrete sheet of flexible film, and an adhesive disposed on the flexible film in a pattern that surrounds an adhesive-free space that is sized to accommodate the edible substance. The adhesive preferably does not extend to at least one edge of the flexible film. Portions of the adhesive contact other portions of the adhesive such that the discrete sheet encapsulates the edible substance, and the discrete sheet is twisted in at least one area that includes the adhesive.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an edible substance;   a discrete sheet of flexible film;   an adhesive disposed on the flexible film in a pattern that surrounds an adhesive-free space that is sized to accommodate the edible substance, wherein the adhesive does not extend to at least one edge of the flexible film;   
       wherein:
 portions of the adhesive contact other portions of the adhesive such that the discrete sheet encapsulates the edible substance; and 
 the discrete sheet is twisted in at least one area that includes the adhesive. 
 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the edible substance comprises a bon-bon. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the flexible film comprises a barrier film with a high level of impermeability. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive comprises a cold-sealing adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive comprises means for adhesively cold-sealing the discrete sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pattern is at least partially arcuate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the pattern is substantially oval shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive does not extend to any edge of the flexible film. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the discrete sheet is twisted in at least two areas that include the adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the discrete sheet is twisted on opposing sides of the edible substance. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a tie disposed about the area that is twisted. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the discrete sheet does not have a tearing aid along any peripheral edge. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the discrete sheet is folded about the edible substance to form a folded edge. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the discrete sheet is dead folded about the edible substance to form the folded edge. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein outer edges of the discrete sheet that are opposite the folded edge overlap unevenly to thereby facilitate opening the apparatus using human fingers. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive comprises a reclosable adhesive that permits a user to reclose the discrete sheet about the edible substance. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the discrete sheet hermetically encapsulates the edible substance. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 providing a discrete sheet of flexible film;   disposing on the discrete sheet an adhesive in a pattern that surrounds an adhesive-free space, wherein the adhesive does not extend to at least one edge of the flexible film   disposing an edible substance within the adhesive-free space;   manipulating the discrete sheet to dispose the discrete sheet about the edible substance; and   using the adhesive to seal the discrete sheet to thereby encapsulate the edible substance within the discrete sheet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein using the adhesive to seal the discrete sheet to thereby encapsulate the edible substance within the discrete sheet comprises providing pressure to at least a portion of the adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein providing pressure to at least a portion of the adhesive comprises providing room-temperature pressure to the adhesive. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein providing a discrete sheet of flexible film and disposing on the discrete sheet an adhesive in a pattern that surrounds an adhesive-free space, wherein the adhesive does not extend to at least one edge of the flexible film comprises:
 providing a continuous sheet;   disposing a plurality of the patterns on the continuous sheet; and   singulating the continuous sheet to provide the discrete sheet.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein disposing a plurality of the patterns on the continuous sheet comprises applying the adhesive in discrete patterns along the continuous sheet. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 twisting the discrete sheet in at least one area that includes the adhesive. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein twisting the discrete sheet in at least one area that includes the adhesive comprises twisting the discrete sheet in at least two areas that include the adhesive. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein twisting the discrete sheet in at least two areas that include the adhesive comprises twisting the discrete sheet on opposing sides of the edible substance. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising tying a tie about the area that is twisted. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the edible substance comprises a bon-bon.