Spice packaging and distribution including the use of scannable codes

Abstract

Spices are packaged in a card format. In one embodiment, multiple pods of a single spice are adhered to a card. The spices are used in a “peel off, peel open” manner. That is, a pod is peeled off the card; then a seal of the pod is peeled open to allow the spice to be poured out. Remaining pods continue to be adhered to the card and stored for later use. Cards for different spices are readily grouped together, such as in a box or tin. If the cards are made relatively thin, dozens of different spices can be conveniently stored in a compact box or the like. Preferably, card backs are printed with the name of the spice and possibly other information about the spice. If the spices cards are arranged together alphabetically, in a “spice index” arrangement, a desired spice may be found very readily.

1 . An assortment of spices, comprising a plurality of spice cards and a container containing the plurality of spice cards, each of said spice cards comprising a plurality of sealed cells, each cell belonging to a particular spice card containing a pre-measured volume of a particular spice. 
     
     
         2 . A spice card comprising a plurality of sealed cells, each cell containing a pre-measured volume of an identical spice. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the spice card has dimensions of about 3 inches by 5 inches or less. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each cell contains about one quarter teaspoon of spice. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each cell contains about one quarter teaspoon of spice. 
     
     
         6 . A method of dispensing a pre-measured volume of a spice using a spice card comprising a plurality of sealed cells, each cell containing a pre-measured volume of an identical spice, the method comprising pressing on one or more cells to break seals of the one or more cells, causing contents of the one or more cells to be emptied by gravity. 
     
     
         7 .- 11 . (canceled)