The Mars-owned company developed the unitary package made from flexible plastic and is hoping to secure patent protection.
“There is a need to develop a cost effective squeezable package that has enhanced functionality and performance, but is easily portable and discrete for enjoying consumable products,” said the firm in its patent application.
Plastic dispenser
Its latest invention is a single thermoformed unit that can be made from plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or low density polyethylene. The body includes an opening flange that is removable. The package can then be squeezed at the bottom to release the product.
“The rigidity of the package is unique such that it provides a thin-walled body that houses the confections, but may be readily disposed of following use due to the economical construction of the package,” said Wrigley.
“Due to the hermetically sealed nature of the package, the confectionery products do not need to be wrapped, and individual pieces such as pellets or individual pieces of confections may be disposed in the cavity of the body of the package.”
‘Cost prohibitive’
Wrigley claimed that previous refillable, injection molded packages were too “cost prohibitive” to use for confections.
Austrian confectioner PEZ is well-known for packaging its confections in refillable, hard-shelled dispensers.
According to its website, Wrigley has been working to reduce packaging materials such as foil, plastic for the past few years.
Wrigley’s patent was filed under The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), an international patent law treaty that allows a uniform patent to be considered by signatory national or regional authorities.
National and regional authorities that are signatories to the PCT will now decide whether or not to grant the patent.