WO2008002664A2 - Flavored golf tees - Google Patents

Abstract

A flavored golf tee is sanitized preferably before and after application of flavoring, and packed in plastic or similar packaging to maintain sterility prior to use. Various suitable materials may be used to form the tee, and any of a wide variety of flavorings may be applied. The tee may be provided in any of a variety of useful configurations.

Description

FLAVORED GOLF TEES

Cross-Reference to Related Applications:

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/817,636 entitled "FLAVORED GOLF TEES" filed in the name of Packes, Jr. et al. on June 29, 2006, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Technical Field of the Disclosure:

This disclosure generally relates to golf tees, and in particular relates to flavored golf tees and methods of manufacturing the same.

Background of the Disclosure:

With the recent popularity boom of the game of golf, there are more golfers now than ever before. As such, golf product manufacturers have begun to provide golfers with more selections in golf gear, from clubs and bags to golf accessories. One such accessory is the golf tee, which is a staple to the game of golf. Little has been done to change the golf tee over the past century besides increasing tee size to accommodate today's larger clubs, and offering golf tees in various colors and materials. Some golfers prefer colored tees, but the in general tees are colored purely for cosmetic and aesthetic reasons. Specialty companies are producing specialty tees, such as low resistance tees, slice-proof tees, and others, but such tees represent only a fraction of the golf tee market. It appears that golfers largely prefer standard wooden golf tees.

Wooden golf tees present some problems to manufacturers, golfers, and the environment. First, most wooden golf tees are coated with a varnish and/or a paint layer. Both coatings comprise chemicals that may be harmful to both golfers and the environment. Golfers also tend to hold a golf tee in their mouths, for example, while selecting a club, washing a ball, or just waiting to tee off. This may be dangerous, since traditional tees are not sanitized, and the chemicals in the varnish or paint on the tee may expose golfers to health risks if ingested, especially over time or with substantial exposure. Prior flavored golf tees have been produced with untreated, yet unsanitized materials.

Accordingly, there is a need for a tee that is environmentally safer, and which may be safely enjoyed by humans, while remaining useful for standard golf play. Summary of the Disclosure:

Disclosed are various embodiments of a flavored and sanitized golf tee, and methods for manufacturing the same. Such flavored golf tee may be made from any of a variety of known or hereinafter developed materials suitable for use as a golf tee, and to which one or more types of flavorings may be applied. The golf tees may be sterilized or sanitized in any of a variety of manners, before and/or after application of the flavoring. The flavoring may be applied in any of a variety of known manners.

Various configurations of flavored golf tee are likewise described.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

Further aspects of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of its various embodiments, provided below, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, of which:

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an exemplary golf tee suitable for flavoring according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for sanitizing and flavoring a golf tee, according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description of the Disclosure:

By the disclosed process, flavored golf tees can be created which are much more beneficial than standard golf tees. Traditional golf tees are sometimes colored with a paint or dye, and then generally coated with a varnish or finishing coat for cosmetic reasons. Such chemicals have negative impacts on both the environment, and the people handling the chemical-laden golf tees. Out of habit, many golfers will temporarily hold a golf tee in their mouth, i.e. when taking a swing or when needing both hands to, for example, select a club, get a golf ball, remove or replace a headcover, etc. When a golfer does this with a standard painted varnished tee, the results can sometimes be unpleasant, such as paint chipping off into the golfer's mouth and/or splintering of the underlying wood. Such unpleasant side effects only add to stress and tension of the golfer, nonetheless many golfers continue with this habit. Flavored golf tees, made of sufficiently resilient material, can eliminate these problems, and indeed enhance the golfing experience. The flavored and sanitized golf tees disclosed herein can also help to provide a gauge for golfers to identify when they are too tense. If the golfer finds herself biting down on the tee, she is most likely too tense and should relax. Since the tee is in the golfer's mouth, the golfer receives instant, passive and pleasing feedback on her level of tension. Since flavored golf tees are sterilized and non-toxic, the golfer can feel comfortable with the flavored golf tee. The flavored golf tees now described can be manufactured to be completely safe to humans, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. Turning now to FIG. 1, therein is depicted an example of a golf tee that may be made of a variety of materials. In one embodiment, the material is a piece of turned wood (in woodworking, 'turned' is a term of art referring to cut using a lathe) in the shape of a golf tee. The wood may be a maple hardwood, white birch, or any other variety of wood. In another embodiment, the material is a molded, turned, or carved edible or non-toxic substance, such as plastic, hard candy, compressed cardboard (e.g., lollipop stick), or any other material to which flavor can be added. The material may be any shape suitable for allowing a golf ball to rest at or above ground level. The flavored golf tee would behave similarly to a conventional golf tee in that it will serve its purpose as a golf tee, and for example, maintain conformity with organizations that dictate the rules of golf, yet will provide many additional benefits over conventional golf tees.

Turning now to FIG 2, therein is depicted an exemplary process 200 by which the flavored golf tee is manufactured, flavored, and then prepared for distribution to users. Prior to, or in conjunction therewith, the process 200 may include selecting a material for the flavored golf tee and turning, carving or otherwise forming the material into a shape appropriate for allowing a golf ball to rest at or above ground level. Alternatively, pre-manufactured, uncoated golf tees may be acquired and used. Other materials with at least a minimal strength may be used as well, such as sugar- based material, hard candy, plastics, and other natural and artificial materials. For example, a block of hard candy may be turned and shaped into a golf tee.

At step 201 of the process 200, the material itself is sanitized or sterilized prior to application of the flavoring. The sanitization may be performed in any of a variety of manners, including one or more of: heating the material to a temperature that is sufficient to kill microorganisms and the like, yet low enough to avoid sintering, burning or other deformation of the material; subjecting the material to irradiation, such as ultraviolet, microwave, gamma or any other suitable type of radiation that can kill microorganisms and the like while maintaining the integrity of the material; and using a chemical sterilization process, such as an ethylene oxide sterilization process. The sanitization may also be performed by any other sterilization process that complies with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and/or International Standards Organization (ISO) standards.

In some cases, the material from which the flavored golf tees are made may not need to be sterilized directly, if it is either naturally sterilized and/or sanitary, or if it is created in a sterilized or sanitary manner. In such case, the use of such material may be incorporated at step 201 herein.

Next, at step 202, at least one flavor is added or applied to the material to create a flavored golf tee. Golf tees can be flavored using any method of flavoring known, and may be flavored with any flavor applicable. . The application of flavor to the golf tees and/or material can be accomplished in many ways. The golf tees may be submerged in a flavored liquid for an amount of time, or a flavored liquid or powder may be applied to the golf tees (e.g., sprayed, dipped, etc.). In a dipping process, the golf tees may be dipped and dried a number of times to increase the lifetime of the flavoring applied to the material. The tees may be preheated to better enhance absorption of the flavoring by the golf tee material. The golf tees or flavoring applied thereto may include a chemical that reacts to a stimulus such as air, liquid (e.g., saliva), or another activating substance, at which time flavor is released or increased.

In various embodiments, the flavoring comprises a chemical, alcohol-based or nutritional substance approved for flavoring and human consumption by the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration. Flavors may include: mint, cherry, strawberry, grape, banana, apple, orange, peach, walnut, almond, hazelnut, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, espresso, cinnamon, sugar/sugarcane, lemon, lime, root beer, birch, cream soda, cola (i.e., Dr. Pepper™), peanut butter, pretzel, salt, bacon, cognac, scotch, rum, tequila, pina colada, Malibu™ rum, margarita, etc. Flavors may be mixtures of flavors, such as a margarita flavor. To create such a flavor, multiple flavors may be blended, such as tequila, triplesec (or orange), lime, and salt. Flavors may be complimentary flavors as well. For example, a salty flavor may be desirable for users drinking beer, so one or more salty flavored golf tees may be provided. Well known flavors of other companies, such as chocolate by NESTLE may be used, in which case the flavored golf tee provides a new avenue of marketing for such flavors.

Some flavors of flavored golf tees may serve to help freshen users' breath. As stated above many golfers choose to smoke tobacco products, and many golfers also drink alcohol. Those and many other factors including dehydration can cause bad breath. Flavored golf tees may help to freshen breath, especially flavors such as cinnamon, mint, peppermint, wintergreen, and many others. Further the flavored golf tees may help users' mouths stay wet; by providing flavors, users' salivary glands may produce more saliva and will lead to a wetter mouth, which in turn will prevent 'dry mouth' and help users feel less dehydrated. Well known breath treatments of other companies, such as by ALTOIDS and LISTERINE may be used, in which case the flavored golf tee provides a new avenue of marketing for such treatments.

Flavored golf tees may include nutritional ingredients, such as vitamins or other beneficial substances. For example, flavored golf tees may be coated with fluoride to help golfers maintain good oral hygiene. Flavored golf tees may also contain vitamins or other nutrients. For example, flavored golf tees may provide golfers with substances that will help battle fatigue or fight dehydration, or provide daily nutrients and vitamins for users.

In various embodiments, a flavoring may comprise a full or partial coating, or permeable or impermeable layer of a flavored and potentially sterilized/sanitary substance.

In various embodiments, flavoring is added to a golf tee after initial production. For example, a bag of golf tees may be sprayed with or dipped in a flavoring substance which also serves to sanitize the golf tees as an additional sanitizing step, as well as to flavor the golf tees. The flavoring may be heated to a sufficient temperature prior to application in order to provide such additional sanitization. In a production setting, existing golf tees may be sanitized, and flavored individually or in bulk.

Flavoring may be performed by a user, or a party other than a manufacturer. For example, a number of sanitized golf tees may be distributed to users, along with a means of flavoring the tees. A gel, spray, or powder may be provided to users, as well as a device to assist users in applying the flavor. For example, an aerosol or pump spray bottle which contains flavoring liquid may be provided to users so that the users can apply a flavor of their choice, in an amount of their choice. Also multiple flavors may be presented to users so that the users can combine flavors to suit their tastes.

In various embodiments, golf tees may be made using flavored material. For example, blocks of wood may be sanitized and flavored. The blocks may then be carved into golf tees. Further, leftover material from the manufacture of flavored items (e.g., flavored toothpicks, tongue depressors, etc.) may be used to manufacture flavored golf tees. For example, scrap wood from production of flavored toothpicks may be collected and shaped into a golf tee.

In various embodiments, the flavored material may comprise a flavored wrap. The flavored wrap would function to cover golf tee, and/or may be shaped to fit over the existing golf tee. The flavored wrap my further function to sanitize the golf tee. For example, a standard unsanitized golf tee may be coated with a flavored wax, effectively covering at least a portion of the golf tee, thus preventing a user from handling or putting his/her mouth on the unsanitized portion of the golf tee. In this embodiment, users may use standard, unsanitized golf tees, and place the flavored wrap over the golf tee. The flavored wrap may be edible as well, and/or may be biodegradable.

In various embodiments, flavored golf tees are created by coating standard, unsanitized golf tees with sanitized flavored material, thus creating a sanitized, flavored golf tee. The flavored material may comprise rubber, plastic, a sugar-based substance, or any other material that can be flavored and can be coated over at least a portion of a golf tee. The flavored golf tee may be completely coated in the flavored material, or a portion of the flavored golf tee may be coated in the flavored material.

In various embodiments, flavored golf tees may comprise little to no additional flavoring. There is a substantial benefit to offering to golfers sanitized golf tees, as golfers tend to hold tees in their mouths from time to time. Also, golfers may have adverse reactions to chemicals used in flavoring, and may prefer a natural flavored golf tee. Many woods have flavors to them, such as pine. Naturally flavored or naturally flavorless wood or other material may be used in the creation of flavored golf tees. Flavored golf tees may or may not be directly flavored using methods described throughout, and would provide similar benefits to golfers, and the environment.

Finally, at step 203, the flavored and sanitized golf tees are appropriately packaged for distribution to users. The flavored golf tees may be packaged in a way to maintain sterility and thus allow users to feel comfortable about putting the flavored golf tees in their mouths. Accordingly, the flavored and sanitized golf tees may be placed in a sealed package, such as a plastic or other suitable material. The packaging may be air-tight, water-tight, and/or vacuum-sealed to maintain sanitization and preserve the lifetime of the flavoring.

The packaging may provide a co-branding opportunity for the manufacturer of the flavored golf tees and any third party that desires to co-sponsor the product, such as a manufacturer of the flavoring used, a golf tournament sponsor, a corporate sponsor, or any other interested party. The flavored golf tees herein may be packaged individually for sale or distribution, or may be sold in quantities of five, ten, twenty, fifty or an other quantity of tee.

In addition to the steps and materials described with respect to the process 200 in the foregoing, various additional qualities and functionalities may be adapted for the flavored and sanitized tees described herein.

In various embodiments, flavored golf tees may themselves be color-coded based on their flavor. Harmless dyes such as food coloring or soy-based coloring may be applied to the wood used in the production of the flavored golf tees and/or the flavored golf tees themselves, in which the color corresponds to the flavor of tee (green dye applied to mint-flavored tees, red dye applied to cherry flavored tees, an so forth). Further, the flavoring substance may be colored, both of which will be absorbed by the flavored golf tee, giving it both a color and a flavor. Color will not only help users determine which flavors flavored golf tees are, but may also serve to enhance the flavor by providing a visual expectation of the flavor a user is about to receive.

Flavored golf tees may also be partially colored. For example, the tips of flavored golf tees may be colored corresponding to their flavors, and the rest of the golf tee may be natural wood. Alternatively, the flavored golf tee may have multiple colors, potentially corresponding to multiple flavors. For example, a flavored golf tee may comprise grape and strawberry flavors; the top half may be purple, and the bottom red. Any combination of colors and flavors can be used in the manufacture of flavored golf tees

In addition to, or instead of coloring the actual flavored golf tees, it may be preferable to tint or color the bag, box, or other container in which flavored golf tees are sold. For example, a bag in which strawberry flavored golf tees are sold may have a reddish tint. This would serve to instantly show a purchaser a flavor of the flavored golf tees, and enhance flavor as described above. Further, golfers may be more eager to play with a tee that is a neutral color; colored or tinted bags would serve a similar purpose and may potentially be more attractive to consumers.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the tees themselves may be branded or scored with textual or graphic information, including an identification of a flavor of the tee. Such branding may be applied in a variety of known manners which do not affect the safety of the tee for placement in the mouth. The branding may also indicate a sponsor or other thi rd party .

In another embodiment, golf tees may be made using flavored material. For example, blocks of wood may be sanitized and flavored. The blocks may then be carved into golf tees. Further, leftover material from the manufacture of flavored items (e.g., flavored toothpicks, tongue depressors, etc.) may be used to manufacture flavored golf tees. For example, scrap wood from production of flavored toothpicks may be collected and shaped into a golf tee.

Since flavored golf tees may be chewed or sucked on by users, the tees may have a rounded or flat tip to avoid choking or oral injury. This may prevent users from cutting their mouths while sucking on or chewing on the flavored golf tee. In most cases a flattened or rounded tip will not make it more difficult for a golfer to insert the flavored golf tee into the ground. Also, golfers reaching into their pockets for a tee will be less likely to puncture their fingers, hands, or otherwise hurt themselves reaching for a tee. Tees, after a drive, often fly upwards, backwards, or forwards. Tees with a rounded or blunt tip will be less likely to injure other golfers or animals, if either are struck with an airborne tee.

In various embodiments, the flavored golf tees can have one or more score marks, or cuts on the shaft of the tee. Such score marks can help golfers, in that the tee can be easily broken in one or more places. The act of scoring golf tees works especially well with flavored golf tees, as oftentimes a user will discard the flavored golf tee after a single use. As such, score marks on the flavored golf tee will provide users with an option to customize the length of the flavored golf tee to suit their shot or club selection, in addition to promoting golf tee purchases and increased sales volumes for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Conventional golf tees would benefit from score marks for this very reason. Further, score marks on conventional golf tees will also encourage golfers to discard the golf tee after use, leading to increased sales of golf tees. Also, score marks on golf tees may help users determine the appropriate tee depth for a particular club or shot. For example, a bottom score mark may be for fairway woods, a middle score mark may be for mid irons, and a top score mark may be for short irons. Or, the score marks can represent ball flight characteristics. For example, if a user depresses the golf tee into the ground to a bottom score mark, the ball may fly high, whereas if the user depresses the golf tee into the ground to an upper score mark, the ball may have more of a low, boring trajectory. Users can then depress the golf tee into the ground up to the desired score mark, based on their club and/or shot.

In various embodiments, flavored and sanitized tees may be manufactured to have a hollow core, or one or more holes through the tee. Such a tee would help prevent a user from choking, if the user happens to accidentally swallow the tee. Further, a tee with a hollow center may provide other benefits, including easier insertion into hard ground. Also, it will be easier for a user to see if a tee had been used, as the center may have dirt or residue from a golf course inside of it. The tee may instead or in addition have holes drilled through the top or cup of the tee, that extend down only to beneath the cup. Such holes again may help users who accidentally swallow the tee. Flavored golf tees can be used in novel ways, not possible with conventional tees. For example, flavored golf tees could be used to serve foods such as finger foods at a golf themed party. Flavored golf tees can further be used instead of toothpicks, and may be preferred as the likelihood of accidental swallowing is mitigated as tasty golf tees are larger than toothpicks, and are easier for a user to hold in his or her mouth and/or between his or her teeth. Flavored golf tees are a great alternative to chewing gum, which can provide high levels of sugar and/or artificial flavoring, and is difficult to clean up if the chewing gum is discarded in an irresponsible manner (e.g., stuck to pavement, stuck to grass on a golf course, etc.).

Smoking, specifically cigar smoking, has been associated with golf and golfers since the dawn of the sport. Flavored golf tees may assist golfers in reducing smoking, as the flavored golf tee will serve as a physical substitute for a cigar or cigarette. Golfers tend to place their cigars or cigarettes on the grass of the golf course while taking shots, allowing the tobacco product to absorb the lethal pesticides and other chemicals found on golf courses. The golfer then directly absorbs said chemicals while smoking the tobacco product, which is extremely unhealthy. Thus, flavored golf tees will help reduce smoking in golfers by providing a physical and mental substitute to smoking, which will keep golfers healthier and golf courses less littered with cigarette and cigar butts. Also, flavored golf tees are an alternative to harmful chewing tobacco usage.

Besides the health and cosmetic benefits of the disclosed flavored golf tees, there are additional environmental benefits to reducing smoking on the golf course by any amount. For example, for every cigarette or cigar smoked, or match lit, there is a risk of fire on the golf course, which could result in not only damage to the course and environment, but also injury or death. This is especially true on smaller golf courses, which may not have an irrigation and/or sprinkler system, and golf courses in hot and dry climates. Flavored golf tees will reduce smoking on golf courses as golfers will be preoccupied with the flavor of the flavored golf tee, and the physical and mental substitute to smoking they provide. As such, flavored golf tees are extremely beneficial over conventional golf tees in preventing accidents such as fires, in addition to the many other benefits disclosed throughout.

Although the best methodologies have been particularly described in the foregoing disclosure, it is to be understood that such descriptions have been provided for purposes of illustration only, and that other variations both in form and in detail can be made thereupon by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, which is defined first and foremost by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for flavoring golf tees, comprising: sanitizing a golf tee; and applying a flavoring to the golf tee, after said sanitizing.

2. The method of claim 1, said golf tee comprising a wood.

3. The method of claim 2, said wood comprising one of a maple hardwood and a birch.

4. The method of claim 1, said sanitizing comprising at least one of: heating the golf tee to a non-sintering temperature, irradiating the golf tee, and subjecting the golf tee to an ethylene oxide sterilization process.

5. The method of claim 1, said flavoring comprising at least one of: cherry, strawberry, grape, mint, banana, apple, orange, peach, walnut, almond, hazelnut, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, espresso, cinnamon, sugarcane, lemon, lime, liquor, liqueur, soda and cola.

6. The method of claim 1 , said applying further comprising: dipping the golf tee in a flavoring.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: dipping the golf tee in the flavoring a plurality of times.

8. The method of claim 1 , said applying comprising at least one of: spraying a flavoring on the golf tee, and forming a candy coating on the golf tee.

9. The method of claim 1 , said applying further comprising an additional sanitizing step.

10. The method of claim 9, said additional sanitizing step comprising applying a heated flavoring to the golf tee.

1 1. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: storing the golf tee in a sealed package, after said applying.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: storing the golf tee in a water-tight package, after said applying.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: coloring the golf tee, wherein the color visually corresponds to the flavoring applied to the golf tee.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: distributing said golf tee with a co-branded package.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the golf tee comprises a rounded tip.

16. A golf tee, comprising: a sanitized material, and a flavoring applied to the sanitized material.