Abstract:
Disclosed is a candy storage and dispenser device. A multi-compartment dispensing device offers a unique device for storing and dispensing candy. Accordingly, multiple types and/or colors of candy may be contained in a transparent housing to create a very colorful presentation. Any number of candy types, including powdered, beads, pellets and the like, may be stored and dispensed with the multi-compartment device. The compartments each include movable floors controlled by actuators. When the floors are lowered in a sloping manner, contained candies fall into a chamber positioned beneath the compartments. A dispensing aperture in the chamber allows the candies to exit the container. One version comprises a flute-shaped device having an operational mouthpiece.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/927,250 filed Aug. 26, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for storing and dispensing candy. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Yearly candy sales in the United States top $10 billion. Moreover, candy sales are expected to grow 3%-5% per year for the next five years. A rapidly growing trend in the candy industry is interactive candy or candy that is packaged with dispensers. Many dispensers are meant to be collectibles, while others are promotional, often used for movie or video game tie-ins. 
         [0004]    Candy dispensers come in many different shapes and sizes. One of the first candy dispensers was known as the “Pixy-Stix.” A Pixy-Stix is a closed paper tube, which resembles a straw, containing powdered and colored candy. In order to consume the candy, a user tears or bites off an end of the tube and pours the candy into their hands or mouth. U.S. Pat. No. 2,901,357 to Epstein illustrates one such paper tube. Unfortunately, when bitten or placed in one&#39;s mouth, ends of the paper tube become saturated with saliva causing the tube to seal unexpectedly. In response, a user must manually re-open the tube. The entire process tends to be messy and the mixture of powdered candy and saliva creates an undesirable paste-like substance. 
         [0005]    Consequently, there have been numerous attempts to develop alternative dispensers for powdered candy and other small candy items. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,138,249, 5,853,112 and 6,139,393 disclose such dispensers. However, each of the disclosed dispensers suffers from one or more drawbacks. That is, the dispensers are unsafe for children (e.g., have small detachable parts), complex and burdensome to manufacture and/or lack versatility. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there continues to be the need for an aesthetically pleasing candy dispenser remedying the drawbacks of previous dispensers while accomplishing the objective of dispensing candy in a manner entertaining to its users. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a compartmentalized container for segregating different types and/or colors of candy. In one embodiment, the container takes the shape of a flute wherein multiple candy compartments are formed along its length. In the flute embodiment, each compartment may accommodate different candy (e.g., powder, small candy beads or pellets, etc.) and/or different colored candies. To enhance the flute-shaped dispenser, the flute includes an operational mouthpiece for creating an audible tone. A release mechanism provides a means for the user to dispense the candy through, for example, the mouthpiece of the flute. 
         [0008]    Ideally, the container is fabricated of a transparent plastic so that the user may observe the various candies in the multiple compartments. In this manner, a rainbow of candy colors can be created to enhance the appearance of the dispenser. 
         [0009]    While a flute has been described, other shapes, including a harmonica, whistle or animals, may be used to form the container. Other features, variations and embodiments will become evident from the detailed description, drawings and claims set forth below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a first flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the first flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional width view along direction A of the first flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a transparent side view of a second flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a view of a wall of the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of covers open in the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective upper view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective side view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 10-11  shows perspective cut-away views of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0021]    Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first top and side view of a flute embodiment generally referred to by reference numeral  100 . The flute  100  comprises a mouthpiece  110 , multiple compartments  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 , dividing walls  117  release unit  120 , filler openings  125  and filler opening covers  130 . The filler opening covers  130  are joined to the flute  100  by hinges  127  which allow the covers  130  to be opened by applying pressure in a sideways direction. In other words, the covers  130  rotate in a direction denoted by B in  FIG. 1  about a top of the flute  130 . The flute  100  may be made of any suitable material but ideally transparent plastic is used. The use of transparent material allows the candy  135  to be seen while contained in the flute  100 . The candy  135  may be packaged in the flute  100  at the manufacturing facility and delivered to the retail outlets accordingly. As described in detail below, once the candy  135  is dispensed by a user, the flute  100  may include means for allowing the user to refill the flute  100  as desired. 
         [0022]    The release unit  120  provides means for dispensing the contained candy  135 . While the release unit  120  shown is a knob, it can also be a lever, button, handle, finger, rib or similar feature. In a first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , each compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6  includes an aperture  140  in a wall  117  thereof. The size of the apertures  140  dictates the size of the candy  135  that may be readily contained and dispensed by the flute  100 . To dispense the candy  135  the release unit  120  is pulled away or lifted from the flute container  100  thereby opening an internal movable cover  150  of the aperture  140 - 1  in the mouthpiece  110 . The cover  150  moves along parallel tracks  155  in the wall  117 - 1 . Then, the user tilts the flute container  100  and pours the candy  135  through the compartment apertures  140 , including the opened mouthpiece aperture  140 - 1 , and into their hand or mouth. The release mechanism  120  is attached to the cover  150  of the mouthpiece aperture  140 - 1  by an elongated substantially rigid member  165 . A spring  170  and disc  175  interact to force the cover  150  to its closed position once the user releases the knob  120 . A locking mechanism (not shown) may also hold the knob  120  in an open position until the user is ready to close the aperture  140 - 1 . 
         [0023]    In a second embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , each compartment aperture  140  incorporates a movable cover  150 . In the second embodiment, each of the compartment covers  150 , including the mouthpiece cover  150 - 1 , is controlled by the release mechanism  120 . Thus, once the release mechanism  120  is pulled away from the flute  100 , each of the compartment covers  120  is moved to an open position allowing the candy  135  to flow freely from the compartments  115 - 1  through  115 - 6  and into the user&#39;s mouth or hands. A rod  180  connected to the substantially rigid member  165  joins each cover  150 - 1  through  150 - 6 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a slot  185  in each compartment wall  117 - 1  through  117 - 6  allows the rod  180  to move vertically such that the covers  150 - 1  through  150 - 6  may open. Upon release of the knob  120 , the spring  170  and disc  175  force the covers  150 - 1  through  150 - 6  to their closed position. 
         [0024]    In a third embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  a shaft  200  extends the length of the flute  100  and rotatably attaches at a first end to a compartment wall  117 . Ideally, the first end of the shaft  200  resides within a cylindrical or circular channel  205  having one open end. The shaft  200  supports one or more covers  210 . In an embodiment similar to that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the shaft  200  supports a cover  210  for each compartment aperture  140 . Upon turning the shaft  200  (as indicated by the arrow) via knob  220  affixed to a second end of the shaft  200 , the covers  210  move to allow the candy to flow through the compartment apertures  140 . Friction between the first end of the shaft  200  and circular channel wall restrains the shaft  200  and covers  210  in a fixed position until acted on by the user. Alternatively, the channel  205  and first end of the shaft  200  may each be threaded to facilitate a secure engagement therebetween. 
         [0025]    The size of the compartment apertures  140  and mouthpiece aperture  140 - 1  dictate the size of the candy  135  which can be suitably contained and dispensed by the flute  100 . Accordingly, the flute  100  may accommodate powdered candy, small candy items and/or coated candy. Different candies may be mixed and matched as desired. For example, a rainbow effect may be created by placing different colored candies in each transparent compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 . Refilling the flute  100  may be accomplished by pouring candy  135  through each individual external opening of the compartments  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 . Similarly, a user may retrieve candy from each compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6  individually by opening the filler opening cover  130  and pouring the candy  135  from the desired compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 8-11  show a fourth embodiment of the present invention generally referred to by reference numeral  300 . In this embodiment, the flute  300  comprises a series of individual compartments  310 - 1  through  310 - 8  with a common chamber  320  extending lengthwise along the flute  300  beneath each compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8 . Individual floors  315  associated with each compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8  are configured to descend in a sloping manner as shown with compartment  310 - 2  in  FIGS. 9-11 . Causing floor  315 - 2  to descend is accomplished by depressing a corresponding actuator  325 - 2 . Each actuator  325  is attached to a floor  315  such that the actuator  325  is able to cause the floor  315  to descend, about a hinge  330  or similar mechanism, in a sloping manner. As the floor  315  slopes, the candy stored in the corresponding compartment  310  falls into the common chamber  320  therebelow. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the hinge  330  is spring-biased such that once pressure is removed from the actuator  325 , the spring-biased hinge  330  causes the floor  315  and actuator  325  to return to normal positions. Alternatively, springs (not shown) may also be positioned between the actuators  325  and an upper surface of the flute  300 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of actuator  325 /floor  315  configurations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, each actuator  325  or a single actuator is linked to each floor  315  such that candies in each compartment are dispensed simultaneously. In another embodiment, a single floor extends beneath each compartment  325  and is controlled by one or more actuators. 
         [0029]    It is also recognized that only a portion of the floor  315  (or lower surface) may be movable. For example, one-half of the floor  315  may be controlled by the actuator  325  rather than the entire floor  315 . 
         [0030]    Once the candy enters the common chamber  320  it is free to exit the flute  300  via dispensing aperture  330 . In one embodiment, the dispensing aperture  330  is permanently open and in another embodiment, it may be opened and closed by a user. Multiple candies may be dispensed simultaneously by depressing multiple actuators  325  simultaneously. The dispensing aperture  330  is sized to accommodate the types of candies stored within the flute  300 . In one embodiment, each compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8  may be refilled via an opening (not shown) in the compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8 . In an alternative embodiment, the flute  300  is does not include refill openings. Like the other embodiments, the flute  300  can be fabricated of transparent materials (e.g., plastic) so that different colored candies may be used to create an attractive candy presentation. 
         [0031]    While it is not mandatory, the flute  100 ,  300  may be made operational by utilizing the mouthpiece  110 . To create an audible tone the mouthpiece  110  incorporates an opening  170  and restrains a ball  175 . Therefore, as air is blown through the mouthpiece  110  the ball  175  blocks a portion of the opening  170  causing the creation of an audible tone. Also, in an alternative embodiment, buttons or actuators  325  along the flute container  100 ,  300  may be functional to allow the flute  100 ,  300  to discharge multiple tones and notes. 
         [0032]    Even though the description has focused on a flute embodiment, any number of other container shapes are conceivable. For example, a container having a harmonica or whistle shape may incorporate multiple compartments for containing different types and/or colors of candies. Indeed, the shape does not need to be of an instrument or related sound-generating device. That is, the device may take any form, including that of animals (e.g., snake, alligator or shark). In fact, the shape may be dictated by a movie promotion or similar external influence. 
         [0033]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.