Abstract:
A plurality of candy and gum containers with a variety of shapes and features. The shapes of the different embodiments include a guitar, a racecar, a surfboard, a book, a star, a rectangle, a lighter and an ice cream cone. All embodiments are made of metal and the upper portion of each embodiment can be hinged together to the lower portion of that embodiment or the upper portion of each embodiment can be separated from the lower portion of that embodiment. Certain embodiments of the candy and gum containers provide a quick release mechanism for providing easy access to the contents of the containers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/266,624 filed Oct. 9, 2002. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to candy and gum storage containers having a variety of shapes.  
         DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
         [0003]    There are many types of containers and objects with ornamental designs. Most of these containers and objects have at least some functional purpose, such as lunch boxes and candy tins. These containers can vary greatly in size and shape, as is shown in the related art.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 343,116 issued to Reger, outlines an ornamental design for a package for confectionery products.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 382,476 issued to Bell, outlines an ornamental design for a box for candy and nuts.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 408,211 issued to Cordell, outlines an ornamental design for a cake pan in the shape of a car.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 424,931 issued to Teasdale et al., outlines an ornamental design for a packaged food carton.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 431,463 and Des. 437,219 issued to Gallart et al., outlines ornamental designs for a package for confectioneries.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 438,115 issued to Caldwell, outlines an ornamental design for a domed display lid for a decorative box.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. Des. 460,354 issued to Goldiner et al., outlines an ornamental design of a skull box.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,945 issued to Kirkland, outlines the use of a container structure suitable for containing non-beverage materials, such as solid or semi-solid foods or non-food items. The container structure is sized and shaped to be dispensed from a vending machine and configured for dispensing conventional drink cans. Accordingly, food items and non-food items alike may be made readily available to the public from conventional canned vending machines.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,211 issued to Greiner, outlines the use of a decorative container for displaying items in internal cavities and includes an inner container and an outer container, defining a hollow region therebetween. The decorative container also includes a plurality of dividers within the hollow region separating the region into a plurality of internal cavities. The outer container also includes a removable plate, configured to provide access to each of the internal cavities, so that decorative objects within the internal cavities can be easily changed or rearranged.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,163 issued to Coleman et al., outlines a morphing candy holding device that includes a main housing with a primary chamber and secondary chamber. The primary chamber includes an aperture through which a piece of candy secured in the primary chamber can be pushed upward for consumption by a consumer. A lower housing includes a candy stick holder in the primary chamber which pushes the candy up through the aperture for consumption. A secondary electrical circuit includes a power source, an integrated circuit and a control switch for controlling the electrical circuitry. The electrical circuitry in addition to the integrated circuit includes four LED lights which are in a series from a bottom of the secondary chamber to an upper end of the chamber. The LED lights shine through a series of transition pictures which change from one form to another form from the lower end of the secondary chamber to the upper end of the secondary chamber.  
           [0014]    Web site URL www.rmpalmer.com, outlines candy that is placed in a container in the shape of various racecar tins.  
           [0015]    Web site URL www.anniems.com, outlines tins and confections from a Wizard of OZ theme in various shapes and pictures.  
           [0016]    Each of the previously described patents and Web site URLs outline decorative containers for various uses. However, only the www.rmpalmer.com Web site and the www.annieems.com Web site outline decorative containers that are used for storing candy and gum. Although useful, these containers are not hinged and are not designed to be used repeatedly over a long period of time. That would be something of interest to candy and gum users, candy and gum containers that are uniquely ornamental, yet can be hinged and durable to be used over and over again. The existing containers also do not provide a quick release mechanism for easily opening a sealed container. It would be beneficial to provide a means for easily gaining access to the contents of the containers.  
           [0017]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0018]    The invention is a plurality of candy and gum containers with a variety of shapes and features. The shapes of the different embodiments include a guitar, a racecar, a surfboard, a book, a star, a rectangle, a lighter and an ice cream cone. All embodiments are made of metal and the upper portion of each embodiment can be hinged together to the lower portion of that embodiment or the upper portion of each embodiment can be separated from the lower portion of that embodiment.  
           [0019]    An additional embodiment of the present invention comprises a quick release candy and gum container. The quick release candy and gum container provides a quick release mechanism for releasing the top portion of the container from a closed position on the bottom portion. The quick release mechanism is preferably located on the top surface of the candy and gum container. The quick release mechanism is in the form of a press-to-open button that releases the top portion of the container from the bottom portion of the container when a force is applied to the button.  
           [0020]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide decorative candy and gum containers in a variety of decorative shapes.  
           [0021]    It is another object of the invention to provide decorative candy and gum containers with hinged closeable tops.  
           [0022]    It is a further object of the invention to have an aesthetically pleasing way for people to store candy and gum.  
           [0023]    It is a further object of the invention to have a reusable container for storing candy and gum that is also aesthetically pleasing.  
           [0024]    Still a further object of the invention to provide a container for storing candy and gum that includes a quick release mechanism for easily separating the top and bottom portions of the container.  
           [0025]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a guitar embodiment of a candy and gum container, according to the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is an exploded overhead perspective view of a guitar embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is an overhead perspective view of a hinged guitar embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is an exploded overhead perspective view of a racecar embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4A is an exploded overhead perspective view of a second racecar embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is an overhead perspective view of a hinged racecar embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is an exploded overhead perspective view of a surfboard embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a compact embodiment of a candy and gum container with an inside mirror.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is an exploded overhead perspective view of a star embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9 is an exploded overhead perspective view of an ice cream cone embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 10 is a front overhead perspective view of a book embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 11 is a front overhead perspective view of a lighter embodiment of a candy and gum container.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 12 is an environmental, perspective view of a surfboard shaped candy and gum container depicting the quick release mechanism.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the surfboard shaped candy container depicting the separated top and bottom portions.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 14 is a side view of the surfboard shaped candy container depicting the top portion in a closed position over the top portion.  
         [0042]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]    The present invention is a candy and gum container  10 , as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the candy and gum container  10  is shown with candy C being stored in the candy and gum container  10 .  
         [0044]    The first embodiment of the candy and gum container  10  is in the shape of a guitar and is comprised of a top portion  20  and a bottom portion  30 , the top portion  20  having a top surface  22  and sidewalls  24  on the perimeter of the top surface  22  and the bottom portion  30  having a bottom surface  32  and sidewalls  34  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  32 , the top portion  20  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  30 , forming the container  10  for holding candy C and the like. The top portion  20  and bottom portion  30  can also be completely separated and opened into two separate pieces that form the candy and gum container  10 .  
         [0045]    In another embodiment of the candy and gum container  10 , the top portion  20  can also be hinged together with a small wire hinge  45  to the bottom portion  30 , allowing the candy and gum container  10  to be opened and closed as desired by the user. Similar hinged and non-hinged candy containers are known in the related art, however, the point of novelty with this embodiment of the candy and gum container  10  is its decorative guitar shape. The candy and gum container  10  is made of metal and is aesthetically made in the shape of a guitar. The hinged and non-hinged candy and gum containers  10  are structurally identical, except for the hinge  45  being added to the hinged candy and gum container  10 . Both candy and gum containers are shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.  
         [0046]    An additional embodiment of the invention includes a candy and gum container that is in the shape of a racecar  50 , as is shown in FIG. 4. Like the first embodiment, this candy and gum container  50  is comprised of a top portion  60  and a bottom portion  70 , the top portion  60  having a top surface  62  and sidewalls  64  on the perimeter of the top surface  62  and the bottom portion  70  having a bottom surface  72  and sidewalls  74  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  72 , the top portion  60  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  70 , forming a cavity (not shown) within the candy and gum container  50  for holding candy and gum and the like. The middle of the top surface  66  is raised to represent a racecar roof, while the front of the top surface  67  represents a racecar hood. The back of the top surface  65  represents a racecar trunk. This candy and gum container  50  can have a separate top portion  60  and a separate bottom portion  70  or have the top portion  60  hinged to the bottom portion  70  with a small wire hinge  85 , as shown in FIG. 5. The point of novelty of this candy and gum container  50  is also its overall shape, which is in the shape of a racecar and is depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.  
         [0047]    An additional embodiment of the racecar tin is depicted in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A depicts stylized racecar  350 . The stylized racecar  350  comprises a top portion  360  having a top surface  362  and a bottom portion  370  having a bottom surface  372 . The top portion includes a front windshield  364 , a rear window  368  and two side windows  366 . A back bumper portion  369  is also included on the top portion. The bottom portion further comprises a plurality of wheel portions  376  and fin  374 . This candy and bum container  350  can have a separate top and bottom portion as depicted in FIG. 4A, or have the top portion  350  hinged to the bottom portion  370  in the same manner as depicted in FIG. 5.  
         [0048]    An additional embodiment of the invention includes a candy and gum container that is in the shape of a surfboard  90 , as is shown in FIG. 6. Like the previous embodiment, this candy and gum container  90  is comprised of a top portion  100  and a bottom portion  110 , the top portion  100  having a top surface  102  and sidewalls  104  on the perimeter of the top surface  102  and the bottom portion  110  having a bottom surface  112  and sidewalls  114  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  112 , the top portion  100  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  110 , forming a cavity (not shown) within the candy and gum container  90  for holding candy and gum and the like. This candy and gum container  90  can have a separate top portion  100  and a separate bottom portion  110  or have the top portion  100  hinged to the bottom portion  110  with a small wire hinge (not shown). The point of novelty of this candy and gum container  90  is also its overall shape, which is in the shape of a surfboard and is depicted in FIG. 6.  
         [0049]    An additional embodiment of the invention includes a candy and gum container that is in the shape of a rectangle  120 , as is shown in FIG. 7. Like the previous embodiments, this candy and gum container  120  is comprised of a top portion  130  and a bottom portion  140 , the top portion  130  having a top surface  132  and sidewalls  134  on the perimeter of the top surface  132  and the bottom portion  140  having a bottom surface  142  and sidewalls  144  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  142 , the top portion  130  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  140 , forming a cavity within the candy and gum container  120  for holding candy and gum and the like. This candy and gum container  120  can have a separate top portion  130  and a separate bottom portion  140  (not shown) or have the top portion  130  hinged to the bottom portion  140  with a small wire hinge  150 . There is also a mirror  160  provided on the inside of the top portion  130 . The point of novelty of this candy and gum container  120  is the presence of the mirror  160  and not its overall shape, which is in the shape of an ordinary rectangle and is depicted in FIG. 7.  
         [0050]    An additional embodiment of the invention includes a candy and gum container that is in the shape of a star  170 , as is shown in FIG. 8. Like the previous embodiments, this candy and gum container  170  is comprised of a top portion  180  and a bottom portion  190 , the top portion  180  having a top surface  182  and sidewalls  184  on the perimeter of the top surface  182  and the bottom portion  190  having a bottom surface  192  and sidewalls  194  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  192 , the top portion  180  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  190 , forming a cavity (not shown) within the candy and gum container  170  for holding candy and gum and the like. This candy and gum container  170  can have a separate top portion  180  and a separate bottom portion  190  or have the top portion  180  hinged to the bottom portion  190  with a small wire hinge (not shown). The point of novelty of this candy and gum container  170  is also its overall shape, which is in the shape of a star and is depicted in FIG. 8.  
         [0051]    An additional embodiment of the invention includes a candy and gum container that is in the shape of an ice cream cone  200 , as is shown in FIG. 9. Like the previous embodiments, this candy and gum container  200  is comprised of a top portion  210  and a bottom portion  220 , the top portion  210  having a top surface  212  and sidewalls  214  on the perimeter of the top surface  212  and the bottom portion  220  having a bottom surface  222  and sidewalls  224  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  222 , the top portion  210  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  220 , forming a cavity (not shown) within the candy and gum container  200  for holding candy and gum and the like. This candy and gum container  200  can have a separate top portion  210  and a separate bottom portion  220  or have the top portion  210  hinged to the bottom portion  220  with small wire hinges (not shown). The point of novelty of this candy and gum container  200  is also its overall shape, which is in the shape of an ice cream cone and is depicted in FIG. 9.  
         [0052]    An additional embodiment of the invention includes a candy and gum container that is in the shape of a book  230 , as is shown in FIG. 10. Like the previous embodiments, this candy and gum container  230  is comprised of a top portion  240  and a bottom portion  250 , the top portion  240  having a top surface  242  and sidewalls  244  on the perimeter of the top surface  242  and the bottom portion  250  having a bottom surface  252  and sidewalls  254  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  252 , the top portion  240  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  250 , forming a cavity (not shown) within the candy and gum container  230  for holding candy and gum and the like. This candy and gum container  230  can have a separate top portion  240  and a separate bottom portion  250  or have the top portion  240  hinged to the bottom portion  250  with small wire hinges  260 . The point of novelty of this candy and gum container  230  is also its overall shape, which is in the shape of a book and is depicted in FIG. 10.  
         [0053]    An additional embodiment of the invention includes a candy and gum container that is in the shape of a cigarette lighter container  270 , as is shown in FIG. 11. Like the previous embodiments, this candy and gum container  270  is comprised of a top portion  280  and a bottom portion  290 , the top portion  280  having a top surface  282  and sidewalls  284  on the perimeter of the top surface  282  and the bottom portion  290  having a bottom surface  292  and sidewalls  294  on the perimeter of the bottom surface  292 , the top portion  280  aligning together with and closing over the bottom portion  290 , forming a cavity (not shown) within the candy and gum container  270  for holding candy and gum and the like. This candy and gum container  270  can have a separate top portion  280  and a separate bottom portion  290  or have the top portion  280  hinged to the bottom portion  290  with small wire hinges  300 . There is also a small tab  310  to help to open the top portion  280  of the container  270 . The point of novelty of this candy and gum container  270  is also its overall shape, which is in the shape of a cigarette lighter and is depicted in FIG. 11.  
         [0054]    An additional embodiment of the surfboard shaped candy and gum container  90  is depicted in FIG. 12. The candy and gum container  90  depicted in FIG. 12 further comprises a quick release mechanism  101 . The quick release mechanism  101  is located on the top surface of the candy and gum container  90 . In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 the quick release mechanism is a press-to-open button. The quick release mechanism, however, is not limited in this manner and may be any quick release mechanism known to those in the field. The container depicted in FIG. 12 is the surfboard container  90 , however, the quick release mechanism may be applied to any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 13 depicts an exploded view of the present embodiment. The top portion  100  of the candy and gum container  90  further comprises a top lip  103 . A similar bottom lip  105  is located on the bottom portion  110  of the container  90 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 14 depicts the top portion  100  in a closed position over the bottom portion  110 . In the closed position the top lip  103  slides over the bottom lip  105  and secures the top portion  100  over the bottom portion  110 . The quick release mechanism  101  provides a means for easily releasing the top portion  100  from the bottom portion  110 . When a force is applied to the quick release mechanism  101  the top lip  103  is released and slides back over the bottom lip  105 . This releases the top portion  100  of the container  90  from the bottom portion  110 .  
         [0057]    All embodiments are made of metal and can be easily handled manually. The guitar embodiment of the candy and gum container  10  is approximately 113 mm. long, 68 mm. wide at its widest point and 13 mm. deep. The racecar embodiment of the candy and gum container  50  is approximately 62 mm. long, 40 mm. wide, (with rounded corners) and14 mm. deep. The surfboard embodiment of the candy and gum container  90  is approximately 3.5″ long, 1.25″ wide and 0.625″ deep. The rectangular embodiment of the candy and gum container  120  and the book embodiment of the candy and gum container  230  is approximately 2.375″ long, 1.625″ wide and 0.625″ deep. The star embodiment of the candy and gum container  170  is approximately 2.5″ in diameter and 1.0″ deep. The ice cream cone embodiment of the candy and gum container  200  is approximately 3.0″ long, 1.5″ wide at its widest point and 0.625″ deep. The lighter embodiment of the candy and gum container  270  is approximately 2.75″ long, 1.5″ wide and 0.50″ deep.  
         [0058]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.