Abstract:
A candy food product comprises a candy pop having a hard candy rod formed and supported at a support base, and a dispenser shaped as a personal electronic device for storing a plurality of confectionary powders. The dispenser includes a plurality of confectionary compartments for holding the confectionary powders. A lid selectively movable between an open and closed position sealingly engages the dispenser. A receptacle is formed in the dispenser proximate to the confectionary compartments and receives the candy pop therein.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a novelty candy dispenser and more particularly, to a hard candy pop that is removably received in an imitation electronic device containing multiple confectionary powders so that the candy pop can be dipped in a choice of the powders and thus be consumed in conjunction with the confectionary powder. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Lollipops and other hard candy pops have been traditionally placed on a stick to permit repeated removal and placement of the candy within one&#39;s mouth without having to touch the candy, thereby providing a convenient and sanitary means of consuming the candy product. Over the years, various hard candy pops have been produced in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and flavors. Additionally, candy pops have been formed around various supporting structures to provide additional novelty aspects to make the product more desirable. 
         [0005]    These and other hard candy pops and holder devices provide a fun alternative to the traditional candy pop. In particular, children are attracted to candy pops and holders that incorporate some novelty aspect in addition to the flavor of the hard candy of the pop. For this reason, many children will choose a candy pop that incorporates a novelty feature over the more traditional forms of candy, such as candy pops on a plain stick. 
         [0006]    While various configurations of candy pops include different sizes, shapes, single flavors, multi-flavors, and holders as novelty features to increase desire for the pops, probably the most important feature is flavor. Candy pops being essentially hard candy are primarily sugar and thus sweet. However, desired flavors are more than merely the sweetness of sugar, but also include recognizable flavors such as fruits to mimic naturally tasting foods we encounter in our nutritional intake. There are some favored combinations that include distinct flavor layers and textures as opposed to a homogenous hard candy incorporating all flavors into the hard candy such as caramel and apples or strawberries and chocolate. One such combination is a flavored hard candy pop that can be dipped into confectionary powder of a second flavor. 
         [0007]    Thus, what is desired is a novelty candy dispenser that incorporates both a hard candy flavored pop and multiple flavored confectionary powders in which the flavored pop can be dipped. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One aspect of the present invention is directed to a candy food dispenser including a candy pop having a confectionary product formed and supported by a holder and a container shaped as a personal electronics device for storing a confectionary powder. The container further defines a basin for holding the confectionary powder and has a closed bottom and sides and an open top, and a lid shaped as an element of the toy vehicle and sealingly engageable with the open top. A receptacle receiving the candy pop is formed in the toy vehicle container and located proximate to the basin. 
         [0009]    These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a candy dispenser for a confectionary powder including a candy pop embodying the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser illustrating an associated candy pop extracted therefrom; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser illustrating an associated candy pop being dipped in a compartment of confectionary powder; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the dispenser illustrating an optional belt clip. 
       
    
    
       [0015]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0017]    Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a candy food product  20  comprising a candy pop  30  that is removably retained in a dispenser  40  that is typically shaped and sized to mimic a personal electronic device such as an MP3 player and is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. Optionally, an exterior of dispenser  40  can have applied thereon a decal or appliqué (not shown) having the printed image of a personal electronic device thereon to further the resemblance of food product  20  to that of a personal electronic device. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  candy food product  20  includes a dispenser  40  having an external shape resembling the form of a personal electronic device. Dispenser  40  has a case  42  typically assuming a rectilinear form as shown wherein the width dimension is substantially less than the length and height dimensions. A plurality of dividers  44  are regularly spaced internal to and along the length of case  42  separating an interior of case  42  into a plurality of confectionary compartments  46 . Each confectionary compartment  46  is typically filled with a flavored confectionary powder  60 ,  62  of differing desired flavors. 
         [0019]    Thus, the multiple confectionary compartments  46  can contain a variety of different flavors of confectionary powders such as sour apple  60  in one compartment  46  and strawberry  62  in a different compartment  46  without the intermingling of flavors. Case  42  includes lids  48  which are selectively moveable between a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1  and an open position as shown in  FIG. 2  to seal confectionary compartments  46  thereby preventing confectionary powders  60 ,  62  from inadvertent spillage or contamination. Lids  48  may be slidably retained in a well known manner as shown in  FIG. 2  or may alternately be hinged at one end for hinged opening (not shown) also in a well known manner. 
         [0020]    As most clearly shown in  FIG. 2 , a candy pop  30  is shaped for storage in a central receptacle  45 . While receptacle  45  is illustrated as being centrally located within case  42 , those practiced in the art will readily recognize that dispenser  40  can be configured to house candy pop  30  in any location of receptacle  45  or confectionary compartments  46  by the selective positioning of lids  48 . Candy pop  30  includes a support base  34  having a hard candy rod  36  extending downward therefrom and a handle  32  on an opposite end of support base  34  for grasping by a user. Hard candy rod  36  and support base are shaped to closely fit within receptacle  45  for storage and to prevent contamination from dirt and other contaminants when the product is not being consumed by the user. 
         [0021]    In use, and as shown most clearly in  FIG. 3 , a user will extract candy pop vertically from receptacle  45  and can then begin to lick or suck on the free end of the hard candy rod extending from support base  34 . To enhance the flavor of hard candy rod  36 , the user can open one of lids  48  to gain access to one or more confectionary compartments  46 . The free end of candy rod  36  can then be inserted into the desired compartment  46  to contact the confectionary powder  60  therein. A quantity of confectionary powder  60  will then adhere to candy rod  36  at which time the user can extract candy rod  36  from compartment  46  and again lick or suck on the free end of candy rod  36  to enjoy the combined flavors of candy rod  36  and confectionary powder  60 . Alternatively, the user can also sequentially insert the free end of candy rod  36  in multiple confectionary compartments  46  to adhere more than one flavor of confectionary powders  60 ,  62  to candy rod  36  prior to consuming. When the user has satiated his or her desire for consumption of the candy, candy pop  30  can then be reinserted into receptacle  45  and lids  48  closed until the user again desires to be treated to candy pop  30  and confectionary powders  60 ,  62 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment candy product  120  is shown which is similar to candy product  20  and comprises a dispenser  140  in which are formed a plurality of confectionary compartments  146  for retaining different flavored confectionary powders and one receptacle  145  in which is retained a candy pop  130 . Dispenser  140  includes a case  142  to which is affixed a clip  180 . Clip  180  has a top end  182  that is affixed to a side of case  142  and a bottom end  184  that abuts the side of case  142  but is not affixed thereto. Clip  180  has a degree of resiliency such that bottom end can be marginally displaced from case  142  to receive between end  184  and case  142  an item such as a belt or an item of clothing such that candy product  120  can be secured to a users belt or item of clothing to prevent candy product  120  from being inadvertently lost from a clothing pocket in which it is stored or to permit the prominent display of candy product  120  by the user. 
         [0023]    In the foregoing description those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims expressly state otherwise.