Confection and safety support handle

A sucker is disclosed in which the edible portion cannot be separated from the stick. A support member for the edible is formed from a semi-rigid plastic material, including a loop-shaped handle portion, a body portion for the edible, and a coupling for fixably connecting the handle portion to the body portion. The body portion can be shaped for modeling a prototype such as a cartoon character or a vehicle. The body portion can be loop-shaped for enhancing the security of the edible, and the loop configuration can also simulate the object. The body and handle portions are formed with a lobed cross-sectional shape simulative of a rope for enhancing support of the edible material, and for a desired combination of strength, flexibility, and ease of gripping the handle portion. The edible material can include a first edible layer shaped for simulating a prototype object, and a second edible layer that is at least semi-transparent for permitting view of the first edible layer. A second loop-shaped handle portion can extend oppositely form the first for preventing full entry of the edible into the consumer's mouth.

DESCRIPTION 
The present invention is directed to a sucker or lollipop having a 
confectionery or medicinal edible material. With reference to the 
drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show, in accordance with one embodiment of the 
present invention, plan and isometric views of a sucker 10 having a 
throat-soothing spherical-shaped solidified edible 11 securely molded at 
the center of a thick and sturdy flatshaped wooden stick 13. 
The edible 11 is a throat-soothing edible composed of a medicinal blend of 
ingredients, substantially the same as that contained in cough or throat 
drops, tablets, and the like. Such composition of the edible 11 is 
particularly effective in bonding to the stick 13 when molded thereon as 
described below, such that the edible 11 is not subject to slipping along 
the stick 13, either prior to or during consumption thereof. 
Alternatively, the edible 11 is composed of a confectionery blend of 
ingredients or "hardcandy", substantially the same as that contained in 
hard sucker candy-type edibles. As further shown in FIG. 1, the stick 13 
can be formed with a centrally located passage 12 therethrough, the edible 
11 protruding the passage 12 for further securely holding the edible 11 
centrally located on the stick 13. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 show plan and isometric views of the sucker 10 having the 
edible 11 securely molded at the center of a round stick 14. As further 
shown in FIG. 3, the stick 14 can be formed with a centrally located 
protrusion 14a thereon for further securely holding the edible 11 in its 
centrally located position on the stick 14. The stick 14, as well as the 
stick 13, can formed of wood or a suitable plastic as further discussed 
below. 
FIGS. 5 and 6 show plan and isometric views of the sucker 10 having the 
edible 11 securely molded at the center of a stick 15 which is composed of 
a fairly resilient material such as spirally-twisted paper that has been 
bent and formed to provided two symmetrical looped handles 16, one on each 
side of the edible 11. More preferred, however, is the stick 15 being 
formed of a semi-rigid plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, 
Nylon.RTM., or the like, the stick 15 being formed with a solid 
cross-sectional shape simulative of twisted rope for enhancing the 
flexibility of the stick 15 while providing high tensile strength. 
Preferably, the stick 15 is molded as a continuous member, without 
splices, for maintaining full strength of the stick 15, even as the edible 
11 is eaten away. As most clearly shown in FIG. 7, the stick 15 has a 
non-circular crosssection, being formed with one or more lobes 18, the 
lobes 18 having a uniform cross-sectional shape along a curved stick axis 
20 that defines the loop-shaped handles 16. When there are two or more of 
the lobes 18 as shown in FIG. 7, the lobes 18 are symmetrically disposed 
about the stick axis 20. The lobes 18 are also helically shaped for 
simulating the strands of a rope, whereby a relatively large uniform 
cross-sectional area (and shape) is maintained along the handles 16, the 
pattern of the lobes 18 rotating about the stick axis 20 as the location 
of the cross-sectional pattern is moved along the stick 15. Thus the stick 
15 is locally uniformly strong and flexible in all directions about the 
stick axis 20. 
A further advantage of the lobed configuration of the stick 15 is that a 
relatively large surface area is presented for bonding to the edible 11, 
thereby enhancing the security of the centered position of the edible 11 
between opposite ends of the stick 15. 
With further reference to FIG. 8, a further improved configuration of the 
sucker 10 has the stick 15 including a coupling member 22 for joining 
opposite sides of the stick 15, the coupling member 22 further enhancing 
the structural integrity of the stick 15 and also the security of 
attachment of the edible 11 thereon. The coupling member 22 is preferably 
formed integrally with the stick 15 for maximum structural integrity and 
ease of manufacture. In the configuration of FIG. 8, the edible 11 is 
advantageously positively locked in its central location on the stick 15, 
being molded through a pair of lock passages 23 of the coupling 22. 
With further reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, another alternative configuration 
of the sucker 10 has the edible 11 securely molded on a support body 
portion 24 of the stick 15, a pair of the couplings 22 connecting the body 
portion 24 to the respective looped handles 16 of the stick 15. As shown 
in FIG. 9, the body portion 24 is ring-shaped, having generally the same 
cross-sectional shape as the handles 16 along a curved body axis 25. The 
ring-shaped configuration of the body portion 24 advantageously provides 
positive locking of the edible 11 thereon, without requiring interlocking 
engagement of the edible 11 with either of the couplings 22. Thus the 
couplings 22 can have a simple cylindrical configuration for facilitating 
clean termination of the molded edible 11 at its surface junction with the 
stick 15. In this respect, the term "cylindrical" is to be understood in 
its general sense, indicating a surface that is generated by a straight 
line segment that moves parallel to a fixed axis. Accordingly, the 
coupling 22 is shown in FIG. 10 as having a uniform rectangular section 
along a coupling axis 26. The rectangular cross-sectional shape of the 
coupling 22 is particularly easy to provide in tooling for the stick 15, 
as well as in secondary tooling for molding the edible 11 thereon. It will 
be understood that the coupling 22 can also be formed circularly or 
elliptically cylindrical about the coupling axis 26. 
In the configurations shown by FIGS. 5-10, the edible 11 can be molded as a 
spherical member having a diameter D, each handle 16 extending nominally 
to a length L from the center of the edible 11, the handles 16 also being 
formed with an overall width W. The semi-rigid material of the stick 15 
permits each handle 16 to be significantly deformed from the initially 
molded configuration when gripped in one's hand. However, each handle 16 
returns substantially to its initially molded length L and width W when it 
is released. The lobes 18 are smoothly contoured, a corresponding number 
of grooves 30 being formed therebetween, each groove 30 being formed to a 
depth .rho. below a major diameter d of the handles 16, the grooves 30 
also having a corresponding minor diameter .mu.. The lobes 18 are formed 
at a helix angle .alpha. as shown in FIG. 8. Preferably the helix angle 
.alpha. is approximately 45.degree. for providing a desirable combination 
of strength, flexibility, and ease of gripping by a consumer of the edible 
11. In the configuration of FIGS. 9 and 10, the major diameter of the 
handles 16 is designated d.sub.H, the body portion 24 also having a major 
cross-sectional diameter d.sub.B, The major diameter d.sub.H and the major 
cross-sectional diameter d.sub.B are preferably approximately equal for 
uniform strength of the stick 15 and for ease of manufacture, the body 24 
having a counterpart of the non-circular cross-sectional configuration of 
the handles 16 as described above. The coupling member 22 has a thickness 
t that is equal to or slightly greater than the major diameter d, a width 
w that is preferably at least approximately double the major diameter d, 
and a length l between the handles 16 and the body portion 24. Preferably 
the length l is sufficient for locating extremities of successive layers 
of the edible 11 thereon as described below for facilitating controlled 
application of the successive layers. The sucker 10 as discussed above in 
connection with FIGS. 5-10 is preferably formed with the diameter D on the 
order of 1.5 inches, the major diameter d being from about 0.125 inch to 
about 0.2 inch, more preferably from about 0.15 inch to about 0.19 inch. 
With further reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, in another preferred 
configuration of the sucker 10, the edible 11 is supported on a molded 
stick 28, the stick 28 having one of the looped handles 16, the handles 16 
being rigidly connected to a counterpart of the ring-shaped body portion 
24 by the coupling member 22. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the edible 11 
can be disc-shaped, having an outside diameter D and a thickness T. For 
example, the diameter D can be approximately 1.5 inches, and the thickness 
T can be approximately 0.75 inch. In this configuration, the edible 11 of 
the sucker 10 can be safely consumed without danger of premature 
swallowing of the edible 11 in that the body portion 24 is too large to be 
swallowed under ordinary circumstances. For this purpose, the body portion 
24 is formed with an outside diameter D.sub.B of at least approximately 
1.0 inch. The edible 11 is securely bonded to the stick 28, both 
surrounding and protruding the body portion 24. The non-circular 
cross-sectional configuration of the body portion 24 (including the lobes 
18) effectively retains the edible 11 in place on the body portion 24 as 
discussed above, even when so much of the edible 11 is dissolved away that 
the body portion 24 is exposed. Even in the unlikely event that the edible 
11 were to enter the throat of a consumer, removal thereof can be quickly 
effected by merely hooking on to a trailing portion of the handles 16. 
Moreover, the smoothly curved body axis 25 guards against injury to 
exposed mouth tissue of the consumer. 
With further reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a first edible layer 32 can be 
molded onto the body portion 24, the first edible layer 32 being shaped 
for simulating a prototype object such as a cartoon character 34. In 
further accordance with the present invention, a second edible layer 36 
covers the first edible layer 32, the second edible 36 being formed of a 
transparent or semi-transparent material for permitting the first edible 
layer 32 to be viewed through the second edible layer 36. Bonding of the 
second edible layer 36 to the first edible layer 32 is facilitated by 
similarities in the materials of the respective layers 32 and 36. 
Preferably the first edible layer 32 and the second edible layer 36 have 
similar mechanical properties and solubility, such that the first edible 
layer 32 begins to be consumed along with the second edible layer 36 when 
portions of the second edible layer 36 become completely consumed. 
Further, the second edible layer 36 completely encloses the first edible 
layer 32, promoting the structural integrity of the second edible 36. 
Moreover, as the second edible 36 is consumed, exposing portions of the 
first edible layer 32, the first edible layer 32 begins itself to be 
consumed, such that a smooth contour of the resulting envelope is 
maintained, such that the remaining portions of the second edible layer 36 
are not likely to be subjected to significant loads tending to separate 
the second edible layer 36 from the first edible layer 32. As further 
shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the second edible layer 36 is molded about the 
first edible layer 32 and portions of the coupling member 22, the outer 
contour of the second edible layer 36 being substantially independent of 
the contour of the first edible layer 32, thereby forming a wholly 
one-piece solidified edible. 
With further reference to FIG. 15, the body portion 24 itself can be shaped 
for simulating a prototype object (such as a cartoon character). In the 
configuration of FIG. 15, the second edible layer 36 has a substantially 
uniform thickness T.sub.2 for facilitating application of the second 
edible layer 36 such as by dipping. 
With further reference to FIG. 16, the edible 11 can be shaped for 
simulating a vehicle 38 such as a space vehicle. The body portion 24 of 
the stick 28 is similarly configured. As shown in FIG. 16, the first 
edible layer 32 is omitted for permitting direct view of the support 
member 24 through a counterpart of the second layer 36, designated 
transparent layer 40. 
It is the applicant's intent that each of the just-described 
throat-soothing edibles on a stick, the edible 11 on sticks 13, 14, and 
15, will be distributed for consumption to all groups in the general 
population. 
In the configuration of the invention shown as FIGS. 1-6 wherein the edible 
11 is securely molded at the centers of the sticks 13, 14, and 15 for 
effectively creating two symmetrical handles 16, the handles 16 are to be 
grasped by the consumer, one in each hand, while the edible 11 is being 
consumed. The length L from the center of the edible 11 to the end of each 
handle 16 is preferably at least double an axial length of the edible 11 
(equivalent to the diameter D in the above-described spherical 
configuration of the edible 11), this length of each handle 16 
advantageously preventing consumption of the edible 11 with one of the 
handles 16 entering the mouth. 
In operation, the articles of in FIGS. 1-4 are picked up with either one or 
two hands on the stick 13 (14) and conveyed to the mouth. Then, after 
grasping both handles (one in each hand) of the stick 13 (14), usually 
with the thumb and forefinger, the consumer slowly licks and sucks the 
edible 11 which is only partially placed in the mouth. As noted above, the 
two symmetrical handles also serve as a protective barrier for preventing 
the edible 11 from entering the mouth. While the edible 11 is being 
consumed, the sucker 10 composed of the edible 11 and the stick 13 (14), 
is being moved away from and back towards the mouth intermittently. This 
process continues until there is only a small piece(s) of the edible 11 
remaining on the stick 13 (14). At this point, the consumer will normally 
discard the stick 13 (14). 
The mode of operation for the sucker 10 of FIGS. 5-10, which having the 
looped handle 16 on either side of the edible 11 on the stick 15, is 
virtually the same as that just described for the sucker 10 of in FIGS. 
1-4. The basic difference is that the handles 16 on the stick 15 are even 
easier to hold, i.e., the consumer can grasp the looped handles 16 on the 
stick 15 by curling his fingers around them (the handles 16). 
The edible 11 can be molded on the sticks 13, 14, 15, and 28 according to 
the following steps: 
(a) heating ingredients for the edible 11 to a moldable semi-plastic 
consistency; 
(b) injection-molding the edible 11 onto the centers of sticks 13, 14, 15, 
and 28; 
(c) shaping the edible 11 onto the sticks 13, 14, 15, and 28 where 
required; and 
(d) cooling the edible 11 to the temperature necessary and for the time 
required for solidifying the edible 11 onto the sticks 13, 14, 15, and 28. 
In the configuration of FIGS. 13-15, the molded edible can be a first 
edible layer, the method includes the further steps of: 
(a) heating similar ingredients for the edible 11 to a moldable 
semi-plastic consistency, the similar ingredients providing a transparent 
or semi-transparent material when cooled; 
(a) injection-molding the similar ingredients for forming a second layer of 
edible material onto the first edible layer on the stick 28 (or on the 
stick 13, 14, or 15). 
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail 
with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are 
possible. For example, the edible 11 can be of any size, shape, color, 
and/or flavor. The plastic handle can also be any size or shape. The 
transparent overlayment edible can be any flavor, size, shape or 
thickness, as well as colored. Further, the edible can be formed such that 
one side is molded in a shape, such as a face, and the other side can be a 
different color. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims 
should not necessarily be limited to the description of the preferred 
versions contained herein.