Abstract:
A liquid-candy dispenser having a container and an extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer that is adapted to be moved in multi-directions for fun and to permit better dispensing of the candy in children&#39;s mouths. The extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer has a finger-actuated spray head to activate a fluid pumping unit. The sprayer also includes an elongated tube having one free end adapted to rotate 3600° in a Y-plane with respect to and in fluid communication with the finger-actuated spray head. A dispensing nozzle is affixed to the other free end of the elongated tube.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present invention claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/385,479 which was filed on Jun. 03, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to liquid candy dispensers and, more particularly, to a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that includes a 360° rotating, extended dispensing nozzle.  
           [0004]    2. General Background  
           [0005]    Dispensing pumps that are small in size and finger-actuated are well known for use in atomizing perfumes, colognes and other personal care items, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,189, issued to Kirk, Jr., entitled “ACCUMULATIVE PRESSURE PUMP” which is incorporated herein by reference.  
           [0006]    Breath refreshing solutions and candy have been dispensed through a sprayer nozzle as well. However, the finger-actuated nozzle head typically is easily removed by simply pulling the nozzle head off of the dispensing tube. This can be hazardous for the children&#39;s market since smaller children may swallow the nozzle head.  
           [0007]    Additionally, this method of dispensing of a liquid candy has caused children to oftentimes miss their mouth and accidentally spray the candy in their eyes or elsewhere causing a mess.  
           [0008]    Other dispensing pumps are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,933, issued to Brakarz et al., entitled “ATOMIZER MICROPUMP FOR LIQUIDS” (which is incorporated herein by reference), which discloses a manually-operable liquid atomizer for spraying liquid.  
           [0009]    In view of the above, there is a continuing need for a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that has a unitary, extendable, and rotatable dispensing-nozzle sprayer that can be rotated or swivel 360° to direct the spray in the mouth.  
           [0010]    As will be seen more fully below, the present invention is substantially different in structure, methodology and approach from that of other spray dispensers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0011]    The preferred embodiment of liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems in a straight forward and simple manner.  
           [0012]    Broadly, the present invention contemplates a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly comprising: a container for storing liquid candy therein and a pumping unit to pump the liquid candy from the container via a dip tube. The assembly further includes an extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer.  
           [0013]    The present invention contemplates an extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer having a finger-actuated spray head to activate a pumping unit and which is in fluid communication with the pumping unit; an elongated tube having one free end adapted to rotate 360° in a Y-plane with respect to and in fluid communication with the finger-actuated spray head; and a dispensing nozzle coupled to the other free end of said elongated tube.  
           [0014]    The present invention contemplates a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly comprising: means for storing liquid candy therein having a longitudinal axis; means for pumping the liquid candy from the storing means; and, means for atomizing said liquid candy, said atomizing means comprises: means, which is finger-actuated, for actuating said pumping means and which is in fluid communication with said pumping means wherein said finger-actuated actuating means is adapted to be rotated 360° about said longitudinal axis, an elongated tube in fluid communication with said finger-actuated actuating means, means for rotatably coupling securely one free end of said elongated tube to said finger-actuated actuating means wherein said rotatably coupling means is adapted to rotate 360° along an axis which is essentially 90° displaced from the longitudinal axis, and means for dispensing said liquid candy which is securely coupled to the other free end of said elongated tube.  
           [0015]    In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that includes a finger-actuated nozzle head that is securely coupled to an elongated tube that can be rotated in multiple directions for fun when used.  
           [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that has an improved delivery system for dispensing the liquid candy in the mouth of the user and minimize accidentally spraying of the liquid candy in their eyes or elsewhere causing a mess.  
           [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that has an improved delivery system for dispensing the liquid candy in the mouth of the user while being safe for use by children.  
           [0018]    In view of the above objects, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that is simple to use even by children.  
           [0019]    Another feature of the present invention is to provide a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that is relatively simple structurally and thus simple to manufacture.  
           [0020]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly that is made of transparent material to view the liquid candy.  
           [0021]    The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description given herein, and the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0022]    For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly of the present invention with two different rotations (approximately a 180° location and a 315° location) of the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly of the present invention with the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer rotated to a 270° location;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly of the present invention with the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer rotated to a 270° location and having liquid candy therein;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly of the present invention with the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer rotated to a 270° location;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly of the present invention with the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer rotated to a 270° location and having a removable lid assembly; and,  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS.  1 - 4 , the liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly of the present invention is generally referenced by the numeral  10 . The liquid-candy dispensing sprayer and container assembly  10  of the present invention is generally comprised of a container  20  adapted to store therein liquid contents  5  to be dispensed. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid contents is liquid candy or other edible fluid.  
         [0030]    The dispensing sprayer and container assembly  10  further includes an extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer  30  that includes a finger-actuated spray head  32  in fluid communication via upper tube  25   a  coupled to a pumping unit  40  (FIGS. 3 and 4). The pumping unit  40  is disposed in the container  20  and has coupled thereto lower dip tubes  25   b  to channel the liquid contents  5  in the container  20  up to the finger-actuated spray head  32  via the pumping unit  40 .  
         [0031]    In the exemplary embodiment, the pumping unit  40  is a spring-operated ball-valve pumping unit that is small in size and lightweight. The pumping unit  40  is well known in the art. Thus, no further description is necessary. Nevertheless, other pumping units may be employed such as those used to atomize a liquid via a finger-actuated spray head.  
         [0032]    Conventionally, the finger-actuated spray head includes an orifice to atomize and dispense the fluid at approximately 900 with respect to the dispensing tubes  25   a  and  25   b . The extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer  30  further includes an extension dispensing tube/atomizer  50  rotatably coupled to the finger-actuated spray head  32  at a location that is approximately 90° with respect to the fluid communication path defined by the upper tube  25   a  and dispensing tube  25   b . The finger-actuated spray head  32  is adapted to be rotated 360° in the X-plane or with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container  20 . The X-plane is essentially 90° displaced from the Y-plane. In the preferred embodiment, the finger-actuated spray head  32  may be continually rotated clockwise and, alternately, counterclockwise about a top of container  20 .  
         [0033]    The extension dispensing tube/atomizer  50  includes an elongated tube  52  having one free end rotatably coupled to the finger-actuated spray head  32  via a secure male connector  54  that allows the elongated tube  52  to be rotated 360° in the Y-plane, as best seen in FIG. 1, about the finger-actuated spray head  32 . The elongated tube  52  is in fluid communication with the finger-actuated spray head  32  such that the flow of the liquid contents  5  being dispensed flows from the container through the tubes  25   a  and  25   b  and into the elongated tube  52  via a fluid channel  56  within the secure male connector  54 .  
         [0034]    The other free end of the elongated tube  52  has affixed thereto a dispensing nozzle  58  having an orifice  58   a  therein that atomizes the liquid contents  5  flowing through the other free end of the elongated tube  52 . In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing nozzle  58  receives air so that the liquid contents  5  can be sprayed into a mist out through orifice  58   a , especially, when pumped quickly.  
         [0035]    In the exemplary embodiment, the secure male connector  54  includes a male coupler  54   a  adapted to be securely snapped fit within the mated female counterpart  32   a  within the finger-actuated spray head  32 .  
         [0036]    In the preferred embodiment, the snapped fit between the secure male connector  54  and the finger-actuated spray head  32  is not easily removed so that the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer  30  remains a unitary structure.  
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, the container  20 , finger-actuated spray head  32  and elongated tube  52  are made of transparent plastic material or other transparent material so that the user can determine the level of and visually see the liquid contents  5  in container  20 . Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the container  20  and finger-actuated spray head  32  are colored such as with a variety of colors which may have neon-type properties. Furthermore, depending on the flavor of the liquid candy, the liquid candy may also be colored to add to the overall entertainment of the product. Various flavors of the liquid candy include strawberry, other sour citrus or fruit flavors, etc.  
         [0038]    The container  20  may be colored different from the finger-actuated spray head  32 . The dispensing nozzle  58  may have the same color as the finger-actuated spray head  32  or a different color.  
         [0039]    The multi-directional rotation of the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer  30  provides for fun when used by children and provides a more accurate and safe delivery system.  
         [0040]    In the exemplary embodiment, container  20  is cylindrically-shaped with a diameter of approximately {fraction (5/8 )} inch. The length from the top of the finger-actuated spray head  32  in a non-pressed state to the bottom of container  20  is approximately 4 inches.  
         [0041]    The unitary structure of the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer  30  provides an additional safety feature in that it is not a small choking hazard as is a single finger-actuated spray head  32 .  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment, a removable lid assembly  70  is provided to cover the dispensing nozzle  58  and more specifically, the orifice  58 a. The removable lid assembly  70  includes a strap  72  having a loop  74  at one end that encircles the elongated tube  52 . The other end of the strap  72  has fixedly coupled thereto lid member  76  that is dimensioned to fit around the dispensing nozzle  58 .  
         [0043]    In the exemplary embodiment, lid member  76  includes an annular recess  78  adapted to receive an annular ridge  80  formed around dispensing nozzle  58 . Thus, lid member  76  snaps onto dispensing nozzle  58 . Nevertheless, the lid member  76  can more simply be friction fit coupled around dispensing nozzle  58 . As can be appreciated, the strap  72  prevents the removable lid assembly  70  from being lost or separated from the dispensing nozzle  58 .  
         [0044]    The lid assembly  70  is made of generally transparent colored plastic material.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer  30  is shown. The extension dispensing tube/atomizer  150  includes an elongated tube  152  having one free end rotatably coupled to the finger-actuated spray head  132  via a first secure male connector  154  that allows the elongated tube  152  to be rotated 360° in the Y-plane, about the finger-actuated spray head  132 .  
         [0046]    In the exemplary embodiment, the first secure male connector  154  is a tubular member having an annular groove  154   a  formed around the perimeter. The interior  154   b  of the tubular member is hollow to permit the flow of fluid therethrough and is dimensioned to friction fit couple therein a second male connector  140 .  
         [0047]    The finger-actuated spray head  132  includes a central tubular member  134  which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of container  20  and connects to tube  25   a  for the communication of the liquid contents  5 . Central tubular member  134  has an orifice  136  positioned approximately 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of container  20 . Such orifice  136  includes a first tubular member  138  and a second male connector  140  (which is another tubular member) concentrically disposed within the first tubular member  138  and extends beyond the edge of the first tubular member  138 . The first male connector  154  receives the second male connector  140  within its hollow interior  154   b  while the first male connector  154  is received between the first tubular member  138  and the second male connector  140 . The first tubular member  138  includes an annular ridge to engage the annular groove  154   a . Accordingly, the first male connector  154  is adapted to be securely snapped fit within the first tubular member  138  (serving as a mated female counterpart) and rotate 360°.  
         [0048]    This arrangement between the first male connector  154 , the first tubular member  138  and the second male connector  140  provides an improved secure snapped fit of the extension dispensing tube/atomizer  150  to the finger-actuated spray head  32  so that it is not easily removed and the extendable and rotatable dispensing nozzle sprayer  130  remains a unitary structure with rotatable capabilities.  
         [0049]    Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.