Abstract:
There is provided a novelty candy assembly including a body, an illumination module attached to the body, a cover for the illumination module, the cover having at least an outer layer of candy, at least one activation conduit extending through the cover and being operatively connected to an activation switch within the body, at least one speaker within the body, and at least one memory chip within the body. The activation switch is activated when the candy is at least in part consumed, the activation switch being part of a circuit including the illumination module, the memory chip, and the speaker. Pre-recorded audio in the memory chip is reproduced by the at least one speaker and illumination is produced by the illumination module when the activation switch is activated.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a novelty candy assembly packaged with confectionery such as, for example, one or more of: hard candy, soft candy, chocolates, and jelly. The use of the candy assembly with its melodic and/or illumination functions is particularly, though not exclusively relevant for celebrating special occasions such as, for example, birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, festivals, retirements and so forth. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Candy is often consumed at most celebrations. The variety of candy that is commercially available is large. Candy can be found in a multitude of shapes, colors, flavors, sizes and textures. 
   In modern commerce where sales of any product may depend on reputation and marketing rather than the product per se, packaging of a product may impact on the sustainability of the product. Packaging should not be overlooked even for basic items like confectionery. Similarly, for candy, a range of packaging can be used to entice consumers. Considerable interest towards a particular candy may be generated by designing candy or packaging with eye-catching designs and colours. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   There is provided a novelty candy assembly. Preferably, it comprises a body, an illumination module attached to the body, a cover for the illumination module, the cover having at least an outer layer of candy, at least one activation conduit extending through the cover and being operatively connected to an activation switch within the body, at least one speaker within the body, and at least one memory chip within the body. It is advantageous that the at least one memory chip controls the functions of the candy assembly. The body and illumination module may be water-proof. Preferably, the body has at least one printed circuit board. A non-edible cover may also be used in place of the candy cover subsequent to the consumption of the candy. 
   Preferably, the activation switch is activated when the candy is at least in part consumed, the activation switch being part of a circuit comprising the illumination module, the memory chip and the speaker, and wherein pre-recorded audio in the memory chip is reproduced by the at least one speaker and illumination is produced by the illumination module when the activation switch is activated. The activation conduit may be a channel, and the activation switch may be a vacuum switch. The activation conduit may also be at least one micro-wire. Advantageously, at least one activation conduit extends from the edge of the cover and is directly linked to the activation switch. Preferably, components in the vacuum switch are either made from or coated with material of low coefficient of friction. It is preferable that the circuit includes a main switch. 
   It is preferable that the body may be in a shape selected from the following: cylindrical, polygonal and spherical. The illuminated module may contain at least one LED. The candy assembly may preferably be powered by a portable power source selected from the group consisting of at least one: batteries and solar cells. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be better understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being in reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of parts of the candy assembly with portions of the assembly being broken away to show internal construction; 
       FIG. 2  shows the electrical contact plate positioned on a first end on the internal surface of the body of the candy assembly; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of the circuitry employed in the candy assembly; and 
       FIG. 4  a flow chart showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a novelty candy assembly  10  with melodic and/or illumination functions. The candy assembly  10  comprises a body  12  having an illumination module  23  at a first end  13  of the body  12 . A cover  14  at the first end  13  may be formed into different shapes such as, for example, hemispheres, pyramids, cuboids, humanoids or any preferred design to cover and contain the illumination module  23 . The cover  14  may be formed from confectionery, such as, for example, hard candy, soft candy, chocolate, and gelatin. The cover  14  may be edible or non-edible. If a cover  14  is non-edible, it may also serve as a decorative ornament. The non-edible cover  14  may also be formed into shapes such as, for example, hemispheres, pyramids, cuboids, humanoids or any preferred design. The edible cover  14  may be external of and enclose a non-edible cover. In this way, the non-edible cover is exposed when the edible cover  14  is consumed. The cover  14  may be opaque, transparent or transluscent. 
   The cover  14  may have at least one channel  70  running through from an outer edge  17  of the cover  14  through the core  72  of the cover  14  and through illumination module  23 . The channel  70  is preferably hollow, and may be co-axial with cover  14  and body  12 . There is a vacuum chamber  42  positioned at a first end  13  of the body  12  beneath and behind the illumination module  23 . The core  72  of the cover  14  may be directly linked to the vacuum chamber  42  through the illumination module  23 . 
   An electrical circuit  51  shown in  FIG. 3  may be closed when a vacuum pressure switch  44  in the chamber  42  is activated. Relatively moveable parts in the vacuum pressure switch  44  may be made from or coated with a low friction material such as, for example, nylon, ABS, PVC or Teflon. The vacuum pressure switch  44  comprises the vacuum chamber  42  and a piston  46 . 
     FIG. 2  shows the electrical contact plate  49  positioned on a first end  19  on a piston  46  in the chamber  42 . When a consumer sucks on the cover  14 , suction is generated through the channel  70 . This causes a vacuum pressure differential to be created in the chamber  42 . The vacuum pressure differential causes the piston  46  in the chamber  42  to move upward such that at least two metal strips  48  on the electrical contact plate  49  make contact with contact points (not shown) on the internal surface on the first end  13  of the body  12 . In this mode, the vacuum pressure switch  44  is activated. 
   When the vacuum pressure switch  44  is activated, the circuit  51  in  FIG. 3  is closed and a voltage is triggered to an I/C memory chip  50 . The chip  50  then applies a digital audio signal to an amplifier incorporated in the chip  50 . The amplifier is subsequently energized, the digital audio signal amplified, converted to analog, and a miniature speaker  52  is activated to reproduce a pre-programmed melody from the audio signal. The pre-programmed melody may be in different genres of music, such as, for example, Christmas carols, children&#39;s songs, pop tunes, classical tunes and so forth. The pre-programmed melody may even be in the form of a vocal rendition, or a spoken message. 
   Besides the activation of the pre-programmed melody, at least one LED  54  on the illumination module  23  may also be activated when the circuit  51  in  FIG. 3  is closed. The LED  54  may be programmed in the I/C memory chip  50  to:
         flash in synchronisation with the pre-programmed melody;   flash randomly; or   remain illuminated.       

   When the cover  14  is not made from an opaque material, illumination from LED  54 , whether flashing or not, may be seen through cover  14  to create an eye-catching appearance, thus enhancing its appeal. The LED  54  may be of any suitable colour including white and/or blue and/or green and/or red. A plurality of LEDs of the same or different colours may be used. 
   The body  12  may be made from any suitable material such as, for example, plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, and so forth. The body  12  may be shaped into any form and be of any suitable size. Preferably, it is of a size and shape that fits within the palm of a hand, with the embodiment as described being cylindrical in shape. The shape may also be spherical or polygonal. The body  12  has an open top at the first end  13 . A lower end  21  of the illumination module  23  is securely fixed onto the first end  13  of the body  12 . The body  12  may also have shapes or designs embossed on them for enhanced aesthetic appeal. 
   The illumination module  23  also has an open top at a top end  25 . There is a recess  27  on the illumination module  23  to allow for the secure placement therein of a lower edge  29  of the cover  14 . 
   An electronic circuit board  58  is contained within the body  12 . The illumination module  23  also has an electronic circuit board  56  incorporated in it. The board  56  controls the at least one LED  54  in the illumination module  23 . Each LED  54  and the board  56  may be sealed in a water-tight manner to allow for the illumination module  23  to be cleaned subsequent to the consumption of the edible cover  14 . Both circuit boards are connected electrically to the vacuum switch  44 . 
   The miniature speaker  52  may be electronically actuated. The speaker  52  may be located internally at a second end  47  of the body  12 . The second end  47  of the body  12  may be enlarged to accommodate the speaker  52  and to provide a broad base to ensure better stability when the candy assembly  10  is positioned in an upright position. Hence, the candy assembly  10  may also be used as an ornamental display piece subsequent to the consumption of the edible cover  14 . Holes  62  may be formed in the body  12  to allow for the transmission of sound waves from the speaker  52  to the surroundings. However, when holes  62  are present, the candy assembly  10  would no longer be water-proof. 
   The circuit  51  shown in  FIG. 3  may be powered by a power source  64 . The power source  64  should be portable and may be either batteries or at least one solar cell. The power source may be changeable through a cover (not shown). The cover may be water-tight. The power source  64  may have a resistor connected across the memory chip  50  to ensure that the chip  50  does not overheat. The resistor is placed in series with the vacuum pressure switch  44 . A main switch  66  may be used to control the flow of current in the electrical circuit  51 . The main switch  66  may be a slide switch, a knob switch or a hand pressure sensitive switch. 
   A timer may be included on the circuit board  58  so that upon activation of the illumination module  23  and/or speaker  52 , they will operate for a pre-determined period after the suction in channel  70  ceases. The pre-determined period may be the duration of the pre-recorded melody played by speaker  52 . It may also be preset to a shorter time period. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , a consumer sucks  100  on the candy cover  14 . This activates  104  the vacuum pressure switch  44  because of the pressure differential  102  in channel  70 . This closes circuit  51 . A voltage triggers the memory chip  50  to send the digital audio signals to the amplifier  106  and digital-analog converter and thus to the speaker  52 . The LED  54  on the illumination module  23  is illuminated. The speaker  52  reproduces musical tones, a melody, a song, spoken message or other sounds. The cover  14  is consumable and dissolves while being sucked. When the consumer stops sucking the cover  14 , the vacuum pressure switch  44  is de-activated. This cuts off the voltage supply to the circuit  51  and the sounds emitted by the speaker  52  ceases after a pre-determined period. The LED  54  on the illumination module  23  also ceases to be illuminated after a pre-determined period. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention that is only applicable when the cover  14  is manufactured from either soft or hard candy, instead of a vacuum pressure switch  44  employed in the body  12 , a micro-wire is positioned within in the soft candy in the cover  14 . When a consumer eats the candy, the heat from the consumer would cause the wire to expand radially, thus increasing the cross-sectional area of the wire and hence reducing its resistance and allowing more current to flow in circuit  51 . Consequently, illumination and sound from the candy assembly  10  are also provided. The micro-wire may be made from metals with the characteristics of high expansivity, high conductivity, low toxicity, and resistance to oxidation. Stainless steel would have these characteristics. 
   In yet another embodiment of the present invention, instead of a vacuum pressure switch  44  employed in the body  12 , two micro-wire leads are positioned in the cover  14 . When a consumer contacts the cover  14 , the inert potential in the consumer would close the circuit  51 . Consequently, illumination and sound from the candy assembly  10  are also provided. The micro-wire may be made from metals with the characteristics of high expansivity, high conductivity, low toxicity, and resistance to oxidation. Stainless steel would have these characteristics. 
   The candy assembly  10  may be readily manufactured by mass production machinery at low cost. The candy assembly  10  requires little skill and instruction to operate. The cover  14  may be manufactured with FDA approved food grade colorings and conforms to hygienic and accredited candy manufacturing processes. 
   The cover  14  may be wholly consumed or it may be discarded semi-eaten. Ornamental covers may be provided at the point of sale to be used to replace the consumed cover  14 . The candy assembly  10  may contain different prerecorded songs or melodies suitable for different occasions such as, for example, birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Christmas parties, engagements, children&#39;s parties and the like all year round. The festive mood of an occasion may be enhanced by the purchase of such candy assemblies  10 . 
   Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications may be made to details of design or construction without departing from the present invention. 
   The present invention extends to all features disclosed either individually, or in all possible permutations and combinations.