Abstract:
A candy container or dispenser having a sound generating device and having an oscillating member protruding from an aperture is disclosed. The candy dispenser comprises a housing adapted for attachment to a candy container, with the housing defining an internal cavity and including an aperture. A member is pivotally mounted to the housing and protrudes from the aperture. A gear mechanism is disposed within the housing cavity and includes a rotatable wheel having an irregular peripheral surface. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the member and includes an actuating trigger. A reed is mounted within the cavity and has an end contacting the peripheral surface, so that upon actuation of the trigger the gear mechanism imparts rotational movement to the wheel thereby causing the reed to produce a sound in response to contact with the wheel peripheral surface. At the same time, the member oscillates about its pivot point. The gear mechanism may be operatively connected to a dispensing mechanism to dispense candy upon the operation of the gear mechanism.

Description:
This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/244,584 now abandoned, filed Feb. 4, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus having a gear mechanism that drives a sound generating device, operates a candy dispensing mechanism, and oscillates one or more simulated body members. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Candy dispensers are generally well known in the art and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. It is safe to assume that a relatively high percentage of candy purchases are made by (or at least at the direction of) children. However, the typical child has little if any brand loyalty, and thus candy manufacturers have long relied on clever packaging in order to attract the purchaser&#39;s attention. One marketing approach has been to put the candy in an attractive candy dispenser designed to appeal to children and/or adults. For example, many members of the public can recall the very popular Pez® candy dispensers. Other candy packages rely on the use of licensed cartoon characters, action figures, or even the name of a popular sports personality. Thus, it is a commonly held belief that a candy container or dispenser that incorporates one or more novel or unique features is very likely to significantly increase the sales of that candy product. Therefore, there is a continuing need for novel candy containers and dispensers. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a candy dispenser includes a housing defining an internal cavity and being adapted to hold a candy container. The housing includes an opening, and a member is pivotally mounted to the housing and protrudes from the aperture. A gear mechanism operatively connected to the member is disposed within the housing cavity and includes an actuating trigger and a rotatable wheel having an irregular peripheral surface. A reed is mounted within the cavity and has an end which contacts the peripheral surface of the wheel. Upon actuation of the trigger the gear mechanism imparts rotational movement to the rotatable wheel, thereby producing a sound as the reed vibrates upon contact with the irregular peripheral surface of the wheel. Movement of the gear mechanism also causes the member to oscillate. 
     In further accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gear mechanism includes a flywheel adapted to impart enhanced rotational momentum to the gear mechanism. A connecting rod is eccentrically connected to the rotatable wheel and engages the member. The connecting rod thus reciprocates in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel which oscillates or pivots the member about its pivot. Preferably, the reed is mounted to or mounted adjacent to a mylar member or disc in order to enhance the sound generated by the reed. 
     The trigger is pivotally mounted to the housing and is shiftable between a first position and a second position. The trigger is adapted to actuate the gear mechanism in response to movement of the trigger from the first position toward the second position, and includes a return spring for biasing the trigger toward the first position. 
     The trigger also includes an arcuate drive rack and the gear assembly includes a pinion. The drive rack engages the pinion to in order to impart rotational movement to the pinion in response to movement of the trigger toward the second position. When the pinion rotates the gear mechanism, the reciprocating motion of the connecting rod second end causes the tongue to pivot about a pivot point. 
     The gear mechanism preferably includes a clutch, with the clutch separating the gear mechanism into a first portion and a second portion. The clutch is adapted to permit continued rotation of the second portion of the gear mechanism as the trigger is moved from the second position toward the first position. A flywheel, which is preferably mounted to the gear mechanism second portion, is included in order to impart enhanced rotational momentum to the gear mechanism. 
     The device may be combined with a candy container adapted to hold candy. The candy container includes a dispensing opening, and the device further includes a shiftable valve member mounted to the candy container adjacent to the dispensing opening, with the valve member being operatively connected to the gear mechanism. Accordingly, in response to the operation of the gear mechanism the valve member shifts between a closed position and an open position. The valve member in the open position permits the passage of candy from the candy container through the dispensing opening. The valve member is preferably connected to a rocker arm pivotally mounted to the candy container adjacent to the dispensing opening, and the valve member may include a slide portion slidably disposed in the candy container such that the slide member slides back and forth as the rocker arm shifts the valve member between the open and closed positions. The slide portion includes an exit opening which is generally offset from the dispensing opening when the valve member is in the closed position. The slide portion exit opening is generally aligned with the dispensing opening when the valve member is in the open position. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device for dispensing candy includes a housing having an internal cavity and including a top portion having an aperture. A member, such as a simulated tongue, is mounted to a pivot and protrudes from the aperture, and a gear mechanism is disposed within the housing cavity and includes a rotatable wheel having an irregular peripheral surface. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the protruding member and includes an actuating trigger. A sound generating member, such as a reed, is mounted within the cavity and includes an end positioned to contact the wheel peripheral surface. In response to movement of the actuating button rotational movement may be imparted to the gear mechanism. The rotational movement of the wheel causes the sound generating member to produce a sound in response to contact with the rotating wheel and further causes the protruding member to reciprocate about the pivot. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device for use with a candy dispenser comprises a housing having an aperture and defining an internal cavity, with the housing being adapted for attachment to the candy container. A pivoting member is mounted to the housing and protrudes from the aperture. A gear mechanism is disposed within the housing cavity and includes a rotatable wheel having an irregular peripheral surface. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the pivoting member and includes an actuating trigger adapted to impart rotational movement to the gear mechanism. A reed is mounted within the cavity and includes an end in contact with the wheel peripheral surface. In response to rotational movement of the gear mechanism the moveable member oscillates while the relative movement between the reed and the wheel irregular peripheral surface generates a sound. 
     According to a still further aspect of the invention, a candy dispensing device includes a housing defining an internal cavity and a candy container connected to the housing and having a dispensing opening. A gear mechanism is disposed within the housing cavity, and a trigger is mounted to the housing and is adapted to operate the gear mechanism. A shiftable valve member is mounted to the candy container adjacent to the dispensing opening and is operatively connected to the gear mechanism. In response to the operation of the gear mechanism the valve member shifts between a first position in which the valve member prevents the passage of candy through the dispensing opening, and a second position in which the valve member permits the passage of candy from the candy container through the dispensing opening. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a candy dispensing device includes a housing defining an internal cavity, a candy container connected to the housing and having a dispensing opening, a gear mechanism disposed within the housing cavity, a trigger mounted to the housing and being adapted to operate the gear mechanism, and candy delivery means for delivering candy from the container. The candy delivery means are operatively coupled to the gear mechanism so as to be responsive to operation of the gear mechanism. 
    
    
     The aforementioned features and advantages, in addition to other features and advantages, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a candy dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective of the candy dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2A is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of the rotatable wheel; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in section, of the candy dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in section, of the candy dispenser shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and showing the pivoting member in a first position; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in section, similar to that shown in FIG. 3 but showing the tongue in a second position; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in section, similar to FIG. 4 but showing the pivoting member in the second position; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the trigger engaging portions of the gear mechanism; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the trigger being retracted and the clutch in a freewheel mode; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the linkage assembly connecting the gear mechanism to the dispensing mechanism with the linkage assembly being shown in a retracted mode; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of portions of the candy dispensing mechanism; 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the linkage assembly in a partially extended mode; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 9 and 11 but illustrating the linkage assembly in a fully extended position; 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 but illustrating the candy dispensing mechanism in an operative position; and 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the trigger assembly showing the trigger in a position to fully extend the linkage assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The embodiment described herein is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed. The following embodiment has been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 2 of drawings, a candy dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral  20 . The candy dispenser  20  includes a housing  22  having an upper portion  24 , a middle portion  25 , and a lower portion  26 . A simulated head  28  is mounted to the upper portion  24  (and preferably extending through an aperture  30  in the upper portion  24 ), and is mounted within the housing  22  by a pivot  31 . Alternatively, the head  28  may be pivotally mounted to the exterior of the housing  22  in a similar manner. Another simulated body part such as a tail  33  protrudes from another aperture  35  and is also mounted to a pivot  34 . 
     A candy container  36  is mounted below the middle portion  25  and includes an internal cavity  38  adapted to hold a plurality of candy items  37  or other articles. The container  36  is preferably formed of clear ABS plastic, and includes a refill opening. The lower portion  26  includes a candy dispensing opening  39  which communicates with the cavity  38  as will be explained in greater detail below. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 through 6 of the drawings, the upper portion  24  and the middle portion  25  of the housing  22  enclose an internal cavity  40 . A gear mechanism  42  is mounted to the housing  22  substantially within the confines of the cavity  40 . Preferably, certain portions of the device  20  (for example, each of the upper portion  24 , the middle portion  25 , the candy container  36  and the lower portion  26  of the housing  22 ) may be formed in two halves or portions according to commonly employed molding techniques using ABS plastic or other suitable materials. The two portions are joined in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. An O-ring member  41  is provided at the interface between the cavity  38  of the candy container  36  and the cavity  40 . A candy dispensing mechanism  43  is mounted within the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  and is connected to the gear mechanism  42  by a linkage assembly  45 . 
     The gear mechanism  42  includes a wheel  44  having an irregular outer surface  46 . A reed  48  is mounted within the cavity  40  and is disposed such that an end  50  of the reed  48  is disposed adjacent to and touching the irregular outer surface  46  of the wheel  44  (note that in each of FIGS. 4 and 6 the end  50  of the reed  48  is obscured from view by other portions of the gear mechanism  42 ). The reed is preferably a thin metallic member, although other materials may also be suitable. In response to the rotation of the wheel  44  in a manner to be outlined in greater detail below, the reed  48  will vibrate and produce a sound. Preferably, the reed  48  is mounted to a mylar disc  48 A, which is disposed immediately above the O-ring  41 . As outlined below, the reed  48 , upon vibrating, produces a sound such as a simulated laughing sound. The mylar disc  48   a  enhances the sound produced by the vibration of the reed  48 . 
     A connecting rod  52  having a pair of ends  54 ,  56  and an interconnecting shank  58  is mounted to the housing  22  inside the cavity  40 . The connecting rod includes a pair of slots  53 ,  55 . As shown in FIGS. 2,  4  and  6 , the slot  53  is engaged by an extension  60  of the head  28 , while the slot  55  is engaged by an extension  61  of the tail  33 . The end  56  of the connecting rod  52  is connected to the gear mechanism  42  by an eccentric connection  57  as outlined in greater detail below. A trigger  62  is connected to the gear mechanism  42 , and includes a handle portion  64  which protrudes from the housing  22 . The trigger  62  is mounted to a pivot  63  and is shiftable between an outward or first position, such as is shown in FIG. 1, and an inward or second position, such as is shown in FIG. 4,  6  or  7 . Alternatively, the trigger  62  could be a reciprocating or sliding trigger rather than a pivoting trigger. 
     In a manner that will be explained in greater detail below, the trigger  62  operatively engages the gear mechanism  42  so as to impart rotational movement to portions of the gear mechanism  42 , which causes the wheel  44  to rotate. In the process, the reed  48  vibrates by virtue of its contact against the irregular outer surface  46  of the wheel  44  as shown in FIGS. 4,  5  and  6 , thus creating an audible sound. In the preferred embodiment, the audible sound simulates a laughing sound, although the creation of other sounds may also be contemplated. At the same time, the connecting rod  52  reciprocates in a generally vertical direction by virtue of its eccentric connection  57  to the gear mechanism  42 . As the connecting rod  52  reciprocates, the slots  53  and  55  engaging the extensions  60 ,  61 , respectively, cause the head  28  and the tail  33  to oscillate about their respective pivots. 
     Referring now to FIG.  2  through FIG. 6, the gear mechanism  42  includes a flywheel  66  which is rotatably mounted within the cavity  40  in a conventional manner. The flywheel  66  includes a driven gear  68 . As would be known to one skilled in the art, the flywheel  66  is relatively heavy in order to impart rotational momentum to the gear mechanism  42 . The gear mechanism  42  also includes a gear  70  having a pinion  72  and an outer gear  76 . The pinion  72  engages a toothed drive rack  74  on the trigger  62 . 
     A gear  84  engages the outer gear  76  of the gear  70 . The gear  84  includes a pair of posts  85 , each of which has pivotally mounted thereon a latch lever  87 . A one or more springs  89  are provided for biasing the levers  87  in an outward direction as will be explained in further detail below. The gear  84 , the wheel  44  and the levers  87  may be formed from Delrin plastic. 
     The wheel  44  includes a first side  47  having a recessed gear  49  and also includes a second side  51  as shown on FIG.  2 A. The posts  85 , the levers  87 , the springs  89 , and the recessed gear  49  together form a clutch assembly  78 . The clutch assembly  78  operatively connects the gear  70  to the wheel  44 , and effectively divides the gear mechanism into a first portion  79  (consisting of the gears  70  and  84 ) and a second portion  81  (consisting of the wheel  44  and the flywheel  66 . The clutch assembly  78  permits the gear  70  to drive the wheel  44 . The wheel  44  also includes an outer gear  82  which engages the driven gear  68  on the flywheel  66 . Each of the above described components is rotatably mounted to the housing  22  in a conventional manner. Also, it will be appreciated that the gear  70  and the flywheel  66 , despite their close proximity, are capable of rotating independently of each other. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7 and 8, as outlined above the clutch assembly  78  permits the gear  84  to drive the wheel  44  in response to rotation of the gear  70  imparted upon actuation of the trigger  62 . Each of the levers  85  includes an outer tooth  91  adapted to engage the teeth  93  on the recessed gear  49 , so that the gear  84  and the wheel  44  are rotated in the same direction upon actuation of the trigger as shown in FIG.  7 . In other words, when the drive mechanism  42  is activated by depressing the trigger  62 , the toothed rack  74  on the trigger  62  engages the outer gear  76  of the gear  70 , which in turn drives the gear  84 . In the process, the outer teeth  91  on each of the outwardly biased levers  87  engage the plurality of annular teeth  49   a  on the recessed gear  49  of the wheel  44 , so that the wheel  44  is driven in the same direction as the gear  84  (counterclockwise when viewing FIG.  7 ). When the trigger  62  is retracted as shown in FIG. 8 (preferably by the aid of a return spring  75 ), the clutch assembly  78  decouples or operatively disengages the trigger  62  and the gear  70  from the rest of the gear mechanism  42 . The return spring  75  may be positioned as shown in FIG. 7 or  8 , or alternatively may abut other portions of the trigger  62  as would be known to those skilled in the art. As shown, the gear wheel  44  continues to rotate in the counterclockwise direction while the gear  84  clockwise as the trigger  62 , returning to its original position, rotates the gear  70  counterclockwise. Accordingly, the second portion  81  of the gear mechanism  42 , aided by the rotational momentum imparted by the flywheel  66 , continues to rotate. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, the eccentric connection  57  includes an eccentric cam lobe  92  mounted for rotation with the drive gear  82  attached to the wheel  44 . The end  56  of the connecting rod  52  includes a cam follower  94 . The rod  52  also includes one or more guide slots  59  to guide the rod  52  along a generally linear path. Preferably, the connecting rod  52  includes a return spring  98  to ensure that the cam follower  94  stays in contact with the cam lobe  92 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 9 through  14 , the dispensing assembly  43  includes a rocker arm  83  mounted by a pivot  84  to the lower portion  26  of the housing  22 . The rocker arm includes three arms  86 ,  88  and  90 . A return spring  95  is preferably provided for biasing the rocker arm in a clockwise direction when viewing FIG. 2 by applying an upward biasing force on the arm  86 . The arm  90  includes a post  92  which engages an aperture  94  in a slide valve  96 . The slide valve  96  is mounted in a horizontal guide  98  defined in the lower portion  26  of the housing  22 . As shown in FIG. 10, the slide valve  96  includes a port or opening  100  which is aligned with an opening  102  in a bottom wall  104  of the candy container  36  when the dispensing assembly  43  is inoperative. In response to the operation of the linkage assembly  45  as outlined below, the rocker arm  83  will pivot about the pivot  84 . When viewing FIG. 2, upward movement of rod  108  (which occurs only upon the full extension of the linkage assembly  45  as shown in FIG. 12) causes the rocker arm to pivot in a counterclockwise direction. In so doing, the slide valve  96  will move laterally within the guide  98  such that the opening  100  will be disposed over a ramp  106  as shown in FIG. 13, such that a piece of candy disposed in the opening  100  will fall onto the ramp  106  and exit the container  36  through the dispensing opening  39 . It will be understood that the rod  122  rises and falls with each pull and release of the trigger  62 , while the rod  108  will remain stationary unless the linkage assembly is fully extended. The return spring  95  will maintain the dispensing assembly  43  in an inoperative position unless activated by the linkage assembly as above-described. 
     Referring now to FIGS.  2  and  9 - 14 , the linkage assembly  45  includes a lower rod  108  having an upper end  110  and a lower end  112 . The upper end  110  includes a slot  114  having an upper end  116  and a lower end  118 , while the lower end  112  engaging the arm  88  of the rocker arm  83 . The linkage assembly  45  also includes an upper rod  122  having an upper end  124  having a toothed rack  126  engaging the outer gear  76  of the gear  70 , and also includes a lower end  128  having a pin  130  engaging the slot  114 . Portions of the rods  108  and  122  are disposed in a guide housing  132  defined in a portion of the candy container  36 . Both rods  108  and  122  are preferably formed of Delrin plastic. It will be appreciated that the rods  108  and  122  are relatively moveable. For example, as the trigger  62  is moved back and forth, the upper rod  122  will slide up and down with the pin  130  sliding within the slot  114  between the retracted position of FIG.  9  and the partially extended position of FIG.  11 . As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the trigger  62  includes a resilient arm  132 , which, upon extra pressure being applied to the trigger  62 , deflects slightly thus allowing the linkage assembly  45  to be fully extended (by an additional measure  134 ), such that the arm  88  of the rocker arm  83  is moved. Consequently, the movement of the rocker arm  83  causes the slide valve  96  to slide back and forth between the position of FIG.  10  and the position of FIG.  13 . 
     In operation, the candy dispenser  20  is held in the hand of a user (not shown). The user activates the candy dispenser  20  by pressing on the handle portion  64  of the trigger  62  such that the trigger  62  moves from the first position shown in FIG. 1, toward the second position, such as is shown in FIGS. 4,  6  and  7 . The toothed rack  74  engages the pinion  72  of the gear  70 , thus commencing the rotation of the gear mechanism  42 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the toothed rack  74  causes the gear  70  to rotate in the clockwise direction, with the outer gear  76  causing the gear  84  to rotate in the opposite (i.e., counterclockwise) direction. The spring  89  forces the teeth  91  of the levers  87  to engage the teeth  49   a  in the recessed gear  49  on the wheel  44 . Consequently, the wheel  44  rotates in the same direction as the gear  84 . As the wheel  44  thus rotates, the end  50  of the reed  48  contacts the irregular outer surface  46 , which thus causes the reed  48  to vibrate and produce an audible noise. The drive gear  82  drives the gear  68  on the flywheel  66 , thus rotating the flywheel  66  in a generally clockwise direction when viewing FIG.  2 . It will be understood to those skilled in the art that additional idler gears (not shown) could be used. 
     As the wheel  44  rotates, the cam lobe  92  is engaged by the cam follower  99  on the rod  52 , which causes the rod  52  to reciprocate up and down. In the process, the head  28  and the tail  33  pivot or oscillate about their respective pivots. 
     Once the trigger  62  has been depressed to the position of FIG. 8, the operator may user can release the trigger  62  which is then returned toward the first position as shown in FIG.  8 . By virtue of the clutch assembly  78 , the trigger  62 , the gear  70 , and the gear  84  are decoupled or operatively disconnected from the balance of the gear mechanism  42 . This decoupling permits the balance of the gear mechanism  42  (the wheel  44  and the flywheel  66 ) to continue to rotate in the manner described above, aided by the rotational momentum of the flywheel  66 . When decoupled, the teeth  91  on the levers  87  pivot about the posts  85  and thus slide over the teeth  49   a , so that the first portion  79  of the mechanism  42  offers little or no resistance to the continued rotation of the second portion  81  of the mechanism  42 . Accordingly, the rest of the gear mechanism  42  continues to rotate so that the sound produced by the reed  48  continues, and so that the head  28  and the tail  33  continue to oscillate by virtue of the reciprocating connecting rod  52 . Once the rotational momentum of the flywheel  66  is exhausted, the gear mechanism  42  will come to a stop. 
     When it is desired to dispense a piece of candy items  37  from the opening  39 , the operator pulls the trigger  62  an extra measure as shown in FIG. 14 to deflect the arm  132 , which thus allows the linkage assembly  45  to be fully extended. Consequently, the arm  88  pivots the rocker arm  86 , causing the slide valve  96  to slide within the guide  98  such that a candy item  37  drops through the opening  100  onto the ramp  102 , from where the candy item  37  slides through the dispensing opening  39 . Preferably, only a single piece of candy  37  will be delivered upon moving the trigger through a full actuation cycle (i.e., all the way to the position of FIG.  14 ). 
     It will be understood that the above description does not limit the invention to the above-given details. It is contemplated that various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.