Abstract:
A candy container and dispenser device. A multi-compartment dispensing device offers a unique device for storing and dispensing candy. Accordingly, multiple types and/or colors of candy may be contained in a transparent housing to create a very colorful presentation. Any number of candy types, including powdered, beads, pellets and the like, may be stored and dispensed with the multi-compartment device. The compartments each include rotatable floors controlled by actuators. When the floors are rotated in a sloping manner, contained candies fall into a common chamber positioned beneath the compartments. A dispensing aperture in the chamber allows the candies to exit the container. One version comprises a flute-shaped device having a controller linked to one or more actuators and configured to trigger audible tones via an audio device and/or one or more LEDs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/465,528 filed May 13, 2009 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/927,250 filed Aug. 26, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,174 issued Jul. 7, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for storing and dispensing candy. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Yearly candy sales in the United States top $10 billion. Moreover, candy sales are expected to grow 3%-5% per year for the next five years. A rapidly growing trend in the candy industry is interactive candy or candy that is packaged with dispensers. Many dispensers are meant to be collectibles, while others are promotional, often used for movie or video game tie-ins. 
         [0004]    Candy dispensers come in many different shapes and sizes. One of the first candy dispensers was known as the “Pixy-Stix.” A Pixy-Stix is a closed paper tube, which resembles a straw, containing powdered and colored candy. In order to consume the candy, a user tears or bites off an end of the tube and pours the candy into their hands or mouth. U.S. Pat. No. 2,901,357 to Epstein illustrates one such paper tube. Unfortunately, when bitten or placed in one&#39;s mouth, ends of the paper tube become saturated with saliva causing the tube to seal unexpectedly. In response, a user must manually re-open the tube. The entire process tends to be messy and the mixture of powdered candy and saliva creates an undesirable paste-like substance. 
         [0005]    Consequently, there have been numerous attempts to develop alternative dispensers for powdered candy and other small candy items. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,138,249, 5,853,112 and 6,139,393 disclose such dispensers. However, each of the disclosed dispensers suffers from one or more drawbacks. That is, the dispensers are unsafe for children (e.g., have small detachable parts), complex and burdensome to manufacture and/or lack versatility. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there continues to be the need for an aesthetically pleasing candy dispenser remedying the drawbacks of previous dispensers while accomplishing the objective of dispensing candy in a manner entertaining to its users. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a compartmentalized container for segregating different types and/or colors of candy. In one embodiment, the container takes the shape of a flute wherein multiple candy compartments are formed along its length. In the flute embodiment, each compartment may accommodate different candy (e.g., powder, small candy beads or pellets, etc.) and/or different colored candies. To enhance the flute-shaped dispenser, the flute includes an operational mouthpiece for creating an audible tone. A release mechanism provides a means for the user to dispense the candy through, for example, the mouthpiece of the flute. 
         [0008]    Ideally, the container is fabricated of a transparent plastic so that the user may observe the various candies in the multiple compartments. In this manner, a rainbow of candy colors can be created to enhance the appearance of the dispenser. 
         [0009]    While a flute has been described, other shapes, including a harmonica, whistle or animals, may be used to form the container. Other features, variations and embodiments will become evident from the detailed description, drawings and claims set forth below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a first flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the first flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional width view along direction A of the first flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a transparent side view of a second flute embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a view of a wall of the second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of covers open in the third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective upper view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective side view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 10-11  shows perspective cut-away views of the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a compartment of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional side view of the compartment of the fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  shows a side view of a candy dispenser with doors in open and closed positions according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of a dispensing end in the form of a flute tip of a candy dispenser according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 16 and 17  show end views of a dispensing end in the form of a flute tip of a candy dispenser according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  shows a block diagram of an electronic system which may be incorporated in the candy dispenser according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0027]    Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first top and side view of a flute embodiment generally referred to by reference numeral  100 . The flute  100  comprises a mouthpiece  110 , multiple compartments  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 , dividing walls  117  release unit  120 , filler openings  125  and filler opening covers  130 . The filler opening covers  130  are joined to the flute  100  by hinges  127  which allow the covers  130  to be opened by applying pressure in a sideways direction. In other words, the covers  130  rotate in a direction denoted by B in  FIG. 1  about a top of the flute  130 . The flute  100  may be made of any suitable material but ideally transparent plastic is used. The use of transparent material allows the candy  135  to be seen while contained in the flute  100 . The candy  135  may be packaged in the flute  100  at the manufacturing facility and delivered to the retail outlets accordingly. As described in detail below, once the candy  135  is dispensed by a user, the flute  100  may include means for allowing the user to refill the flute  100  as desired. 
         [0028]    The release unit  120  provides means for dispensing the contained candy  135 . While the release unit  120  shown is a knob, it can also be a lever, button, handle, finger, rib or similar feature. In a first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , each compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6  includes an aperture  140  in a wall  117  thereof. The size of the apertures  140  dictates the size of the candy  135  that may be readily contained and dispensed by the flute  100 . To dispense the candy  135  the release unit  120  is pulled away or lifted from the flute container  100  thereby opening an internal movable cover  150  of the aperture  140 - 1  in the mouthpiece  110 . The cover  150  moves along parallel tracks  155  in the wall  117 - 1 . Then, the user tilts the flute container  100  and pours the candy  135  through the compartment apertures  140 , including the opened mouthpiece aperture  140 - 1 , and into their hand or mouth. The release mechanism  120  is attached to the cover  150  of the mouthpiece aperture  140 - 1  by an elongated substantially rigid member  165 . A spring  170  and disc  175  interact to force the cover  150  to its closed position once the user releases the knob  120 . A locking mechanism (not shown) may also hold the knob  120  in an open position until the user is ready to close the aperture  140 - 1 . 
         [0029]    In a second embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , each compartment aperture  140  incorporates a movable cover  150 . In the second embodiment, each of the compartment covers  150 , including the mouthpiece cover  150 - 1 , is controlled by the release mechanism  120 . Thus, once the release mechanism  120  is pulled away from the flute  100 , each of the compartment covers  120  is moved to an open position allowing the candy  135  to flow freely from the compartments  115 - 1  through  115 - 6  and into the user&#39;s mouth or hands. A rod  180  connected to the substantially rigid member  165  joins each cover  150 - 1  through  150 - 6 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a slot  185  in each compartment wall  117 - 1  through  117 - 6  allows the rod  180  to move vertically such that the covers  150 - 1  through  150 - 6  may open. Upon release of the knob  120 , the spring  170  and disc  175  force the covers  150 - 1  through  150 - 6  to their closed position. 
         [0030]    In a third embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  a shaft  200  extends the length of the flute  100  and rotatably attaches at a first end to a compartment wall  117 . Ideally, the first end of the shaft  200  resides within a cylindrical or circular channel  205  having one open end. The shaft  200  supports one or more covers  210 . In an embodiment similar to that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the shaft  200  supports a cover  210  for each compartment aperture  140 . Upon turning the shaft  200  (as indicated by the arrow) via knob  220  affixed to a second end of the shaft  200 , the covers  210  move to allow the candy to flow through the compartment apertures  140 . Friction between the first end of the shaft  200  and circular channel wall restrains the shaft  200  and covers  210  in a fixed position until acted on by the user. Alternatively, the channel  205  and first end of the shaft  200  may each be threaded to facilitate a secure engagement therebetween. 
         [0031]    The size of the compartment apertures  140  and mouthpiece aperture  140 - 1  dictate the size of the candy  135  which can be suitably contained and dispensed by the flute  100 . Accordingly, the flute  100  may accommodate powdered candy, small candy items and/or coated candy. Different candies may be mixed and matched as desired. For example, a rainbow effect may be created by placing different colored candies in each transparent compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 . Refilling the flute  100  may be accomplished by pouring candy  135  through each individual external opening of the compartments  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 . Similarly, a user may retrieve candy from each compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6  individually by opening the filler opening cover  130  and pouring the candy  135  from the desired compartment  115 - 1  through  115 - 6 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 8-11  show a fourth embodiment of the present invention generally referred to by reference numeral  300 . In this embodiment, the flute  300  comprises a series of individual compartments  310 - 1  through  310 - 8  with a common chamber  320  extending lengthwise along the flute  300  beneath each compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8 . Individual floors  315  associated with each compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8  are configured to descend in a sloping manner as shown with compartment  310 - 2  in  FIGS. 9-11 . Causing floor  315 - 2  to descend is accomplished by depressing a corresponding actuator  325 - 2 . Each actuator  325  is attached to a floor  315  such that the actuator  325  is able to cause the floor  315  to descend, about a hinge  330  or similar mechanism, in a sloping manner. As the floor  315  slopes, the candy stored in the corresponding compartment  310  falls into the common chamber  320  therebelow. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the hinge  330  is spring-biased such that once pressure is removed from the actuator  325 , the spring-biased hinge  330  causes the floor  315  and actuator  325  to return to normal positions. Alternatively, springs (not shown) may also be positioned between the actuators  325  and an upper surface of the flute  300 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of actuator  325 /floor  315  configurations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, each actuator  325  or a single actuator is linked to each floor  315  such that candies in each compartment are dispensed simultaneously. In another embodiment, a single floor extends beneath each compartment  325  and is controlled by one or more actuators. 
         [0035]    It is also recognized that only a portion of the floor  315  (or lower surface) may be movable. For example, one-half of the floor  315  may be controlled by the actuator  325  rather than the entire floor  315 . 
         [0036]    Once the candy enters the common chamber  320  it is free to exit the flute  300  via dispensing aperture  330 . In one embodiment, the dispensing aperture  330  is permanently open and in another embodiment, it may be opened and closed by a user. Multiple candies may be dispensed simultaneously by depressing multiple actuators  325  simultaneously. The dispensing aperture  330  is sized to accommodate the types of candies stored within the flute  300 . In one embodiment, each compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8  may be refilled via an opening (not shown) in the compartment  310 - 1  through  310 - 8 . In an alternative embodiment, the flute  300  is does not include refill openings. Like the other embodiments, the flute  300  can be fabricated of transparent materials (e.g., plastic) so that different colored candies may be used to create an attractive candy presentation. 
         [0037]    While it is not mandatory, the flute  100 ,  300  may be made operational by utilizing the mouthpiece  110 . To create an audible tone the mouthpiece  110  incorporates an opening  170  and restrains a ball  175 . Therefore, as air is blown through the mouthpiece  110  the ball  175  blocks a portion of the opening  170  causing the creation of an audible tone. Also, in an alternative embodiment, buttons or actuators  325  along the flute container  100 ,  300  may be functional to allow the flute  100 ,  300  to discharge multiple tones and notes. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show a compartment  400  of a fifth embodiment according to the embodiments of the present invention. A button  405  provides a mechanism for depressing a connected actuator  410 . The actuator  410  includes a stem  411 , top member  412  and a vertical member  413 . In one embodiment, the actuator  410  is a single unit. In  FIG. 12 , a cut-away portion provides a view into the compartment  400  (In  FIG. 12 , the cut-away portion is removed to allow the inner portion of the compartment to be viewed). When the actuator  410  is depressed (Arrow A), the stem  411 , top member  412  and vertical member  413  collectively move downward (Arrows B) forcing the front end of a floor  415  to move downward (Arrow C) as a rearward end of the floor  415  rotates about a hinge  417  creating a downward sloping ramp for the candy to exit the compartment  400 . The hinge  417  is configured (e.g., spring biased) to maintain the floor  415  in a substantially horizontal orientation until a external force is applied. As the floor  415  moves downward into an open position  415 - 1 , candy stored therein may roll into a common chamber  425  via the opening between the floor  415 - 1  and adjacent wall  406  and ultimately to a user via a dispenser aperture. An elastic member  430  (e.g., elastic band) is fixed at a first end to fixed portion  431  of the dispenser and connected to the vertical member  413 . As the actuator  410  is depressed via the button  405 , the elastic member  430  extends and once the actuator  410  is released, the elastic band  430  compresses to an original length thereby raising the actuator  430  to an original position allowing the floor  415  to rotate to a horizontal, closed position. The elastic member  430  may be replaced with a spring or other member capable of expanding and compressing. Once said actuator  410  is released after being depressed, the elastic member  430  compresses to its original position thereby pulling the actuator  410  to an original position prior to the application of external pressure by the user. 
         [0039]      FIG. 14  shows a pair of compartment doors  460 - 1 ,  460 - 2  in an open position and compartment door  460 - 3  in a closed position. The doors  460 - 1 ,  460 - 2  and  460 - 3  rotate about a rod  465  extending the length of the candy dispenser. Individual rods may also be incorporated into each compartment for the same purpose. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 15-17  show side, rear and front views, respectively, of a flute tip  470  which acts to deliver the candy from the common compartment  425  to the user. A rotatable flap  475  opens under the weight of the candy allowing candy to be delivered to the user via opening  480 . An optional whistle  485  or similar mechanism may be incorporated in the flute tip  470  to provide a means for a user to generate audible tones. A separate opening  490  directs user air to the whistle thereby activating the same. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 18 , one or more of the actuators  410  may be tied to a controller  495  programmed to trigger an audio unit  496  play audible tones upon activation. The controller  495  may also trigger lighting of one or more LEDs  497  positioned within or on the candy dispenser. 
         [0041]    Even though the description has focused on a flute embodiment, any number of other container shapes are conceivable. For example, a container having a harmonica or whistle shape may incorporate multiple compartments for containing different types and/or colors of candies. Indeed, the shape does not need to be of an instrument or related sound-generating device. That is, the device may take any form, including that of animals (e.g., snake, alligator or shark). In fact, the shape may be dictated by a movie promotion or similar external influence. 
         [0042]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.