Patent Publication Number: US-2007099540-A1

Title: Bobble head candy

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. filed on Nov. 3, 2004. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
      Not Applicable  
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
      Not Applicable  
     STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL  
      Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
     BACKGROUND  
      The present invention relates to candy pop devices, and more particularly, to a candy pop device that is configured to represent a humanoid or character figure and can be converted to a bobble toy after consumption of the candy.  
      Lollipops in their basic form are well known in the public domain. The conventional basic form of a lollipop is a thin usually cylindrical cardboard or plastic stick, which has a piece of hard candy attached to one end. The candy can be molded into any shape and consumed while holding the stick. Many designs of candy holding structures, which replace or are used in conjunction with the stick on which the candy mounts, are possible. These designs aim at providing an entertaining or aesthetic appeal.  
      Several candy pop devices with a variety of designs are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pub. No. 20030138527 to Coleman discloses an animated or non-animated body candy pop device that comprises a main housing or body including a pliable material with a wire or stiffener in the body so that the body can be shaped into different shapes. The housing includes a means to receive and hold a candy stick on which a pop is secured. The pop can be formed directly on one or more appendages of the body instead of using the stick.  
      In U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,158 to Hart a lollipop that has a stem configured to represent a creature is disclosed. The stem includes a gripping portion between a lower base and an upper head portion. A body of candy surrounds the upper head portion. The candy is translucent such that the head portion of the creature is visible from outside. The lower base preferably has a flat bottom surface to enable the device to stand by itself on a flat support surface.  
      U. S. Pat. No. 5,919,079 to Coleman discloses a play sword lollipop-holding device for entertaining children, which comprises a plastic handle and a plurality of plastic telescoping sleeves attached to the handle. The plastic handle is the main housing with the plastic telescoping sleeves attached to it. The last sleeve, which is the smallest, has an aperture at the end to hold a lollipop on a stick. A child can enjoy playing and eating his/her play sword lollipop with the flick of their wrist. This action causes the telescoping sleeves and candy to extend outward from the handle making a sword to play with. When not in use, the telescoping sleeves can be collapsed one into the other for easy carrying and storage.  
      Although the above devices are related to candy pops, the present invention provides a human figure that mimics a famous sportsperson, actor, or other well-known people.  
      Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved candy pop device that can be converted to a humanoid or character figure after consumption of the candy.  
      A further object is to provide to provide an improved candy pop device that includes a wobbling head.  
      Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved candy pop device that can be used as a collectible or souvenir. These and other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.  
     SUMMARY  
      The present invention is an improved candy device that resembles a humanoid or character figure. The device includes a separate body portion and head portion. The neck portion of the body includes a stick-like protrusion, surrounded by candy. The head portion includes a hole or groove for receiving the stick-like protrusion, so that the head wobbles after the candy is consumed. The hole or groove and the stick-like protrusion are designed such that the head will wobble when touched slightly. This wobbling effect is achieved by maintaining tolerance between the dimensions of the hole or groove and the stick-like protrusion.  
      The head can be designed to mimic a variety of humanoid figures, or characters, including a famous sportsperson, a movie actor, or other characters such as cartoon characters, animals, superheroes, robots, seasonal characters and other personalities well known in different capacities. The body can also be designed to suit or contrast with the head portion of the device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of the body portion of the candy pop device in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of the body portion that includes a candy.  
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the head portion.  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of the head portion being installed on the body.  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of an alternative type of character that may be represented by the body and head. 
    
    
     FIGURES—REFERENCE NUMERALS  
     
         
           10  . . . Body Portion  
           11  . . . Head Portion  
           12  . . . Flat Base  
           13  . . . Stick-like Protrusion  
           14  . . . Candy  
           15  . . . Team Name  
           16  . . . Cap  
           17  . . . Logo  
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an improved candy pop device is illustrated. The device mainly comprises a body  10  and a head portion  11 . The body  10  of the device, as seen in  FIG. 1 , includes a humanoid figure without a head. The device also includes a flat base  12  at the bottom of the body  10 . The flat base  12  enables the device to stand by itself on a flat surface. The neck portion of the body includes a stick-like protrusion  13 , which is surrounded by candy.  FIG. 2  illustrates a candy  14  surrounding the stick-like protrusion  13  of the body  10 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the head portion  11  of the candy pop device is illustrated, which is mounted over the stick-like protrusion  13 . The head portion  11  includes a hole or groove (not shown) for receiving the stick-like protrusion  13 . After consumption of the candy  14 , the head is permitted to wobble erratically while supported by the body. Various shapes, designs, and dimensions may be used for the hole or groove and the stick-like protrusion  13 , so that the head  11  wobbles over the stick-like protrusion  13  in a certain orientation, or randomly when slightly touched. The wobbling effect can be achieved by maintaining appropriate tolerance between the dimensions of the hole or groove and the stick-like protrusion  13 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , the head portion  11  installed on the stick-like protrusion  13  after consumption of the candy  14  is illustrated. The head  11  can be suitably modeled to represent a famous personality such as an athlete, movie actor, politician, or the like. The body  10  is modeled accordingly to represent the body portion of the character. Any relevant name, writing, or design can be imprinted on the flat base  12 . Therefore, the candy pop device can be used as a collectible item after consumption of the candy.  
      Logos  15 , copy, a personality or team name, etc., can be imprinted on the flat base  12 . Caps  16  or other related accessories can also be included on the head  11  when appropriate for the character. The cap  16  can be imprinted with a team logo or some related design  17 .  
      All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.  
      While specific apparatus has been disclosed in the preceding description, it should be understood that these specifics have been given for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the present invention and that many variations thereof will become apparent to those who are versed in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the appended claims.  
      Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state“means for” performing a specified function, or“step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a“means” or“step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of“step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6.