Abstract:
A novelty includes a battery powered attention getting device controlled by a switch in combination with an essentially solid confection and a reservoir for a powder or granular confection. The reservoir and essentially solid confection can be separated so that the essentially solid confection can be dipped into the reservoir with powder or granular confection. Plural color and flavor confections can be consumed with the confection in a configuration to reflect or refract light so as to create sparkling. The attention getting device can be motion, lighting, noise or sound generating. A fan can circulate the powder or granular confection during dipping.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of applicants&#39; previously filed application Ser. No. 10/162,721 filed Jun. 6, 2002 entitled Spin Dip-Spin Pop now 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    Novelty, battery-powered attention getting devices combine a solid confection with an independent source of a different flavor and/or color confection in powder or granular or particle form that can be combined with the solid confection by dipping the solid confection into the particulate form confection.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    The inclusion of novelty devices such as noises and speakers and illumination means and motion means in combination with solid confections is common. W. Schlotter IV et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,748, issued Apr. 3, 1990 and T. Coleman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,373, issued Nov. 28, 1995 and J. Fishmann, U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,144, issued Jun. 20, 2000 and T. Coleman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,580, issued Aug. 14, 2001, are examples of illumination in combination with a solid confection with T. Coleman et al including sound.  
           [0006]    The attachment of a removable container containing a confection is taught by T. Coleman et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,597, issued Dec. 21, 1999. The broad concept of a hard candy that can be dipped into a removable reservoir is taught by T. Coleman in U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,884, issued Dec. 6, 1994.  
           [0007]    Vibrations in combination with a solid confection is disclosed by T. Coleman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,107, issued Feb. 21, 1995 and T. Coleman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,841, issued Jul. 13, 1999. Rotation of a solid confection is disclosed by T. Coleman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,692, issued May 11, 1993 and M. Zak, U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,266, issued Jun. 13, 2000. Oscillation of a solid confection is disclosed by C. Liaw in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,054, issued Jul. 16, 1996. Random motions of an object is disclosed by T. Coleman et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,885, issued Aug. 1, 2000 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,189, issued Mar. 13, 2001 that includes a speaker and microphone. T. Coleman et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,033 combines a solid confection with a speaker and illumination and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,500 combines a solid confection with a mechanical noise maker.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The novelty “dip pop” of the invention combines a confection holder, for an essentially solid confection, with a reservoir or container, for a powder, particulate or granular confection having one or more colors and one or more flavors, and a battery powered and operated attention getting means controlled by a switching means. The confection holder can permanently or removably hold a confection such as a sucker or lollipop or other relatively solid confection on a stick or directly or indirectly on the holder. The combination adds color, flavor and sparkle to the original solid confection.  
           [0009]    The granular or powder confection can be in crystals, spherical or other configuration so as to absorb light or to reflect light directly or break it down into its component colors to give a random or sparkling appearance. The battery operated attention getter can take the form of a motion producer such as oscillating or rotations or vibrations and/or fluid flows, or sounds, such as bell type noises or recorded sounds or messages and/or light, such as light beams or twinkling lights or illuminated indicia. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a side view of a solid confection held on a housing with rotation provisions and a removable powder/particle confection reservoir shown separated.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a side view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with the confection positioned for insertion into the powdered particle confection reservoir.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a front view of the solid confection and housing of FIG. 1 showing the internal operating mechanism.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a side view of a solid confection held on a housing with eccentric vibration provision and a removable powder/particle confection reservoir shown separated.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views of a solid confection held on a housing with vibrating appendages and a powder/particle confection reservoir shown attached and separated respectively.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a side view of a solid confection held on a housing with a pivoting provision and a removable powder/particle confection reservoir shown separated.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a side view of a solid elongated confection on a lid, with illumination, on a powder/granular confection reservoir.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 9 and 10 are side views of the solid elongated confection on a lid, with illumination, removed from and inserted within a reservoir respectively.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 is a side view of an elongated solid confection unit with illumination and a separate reservoir with a holder for the solid confection unit.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 12 and 13 are side views of a solid confection held on a housing with illumination and speaker and reservoir for powder/granular confection.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 14 and 15 are side views of a solid confection held on a housing with illumination of an object and reservoir for powder/granular confection.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 16 is a side view of a solid confection held on a housing with a noise making device and reservoir for powder/granular confection.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 17 is a side view of a solid confection held on a housing with a speaker and powder/granular confection reservoir.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 18 and 19 are side views of a solid confection held on a lid and a reservoir provided with a blower for circulating powder/granular confection with the confection and lid removed and with the confection and lid dipping into the reservoir respectively. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    There is shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  a rotary confection device  1  having a main housing  10  including a gearing system  18 , a motor  3  with a switch  6  control, a power source  2 , electrical circuit  7  and a rotatable candy pop  5  having one color and/or flavor and a second color and/or flavor  5   a , and a third color or flavor  5   b  on a stick  4 . A separate container  12  is shown spaced or separated  8  from the main housing, that can be secured to the lower end of the main housing by compatible male  14  and female  17  screw threads or by a snap-on type connector. The container and the main housing can be made of any suitable material such as clear or opaque plastic.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 shows the main housing  10 , container  12  with the confection  5  positioned to be dipped into the granular confection in the container  12 . The switch  6  can be pressed to activate the motor  3  to rotate the confection  5 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 illustrates the operative features of the main housing  10  including the motor  3 , and a power source  2  such as at least one battery or other power source. The electrical circuit for operating the motor includes electric wiring  7 , and a switch means  6  which controls the operation of the motor  3 . The motor is provided with a drive gear  18  which is compatible with a driven gear  11  on a shaft  13 . The shaft  13  includes a second driven gear  19  which drives the gear  11  from which the shaft  13  is rotatably secured. The upper end of the rotary shaft  13  has a fitting  16  to which the lower end of a candy stick  4  is secured for rotation therewith. The fitting  16  could extend outside of the main housing so that a candy pop  5  could be secured directly to the fitting  16  without the use of a stick.  
         [0027]    The container  12  is filled with at least one flavor of a candy powder  9  or with a plurality of different flavors of candy powder or particles. The powder could be any granular type of candy or any other type confection that will cling to the candy sucker when it is dipped into the confection  9  in the container  12 . Subsequent to filling the container, the container can be secured to the main housing for future use. When one desires to enjoy eating the granular candy, the container  12  is removed from the main housing  10  and the candy pop  5  is dipped into and, if desired, rotated by pressing the control switch to operate the motor. The rotating pop is dipped into the candy powder during spinning to collect some of the candy powder onto the rotating candy pop. Subsequently, the person places the candy pop with the coating thereon onto their mouth to enjoy a taste of the candy powder and the candy pop. In order to more readily have the candy powder collect onto the spinning pop, the person could wet the candy pop by first inserting the candy pop into their mouth. Thus, the candy powder will more readily adhere to the spinning pop. Once the candy pop and/or the candy powder has been consumed, it can be replaced with the same or a different flavor candy pop and/or powder.  
         [0028]    With this invention children can have fun with their candy by dipping and spinning their lollipop, with one or more flavors, into a powdered candy, coating the outside of the lollipop and then spinning the combination of flavors into their mouth creating a fun way to eat their candy. When they are not eating their candy, the container holding the powder can be threaded or snapped back onto the lower end of the spin pop housing to prevent spills. Once the candy powder has been completely consumed, the spin pop could be used with only the candy pop. Once either the candy pop and/or the candy powder has been completely consumed, the candy pop and/or the candy powder can be replaced by a new candy pop and/or candy powder of the same or a different color and/or flavor.  
         [0029]    The vibrating confection  40  of FIG. 4 has a housing with a battery power  2 , switch  6 , motor  3 , and eccentric  45 . The first end  42  of the housing  44  has a solid confection securing means  41  for resiliently holding a solid confection  5 .. Operation of the motor rotates the eccentric and through the resilient securing means vibrates the solid confection. The second end of the housing releasably secures a reservoir  48  for holding powder or particulate confection  9 . By removing the reservoir  48 , the solid confection  5  can be dipped  8  into the powder or particle confection. The solid confection can be dipped into the powder or particulate confection while the motor is off or while the solid confection vibrates. The first end  42  of the housing  44  is removably secured  43  to the housing and the reservoir  48  is removably secured to the housing by threaded means  46 , 47 .  
         [0030]    The vibration confection device  50  of FIGS. 5 and 6 show the batteries  2 , gearing  54 , and switch  6  for controlling motion in a housing in the form of an animation  52  by a motor  3 . The first end of the housing  51  has a means  56  for securing a solid confection  5  to it and the second end has a lid  57  for removably securing  55  it to a powder or granular confection  9  containing reservoir  53 . Removal of the lid permits the solid confection to be dipped  8  into the powder or granular confection  9 .  
         [0031]    The oscillating confection device  70  of FIG. 7 provides a housing with battery power  2 , a motor  3 , gearing  72 , and switch  6  for controlling movement of a confection holder. An eccentric pin-wheel  29  is driven  74  and causes an oscillation  73  of the confection  5  within a pivot slot  71  in a first end of the housing  21 . The second end of the housing is provided with a lid  22  for a powder or particle  9  reservoir  78 . The reservoir can be removably secured  8  to the housing lid  22  using male  76  and female  77  connectors. With the reservoir removed, the solid confection  5  can be dipped into the reservoir  78  to coat it with powder or particles  9 . The rotation of the eccentric pin-wheel  29  causes the pin  75  of the wheel to rotate in one direction. The pin presses against the lower end of the confection stick holder  28  to pivot it about a fixed pivot  23  against return spring  79  resulting in oscillation of the stick  4  and confection stick holder in the slot  71 .  
         [0032]    The illuminated confection devices  80  and  90  of FIGS.  8 - 11  have a small housing  88  that includes a battery power  86  and switch  87  with a light bulb  98  that can be an LED type attached within or beside a nipple  83 . The light source is adjacent to or internal of an elongated essentially solid confection  82 . The confection  82  and small housing  88  form a unit that can be integral with or separate from a lid  85  that removably closes a reservoir  84  for powdered or granular confection  9 . FIGS.  8 - 10  show the unit integral with the lid  85  and FIG. 11 shows the unit  90  separated from the lid and held to the reservoir  94  by a clip  93  with a simple lid  95  provided for the granular or powder confection  9  and cover  91  for the confection  82  secured to the small housing lid  92 . FIG. 8 shows the solid confection protected by a cover  81  and the lid  85  sealing in the powdered or granular confection  9  in the reservoir  84 . FIG. 9 shows the lid  85  and solid confection  82  removed from the reservoir  84 . FIG. 10 shows the lid  85  on the reservoir  84  and the solid confection  82  within the contained powder or granular confection  9 .  
         [0033]    A variable audio and illuminated confection device  120  of FIGS. 12 and 13 has a housing  121  with battery power  2 , speaker  127 , illumination means  125 , lens  126  and switching means  122 . A reservoir  133  for powder or particle confection  9  is removably attached  8  to the housing second end by male  132  and female  124  connectors. A solid confection holding means  129  is attached to the housing first end. Multiple switches  122  provide the user the option of selecting various illumination and audio combinations by use of a synthesizer circuit board  128 . By removing the reservoir  133  from the housing  121 , the solid confection  5  can be dipped into the powder or particle confection  9 . The illumination means sends light rays  123  through lenses  126 . A door  131  provides access to the housing  121  interior.  
         [0034]    The illuminated confection devices  140  and  150  of FIGS. 14 and 15 have a housing  143 ,  153  with battery power  2 , switch  147  and luminary  142 , such as an LED. The first end of the housing has an illuminated object  141 ,  151  that can take the form of anything from a light bulb  141  to an animate object  151 . Licking or pressing on the confection moves the candy stick  4  in to close the switch  147  circuit and illuminate the object  141 ,  151 . The second end of the housing is provided with a lid  144  and means for securing a solid confection. A reservoir  145  for a powder or particle confection  9  is provided. The lid  144  and solid confection  5  are spaced so that securing the lid  144 ,  154  to the reservoir places the solid confection  5  in the reservoir, but the solid confection can be dipped into the powder or granular confection without securing the lid to the reservoir. The male threads on the lid  144  can be threaded into the female threads  146  on the reservoir. The protrusion  155  can be in the form of an animate or inanimate object.  
         [0035]    The clacker confection device  160  of FIG. 16 has a housing  169  with a battery power supply  2 , a motor  3 , switching means  6 , gearing  168 , cam rods  167 , bell  162 , and clacker ball  163  on a clacker arm  164  operated by the motor  3  when it is activated. A first end of the housing is provided with a solid confection  5 , attached to expanding sleeve  161 , and the noise making bell  162 . A second end of the housing is designed to removably secure a reservoir  27 , using female threads  26 , to engage male threads  25  on the housing. With the reservoir removed, the solid confection can be dipped into the reservoir. The gearing  168  rotates cam rods  167  that abut the lower ends of the clacker arms  164  and pivots them about pivot pin  165  against return spring  166  tension to impact the balls  163  against the bell  162 . A door  24  provides access to the housing interior.  
         [0036]    The speaker confection device  170  of FIG. 17 has a housing  174  with battery power  2 , switch  6 , sound chip  172  and speaker  171 . The first end  178  of the housing has a means  179  for securing a solid confection and the second end has a means for securing a reservoir  177  for powder or granular confection  9 . The housing  174  serves as a lid for the reservoir. Female threads  175  on the main housing  174  thread into male threads  176  on the reservoir. With the reservoir removed from the housing, the solid confection can be dipped into the reservoir. A door  173  on the main housing provides access to the interior of the housing.  
         [0037]    A powder circulation device  180  is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The housing for the powder or granules includes both a primary outer  186  and a secondary inner container  181 . The base of the housing contains the battery power supply  2 , motor  3 , switch  6 , and gearing  184  for the fan or blower  183  that is placed in the bottom of the primary container  186 . A secondary inner collection container  181  is placed within the primary container. The secondary container has an open top  193  and a restricted tapered lower opening  185 , that serves as a passage for the powder or granules  187  from the secondary inner container to the fan or blower. The secondary inner container  181  is smaller than the primary container  186  with a bypass passage  188  around the secondary inner container that leads to the open top of the secondary inner container. Operation of the fan  183  draws powder or particles  187  from the bottom of the secondary collection inner container  181  and propels them through the bypass  188  to the top of the primary container  186 . The top of the primary container  186  has an opening that can be removably secured to a lid confection holding cover  182 . By controlling the shape of the primary container  186  upper extreme at and around the lid securing opening, the path of the powder or particles  189  coming from the bypass or outer passage  188  can be controlled to direct them across the opening  193  and/or back downwardly into the secondary container  181 . The operation of the fan with the lid in place provides a dynamic display with a transparent primary container and colored and/or reflective crystal powder or particles. The operation of the fan  183  with the lid  182  removed additionally provides an access for insertion of a solid confection  5  into the opening at  192  for contact between the solid confection  5  and the powder or particles  187  in the inner container or in motion  189 . The cover  182  can be secured to the primary container  186  by threading the male connector  192  into the female connector  191 .  
         [0038]    It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative only and that changes, variations, substitutions, modifications and equivalents will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art and that such may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.