Article dispensing – Simulations
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-03
2001-04-10
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Simulations
C221S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213342
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to candy dispensers, and more particularly relates to a candy dispensing mechanism which simulates one or more candy forming stations.
BACKGROUND 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'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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a candy dispenser simulating a candy factory is provided having a housing, a gear train disposed within the housing, and a switch adapted to operate the gear train. A simulated candy mixing station is provided having a hopper, an impeller supported for rotation inside the hopper and operatively connected to the gear train, and simulated unformed candy disposed inside the hopper. A simulated candy forming station is also provided, comprising a rotatable form cylinder operatively connected to the gear train, and a simulated piece of candy formed at an outer periphery of the form cylinder. The apparatus also comprises a simulated candy wrapping station having a rotatable wrap cylinder operatively connected to the gear train, and a simulated wrapper disposed about an outer periphery of the wrap cylinder. A wrapped candy discharge station is provided having a loading chamber sized to house at least one piece of candy, a dispensing opening, and a discharge path extending from the loading chamber to the dispensing opening. A rotatable cradle is disposed in the discharge path and operatively connected to the gear train, the cradle responsive to operation of the gear train to rotate to a first position in which the cradle prevents passage of candy through the dispensing opening, and a second position in which the cradle permits passage of candy from the loading chamber to the dispensing opening.
In further accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the candy dispenser further comprises a simulated candy material pumping station in which the housing includes a first piston opening, a first simulated piston cap is disposed in the first piston opening, and a first actuator has an upper end in contact with the first simulated piston cap and is operatively connected to a gear in the gear train. The first actuator reciprocates up and down along a substantially vertical path as the gear rotates.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for simulating the formation of and dispensing cylindrically shaped chocolate candies is provided, the apparatus comprising a housing, a gear train disposed within the housing, and a switch adapted to operate the gear train. A simulated chocolate mixing station is provided comprising a hopper, an impeller supported for rotation inside the hopper and operatively connected to the gear train, and simulated chocolate nuggets disposed inside the hopper. The apparatus also includes a simulated forming station comprising a rotatable form cylinder operatively connected to the gear train, and a simulated cylindrically shaped chocolate candy formed at an outer periphery of the form cylinder. The apparatus provides a simulated wrapping station comprising a rotatable wrap cylinder operatively connected to the gear train, and a simulated wrapper disposed about an outer periphery of the wrap cylinder. A discharge station has a loading chamber sized to house at least one wrapped, cylindrically shaped chocolate candy, a dispensing opening, and a discharge path extending from the loading chamber to the dispensing opening. A rotatable cradle is disposed in the discharge path and operatively connected to the gear train, the cradle responsive to operation of the gear train to rotate to a first position in which the cradle prevents passage of a cylindrically shaped chocolate candy through the dispensing opening, and a second position in which the cradle permits passage of a cylindrically shaped chocolate candy from the loading chamber to the dispensing opening.
In accordance with additional aspects of the present invention, a candy dispenser simulating a candy factory is provided comprising a housing, a gear train disposed within the housing, an actuator adapted to operate the gear train, a simulated candy processing station operatively coupled to the gear train, and a candy discharge station having a loading chamber sized to house at least one piece of candy, a dispensing opening, a discharge path extending from the loading chamber to the dispensing opening, and a candy dispensing mechanism to periodically dispense pieces of candy when the actuator is actuated.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, a candy dispenser simulating a candy factor is provided, the candy dispenser comprising a housing, a first simulated candy processing station, the first simulated candy processing station being of a first type, and a second simulated candy processing station, the second simulated candy processing station being of a second type different than the first type. The dispenser includes a candy discharge station having a loading chamber sized to house at least one piece of candy, a dispensing opening, and a discharge path extending from the loading chamber to the dispensing opening, the candy discharge station being operable to periodically dispense pieces of candy. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing, the drive assembly being coupled to operate the first simulated candy processing station, the second simulated candy processing station, and the candy discharge station.
Other features and advantages are inherent in the apparatus claimed and disclosed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
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patent: 3828970 (1974-08-01), Yamamoto
patent: 4360988 (1982-11-01), Schoenfield et al.
patent: 4976376 (1990-12-01), Williams
patent: 5306192 (1994-04-01), Caveza et al.
patent: 5385267 (1995-01-01), Diamond et al.
patent: 5651475 (1997-07-01), Fenton
“Cap Candy Catalog”, 1998, pp. 9-18.
Kinberg Benjamin
Zak Marc W.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
Noland Kenneth W.
OddzOn, Inc.
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