Article dispensing – Simulations
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-04-24
Noland, Kenneth W. (Department: 3651)
Article dispensing
Simulations
C221S310000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220479
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The technical field of this invention concerns dispensers for gum balls and other confectioneries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Children are amused and entertained by novel confectionery dispensing devices. Consumers of gum balls, hard candy, tablets, mints and other edible confectioneries also find portable hand held dispensing devices convenient for storing, preserving, and dispensing such confectioneries. There are a variety of well-known devices having storage chambers from which a plurality of confectioneries may be removed individually by action of the consumer. Well-known confectionery dispensers place balls or other confectioneries in position for release by biasing the objects with platform and spring systems or gravity to deliver the confectionery to the dispensing end of the storage container.
Other well-known devices hold confectioneries in dispensing devices that are decorated with, or otherwise integrated with, human-like or creature-like faces to entertain children. Some of these devices entertain by dispensing gum balls in gravity-fed spiral or other shaped tracks which the child can view through transparent enclosures.
Known confectionery dispensing devices, however, do not permit the ejection with a “popping” sound and action of the gum ball or other confectionery at a point remote from the consumer's hand which operates the dispensing device. Children are interested, amused and entertained by the popping sound and action as confectioneries are ejected from the present invention.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a confectionery dispensing device that allows the user to dispense gum balls and other confectioneries from the device at a point remote from the user's hand. The “popping” sound and action is surprising, amusing and entertaining to the user. Confectioneries are stored in a container with a spring or gravity, or other biasing means which permits a plurality of confectioneries to be delivered to a conduit serially. A hand operated plunger ejects the confectionery through flexible fingers when operated by the user. The flexible fingers are sized to retain the confectionery in the conduit until the plunger is operated. The plunger forces the confectioneries one at a time through the flexible fingers so that the confectionery gently pops out of the device into the user's other hand, but not with so great a force that the gum ball become a dangerous projectile. A face or other figure can be placed around the ejecting end of the flexible fingers tube, which face can remain permanently open or open in a door or jaw-like manner upon ejection of the confectionery.
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Noland Kenneth W.
Toycept, Inc.
Zimmerman Richard D.
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