 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention involves toys with illuminable edibles either as a
single toy figure or as a simulation toy with several illuminable edibles.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The combination of illuminable edibles illumed by a switchable battery
powered light source has not been taught by the prior art. The teaching of
edibles as a toy component has been limited to simple configurations such
as candy necklaces, candy rings, and simple candy containers.
CE DE CANDY INC., teaches the use of edibles resembling miniature donuts,
sold under the registered trademark "SMARTIES", strung together and sold
as a necklace.
The TOPPS COMPANY INC., under U.S. Pat. Nos. De. 242646/242645 teach the
use of a hard translucent candy resembling a gem attached to a finger ring
holder under the trademark "RING POP".
U.S. Pat. No. 2,532,729 issued to Millstein, involved a transparent
container formed and colored like the body of Santa Claus open at the top
and having a closure in the form of the head of Santa Claus. The head
threaded onto the body in such a manner that less than half a turn was
needed to assure a tight connection. Inside the transparent container or
body were multi-colored candies.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,085,414 issued to Cavanagh, involved a container for
packaging candies for children. The container simulated the face of a
character, such as a person, with eye-like openings. Adjustments on the
container provided for the rearranging of the colored candies inside to
change the colors of the eye-like openings for amusement.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,512 issued to Girsch et al., involved a shape-matching
toy with a first plate having a plurality of different shape apertures
therein and a plurality of block elements of corresponding shapes which
are receivable in the apertures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,030 issued to Morris et al., involved a candy container
configured as a fowl or the like with the contained candy shaped like an
egg. Squeezing or compressing the container caused an egg to be ejected
from an orifice on the bottom of the container and simultaneously
generating air pressure to activate a reed-type sound generator located in
the bill of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,574,071, issued to Dvorsky involved a dispensing container
for cigars, cigarettes and like small cylindrical objects. The container
employed interconnected idler wheels, string and pulleys, springs, screws
and linkages to segregate one article from the container by depressing a
single key.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,817, issued to Ferrero involved a container for food
products consisting of two trough shaped bodies which could be joined
together releasably at their complementary free edges. One of the free
edges had a notch which defined a slot with the other free edge when the
bodies were joined together. The two bodies had appendages shaped so as to
give the container an animal-like appearance, and some of the appendages
served to support the container with the slot facing upwards.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,909, issued to Spector, involved a display package
housing a cylindrical, transparent container whose externally-threaded
neck received a screw-on cap. The container could be filled with shaped
candy pieces having a figurative form such as that of miniature bears. The
package was a hollow plastic figure whose form was similar to that of the
smaller shaped candy pieces inside the container.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the combination of illuminable edibles
illumed by a battery powered light source as taught by the present
invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an illuminable edible toy having a replaceable,
illuminable edible that can be crystal candy or other translucent or
transparent food, in the form of crystals, characters such as Santa Claus,
Easter Bunny and Eggs, or any other three dimensional figure. The
replaceable, illuminable edible is attached to a holder which is in turn
attached to a base. Concealed inside the base are a light source and
battery connected to an electrical switch.
The illuminable edible toy can be a simulation toy with several
replaceable, illuminable edibles inside a holder having a cover simulating
a variety of themes. The replaceable, illuminable edibles can be figures
representing characters such as a witch, vampire, skeleton, Easter Rabbit,
Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Christmas tree or Frosty the
Snowman. The holder can have a cover simulating a coffin or horror house
for conveying horror themes, or simulating an egg shell for conveying an
easter celebration theme or a cave for conveying a fairy tale mining cave
theme.
The covers for the simulation themes can be hinged to open and can also
have openings or smaller hinged covers or transparent portions for looking
inside at the replaceable, illuminable edible character figures. The base
can have a reflector for improving the luminance effect on the
replaceable, illuminable edibles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention should be more fully understood when the
specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended
hereto wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a candy cane toy with an illuminable edible
portion;
FIG. 2 is a side cut view of the candy cane toy depicted in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partially cut side view of a coffin simulation toy with
illuminable edibles;
FIG. 4 is a partially cut view of a horror house simulation toy with
illuminable edibles.
FIG. 5 is a partially cut side view of an Easter celebration simulation toy
with illuminable edibles;
FIG. 6 is a cut away view of a base for a mining cave simulation toy with
illuminable edibles;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the simulation toy in FIG. 6 with a side opening
cover model;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the cover in FIG. 7 with the sides open.
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the cover in FIGS. 7 and 8;
FIG. 10 is a rear view of the simulation toy in FIG. 6 with a top opening
cover model;
FIG. 11 is a side view of an illuminable edible figure for the simulation
toy of FIG. 6;
FIG. 12 is a side view of an illuminable edible figure for the simulation
toy of FIG. 6;
FIG. 13 is a side view of an illuminable edible figure for the simulation
toy of FIG. 6;
FIG. 14 is a front view of an illuminable edible figure for the simulation
toy of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 15 is a side view of an illuminable edible figure for the simulation
toy of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention entails a toy with illuminable edibles which can be
consumed by children. The illuminable edibles can be attached to a handle
resembling a candy cane, ice cream cone portion or be inside a container
simulating a coffin, horror house, Easter egg or mining cave, etc. The
illuminable edibles are illumed to produce a brilliance or glowing effect
by battery powered lights inside the handles or containers. Typically, the
illuminable edibles are frictionally attached to holders in the base. The
holders may be protrusions or recesses which frictionally mate with
corresponding recesses or protrusions in the illuminable edibles.
The term "replaceable, illuminable edible" as used herein can mean a soft
or hard crystal candy or other translucent or transparent food. These
replaceable, illuminable edibles can be in the form of crystals, candy
canes, ice cream cones, snow cones, eggs, Christmas trees,
jack-o-lanterns, etc. or characters such as Santa Claus, a snowman,
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Easter Bunny, Frankenstein, a "wolfman",
witch, vampire, etc.. The replaceable, illuminable edibles can be single
colored or be of mixed colors.
The term "light permeating portion" as used herein can be a hole or opening
in the base for permitting light emitted from a light source inside the
base to pass through onto or into a replaceable, illuminable edible.
Alternatively, the light permeating portion can be a transparent or
translucent material in a top support surface of the base. The term "light
source" as used herein can mean an incandescent lamp in which a filament
is heated to incandescence by an electric current. "Battery" as used
herein can mean an electrochemical based storage device for generating an
electric current. The term "conductor" as used herein can mean an
insulated or non-insulated material which provides a pathway for electric
current. The term "switch" as used herein can mean a single pole single
throw push button, toggle, rocker or slide-type electrical contact switch
for making or breaking an electrical circuit.
The term "reflector" as used herein can mean a reflector having a shape
that is flat, near parabolic or parabolic. The reflecting surface can be a
polished or plated metal or plastic surface.
Shown in FIG. 1 is a side view of an illuminable toy 1 resembling a candy
cane. The illuminable edible 9 has a protrusion which is attached to a
base 5 by frictional insertion into the holder 7. The base 5 is
cylindrical in shape and together with the illuminable edible 9 can have
red and white stripes 2 for simulating a candy cane. As shown, the base 5
and holder 7 are unistructurally formed, however, in alternative
embodiments the holder may removably snap or thread onto the base.
A partially cut side view in FIG. 2 details the electrical hardware
contained and concealed inside the base 5. The switch 3 is electrically
connected by direct contact through spring 2 to an anode of a battery 13
and electrically connected through conductor 15 to a light source 11. The
light source 11 is electrically connected by direct contact to an anode of
the battery 13. The light permeating portion 8 is a continuous opening
from the light source 11 end in the base 5 to the protrusion and of the
illuminable edible 9. Thus, the light emitted from the light source 11 is
absorbed and diffused by the illuminable edible 9 to render an
illuminating or glowing effect from the illuminable edible 9. In an
alternative embodiment, the holder can be fitted with a clear plastic
overlay that is molded to fit over and inside the holder 7 portion of the
base 5. The overlay could be removable for cleaning and reuse. Shown is an
optional reflector 6 which encircles the bulb portion of the light source
11 and is attached to the base 5 under the light permeating portion 8.
The illuminable edible 9 is illuminated by turning switch 3 till spring 2
compresses sufficiently to expand and contact with conductor 15 so as to
complete the electrical circuit and energize the light source 11. The
energized light source 11 produces an illuminating or glowing effect on
the illuminable edible 9. The illuminable edible 9 may be consumed by
licking or chewing while the light source 11 is energized or de-energized.
When the illuminable edible has been partially or completely consumed it
may then be withdrawn from the holder 7 end of the base 5 to allow
insertion of a new or similarly configured illuminable edible. In
alternative embodiments, the replaceable illuminable edible 9 can be a
variety of three dimensional forms such as Santa Claus, a snowman, a
reindeer, a Christmas tree, etc. In a further alternative embodiment the
base can be modified to appear as an ice cream cone with the illuminable
edible appearing as a strawberry coated scoop of ice cream.
FIG. 3 shows a partially cut side view of an illuminable toy simulating a
coffin with horror figures. The base 33 has wall portions 35 and 36 closed
off by an access cover 39 at the bottom. Inside the base 33, light source
28 is electrically connected through conductor 40 to a light source 26 and
electrically connected through conductor 38 to a switch 31. Switch 31, an
electrical contact switch, is electrically connected through conductor 30
to an anode of a battery 27. Battery 27 is electrically connected by
direct contact to a battery 25. Light source 26 is electrically connected
through conductor 42 to an anode of battery 25. The electrical circuit
arrangement shown is one where the light sources are connected in series
with the batteries and the switch. However, the light sources may be
arranged in parallel with the batteries and the switch to allow one light
source to operate if the other should fail.
The base 33 has a top surface 34 which holds or supports replaceable
illuminable edibles 21, a vampire, and 23, a skeleton. The top surface 34
of the base 33 has light permeating portions 22 and 24 over the light
sources 26 and 28 respectively. The cover 37 on the wall fits on the wall
portions 35 and 36 of the base 33. Shown on top of the cover 37 are
viewing windows 41 and 43 which can be translucent or transparent or
simply openings with hinged plastic covers to allow viewing the
illuminable edibles, 21 and 23, when they are illumed. The cover 37 can be
removed to allow retrieval of the illuminable edibles for partial
consumption. Once partially consumed, the illuminable edibles can be
returned to the base 33 under the cover 37 and seen through viewing
windows 41 and 43 as decomposing corpses. In alternative embodiments, a
transparent or translucent viewing window or opening can be on the side of
the cover to provide the view depicted by FIG. 3. Also shown is an
optional plastic illuminated accessory 32 simulating a ruffle appearance
inside a coffin which attains a brilliance or glowing effect when the
light sources 26 and 28 are energized. Alternatively, the accessory 32 can
be of a glow-in-the-dark material for a different viewing effect.
Shown in FIG. 4 is a partially cut side view of an illuminable toy
simulating a horror house. Inside the base 57 is a light source 53
electrically connected through conductor 52 to switch 51 and electrically
connected through conductor 54 to an anode of a battery 59. The switch 51
is connected through conductor 50 to an anode of battery 59. The base 57
has a removable access cover 49 and a top support surface 70 which has
integrally formed protrusions 81, 82, 83, and 84 that friction fit into
corresponding recesses in the replaceable, illuminable edibles 61, 63, 65
and 67 respectively. Also shown is a plastic illuminated accessory 72,
attached to rooftop portion 73 simulating a flying ghost. Alternatively,
the plastic accessory 72 can be a glow-in-the-dark material.
The entire top support surface 70 is a light permeating portion made of a
translucent material which diffuses the incandescent light emitted by
light source 53. In an alternative embodiment, the top support surface 70
can be opaque, with smaller light permeating portions under the
replaceable illuminable edibles 61, 63, 65 and 67, thereby increasing the
concentration of light into, and enhancing the illuminating or glowing
effect of, the replaceable, illuminable edibles. Shown is an optional
reflector 55 encircling the bulb portion of light source 53. The reflector
55 is attached to the base 57 under the light permeating portion of the
top support surface 70.
Resting atop the base 57 walls is a cover 69 with permanently attached wall
portions 66 and 68 and removable roof tops 71 and 73 which are hinged
together at the ridge 74. By removing the cover 69, the illuminable
edibles 61, 63, 65 or 67 can be retrieved for partial consumption or
replaced by other illuminable edibles. In an alternative embodiment, the
wall portions 66 and 68, removably resting atop the base 57, may be
permanently attached to the rooftops 71 and 73. In such an embodiment, the
rooftops 71 and 73 may have openings with hinged covers for viewing the
replaceable, illuminable edibles when the light source 53 is energized by
switch 51.
Shown in FIG. 5 is a partially cut side view of an Easter celebration
simulation toy with illuminable edibles 91, a rabbit, 89, an egg and 87, a
mouse. The base 93 is configured as an eggshell bottom resting inside a
similarly configured stand 95 with a flat bottom for standing stability.
The top support surface 105 of the base 93 has integrally formed holders
82, 84 and 86 in the shape of protrusions which friction fit into
corresponding recesses in the replaceable, illuminable edibles 91, 89 and
87 respectively. The top support surface 105 of the base 93 is removable
but remains in place by snapping into the base 93. The top support surface
105 being made of a translucent material, is also a light permeating
portion permitting the light source 83 to illuminate the replaceable,
illuminable edibles 87, 89 and 91. The plastic illuminated accessories 98,
a picket fence, and grass 88, absorb and diffuse light emitted by the
light source 83 to provide an additional illuminated glowing effect. In
alternative embodiments these accessories can be illuminable edibles or
glow-in-the-dark materials.
Access inside the base 93 is provided by the top support surface 105 of the
base 93 being removable. The light source 83 is electrically connected
through conductor 94 to an anode of a battery 81 and electrically
connected through conductor 92 to a switch 80. The switch 80 is
electrically connected through conductor 96 to the battery 81. Also shown
is an optional reflector 85. The reflector 85 encircles the bulb portion
of the light source 83 and is attached to the base 93 under the top
support surface or light permeating portion 105. The eggshell cover 99 is
removable from the base 93 by unsnapping cover portions 101 and 103 apart
at joint 100 which simulates a crack line which extends from the base 93
just above the top support surface 105 to a top of the cover 99. Cover
portions 101 and 103 longitudinally divide the cover 99 into two portions
at joint 100. Alternatively, the egg shell cover 103 may be one piece
which simply unsnaps from the base 93 perimeter just above the top support
surface 105 or opens by way of a hinge attached to both the egg shell
cover 100 and base 93. In yet a further alternative embodiment, one or two
of the illuminable edibles depicted, 87, 89 and 91 can be permanent
plastic figures rather than illuminable edibles.
Shown in FIG. 6 is a partially cut away view of a base 111 for a mining
cave simulation toy with illuminable edibles. The switch 113 is
electrically connected through conductor 224 to a battery 112 and through
conductor 222 to a light source 115. The light source 115 is electrically
connected through conductor 226 to the battery 112. The base has a top
support surface 119 with recessed holders 228 and 230 which friction fit
with protrusions 173 and 183 on replaceable illuminable edibles such as
171 and 181 respectively. (See FIGS. 14 and 15). The top support surface
119 may be an entire light permeating portion or have smaller light
permeating portions.
Shown in FIG. 6 is an optional reflector 117 which encircles the bulb
portion of light source 115 and is attached to the base under the light
permeating portion or top support surface 119. Also shown is an optional
clear plastic overlay insert 121 which is molded to fit over the top
surface 119 and into the recessed holders 228 and 230. This clear plastic
overlay can be washable to permit new illuminable edibles to be placed
into a clean base 111. Moreover, this type of clear plastic overlay can be
employed as an option in any simulation toy with illuminable edibles,
including those depicted in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.
Shown in FIG. 7 is a front view of a side opening cover 125 for the base
111 detailed in FIG. 6. The outside and inside surfaces of the cover 125
may be textured to simulate rock formations in a mining cave.
FIG. 8 shows how the side opening cover 125 would appear opened to provide
access to any replaceable, illuminable edibles inside the cover 125.
FIG. 9 shows a possible hinge attachment arrangement for the side opening
cover of FIGS. 7 and 8. Hinge 129, attached to both sides of the cover 125
at the bottom, is also attached to the base 111. Hinge 127 is attached to
both sides of the cover 125 to provide added stability. If the rear of the
cover 125 is not flexible, than the two hinges 127 and 129 must be
vertically aligned to properly function in unison.
FIG. 10 depicts a top opening cover 124 embodiment, whereby a single hinge
131 is attached to the base 111. The advantage of this embodiment over the
two hinged cover version in FIG. 9, is that the cover 124 can be
irregularly shaped to better simulate a mining cave and still permit the
single hinge 131 to properly open and close the cover.
Depicted in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are embodiments of replaceable,
illuminable edibles for the mining cave simulation toy of FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9
and 10. Replaceable illuminable edible 141 simulates a stalagmite deposit
on a cave floor. The protrusion portion 143 can be friction fitted into
one of the holder recesses 228 or 230 in FIG. 8. Replaceable, illuminable
edible 151 simulates a gem cluster whose protrusion 153 can be friction
fitted into a recessed holder like 228 or 230 shown in FIG. 8.
Replaceable, illuminable edible 161 is a translucent candy simulating a
treasure which is inserted into a plastic molded treasure chest 163 with a
hole 165 at the bottom that allows the protrusion 164 to be inserted into
a recessed holder like 228 or 230 in FIG. 8. Replaceable, illuminable
edibles, 171, a miner, and 181, a gem inspector, have protrusions 173 and
183 respectively, also being edible, which can be inserted into recessed
holders like 228 and 230 shown in FIG. 8.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood
that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
