Candy holder and candy feeding device

• US 5,853,112 A
• Filed: 02/28/1997
• Issued: 12/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ann M. Schlotter, Coleman, Princess Ann, Thomas J. Coleman, William K Schlotter IV (William K. Schlotter)
• Original Assignee: Ann M. Schlotter, Coleman, Princess Ann, Thomas J. Coleman, William K Schlotter IV (William K. Schlotter)
• Inventors: Coleman, Thomas J., Coleman, Princess Ann, Schlotter, Ann M., Schlotter, William K. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US08/807,801
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 222/371, 222/415, 221/253
• US Class Current: 222/371
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/123 arranged to keep the load-carriers horizontally during at least a part of the conveyor run
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/04 Bulk

Abstract

A candy holding and retrieving device which moves a powdered candy or any suitable candy from a reservoir onto a plastic or rubber belt which delivers the candy to a user. The device includes a main housing which contains a motor, a power supply, a gearing system designed for the proper torque and speed, and a plastic or rubber belt. The belt can be made with the surface bumpy or have a scoop made into or attached to the belt for collecting hard candy or gum and depositing it out at an opening in the main housing. The upper end of the main housing has a wheel which turns on an axle and which engages the gearing system. The lower end of the main housing has another wheel that turns on an axle. The plastic or rubber belt encircles both wheels on the outside of the main housing. A spaced plastic covering on the outside of the main housing encloses the plastic or rubber belt, and is provided with a contact switch for operating the motor. The wheel at the lower end of the main housing is enclosed with a transparent plastic container which holds the powdered candy and has an opening for refilling the container.

Claims

1. A motorized product dispensing device which comprises:

a support housing having a linear axis,

said support housing including a first wheel supported on and rotatable with a first axle, a second wheel supported on a second axle for rotation on said second axle, said first and second axles being supported in said support housing and axially spaced from each other,

a gearing system for rotating said first wheel,

a motor for driving said gearing system,

a power source for energizing the motor,

said gearing system, said motor, and said power source being supported by said support housing,

at least one switch in an electrical line from said power source to said motor for controlling electrical energy to operate said motor,

a belt that encircles said first and second wheels for rotation with said wheels,

said belt including means extending therefrom for lifting a product as said belt is rotated by said first and second wheels which are driven by said motor and gearing system,

an outer enclosure which surrounds and encloses said support housing, said wheels, said belt, said gearing system, said motor, and said power source,

said outer enclosure extends axially along the support housing and includes a reservoir for containing a product to be lifted axially by said belt, and a dispensing spout at one end of said outer enclosure for dispensing products lifted from said reservoir.

2. A motorized product dispensing device as set forth in claim 1, in which said enclosure includes an opening through which a product to be lifted can be added to the reservoir, and

a covering for the opening in said enclosure.

3. A motorized product dispensing device as set forth in claim 2, in which, said dispensing spout includes a covering for covering an end of the dispensing spout when the device is not in use to prevent any contaminants from entering the enclosure.

4. A motorized product dispensing device as set forth in claim 3, in which,

said reservoir includes an upper end extension, and

said upper end extension includes oppositely disposed projections on an outer surface that locks within oppositely disposed indentations on an inner surface of a lower end of said covering.

5. A motorized product dispensing device as set forth in claim 1, in which, said dispensing spout includes a covering for covering an end of the dispensing spout when the device is not in use to prevent any contaminants from entering the housing.

6. A motorized product dispensing device as set forth in claim 1, in which,

said gearing system includes a first drive gear which is driven by a motor shaft, a first driven gear which is driven by said first drive gear, a first drive shaft to which said first driven gear is secured, a second drive gear secured on one end of said first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a second driven gear secured to a first end of said second drive shaft, a third driven gear secured to a second end of said second drive shaft, a fourth driven gear secured to said first axle and driven by said third driven gear for rotating said first axle and said first wheel,

whereby said belt is driven by said gearing system and said first wheel.