초록 ▼

An illuminated pop-up candy comprising a housing, cap, moveable candy, moveable illumination system, and switching mechanism. The candy is able to translate and rotate along the length of the housing by the application of pressure to either the candy or the illumination system. The illumination syst

An illuminated pop-up candy comprising a housing, cap, moveable candy, moveable illumination system, and switching mechanism. The candy is able to translate and rotate along the length of the housing by the application of pressure to either the candy or the illumination system. The illumination system is switched on and off by touch or translation of the illumination along said housing.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of illuminating a pop-up candy, comprising the steps of: a) providing pop-up candy having (i) an elongate housing with an interior, a longitudinal axis and first and second ends and (ii) a candy positioned in said interior and movable along said longitudinal axis; b)

What is claimed is: 1. A method of illuminating a pop-up candy, comprising the steps of: a) providing pop-up candy having (i) an elongate housing with an interior, a longitudinal axis and first and second ends and (ii) a candy positioned in said interior and movable along said longitudinal axis; b) moving said candy along said longitudinal axis; and c) illuminating said candy during said step b) by transmitting light into said candy. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said illuminating step involves illuminating said candy after it has moved a first distance away from said first end of said housing. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said providing step further includes providing said pop-up candy having an illumination system that moves with said candy. 4. An apparatus for illuminating a confection, comprising: a) an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis and an interior having first and second positions; b) a connector positioned in said interior and movable along said longitudinal axis between said first and second positions; c) a candy disposed proximate said connector; d) an illumination system that transmits light into said candy, said illumination system including a source of power and a light source; and e) a switch that connects said source of power to said light source when said connector is moved a first distance away from said first position and disconnects said source of power from said light source when said connector is in said first position. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said candy is attached to said connector. 6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said connector is capable of transmitting light. 7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said connector is at least one from the group including a substantially transparent connector, an at least partially translucent connector, and an opaque connector with a transparent or translucent portion. 8. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a bias cooperating with said connector for urging said connector from said first position toward said second position. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said bias includes at least one from the group including a spring and an elastic band. 10. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said switch includes a spring for urging said power source into electrical contact with said light source and a magnet for pulling said power source out of electrical contact with said light source. 11. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said switch includes a touch-sensitive element that connects said power source with said light source when touched by a user. 12. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said light source is a light-emitting diode and said illumination system includes a circuit board on which said light-emitting diode is positioned. 13. An apparatus for illuminating a confection, comprising: a) a housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; b) a support disposed for axial movement along, and rotational movement about, said longitudinal axis; c) a candy attached to said support so as to move with said support; and d) an illumination system for transmitting light into said candy, said illumination system including a source of power, a light source proximate said support that is capable of transmitting light into said candy, and a switch that connects said source of power to said light source while permitting said support and said candy to move along and rotate about said longitudinal axis of said housing. 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further including a bias for urging said support toward said second end. 15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said switch includes a conductive element connected to said light source and a spring positioned between said conductive element and said source of power that is capable of transmitting electrical current between said source of power and said conductive element. 16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said switch includes a touch-sensitive element that connects said source of power with said light source when touched by a user. 17. An apparatus for illuminating a confection, comprising: a) an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and an interior; b) a candy disposed in said interior and movable along said longitudinal axis between first and second positions; c) a light source positioned in said interior proximate said candy and movable with said candy between said first and second positions, said light source including a light, a source of power, and a switch assembly for connecting said source of power to said light, wherein said switch assembly includes a first contact for connecting said source of power to said light and a bias assembly for urging said source of power against said contact when said light source has moved away from said first position a first distance toward said second position. 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said bias assembly includes: a) a first member disposed proximate said source of power and movable within said interior; b) a first spring positioned in said interior between said first end and said first member; c) a second member disposed proximate said source of power opposite said first member; and d) a second spring positioned between said second member and said source of power, wherein said second spring urges said source of power into electrical contact with said contact when said light source is moved away from said first position said first distance. 19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said second spring electrically connects said source of power with said light. 20. An apparatus according to claim 18, where said first and second springs have lengths and spring coefficients selected so that when said light source is positioned less than said first distance from said first position said first spring exerts, via said first member, a greater force on said source of power than said second spring exerts on said source of power. 21. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said switch includes a magnet for causing said source of power to move relative to said first contact. 22. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said switch includes a touch-sensitive element. 23. A method according to claim 1, wherein said moving step involves using a bias interior said housing to move said candy. 24. An apparatus for illuminating a confection, comprising: a) an elongated housing having an opening at one end; b) a candy, a light source and a bias assembly disposed within said elongated housing; and c) wherein when said candy is urged from a first position to a second position through said opening by said bias assembly, said light source is activated to transmit light into said candy. 25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said light source is proximate to and movable with said candy. 26. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said bias assembly includes at least one from the group including a spring, and an elastic band and a magnet. 27. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said illumination system moves with said connector. 28. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said illumination system is within said connector. 29. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said candy is translucent.