Child's toy-like dry food & snack dispenser

Abstract

This invention describes a novel dry food dispensing machine for snacks and cereals which can be operated by a small child. It is comprised of a machine in the form of a toy character which the child operates to feed himself or herself. Ideal for using with many dry breakfast cereals, it encourages the child to eat by making eating time fun and, when used with breakfast cereal, keeps the child's cereal from becoming soggy.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates both to a dry food dispenser which is an automatic or manual machine used to conveniently deliver designed quantities of dry granular foods to the user, and to a toy which is an amusement device with an inherent appeal to its owner / user because of its visual appearance, actions, sound capabilities, movements, or a combination of these characteristics. Sometimes, a toy may be a miniature representation of some other object and, in many cases, does not serve any other function than to have a psychological value to its owner / user.REFERENCES AND PRIOR ART[0002]The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:U.S. PatentsKindPatent NumberCodeIssue DatePatenteeU.S. Pat. No. 8,516,977B22013 Aug. 27Shatoff & HaakanssonU.S. Pat. No. 7,195,241B12007 Mar. 27HarteliusUS D499,611 SD2004 Dec. 14TseU.S. Pat. No. 5,918,769A1999 Jul. 6CapriglioneUS 2013 / 0233858A12013 Sep. 12ElbergU.S. Pat. No. 6,273,29...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The present invention comprises a novel toy-like dry food dispenser apparatus that can be easily operated by a child between the ages of 2 and 10 to dispense dry breakfast cereals and other snack foods to himself or herself. This invention has several advantages including promoting better health by improving eating habits, solving the soggy cereal problem, controlling the serving portions given to the child, reducing cleanup time and minimizing waste.

[0018]Central to the concept of this invention is the interaction required by the child in determining the rate at which the product is dispensed from the toy to his or her bowl. This allows the child to finish eating the previously delivered quantity of food product before dispensing more, thereby creating a fun and engaging activity for the child.

Problems solved by technology

Hartelius, U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,241, shows a game-style candy dispenser for children that does not include an eating bowl, and consequently, does not lend itself for use with cereal and milk.

Prior art contains many other examples of interactive toys that are not food related and several food dispensers that are not for children's use, which makes them irrelevant.

These examples are limited in scope as they are either intended for use by adults only or they are used by adults to feed infants or pets.

They have not been specifically designed to be operated by small children.

These are not specifically intended for use by small children and, consequently, are not targeted for use by this demographic.

The problem for those who are looking for a child's toy is that it is becoming more difficult to find something new.

Research suggests that young children who miss breakfast before going to school are more likely to misbehave and do not perform academically as well as those who do not miss breakfast.

Vitamins and supplements may improve specific nutritional deficiencies, but they do not improve the child's eating habits.

Many children are finicky eaters and require mom or dad's coxing to get them to eat properly.

Obesity among elementary aged children is a serious health problem in America.

A common problem with eating dry breakfast cereal is its tendency to become soggy in the bowl before it is all consumed.

The milk in the bowl quickly transforms the mixture into a substance with an unappetizing texture.

Wastage of food from nonconsumption and loss from spillage are two common problems encountered when feeding children.

And, the loss from spillage is reduced because the device is secured to the surface of the table or highchair tray making it more difficult to tip over.

Either situation can be a logistical challenge at breakfast time.

Cereal producers face many varied marketing challenges for getting their product on the table of consumers.

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