Product dispenser

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a product dispenser for dispensing a plurality of items is provided. The product dispenser comprises a housing, cradle and a movable platform. The housing has a sidewall and a substantially planar base. The base has an aperture configured to permit at least one item to fit therethrough. The cradle is disposed within the housing. The movable platform is disposed within the housing adjacent to the cradle and is configured to support the plurality of items. The movable platform is movable between a first and a second position. When the movable platform is in the first position, the movable platform is substantially parallel to the base. When the movable platform is in the second position, the movable platform is at an acute angle relative to the base. In response to movement to the second position, the cradle is adapted to receive the item.

1 . A product dispenser for dispensing a plurality of items comprising: 
 a housing having a sidewall and a substantially planar base, the base having an aperture configured to permit at least one item to fit therethrough;    a cradle disposed within the housing; and    a movable platform disposed within the housing adjacent to the cradle and configured to support the plurality of items, the movable platform movable between a first and a second position, wherein when the movable platform is in the first position the movable platform is substantially parallel to the base, and when the movable platform is in the second position the movable platform is at an acute angle relative to the base, and wherein in response to movement to the second position, the cradle is adapted to receive the item.    
   
   
       2 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein in response to movement to the first position, the item fits through the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein a substantial portion of the housing is transparent.  
   
   
       4 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the base is substantially circular.  
   
   
       5 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the acute angle is less than 45 degrees.  
   
   
       6 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the acute angle is approximately 30 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the movable platform is substantially flat.  
   
   
       8 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a spring capable of biasing the movable platform to the first position.  
   
   
       9 . The product dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the spring automatically returns the movable platform to the first position from the second position.  
   
   
       10 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a lever capable of moving the movable platform from the first position to the second position.  
   
   
       11 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a first and a second tab integral with the cradle, the first tab being taller than the second tab.  
   
   
       12 . The product dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the housing is in the shape of a bell.  
   
   
       13 . A product dispenser for dispensing a plurality of items comprising: 
 a housing top having a sidewall;    a housing bottom having a plurality of spaced-apart lights having an active mode and an inactive mode, an aperture configured to permit the single item to fit therethrough, wherein the housing top and the housing bottom align to form a housing assembly; and    a platform configured to support the plurality of items disposed within the housing assembly, wherein when the lights are in the active mode, the lights illuminate in a random sequence and when the lights are in the inactive mode, all of the lights are off.    
   
   
       14 . The product dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the lights are light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       15 . The product dispenser of  claim 13  wherein when the lights are in the active mode, only one light is illuminated at a time.  
   
   
       16 . The product dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the lights are equally spaced-apart along the housing bottom.  
   
   
       17 . The product dispenser of  claim 13  wherein each light is associated with a fortune event.  
   
   
       18 . The product dispenser of  claim 13  wherein when the lights are in the active mode, the lights are illuminated for between one and four seconds.  
   
   
       19 . The product dispenser of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of lights consist of six lights.  
   
   
       20 . A candy dispenser comprising: 
 a housing having a sidewall and a base, the base having an aperture;    a movable platform having a first position and a second position, the movable platform being disposed completely within the housing;    a candy item disposed on the movable platform when the movable platform is in the first position;    a moving means for moving the movable platform from the first position to the second position;    a return means for moving the movable platform from the second position to the first position; and    a curvilinear cradle having a first and a second integral tab for receiving the candy item from the movable platform when the movable platform is in the second position and for positioning the candy item adjacent to the aperture.