Abstract: A spacing connector for a rod and connector type construction toy set enabling rod and connector assemblies of known types to be joined in a new manner, spaced laterally one from the other and, if desired, rotatable with respect to each other. The new spacing connectors connect at ninety degrees to each of a pair of standard K'NEX connectors and enable the standard connectors to be joined in parallel relation. The spacing connectors have, at opposite ends, positioning elements engageable with central hubs of the standard connectors, and anti-rotation elements engageable with openings formed in the standard connectors in surrounding relation to their hubs. The spacing connectors frictionally engage with the standard connectors to secure the assembled relationship. The hub-engaging positioning elements have an axial length not more than one-half the thickness of a standard connector, enabling spacing connectors to be inserted simultaneously from both sides of a standard connector.

Abstract: A noise making toy for making a gurgling sound to imitate a bodily function is provided having a rigid, hollow and elongate tube sealed at each end by an elastically expansible flexible bladder. The elongate tube and the bladders define an inner volume that is sealed from an ambient outside environment and filled with a combination of a highly viscous, gel-like material and a gas, whereby when one of the flexible bladders is squeezed, the highly viscous gel-like material and the gas are forced through the elongate tube thereby creating a gurgling sound.

Abstract: A retainer and support device for a food item, e.g., a jawbreaker, includes a housing having a recessed wall defining a chamber for receiving the food item. A passageway extends through the recessed wall and a product engaging member extends through the passageway and into the chamber for engaging the surface of a food item retained in the chamber. A manually actuatable drive member is in driving communication with the product engaging member to move the product engaging member and thereby move the food item retained within the chamber.

Abstract: The combination of a dispenser and a strip of a food product and a method for dispensing the food product from the dispenser so that it can be used by a user of the dispenser. The strip comprises an elongated web of an edible material, e.g., gum, which is coiled up in a compact configuration having a free end portion. The dispenser comprises a housing for the strip, an outlet, a motor for advancing a desired length and most preferably any desired length of the free end portion of the strip out of the outlet, and a severing element for severing the desired length of the free end portion of the strip from the remaining portion of the strip to form a dispensed section of the strip which may be placed in the user's mouth while the remaining portion of the strip remains within the housing.

Abstract: The combination of a dispenser and a strip of a food product and a method for dispensing the food product from the dispenser so that it can be used by a user of the dispenser. The strip comprises an elongated web of an edible material, e.g., gum, which is coiled up in a compact configuration having a free end portion. The dispenser comprises a housing for the strip, an outlet, a motor for advancing a desired length and most preferably any desired length of the free end portion of the strip out of the outlet, and a severing element for severing the desired length of the free end portion of the strip from the remaining portion of the strip to form a dispensed section of the strip which may be placed in the user's mouth while the remaining portion of the strip remains within the housing.This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of Reexamination Certificate No. B1 5,579,669, dated Sep. 16, 1997, Request No. 90/004,572.