Abstract: A hand-held object holder includes an aesthetic component having an upper portion secured to a lower portion by a spring, such that the upper portion can wobble back and forth relative to the lower portion. A sound-generating component is secured to the aesthetic component, so that as the upper portion wobbles back and forth, a sound is generated. Finally, at the lower end of the aesthetic component, there is a coupling member for securing an object, such as a candy item, to the aesthetic component.

Abstract: A refillable granular material dispenser for making decorative patterns with the granular material on adhesive surfaces. The dispenser has a spring-loaded, pivotally mounted lever for opening and closing a cap over the end of the dispenser to control dispensing granular material. The granular material may be sand or granular, flowable food stuffs. In one embodiment, the dispenser is part of an art kit for painting an adhesive surface with granules of material including a multi-compartment tray holding the adhesive work surface, the dispenser and granular material supply containers. A method of making decorative patterns is also provided.

Abstract: A combination ring and object holder with an integral spring is designed to secure and retain an object, such as a lollipop. The combination ring and object holder includes a ring, preferably fabricated from plastic, with a substantially flat upper surface to which a spring is secured, and further includes a coupling member secured to the opposite end of the spring which preferably defines a central opening in the upper surface thereof for receiving and retaining an object.

Abstract: A candy dispenser comprises a head end and a tail end linked by a substantially translucent tube, a spring being contained in and visible through the tube and extending from the head end of the candy dispenser to the tail end of the candy dispenser. The spring contained within the tube impedes the free fall of candy pellets and functions as a track upon which some candy pellets can ride from one end of the candy dispenser to the other, while some other candy pellets fall through the center of the spring, the falling action and movement of the candy pellets creating a fun and interesting visual image.

Abstract: A toy for propelling soft spherical projectiles includes a projectile of material such as foamed plastic, and a hand held launcher. A tubular elastic member is anchored to the projectile and extends through the projectile and out of a surface of the projectile a sufficient distance to allow a user to grasp and stretch the elastic member. The launcher includes a hand grip and a seat against which the projectile is positioned, and an opening to the rear of the seat through which the elastic member extends. After positioning the projectile on the seat, a user pulls the elastic member rearward to stretch, then releases it to propel the projectile forward. The projectile may include a strip of adhering material such as a hook and loop fastener; a target with a complementary adhering material may be mounted on a wall or the launcher.

Abstract: A method for twisting an elongated cord member to form a permanently twisted cord element is preferably performed utilizing an apparatus which includes first and second end units, first and second securing and twisting assemblies for securing opposite end portions of the cord member to the first end unit and for thereafter axially rotating the opposite end portions of the cord member. The apparatus further includes an intermediate securing assembly on the second end unit for selectively rotatably and non-rotatably securing the cord member to the second end unit at an intermediate point in the cord member.