WO2002034064A1 - Hand-held confection making device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand held cotton candy machine (1) has a handle (3) containing batteries (25), preferably rechargeable batteries, a motor (91), and a spinning head (29) located within a bowl (11). The machine is primed with sugar which is poured into the spinning head. As safety devices, the on-off switch (9) is operated through an interlock (19) which requires that a top (13) be in place when used and includes a relay (105) in the running circuit to automatically turn the machine off after a preset time.

Description

HAND-HELD CONFECTION MAKING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/095,304, filed June 10, 1998. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hand-held device for making confections such as cotton candy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Machines for making cotton candy have been in existence for many years. A typical cotton candy machine is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,793,782 to Sullivan issued on

December 27, 1988. Other patents issued for machines that make cotton candy have been issued to Yamamoto et al. , U.S. Patent No. 4,846,643; Weiss, U.S. Patent No. 4,872,781 ;

Parker, U.S. Patent No. 5, 145,687; Evans Sr. , U.S. Patent No. 5,441 ,754; and Francis et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,498,144. All of these devices are directed toward machines having stationary bases with baskets mounted thereon to receive the spun sugar threads. The machines work by heating sugar until it melts. The melted sugar is then spun out of an element protruding up in the middle of the basket. The dispensed melted sugar hardens into string-like threads as it leaves the middle protruding element and sticks to the inside walls of the basket. Another patent issued to Bray et al. , U.S. Patent No. 4,501 ,538 illustrates a cotton candy maker for a blender wherein the device can be used with a household blender base. All of the above-described devices require connection to an external power supply providing alternating current. Rechargeable batteries are used in portable tools but have never been used for portable confectionary producing devices. Disposable alkaline batteries have been widely used for devices such as flashlights which do not require surges of power but are disfavored for devices which include motors, heaters and other electrical components which require a significant starting current.

All of the prior art devices are stationary devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiment of the machine of this invention is a cotton candy making machine which is portable and may be hand held. The capacity is sufficient to satisfy one person at a time and batches of cotton candy may be made every one or two minutes. The machine is covered to avoid spraying the strings of cotton candy while the candy is being made and is cleanable without disassembly. Most importantly, it is safe for use by children because there are no exposed hot surfaces and the machine cannot be operated without a cover over all mechanical and electrical components. The machine has a base in a shape adapted to the hand. The base contains batteries, an electronics package compartment and a motor. Mounted to the base is a bowl, at the center of which is a revolving head spun by the motor and containing one or more heating elements. A cover cap attaches to the bowl and contains an interlock mechanism which prevents operation unless the cover is in place.

As an additional safety feature, the device has a "time-out" circuit as a part of the on-off switching system which limits the time allowed for continuous operation and also serves as a circuit breaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the hand-held cotton candy machine.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in partial cut-away of the hand-held cotton candy machine. FIGS. 3 A and 3B are prospective views of the bottom half of the spinning chamber of the hand-held cotton candy machine.

FIGS. 4 A and 4B are bottom and top views of the cap of the spinning chamber of the hand-held cotton candy machine.

FIG. 5 is a cut-away of one half of the hand-held cotton candy machine with battery, electronics and motor removed.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away of the hhccm showing battery, electronics and motor in place. FIG. 7 is a schematic of the electronic control circuit for the hhccm. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the base of the spinning chamber of the hhccm showing the heaters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A cotton candy making device 1 is shown in Fig. 1. A handle portion 3 is insertable into a separate base 5 for storage, for table top operation and during recharging of rechargeable batteries. The handle portion 3, as shown, is oval in cross-section but the shape is not critical so long as the circumference is not so great that an eight year old child can not hold the device. Connected to the handle portion is a motor room 7 which conforms to the size and shape of a dc motor of sufficient capacity to spin a chamber or head as will be described infra. A switch button 9 to turn on the device is mounted in the area of connection between handle 3 and motor room 7.

Attached to the top of the motor room at flange 23 is bowl 11 , wherein the cotton candy is spun. Removably attached to bowl 1 is lid 13 having a handle or knob 15 which is preferably vented. The lid may be attached by any convenient means including screw threads, bayonet mount(s) or latches. As a safety feature, support struts 17 lend rigidity to the bowl and house wires (not shown) which terminate in contact points on the outer surface of the support struts 17. A jumper 19 formed of a conductive material in a lower portion of the lid 13 connects the exposed contact points to serve as an interlock and prevent operation of the device when the lid is not securely in place. As a further precaution, locking safety screws 21 which attach the bowl 1 1 to flange 23 are used. The head of these screws does not fit any driver tool available in hardware stores. Fig. 2 illustrates the location of components in the cotton candy making device, as seen from the side. Handle portion 3 sets in base 5. In the lower part of handle portion 3 is battery compartment 25, which keeps the center of gravity low in the device so as to resist tipping over when set in the base. Above the battery compartment 25 is electronics closet 27. On-off switch 9 is situated at the top of the electronics closet 27, below motor room 7. Bowl 11 is supported on support flange 23 with struts 17 emanating at 180°. Interlock 19 is carried on lid 13 and engages contact points 17 when the lid 13 is secured on bowl 11. The number of interlocks is not critical.

Spinner head 29 lies on the centerline of bowl 11. Spinner head cap 31 has an opening in its top which receives funnel 39 for introduction of a cotton candy precursor such as fine sugar (not shown) into the spinner head. Preferably, the funnel is removed before cotton candy is made, reducing mass and balance problems. The funnel also may be integral with the lid and sized so as not to contact the spinner head cap or it may be formed into spinner head cap 31. The spinner head 29 is mounted on drive shaft 33 which may or may not be integral with the rotor of the motor. A lower commutator 35 and an upper commutator 37 provides an electrical circuit into the spinner head 29 so that a heater may be activated within the spinner head.

Fig. 3A shows the spinner head in a top perspective view 50. Fig. 3B shows the spinner head in a bottom perspective view 51. The spinner head has a base 53. A drive shaft 55 which may or may not be integral with drive shaft 33 projects from the base (i.e. , it may either connect to the motor, to the drive shaft, or be a continuation of the main armature of the motor) . The base has surrounding side walls 57 to form a cup-like structure. At locations around the wall, cut outs 59 are provided (two are shown) to serve as orifices through which the cotton candy is spun. The cut outs have slots 61 to receive a thermal insulator (not shown). On the top surface of the spinner head are sockets 63 for connection to a top cap and pedestals 65 for mounting of the wires for a heater.

Fig. 4A is an inside perspective view of a spinner head cap 70. An outside view 71 is Fig. 4B. The cap consists of a cover plate 73 which carries, on its lower or inner surface connectors 75 which mate to connectors 63 of the spinner head. An inlet 77 is molded into the top into which funnel 39 may be fitted. A screen 79 is formed within the inlet to block the passage of large objects. Shields 81 are formed as eaves over the cutout orifices 59.

Fig. 5 is a cut away showing one half of the plastic housing and the internal cavities for the components. A shield 93 fits tightly at the spinning end of the cavity for the motor. The shield serves as a barrier to fine sugar passing out of the cotton candy making area and affecting the motor, switch or electronics.

Fig. 6 shows the components placed in the shell of Fig. 5. A circuit diagram for the electrical components is shown in Fig. 7. The principal components are a jack 101 to a transformer for charging battery 103 (when rechargeable batteries are used), push button on-off switch, microchip 113, relay 105, motor 107, interlock circuit 109 and resistance heaters 115a and 115b. When disposable batteries are used, the device is modified to have an easily removable end cap at the base or a removable side of the handle. A reset button may be used to clear and reset the chip 113. The circuit diagram shown in Fig. 7 is exemplary of circuits which control the necessary components of motor, heater, timer and switches. Values indicated for capacitance, resistance, etc, are characteristic of the specific example disclosed but are not a specific limitation to the invention. The spinning head is shown in plan view in Fig. 8. The base 53 and sidewalls 57 form a cup-like structure. A central pedestal 131 which is formed integrally with the base and sides is an extension of shaft 55. A conductor having a first polarity is run along or through the shaft and pedestal from a first commutator and is electrically connected to arm 135. Arm 135 may be a single piece or two pieces overlapped at the center. At pedestal mount 65, a metal shaft or wire 133 is exposed which connects to a second commutator having a different polarity than the first commutator. Metal arms 137 are electrically connected to the shaft or wire 133. Arm(s) 135 connect to one side of resistance heater(s) 139. Arm(s) 137 connect to the opposite end of resistance heaters 139, thus forming a loop and at least one resistance heater. To prevent melting of the walls 57, a ceramic insert is pressed into the cut out 59 at the orifice of the spinner head.

The number of heaters is a matter of design choice. As a practical matter, two is the preferred number in consideration of the size of the head and the need to dynamically balance the head when making cotton candy.

The orientation of the heater wires is not critical. As shown in Fig. 8, they may be horizontal (with reference to base 53), vertical or at any angle therebetween. The orientation does not change the amount or quality of the product and the orientation is a matter of design choice.

The number of heater wires and spinning orifices is not critical. The power available determines how many heaters may be heated to the required temperature at any one time. The spinning head must be dynamically balanced by appropriate counterweighting, as required. The commutators connecting the spinning head to the handle are not particularly limited. On one embodiment they may consist of a pair of sleeves mounted on the shaft 55 and wired to the respective pedestals. A simple spring-loaded metal finger may serve as a brush. Alternatively, a pair of concentric rings on the bottom of base 53 may be used. Operation of the cotton candy device is as follows:

1) charge the storage batteries or replace with fresh batteries;

2) remove top;

3) using a funnel, load fine sugar into the spinning head through the opening at the top; 4) replace top, being sure to engage the interlock;

5) depress and hold the on-off switch;

6) remove lid when spinner head has stopped;

7) enjoy.

The cotton candy making device may be used repeatedly until the batteries have been discharged. The device may be cleaned using warm water, making sure that the motor is not wetted.

Safety considerations are important for devices intended to be used by children. All external screws use heads for which there is no drive configuration available in retail hardware stores. The on-off switch includes a relay which shuts the motor and heater off by disconnecting after a pre-determined time such as 30 seconds and does not reset for another pre-set time, such as 10 seconds. The device cannot operate until the top has been secured onto the bowl and has engaged the interlock.

The invention has been describe in terms of one embodiment, viz a cotton candy making machine. The scope of the invention includes any and all small confection or food producing devices using the basic components contained within the handle of this invention adapted to suitable heads. Variations apparent to those skilled in the art are included within the scope of this disclosure and constitute a part of this invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A hand-held cotton candy making device comprising: a) a handle; b) a bowl; c) a cotton candy spinning head; and d) a lid securable to said bowl.

2. A hand-held cotton candy making device according to claim 1 wherein said handle is hollow and contains i) at least one battery; ii) at least one motor; and iii) at least one on and off switch.

3. A hand-held cotton candy making device according to claim 2 wherein said spinning head contains at least one resistance wire heater and a screen in an opening for loading a cotton candy precursor.

4. A hand-held cotton candy making device according to claim 2 wherein said lid is securable to said bowl by a means selected from the group consisting of screw threads, bayonet mounts and latches.

5. A hand-held cotton candy making device according to claim 4 wherein said lid includes an interlock engaged only when the securing means is engaged.

6. A hand-held cotton candy device according to claim 2 wherein said on and off switch is in series with a timer relay which prevents continuous operation.