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.<BR> <P>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 a spinning element in the middle of the basket. The dispensed melted sugar hardens into string-like threads as it leaves the spinning 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.

Conventional spinner assemblies such as that disclosed in U. S. Patent No.

5,441, 754 to Evans, Sr. use wires or bands wrapped around the head and operate at voltages of 90v or more and quickly elevate sugars to the temperatures at which they flow, the head temperature typically being well in excess of 150°C. (Sucrose melts at 160-186°C) At such temperatures, an essentially flat heater operates efficiently and sugars are flowed at high efficiency on passage through the radiation zone. These devices are not toys and should be used by adults with some training. Children are the primary

market for cotton candy and a cotton candy machine which they can use safely is much desired.

All electric devices sold as toys must comply with ASTM F 963-96a, (2001) Standard Consumer Safety Specification on Toy Safety, which limits surface temperatures in such devices to 70°C (158°F).

The devices must meet similar international standards such as the EN71 series of regulations applicable in the European Union, the ISO 8124 series, the Canadian <BR> <BR> Hazardous Products (Toys) Regulation C. R. C. , C931, and similar regulations in other markets. An additional safety consideration is the voltage present in the device, which should be low enough to avoid possible serious shocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first 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, thereby meeting the above described safety criteria.

The portable cotton candy machine has a base in a shape adapted to the hand.

The base contains batteries, an electronics package compartment and a motor. Mounted atop 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. This is a hand-held cotton candy machine (HHCCM) 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.

In a second embodiment of a toy cotton candy making machine, the device is table mounted (Table Top Cotton Candy Machine, TTCCM) which may be plugged into a wall outlet. The TTCCM may be operated using a higher voltage than a HHCCM and requires no recharging. More cotton candy can be produced using the higher voltage and the spinning head and bowl may be larger. The safety requirements are met using similar control circuitry and interlocking devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide a toy cotton candy machine which complies with ASTM F963-96a (2001), EN71, and other national and international standards, which produces good quality cotton candy and which is fun for children to use.

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 HHCCM.

Figs. 3A and 3B are prospective views of the bottom half of the spinning chamber of the HHCCM.

Figs. 4A and 4B are bottom and top views of the cap of the spinning chamber of the HHCCM.

Fig. 5 is a cut-away of one half of the HHCCM 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 one embodiment of heaters.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a TTCCM.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a TTCCM.

Fig. 11 is a cut-away of a TTCCM along line F-F.

Fig. 12 us a cut-away of a TTCCM along line A-A.

Fig. 13 is an oblique top view of the sugar upper chamber of a spinning head for a TTCCM.

Fig. 14 is an oblique bottom view of the sugar upper chamber of a spinning head for a TTCCM.

Fig. 15 is an oblique top view of a sugar lower chamber of a spinning head for a TTCCM.

Fig. 16 is an oblique bottom view of a sugar lower chamber for a TTCCM.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of a spinning head according to a second embodiment of this invention.

Figs. 18A and 18B show two views of a third embodiment of the heater wire for a cotton candy machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A HHCCM 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 11 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 (Fig. 2) 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 11 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 <BR> (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, cutouts 59 are provided (two are shown) to serve as orifices through which the cotton candy is spun. The cutouts 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 and fingers. 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 motor room. 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 first embodiment of 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, an insulator such as a ceramic insert 141 is pressed into the slots 61 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 the HHCCM in consideration of the size of the head, the available voltage and the need to dynamically balance the head when making cotton candy.

The orientation of the heater wires may be as shown in Fig. 8. They may be horizontal (with reference to base 53), vertical or at any angle therebetween. The orientation is similar to conventional large cotton candy machines used at fairs.

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 counter weighting, 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 should use heads for which there is no drive configuration available in retail hardware stores. The on-off switch should include 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 as described cannot operate until the top has been secured onto the bowl and has engaged the interlock.

The second embodiment of this invention is a table-top version of the same device (TTCCM) which does not depend upon rechargeable batteries as the source of power. More specifically, this invention allows for improved spinning heads which increase the efficiency of spinning while working at much less than line current voltages (e. g. 24v) but which still has a temperature at any surface which can be touched by a user of no greater than 70°C according to the ASTM specification.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a table-top device for spinning confections such as cotton candy. The table top cotton candy machine employs many features as the hand- held machine but eliminates the batteries which enable the hand-held machine to be fully portable. The device is intended to be powered by being plugged into an existing 120v or 220v household electrical circuit and employs a transformer which steps the voltage down to no more than 24 v.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a table-top cotton candy machine. The device 201 has a lid 203 having a center knob 205 and a series of vents 207 molded therein. The lid 203 is placed over a bowl 209 which is mounted on a base 211. Also shown are a start button 213 and a plug 215 for connection to an electrical power source. An electrical interlock 217 prevents the operation of the TTCCM when the top 203 is not securely in place.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation showing the same elements.

Fig. 11 is a partial cutaway along line F-F of Fig. 10 and shows the locations of the spinning head 219, a pedestal upon which it rests 221, a drive shaft 223 connecting to motor 225. At the top of the pedestal is a brush and commutator system of a similar design to that as used in the HHCCM for transmitting the power to the rotating spinning head 19. As illustrated, a small funnel 229 used for the pouring of a fine sugar or other spinnable material through opening 231 in the top of the spinning head, in the manner described for elements 39 and 77 as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 12 illustrates the same components as shown in Fig. 11 along line A-A of Fig. 9.

Figs. 13 and 14 show the oblique top and bottom views of the sugar spinner head upper chamber 233. Opening 231 allows fine sugar or other spinnable material to be poured into the spinning chamber. Mounting posts 243 provide attachment points to the lower chamber. Outward support 245 provides the structural support for the mounting of an insulator described below. The same elements may be seen when looking at the inner surface 242 as shown in Fig. 14.

Figs. 15 and 16 show oblique views of the up and bottom of the sugar lower chamber 235. As shown in Fig. 15 a base plate 247 has sockets 249 to receive mounting posts 243 and through which a fastening device may be inserted to attach the upper and lower chambers. Circumferential wall 251 provides the outer surface for the chamber for the containment of the material to be spun. Orifice 253 is formed with slots 255 to accept an insulator 256 which, as will be described below, serves as a conductive and radiant heat barrier between a heating element and the wall 251 of the chamber.

The heater head for the TTCCM is shown as having three outlets but the number is not a limitation to such a design. As shown, there are three connector posts 257, one for each heater loop and a common post 259 to complete the circuits.

When viewed from the bottom as in Fig. 16, the drive shaft 223 may be seen projecting from the bottom of plate 247. Commutators 263 (3 in number as illustrated) are provided for connection to compost 257. A second commutator 265 connects to the common post 259.

In a conventional commercial unit which is described in the prior art above and which may seen at circuses and fairs, the heating coil is wrapped lineally essentially continuously around the circumference of the center spinning chamber through which the sugar is projected by centrifugal force (see Fig. 8).

When more capacity is desired such as in a larger TTCCM three or four outlets is preferred as compared to Fig. 8, the HHCCM. The greater power available from live current allows a different design for the heating element which can greatly improve the performance of a low voltage, regulated temperature heater for a cotton candy machine suitable for use by children. As shown in Fig. 17, a coiled heater 301 is connected to center common post 259 and extends in a spiral conical form to the insulator 256 mounted in wall 251. The axis of the cone is along the radius of the spinning device.

The wire then is returned to post 257 to complete the circuit. As shown in Fig. 17, three such heating elements are used.

An alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 18A and 18B is coiled at constant first diameter 311 outwardly along the radial axis of the chamber and then is overlapped with a second coil 313 of greater diameter for several turns before the circuit is completed by return wire run 315.

In both of these embodiments, it is noted that the probability of sugar crystals passing through the coil wire is greater than that which is obtained using horizontal wires such as in Fig. 8. In addition, sugar passing from the chamber through the outward 253 has a greater dwell time in the heated area increasing the likelihood of plastic flow despite the controlled temperatures required to meet safety standards. The conical and coiled heaters of Figs. 17,18A and 18B may be used in the HHCCM also.

A critical consideration in the device is the use of insulation 141,256. The head is molded from plastic for ease of cleaning, ease of fabrication and because plastic is a good thermal insulator below its softening point.

Heater wire 301 must be maintained at a temperature of at least 170° C to cause the sugar to flow without decomposing. Insulator 141,256 isolates the heater wire from the wall of the head so that the device makes cotton candy while complying with safety standards for toys.

Ceramics which are food grade approved have been found suitable. The insulator has a hole bored into the center and the edge may be slid into slits in the wall 251 of the head.

The cotton candy machines of this invention are especially characterized by the incorporation of additional safety devices not used or needed in commercial cotton candy machines. To prevent a child from touching the spinning head, a cap or top 13, 203 with interlock is used. Conventional commercial cotton candy machines are sold and used without a top. It has been found that for best operation, the top should be

vented such as with slots 207 which allow pressure release but prevent a child from reaching into the bowl during operation.

Another unique safety device is the incorporation into the circuitry which controls the operation of the machine timer. The timer limits the operation-heating and spinning-to no more than a pre-determined time limit. Best results have been obtained when the time cycle is 30-45 seconds. The timer prevents overheating of the spinning head and limits the ability of a child to defeat other safety aspects of the invention. The time cannot be overridden by start buttons, reset buttons or in any other manner.

While the invention has been disclosed in this patent application by reference to the details of preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the disclosure is intended in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense as it is contemplated that modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.