Cotton Candy Maker Patents (Class 425/9)
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Patent number: 9808024Abstract: An apparatus and method for quick release of a spinner head assembly of a cotton candy machine. The spinner head is snap-fit to the rotational output shaft of the motor of the cotton candy machine to prevent longitudinal separation between the two during operation. Intermeshing portions between the spinner head and the output shaft are configured to translate rotational torque between the two and thus translate rotational torque of the output shaft of the motor to the spinner head. Quick release of the head is possible by pulling on the head along the rotational axis of the output shaft to overcome the snap-fit. This allows longitudinal separation of the spinner head and disengages the intermeshing portions for complete removal of the head. Reattachment is possible by snap-fitting connection between head and output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: David Swegle, Liansuo Xie
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Patent number: 9414624Abstract: A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLCInventors: Andrew Nathan Carroll, Shannon Maxwell Black, Yan Helen Sun, William J. Burke
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Patent number: 9004893Abstract: A cotton candy machine including, a base having a switch, motor and heater, and a head The head includes a shaft removably coupled to the motor and a dish coupled to the shaft. A cover is disposed between the dish and a lid. The shaft, cover and lid are in a fixed relationship relative to each other. The cover and the lid form a cavity which is configured to receive hard candy which can be melted when said dish and cover combination are heated to a predetermined temperature. The lid has a lip formed on its top surface around an inner annular ring portion of the lid. The is lip configured to enable the hard candy, when melted, and the head is rotating at a predetermined speed, to form strands or threads which are collectable as cotton candy.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Nostalgia Products Group LLCInventors: Gregg Bond, Edward E. Boughton, III
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Publication number: 20140377425Abstract: A floss bowl is formed from a plurality of tapered, nestable segments which can be coupled together in a bowl configuration for use on a cotton candy machine. The segments can be disassembled for cleaning, or can be nested for storage or shipment. Methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Michael James Berry
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Publication number: 20140271958Abstract: A cotton candy machine includes a floss head comprised of a floss head cap, a heated filament spinning screen, a floss head base and a rotatable retaining cap, all removable from said head without tools by manually rotating said retaining cap. A floater includes a vane, a shank and a shank end. Sockets on the upper surface of the retaining cap capture the shanks of plural floaters. The floaters are relative rigid and of selective pitch to produce sugar fiber cooling air flow, and are non-porous for enhanced cleaning. The floss head is easily manually disassembled for cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GOLD MEDAL PRODUCTS COMPANYInventors: Michael James BERRY, Timothy A. RHOME
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Publication number: 20130202726Abstract: A cotton candy machine including, a base having a switch, motor and heater, and a head The head includes a shaft removably coupled to the motor and a dish coupled to the shaft. A cover is disposed between the dish and a lid. The shaft, cover and lid are in a fixed relationship relative to each other. The cover and the lid form a cavity which is configured to receive hard candy which can be melted when said dish and cover combination are heated to a predetermined temperature. The lid has a lip formed on its top surface around an inner annular ring portion of the lid. The is lip configured to enable the hard candy, when melted, and the head is rotating at a predetermined speed, to form strands or threads which are collectable as cotton candy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventors: Gregg Bond, Edward E. Boughton, III
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Patent number: 8500428Abstract: A machine for making cotton candy includes a shell, a sugar-spinning unit and a scraping unit. The sugar-spinning unit includes a heater located in the shell for heating and melting sugar, a bowl located around the heater, a lid located on the bowl, and a primary motor for spinning the heater and the bowl to spin the molten sugar. The scraping unit includes a holder located in the shell, a stopper connected to the holder, a lever pivotally connected to the holder, a first scraper attached to the lever, a second scraper pivotally connected to the holder, a hook connected to the second scraper, a spring for connecting the lever to the second scraper, a difference motor, and a crank including an end connected to a mandrel of the difference motor and an opposite end connected to a pin movably inserted in a slot defined in the lever.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Inventor: I-Chiang Yang
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Patent number: 8333577Abstract: An apparatus for making candy floss comprising a rotatable bowl; a rotatable heating element located within the bowl; means for depositing a quantity of sugar into the bowl; and an actuating mechanism including means for gripping a stick. The actuating mechanism actuates a gripped stick in a first direction between an extended position, in which the stick is at least partially located within the bowl, and a retracted position in which the stick is withdrawn from the bowl. The actuating mechanism and/or the gripping means rotate the gripped stick about its longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Inventor: Robert John Cecil Hawthorne
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Publication number: 20120121746Abstract: A machine for making cotton candy includes a shell, a sugar-spinning unit and a scraping unit. The sugar-spinning unit includes a heater located in the shell for heating and melting sugar, a bowl located around the heater, a lid located on the bowl, and a primary motor for spinning the heater and the bowl to spin the molten sugar. The scraping unit includes a holder located in the shell, a stopper connected to the holder, a lever pivotally connected to the holder, a first scraper attached to the lever, a second scraper pivotally connected to the holder, a hook connected to the second scraper, a spring for connecting the lever to the second scraper, a difference motor, and a crank including an end connected to a mandrel of the difference motor and an opposite end connected to a pin movably inserted in a slot defined in the lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventor: I-Chiang Yang
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Patent number: 8123507Abstract: A cotton candy machine includes a housing and a stick grabbing device mounted in the housing. A stick rotating device is mounted in the housing and aside corresponds to the stick grabbing device. A feeding device is mounted in the housing and a sugar floss maker is horizontally mounted in the housing under the stick rotating device. The stick grabbing device provides stick one by one and conveys the stick to the stick rotating device. The stick rotating temporarily holds the stick, rotates the stick and makes the stick longitudinally insert into the sugar floss maker for coiling the sugar floss from the sugar floss maker after the feeding device providing sugar material into the sugar floss maker.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Inventor: Yi-Chiang Yang
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Publication number: 20110159161Abstract: An apparatus for making candy floss comprising a rotatable bowl; a rotatable heating element located within the bowl; means for depositing a quantity of sugar into the bowl; and an actuating mechanism including means for gripping a stick. The actuating mechanism actuates a gripped stick in a first direction between an extended position, in which the stick is at least partially located within the bowl, and a retracted position in which the stick is withdrawn from the bowl. The actuating mechanism and/or the gripping means rotate the gripped stick about its longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventor: Robert J.C. Hawthorne
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Publication number: 20110104316Abstract: A cotton candy machine includes a housing and a stick grabbing device mounted in the housing. A stick rotating device is mounted in the housing and aside corresponds to the stick grabbing device. A feeding device is mounted in the housing and a sugar floss maker is horizontally mounted in the housing under the stick rotating device. The stick grabbing device provides stick one by one and conveys the stick to the stick rotating device. The stick rotating temporarily holds the stick, rotates the stick and makes the stick longitudinally insert into the sugar floss maker for coiling the sugar floss from the sugar floss maker after the feeding device providing sugar material into the sugar floss maker.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventor: Yi-Chiang Yang
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Patent number: 7901722Abstract: An apparatus for making candy floss comprising a rotatable bowl; a rotatable heating element located within the bowl; means for depositing a quantity of sugar into the bowl; and an actuating mechanism including means for gripping a stick. The actuating mechanism actuates a gripped stick in a first direction between an extended position, in which the stick is at least partially located within the bowl, and a retracted position in which the stick is withdrawn from the bowl. The actuating mechanism and/or the gripping means rotate the gripped stick about its longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventor: Robert John Cecil Hawthorne
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Patent number: 7641460Abstract: A device and method for continuous production of cotton candy and automated handling of the cotton candy in a way that collects and condenses the cotton candy into a continuous strand.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: C. Cretors & CompanyInventors: Charles D. Cretors, Nenad Vidojevic, Danielle Lasater, Leslie K. DiMare, Andrew James Hoover, Stephanie M. Ziegle
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Publication number: 20090074931Abstract: An apparatus for making candy floss comprising a rotatable bowl; a rotatable heating element located within the bowl; means for depositing a quantity of sugar into the bowl; and an actuating mechanism including means for gripping a stick. The actuating mechanism actuates a gripped stick in a first direction between an extended position, in which the stick is at least partially located within the bowl, and a retracted position in which the stick is withdrawn from the bowl. The actuating mechanism and/or the gripping means rotate the gripped stick about its longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2005Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventor: Robert J.C Hawthorne
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Patent number: 7479002Abstract: A locking system for a cotton candy machine includes a pair of rotatable cam members that are selectively engagable and disengagable from a motor mount of the machine to alternatively lock and unlock the machine. A rotatable handle or a pair of rotatable levers are operatively connected to the cam members to selectively rotate the cam members to the locked and unlocked positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Gold Medal Products CompanyInventor: Ronald R. Weiss
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Patent number: 7438545Abstract: To provide a cotton candy machine that is useful especially when using candy balls as a cotton candy material. A horizontal pedestal 28 is disposed at the upper end 11a of a rotary shaft 11. Threaded levers 30 are provided on the horizontal pedestal 28 eccentrically from the axis of the rotary shaft 11. The threaded levers 30 are passed through respective engagement holes 25a, 36a, 40a, 45a, 50a of a bobbin receiving pedestal 25, a bobbin 36, a melting plate 40, a lid member 45, and a protective cover member 50 so as to rigidly secure the bobbin receiving pedestal 25, the bobbin 36, the melting plate 40, the lid member 45, and the protective cover member 50 on top of each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Royal Industries Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fuji Koike, Yoshiyuki Hayashi
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Publication number: 20080171098Abstract: A locking system for a cotton candy machine includes a pair of rotatable cam members that are selectively engagable and disengagable from a motor mount of the machine to alternatively lock and unlock the machine. A rotatable handle or a pair of rotatable levers are operatively connected to the cam members to selectively rotate the cam members to the locked and unlocked positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2007Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: GOLD MEDAL PRODUCTS COMPANYInventor: Ronald R. Weiss
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Publication number: 20080121114Abstract: A heater control for a cotton candy machine automatically controls a heater within the spinner head of the machine to readily accommodate for fluctuations in input line frequency and input line voltage. The control is configured to measure the input line frequency and apply a predetermined voltage to the heater that varies as a function of the measured input line frequency. The control is further configured to measure the input line voltage and apply a generally constant predetermined voltage to the heater for a particular measured input line frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: GOLD MEDAL PRODUCTS COMPANYInventors: John J. Ryan, Ronald R. Weiss
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Publication number: 20080031987Abstract: A cotton candy making machine is provided. The cotton candy making machine allows sugar material to be outputted in a particular shape as desired. The cotton candy making machine includes a motor-driven rotary pot and a rotator, a material feeding tube disposed within said rotator, said material feeding tube distributing sugar material to said rotator, a shaping mold provided on said rotator, said shaping mold rotates freely relatively around said rotary pot, and a lifting mechanism driving said shaping mold or said rotary pot on a preset path back and forth when said rotary pot outputs sugar thread so as to make said sugar thread into a congregation with medium to high density inside said shaping mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventor: Yuh-Hwai Huang
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Patent number: 7300269Abstract: Within a cotton candy machine a delay-on-break delay timer is used to delay the de-energization of the spinner-head motor for a predetermined period of time after the heater elements are turned off. Thus, while the heater elements are cooling down, the motor and spinner head continue to rotate. Once the heater elements are cooled to the point where they cannot melt or burn the sugar, then the motor can be de-energized and the spinner head allowed to stop.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Gold Medal Products Company, Inc.Inventor: John J. Ryan
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Patent number: 6722869Abstract: In a cotton candy making apparatus with a removable tray, a main power supply switch and an auxiliary switch are provided. The main power supply switch is locked by being rotated in a predetermined direction while being depressed. Contacts of the auxiliary switch are closed when the tray is properly attached to a main body of the apparatus. Carbon or alloy brushes are used for brush devices for supplying electric current to a heater for a rotary pot, and the brushes are each biased in a slip ring direction with a spring in a brush holder. A cover for the rotary pot is provided which is constructed so as to be assembled to and disassembled from the rotary pot by rotating the same cover. A translucent tray and light emitting portions are provided on the main body of the apparatus for illuminating cotton candies within the tray.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Staff Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masatoshi Todokoro
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Patent number: 6612823Abstract: A cotton candy making machine has a rotary pot having a rotation axis associated with a driving means, where a heater is included to heat sugar provided as a raw material and release the heated sugar in the form of floss-like threaded sugar from the rotary pot to the outside by rotating the rotary pot around the rotation axis by a rotary motion of the driving means; a basin to be rotated together with the rotary pot, in which the rotary pot is concentrically arranged; a raw material supplying means for supplying the sugar into the rotary pot; and a floss taking-up means that rotates around its rotation axis in a predetermined direction to take up floss-like threaded sugar released from the rotary pot. The rotation axis of the rotary pot and the rotation axis of the floss taking-up means form an intersection with each other at a predetermined angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Handa Kikaikigu Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadanori Bandou, Koichiro Handa
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Patent number: 6585504Abstract: An apparatus for making cotton candy comprises a bowl and a motor with a spinner head mounted in the bowl and coupled to the motor for rotation about an axis. The spinner head comprises a perforated band which extends generally circumferentially around the spinner head to rotate with the spinner head for delivering molten sugar from the spinner head and into the bowl to make cotton candy. A film heater includes a film which is operable for generating heat when an electrical current is delivered thereto. The film heater is applied against a surface of the perforated band for heating the band and melting sugar proximate the perforated band to make cotton candy.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Gold Medal Products Company, Inc.Inventor: Ronald R. Weiss
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Publication number: 20020192319Abstract: In a cotton candy making apparatus with a removable tray according to the present invention, a main power supply switch and an auxiliary switch are provided. The main power supply switch is locked by being rotated in a predetermined direction while being depressed. Contacts of the auxiliary switch are closed when the tray is properly attached to a main body of the apparatus. Thus, it is constructed such that power is not supplied to the apparatus by the main power supply switch unless the contacts of the auxiliary switch are closed. Carbon brushes are used for brush devices for supplying electric current to a heater for a rotary pot, and the carbon brushes are each biased in a slip ring direction with a spring in a brush holder. In addition, a cover for the rotary pot is provided which is constructed so as to be assembled to and disassembled from the rotary pot, without using machine screws or nuts, by rotating the same cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Masatoshi Todokoro
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Publication number: 20020062743Abstract: An apparatus for making cotton candy comprises a bowl and a motor with a spinner head mounted in the bowl and coupled to the motor for rotation about an axis. The spinner head comprises a perforated band which extends generally circumferentially around the spinner head to rotate with the spinner head for delivering molten sugar from the spinner head and into the bowl to make cotton candy. A film heater includes a film which is operable for generating heat when an electrical current is delivered thereto. The film heater is applied against a surface of the perforated band for heating the band and melting sugar proximate the perforated band to make cotton candy.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2000Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventor: Ronald R. Weiss
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Publication number: 20010041195Abstract: A cotton candy making machine has a rotary pot having a rotation axis associated with a driving means, where a heater is included to heat sugar provided as a raw material and release the heated sugar in the form of floss-like threaded sugar from the rotary pot to the outside by rotating the rotary pot around the rotation axis by a rotary motion of the driving means; a basin to be rotated together with the rotary pot, in which the rotary pot is concentrically arranged; a raw material supplying means for supplying the sugar into the rotary pot; and a floss taking-up means that rotates around its rotation axis in a predetermined direction to take up floss-like threaded sugar released from the rotary pot. The rotation axis of the rotary pot and the rotation axis of the floss taking-up means form an intersection with each other at a predetermined angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Applicant: Handa Kikaikigu Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadanori Bandou, Koichiro Handa
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Patent number: 6284164Abstract: An improved cotton candy machine melts sugar by inductively heating a spinning head and preferably a perforated spinner band on the spinner head. An induction heater is disposed in a machine base beneath the rotating spinner head and excites the band to a heat range for melting and spinning elongated molten strands of cotton candy from raw sugar. Electric heater strips, electric conduits, electric terminals, electric slip rings and electric spring-loaded brushes are all eliminated. Methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Gold Medal Products CompanyInventor: Ronald R. Weiss
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Patent number: 6116880Abstract: A spinner head provides for the production of melt-spun product. The spinner head includes a base and a cover spaced from the base. A plurality of discrete spaced apart elongate heating elements are positioned between the base and the cover and define a chamber for accommodating feedstock material therein. An elongate generally annular housing having plural circumferentially spaced cylindrical passages extending therethrough is positionable over the heating elements. The housing defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced fins projecting radially inward. Each of the fins have tapered sidewalls which generally converge as the fin extends radially inward. The sidewalls of adjacent fins cooperate to define longitudinal radially-directed slots between the cylindrical passages so as to permit passage of the feedstock material therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Beuford A. Bogue, Mesfin B. Abdi, Claude Bayard, Robert A. Madsen, James H. Perkins
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Patent number: 5939120Abstract: A material processing apparatus and method for processing a solid feedstock material through a melt spin process including a spinner head having a spinner head chamber defined by a parametrical processing wall through which the solid feedstock material is processed. The apparatus includes a device for rotating the spinner head about an axis of rotation to cause the feedstock material to be repelled towards and through the processing walls. A heating source separate from and exterior to the spinner head is included for heating the feedstock material to an elevated temperature to cause the melt spin processing as the feedstock material is projected through the processing wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: B. Arlie Bogue, Steven E. Frisbee, William F. Rutkowski
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Patent number: 5876764Abstract: A machine includes a stick hopper for dispensing sticks one by one and a device for transferring each stick to a chuck between whose jaws the stick is held while protruding into a basin containing a sugar sprayhead. The chuck is driven rotationally, as is the sprayhead, during a cotton candy forming operation. The hopper containing sticks includes a cylinder with a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis. The cylinder is mounted to pivot about its axis and is associated with a motor. The cylinder is further equipped on its internal face with at least one lengthwise bar delimiting a cavity that matches the shapes of the sticks, the cavity being provided in the face of the bar that faces forward in the direction of rotation of the cylinder. The cylinder contains, below its uppermost generatrix, a device for collecting each stick picked up by the bar in the hopper and releasing the latter under the effect of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Inventors: Paul Buttin, Jean-Marc LeCulier
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Patent number: 5871781Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for making comestible units. The comestible units made in accordance with the present invention can include active ingredients and are capable of dissolving in the mouth of the consumer within several seconds. They are particularly useful as antacids and as delivery vehicles for biologically active ingredients, especially those which are ideally combined with antacid ingredients.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Garry L. Myers, Gerald E. Battist, Richard C. Fuisz
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Patent number: 5851454Abstract: A spinner head is used for spinning and processing feedstock material. The spinner head includes spaced tubular heating elements which are covered by annular housing that forms a material processing wall. The annular housing contains radially spaced slots which provide a passage way for the material to be expelled from the spinner head. Each slot contains a flow restricting insert removably insertable therein. The inserts include radially extending grooves which channel the feedstock material as it exits the spinner head. The insert further include latches extending therefrom which secure the inserts in the spinner head upon rotation.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Fuisz Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: William F. Rutkowski, Steven E. Frisbee, Mesfin B. Abdi
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Patent number: 5834033Abstract: A spinner head provides for the production of high fat content floss. The spinner head includes a base and a cover spaced from the base. A plurality of discrete spaced apart elongate heating elements are positioned between the base and the cover and define a chamber for accommodating feedstock material therein. The chamber is spun and the feedstock material is heated and is expelled through the spaces between the heating elements. Feedstock engagement surfaces are positioned in alignment with each of the spaces between the heating elements so as to engage the expelled feedstock to alter the direction of travel of the expelled product.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 10, 1998Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Mesfin Abdi, Claude Bayard, James H. Perkins
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Patent number: 5766643Abstract: A spinner head for a cotton candy machine includes an electrically insulative upper head with at least one integral extending spacer sleeve having a bore therethrough. The spinner head also includes a cap, a sugar melting heater, and a perforated band surrounding the heater. A fastener extends through the sleeve securing the cap to the upper head. The upper head preferably includes a depending hub about the head's axis of rotation, having a bore therethrough, and a depending sleeve defining said bore therethrough offset from the axis. The spinner head preferably includes a lower head having a hub oriented about the axis of rotation, an integrally formed flange with a bore therethrough and a depending sleeve with a bore therethrough offset from the axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Gold Medal Products CompanyInventor: Roger Hammon
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Patent number: 5511961Abstract: A machine for manufacturing cotton candy balls includes a plurality of suspended rotatable spindles in surrounding external relationship to a spinning or flossing head and in internal relationship to a tub. As liquid sugar/floss is emitted from slots of the spinning head and impinges upon the rotating spindles, a cotton candy ball is formed on each spindle. An ejector is associated with each spindle and descends vertically to simultaneously downwardly eject the cotton candy balls.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1994Date of Patent: April 30, 1996Inventor: John T. Sullivan
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Patent number: 5498144Abstract: In a cotton candy machine for spinning granular sugar into filaments and having a rotatable shaft, a spinner head mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, bearings rotatably supporting the rotatable shaft below the spinner head, an impeller mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and being disposed between the spinner head and the bearings. The impeller rotates to blow sugar which finds its way down to the level of the impeller away from the bearings. The impeller has a plurality of radially extending fins or vanes on at least one of the upper and lower side, and an O-ring groove in its lower side in which an O-ring is seated which seals against the motor. Radially directed air flow generated by rotation of the impeller with the rotating shaft directs sugar granules away from the bearings, and the O-ring seals the impeller against the motor to provide an additional check against sugar entering the bearings. Sugar is unable to reach the bearings of the motor and motor life is increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.Inventors: Kurt M. Francis, Leroy Hubbard
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Patent number: 5458823Abstract: A spinner head is used in combination with a machine for processing and spinning feedstock material. The spinner head includes a base and a cover spaced from the base. A plurality of discrete closely spaced elongate heating elements are positioned between the base and the cover forming a barrier through which the feedstock material may be processed. The heating elements may be individually heated to a temperature sufficient to process the feedstock material therein. The spinner head is rotated to expel the feedstock material through the spaces between the heating elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: James H. Perkins, William F. Rutkowski, Michael L. Love, Garry L. Myers
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Patent number: 5447423Abstract: An apparatus for spinning materials, such as thermo-flow materials, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spinner head which is rotatable about an axis. The spinner head includes a heater assembly having an annular heater element, a removable controlled orifice band having a plurality of openings through its thickness and positioned around and in close proximity to the heater element and an annular support ring positioned around the controlled orifice band for holding the heater element and band within the spinner head.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1993Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Fuisz Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: Richard C. Fuisz, Beuford A. Bogue
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Patent number: 5445769Abstract: A spinner head for flash flow processing includes a closed base and a top having an opening for introducing feedstock and a substantially cylindrical wall extending between the base and top forming a chamber. The substantially cylindrical wall has an inner and an outer surface, the outer surface provided with relief formed to accommodate fixation of a heating element for the uniform supply of surface heat to the inner surface. The wall also includes a plurality of openings extending from the inner to outer surface, each of which forming a substantially non-tortuous path for passage of product therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1994Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: William F. Rutkowski, Garry L. Myers, B. Arlie Bogue
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Patent number: 5441754Abstract: A cotton candy machine includes a spinner head having upper and lower spinner elements spaced apart at least by about 1/2 inch and defining with a spacer a common sugar chamber operatively communicating with each spinner element. Sugar from the common chamber is directed to each element where it is heated and issues from the head in molten form. Upper and lower apertures of the apparatus are at least about 7/8 inch from respective apertures in other spinner element. The number of same size servings for the same initial amount of sugar is substantially increased over prior heads with elements or apertures not so spaced apart, while energy requirements are at the same time substantially decreased. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1993Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.Inventor: John C. Evans, Sr.
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Patent number: 5427811Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinning materials, such as saccharides and non-saccharides, is provided. The apparatus includes a spinner head which is rotatable about an axis. The spinner head includes a heating element which defines a narrow, elongate opening extending about the axis of rotation. The heating element defines an annular wall of the chamber against which material is propelled when the spinner head is rotated. The opening provides a substantially non-tortuous path in which the material is subjected to flash flow and then projected from the chamber into a basin. A helical heating cable may be used as the heating element and to provide a substantially continuous spiral opening of uniform height. The gaps between turns of the heating coil may be determined by comb-like elements which engage and maintain the turns in selected positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1994Date of Patent: June 27, 1995Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Richard C. Fuisz, B. Arlie Bogue, Kerry Nansel
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Patent number: 5346377Abstract: A material processing apparatus for flash flow processing by melt spinning includes a feed rate controller in combination with a spinner head assembly including a spinner head with a continuous perimeter for providing heat and centrifugal force to a material being processed. The spinner head assembly also includes a spinner drive connected to the spinner head for generating the centrifugal force. The material processing apparatus can also include support for supporting the spinner head assembly, where the feed rate controller is electrically connected to the support. The feed rate controller determines a detected load of material in the spinner head from data provided by the support, compares it to a preselected load for the material being processed and generates a feed rate control signal indicative of a difference between the detected and preselected loads. A feeder assembly supplies the feedstock material to the spinner head at a feed rate defined by the feed control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1993Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Beuford A. Bogue, John A. Hrubec
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Patent number: 5292238Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing sections of cotton candy, and synchronously presenting them to the packaging machinery. The apparatus includes an extruder for melting and extruding sugar. The resulting sugar strands are moved onto a belt conveyor, forming a continuous bundle. A cutting blade is slidable, by an actuator, in a direction transverse to the belt conveyor, for cutting the bundle into sections of predetermined length. A paddle conveyor is positioned to receive the cut sections from the first conveyor. A control switch, activated by the passage of the paddles, is provided for controlling the actuation of the cutting blade. The switch is movable to various positions with respect to the paddle conveyor. The position of the switch with respect to the paddle conveyor determines the position of the sections on the paddle conveyor, thus aiding in the synchronization of the cut sections with the packaging machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1992Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Assignee: Mama Irene's Specialty Candies, Inc.Inventor: David W. Michalak
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Patent number: 5145687Abstract: A spinner assembly for a cotton candy machine. The spinner assembly includes a tubular steel wall member having an upright wall provided with slots. A heater element is supported by the wall member in close proximity with the slots. The wall member is provided with a flame sprayed alumina coating which insulates the wall member from the heater element.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1987Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.Inventor: Donald A. Parker
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Patent number: 4872821Abstract: A spinner assembly for a cotton candy machine. The spinner assembly includes a tubular wall member having an upright wall provided with slots. A tubular heater element is supported by the heater element in close proximity with the slots. The wall member is of aluminum material. A dielectric anodized coating on the wall member insulates the wall member from the heater element.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1987Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.Inventor: Ronald R. Weiss
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Patent number: 4846643Abstract: A cotton candy making apparatus includes a hollow rotary member to be rotated, the rotary member being provided with a supply port for supplying sugar to the interior thereof and path for delivering molten sugar to a peripheral edge of the rotary member, a heating device located below the rotary member to heat the rotary member and hence heat and melt sugar in the rotary member, a fan for producing an air flow to the rotary member, the fan being rotated together with the rotary member, and a deflection device arranged between the fan and the heating device to guide the air flow from the fan to the peripheral edge of the rotary member. The rotary member has an extended flange extending radially outward from the peripheral edge of the rotary member.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1987Date of Patent: July 11, 1989Assignees: Toshiba Electric Appliances, Robeson Industries Corp.Inventors: Isao Yamamoto, Akio Iida, Kaoru Kikuchi
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Patent number: 4842502Abstract: A cotton candy machine is provided with a rotating pan and a heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the rotating pan and being rotatable with the rotating pan. A sliding electrical connection is provided between the heating element and a power source in order to supply electric current which is necessary to heat the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1988Date of Patent: June 27, 1989Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc.Inventors: Mitsuyo Tsumita, Yuji Yamane
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Patent number: 4793782Abstract: A floss head assembly for making striped cotton candy is provided. The floss head assembly has upper and lower chambers that are adapted to melt two different colors of sugar in order to provide striped cotton candy. A stripe enhancer is provided intermediate the upper and lower chambers and serves to maintain distinct colors without the chambers when liquid sugar is flung from the floss head assembly and crystallized into confectionary fluff.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1986Date of Patent: December 27, 1988Assignee: Sells-Floto Inc.Inventor: John T. Sullivan
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Patent number: 4731001Abstract: A cotton candy making apparatus includes a hollow rotary member to be rotated, the rotary member being provided with a supply port for supplying sugar to the interior thereof and path for delivering molten sugar to a peripheral edge of the rotary member, a heating device located below the rotary member to heat the rotary member and hence heat and melt sugar in the rotary member, a fan for producing an air flow to the rotary member, the fan being rotated together with the rotary member, and a deflection device arranged between the fan and the heating device to guide the air flow from the fan to the peripheral edge of the rotary member. The rotary member has an extended flange extending radially outward from the peripheral edge of the rotary member.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1986Date of Patent: March 15, 1988Assignees: Toshiba Electric Appliances Co., Ltd., Robeson Industries Corp.Inventors: Isao Yamamoto, Akio Iida, Kaoru Kikuchi