Abstract:
A popcorn maker, which utilizes a combination of popping means, and converts corn kernels to popped corn quicker, more efficiently, and with improved taste. The popcorn maker uses a combination of roasting, agitation, heating, and convection to convert the corn kernels into the popcorn, and expel the popcorn out of the popcorn maker. The popcorn maker is easy to use, the corn kernels and the popcorn easily viewable and fun to watch during popping, the popcorn maker producing the popcorn in a quick, convenient, and efficient manner. The popcorn maker discharges the popcorn from a convenient discharge chute into a receptacle of choice, resembles, and has the appearance of an old fashioned popcorn maker. The popcorn maker is free standing, easy to clean and maintain, and of long lasting, durable material. The popcorn maker is light weight, inexpensive, safe to use, attractive, sturdy, of simple construction., and is easy to store.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to popcorn devices and more particularly to devices for making popcorn, utilizing a combination of popping means. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Popcorn is typically made by cooking uncooked corn kernels, which expands and bursts the corn kernels into popped corn, the popped corn commonly being called “popcorn.” Each of the corn kernels contains a small amount of water stored within a layer of soft starch, the soft starch being surrounded by the corn kernel&#39;s outer surface of hard starch, the corn kernel having approximately 13.5 to 14 percent moisture. As heat is applied to the corn kernel, the corn kernel heats up, the water within the corn kernel begins to expand, and pressure builds against the hard starch. Eventually, this hard surface of hard starch gives way, causing the corn kernel to explode. As the corn kernel explodes, the soft starch inside the corn kernel becomes inflated and bursts, turning the corn kernel inside out. The steam created by heating the water inside the kernel is released, and the popcorn is popped, the optimum popping temperature being between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     Popcorn devices typically make popcorn, utilizing, what has come to be known as, either “wet” or “dry” popping means. Wet popcorn devices typically use a liquid, such as cooking oil to cook the corn kernels in, and convert the corn kernels into the popped corn, and dry popcorn devices typically use hot air to convert the corn kernels into the popped corn. 
     Dry popcorn devices have become the preferred choice, because of distinct advantages over wet popping. Dry popping has been shown to be more efficient, requiring less energy, being more efficient, converting the corn kernels to the popped corn quicker, and yielding fewer calories in the same amount of popcorn than wet popped popcorn. Although wet popping allows flavoring to be added during popping of the corn kernels, flavoring may be added after popping the corn kernels into the popcorn in dry popping, if required. 
     Most dry popcorn poppers immerse the corn kernels in hot air, in order to pop the corn kernels into the popcorn, and although popping the corn kernels in hot air is typically more efficient than wet popping, an improved and more efficient popcorn maker is necessary, which utilizes a combination of popping means, and converts the corn kernels to the popped corn quicker, more efficiently, and with improved taste, compared to conventional dry popping. The popcorn maker should use a combination of roasting, agitation, heating, and convection to convert the corn kernels into the popcorn, and expel the popcorn out of the popcorn maker. 
     The popcorn maker should be easy to use, the corn kernels and the popcorn easily viewable and fun to watch during popping, the popcorn maker producing the popcorn in a quick, convenient, and efficient manner. The popcorn maker should discharge the popcorn from a convenient discharge chute into a receptacle of choice, resemble, and have the appearance of an old fashioned popcorn maker. The popcorn maker should be free standing, easy to clean and maintain, and be of long lasting, durable material. The popcorn maker should be light weight, inexpensive, safe to use, attractive, sturdy, of simple construction, and easy to store. 
     Different devices and methods for heating, cooking, and roasting popcorn, coffee, and other food items have heretofore been known. None of these devices or methods adequately satisfies the aforementioned needs. 
     Different popcorn devices and methods, and in particular hot air or convection popcorn devices and methods, have heretofore been known. However, none of these popcorn devices or methods, and in particular these hot air or convection popcorn devices, adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,158 (Ishihara) discloses a popcorn popper having a popping chamber, which has a plurality of radially arranged holes along a bottom periphery, a lower wall portion of gradually smaller diameter, and a bottom having a raised portion. The popcorn popper also has a diffusing device, which directs heated air inward from an outer periphery and upward through the holes in the bottom of the chamber, for more even and efficient heating. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,247 (Friedman) discloses a popcorn popping and coating machine, comprising a hot air popcorn popper having a discharge chute in communication with a rotary driven receptacle. The popping and coating machine also has a pivoting gate, which blocks passage of the popcorn through the discharge chute until the popper becomes filled with popped kernels, so that the kernels continue to be heated until the popcorn is introduced into a coating receptacle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,139 (Lee) discloses a popcorn maker having a flap, which closes off a passageway to prevent corn, especially unpopped corn, from reaching a discharge outlet. The flap is balanced in its closed position and is pushed open by any build up of popped corn, to allow the popped corn to be discharged, which then remains open until closed manually. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,974 (Tienor) discloses a hot air corn popper having a body, which has a lower body portion closed by a removable cover, a hollow stainless steel popping vessel, which is removably held in the lower body portion, the hollow stainless steel popping vessel having a bottom end closed by a perforated grill, and a gravity flow feed hopper formed in the lower body portion, which provides automatic flow of unpopped kernels into the popping vessel, the unpopped kernels being contained on top of the perforated grill. An upwardly directed hot air flow produced in the lower body portion is directed through the popping vessel. The air flow pops the unpopped kernels and carries the popped kernels out of the popping vessel and the body to a storage receptacle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,253 (Rehmeyer, et al.) discloses a convection oven corn popper and method in which a device is provided to air-pop popcorn in combination with a convection-type oven. The device comprises a spring-mounted bowl to hold corn kernels, and includes a slot in a sidewall for popped popcorn to exit therefrom. The exiting popcorn falls into a cooking chamber of the oven, where the popcorn is held warm until ready to eat. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,427 (Kiczek) discloses a popcorn popper, having a receptacle for receiving corn which has been popped and a popping vessel substantially centrally mounted to the receptacle. The popping vessel receives heating oil and kernels of unpopped corn therein, which are heated to a popping temperature to pop the kernels of corn to form popcorn. A deflecting mechanism is provided so as to deflect the corn, which has been popped upward out of the popping vessel into the receptacle, thus, separating the corn that has popped from the kernels of corn in the popping vessel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,568 (Kiczek) further discloses a popcorn popper, which utilizes an oil heating mechanism having a pair of heating elements for heating kernels of unpopped corn to form popcorn. The popcorn popper has a base member and a heating mechanism for heating oil and the kernels of unpopped corn to form popcorn. An alternate embodiment of the popcorn popper is disclosed, in which the heating mechanism has an air heating mechanism. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,294,546 (Fingerhut) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,922,355 (Green) disclose devices and method for popping corn, each of the devices having a housing and a popping device, including an air duct, means for blowing gases through and suspending unpopped corn kernels in the popping device, and means for heating the suspended corn kernels. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,798 (Nakamura) discloses a popcorn processing machine having a heating chamber into which a measured quantity of raw corn kernels are fed in each of a number of operating cycles. The raw corn kernels are heated, agitated, and popped by hot air supplied under pressure, as a whirling rising vortex, which results in the production of popcorn. The bottom of the heating chamber can be opened, the popcorn dumped, the chamber bottom reclosed, and the operating cycle restarted. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,457 (Lyga, et al.) discloses a low-headroom popcorn popper, particularly for under-cabinet mounting. The low-headroom popper has a charging drawer alongside an intermediate chute for feeding kernels of corn into a popping chamber. The corn kernels remain in the charging drawer, until a charging slide is pushed to permit the corn kernels to enter the popping chamber. A horizontal air path between a blower and a plenum, surrounding the popping chamber, further reduces headroom. Air enters the perimeter of the popping chamber from the plenum in a horizontal swirling motion, produced by slanted louvers. A door closes an open bottom of the popping chamber to permit removal of unpopped kernels of corn and other debris therefrom. Heater elements are disposed in the plenum chamber non-uniformly angled about the popping chamber, to attain a substantially uniform air temperature, as heated air enters the popping chamber. Separation of popped corn from unpopped kernels of corn is attained, using two cylindrical sections connected by a diverging conical section. Popped corn rises upward in an air stream, until the rising popped corn passes over a dam, whereupon the popped corn falls down a discharge chute. An electrical control system controls a “wait” light and a “ready,” light to indicate to a user the time that an optimum popping temperature exists in the popping chamber. An over temperature sensor deenergizes the heater, blower and the “ready” light, and energizes the “wait” light, when an unsafe temperature is approached. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,363 (King, et al.) discloses an automatic, hot air corn popping machine, having a feed conveyor for transporting unpopped corn from a reservoir to a base of a popping tube, which forms part of a popping chamber, and a damper-controlled blower and thermostatically-controlled heater for heating and blowing air to pop corn in the popping chamber. A control circuit is provided with a reprogrammable microcomputer, for programmable operation of the automatic, hot air corn popping machine. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,113 (Marquez) discloses a popcorn popping and dispensing apparatus adapted to be used in combination with a hot air source, the apparatus including a popping chamber having a base structured and disposed to be attached to the hot air source and including a centrally disposed opening therethrough to define an air nozzle and allow passage of forced hot air through from the hot air source into an interior of the popping chamber. The popping chamber further includes a top having a neck portion with an open distal end defining a drop chute structured and disposed for passage of popping corn kernels therethrough and into the interior of the popping chamber for exposure to the forced hot air and subsequent popping, and includes a surrounding side wall structure having a discharge chute attached to and extending angularly downward from an upper portion thereof, so as to allow passage of popped popcorn therethrough and out from an open end thereof, and a cleaning chute attached to and extending angularly upward from a lower portion thereof, so as to facilitate the insertion of cleaning instruments therethrough and into the interior of the popping chamber for cleaning thereof. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,139 (Wolens) discloses a device for popping corn, having a receptacle for receiving popped corn and a popping vessel arranged in the receptacle for receiving kernels of popcorn. A hot air blower charges a stream of hot air downward into the popping vessel, and heats kernels of popcorn to a popping temperature. The stream of air drives the popped corn out to the popping vessel and into the receptacle, to separate the popped corn from the unpopped kernels of popped corn. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,405 (Simon) discloses a hot air corn popping machine, for supplying popped corn which may be used as packaging material. Unpopped kernels are fed into a hopper and through a motorized feed unit and sensor switch, which provide controlled amounts of kernels into a popping chamber within a heating chamber. A blower motor provides pressurized air through heating coils around the popping chamber, to pop the corn and direct the popped corn through an exhaust system. A ramp having a grating at the lower end separates unpopped kernels, which are collected for recycling. The popped corn is blown upward through an exhaust tube, for collection by an external collector. 
     Different popcorn vending machines have heretofore been known. However, none of these popcorn vending machines adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,419,238 (Pinone) and 5,309,825 each disclose a popcorn machine for measuring a metered amount of popcorn, cooking the popcorn fresh, and dispensing the freshly cooked popcorn into a manually positioned cup in a front portion of the popcorn machine. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,684 (Chaikowsky) discloses a popcorn vending machine having a corn dispenser for dispensing a measured quantity of corn to a cooker assembly, the cooker assembly for cooking the corn kernels and dispensing the cooked corn kernels to a cup in an area accessible by a purchaser. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,353 (Wyman, et al.) discloses a hot air popcorn machine having a programmable control system for controlling various operating parameters, including air flow and air temperature, to enable the popcorn machine to produce popcorn in a substantially low maintenance environment, such as a free-standing vending machine. 
     Different automatic popcorn machines have heretofore been known. However, none of these automatic popcorn machines adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,011 (Hodgson, et al.) discloses an automated batch popcorn machine, having a tiltable kettle actuated by a motor drive controlled to operate in a single batch and automatic dump process. U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,779 (Stein, et al.) discloses an automated corn popping apparatus having a kettle assembly, a support arrangement for supporting and operating the kettle assembly, a display arrangement for enclosing the corn popping apparatus, and control means for automatically operating the corn popping apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,173 (Stein, et al.) discloses an apparatus for the automatic, continuous popping of popcorn having an upper storage compartment, heating coils for providing heat inside the upper storage compartment, a popcorn popping kettle, a lower storage compartment housing electrical components, a corn supply, a salt supply and an oil supply. 
     Different corn popping apparatus having kettles have heretofore been known. However, none of these corn popping apparatus having kettles adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,032,572 (Mann) and 5,857,403 (Mann) each disclose corn popping apparatus comprising a box-like cabinet with a tiltable lid, having a large metal popping kettle attached thereto, which when lowered, the bottom of the kettle projects downwardly into the cabinet interior through a panel covering the top of the cabinet, the kettle being heated to popping temperature by a fuel burner inside the cabinet. 
     Different apparatus and methods for heating, cooking, and roasting food have heretofore been known. However, none of these apparatus or methods adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,444 (Bar-Sheshet) discloses a forced air oven for and a method of heating, cooking or roasting granular food, such as nuts, seeds and coffee beans. The apparatus houses a hollow cylindrical drum into which food is placed. A heated gaseous stream is forced through the inside of the drum with sufficient force to blow the food away from the inside surface of the drum. Perforations in the drum are positioned such that the heated gaseous stream blows the food toward a rear end of the drum, and causes the food to churn, which allows the heated air to envelope the outside surface of the food and provides even transmission of heat to the food. The drum is provided with a helical fin that pushes the food toward a front end of the drum. A wire mesh is also provided for collecting particles that are dislodged from the food, and an exhaust system is provided for venting the gasses created during the heating, cooking or roasting of food. The oven is equipped with a door that has feed and discharge gates for inserting and removing the food, without opening the door. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,962 (Tedesco) discloses a countertop puffing oven for pelletized foodstuffs, having a pellet-receiving container, including an air flow-directing agitator mounted in the bottom thereof and cooperating with a forced inflow of air initially introduced through a heater element preheated to at least approximately 375 degrees Fahrenheit for intimate substantially unencumbered contact of substantially the entire surface area of each pellet with the hot air. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,239 (Tedesco) further discloses a method of puffing pelletized foodstuffs in which foodstuff pellets are puffed by radiantly heating the pellets in a chamber to cause a rapid rise in the chamber temperature to a temperature sufficient for puffing, and once this temperature has been reached, a fluidizing flow of air is created and maintained within the chamber to agitate, move and suspend the pellets within the chamber while maintaining the puffing temperature causing uniform puffing of the pellets. After the pellets are puffed, the radiant heating is discontinued while the fluidizing flow of air continues to cool the puffed pellets. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,903 (Fereshetian) discloses a combination oven and popcorn popper unit, which may be used to cook or heat food items and to pop popcorn kernels. A lower oven section has internal walls defining a food-receiving compartment, and a food supporting member is located in the compartment for supporting food items to be cooked or heated. A container above the oven section is provided for receiving kernels of corn to be popped, and heating means is provided below the food supporting means for providing heat for the oven section and also for heating the kernels of corn in the container, during use of the device as a popcorn popper. Deflector means communicate with the container for deflecting popped kernels of corn along a predetermined path of travel out of the unit. 
     Different coffee roasters have heretofore been known. However, none of the coffee roasters adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,072 (Waligorski) discloses a coffee roaster for roasting a selected volume of coffee beans, having a roasting cavity for receiving and roasting a selected volume of green coffee beans, a timer for controlling the roasting time, and a heating coil for generating heat to roast the coffee beans. A motor drives a fan, which forces air through the heating coil and toward the roasting cavity. Slots defined by the roasting cavity direct the heated air into the roasting cavity, such that the coffee beans are agitated and roasted. The roasting cavity has an opening in the top of the roasting cavity. Chaff is evacuated with the air through the opening in the top of the roasting cavity. A chaff collector is provided for collecting the chaff evacuated, while allowing the escape of air. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,288 (Skaling) discloses a coffee bean roaster for home use, in which a fan heater assembly in housing blows hot air upwardly through a glass roasting chamber. The hot air escaping from the top of the chamber may be selectively recycled into the housing to raise the roasting temperature to compensate for low levels in available electrical power. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,308 (Tanaka) discloses a coffee maker, having a roasting portion, which heats raw coffee beans placed therein, so as to roast the raw coffee beans, a grinding portion, which grinds the roasted coffee beans which have been roasted in the roasting portion, a transferring portion, which is connected between the roasting portion and the grinding portion and automatically transfers the roasted coffee beans from the roasting portion to the grinding portion after the raw coffee beans have been roasted, and an extracting portion, which extracts the coffee from the ground coffee beans loaded therein from the grinding portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,502 (Enomoto) discloses a coffee making machine for automatically producing coffee solution from unroasted coffee beans having a roaster for holding coffee beans and roasting the dried coffee beans into roasted coffee beans, a milling/extracting unit for grinding the roasted coffee beans into ground coffee and extracting coffee solution from the ground coffee, a blower for blowing air into the milling/extracting unit to cool the roasted coffee beans before the roasted coffee beans are ground, a pouring unit for pouring hot water onto the ground coffee and extracting the coffee solution therefrom, a coffee server for receiving the coffee solution from the milling/extracting unit, and means for supplying the coffee solution from the milling/extracting unit to the coffee server. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved and more efficient popcorn maker, which utilizes a combination of popping means, and converts the corn kernels to the popped corn quicker, more efficiently, and with improved taste, compared to conventional dry popping. The popcorn maker should use a combination of roasting, agitation, heating, and convection to convert the corn kernels into the popcorn, and expel the popcorn out of the popcorn maker. 
     The popcorn maker should be easy to use, the corn kernels and the popcorn easily viewable and fun to watch during popping, the popcorn maker producing the popcorn in a quick, convenient, and efficient manner. The popcorn maker should discharge the popcorn from a convenient discharge chute into a receptacle of choice, resemble, and have the appearance of an old fashioned popcorn maker. The popcorn maker should be free standing, easy to clean and maintain, and be of long lasting, durable material. The popcorn maker should be light weight, inexpensive, safe to use, attractive, sturdy, of simple construction, and easy to store. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a popcorn maker, which utilizes a combination of popping means, and converts the corn kernels to the popped corn quicker, more efficiently, and with improved taste, compared to conventional dry popping. The popcorn maker uses a combination of roasting, agitation, heating, and convection to convert the corn kernels into the popcorn, and expel the popcorn out of the popcorn maker. The popcorn maker is easy to use, the corn kernels and the popcorn easily viewable and fun to watch during popping, the popcorn maker producing the popcorn in a quick, convenient, and efficient manner. The popcorn maker discharges the popcorn from a convenient discharge chute into a receptacle of choice, resembles, and has the appearance of an old fashioned popcorn maker. The popcorn maker is free standing, easy to clean and maintain, and of long lasting, durable material. The popcorn maker is light weight, inexpensive, safe to use, attractive, sturdy, of simple construction., and easy to store. 
     A popcorn maker having features of the present invention comprises: a combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit, the combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit having a heater, roaster agitator, chimney, and blower; the roaster agitator being substantially cup shaped, having a bottom and a substantially cylindrical wall having a plurality of louvers therein, the louvers disposed so as to direct heated air downward and towards a central portion of the bottom of the roaster agitator; the blower drawing air thereinto the popcorn maker, and impelling the air therethrough the heater; the heater heating the air and generating heated air; the blower impelling the heated air therethrough the louvers and thereinto the roaster agitator; the heated and impelled air roasting and agitating corn kernels therein the roaster agitator, the roasted and agitated corn kernels being converted to popcorn; the heated and impelled air impelling the popcorn thereinto the chimney and expelling the popcorn thereout of the chimney; a base; and a removably mating cover, the removably mating cover mating with the base; the removably mating cover having a chute; the combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit mounted therein the base and extending thereinto the removably mating cover; the popcorn expelled thereout of the chimney thereinto the removably mating cover and thereout of the chute. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a popcorn maker, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side section view of the popcorn maker of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top section view of a roaster agitator of the popcorn maker of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side section view of the roaster agitator of the popcorn maker of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a heater of the popcorn maker of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is schematic diagram of an electronic circuit of the popcorn maker of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the popcorn maker of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a top section view of an alternate roaster agitator; 
     FIG. 9 is a side section view of the alternate roaster agitator of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a top section view of an alternate roaster agitator; 
     FIG. 11 is a side section view of the alternate roaster agitator of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a top section view of an alternate roaster agitator; and 
     FIG. 13 is a side section view of the alternate roaster agitator of FIG.  12 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-13 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numbers. 
     FIGS. 1-7 show an embodiment of the present invention, a popcorn maker  10  for roasting and popping corn kernels  12  into popped corn  14 , hereinafter also called popcorn  14 . The corn kernels  12  are typically popped into the popcorn  14  at the optimum popping temperature, which is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. The popcorn maker  10  has base housing  16  having combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit  18  substantially centrally located coaxially therein the base housing  16 , and removably replaceable mating cover  20 . The corn kernels  12  are converted to the popcorn  14  by a combination of roasting, agitation, heat transfer, and convection therein the combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit  18 , and expelled therefrom the popcorn maker  10  by convection and gravity. 
     The base housing  16  has upper base  22  and lower base mount  24 , the upper base  22  being preferably substantially cuboid shaped or substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped, having walls  25  and  26 , and the lower base mount  24  being preferably substantially cylindrically shaped, although the upper base  22  and the lower base mount  24  may have other suitable shapes. Bottom  27  of the upper base  22  has a plurality of substantially oblong holes  28  radially disposed therein, and bottom  30  of the lower base mount  24  has a plurality of substantially circular holes  32  radially disposed in a pattern of concentric rings  34  therein and thereabout the lower base mount  24 . The lower base mount  24  has support members  36  for supporting and affixing the combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit  18  thereto, and combination air regulator and diverter  37  substantially centrally located adjacent the bottom  30  of the lower base mount  24 , which regulates and diverts interior air  38  initially entering the popcorn machine  10 . The walls  25  and  26  of the upper base  22  may have optional advertising, graphics, or indicia  39  thereon. 
     The combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit  18  has heater housing  40 , heater  42 , blower  44 , roaster agitator  46 , which is cup shaped and has bottom  48  and wall  50  having a plurality of louvers  52  thereabout, chimney  54 , chimney top  56 , having flared top opening  58 , heat transfer chamber  60 , and electronic circuit  61 . 
     The roaster agitator  46 , the chimney  54 , and the chimney top  56  are substantially coaxial one with the other, each being substantially cylindrically shaped. The roaster agitator  46  and the chimney  54  are preferably of unitary construction, the chimney  54  extending from the roaster agitator  46 , although the chimney  54  and the roaster agitator  46  may alternatively be constructed separately, and affixed one to the other. The chimney top  56  has lower section  62 , top section  64 , flared top  65 , and the flared top opening  58 , the lower section  62  typically being inserted and press fit thereinto the chimney  54 , with the top section  64  of the chimney top  56  extending above the chimney 
     Each of the louvers  52  thereabout the wall  50  of the roaster agitator  46  has slot  70  therein, arcuate edge  71 , and edges  72  and  73 , the slot  70  being defined by the wall  50 , the arcuate edge  71 , and the edges  72  and  73 . The arcuate edge  71  extends away from the wall  50  and radially inward toward centerline  74 , the centerline  74  being common to the roaster agitator  46 , the chimney  54 , the chimney top  56 , and the heater housing  40 . Each of the louvers  52  has an arcuate shaped roof  78  and walls  80 ,  82 , and  83  adjoined thereto the wall  50 , respectively. The louvers  52  are disposed so as to direct hot air  84  exiting therefrom the slots  70  toward center  76  of the roaster agitator  46 , the center of the roaster agitator  46  having upwardly disposed closed nipple  85 . Each of the louvers  52  are elevated substantially the same height  86  above the roaster agitator  46 . Each of the arcuate edges  71  of each of the louvers  52  are spaced substantially the same distance  88  from the closest adjacent one of the walls  83  of the adjacent louver 
     Now in more detail, each of the slots  70  and the arcuate shaped roof  78  adjacent a neighboring one of the slots  70  act in conjunction one with the other to direct the hot air  84  exiting therefrom the slots  70  toward the center  76  of the roaster agitator  46 . The hot air  84  exiting therefrom each of the slots  70  is directed toward the center  76  of the roaster agitator  46  and toward the wall  83  adjacent the neighboring one of the slots  70 , the arcuate shaped roof  78  of the adjacent one of the louver  52  further diverting the hot air  84  toward the center  76  of the roaster agitator  46 . The hot air  84  circulates cyclonically inwardly, so as to roast, circulate, and agitate the corn kernels  12  about the center of the roaster agitator  46  and the upwardly disposed closed nipple  85 , which aids in creating an updraft of the popcorn  14 , upon the corn kernels  12  having changed state to the popped corn  14 . 
     Additional heat is transferred therethrough the bottom  48  and the wall  50  of the roaster agitator  46  and wall  90  at lower portion  92  of the chimney  54  therefrom the heat transfer chamber  60 , the bottom  48 , the wall  50 , and the wall  90  acting as a heat exchanger, transferring heat from the heat transfer chamber  60  to interior  93  of the roaster agitator  46  and lower interior portion  94  of the chimney  54 . 
     The heater housing  40  has base  96  and top  98 . The base  96  of the heater housing  40  has a plurality of air inlet holes  100  and a blower motor receiving hole  102 . The blower  44  has blower motor M 1  ( 104 ) affixed thereto edges  106  of the blower motor receiving hole  102 , the blower motor M 1  ( 104 ) being coaxially mounted therein the base  96  of the heater housing  40 . The blower  44  has impeller  108  having a plurality of impeller blades  110 , the impeller  108  being affixed to shaft  112  of the blower motor M 1  ( 104 ) at centerline  114  of the impeller  108 , which is substantially common to the centerline  74 . 
     The top  98  of the heater housing  40  has substantially cylindrical chimney receiving hole  116 , the chimney  54  matingly extending therethrough the chimney receiving hole  116 . The top  98  of the heater housing  40  is fastened thereto the base  96  of the heater housing  40 , with screws  117  or other suitable fasteners. The base  96  of the heater housing  40  has side portion  118  extending up and thereinto bottom interior  119  of the base  96  and lip  120  having the heater  42  mounted thereupon, the lip  120  extending inwardly toward the centerline  74 . 
     The heater  42  has compression spring  122  affixed thereto, having leaves  123  abutting bottom exterior  124  of the roaster agitator  46 , the compression spring  122 , acting in compression, forcing the heater  42  abuttingly against the lip  120 , holding the heater  42  in place, and transferring additional heat therefrom the heater  42  thereto the roaster agitator  46 . The heater  42  has lower disk  125  having a plurality of arcuate shaped air intake holes  126 , heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ), upper disk  129 , and separators  130 , separating the upper disk  129  from the lower disk  125 , the heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ) sandwiched therebetween the upper disk  129  and the lower disk  125 . The lower disk  125  also has holes  131 , cable ends  132  of the heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ) being directed therethrough to the electronic circuit  61 , which power to drive the heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ) is controlled therefrom. The upper disk  129  and the lower disk  125  also have holes  133  and  134 , respectively, for mounting fasteners  135  therethrough, which hold the upper disk  129  and the lower disk  125  fastened one to the other and the compression spring  122  fastened to the upper disk  129 . The upper disk  129  and the lower disk  125  also have holes  136  and  137 , respectively, for accepting tabs  138  and  139  of the separators  130  therethrough, respectively, and holding the separators  130  in place therebetween the upper disk  129  and the lower disk  125 . 
     The combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit  18  is mounted thereto the support members  36  of the lower base mount  24 , with appropriate fasteners, such as screws  140 , or other suitable fasteners. 
     The upper base  22  has support legs  141  affixed thereto, and legs  142  having axle support member  144 , the axle support member  144  affixed thereto and therebetween the legs  142 . The axle support member  144  has axle  146  therethrough, the axle  146  having wheels  148  affixed thereto. The support legs  141  have support member  150  affixed thereto and therebetween the support legs  141 . The support legs  141  and the wheels  148  are adapted to support the popcorn maker  10  on a variety of surfaces. The upper base  22  also has handle  152 , which may be used to push or pull the popcorn maker  10  about the surfaces, the handle  152  affixed to handle supports  154 , which are affixed to the upper base  22 . The upper base  22  has receiving groove  156  about upper interior edge  158  of the upper base  22 , for matingly receiving the removably replaceable mating cover  20 . 
     The removably replaceable mating cover  20  is preferably four sided, having two opposing substantially rectangular sides  160 , a substantially rectangular back side  162 , and front chute side  164  opposing the back side  162 . The front chute side  164  has substantially rectangular portion  168  and chute  170 , adapted to expel the popped corn  14  from the popcorn maker  10 , when the removably replaceable mating cover  20  is matingly placed atop the upper base  22 , and the popcorn maker  10  is operating to make the popcorn  14 . The sides  160 , the rectangular back side  162 , and the front chute side  164  are preferably of transparent or semi transparent material, to facilitate observing roasting and popping the corn kernels  12  into the popped corn  14 , but other suitable materials may also be used. The sides  160 , the rectangular back side  162 , and the front chute side  164  may have optional advertising, graphics, or indicia thereon. 
     The chute  170  has a substantially rectangular face  172  and substantially triangular opposing sides  174 , the face  172  being angularly disposed to deflect the popcorn  14  being expelled therefrom the popcorn maker  10  in a downward direction and into a dish or other collection or receiving implement that may optionally be placed underneath the chute  170 , or a surface beneath the chute  170 . The face  172  has substantially oblong holes  176  therein, for venting excess heat from the popcorn maker  10 . 
     The removably replaceable mating cover  20  has top  178 , which has substantially centrally located hole  180 , substantially cylindrical dish holder  182  concentrically located about the hole  180 , inwardly and downwardly sloping top portions  183 , and outwardly and inwardly sloping top edges  184  and  185 , respectively. The removably replaceable mating cover  20  has cylinder  186  affixed thereto edge  188  of the hole  180 , at top  190  of the cylinder  186 , and inverted chimney deflector  192  coaxially mounted thereto base  193  of the cylinder  186 . The inverted chimney deflector  192  has inverted cylindrically shaped cup  194 , mounting ring  195 , and top deflector  196 . The mounting ring  195  is affixed to the top deflector  196 , the top deflector  196  and the mounting ring  195  having centrally located hole  197  therethrough, edges  198  of the mounting ring  195  affixed thereto the base  193  of the cylinder  186 . 
     The inverted cylindrically shaped cup  194  of the inverted chimney deflector  192  has a diameter  199  larger than diameter  200  of the cylinder  186 , the diameter  199  of the inverted chimney deflector  192  being smaller than diameter  202  of the chimney top  56 . The diameter  199  of the inverted chimney deflector  192 , the diameter  202  of the chimney top  56 , curvature  203  of flared portion  204  of the chimney top  56 , and the associated flared top opening  58 , and relationship one to the other, are adapted to expel the popcorn  14  therefrom the chimney top  56 , about exterior  205  of the inverted chimney deflector  192 , deflect the corn kernels  12  back into interior  206  of the chimney top  56 , and deflect a portion of heat emanating therefrom the chimney top  56  back into the chimney top  56  and the chimney  54 . 
     Measuring dish  207  is removably retained in the cylindrical dish holder  182 , during operation of the popcorn maker  10  and at other times, and is used to measure an amount of the corn kernels  12  to be loaded into the popcorn maker  10  therethrough the hole  180 . The measuring dish  207  has lip  208 , adapted to rest on edges  209  of the dish holder  182 , and handle  210  to facilitate lifting and maneuvering the measuring dish  207 . A measured amount of the corn kernels  12  are poured thereinto the hole  180  for popping. 
     The upper base  22  of the base housing  16  has internal supports  212  for supporting plate  214  having centrally located hole  215 , the top  98  of the heater housing  40  matingly fitting therethrough. The base housing  16  has disposal tray  216  downwardly sloping toward the chute  170 , for disposing the popcorn  14  therefrom to a collection or receiving implement that may optionally be placed underneath the chute  170 , or a surface beneath the chute  170 . The disposal tray  216  is affixed to the internal supports  212 , and has hole  217  having edge  218 , sloping top  219 , sloping sides  220 , back side  222 , and front edge  224 . The sloping top  219  has top portion  226 , side portions  228 , and central portion  230 , the top portion  226  and the side portions  228  sloping downwardly toward the central portion  230 , forming a trough  232  directed toward the front edge  224  and the chute  170 , for disposal of the popcorn  14  therefrom. The chimney  54  is upwardly disposed therethrough the hole  217  of the disposal tray  216 , the chimney  54  having seal  234  thereabout and adjacent thereto, the seal  234  also being and interior and adjacent the edge  218  of the hole  217  of the disposal tray  216 . 
     The blower motor M 1  ( 104 ), the heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ), and the electronic circuit  61  are powered by power line  236 , which is typically  110  volt line voltage, although other suitable voltages and power sources may be used. Switch S 1  ( 238 ) allows current to flow, when the switch S 1  ( 238 ) is closed, which places indicator light LED 1  ( 240 ) and series limiting resistor R 1  ( 241 ) in parallel with the power line  236 , and the indicator light LED 1  ( 240 ), which is a emitting diode, lights up, indicating that power is being supplied to the popcorn maker  10 . The electronic circuit  61  has power supply PS ( 242 ), which supplies direct current to the blower motor M 1  ( 104 ). 
     The power supply PS ( 242 ) has bridge rectifier BR 1  ( 244 ), and power supply chokes L 1  ( 246 ), filter capacitors C 1  ( 248 ), and filter capacitor C 2  ( 250 ), which smooth rectified output VR 1  ( 251 ) from the bridge rectifier BR 1  ( 244 ), and supply direct current to the blower motor M 1  ( 104 ), the filter capacitors C 1  ( 248 ) and the filter capacitor C 2  ( 250 ) also acting as a motor capacitor. The heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ) are in series with line input  252  of the power line  236 , thermal breaker switch ST 1  ( 254 ), fuse F 1  ( 256 ), and the switch S 1  ( 238 ), which are in series with line input  254  of the power line  236 . Input V 1  ( 258 ) to the bridge rectifier BR 1  ( 244 ) is in parallel with the heater element H 1  ( 127 ). The heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ) being in series, each  10  having resistance, act as a voltage divider, which supplies a portion of power line  236  voltage across the heater element at the input V 1  ( 258 ) of the bridge rectifier BR 1  ( 244 ). The power supply PS ( 242 ), the fuse F 1  ( 256 ), and the limiting resistor R 1  ( 241 ) of the electronic circuit  61  are mounted on circuit board  259 . 
     The heat supplied by the heater elements are determined by the resistances of the heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ), the voltages applied thereto and the current allowed to flow therethrough. The quantity of air supplied to the popcorn maker  10  is dependent upon the voltage supplied to the blower motor M 1  ( 104 ), the current allowed to flow therethrough, and the impeller  108  of the blower  44 . The blower motor M 1  ( 104 ), the current allowed to flow therethrough, the impeller  108  of the blower  44 , and the resistances of the heater elements H 1  ( 127 ) and H 2  ( 128 ) are, thus, adapted to supply a suitable amount of heat and air therethrough the popcorn maker  10 . 
     The thermal breaker switch ST 1  ( 254 ) is mounted at interior  260  of the back side  222  of the disposal tray  216 , which opens, and switches power to the popcorn maker  10  off, when an excessive predetermined temperature is reached. The thermal breaker switch ST 1  ( 254 ) closes again after the temperature drops to an acceptable value, and preferably after a predetermined time period at an acceptable value, allowing the popcorn maker  10  to be used again, although a suitable thermostat may alternatively be used. The fuse F 1  ( 256 ) opens and switches power to the popcorn maker  10  off, if excessive current is drawn by the popcorn maker  10 . 
     The popcorn maker  10  may be of metal, such as aluminum or steel, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, rubber, or other suitable material or combination thereof. The heater housing  40  of the combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit  18  is preferably of thermoplastics or thermosetting polymers, or other suitable material or combination thereof. The roaster agitator  46 , the chimney  54 , and the chimney top  56  of the combination heater, roaster, agitator, and convection unit  18 , are preferably of aluminum, steel, metal, or other suitable material or combination thereof. The base  96  of the heater housing  40  is preferably of thermoplastics or thermosetting polymers, and the sides  160 , the rectangular back side  162 , and the front chute side  164  are preferably of transparent or semi transparent thermoplastics or thermosetting polymers, or other suitable material or combination thereof. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternate roaster agitator  270  that may be used with the popcorn maker  10 , although the roaster agitator  46  is preferred, the roaster agitator  46  having improved performance. A primary difference between the roaster agitator  46  and the roaster agitator  270  is that: each of the louvers  52  thereabout the wall  50  of the roaster agitator  46  have the slot  70  therein, the arcuate edge  71 , and the edges  72  and  73 , the slot  70  being defined by the wall  50 , the arcuate edge  71 , and the edges  72  and  73 , and the arcuate shaped roof  78 ; whereas each louver  272  of the roaster agitator  270  has a substantially rectangular slot  274  and a substantially planar roof  276 . The arcuate edge  71  of the slot  70  and the arcuate shaped roof  78  of each of the louvers  52  of the roaster agitator  46  result in improved performance over the roaster agitator  270  having the substantially rectangular slot  274  and the substantially planar roof  276 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternate roaster agitator  280  that may be used with the popcorn maker  10 , although the roaster agitator  46  is preferred. The roaster agitator  280 , has louvers  282 , each of the louvers  282  having substantially rectangular slot  284  and substantially concave roof  286 . The arcuate edge  71  of the slot  70  and the arcuate shaped roof  78  of each of the louvers  52  of the roaster agitator  46  result in improved performance over the roaster agitator  280  having the substantially rectangular slot  284  and the substantially concave roof  286 . 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 show an alternate roaster agitator  290  that may be used with the popcorn maker  10 , although the roaster agitator  46  is preferred. The roaster agitator  290 , has louvers  292 , each of the louvers  292  having substantially arcuate slot  294  and substantially convex roof  296 . The arcuate edge  71  of the slot  70  and the arcuate shaped roof  78  of each of the louvers  52  of the roaster agitator  46  result in improved performance over the roaster agitator  290  having the substantially arcuate slot  294  and the substantially convex roof  296 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.