Patent Publication Number: US-2015086702-A1

Title: Popcorn machine

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Commercial or large format popcorn makers that are commonly found in movie theaters and carnivals, for example, pop the corn kernels in a kettle with a stirring rod using oil and heat, and distribute the popped corn in bulk in an open receptacle. The user would then scoop a serving of popcorn and manually transfer that portion into a portable vessel for consumption. It can be unhygienic to manipulate the food from these type of food making appliances and it is less healthy to use oil in the preparation of popcorn. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, there is provided a machine for popping corn out of corn kernel and for delivering the popcorn to a container, the machine comprising: a body including: a popcorn popper; and a popcorn receptacle disposed adjacent to the popcorn popper, when the popcorn popper is in operation, popcorn expelled by the popcorn popper falling into the popcorn receptacle, the popcorn receptacle having at least one inclined wall; and a valve disposed in the popcorn receptacle at a bottom end of the at least one inclined wall, the valve selectively releasing the popcorn from the popcorn receptacle to the container. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of making and delivering popcorn in a popcorn machine to a container, the method comprising: popping corn kernel in a popcorn popper thereby forcing the popcorn to be ejected upwardly as it is popped; collecting the ejected popcorn as it falls downwardly due to gravity in a popcorn receptacle disposed adjacent to the popcorn popper; and selectively releasing the popcorn using a valve disposed at a bottom of the popcorn receptacle into the container 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present, as well as other aspects, and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a food distribution machine in the shape of a candy machine, shown as a free standing machine; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 1 , shown as a tabletop appliance; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective close up view of a top of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 1  shown with a top open; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a candy distributor of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  a perspective view of a popcorn maker and distribution machine according to a first embodiment, shown as a free standing machine; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 5 , shown as a tabletop appliance; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a top portion of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 5  with some elements removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective view of a top portion of the food distribution machine of FIG,  5  with some elements removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a top portion of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 5  with some elements removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of a top portion of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 5  showing a hot air popper; 
         FIG. 11  a perspective view of a popcorn maker and distribution machine according to a second embodiment, shown as a free standing machine and with doors open; 
         FIG. 12  a perspective view of the popcorn maker and distribution machine of  FIG. 11  shown with doors closed; 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart representing a method of making and delivering popcorn in one of the popcorn machines of  FIGS. 5 and 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  a perspective view of a food maker and distribution machine in the shape of a snow cone machine, shown as a free standing machine: 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the food distribution machine of  FIG. 14 , shown as a tabletop appliance; and 
         FIG. 16  a perspective view of a food maker and distribution machine in the shape of a cotton candy machine, shown as a free standing machine. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a candy distribution machine  10  will be described. 
     The candy machine  10  is a unit convertible between a free standing machine shown in  FIG. 1  and a tabletop appliance shown in  FIG. 2 . To this end the candy machine  10  is connectable to a tabletop base  12  to become a tabletop appliance and to a pedestal  14  to become a free standing machine. The tabletop base  12  and the pedestal  14  will be described below. It is contemplated however, that the candy machine  10  could be only a tabletop appliance or only a free standing machine without possibility of conversion between these two. 
     The candy machine  10  includes a generally paralielipedic body  16 . A bottom (not shown) of the body  16  is connectable to the tabletop base  12  and to the pedestal  14 . The body  16  is made of plastic and includes colors and patterns that gives it a vintage appearance. It is contemplated that the body  16  could have appearances other than a vintage appearance. For example, the body  16  could have a modern appearance. 
     A front  19  of the body  16  includes an opening  20 , a window  21  and a plurality of knobs  24 . The opening  20  is sized to receive a vessel  17  to collect candies  30  delivered by the candy distributor  38 . A back  22  of the opening  20  is lit by a plurality of LEDs  23 . It is contemplated that the opening  20  could be more or less large than shown in the Figures as long as it is sized to receive a cup or container to collect candies  30 . It is also contemplated that the back  22  of the opening  20  could be lit by ways other than the plurality of LEDs  23 . For example, the back  22  of the opening  20  could be lit by incandescent lights. It is also contemplated that sides of the opening  20  could be lit instead or in addition to the back  22  of the opening  20 , It is also contemplated that the opening  20  could not be lit at all. 
     The window  21  allows to see the different candies  30  that the candy machine  10  may deliver. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, there are four silos  25  containing bulk candies  30 , each silo  25  being able to contain a different type of small size bulk candies  30 . It is contemplated that the candy machine  10  could include more or less than four silos  25 . For example, the candy machine  10  could contain three or five silos  25 . Vertically below the window  21  and vertically aligned with the four silos  25 , are disposed the four knobs  24  associated each with one of the silos  25 . Each of the knobs  24  is connected to a dispensing mechanism  40  which delivers a predetermined quantity of bulk candies  30  to the vessel  17  for a given rotation of the knobs  24 . The dispensing mechanism  40  will be described below. It is contemplated that the knobs  24  could be connected to the dispensing mechanism  40  so that a rotation of any of the knobs  24  would be linked to a quantity of candies  30  dispensed as decided by the user without the dispensing mechanism  40  delivering a predetermined quantity of candies  30  at each rotation of the knobs  24 . It is also contemplated that the knobs  24  could be replaced by buttons, or pull tabs for example. 
     A side  18  of the body  16  can be opened up by a hinged panel  13  to access a storage compartment  14  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The storage compartment  14  allows to store additional candies  30  and cups  17 . It is contemplated that the storage compartment  17  could be omitted. It is also contemplated that each side  18  of the body  16  could include a storage compartment  14 . It is contemplated that the storage compartment  14  could be accessed via two or more hinged panels, or by removable panels that would be clipped instead of hinged to the side  18  of the body  16 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , a top  32  of the body  16  flips up open to access an inside of the candy machine  10 . The top  32  has a front portion  33  that when the top  32  is closed (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), the front portion  33  is part of the front  19  of the body  16 . The front portion  33  includes a plurality of LEDs  34  which lighten an inscription  35  on the front portion  33 . When the top  32  is closed, the plurality of LEDs  34  also lighten the candies  30  in the silos  25  to enable the user to better see the different candies  30  in the silos  25 . It is contemplated that the front portion  33  of the top  32  could be lit by ways other than the plurality of LEDs  34 . For example, the front portion  33  of the top  32  could be lit by incandescent lights. It is also contemplated that the opening top  32  could not be lit at all or that only the candies  30  or only the inscription  35  could be lit. It is also contemplated that the lightening of the inscription  35  and of the candies  30  could be achieved independently from each other. 
     An inside  36  of the candy machine  10  includes a storage compartment  37  disposed behind a candy distributor  38 . The storage compartment  37  allows to store additional candies  30  and cups  25 . It is contemplated that the storage compartment  37  could be omitted. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the candy distributor  38  includes a storage bin  39  having three removable dividers  41  creating the four silos  25 . That way compartment if different sizes and compartment related to more than one knob  24  can be created. It is contemplated that the dividers  41  could be fixed to the storage bin  39 . A bottom  46  of the storage bin  39  is inclined downwardly toward the dispensing mechanisms  40  to allow the candies  30  to move toward the dispensing mechanisms  40  by gravity. The storage bin  39  has an open top  42  which is covered by a removable cover  44 . The cover  44  allows access to the candies  30  in the silos  25  and to preserve the freshness of the candies being stored. The cover  44  includes a transparent portion  45  which is aligned with the plurality of LEDs  34  of the front portion  33  when the top  32  is closed so as to lighten the candies  30  on their silos  25 . 
     Each of the dispensing mechanisms  40  includes an associated valve  48  disposed inside the storage bin  39 . Each valve  48  is operated by a corresponding knob  24 , When the knob  24  is rotated, the valve  48  opens and delivers bulk candies  30  to the vessel  17 . When the knob  24  is left vertical as shown in  FIG. 4 , the valve is closed and no candies  30  are delivered to the vessel  17 . It is contemplated that the dispensing mechanism  40  could deliver a predetermined quantity of bulk candies  30  for each rotation of its associated knob  24 . 
     The candy machine  10  is connected to the pedestal  14  by two latches (not shown) disposed on the bottom of the body  16 . The latches are spring loaded. To disconnect the candy machine  10  to the pedestal  14 , the user forces the latches against the spring load, The user uses a trap door (not shown) in the body  16  to access the latches when the candy machine  10  is connected to the pedestal  14 . It is contemplated that the user could access the latches via an opening in the pedestal  14 . The trap door is located within the opening  20 . It is contemplated that the trap door could be located somewhere else. For example, the trap door could be located at a back or at the bottom of the body  16 . It is also contemplated that access to the latches could be granted via ways other than the trap door. For example, a simple opening of a hinged door could be used. It is contemplated that the candy machine  10  could be connected to the pedestal  14  by additional means. For example, brackets could secure the back of the candy machine  10  to a back of the pedestal  14 . It is contemplated that the candy machine  10  could be connected by more than two latches or by a different system. For example, the candy machine  10  could have a female bottom, and the pedestal  14  a male top connecting to the female bottom (or the opposite). The free standing machine would then be held by gravity with or without the help of additional connectors. 
     The pedestal  14  has a generally parallelipedic body  50  having a same cross-section as the one of the candy machine  10  so as to form a continuous free standing machine. It is contemplated that the pedestal  14  could be larger or smaller and/or have a cross-section different from the one of the candy machine  10 . The pedestal  14  includes fours structural posts (not shown) disposed each at a corner of the parallelipedic body  50 , The body  50  is made of plastic and is hollow. An inside of the body  50  can be filled with water or sand to weight the pedestal  14  down. The pedestal  14  also includes two locking caster wheels (not shown) disposed at a back of the pedestal  14 , and two adjustable screw feet (not shown) disposed at a front of the pedestal  14 . The wheels and feet facilitate the moving around of the candy machine  10  and pedestal  14 , It is contemplated that the wheels and feet could be omitted. It is also contemplated that the tabletop base  12  could be filled with water or sand to weight the pedestal  14  down. 
     To convert the candy machine  10  from a free standing machine to a tabletop appliance, the user disconnects the candy machine  10  from the pedestal  14  by disconnecting the latches as described above. The user then connects the candy machine  10  to the tabletop base  12  by snapping. It is contemplated that the tabletop base  12  could be omitted and that the candy machine  10  could be used as is as a tabletop appliance once disconnected from the pedestal  14 . It is also contemplated that the candy machine  10  could be connected to the tabletop base  12  by way other than snapping. For example, brackets could connect the candy machine  10  to the tabletop base  12 . The tabletop base  12  is also connectable to a bottom of the pedestal  14 . It is contemplated that the tabletop base  12  could be incompatible with the pedestal  14 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5 to 10 , a first embodiment of a popcorn making and distribution machine  100  will be described. 
     The popcorn machine  100  is a unit convertible between a free standing machine shown in  FIG. 5  and a tabletop appliance shown in  FIG. 6 . To this end the popcorn machine  100  is connectable to a tabletop base such as the tabletop base  12  described above to become a tabletop appliance, and to a pedestal such as the pedestal  14  described above to become a free standing machine. The tabletop  12  and the pedestal  14  have been described above. It is contemplated however, that the popcorn machine  100  could be only a tabletop appliance or only a free standing machine without possibility of conversion between these two. 
     The popcorn machine  100  includes a generally parallelipedic body  116 . A bottom (not shown) of the body  116  is connectable to the tabletop base  12  and to the pedestal  14 . The body  116  is made of plastic and includes colors and patterns that gives it, in this example, a vintage appearance. It is contemplated that the body  116  could have appearances other than a vintage appearance. For example, the body  116  could have a modern appearance. 
     A front  119  of the body  116  includes a window  121  through which the popcorn  130  can be seen and an opening  120  vertically below the window  121  sized to receive a cup  117  to collect the popcorn  130 . 
     A back  122  of the opening  120  is lit by a plurality of LEDs  123 . R is contemplated that the opening  120  could be more or less large than shown in the Figures as long as it is sized to receive a cup or container to collect popcorn  130 . R is also contemplated that the back  122  of the opening  120  could be lit by ways other than the plurality of LEDs  123 . For example, the back  122  of the opening  120  could be lit by incandescent lights. It is also contemplated that sides of the opening  120  could be lit instead or in addition to the back  122  of the opening  120 , It is also contemplated that the opening  120  could not be lit at all, 
     A side  118  of the body  116  can be opened up by a hinged panel  113  to access a storage compartment  114  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). The storage compartment  114  allows to store additional corn kernels and cups. It is contemplated that the storage compartment  114  could be omitted. It is also contemplated that each side  118  of the body  116  could include one or more storage compartment  114 . It is contemplated that the storage compartment  114  could be accessed via two or more hinged panels, or by removable panels that would be clipped instead of hinged to the side  118  of the body  116 , 
     Similarly to the candy machine  10 , a top  132  of the body  116  of the popcorn machine  100  flips up open to access an inside of the popcorn machine  100 . The top  132  has a front portion  133  that when the top  132  is closed is part of the front  119  of the body  116 . The front portion  133  includes a plurality of LEDs (not shown) which lighten an inscription  135  (In this example “Fresh Popcorn”) on the front portion  133 . When the top  132  is closed, the plurality of LEDs  134  also lighten the popcorn  130 . It is contemplated that the front portion  133  of the top  132  could be it by ways other than the plurality of LEDs  134 . For example, the front portion  133  of the top  132  could be lit by incandescent lights. It is also contemplated that the opening top  132  could not be lit at all or that only the popcorn  130  or only the inscription  135  could be lit. It is also contemplated that the lightening of the inscription  135  and of the popcorn  130  could be achieved independently from each other. The top  132  also include vents  136  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) in relation with a hot air popper  138 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 9 , an inside of the popcorn machine  100  includes the hot air popper  138  disposed vertically below the vents  136 , a storage compartment  137  disposed adjacent to the hot air popper  138 , and a popcorn receptacle  139  disposed forward of the hot air popper  138  and storage compartment  137 . The vents  136  form a ventilation system which vent the hot air from the hot air popper  138  and prevents internal components and parts to overheat. The storage compartment  137  allows to store additional corn kernels and/or cups. It is contemplated that the storage compartment  137  could be omitted. The hot air popper  138  is a conventional hot air popcorn maker where hot air is forced corn kernels which pop under the effect of the heat and flow upwardly (see arrow A 1 ) through an opening  133  to fall into the popcorn receptacle  139  (see arrow A 2 ). A wall  129  separating the storage compartment  137  from the hot air popper  138  is high enough so that the popcorns  130  won&#39;t fly into the storage compartment  137  by error. The popcorn  130  may impact the top  132  when flying upwardly and bounce on an undersurface of the top  132  to and in the popcorn receptacle  139 . The opening  133  is also used as an inlet to feed the corn kernels into the hot air popper  138 . Although the hot air popper  138  is shown in this embodiment to be located at a back of the popcorn maker  100  and the popcorn receptacle  139  at a front, it is contemplated that the hot air popper  138  could be disposed elsewhere relative to the popcorn receptacle  139 , as long as they are close enough to enable the popcorn  130  to fall naturally from the hot air popper  138  into the popcorn receptacle  139 . For example, the hot air popper  138  could be disposed centrally in the popcorn receptacle  139 . 
     A bottom  146  of the popcorn receptacle  139  has one or more inclined walls  147  so as to form a funnel and direct popcorns  130  toward a dispensing mechanism by gravity. The bottom  146  is closed by a slideable tray  124 , which acts as a valve and as the dispensing mechanism. When the slidable tray  124  is inserted, the popcorn  130  is retained in the popcorn receptacle  139 , and when the slidable tray  124  is partially or totally removed, the popcorn  130  evacuated from the popcorn receptacle  139  through the opening that was once covered by the slidable tray  124  toward the cup  117 . As such, the popcorn machine  100  provides an integrated popcorn making and delivery system thanks to the hot air popper  138  and the conveniently located popcorn receptacle  139  and valve  124  enable delivery of the popcorn without human manipulation of the popcorn. The valve  124  may have various shapes. For example, the valve  124  may be made of hinged flaps, or be spring loaded. The valve  124  may be operated manually or mechanically. 
     The popcorn machine  100  is connectable to the pedestal  14  in the same ways as described for the candy machine  10  for use as a free standing machine or alternatively as a table top appliance. To convert the popcorn machine  100  from a free standing machine to a tabletop appliance, the user disconnects the popcorn machine  100  from the pedestal  14  and connects it to the tabletop base  12  in the manner described above for the candy machine  10 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a second embodiment of a popcorn making and distribution machine  100 ′ will be described. The popcorn machine  100 ′ has common elements to the popcorn machine  100 . These elements will have same reference numerals but with a prime&#39; and will not be described in details herein again. 
     The popcorn machine  100 ′ is a unit convertible between a free standing machine shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  and a tabletop appliance (not shown) similarly to the popcorn machine  100 . To this end the popcorn machine  100 ′ is connectable to a tabletop base such as the tabletop base  12  described above to become a tabletop appliance, and to a pedestal such as the pedestal  14  described above to become a free standing machine. The tabletop  12  and the pedestal  14  have been described above. It is contemplated however, that the popcorn machine  100 ′ could be only a tabletop appliance or only a free standing machine without possibility of conversion between these two. 
     The popcorn machine  100 ′ includes a generally parallelipedic body  116 ′. The body  116 ′ is made of plastic and includes colors and patterns that gives it, in one embodiment, a vintage appearance. A front  119 ′ of the body  116 ′ includes a window  121 ′ through which popcorn  130 ′ (shown in  FIG. 12 ) can be seen, and an opening  120 ′ vertically below the window  121 ′ sized to receive a cup  117 ′ to collect the popcorn  130 ′. A front panel  122 ′ may be operable to access a storage compartment  123 ′. It is contemplated that the storage compartment  123 ′ could be omitted and the front panel  122 ′ may be fixed. A side  118 ′ of the body  116 ′ may be opened up by a hinged panel  113 ′ to access yet another storage compartment (not shown). 
     Similarly to the popcorn machine  100 , a top  132 ′ of the body  116 ′ of the popcorn machine  100 ′ flips up open to access an inside of the popcorn machine  100 . The top  132 ′ has a front portion  133 ′ that when the top  132 ′ is closed is part of the front  119 ′ of the body  116 ′. The front portion  133 ′ includes a plurality of LEDs (not shown) which lighten an inscription  135 ′ (in this example “Fresh Popcorn”) on the front portion  133 ′, When the top  132 ′ is closed, the plurality of LEDs also lighten the popcorn  130 ′. 
     The popcorn machine  100 ′ differs from the popcorn machine  100  mostly by its inside. Instead of a hot air popper, the popcorn machine  100 ′ includes a kettle popper  138 ′ disposed centrally in a popcorn receptacle  139 ′, The popcorn receptacle  139 ′ is accessible by the hinged window  121 ′. 
     The kettle popper  138 ′ is a conventional popper including a bin  140 ′ with a heater disposed at a base of the bin  140 ′. The kettle popper  138 ′ further includes a rotating arm (not shown) connected to a spindle  142 ′ operated by a motor (not shown). The rotating arm stir hot oil and corn kernel disposed in the bin  140 ′. A crank arm  143 ′ may be used to rotate the kettle popper  138 ′ when the corn is popped in order to ensure that no remaining corn is left in the bin  140 ′. 
     The kettle popper  138 ′ is generally circular and is disposed centrally in the popcorn receptacle  139 ′ to allow the collection of the popcorn  130 ′ by the popcorn receptacle  139 ′ as it is being popped by the kettle popper  138 ′. When the corn kernel are popped, they are expelled upwardly and fall back downwardly due to gravity into the popcorn receptacle  139 ′. It is contemplated that the kettle popper  138 ′ could be disposed elsewhere relative to the popcorn receptacle  139 ′, as long as they are close enough to enable the popcorn  130 ′ to fall naturally from the hot air popper  138 ′ into the popcorn receptacle  139 ′, 
     Similarly to the popcorn receptacle  139 , a bottom  146 ′ of the popcorn receptacle  139 ′ has one or more inclined walls  147 ′ so as to form a funnel and direct popcorns  130  toward a dispensing mechanism by gravity. The bottom  146 ′ is closed by a slideable tray  124 ′, which acts as a valve and as the dispensing mechanism. Other types of valves are contemplated. When the slidable tray  124 ′ is inserted, the popcorn  130 ′ is retained in the popcorn receptacle  139 ′, and when the slidable tray  124 ′ is partially or totally removed, the popcorn  130 ′ evacuated from the popcorn receptacle  139 ′ to the cup  117 ′ through an opening that was once covered by the slidable tray  124 ′. As such, the popcorn machine  100 ′, similarly to the popcorn machine  100  provides an integrated popcorn making and delivery system thanks to the kettle popper  138 ′ and the conveniently located popcorn receptacle  139 ′ and valve  124 ′ enable delivery of the popcorn without human manipulation of the popcorn. The valve  124 ′ may have various shapes. For example, the valve  124 ′ may be made of hinged flaps, or be spring loaded. The valve  124 ′ may be manually or mechanically operated. 
     The popcorn machine  100 ′ is connectable to the pedestal  14  in the same ways as described for the popcorn machine  100 . To convert the popcorn machine  100 ′ from a free standing machine to a tabletop appliance, the user disconnects the popcorn machine  100 ′ from the pedestal  14  and connects it to the tabletop base  12  in the manner described above for the candy machine  10 , 
     Turning now to  FIG. 13 , a method  150  of making and delivering popcorn using either of popcorn machines  100  and  100 ′ will be described. 
     The method  150  starts at step  152  where popping corn kernel is popped in the popcorn popper  138  or  138 ′ and is ejected upwardly (arrow Al in  FIG. 9 ) as it is popped. 
     At step  154 , the ejected popcorn  130 ,  130 ′ is collected by the popcorn receptacle  139  or  139 ′ as it falls downwardly due to gravity (arrow A 2  in FIG,  9 ), The popcorn  130 ,  130 ′ may be deflected by wall  129  or top  132 ,  132 ′ so as to be directed into the popcorn receptacle  139 ,  139 ′. In the case of the popcorn machine  100 ′, there may be no deflection onto walls since the kettle popper  138 ′ is centrally located in the popcorn receptacle  139 ′. The popcorn  130 ,  130 ′ may then accumulate in the popcorn receptacle  139  or  139 ′. Because the popcorn receptacle  139  or  139 ′ has an inclined wall  147  or  147 ′, the popcorn  130 ,  130 ′ gravitates toward the valve  124  or  124 ′ disposed at the bottom  146  or  146 ′ of the popcorn receptacle  139  or  139 ′. 
     At step  156 , the popcorn  130 ,  130 ′ is electively released using the valve  124  or  124 ′ into the cup  117  or  117 ′. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a snow cone machine  200  will be described. 
     The snow cone machine  200  is a unit convertible between a free standing machine shown in  FIG. 14  and a tabletop appliance shown in  FIG. 15 . To this end the snow cone machine  200  is connectable to a tabletop base such as the tabletop base  12  to become a tabletop appliance, and to a pedestal such as the pedestal  14  to become a free standing machine. The tabletop  12  and the pedestal  14  have been described above. It is contemplated however, that the snow cone machine  200  could be only a tabletop appliance or only a free standing machine without possibility of conversion between these two. 
     The snow cone machine  200  includes a generally parallelipedic body  216 . A bottom (not shown) of the body  216  is connectable to the tabletop base  12  and to the pedestal  14 . The body  216  is made of plastic and includes colors and patterns that gives it a vintage appearance. It is contemplated that the body  216  could have appearances other than a vintage appearance. For example, the body  216  could have a modern appearance. 
     A front  219  of the body  216  includes an opening  220  and a window  221 . The opening  20  is sized to receive a plurality of flavouring containers  217  which are poured over a snow cone  230  once it is made. A back (hidden by the flavouring containers  217  in the figures) of the opening  220  is lit by a plurality of LEDs (also hidden by the flavouring containers  217  in the figures). It is contemplated that the opening  220  could be more or less large than shown in the Figures. It is contemplated that the opening  220  could be omitted. It is also contemplated that the opening  220  could be replaced by an outwardly extending tray to hold the flavouring containers  217 . It is also contemplated that the back of the opening  220  could be lit by ways other than the plurality of LEDs, For example, the back of the opening  220  could be lit by incandescent lights. It is also contemplated that sides of the opening  220  could be lit instead or in addition to the back of the opening  220 . It is also contemplated that the opening  220  could not be lit at all. The window  221  allows to see the snow cone  230  being made. The window  221  is hingedly connected to the body  216 . During making of the snow cone  230 , the window  221  is closed. Once the snow cone  230  is made, the window  221  is opened up to extract the snow cone  230  from the snow cone machine  200  in order to serve it to the user. The window  221  does not have to be closed to allow the motor to run. The user may run the snow cone machine  200  by depressing the button so as to fill up a container of shaved ice for a larger vessel or for a beverage (for example margarita), 
     Similarly to the candy machine  10  and the popcorn machine  100 , a side  218  of the body  216  of the snow cone machine  200  can be opened up by a hinged panel  213  to access a storage compartment (not shown). The storage compartment allows to store additional ice, and/or flavouring containers, and/or cups. It is contemplated that the storage compartment could be omitted. It is also contemplated that each side  218  of the body  216  could include a storage compartment. It is contemplated that the storage compartment could be accessed via two or more hinged panels, or by removable panels that would be cupped instead of hinged to the side  218  of the body  216 . 
     Also similarly to the candy machine  10  and the popcorn machine  100 , a top  232  of the body  216  flips up open to access an inside of the snow cone machine  200 , The top  232  has a front portion  233  that when the top  232  is closed, the front portion  233  is part of the front  219  of the body  216 . The front portion  233  includes a plurality of LEDs  234  which lighten an inscription  235  on the front portion  233 . When the top  232  is closed, the plurality of LEDs  234  also lighten the snow cone  230  during its making. It is contemplated that the front portion  233  of the top  232  could be lit by ways other than the plurality of LEDs  34 . For example, the front portion  233  of the top  232  could be lit by incandescent lights. It is also contemplated that the opening top  232  could not be lit at all or that only the snow cone  230  or only the inscription  235  could be lit. It is also contemplated that the lightening of the inscription  235  and of the snow cone  230  could be achieved independently from each other. 
     An inside of the snow cone machine  210  includes a funnel (not shown) which holds larger pieces of ice, a chute  238  to channel the ice downwards, and a blade (not shown) disposed at the base of the funnel. The blade is entrained in rotation by a motor (not shown). Ice impacts the blade which transforms it into shaved ice. The shaved ice falls into the chute  238 , and then into a vessel  217  of the snow cone  230  held by two prongs (not shown). The two prongs are adjustable and removable, The amount of ice fed to the chute  238  is determined by how long the user activates the motor. The motor is actuated by a button (not shown) that activates the motor only when pressed. It is contemplated however, that upon a single actuation, the motor could run for a predetermined amount of time corresponding to the time needed to shave a single vessel  217  of ice, Should excess of water or ice flow over the snow cone  230 , it would be recuperated by a tray  229  disposed vertically below the snow cone  230 . The tray  229  is removable from the body  216  in order to trash the excess water and ice. 
     The snow cone machine  200  is connectable to the pedestal  14  in the same ways as described for the candy machine  10 , 
     To convert the snow cone machine  200  from a free standing machine to a tabletop appliance, the user disconnects the snow cone machine  200  from the pedestal  14  and connects it to the tabletop base  12  in the manner described above for the candy machine  10 . 
     Referring to HG.  13 , a cotton candy machine  300  will be described. 
     The cotton candy machine  300  is a unit convertible between a free standing machine shown in  FIG. 16  and a tabletop appliance, similarly to what has been described above for the candy machine  10 , popcorn machine  100 , and snow cone machine  200 . To this end the cotton candy machine  300  is connectable to a tabletop base such as the tabletop  12  to become a tabletop appliance, and to a pedestal such as the pedestal  14  to become a free standing machine. The tabletop base  12  and the pedestal  14  have been described above. It is contemplated however, that the cotton candy machine  300  could be only a tabletop appliance or only a free standing machine without possibility of conversion between these two. 
     The cotton candy machine  300  includes a generally parallelipedic body  316 . The body  316  is made of plastic and includes colors and patterns that gives it a vintage appearance. It is contemplated that the body  316  could have appearances other than a vintage appearance. For example, the body  316  could have a modern appearance. 
     A front  319  of the body  316  includes a recess  320  and a storage compartment  317 . The recess  320  accommodates a cotton candy machine  318 , which will be described below, The storage compartment  317  allows to store for example sugar. It is contemplated that the storage compartment  317  could be omitted. 
     A side  318  of the body  316  can be opened up by a hinged panel  313  to access a storage compartment (not shown). The storage compartment allows to store additional granulated sugar and recipients for the cotton candy. It is contemplated that the storage compartment could be omitted. It is also contemplated that each side  318  of the body  316  could include a storage compartment. It is contemplated that the storage compartment could be accessed via two or more hinged panels, or by removable panels that would be clipped instead of hinged to the side  318  of the body  316 . 
     A top  332  of the body  316  flips up open to access yet another storage compartment (not shown) of the cotton candy machine  300 , The top  332  has a front portion  333  that when the top  332  is closed, the front portion  333  forms a front  319  of the body  316 . The front portion  333  includes a plurality of LEDs which lighten an inscription  335  on the front portion  333  and the front  319  of the cotton candy machine  300 . It is contemplated that the front portion  333  of the top  332  could be lit by ways other than the plurality of LEDs. For example, the front portion  333  of the top  332  could be lit by incandescent lights. It is also contemplated that the opening top  332  could not be lit at all. It is contemplated that the top  332  could be fixedly connected to the body  316  and that there would be no storage compartment below the top  332 . 
     The cotton candy maker  300  includes a stainless steel basin  338  fixed to a horizontal platform  321  formed in the recess. The basin  338  is heated by heating elements (not shown) disposed below the body  316 . A metal disk  339  is disposed within the basin  338 . The metal disk  339  is operatively connected to a motor (not shown) disposed in the body  316  vertically below the basin  338 . The motor drives the metal disk  339  in rotation. The metal disk  339  includes a plurality of small holes disposed on a rim of the metal disk  339 . When granulated sugar is spinned within the basin  338  and the metal disk  339 , the liquefied sugar passes through the holes which transforms then into threads of cotton candy. A transparent edging  314  is disposed partially around the basin  338  to avoid the cotton candy to fly around. 
     The cotton candy machine  300  is connectable to the pedestal  14  in the same ways as described for the candy machine  10 . 
     To convert the cotton candy machine  300  from a free standing machine to a tabletop appliance, the user disconnects the cotton candy machine  300  from the pedestal  14  and connects it to the tabletop base  12  in the manner described above for the candy machine  10 . 
     Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.