초록 ▼

The present application describes a popcorn maker including a self-regulating heating unit. The self-regulating heating unit provides a regulated heat to the popcorn maker. The self-regulating heating unit can be configured to maintain a predetermined temperature for the popcorn maker. The predeterm

The present application describes a popcorn maker including a self-regulating heating unit. The self-regulating heating unit provides a regulated heat to the popcorn maker. The self-regulating heating unit can be configured to maintain a predetermined temperature for the popcorn maker. The predetermined temperature can be adjusted to provide appropriate amount of heat to the popcorn maker for popping a maximum number of corn kernels while limiting the heat from causing damage to heating coils and thermoplastic parts of the popcorn maker. The self-regulating heating unit includes a positive temperature coefficient heater.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A popcorn maker comprising: a heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber comprises, a vessel, and a self-regulating heating unit coupled to the vessel, wherein the self-regulating heating unit is configured to provide a regulated heat to the vessel; and a rotary table load

What is claimed is: 1. A popcorn maker comprising: a heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber comprises, a vessel, and a self-regulating heating unit coupled to the vessel, wherein the self-regulating heating unit is configured to provide a regulated heat to the vessel; and a rotary table loading system coupled to the heating chamber, the rotary table loading system comprising: a foundation unit, at least one handle unit coupled to the foundation unit, a rotary table operably coupled to the handle unit, a cabinet coupled to the foundation unit and covering the rotary table, and a pre-heating storage unit coupled to the cabinet, wherein the cabinet includes an outlet. 2. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, wherein the self-regulating heating unit is a positive temperature coefficient heating unit. 3. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, wherein the self-regulating heating unit includes a positive temperature coefficient thermistor. 4. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, wherein the vessel is made with a thermal conductive material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, iron, and stainless steel. 5. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, further comprising: an upper cabinet, wherein the upper cabinet includes the heating chamber; a lower cabinet, coupled to the upper cabinet; an outer case, wherein the outer case includes the upper cabinet and the lower cabinet; and a base, coupled to the outer case. 6. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, wherein the pre-heating storage unit comprises: a cup, wherein the cup has a first open end and a second open end; a lid covering the first open end of the cup; a cap covering the second open end of the cup; a shaft, wherein a first end of the shaft is coupled to the cap; a knob coupled to a second end of the shaft, wherein the shaft traverses through the lid; a spring partially enclosing the shaft above the lid; and a tube enclosing the spring. 7. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, wherein the rotary table comprises: an annulus having an inclined surface descending from its center with at least one slot; at least one rib coupled to the annulus; and a set of toothed wheels at the lower end of the rotary table. 8. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, wherein the at least one handle unit comprises: a handle frame; at least one protrusion on an outer side of the handle frame; at least one protrusion on an inner side of the handle frame; a knob coupled to the at least one protrusion on the outer side of the handle frame; a sound plate coupled to the inner side of the handle frame; and at least one gear operably coupled to the at least one protrusion on the inner side of the handle frame. 9. A popcorn maker according to claim 1, wherein the outlet comprises a swinging door coupled to the cabinet via a hinge. 10. A method for making popcorn comprising: loading kernels of corn into a heating chamber of a popcorn maker using a rotary table loading system coupled to the heating chamber, the rotary table loading system comprising: a foundation unit, at least one handle unit coupled to the foundation unit, a rotary table operably coupled to the handle unit, a cabinet coupled to the foundation unit and covering the rotary table, and a pre-heating storage unit coupled to the cabinet, wherein the cabinet includes an outlet: heating the kernels of corn to a regulated temperature in the heating chamber using a self-regulating heating unit; maintaining the regulated temperature in the heating chamber; popping the kernels of corn in the heating chamber; and removing popped kernels of corn from the heating chamber. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the self-regulating heating unit is a positive temperature coefficient heating unit. 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the self regulating heating unit includes a positive temperature coefficient thermistor.