US20180139990A1 - Apparatus and related methods for preparing popcorn - Google Patents
Apparatus and related methods for preparing popcorn Download PDFInfo
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- US20180139990A1 US20180139990A1 US15/824,326 US201715824326A US2018139990A1 US 20180139990 A1 US20180139990 A1 US 20180139990A1 US 201715824326 A US201715824326 A US 201715824326A US 2018139990 A1 US2018139990 A1 US 2018139990A1
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- pitcher
- popping
- filled
- popper
- mounting surface
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
- A23L7/00—Cereal-derived products; Malt products; Preparation or treatment thereof
- A23L7/10—Cereal-derived products
- A23L7/161—Puffed cereals, e.g. popcorn or puffed rice
- A23L7/174—Preparation of puffed cereals from wholegrain or grain pieces without preparation of meal or dough
- A23L7/183—Preparation of puffed cereals from wholegrain or grain pieces without preparation of meal or dough by heating without using a pressure release device
- A23L7/187—Discontinuously-working apparatus
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
- A23L7/00—Cereal-derived products; Malt products; Preparation or treatment thereof
- A23L7/10—Cereal-derived products
- A23L7/161—Puffed cereals, e.g. popcorn or puffed rice
- A23L7/174—Preparation of puffed cereals from wholegrain or grain pieces without preparation of meal or dough
- A23L7/183—Preparation of puffed cereals from wholegrain or grain pieces without preparation of meal or dough by heating without using a pressure release device
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for preparing popcorn. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and related methods of preparing popcorn using a hot air popper with a removable kernel pitcher.
- Popcorn is one of the most universally consumed snacks. Conventional methods for preparing popcorn have utilized heated oil, microwave heating or heated air as the heating medium. One benefit of utilizing heated air is that the user can control the addition of any extra calories or fat as no oil is utilized in the popping process. Additionally, butter and/or other flavors or toppings can be added, if desired, after the popping process is completed.
- theaters have utilized heated oil based systems to pop large volumes of popcorn.
- popped kernels exit out of a popping tub and are collected on the floor of a popping structure that allows for theater workers to reach in and fill bags or tubs with freshly popped popcorn.
- the theater workers typically rotate the popping tub to an upside down disposition so that any remaining popped and unpopped kernels are emptied onto the floor of the popping structure.
- a heated air popcorn popper of the present invention provides easy access and clean up through the use of a detachable popping pitcher.
- the detachable popping pitcher defines an interior popping volume in which heated air is used to cause unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn.
- the detachable popping pitcher can comprise a pitcher handle allowing a user to grasp and manipulate the popping pitcher when selectively detaching and attaching the popping pitcher to the popcorn popper.
- the detachable popping pitcher is completely removable from a popper housing such that loading unpopped kernels into the popping pitcher is simplified and the user need not be concerned about access being awkward or limited.
- the present invention is directed to a popcorn popper having a detachable popping pitcher.
- the present invention is directed to a method for loading unpopped kernels into a popcorn popper.
- the present invention can comprise a theater-style hot air popper having a detachable popping pitcher for loading unpopped kernels outside of the theater-style hot air popper.
- the present invention is directed to a method of emptying a popcorn popper by removing a detachable popping pitcher.
- the method can further comprise cleaning the detachable popping pitcher.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a theater-style popcorn popper according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the theater-style popcorn popper of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a top view of the theater-style popcorn popper of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of the theater-style popcorn popper of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 8 is a top, perspective view of the theater-style popcorn popper of FIG. 1 with a door in an open position and a detachable popping pitcher removed from a popper housing.
- FIG. 9 is a front view of a detachable popping pitcher according to a representative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 11 is a rear view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 12 is a side view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 13 is a top view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 15 is a top, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 16 is a top, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 having a plurality of retention members in an open disposition.
- FIG. 17 is a bottom, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 19 is a partial section view of the theater-style popcorn popper of FIG. 1 illustrating the detachable popping pitcher being separated from a mounting surface in the popper housing.
- FIG. 20 is a top, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 21 is a front, perspective view of the theater-style popcorn popper of FIG. 1 with the detachable popping pitcher being removed from the popper housing.
- a representative embodiment of a popcorn popper 100 of the present invention can comprise a popper housing 102 and a detachable popping pitcher 104 .
- popper housing 102 can comprise a theater-style housing 106 .
- popcorn popper 100 can also include one or more serving baskets 108 .
- Popcorn popper 100 is generally fabricated of materials suited for food contact and preparation including metals such as aluminum and stainless steel, plastic polymers such as polycarbonate, glass as well as similar materials and combinations thereof.
- popper housing 102 generally includes a pair of side walls 110 a, 110 b, a rear wall 112 , a front wall 114 , a top wall 116 and a base assembly 118 .
- Front wall 114 is generally defined by a door assembly 120 and a serving panel 122 .
- Door assembly 120 generally comprises a transparent door 124 , a door handle 126 and door hinge assemblies 128 a , 128 b.
- the base assembly 118 can define a control surface 130 including a control or power button 132 for operably controlling the popcorn popper 100 as well as a removable tray 134 .
- the base assembly 118 further defines an interior floor surface 136 as well as an external bottom surface 138 .
- Top wall 116 can comprise a tray recess 140 and an air vent 142 .
- Each of the side walls 110 a, 110 b generally comprises a transparent surface 144 having a vent portion 146 .
- the base assembly 118 defines a mounting platform 152 as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 18 and 19 .
- Mounting platform 152 can comprise a mounting surface 154 that is supported by an elevated mounting wall 156 .
- Mounting surface 154 can comprise an airflow screen 158 .
- the mounting surface 154 can further include a latch receiver 160 oriented toward the front wall 114 .
- Mounting surface 154 and rear wall 112 can cooperatively define a positioning recess 162 .
- Mounting platform 152 generally defines an interior mounting area 164 , which can accommodate a fan assembly 166 and a heating member 168 .
- Fan assembly 166 can generally comprise a fan wheel 170 and motor 172 while heating member 168 can comprise a resistive heating element 174 .
- Interior mounting area 164 is generally open to an interior base portion 176 that can accommodate controls, wiring and other electrical and safety necessities.
- detachable popping pitcher 104 generally comprises a pitcher body 180 defined by a pitcher wall 182 , an upper pitcher opening 184 , a pitcher floor 186 and an interior heating zone 188 .
- Pitcher body 180 can have a generally circular cross-section as illustrated or alternatively, the pitcher body 180 can have a cross-sectional shape selected from squares, rectangles, triangles and combinations thereof. Generally, the cross-section of pitcher body 180 will substantially resemble a cross-section of the mounting platform 152 to promote positioning and attachment of the pitcher body 180 relative to the mounting platform 152 .
- Pitcher floor 186 generally includes a pitcher screen 190 formed of a mesh or screen material having apertures significantly reduced in size compared to individual popcorn kernels. Pitcher floor 186 can further define a positioning tab 191 .
- Pitcher body 180 can further comprise a kernel retention mechanism 192 or means for retaining at the upper pitcher opening 184 .
- kernel retention mechanism 192 can comprise one or more lid members 194 that are attached to the upper pitcher opening 184 with a corresponding hinge assembly 196 .
- Lid member 194 can comprise two or more lid members 194 , such as, for example, three lid members 194 as illustrated with the only requirement being that in combination, the lid members 194 cover the entire upper pitcher opening 184 .
- Each lid member 194 includes a plurality of lid vent openings 198 .
- Each lid member 194 has a corresponding hinge assembly member 196 such that the lid members 194 are individually capable of transitioning between a covering disposition 200 as seen in FIGS. 7, 8, 13 and 15 and an open disposition 202 as seen in FIGS. 16, 20 and 21 .
- a pitcher handle 204 Attached to the pitcher body 180 is a pitcher handle 204 .
- the pitcher handle 204 can define a latch member 206 having a tapered latch surface 207 as seen in FIGS. 18 and 19 .
- Pitcher handle 204 can further comprise a latch actuator 208 that is operably interconnected to the latch member 206 such that depression of the latch actuator 208 changes the position of the latch member 206 .
- the user opens the transparent door 124 to allow access into the interior portion 150 of the popper housing 102 .
- the user directs the popping pitcher 104 proximate the mounting platform 152 and begins to engage the mounting platform 152 by guiding the positioning tab 191 into the positioning recess 162 as shown in FIG. 19 .
- the positioning tab 191 positioned in the positioning recess 192 , the user can lower the popping pitcher 104 such that the pitcher floor 186 sets onto the mounting surface 154 .
- the tapered latch surface 207 causes the latch member 206 to slip past the latch receiver 160 , such that the latch member 206 and latch receiver 160 in conjunction with the interaction of the positioning tab 191 and positioning recess 162 , maintain the attachment and alignment of the popping pitcher 104 relative to the mounting platform 152 as shown in FIG. 18 .
- the airflow screen 158 and the pitcher screen 190 are aligned so as to allow airflow from the interior mounting area 164 into the interior heating zone 188 .
- the user can plug in an electrical cord (not shown) and utilize the control button 132 to begin a popping cycle.
- the fan assembly 166 directs air through the heating member 168 and into the popping pitcher 104 through the aligned airflow screen 158 and pitcher screen 190 whereby the heated air interacts with the unpopped kernels 210 within the interior heating zone 188 .
- the unpopped kernels 210 are agitated by the heated air and can even be carried upward by the heated air. If unpopped kernels 210 are carried upward, the eventually contact the kernel retention mechanism 192 which prevents the unpopped kernels 210 from exiting the interior heating zone 188 .
- the unpopped kernels 210 After a period of time, the unpopped kernels 210 begin reaching an internal temperature of at least 185° F., whereby moisture within the unpopped kernels 210 is converted to steam, thus causing the unpopped kernels 210 to “pop” and become a popped kernel 212 .
- Each popped kernel 212 is substantially larger in physical volume following popping, thereby causing the internal heating zone 188 to become filled with popped kernels 212 .
- an upper level of the popped kernels 212 reaches the kernel retention mechanism 192 .
- the kernel retention mechanism 192 As the upper level of the popped kernels 212 contacts the kernel retention mechanism 192 , the kernel retention mechanism 192 is physically forced upward and caused to transition from the covering disposition 200 to the open disposition 202 , for example, by causing each lid member 194 to flip from the covering disposition 200 to the open disposition 202 . As the kernel retention mechanism 192 transitions to the open disposition 202 , the heated air blows upward through the upper pitcher opening 184 such that the popped kernels 212 begin exiting the internal heating zone 188 and begin to accumulate on the interior floor surface 136 of the base assembly 118 .
- the unpopped kernels 210 have “popped” and become popped kernels 212 .
- the popping cycle is completed and the fan assembly 166 and heating member 168 are deenergized or turned off.
- the majority of popped kernels 212 have likely exited the popping pitcher 104 and reside on the interior floor surface 136 .
- the user can open the door assembly 120 and grasp the pitcher handle 204 .
- the latch actuator 208 can be depressed thereby causing the latch member 206 to retract away from the latch receiver 160 .
- the user can then begin lifting the popping pitcher 104 away from the mounting platform 152 such that the positioning tab 191 is removed from the positioning recess 162 .
- the user can orient the popping pitcher 104 in an upside down orientation to empty any remaining popped kernels 212 from the interior heating zone 188 as shown in FIG. 21 .
- the user can then remove the popping pitcher 104 from the popper housing 102 , whereby the popping pitcher 104 can be reloaded with unpopped kernels 210 or alternatively, the popping pitcher 104 can be cleaned.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a division of Application No. 14/598,702 filed Jan. 16, 2015, which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for preparing popcorn. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and related methods of preparing popcorn using a hot air popper with a removable kernel pitcher.
- Popcorn is one of the most universally consumed snacks. Conventional methods for preparing popcorn have utilized heated oil, microwave heating or heated air as the heating medium. One benefit of utilizing heated air is that the user can control the addition of any extra calories or fat as no oil is utilized in the popping process. Additionally, butter and/or other flavors or toppings can be added, if desired, after the popping process is completed.
- One of the most popular settings for the consumption of popcorn is in movie theaters. Traditionally, theaters have utilized heated oil based systems to pop large volumes of popcorn. During the popping process, popped kernels exit out of a popping tub and are collected on the floor of a popping structure that allows for theater workers to reach in and fill bags or tubs with freshly popped popcorn. Following popping, the theater workers typically rotate the popping tub to an upside down disposition so that any remaining popped and unpopped kernels are emptied onto the floor of the popping structure.
- The look and style of traditional theater popcorn poppers has been replicated in a smaller fashion so as to fit into a home setting. Generally, these home versions of the theater popcorn popper have a reduced size such that smaller volumes of popcorn are popped and stored for consumption. In addition to having a reduced size, the way in which kernels are popped have been changed from a conventional heated oil arrangement to a hot air arrangement. Using heated air allows for cleaner operation and does not require the user to have oil on hand. In addition, the heated air operation reduces the potential for smoke.
- While theater style popcorn poppers are available for residential use, it would be advantageous to further improve upon their designs to provide additional functionality and ease of use.
- A heated air popcorn popper of the present invention provides easy access and clean up through the use of a detachable popping pitcher. Generally, the detachable popping pitcher defines an interior popping volume in which heated air is used to cause unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn. The detachable popping pitcher can comprise a pitcher handle allowing a user to grasp and manipulate the popping pitcher when selectively detaching and attaching the popping pitcher to the popcorn popper. In a theater style, heated air popcorn popper, the detachable popping pitcher is completely removable from a popper housing such that loading unpopped kernels into the popping pitcher is simplified and the user need not be concerned about access being awkward or limited. In a similar manner, the detachable popping pitcher can be fully removed from the popper housing following popping such that any remaining unpopped or popped kernels can be emptied from the detachable popping pitcher and the detachable popping pitcher can be cleaned if so desired. In some embodiments, the detachable popping pitcher can be selectively detached or attached from the popcorn popper with a latching mechanism. In some embodiments, the detachable popping pitcher can include one or more retaining members at an upper portion of the popping pitcher to retain popcorn in a popping volume of the popping pitcher until the level of popcorn rises so as to physically cause the one or more retaining members to open.
- In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a popcorn popper having a detachable popping pitcher.
- In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for loading unpopped kernels into a popcorn popper.
- In yet another aspect, the present invention can comprise a theater-style hot air popper having a detachable popping pitcher for loading unpopped kernels outside of the theater-style hot air popper.
- In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of emptying a popcorn popper by removing a detachable popping pitcher. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise cleaning the detachable popping pitcher.
- The above summary of the various representative embodiments of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the invention. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the invention. The figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
- A specific embodiment is now described by way of example to further the understanding of the present disclosure, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a front view of a theater-style popcorn popper according to a representative embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a top view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 8 is a top, perspective view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 with a door in an open position and a detachable popping pitcher removed from a popper housing. -
FIG. 9 is a front view of a detachable popping pitcher according to a representative embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 10 is a side view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 11 is a rear view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 12 is a side view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 13 is a top view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 15 is a top, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 16 is a top, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 having a plurality of retention members in an open disposition. -
FIG. 17 is a bottom, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 18 is a partial section view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 19 is a partial section view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 illustrating the detachable popping pitcher being separated from a mounting surface in the popper housing. -
FIG. 20 is a top, perspective view of the detachable popping pitcher ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 21 is a front, perspective view of the theater-style popcorn popper ofFIG. 1 with the detachable popping pitcher being removed from the popper housing. - While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
- Referring generally to
FIGS. 1-8 , a representative embodiment of apopcorn popper 100 of the present invention can comprise apopper housing 102 and adetachable popping pitcher 104. In some embodiments,popper housing 102 can comprise a theater-style housing 106. In addition,popcorn popper 100 can also include one or more servingbaskets 108.Popcorn popper 100 is generally fabricated of materials suited for food contact and preparation including metals such as aluminum and stainless steel, plastic polymers such as polycarbonate, glass as well as similar materials and combinations thereof. - With reference to
FIGS. 1-8 ,popper housing 102 generally includes a pair of side walls 110 a, 110 b, arear wall 112, afront wall 114, atop wall 116 and abase assembly 118.Front wall 114 is generally defined by a door assembly 120 and a servingpanel 122. Door assembly 120 generally comprises atransparent door 124, adoor handle 126 and door hinge assemblies 128 a, 128 b. Thebase assembly 118 can define acontrol surface 130 including a control orpower button 132 for operably controlling thepopcorn popper 100 as well as aremovable tray 134. Thebase assembly 118 further defines aninterior floor surface 136 as well as anexternal bottom surface 138.Top wall 116 can comprise atray recess 140 and anair vent 142. Each of the side walls 110 a, 110 b generally comprises atransparent surface 144 having avent portion 146. - Within an
interior portion 150 of thepopper housing 102, thebase assembly 118 defines a mountingplatform 152 as illustrated inFIGS. 8, 18 and 19 . Mountingplatform 152 can comprise a mountingsurface 154 that is supported by anelevated mounting wall 156. Mountingsurface 154 can comprise anairflow screen 158. The mountingsurface 154 can further include alatch receiver 160 oriented toward thefront wall 114. Mountingsurface 154 andrear wall 112 can cooperatively define apositioning recess 162. Mountingplatform 152 generally defines aninterior mounting area 164, which can accommodate afan assembly 166 and aheating member 168.Fan assembly 166 can generally comprise a fan wheel 170 andmotor 172 while heatingmember 168 can comprise aresistive heating element 174.Interior mounting area 164 is generally open to aninterior base portion 176 that can accommodate controls, wiring and other electrical and safety necessities. - As shown in
FIGS. 9-17 , detachable poppingpitcher 104 generally comprises apitcher body 180 defined by apitcher wall 182, anupper pitcher opening 184, apitcher floor 186 and aninterior heating zone 188.Pitcher body 180 can have a generally circular cross-section as illustrated or alternatively, thepitcher body 180 can have a cross-sectional shape selected from squares, rectangles, triangles and combinations thereof. Generally, the cross-section ofpitcher body 180 will substantially resemble a cross-section of the mountingplatform 152 to promote positioning and attachment of thepitcher body 180 relative to the mountingplatform 152.Pitcher floor 186 generally includes apitcher screen 190 formed of a mesh or screen material having apertures significantly reduced in size compared to individual popcorn kernels.Pitcher floor 186 can further define apositioning tab 191.Pitcher body 180 can further comprise akernel retention mechanism 192 or means for retaining at theupper pitcher opening 184. - In a representative embodiment,
kernel retention mechanism 192 can comprise one ormore lid members 194 that are attached to the upper pitcher opening 184 with acorresponding hinge assembly 196.Lid member 194 can comprise two ormore lid members 194, such as, for example, threelid members 194 as illustrated with the only requirement being that in combination, thelid members 194 cover the entireupper pitcher opening 184. Eachlid member 194 includes a plurality oflid vent openings 198. Eachlid member 194 has a correspondinghinge assembly member 196 such that thelid members 194 are individually capable of transitioning between a coveringdisposition 200 as seen inFIGS. 7, 8, 13 and 15 and anopen disposition 202 as seen inFIGS. 16, 20 and 21 . - Attached to the
pitcher body 180 is apitcher handle 204. Proximate thepitcher floor 186, the pitcher handle 204 can define a latch member 206 having a taperedlatch surface 207 as seen inFIGS. 18 and 19 . Pitcher handle 204 can further comprise alatch actuator 208 that is operably interconnected to the latch member 206 such that depression of thelatch actuator 208 changes the position of the latch member 206. - In order to use
popcorn popper 100, poppingpitcher 104 must be filled withunpopped kernels 210 as illustrated inFIG. 20 . Generally, poppingpitcher 104 is positioned outside of thepopper housing 102 to provide easy access to theupper pitcher opening 184. If poppingpitcher 104 includeskernel retention mechanism 192, the kernel retention mechanism is first directed to theopen disposition 202 so as provide unimpeded access to theinterior heating zone 188 throughupper pitcher opening 184. As theunpopped kernels 210 are poured into theinterior heating zone 188, they accumulate on thepitcher floor 186 and are retained by thepitcher screen 190. Once the desired amount of theunpopped kernels 210 are poured into the poppingpitcher 104, thekernel retention mechanism 192 can be directed to thecovering disposition 200 to maintain theunpopped kernels 210 within theinterior heating zone 188. - With the popping
pitcher 104 filled with the desired amount ofunpopped kernels 210, the user opens thetransparent door 124 to allow access into theinterior portion 150 of thepopper housing 102. The user directs the poppingpitcher 104 proximate the mountingplatform 152 and begins to engage the mountingplatform 152 by guiding thepositioning tab 191 into thepositioning recess 162 as shown inFIG. 19 . With thepositioning tab 191 positioned in thepositioning recess 192, the user can lower the poppingpitcher 104 such that thepitcher floor 186 sets onto the mountingsurface 154. When thepitcher floor 186 is flush with the mountingsurface 154, the taperedlatch surface 207 causes the latch member 206 to slip past thelatch receiver 160, such that the latch member 206 andlatch receiver 160 in conjunction with the interaction of thepositioning tab 191 andpositioning recess 162, maintain the attachment and alignment of the poppingpitcher 104 relative to the mountingplatform 152 as shown inFIG. 18 . With the poppingpitcher 104 attached to the mountingplatform 152, theairflow screen 158 and thepitcher screen 190 are aligned so as to allow airflow from theinterior mounting area 164 into theinterior heating zone 188. - With the
popcorn popper 100 assembled through attachment of the poppingpitcher 104 to the mountingplatform 152, the user can plug in an electrical cord (not shown) and utilize thecontrol button 132 to begin a popping cycle. Generally, thefan assembly 166 directs air through theheating member 168 and into the poppingpitcher 104 through the alignedairflow screen 158 andpitcher screen 190 whereby the heated air interacts with theunpopped kernels 210 within theinterior heating zone 188. Generally, theunpopped kernels 210 are agitated by the heated air and can even be carried upward by the heated air. Ifunpopped kernels 210 are carried upward, the eventually contact thekernel retention mechanism 192 which prevents theunpopped kernels 210 from exiting theinterior heating zone 188. After a period of time, theunpopped kernels 210 begin reaching an internal temperature of at least 185° F., whereby moisture within theunpopped kernels 210 is converted to steam, thus causing theunpopped kernels 210 to “pop” and become a popped kernel 212. Each popped kernel 212 is substantially larger in physical volume following popping, thereby causing theinternal heating zone 188 to become filled with popped kernels 212. As the popped kernels 212 accumulate and stack upon one another, eventually an upper level of the popped kernels 212 reaches thekernel retention mechanism 192. As the upper level of the popped kernels 212 contacts thekernel retention mechanism 192, thekernel retention mechanism 192 is physically forced upward and caused to transition from the coveringdisposition 200 to theopen disposition 202, for example, by causing eachlid member 194 to flip from the coveringdisposition 200 to theopen disposition 202. As thekernel retention mechanism 192 transitions to theopen disposition 202, the heated air blows upward through the upper pitcher opening 184 such that the popped kernels 212 begin exiting theinternal heating zone 188 and begin to accumulate on theinterior floor surface 136 of thebase assembly 118. - After a period of time, the
unpopped kernels 210 have “popped” and become popped kernels 212. At that point, the popping cycle is completed and thefan assembly 166 andheating member 168 are deenergized or turned off. At this point, the majority of popped kernels 212 have likely exited the poppingpitcher 104 and reside on theinterior floor surface 136. The user can open the door assembly 120 and grasp thepitcher handle 204. As the user grasps the pitcher handle, thelatch actuator 208 can be depressed thereby causing the latch member 206 to retract away from thelatch receiver 160. The user can then begin lifting the poppingpitcher 104 away from the mountingplatform 152 such that thepositioning tab 191 is removed from thepositioning recess 162. With the poppingpitcher 104 fully detached from the mountingplatform 152, the user can orient the poppingpitcher 104 in an upside down orientation to empty any remaining popped kernels 212 from theinterior heating zone 188 as shown inFIG. 21 . The user can then remove the poppingpitcher 104 from thepopper housing 102, whereby the poppingpitcher 104 can be reloaded withunpopped kernels 210 or alternatively, the poppingpitcher 104 can be cleaned. - While a specific embodiment has been described above by way of illustration, it will be appreciated that the described principles are equally applicable to a wide range of popcorn popper products and configurations. More generally, numerous adaptations, modifications, combinations and juxtapositions of the features described above may be made without departing from the principles of the presently disclosed invention.
Claims (16)
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US17/188,808 US11963543B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2021-03-01 | Apparatus and related methods for preparing popcorn |
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US14/598,702 US9826771B2 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2015-01-16 | Apparatus and related methods for preparing popcorn |
US15/824,326 US20180139990A1 (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2017-11-28 | Apparatus and related methods for preparing popcorn |
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US9655378B2 (en) | 2014-04-25 | 2017-05-23 | National Presto Industries, Inc. | Apparatus for preparing popcorn |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20210177018A1 (en) | 2021-06-17 |
US11963543B2 (en) | 2024-04-23 |
US20160205976A1 (en) | 2016-07-21 |
US9826771B2 (en) | 2017-11-28 |
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