US2108627A - Automatic corn-popping machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 15, 1938.

H. B. TYLER AUTOMATIC CORN POPPING MACHINE s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24,1934

H. B. TYLER AUTOMATIC CORN POPPING MACHINE Feb. -15, 1938.

Filed Sept 24, 19:54 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 eb;1.s,'193s. H. B. TYLER 2,108,627

, AUTOMATII IC CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 4/- 6 2 6 a? 66 i 40 72. 47 T 60 51 Feb. 15, 1938. H. 8. TYLER AUTOMATIC CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. .24, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 jlllllllll "MI n Patented Feb. 1.5, 1938 i r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE aioatzv K AUTOMATIC CORN-POPPING MACHINE Herbert B. Tyler, Evanston, Ill. Application September 24, 1934, Serial No. 745,215

22 Claims. (01. 53-4) This invention relates to automatic corn-popmaster switch. and showing the mechanism for ping machines. turning the same to circuit opening and circuit One object of the invention is to provide an closing positions. improved corn-popping machine having means Figure 12 is a broken sectional view taken on for automatically measuringsuccessive quantiline l2l2 of Figure 11. 5

ties of corn to be popped, subjecting each batch Figure 13 is a broken sectional view illustratto regulated popping temperature for a predei t p pp ng basket in P pp pesitien. termined period of time, moving the popped corn Figure 14 illustrates the basket in dischargto dispensing position and then stopping the 8 positionoperation of the machine after placing various In the drawings in whic One embodiment of 10 control mechanisms in position for repeating the. the invention is disclosed, a casing I0 is provided operating cycle. within which the operating mechanism is housed A further object of the invention is to provide as we a the hopper II for din a pply meter p r ed mechanism for popping com 01 shelled corn and an oil reservoir 12 for mainhaving automatically operated switches which .t ini a p rm d il l v in th hot oil 15 control the operation of the motor and the mechtank I3.

anism throughout the complete cycle of opera- 1 The casing p e y has a front Panel 015 tion. I glass. The top l5 of the casing is removable for An, additional object of the invention is to onv n in replenishing t pp y f com provide mechanism within a casing for popping and 011 170 l p H and reservoir 2 and dispensing the com, the mechanism in the speelivelyillustrated embodiment of the invention having A coin-slide 6, o conventional typ is p omeans extending to the exterior of the casing for vided having a recess for Teceiving a 0011i. closing a master switch to initiate the cycle. or such as afive cent piece. When the coin is in l 0 Operation and t di pense the popped corn, the position in the recess, and the slide I6 is pressed arrangement being such that said means are inwardly, is moved to the right as inoperative during the operating cycle. viewed in Figure i. A link l9 pivoted to the Other objects relate to various features of coninner d of the bar n 110 a p a 20 struction and arrangement of parts which will m v s the arm clockwise. whereupon t e pawl be apparent from a consideration of the follow- Mv es One Of tWO diametrically pp e 30 111g Specification and'accompanying drawings, ratchet teeth 22 in a ratchet 23 secured to the wherein: main switch shaft 24 and rotates the shaft Figure 1 is a perspective view f corn-popthrough 90 degrees or one quarter revolution. ping and vending machine embodying th mes; The shaft 24 is rotatably journaled' adjacent its (mt improvements. ends in the brackets 25, 26 of a support 21, at- 35 Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view 1 th l tached to the base 28 of the casing Hi. In aligntric circuit. v ment with the end of the shaft 24 a rotary mas- Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken apr Swi h 2 is secured to bracket 0 nd has proximately on line 3-3 01 Figure 1, its spindle 3| secured to the shaft for operation 40 Figure 4 is a. broken vertical sectional view thereby E- The Switch 9 S of the 40 takenon'line 4-4 of Figure 1; conventional rotary type and during. each com- Figure 5 is a broken horizontalsectional view plete rotation alternately opens and closes the taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4. a circuit two times. When the shaft 24 is rotated Figure 6 is a broken vertical section view one quarter revolution by the pawl 2| as above taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4. explained, the switch 29 is snapped to "on" or 45 Figure 7 is a side elevation of the clock windcircuit closing position. The closing of the ing disc taken on the lineJ-I of Figure v6. switch admits current from the lines 32, 33 Figure 8 is a broken sectional view taken on to the heating element 34 which-is positioned line 8--8' of Figure 6. in the oil tank l3. Current also flows to the pilot Figure 9 is a broken elevation of the clock light 3 w c is Visible through the glass panel 50 winding disc illustrating the same inthe position l4, to indicate that current is flowing ,in the at the beginning of the winding action. circuit of the apparatus which is shown diagram- Figure .10, is a broken view illustrating the disc matically in Fig. 2. at the end of the winding action. The oil in the tank I3 is heated by the heating Figurell is a broken plan view illustrating the element 34 to a predetermined temperature (380" 55 current to the motor 21.

The motor 31 preferably has a conventional speed reducing gear housing 88 attached thereto and operates a sprocket 89 which by means of chain 40 drives asprocket 4! which is secured to the main or cam shaft 42. During this first one half cycle of operation of the machine, that is, from the initiation of the operation bypressing in the coin slide it to and through the deposition of the corn into the hot oil, the motor rotates the shaft 42 only one half revolution when it is stopped by the opening of an intermediate switch 42 in the motor circuit. The switch 42 is of well known yp and is provided with a pull chain 44 or the like, which when actuated, alternately opens and closes the circuit through the same. The switch 43 is illustrated as being secured to the support 21, adjacent the bracket 28 (see Fig. 12) with the chain 44 attached to a lever 45 which is pivoted at 48 to the support.

'A disc 41 is mounted on the-main shaft and carries on one side thereof rollers 48 and 42 which alternately are'carried into engagement with the lever 46 to swing the same clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 12, to turn the switch 42 on or off. As the motor rotates the shaft 42 toward the end of the first one-half rotation above mentioned, the lever 45 will close the switch 42 and stop the motor. In Fig. 12 the disc 4'! is shown in the position it occupies at the end of a complete cycle of operation or at the beginning of a next cycle. Thus when the motor begins to turn the shaft and disc 41 in the direction of the arrow, a roller 48 will engage the lever 48 and close the switch 42 at the end of the first half cycle. At the beginning of the operation of the shaft during this one half cycle, however, which begins when the thermostat 26 has closed the motor circuit, an eccentric or cam roller It on a disc ll carried by the shaft 42 will engage a lever 52 and swing the same to the right as viewed in Fig. 3.

The lever is pivoted on a pintle 53 and at its upper end is connected by a link 54 to the sliding 75 arm 64 extended into the path of the cam 60.

gate 55 of the corn measuring chamber 58. The corn in such chamber will thus be discharged into the basket 51 which, as shown, is constructed of sheet metal with its base and lower side walls foraminated to admit the hot oil to the corn. The basket is pivotally secured at 51a to the side walls of the tank It.

A spring it, secured at one end to the lever 52 and at the other end to a corn discharge spout SI, returns the lever 52 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, as soon as the lever is free of the roller El. The gate 55 of theicorn measuring chamber is thus moved to closed position and is ready for receiving the next measured quantity of corn during thesecond half cycleof operation of the shaft 42.

During the first half cycle, however, and after the corn has been discharged into the basket U, the latter is lowered into the oil tank I 3 to immerse the corn in the hot oil to pop the same. The movement of the basket from the inclined position of Fig. 3 to the vertical or popping position shown in Fig. 13, is effected by means of a cam 60 secured to one side of a disc 6i mounted on the shaft 42 for rotation thereby. A bellcrank lever 62 is pivoted at 62 and has its lower amass? found that 55 seconds is adequate where the oil temperature is 380 although changes in both time and temperature may be required with corn of diflerent quality.

The time switch 61 has a hand 68 secured to its spindle 69, which is engaged by a. spring resisted pivoted catch 10 carried by the disc 8| as the latter begins to rotate at the beginning of the first one half cycle of operation. As the catch I0 engages the hand 68 (see Fig. 9) and moves during 180 degrees counterclockwise, the

spring of the clock is wound up. As the disc approaches the end of said movement, a stud 10a trips or deflects the catch 10 out of engagement with the hand 68 and releases the latter as illustrated in Fig. 10. It is at this point in the cycle of operations, that is, upon release of the arm 68 that the basket 51 islowered into the oil tank andthat the intermediate switch 42 closes the motor circuit. No movement of the mechanism occurs during the period that the time clock is unwinding, but as it reaches its unwound position fifty-five seconds, for example, after the release of the hand 68 and the simultaneous lowering of the basket 51 to popping position, the clock switch, by internal contacts, not shown, closes the motor circuit to initiate the second one half cycle of operation.

During this second one half cycle the motor 21 operates the shaft 42 also one half revolution. During this movement of the shaft the cam 60 moves from the'positlon of Fig. 13 to the position of Fig.4, and tilts the basket 51 with the popped corn therein to the inclined position shown in the latter figure. Any surplus oil in the basket drains back into the tank It. Also during this movement of the shaft 42, a roller II on the disc 8!, but diametrically opposite the roller 50, and being on the opposite side of the disc, engages a lever I2, pivoted at its lower end on the pintle 52, and moves it to the right as viewed in Fig. 3. The upper end of the lever 12 is connected by a link 14 with a slidable closure gate 15 which is drawn to uncover the measuring chamber 86 to permit corn from the hopper to fill the chamber. As the roller ll releases the lever 12, a spring 16 moves the gate 15 to closed position.

When the basket 51 has been elevated from the oil during this second one half cycle and the corn measuring chamber has been filled as above described (to prepare it for the discharge of corn into the basket upon the beginning of the next cycle of operation) the roller 49 on the disc 41 will move into engagement with the lever 45 and move it to the right, as viewed in Fig; 12, and close the intermediate'swltch 43. Immediately thereafter a roller 11 on the opposite side of the disc will engage a lever 18 pivoted at 18 to the support 21 and move it to the left or counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 12 and by means of a link 80, swing a pawl arm 8i clockwise. Pivotally mounted on the arm 8| is a two ratchet teeth 8901' a ratchet 84 secured to the master switch shaft 24 and turns the same one quarter rotation thus opening the master switch 29 and stopping the motor, in-

link 86 to a cross-head 81 pivoted at 88 to cars 89 depending from the horizontal partition 99 which supports the tank l3. The upper endof the cross-head is secured to a link 9! which-is pivoted at 92 to a side of the basket 51. As the plunger 85 is pressed inwardly, the basket is tilted outwardly to the discharging position shown in Fig. 14. through a chute 93 into a paper bag or the like (not shown) which the purchaser holds thereunder.

An agitator 99 is shown attached to the upper forward portion of the basket 57 and extending into the chute 93. By alternately pressing and releasing theplunger the agitator will release the corn if it tends to accumulate in or clog'the chute.

' A spring 95 returns the basket from discharging position to the position shown in Fig. 3 upon releasing the plunger 85.

The oil reservoir l2, which is removably supported by a horizontal partition 95 has a removable air tight filler-cap 91 at its upper end and a depending tube 98 at its lower end which extends into the open endof a pipe 99 which projects above the level of the oil in the tank 13.

The pipe extends beneath the tank i3 into communication with the bottom thereof and thus supplies oil to the tank to maintain the oil at a level determined by the lower end of the tube 98. By

line is avoided. A closure cock98a is preferably providedin tube 99. i

As illustrated in Fig. 3, one side. wall of the measuring chamber 56 is formed by a slidable member I00 which has an adjusting screw ID! at its rear end by means of which .said member can be moved forwardly or rearwardly for varying the corn holding capacity of the chamber.

A receptacle I02 may be provided beneath the innerend of the coin slide I6 for receiving the coins as they drop from the slide .after actuation of the shaft 24 one-quarter rotation to close. the master switch. Since the teeth 22 of the ratchet 23 and the teeth 83 of the ratchet 84 are similarly disposed with respect to the shaft 2, a quarter A 2|, the teeth 83 will be positioned 90 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 12, and will be moved to the latter position by the pawl 82 in closing the master switch. While the machine is operating, therefore, the teeth 22 will not be in position for engagement by the pawl 2|, and hence it a coin is placed in the slide i6 and the latter pressed inwardly during the operation of the machine, the master switch will notice closed.

It will also be observed that when the basket 51 is in the popping position illustrated in Fig. 13,

The popped corn is discharged As the lever 18 is the pivot point 92 of the discharging mechanism will be moved arcuately from the position shown in Fig. 3 into alignment with the pivotal axis 51a of the basket and thus prevent the basket being elevated from the tank l3 during the popping operation by attempting to operate the plunger 85. As will be noted also, the arcuate top I 3a of the tank'forms a closure for the basket while the corn is being popped.

Referring to Fig. 2 which diagrammatically illustrates the electric circuit of "the machine, including the circuit for the heating element and the auxiliary circuit of the motor, it will be seen that when the master switch is closed, current will flow to the heating coil 39 and pilot light 35. This circuit is established through wires 39, M9, master switch 29, conductor $94, through the coil' and pilot light to conductor 92. When the thermostat 3'6 has been closed, current will pass from wire 99 through the closed intermediate switch 93, conductor M5, to the motor 31, conductor I06, through the thermostat 36 and to the wire 32. When the intermediate switch 43 has been opened at the end of the first half cycle, the motor is stopped. During the second half cycle after the corn has been popped, the clock switch re-establishes the motor circuit through conductors 33,

I91, clock switch 61, conductors H98, I95, N6, and through the thermostat .96 to wire 32. At the end. of the second half cycle, the master switch 29 will again be opened, as described above, to open the circuit of the heating coil 39 and the pilot light 35.

By the present improvements a compact corn popping and dispensing machine is provided which will popsuccessive batches of corn rapidly after the oil has been initially heated.

The casing Ill has a rear wall I I0 which can be removed readily by sliding the same upwardly after the cover has been removed. This provides access to the interior of the casing for making adjustments or removing the accumulated coins. The cover preferably has a. lock ill for preventing surreptitious removal of the same and access to the interior of the casing.

During the popping operation vapor is formed which tends to condense on the interior of the easing. Some vapors are given ofi also by the oil at the operating temperature. To remove the vapors from the casing a suctiondevice may be employed such as a suction fan H2 which is operated by a small electric motor H3. A tube I I4 extends from the top l3a of the oil tank I?! to thefan for drawing the vapors from the tank and basket during the popping operation, or from the tank when the oil is hot but when the basket is in inoperative position. The vapors may be conducted by tube M5 to the exterior of the easing asshown in Fig. 3.

For operating the motor H3 it may be connected across the conduits 32 and I99, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Itwill thus be seen that the fan will begin to function when the oil reaches operating temperature and the thermostat 36 closes, and will continue to operate as long as the oil is sumciently hot to retain the thermostat in circuit closing relation and the master-switch is closed. It is at the higher temperatures that the vapors are most pronounced and objectionable.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention for. the purpose of I claim:

1. Corn popping mechanism comprising a heat some, a movable popping basket for holding corn to be popped, mechanism for moving said basket into and from popping relation with said heat source, means for interrupting the operation of said mechanism during the popping operation, and means automatically eflecting the reactuation of said mechanism to remove said basket from said heat source upon completion of the popping operation.

2. A corn popping machine comprising a source of heat, a popping basket movable to and from operative relation with respect thereto, a corn hopper, means for discharging a measured quantity of corn from said hopper into said basket.

motor operated mechanism for actuating said discharge means and effecting the movement of said basket into operative relation with said heat source for popping the corn in the basket, means for interrupting the operation of said motor upon the completion of said movement of said basket, and timing-means for eiiecting the operation of said motor after a predetermined interval for effecting the removal of said basket from said source.

3. A corn popping machine comprising a source of heat, a popping basket movable into and from operative relation with respect thereto, a corn hopper, means for discharging a measured quantity of corn from said hopper into said basket, means for moving said basket into and from operative relation with said heat source, an electric motor for actuating both said means, and a circuit for supplying current to said motor comprising a plurality of switches, one of said switches being arranged to energize said motor initially to actuate said dispensing means and said basket moving means to move said basket into operative relation with said heat source, a second switch in said circuit arranged to de-energise said motor when said basket has been moved into said operative position, and a third switch in said circuit arranged to re-energize said motor for efiecting the removal of said basket from said heat source after a predetermined interval.

4. A corn popping machine comprising an oil 'tank, means for heating the oil therein, -a movable popping basket, a corn hopper above said basket, discharge means for discharging a measured quantity of corn from said hopper into said basket, cam operated means for actuating said discharge means, cam operated means for movin: said basket into popping position with respect to the oil in said tankand from operative relation with the oil when the corn has been popped, a rotary shaft provided with cams for operating said means, a motor for operating said shaft, and a circuit for said motor comprising a manually operable switch for initially energizing said motor to operate said cam shaft and effect the operation of said discharge means and move said basket in'to popping position, a second switch arranged to de-energize said motor as said basket is moved into p pping position, and a timing switch arranged to re-energize said motor upon the completion of the popping operation to effect the removal of said basket from popping position.

5. A corn popping machine comprising an oiltank, means for heating the oil therein, a popping basket mounted adjacent said tank for movement into and out of contact with the oil there in, an operating lever for said basket, a motor, a

amass? ation of said motor when said basket has been moved into popping position, and a time switch for re-energizing said motor after a predetermined period to effect the movement of said basket from popping. position.

8. A com popping machine comprising an oil tank having heating means for the oil therein, a popping basket movably positioned adjacent said tank, means for eiiecting the movement of said basket into and from popping position with re spect to said tank, a corn hopper, a corn messuring chamber having an intake gate for admitting to said chamber measured quantities of corn from said hopper, a discharge gate for said chamber for discharging corn from said chamber to said basket, a temperature responsive circuitcloser in said tank, a motor, a rotary shaft oper able by said motor and provided with 'a plurality of means for alternately operating said gates and effecting the movement of said basket actuating means, and an electric circuit for said motor, the circuit being arranged to be closed by said circuit closer when the oil in said tank is at a predetermined temperature to start said motor and shaft'and actuate in sequence said second mentioned gate operating means and said basket operating means to eiiect the disc e of corn from said chamber into said basket and move the latter into poppi D On in said tank. 861d circuit comprising a switch having means for operation bysaid shaft for opening saidcircuit to stop said motor upon movement of said basket into said popping position, and a time switch for re-cloaing said motor eircuit'after a predetermined interval for operating said shaft and effecting the movement of said et from popping position and actuating sai first gate operating means to discharge a measured quantity of corn from said hopper into said measuring chamber.

7. A com popping machine comprising an oil tank, means for heating the oil therein, a popping basket movably supported adjacent said tank, a corn hopper positioned at an elevation above said basket and provided with dispensing mechanism for delivering a measured quantity of corn from said hopper to said basket, operating means for moving said basket to and from popping position with respect to the oil in said tank, operating means for said corn dispensing mechanism, a rotary shaft having means thereon for effecting the movement of said dispensing mechanism, operating means to effect the discharge of corn into said basket and to eflect the movement of said operating means of said mechanism to move the latter into popping position during the rotation of said shaft during an arc of 180 degrees and to move said basket from popping position during the movement of said shaft closing the motor circuit after a predetermined time interval toeii'ect the movement of said shaft through said second mentioned are.

8. A, com popp ng machine comprising an oil tank, means for heating the oil therein, a popping basket movably supported adjacent said tank, a corn hopper positioned at an elevation above said basket and provided with dispensing mechanism for delivering a measured quantity of corn from said hopper to'said basket, operating means for moving said basket to and from popping position with respect to the oil in said tank, operating means for said corn dispensing mechanism, a rotary shaft having means thereon for effecting the movement of said dispensing mechanism operating means to effect the discharge of com into said basket and to effect the movement of said operating means of said mechanism to move the latter into popping position during the rotation of said shaft during an arc of 180 degrees and to move said basket from popping position during the movement of said shaft through the'succeeding 180 degree arc a motor for operating said shaft, an electric circuit for said motor comprising a plurality of switches, one of said switches having means operable by said shaft for open- 0 ing said motor circuit as said shaft terminates said first arc of rotation, and a time switch for closing said motor circuit to start said motor within a predetermined time interval after the stoppage of said shaft, and a third switch provided with means operable by said shaft for reopening said rnotor circuit as said shaft cornpletes its movement through said second are.

9. A corn popping machine comprising an oil tank, an electric heating element therein, a popping basket movably supported adjacent said tank, a corn hopper positioned at an'elevation above said basket and provided with dispensing mechanism for delivering a measured quantity of corn from said hopper to said basket, operating means for moving said basket to and from popping position with respect to the oil in said tank, operating means for said dispensing mechanism, a rotary shaft having means thereon for effecting the movement of said operating means of said 40 mechanism to discharge corn into said basket and for effecting the movement of the operating -means of said basket for moving the latter into popping position during the rotary movement of said shaft through an are of 180 degrees and to move said'basket from popping position during the movement of said shaft through the succeeding arc of l80'dgrees, a motor for operating said shaft, an electric circuit comprising a master switch for closing the circuit through said heating element, an auxiliary circuit for controlling the operation of said motor comprising a heatresponsive circuit-closing member for closing said motor circuit when said oil has reached a predetermined temperature, an intermediate switch in said motor circuit having means actuatable by said shaft to open said motor circuit as said shaft completes the first mentioned arc of rotation, a time switch having setting means operable by said shaft during said fii'stmentioned are of rotation thereof and arranged to close said motor circuit to start said motor and shaft after a predetermined interval, and means actuatable by said shaft as the same approaches the termination of said second arc of rotation for closing said master switch.

10. A corn popping machine comprising a casing, a source of heat therein, a tiltable popping basket having means for moving the same to and from popping position with respect to said heat source, a corn hopper, dispensing means for de livering corn from said hopper to said basket when the latter is out of popping position, motor operated mechanism for actuating in sequence said dispensing means and basket-moving means for 7 moving said basket into popping position, an

electric circuit for said motor, an automatically operated switch in said circuit for stopping the operation of said mechanism during the popping of the corn, an automatically operating timeswitch in said motor circuit for closing the same when said corn has been popped to effect the operation of said motor operated mechanism and to move said basket from popping position, a discharge chute extending to the' exterior of said? casing, and manually operable means for tilting said basket when out of popping position to discharge the popped corn through said chute.

ll. A com popping machine comprising 2. casing, an oil tank therein, an electric heating element for heating said oil, a popping basket tiltably supported by said basket for movement into and out of contact with the oil therein, a corn hopper dispensing means having an inlet and outlet gate for delivering measured quantities of corn from said hopper to said basket when in non-popping position, a rotary shaft operable in two cycles of one half revolution each and having cams thereon for effecting the actuation of said outlet gate to deliver a measured quantity of corn to said basket and'moving said basket into popping position during said first cycle of rotation and for effecting the removal of said basket from popping position and actuating said inlet gate during the second cycle of rotation, an electric'circuit for said heating element, a switch in said casing for opening and closing said circuit, a switch shaft in said casing having a pawl and ratchet mechanism for turning said switch to circuit closing position, a coin slide extending outwardly of said casing for manually actuating said pawl mechanism, a motor operatively connected to said rotary shaft for driving-the same, an auxiliary circuit for said motor, a heatresponsive circuit-closing member arranged to direct current through said motor circuit when the temperature of said oil has reached a predetermined degree to thereby effect the movement of said shaft through said first cycle, an intermediate switch in said motor circuit having means operable by said rotary shaft for stopping said motor at the end of said first cycle, a time switch in said motor circuit for re-closing the same after a predetermined popping interval and initiating said second cycle of rotation of said rotary shaft, means operable by said shaft for closing said intermediate switch at the end of said first cycle, a second pawl and ratchet mechanism on said switch shaft, means operable by said rotary shaft as the same reaches the end of said second cycle for operating said second pawl and ratchet mechanism for closing said first mentioned switch, a discharge chute extending to the exterior of said casing, and manually operable means for tilting said basket to discharge the popped corn into said'chute.

12. A com popping machine comprising a casing, an oil tank having a source of heat therefor, a popping basket movable into operative position in said tank, a motor operated suction device, a conductor circuit for said motor, a heat responsive circuit-closing member in said tank arranged to basket to and from popping relation 'with respect to said source, a motor for operating said mechanism, an automatically operated switch for stopping said motor when said basket has been moved to popping position, and a time switch for starting said motor after a pre-determined interval.

to eiTect the'movement of said basket from popping position.

14. Corn popping mechanism comprising a heat source, a tank having .oil therein adapted to be. heated by said source. a Popping basket supported adjacent the oil in said tank and arranged for movement into and from popping position with respect thereto, mechanism for effecting said movements of said basket, 0. motor arranged to actuate said mechanism, and a heat responsive switch for holding said motor inoperative until said oil has reached a pre-determined temperature.

15. Corn popping mechanism comprising a heating medium, a popping basket for holding corn to be popped and mounted for movement into and from popping relation with respect to said medium, mechanism for effecting said movements of said basket, a motor for operating said mechanism, and a circuit for said motor comprising automatically operated circuit controlling means for starting said motor when said medium has reached a predetermined'temperature and stopping said motor when said basket has been moved to popping position and for re-starting said motor after a pre-determined popping interval to effect the movement of said basket from popping position.

16. A com popping machine comprising a source of heat, a movable popping basket for holding a batch of corn to be popped, mechanism for moving said basket and corn into popping position with respect to said heat source and retaining the same therein for a predetermined interval and thereafter removing the same therefrom, a motor for operating said-mechanism, a switch in the motor circuit,-means for operating said switch manually to close said circuit, and means actuated by the motor for operating said switch to open said circuit upon removal oi the basket from popping position by said mechanism.

17. A com popping machine comprising a source of heat, a popping basket for holding .a batch of corn to be popped and being mounted for movement to and from operative relation with respect to said source, mechanism for eflecting the movement of said basket into operative relation with said heat source for popping the corn in the basket, means for interrupting the operation of said mechanism upon the completion of said movement of said basket, and timing oil; and means controlled by the temperature of said popping oil for feeding corn to be popped into that part of saidcontainer below the said oil level.

19. In' a pop corn machine of the character described, a reservoir; popping oil in said reservoir; a perforated container movable to and from a position in the reservoir where a portion thereof is below the level of said 011; and means for introducing a charge of corn to be popped into said perforated container when the temperature of said oil rises to a predetermined degree, said means being actuated by the said rise in temperature.

20. Ina pop corn machine of the character described, a reservoir; popping oil in said reservoir; a perforated container movable to and from a position in the reservoir where a portion thereof is below the level of said oil; means iorintroducing a charge of corn to be popped into said perforated container when the temperature of said all rises to a predetermined degree; and means submerged in the popping oil for heating the oil in the reservoir and container, said introducing means being actuated by the said rise in temperature.

21. In a pop corn machine of the character described, a reservoir for popping .oil; a heating means for the oil; manual means for starting the action of the heating means; means for delivering a charge of corn to the oil; and amotor for operating said corn delivering means having a starting switch operable-when the said 011 rises to a certain temperature, said starting'switch being operated by the said rise in temperature of the oil.

22. In a pop corn machine of the character described; a reservoir for popping oil; means in the below the surface of said popping oil; a heating elementsubmerged in the said oil below the corn.

supporting means; means for delivering a charge ofcorn to the oil; a motor for operating said corn delivering means; and a circuit for supplying current to the motor, having a switch adapted to close .to operate the said delivering means when the temperature ofthe oil rises to a predetermined degree, 'said switch being operated by the said rise in temperature'ot the oil.

HERBERT B. TYLER.

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