US2216805A

US2216805A - Popcorn machine

Info

Publication number: US2216805A
Application number: US271493A
Authority: US
Inventors: Burgess C Case
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-05-03
Filing date: 1939-05-03
Publication date: 1940-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 1957-10-08

Description

- 1940. B. c. CASE POPCORN MACHINE Filed May 5, 19:59

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E5 0 W5 w I: M A a s m m, 5 M

Oct. 8, 1940. B. c. cAsE POPCORN MACHINE 7 Filed May 3, 1939 9'' .5

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 5055555 5. 75.55;

Oct. 8, 1940. r Q CASE 2,216,805

' EOPCORN MACHINE Filed May 5, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. fiufis'sss' 5. E555 W ATTORN.

Oct. 8, 1940. a. 0. CASE POPCORN MACHINE Filed May 3, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Ems-s55 CL EH55...

Patcnted Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful im-- provement in a corn popping machine and while automatic type, there are features present which may be used in any type of corn popping machine which will appear obvious as the description proceeds. The machine is of that type of corn popping machine in which a heated grease, in which the corn to be popped is submerged, is used for popping the corn. In this type of machine the corn is submerged in the heated grease and retained submerged until the heat of the grease has popped the corn. Experience has shown that when the grease is maintained at a predetermined temperature, the corn will pop in a definite period of time and it is an object of the present invention to provide a popping machine of this class so arranged and constructed that after the operation of the predetermined period of time, the corn will be elevated and dumped from the container in which it is popped.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this type so arranged and constructed that upon deposit of corn in the popping container, the container is elevated during the period of time for heating and popping the corn.

Another object of the invention is" the provision of a mechanism whereby upon the closing of a switch a feeding cup will be removed in a position for dumping a predetermined amount of corn into a popping basket, the popping-basket will be agitated and-after a predetermined period of time, the basket will be elevated and the popped corn dumped therefrom while maintaining the basket in a state of agitation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism whereby upon the closing of a switch the mechanism will be driven through a predetermined cycle of operations terminating in the. dumping of the popcorn and the returning of the basket into corn receiving position whereupon the switch-will be automatically moved to a slidable closure for moving to close position upon the traveling of the feeding cup tofeeding position and yieldable for movement to open position upon the return of the cup to receiving position. 5

Another object of the invention is the provision in a popping machine of this class of a feeding cup and a receiving basket having a cover mounted thereon so arranged and constructed that the cover is automatically opened immediately prior to the movement of the cup to dumping position and is returned to closing position upon withdrawal of the cup from dumping position.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a corn popping machine of this class of means for maintaining the popping liquid at a predetermined temperature and at a predetermined depth.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthis class which will be simple in structure, economical in manufacture, durable, compact, ornamental in appearance, easily and quickly operated and possessed of a minimum number of parts.

Other objects will-appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. I

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the invention, taken from front to rear, with parts broken away,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 with parts broken away showing a successive step in the operation of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to Fig. 2, showing a further successive movement of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a sectionalview taken on line 66 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3,

Fig. '8 is a fragmentary view taken on line 8-4! of Fig. 2,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view taken on line 9-4 of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view taken. on line |u n of Fig. 9, 55

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view taken on line II-Il of Fig. 6,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view taken on line I2-i2 of Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view taken on line I3I3 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view taken on line I4-I4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view taken on line I5I5 of Fig. 11,

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view taken on line I8--l6 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on line I'I-I1 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on line I6-I8 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on line I9-I9 of Fig. 12,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2820 of Fig. 1 with parts broken away,

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2I2I of Fig. 11 with parts broken away,

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring used in the invention.

The invention as illustrated in the drawings embodies a cabinet having

side walls

33 and 34, a bottom 35, a front wall 36, and a top 31 in which perforations 38 are formed, these perforations leading intoa housing embodying an enlarged portion 39 having an opening 42 over which the cupshaped housing 48 is positioned. Formed centrally in the top of the housing 40 is an opening 43 over which is positioned a suitable filter or screen 44. The

housings

39 and 48 form a dome on the enclosing casing through which fumes and hot air may pass outwardly so as to maintain the mechanism enclosed within the main housing or cabinet in proper temperature for working conditions. Mounted in the cabinet is a supporting partition 45. Mounted on this partition 45 is a supporting frame 46 on which rests and to which is secured an electric motor 41 driving the shaft 48 on which is formed the worm 49 meshing with the worm wheel or gear 50 which is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 5|. This shaft Si is journalled in bearings 52.and 53 which project upwardly from the frame 46. The shaft 5i carries a worm 54 which meshes with the worm wheel 55 fixedly mounted on the shaft 56, this shaft being journalled on the plates 56' and 51, the shaft projecting through the plate 51. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 56 is a cam disc 58 carrying on its outer face the cam groove 59 which bulges outwardly as at 68, the lobe 8| also projecting outwardly at this point. An arm 62 is rockably mounted on the lug 63 which projects outwardly from the member 51, this arm carrying the stud, 64 which engages in the groove 59 so that a rocking of the arm 62 is effected upon a rotation of the cam disc 58. The construction is such that as the disc rotates the arm 62 remains stationary except when the lobe 6| is riding over the stud 64. As soon as the lobe has ridden over the stud 64, the stud, through the engagement in the cam groove, will effect a reverse rocking of the arm 62 back to its normal position. Thus the arm is positively rocked in both directions and the rocking of the same is eifected once in each direction for each revolution of the cam disc 58.

Fixedly mounted upon the shaft 56 is a cam disc 65 bulged outwardly as at 61 to provide the lobe 68. The arm I which is rockably mounted intermediate its ends on the end wall 69 of the frame (see Fig. 9) is provided, as shown in Fig. 8, with a fork forming portion 'II' and between the fork of this arm is mounted on a stud II a roller which rides the periphery of the cam disk carrying the lobe 68. The construction is such that upon each revolution of the cam disk 65 the arm I8 is positively rocked in one direction against the tension of the spring 10" which serves to maintain the roller II in engagement with the periphery of the cam disk 65. The rocking of the arm I9 is effected once for each revolution of the cam disk 65.

Fixedly mounted on the shaft is a cam I2 having a plurality of lobes 73 spaced by the fiat faces I4. Embracing this cam I3 is a closed yoke or an eccentric strap I5 having a pair of bosses I6 against which the lobes may strike. The bosses are shown positioned opposite each other. This is the location of .the bosses so long as none of the lobes I3 are in diametrical alignment. Should the lobes I3 be in diametrical alignment, then the bosses would have to be oiiset from the positions in Fig. 10. Projecting upwardly from the closed yoke i5 is an arm 11. The construction is such that upon rotation of the shaft 5| the yoke I5 will be thrust first to the one side and then to the other so as to effect a rocking of the arm II. A spring 39 is connected at one end to the arm 'I'I adjacent its upper end and at the opposite end this spring I9 is connected to the shelf of the motor 31 so as to normally resist rocking of the arm I? in one direction. Secured to and projecting outwardly from the upper end of the arm I33. The upper ends of these yoke arms connect two

arms

84 and 85 respectively which are secured to the sides of and project outwardly from a popping basket 86 having a screened bottom and a swingable front wall 88. The construction is such that as the shaft 5| rotates and the arm 11 is oscillated the yoke having the

arms

82 and 83 will be oscillated in unison with the arm 'I'I so that the basket 86 is reciprocated, this motion being a slightly jiggling motion so that popcorn positioned in the basket is shaken sufliciently to keep it moving and agitated.

Supported by the plate 89 and the bracket 90 is a container 9I positioned in the bottom of which is an electric heating element 92. Nesting in the container 9i is a receptacle 93 communicating with'which is a pipe or conduit 94 leading from a float chamber 95 which is in communication by means of the pipe 96 through the valve 91 with a reservoir 98 in which butter or any suitable grease may be positioned. This butter or grease when melted will fiow into the receptacle 93 and maintain the level thereof at a predetermined height depending upon the adjustment of the float operated valve which is contained in the fioat chamber 95. Positioned in the receptacle .93 so as to be submerged in the grease contained therein is a thermostatic control 99 controlling the circuit to the electric heating element 92. This thermostat 33 is set toclose and open the switch to the heating element at predetermined degrees of temperature so that the grease in the receptacle 93 is always maintained at a temperature within a predetermined range.

Pivotally connected at one of its ends to the arm 62 is a bar It", the upper end of which is connected to a plate I02 and to a plate I83. The plate I83 carries the spaced arms I04 between which is a pivotally mounted feeding cup I05. Projecting outwardly from the plate I03 is an arm I08 adapted to engage the upwardly engaging tongue I01 extending outwardly from a swingable. cover I08 on the top of the basket 86. A rearwardly extending portion I08 is carried by the plate I02 adapted to engage a downwardly extendingplate I I0 on the slidable closure plate I I I. This plate III islslidably mounted between guides H2 and III mounted on the bottom Ill of the hopper I I5 which is provided with a suitable movable cover H8 and into which popcorn may be placed. Formed in the bottom I I4 is an outlet or feed opening III through which corn may flow from the hopper II5. Projecting downwardly from the rear end 01' the plate III are lugs I I8 to each of which is secured one end of a spring II8,

the other end of which is'secured to the guide.

- around which the flange I20 extends. This notch is struck on substantially the same radius as the cylindrical feeding cup I05 so that the cup may engage in this notch when moved to filling position.

As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the arm or bar IN is connected to the rockable arm 82 by" means of the braceI22 so that a swinging of the bar IOI relatively to the arm 82 is prevented. This arm or bar IOI is connected by the spring I28 tothe stationary plate 51 and thespring I28 is normally under tension tending to rock the arm IN to the right ot the drawings shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. When the feeding cup I05 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 14 the corn will pass from the hopper II5 into and fill the cup I05 and when the cup is in such position the plate I.

will be pushed to a position to uncover the opening I", this movement being against the tension of the springs II8.

The construction is such that as the cam disc 58 is rotated counter-clockwise in the view shown in Fig. 3 the lobe 8| oi the cam riding over they stud 84 will rock the arm or beam 62 downwardly at its stud bearing end and move the bar IM to the right of the drawings. As the cup I05 moves outwardly from beneath the opening I" the slide plate III which serves as a closure for the opening II I will follow the cup in response to the. pull of the springs H8 and serve to close the opening I". As this movement continues and the cup I05 clears the bottom oi the hopper II5 the plate III will be in closing position to prevent dropping of corn from the hopper II5. As this movement continues the member I08 which acts as a pusher bar will engage at up- .wardly turned tongue I01 carried by the lid I08 and lift this-lid to open position as shown in Fig. 4. As the lid moves to open position the cup I05 will be carried over the opening which the opened lid has exposed and as this cup arrives at the proper position over the opening, the lower portion thereof will be engaged by the dump bar I24 which is attached to and projects outwardly from the popping basket 86. As the movement of the cup continues after engagement with the dump bar. I24 the cup will be tilted as shown in Fig. 4, to spill its contents through the opening in the top of the basket 86. When the cam lobe 8i has ridden over the stud 64 the bar IOI will begin its rocking movement in the reverse direction to bring the cup I05 back to its filling poinclined bottom I25 and is provided at one side with a weight I28 which serves as a counterbalance so that when the cup has emptied of its contents and the bar IN is moved so that the cup is out of disengagement with the member I24 the bottom of the cup will swing downwardly and slide beyond the center on account of the presence of the,counter-balance or weight I28- Thus in the return movement the lip of the cup is tilted downwardly at the side facing the hopper so that this downwardly tilted lip will move in under the edge of the hopper bottom I. It will be noted that when the plate'III moves to closing position it does not project at the rearward side of the notch I2I beyond the edge of the bottom Ill. Thus the opening II! is not entirely closed as it is a small crack or space left uncovered. Experience has shown that were this plate III to project clear across the opening III some of the kernels of corn would be caught between the edges of the opening and the forward edge of the plate which would cause an insuflicient operation of the device of the crushing or these kernels. With the present construction such projecting kernels are merely held by the plate so that as .the cup returns to its position the downward tilt of the approaching lip of the cup causes this lip to slip in under such projecting kernels as may be present. As the return movement continues and the cup engages against the flange I20 the cup moves to vertical or upright position and continues its movement to the filling position. Thus it is seen that there is a cycle of operation involving the movement of the cup to dumping position in which movement the lid of the popping basket is opened automatically, the dumping of the corn of the cup effected and the cup returned to its original position to again be filled allowing the popping basket to fall downward into closing position.

This, of course, is efiected when the motor 41 is set into operation. Thus .a fcharge of corn is delivered to the popping basket and the grease in the popping basket is of suflicient depth to cover this charge oi corn.

The cam discs are all rotated to proper positions to properly time the sequence of operations. When the bar IOI has moved in its return movement to a position so that the cup I05 has disengaged from the member I24 and the lid has dropped into closure position, the lobes oi. the cam I2 will begin engagement against the bosses I8 so that a back and forth shaking of the basket will be efiected through a rocking oi the arm I9 as shown in Fig. '1. There is sufilcient clearance between the basket 86 and the receptacle 88 to percorn has beendeposited in the basket, the back and forth movement of the basket will continue.

-When the cam disc 65 has rotated to the position where the lobe 88 rides over the stud II the charge of corn will have been in the basket a predetermined period of time sufllciently long to permit the hot grease to have popped the corn. As the cam lobe 68 begins to ride over the stud II, the rockable arm 10 will be rocked downwardly at its outer end so as to draw downwardly on the rod I3I. The upper end of this rod is pivotally connected to the outer end of the handle 82' so that the basket is tilted upwardly on the -end of the link 82 as a pivot, the back and forth movement continuing. As the basket moves upwardly so that the spring I29 clears the upper edge of the wall I30, the end wall 88 will fall open permitting the discharge of the popped corn from the basket. It will be noted that the bottom 81 of the basket is upwardly offset as at I32 to provide a ledge which serves to prevent dripping of the grease outwardly from the basket. The end wall 88 is pivoted slightly above the bottom of the basket so that when it falls open it does not lie in alignment with the oflset portion of the bottom but is positioned slightly above it so that no grease from this offset portion can flow outwardly over the upper surface of the gate forming wall 88. The jiggling of the basket serves to jar loose any of the kernels of corn whether popped or unpopped which may have a tendency to cling to thebottom. The corn is discharged from the basket into a chute I33 which terminates in the circular portion I34 of such a di-' ameter that the open end of a sack may be slipped over the end thereof, the sack resting upon the ledge I35.

In the invention I have illustrated a coin control embodying a slidable plate I36 having an opening I31 in which the coin may be deposited. This plate I36 slides in a guide sleeve I38 mounted on the front wall of the cabinet. The plate I36 is normally held in outwardly projecting position by means of a spring I39, one end of which is attached to the wall I40 of the cabinet and the other end of which is attached to the upwardly turned end I of the plate I36. The sleeve I38 projects outwardly from the block I42 and projecting inwardly therefrom is a plate I43 having an opening I44 formed therein beneath which is positioned a coin receiving receptacle I45. Projecting upwardly from this guide plate I43 is a lug I46 on which is pivoted a dog I41 so arranged that when inward thrust is delivered to the plate I36 the dog I41 will engage in the opening I31 and prevent inward movement ofthe plate I36. When a coin I48 is placed in the opening I31 the opening I31 will be filled so that the dog I41 cannot prevent inward movement of the plate I36. Projecting upwardly from the plate I36, as shown in Fig. 11, is a cam plate I49 having a notch I50 formed in its upper edge. Rockably mounted by means of the screw I5I on the vertically directed plate I52 is a beam I53 adapted to engage at its rear or inner end with a switch operating stud I54 adapted when pressed inwardly upon the upward tilting of the rear end of the beam I53 to move the switch I55 to open position to open the circuit to the motor 41. The plate I52 is provided with the angularly turned portion I56 which is welded to the bracket I51 on the chute wall I58. Projecting laterally and downwardly from the beam I53 is a plate I59 against which the plate I49 is adapted to engage when 'the plate I56 is shoved inwardly. As the curved surface of the plate I49 rides under the plate I59 the beam I53 at its forward end is rocked upwardly so that the stud I54 is permitted to move outwardly and close the switch I55. I50 the plate I36 is held in its inwardly pushed position against the tension of the spring I39 so that the circuit to the motor is maintained closed. When the motor is set into operation the When the plate I59 engages in the notch.

cams are rotated and the first cycle of operation is the movement of the feeding cup I05 into feeding position and backwardly therefrom into receiving position. At the same time, through the action of the cam 12, the reciprocation of the basket 86 is effected. When the cam reaches a predetermined position, the arm 10 is rocked so that the basket is moved'to tilted or discharging position shown in Fig. 5. Pivoted on the end of the arm 85 which projects outwardly from one side of the basket 86 (see Fig. 6) is a depending arm I60, the upper portion of which I6I is angularly turned relatively to the main body of the arm I60 to provide the cam shoulder I62 (see Fig. 11). As shown in Fig. 19 a plate I63 is mounted fixedly on the arm or bar I60 having a forward extension I64 provided at its. lower edge with the angularly turned abutment flange I65. Pivotally mounted on the forward end of this projection I64 is a pall I66, the flange I85 serving as an abutment for preventing the pall from tilting downwardly beyond a predetermined distance. Mounted on the arm or bar I 60 is an L-shaped guide member I 61 which forms with the bar or arm I 60 a yoke embracing the forward end of the beam I63 as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. The plate I52 is provided at its forward end with a curved surface I68 which continues as the front edge of the depending leg I69 as shown in Fig. 19. Against this curved edge a cam forming heel I10 formed on the plate I63 is adapted to engage. As shown beam I53 is pivoted closely enough toward its rear end that the weight of the beam itself when permitted to rock will force the stud I54, which is normally pressed outwardly by a suitable spring, inwardly into switch opening position. When the coin is deposited in the machine and the plate I36 moved inwardly, the forward end of the beam I53 will rock upwardly and the outwardly projecting portion of the member I61 will engage in the notch I12 formed in the upper edge of the beam. As the basket tilts to discharging position the forward end of the arm 85 will tilt downwardly forcing the bar or arm I60 to travel downwardly. A spring I13 which is attached at one end to the lower end of the arm or bar I60 at its opposite end to a stationary part of the machine will serve to maintain'the heel I10 in engagement with the surface I68. In this downward movement the pall I66 will be carried downwardly so as to be positioned below the nose I6 I. When the basket has discharged its contents the cam will return it to its normal position which is the position shown in Fig. 2. In this movement back to its normal position the arm 85 will rock upwardly at its forward end drawing the bar or arm I60 upwardly. The pall engaging the under surface of the nose I1I will rock the beam I53 at its forward end farther upwardly, thus disengaging the plate I59 from the notch I50 in the plate I49 and permitting the coin receiving plate I36 to snap outwardly in response to the tension of the spring I 39 as the upward movement of the forward end of the arm 85 continues the heel I10 ri'ding over the curved or cam surface I68 and the plate I52 will swing the arm or bar I60 on its pivot I14 so that the the front wall of the cabinet.

pail I66 is moved forwardly sufilcient to disengage with thenose III. This engagement comes as the movement of the various parts reaches their final position so that the beam I53 is released at its forward end for downward rocking which forces the stud I54 inwardly into switch closing position. There is thus provided a means for assuring the operation of thedevice through a com-v above the bottom I18 so that there will always be maintained around the heater I15 a quantity of grease, butter, or the like so that a burning.

out of the heater I15 will be prevented. This liquefled butter or grease, as previously mentioned, will flow through the valve 91 and the pipe 96 into float valve chamber 95, from which it is delivered by the pipe 94 into the receptacle 9|.

The upper portion of the front wall of the cabinet is enclosed by a glass panel I79 so that the operation of the mechanism is visible to the operator. An electric fluorescent light tube I80 is mounted within the cabinet adjacent the forward end thereof and this light is controlled by a manually operable switch I8I, achoke coil I82 being interposed in the circuit leading to the light tube I88.

' As shown in Fig. 1,- there is a cavity I83 in which maybe positioned a salt cellar or the like. A container I84 is provided for sacks I85 which are pressed at follower I 86 and the springs I81 upwardly to the receiving opening I88 formed in These sacks are of the proper size and dimension to contain the grease receptacle in proper quantities to maintain the level of the grease in the heated greas receptacle substantially constant.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a corn popping machine of the classdescribed: a liquid receptacle for the reception of liquid; a popping basket having perforations therein adapted for seating in said receptacle with the bottom thereof below the level of liquid in said receptacle for permitting submergence in said liquid of unpopped corn delivered to said basket; means for elevating said basket and discharging popped corn therefrom; and means for jiggling said basket while seated in said receptacle and while the popped corn is being discharged from said basket.

2. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a receptacle for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid in said receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out of said receptacle said basket upon movement into said receptacle having the bottom thereof positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacle and adapted for moving out of said receptacle for discharging popped corn contained therein; means for depositing unpopped corn in said basket when moved into said receptacle; means for jiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while moving out of said receptacle and while discharging popped corn contained therein; a cam mechanism for operating said depositing means; a cam mechanism for operating said jiggling means; means for moving said basket into said receptacle and out of said receptacle; a cam mechanism for operating said moving means; and a motor driven mechanism for actuating said cams in a predetermined cycle of operation.

3. Ina corn popping machine of the class described? a receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid in said receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out of said receptacle and adapted whenmoved into said receptacle for having its bottom positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacle, and adapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corn contained therein; means for mbving said basket into and out of said receptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpopped corn in said basket'while the same is in said receptacle; means i for jiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while moving to discharging position and discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam for operating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositing means, said cams being ini-- tially operative simultaneously; and a cam for operating said. moving means for moving said basket out of said receptacle and into discharging position at a predetermined period of time after the operation of said depositing means, said jiggling means being operative during said predetermined period of time and during the movement of said basket out of said receptacle'into discharging position.

4. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid in said receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out of said receptacle and adapted when moved into said receptacle for having its bottom positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacle, and adapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corn contained therein; means for moving said basket into and out of said receptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpopped corn in said basket while the same is in said receptacle; means for jiggling said basket while in said receptacle and While moving to discharging position and discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam for operating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositing means, said cams being initially operative simultaneously; a cam for operating said moving means for moving said basket out of said receptacle and into discharging position, at a predetermined period of time after the operation of said depositing means,

said jiggling means being operative during said predetermined period of time and during the movement of said basket out of said receptacle into discharging position; and power-driven means for operating said cams in said sequence.

5. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid in said receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out of said receptacle and adapted when moved into said receptacle for having its bottom positioned belowthe level of liquid in said receptacle, and adapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corn contained therein; means for moving said basket into and out of said receptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpopped corn in said basket while the same is in said receptacle; means for jiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while moving to discharging position and. discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam for operating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositing means, said cams beingv initially operative simultaneously; a cam for operating said moving means for moving said basket out of said receptacle and into discharging position at a predetermined period of time after the operation of said depositing means, said jiggling means being operative during said predetermined period of time and during the movement 'of said basket out of said receptacle into discharging position; power-driven means for operating said cams in said sequence; and means for maintaining the heat of said liquid in said receptacle at substantially a predetermined temperature.

6. In'a. corn popping machine of the class described; a receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; means for heating the liquid in'said receptacle; a perforated popping basket movable into and out of said receptacle and adapted when moved into said receptacle for having its bottom positioned below the level of liquid in said receptacle, and adapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corn contained therein; means for moving said basket into and out of said receptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpopped corn in said basket while the same is in said receptacle;

means for jiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while moving to discharging position and discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam foroperating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositing means, said cams being initially operative simultaneously; a cam for operating said moving means for moving said basket out of said receptacle and into discharging position at a predetermined period of time after the operation of said depositing means, said jiggling means being operative during said predetermined period of time and during the movement of said basket out of said receptacle into discharging position; power-driven means for operating said cams in said sequence; means for maintaining the heat of said liquid in said receppositioned below the level of liquid is said receptacle, and adapted, upon moving out of said receptacle, for discharging popped corn contained therein; means for moving said basket into and out of said receptacle; means for depositing a predetermined quantity of unpopped corn in said basket while the same is in 'said receptacle; means for jiggling said basket while in said receptacle and while moving to discharging position and discharging popped corn therefrom; a cam for operating said jiggling means; a cam for operating said depositing means, said cams being initially operative simultaneously; a cam for operating said moving means for moving said basket out of said receptacle and into discharging position at a predetermined period of time after the operation of said depositing means, said jiggling means being operative during said predetermined period of time and during the movement of said basket out of said receptacle into discharging position; power-driven means for operating said cams in said sequence; means for maintaining the heat of said liquid in said receptacle at substantially a predetermined temperature; means for delivering liquid into said receptacle; means for maintaining a substantially constant level of liquid in said receptacle; and means for preheating said liquid prior to its delivery into said receptacle.

8. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquid receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; a perforated popping ,basket movable into said receptacle, with its bottom below the normal level of liquid therein, and movable out of said receptacle for discharging popped corn therefrom; means for depositing a quantity of unpopped corn in said basket; means for jiggling said basket; means for moving said basket out of said receptacle into discharging position and retaining said basket in discharging position for a predetermined period of time and then returning said basket to said receptacle; an electric motor; a switch for controlling said motor, said motor being operable while said switch is closed; a cam mechanism operated by said motor for operating said depositing means immediately upon the operation of said motor; a cam mechanism for continuously operating said jiggling means during the operation of said motor; a cam mechanism for operating said moving means at a predetermined time subsequent to the operation of said depositing means; manually operable means for closing said switch; and means operable. upon the return of said basket to said receptacle from said discharging position for opening said switch.

9. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquid receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; a perforated basket movable into said receptacle with its bottom below the normal level of liquid therein and movable out of said receptacle for discharging popped corn therefrom; means for depositing a quantity of unpopped corn'in said basket; means for jiggling said basket; means for moving said basket out of said receptacle into discharging position and retaining said basket in discharging position for a predetermined period of time and then returning said basket to said receptacle; an electric motor; a switch for controlling said motor; a cam mechanism for operating said depositing means immediately upon the operation of said motor; a cam mechanism for operating said jiggling means during the operation of said motor; a cam mechanism for operating said moving means at a predetermined time subsequent to the operation of said depositing means; manually operable means for closing said switch; and means operable upon the return of said basket to said receptacle from said discharging position for opening said switch; and means for retaining said switch in closed position subsequent, to the closure thereof until the return of said basket into said receptacle from discharging position.

10. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a basket adapted for the reception of unpopped corn; a container for containing unpopped com; a receptacle adapted for receiving from'said container a predetermined amount of unpopped com; a lid on said basket; means for moving said receptacle from corn receiving position to a position for depositing the same in said basket; means for raising said lid upon movement of said receptacle to depositing position; means for tilting said receptacle for discharging the contents thereof into said basket subsequent to the raising of said lid; and means for returning said receptacle to corn receivingposition.

11. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a basket adapted for. the reception of unpopped com; a container for containing unpopped tainer adapted for closing said container upon movement 01 said receptacle to corn depositing position; and means for moving said closure to open position upon return of said receptacle to corn receiving position.

12. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquid receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; a perforated popping basket movableginto said receptacle, with its bottom below the normal level of liquid therein, and movable out of said receptacle for discharging popped corn therefrom; means for moving said basket out of said receptacle into discharging position v and returning said basket to said receptacle; an

electric motor; a switch for controlling said motor; means operable at a predetermined time after the starting of said motor for operating said moving means; manually operable means for closing said switch; and means operable upon the return of said basket to said receptacle from said discharging position for opening said switch.

13. In a corn popping machine of the class described: a liquid receptacle adapted for the reception of liquid; -a perforated popping basket movable into said receptacle, with its bottom below normal level of liquid therein, and moving out of said receptacle for discharging popped corn therefrom; means for heating the liquid in said receptacle; an electric motor; a switch for controlling said motor; manually operable means for of said basket to said receptacle from said discharging position for releasing said releasing means; and means for moving said switch to open position upon the release of said releasing means.

BURGESS c. CASE.