초록 ▼

A method is described of filling and sealing a popcorn package. A flexible bag is provided which may be formed from flexible sheet material such as paper having longitudinally extending gussets in which the infolded portions of the gussets approach each other closely to divide the bag into a pair of

A method is described of filling and sealing a popcorn package. A flexible bag is provided which may be formed from flexible sheet material such as paper having longitudinally extending gussets in which the infolded portions of the gussets approach each other closely to divide the bag into a pair of collateral tubes communicating together along a central line. The bag is held in an upright position with one of the tubes in a collapsed state while the other is expanded. The expanded tube has a smaller cross-section than the other tube. A charge of fat and corn is introduced into the tube of smaller cross-section through its open top. Preferably, a means is provided for collapsing the tube of smaller cross-section transversely at a point below the center of the bag but above the bottom end of the bag to maintain the charge at the center of the bag and in the smaller tube. The bag is then sealed. During popping in a microwave oven, microwave energy is absorbed efficiently to achieve a popped volume about 10% to 15% greater than an equivalent package with tubes of equal cross-section. The popcorn passes during heating from the smaller tube to the larger tube as the bag expands during the popping operation.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of filling and sealing a popcorn bag comprising, providing a bag for storing and shipping popcorn, the bag being formed from flexible sheet material transparent to microwave energy and having a top and bottom and a relatively large face panel on one side, a narrower face panel on the oth

1. A method of filling and sealing a popcorn bag comprising, providing a bag for storing and shipping popcorn, the bag being formed from flexible sheet material transparent to microwave energy and having a top and bottom and a relatively large face panel on one side, a narrower face panel on the other side and sections of interconnecting folded gusset material projecting centrally between the side edges of the first and second panels with the centrally projecting gussets approaching each other closely enough to divide the bag into a pair of collateral tubes, one of which is relatively large in cross-section, and the other relatively small in cross-section, placing a charge of fat and corn substantially entirely within the tube of smaller cross-section, and maintaining the other tube substantially free of fat and corn and sealing the top and bottom of the bag to seal the tubes and maintaining the charge of popcorn and fat in the tube of smaller cross section and centrally thereof, said tubes being in communication with each other between the gussets whereby when the bag containing the popcorn is heated within a microwave oven by the application of microwave energy, the popcorn will pass from the smaller tube to the larger tube during popping within the bag as the bag expands to achieve a popped volume increase on the order of 10% to 15% or more compared to an equivalent package with tubes of equal cross-section. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to filling one of said tubes is maintained in a collapsed condition while the other said tube is expanded to an open condition and the charge is thereafter introduced into the open tube. 3. A method of filling and sealing a popcorn bag comprising, providing a bag for storing and shipping popcorn, the bag being formed from flexible sheet material transparent to microwave energy and having a top and bottom and a relatively large face panel on one side, a narrower face panel on the other side and sections of interconnecting folded gusset material projecting centrally between the side edges of the first and second panels with the centrally projecting gussets approaching each other closely enough to divide the bag into a pair of collateral tubes, one of which is relatively large in cross-section and the other relatively small in cross-section, holding the bag in an upright position, opening the smaller tube at least at the top, inserting a charge of corn and fat into the smaller tube while in an open condition and maintaining the other tube substantially free of fat and corn and sealing the top and bottom of the bag to seal the tubes and maintaining the charge of popcorn and fat in the tube of smaller cross-section and centrally thereof, said tubes being in communication with each other between the gussets whereby when the bag containing the popcorn is heated within a microwave oven by the application of microwave energy, the popcorn will pass from the smaller tube to the larger tube during popping within the bag as the bag expands to achieve a popped volume increase on the order of 10% to 15% or more compared to an equivalent package with tubes of equal cross-section. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the smaller tube is cut shorter at one end than the larger tube, the bags are advanced continuously in an upright position and a means is provided to retain the large tube in a collapsed condition, the smaller tube is held open at ats upper end and the food product is introduced into the open end of the small tube. 5. A method of filling and sealing a popcorn bag comprising, providing a bag for storing and shipping popcorn, the bag being formed from flexible sheet material transparent to microwave energy and having a top and bottom and a first relatively large face panel on one side, a second narrower face panel on the other side and sections of interconnecting folded gusset material projecting centrally between the side edges of the first and second panels with the centrally projecting gussets approaching each other closely enough to divide the bag into a pair of collateral tubes, one of which is relatively large in cross-section and the other relatively small in cross-section, during the filling operation maintaining the tube of relatively large cross section in a collapsed condition and the other tube in an expanded condition, holding the smaller tube in a collapsed condition transversely at a point below the center of the bag but spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof, holding the bag in an upright position and inserting a charge of corn and fat into the smaller tube while the small tube is in an open condition with a portion thereof collapsed to thereby temporarily maintain the charge at the center of the bag during the filling operation and in only one tube, sealing the top and bottom of the bag to seal the tubes and maintaining the charge of popcorn and fat in the tube of smaller cross-section and centrally thereof, the charge of popcorn and fat is thereby confined substantially entirely in the tube of smaller cross-section, said tubes being in communication with each other between the gussets whereby when the bag containing the popcorn is heated within a microwave oven by the application of microwave energy, the popcorn will pass from the smaller tube to the larger tube during popping within the bag as the bag expands to achieve a popped volume increase on the order of 10% to 15% or more compared to an equivalent package with tubes of equal cross-section. 6. A method of filling and sealing a popcorn bag comprising, providing a bag for storing and shipping popcorn, said bag being formed from flexible sheet material transparent to microwave energy and having first and second rectangular face panels each having parallel transversely extending top and bottom edges and parallel vertically extending side edges, sections of interconnecting folded gusset material projecting centrally between the side edges of the face panels with the centrally projecting gussets approaching each other closely enough to divide the bag into first and second collateral tubes, holding the bag in an upright position with the top edges of the panels uppermost, expanding the first tube to open said tube by drawing the first face panel away from the second collateral tube, maintaining the second collateral tube in a collapsed condition by keeping said second panel in contact with adjacent sections of gusset material inserting a charge of popcorn and fat into the expanded tube by allowing the charge to fall into the tube from its open end by gravity, the close proximity of the second panel of the bag and the gussets preventing transfer of the corn and fat during the filling operation into the collapsed tube, sealing the bag and maintaining the bag in a collapsed condition during shipment and storage to prevent expansion and outward folding of the gussets to thereby hold the charge of fat and corn substantially entirely within said first tube until the corn is popped, the tubes being in communication with each other between the gussets whereby when the bag containing the popcorn is heated within a microwave oven by the application of microwave energy the popcorn will transfer from the first tube to the second tube during popping within the bag as the bag expands and the gussets move apart. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the charge placed in said package comprises about 10 parts of corn for each 4 parts of fat and the package is sealed after the charge is inserted into the bag. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the charge is dropped into the open tube and means is provided for preventing the charge from falling past a point located approximately intermediate top and bottom ends of the package. 9. The method of claim 6 wherein a filling spout which inserts said charge is provided and the filling spout is slid longitudinally of the bag into the open end of said first tube. 10. The method of claim 6 where a suction cup is secured to said first tube and is moved in the direction proceeding away from the other tube to thereby open said first tube prior to filling. 11. The method of claim 6 wherein a bottom portion of said first tube is maintained in the collapsed position to thereby temporarily maintain the charge at the center of the bag during the filling operation and in only the first tube, the charge of fat and corn thereby falling through the open end of the first tube by gravity until striking the collapsed portion of the first tube whereby the charge is maintained intermediate the ends of the bag. 12. The method of claim 6 wherein a holding means is placed against said second tube, a suction cup means is engaged with the first panel and said suction cup is then moved away from the second tube to expand the first tube while the second tube is kept in a collapsed condition by the holding means. 13. The method of claim 6 wherein a filling spout which inserts said charge is placed in proximity to the bag with its bottom end aligned with the upper free open end of said first tube. 14. The method of according to claim 13 wherein tabs are provided on the filling spout and the tabs are engaged against the top edge of the gussets to hold them against the upper edge of said second tube.