초록 ▼

This invention discloses an automated corn popping apparatus including a kettle assembly, a support arrangement for supporting and operating the kettle assembly, a display arrangement for enclosing the corn popping apparatus, and control means for automatically operating the corn popping apparatus.

This invention discloses an automated corn popping apparatus including a kettle assembly, a support arrangement for supporting and operating the kettle assembly, a display arrangement for enclosing the corn popping apparatus, and control means for automatically operating the corn popping apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the kettle assembly includes a cast metal popping kettle and an agitator mechanism supported by a base adapted to receive pivot shafts. The support arrangement includes a mechanism for rotating the kettle assembly from a position for popping corn to a position for dumping corn into the display arrangement and a mechanism for raising and lowering the lid and rotating the agitator mechanism. The control means includes actuators for necessary mechanical movement, sensors of component position, and programmable means to receive sensor signals and control actuators to achieve the automatic popping of popcorn.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A popcorn popping apparatus comprising:a. a kettle assembly for popping popcorn; the kettle assembly includes:i. a kettle having a base member for holding the popcorn and an open top;ii. an agitator assembly for agitating the popcorn, the agitator assembly rotationally mo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A popcorn popping apparatus comprising:a. a kettle assembly for popping popcorn; the kettle assembly includes:i. a kettle having a base member for holding the popcorn and an open top;ii. an agitator assembly for agitating the popcorn, the agitator assembly rotationally mounted to the base member of the kettle;iii. a lid having a first position in contact with the top of the kettle, and a second position spaced from the top of the kettle sufficient to permit rotation of the kettle between an operative position and a dumping position; andiv. a motion mechanism for rotating the agitator assembly and vertically moving the lid, the motion mechanism being releasably coupled to the agitator assembly, so that when the lid is in the first position the motion mechanism engages and rotates the agitator assembly, upon the motion mechanism vertically moving the lid between the first position and the second position the motion mechanism disengages the agitator assembly;b. a display arrangement for the kettle assembly; andc. a support arrangement pivotally mounting the kettle assembly to the display arrangement.