초록 ▼

This invention discloses an automated corn popping apparatus including a kettle, a support arrangement for supporting and operating the kettle, a display arrangement for enclosing the corn popping apparatus, a controller for automatically operating the corn popping apparatus, and a conduit system fo

This invention discloses an automated corn popping apparatus including a kettle, a support arrangement for supporting and operating the kettle, a display arrangement for enclosing the corn popping apparatus, a controller for automatically operating the corn popping apparatus, and a conduit system for introducing cooking oil into the kettle. In a preferred embodiment, the kettle includes a kettle and an agitator mechanism. A support arrangement includes a mechanism for rotating the kettle from a position for popping corn to a position for dumping corn into the display arrangement. Also, a shaft mechanism is used for raising and lowering the lid and rotating the agitator mechanism. The shaft mechanism is in fluid association with a source of cooking oil at one end of its length, and has apertures located near the other end of its length so as to provide a conduit for the supply of cooking oil directly into the kettle. The controller includes actuators for necessary mechanical movement, sensors to determine component positions, and a programmer to receive sensor signals and control actuators to achieve automatic corn popping.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [6.] A popcorn popping apparatus comprising:a kettle for popping corn therein and being movable between a popping position and a dumping position;means for rotating the kettle between the popping and dumping positions;an agitator assembly for agitating corn in the kettle;a rot

[ What is claimed is:] [6.] A popcorn popping apparatus comprising:a kettle for popping corn therein and being movable between a popping position and a dumping position;means for rotating the kettle between the popping and dumping positions;an agitator assembly for agitating corn in the kettle;a rotatable shaft operatively associated with the agitator assembly and a kettle lid, the shaft and lid being movable between operative and inoperative positions; andmeans for moving the shaft and lid to their inoperative positions to allow movement of the kettle from the popping position to the dumping position to dump popped corn.