초록 ▼

An apparatus is disclosed for separating popped corn from un-popped kernels. The apparatus includes a popped corn container that holds popped corn and a kernel separator located on a side of the popped corn container. The kernel separator includes a kernel separator screen with a plurality of holes,

An apparatus is disclosed for separating popped corn from un-popped kernels. The apparatus includes a popped corn container that holds popped corn and a kernel separator located on a side of the popped corn container. The kernel separator includes a kernel separator screen with a plurality of holes, where a hole in the plurality of holes is larger than an un-popped kernel and smaller than a fully popped corn. The kernel separator also includes a reentry impedance means for impeding an un-popped kernel from entering the popped corn container through the kernel separator. The apparatus also includes a kernel container positioned outside the popped corn container and adjacent to the kernel separator such that the kernel container stores the un-popped kernel after the un-popped kernel has passed through the kernel separator. The apparatus may further include a cover container.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for separating popped corn from un-popped kernels, the apparatus comprising: a popped corn container that holds popped corn and a kernel separator located on a side of the popped corn container, the kernel separator comprising: a kernel separator screen comprising a plurality of hole

1. An apparatus for separating popped corn from un-popped kernels, the apparatus comprising: a popped corn container that holds popped corn and a kernel separator located on a side of the popped corn container, the kernel separator comprising: a kernel separator screen comprising a plurality of holes, wherein a hole in the plurality of holes is larger than an un-popped kernel and smaller than a fully popped corn; anda reentry impedance means for impeding an un-popped kernel from entering the popped corn container through the kernel separator, the reentry impedance means comprising lateral cross members that bound each hole in the plurality of holes in the kernel separator screen, wherein the lateral cross members have a triangular cross section, a base of the triangular cross section on a kernel face of the kernel separator, the kernel face facing exterior to the popped corn container, and a vertex of the triangular cross section on a popped corn face of the kernel separator, the popped corn face facing interior to the popped corn container; anda kernel container positioned outside the popped corn container and adjacent to the kernel separator such that the kernel container stores the un-popped kernel after the un-popped kernel has passed through the kernel separator. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sides of the popped corn container slope toward the kernel separator. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the popped corn container comprises a bowl and the kernel separator is located at the bottom of the bowl. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each hole in the plurality of holes comprises an opening on the popped corn face that is larger than an opening on the kernel face. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the opening on the popped corn face is smaller than a fully popped corn and the opening on the kernel face is larger than an un-popped kernel. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lateral cross members are oriented substantially perpendicularly to one another. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reentry impedance means comprises a kernel retention means for maintaining the kernels in the kernel container. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the kernel retention means comprises a kernel restraining structure positioned between the kernel separator screen and a bottom of the kernel container such that kernels at the bottom of the kernel container are impeded from re-entry into the popped corn container when agitated, the kernel restraining structure positioned such that a space between the kernel separator screen and the kernel restraining structure is wider than a kernel. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the kernel restraining structure is positioned to slope away from the kernel separator screen. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the kernel restraining structure comprises an umbrella shape, such that a top point of the kernel restraining structure faces the kernel separator screen and the kernel restraining structure slopes away from the top point in all directions. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sides of the kernel container slope towards a bottom of the kernel container, the bottom of the kernel container comprising an area that matches or is less than an area of the kernel restraining structure. 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the kernel restraining structure has an area that matches or exceeds an area of the kernel separator screen. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kernel container comprises a bowl, the popped corn container nesting inside the kernel container. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the popped corn container further comprises a gripable area for removing the popped corn container from inside of the kernel container. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a graspable handle attached to the kernel container. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kernel container interlocks with the popped corn container. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover container. 18. An apparatus for separating popped corn from un-popped kernels, the apparatus comprising: a popped corn container that holds popped corn and a kernel separator located on a side of the popped corn container, the kernel separator comprising a kernel separator screen comprising a plurality of holes, wherein a hole in the plurality of holes is larger than an un-popped kernel and smaller than a fully popped corn, wherein the hole is bounded by lateral cross members having a triangular cross section, a base of the triangular cross section on a kernel face of the kernel separator, the kernel face facing exterior to the popped corn container, and a vertex of the triangular cross section on a popped corn face of the kernel separator, the popped corn face facing interior to the popped corn container;a kernel container positioned outside the popped corn container and adjacent to the kernel separator such that the kernel container stores the un-popped kernel after the un-popped kernel has passed through the kernel separator;a kernel restraining structure positioned between the kernel separator screen and a bottom of the kernel container, the kernel restraining structure comprising an umbrella shape, such that a top point of the kernel restraining structure faces the kernel separator screen and the kernel restraining structure slopes away from the top point in all directions; anda cover container that rests above the popped corn container. 19. An apparatus for separating popped corn from un-popped kernels, the apparatus comprising: a popped corn container that holds popped corn and a kernel separator located on a side of the popped corn container, the kernel separator comprising: a kernel separator screen comprising a plurality of holes, wherein a hole in the plurality of holes is larger than an un-popped kernel and smaller than a fully popped corn, wherein the hole is bounded by lateral cross members having a triangular cross section, a base of the triangular cross section on a kernel face of the kernel separator, the kernel face facing exterior to the popped corn container, and a vertex of the triangular cross section on a popped corn face of the kernel separator, the popped corn face facing interior to the popped corn container; anda kernel restraining structure positioned between the kernel separator screen and a bottom of the kernel container such that kernels at the bottom of the kernel container are impeded from re-entry into the popped corn container when agitated;a kernel container positioned outside the popped corn container and adjacent to the kernel separator such that the kernel container stores the un-popped kernel after the un-popped kernel has passed through the kernel separator anda cover container comprising a popcorn cooking surface.