초록 ▼

Popcorn machines having topping dispensing systems are disclosed herein. A popcorn machine configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes a popping kettle or other popping apparatus positioned in a cabinet. The popping apparatus is configured to heat un-popped corn kernels an

Popcorn machines having topping dispensing systems are disclosed herein. A popcorn machine configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes a popping kettle or other popping apparatus positioned in a cabinet. The popping apparatus is configured to heat un-popped corn kernels and pop the corn kernels. After popping, the corn is held in the cabinet. The popcorn machine of this embodiment further includes a topping outlet positioned in the cabinet and a topping pump. The topping outlet is operably connectable to a topping container, and the topping pump is configured to move topping from the topping container through the topping outlet and onto a serving portion of popcorn in response to operator activation of the pump.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for making popcorn, the system comprising: a cabinet having a see-through portion;means for popping un-popped corn in the see-through portion of the cabinet to produce popped corn;means for holding the popped corn in the see-through portion of the cabinet;an outlet positioned in the see-

1. A system for making popcorn, the system comprising: a cabinet having a see-through portion;means for popping un-popped corn in the see-through portion of the cabinet to produce popped corn;means for holding the popped corn in the see-through portion of the cabinet;an outlet positioned in the see-through portion of the cabinet and spaced apart from the means for popping un-popped corn;means for storing warm topping below the cabinet; andmeans for selectively dispensing topping from the outlet onto a serving of popped corn collected from the cabinet. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for selectively dispensing topping are positioned at least partially within the cabinet. 3. A machine for making popcorn, the machine comprising: a cabinet having a popcorn-holding portion with one or more see-through panels for viewing popcorn held therein;a popping kettle positioned in the cabinet;a topping outlet positioned in the cabinet and spaced apart from the popping kettle;a topping holder configured to hold topping for application to popcorn after the popcorn has been popped in the popping kettle;a conduit operably extending at least partially between the topping holder and the topping outlet; anda pump operably connected to the conduit, wherein activation of the pump causes the pump to move topping through the conduit toward the topping outlet for dispensing onto popcorn taken from the cabinet and placed in a serving container, wherein the popcorn-holding portion includes at least two see-through panels joined by a corner member, and wherein at least a portion of the conduit is concealed behind the corner member as the topping conduit extends upwardly toward the topping outlet. 4. A popcorn machine comprising: a display case having a plurality of see-through panels extending at least partially between an interior base surface and a top;a popping apparatus positioned within the display case between the base surface and the top, wherein the popping apparatus is configured to heat un-popped corn and pop the corn to produce popcorn, wherein popcorn from the popping apparatus is stored on the base surface of the display case after popping for viewing from outside the popcorn machine via the see-through panels;a topping outlet positioned in the display case between the base surface and the top, wherein the topping outlet is operably connectable in fluid communication with a topping container, and wherein the topping outlet is spaced apart from the popping apparatus to provide clearance for a popcorn serving container carrying a portion of popcorn to be manually positioned under the topping outlet;a fluid mover configured to move topping from the topping container through the topping outlet and onto the portion of popcorn in the serving container in response to operator activation of the fluid mover; anda heated passage operably connectable to the topping container and configured to extend at least partially between the topping container and the topping outlet. 5. The popcorn machine of claim 4 wherein the fluid mover includes a pump. 6. A popcorn machine comprising: a display case having a plurality of see-through panels extending at least partially between an interior base surface and a top;a popping apparatus positioned within the display case between the base surface and the top, wherein the popping apparatus is configured to heat un-popped corn and pop the corn to produce popcorn, wherein popcorn from the popping apparatus is stored on the base surface of the display case after popping for viewing from outside the popcorn machine via the see-through panels;a topping outlet positioned in the display case between the base surface and the top, wherein the topping outlet is operably connectable in fluid communication with a topping container, and wherein the topping outlet is spaced apart from the popping apparatus to provide clearance for a popcorn serving container carrying a portion of popcorn to be manually positioned under the topping outlet;a fluid mover configured to move topping from the topping container through the topping outlet and onto the portion of popcorn in the serving container in response to operator activation of the fluid mover, wherein the fluid mover includes a pump; anda fluid conduit operably connectable to the topping container and configured to extend upwardly from the topping container along a corner portion of the cabinet toward the pump. 7. The popcorn machine of claim 6, further comprising: a storage area positioned beneath the base surface; andthe topping container, wherein the topping container is removably positioned in the storage area. 8. The popcorn machine of claim 6 wherein the base surface is perforated, and wherein the popcorn machine further comprises: a heating system, wherein the heating system is configured to direct hot air upwardly through the perforated base surface to warm popcorn held thereon, and wherein the heating system is further configured to direct hot air toward the topping container to warm flavored topping held therein. 9. The popcorn machine of claim 6 wherein the base surface is perforated, and wherein the popcorn machine further comprises: a storage area positioned beneath the perforated base surface;the topping container, wherein the topping container is removably positioned in the storage area; anda heating system positioned beneath the perforated base surface, wherein the heating system is configured direct hot air upwardly through the perforated base surface to warm popcorn held thereon, and wherein the heating system is further configured to direct hot air toward the topping container to warm flavored topping held therein. 10. The popcorn machine of claim 6 wherein the pump dispenses topping from the topping outlet in response to manual operation of a pump activation system positioned at least partially in the cabinet. 11. A machine for making popcorn, the machine comprising: a cabinet having a popcorn-holding portion with one or more see-through panels for viewing popcorn held therein;a popping kettle positioned in the cabinet;a topping outlet positioned in the cabinet and spaced apart from the popping kettle;a topping holder configured to hold topping for application to popcorn after the popcorn has been popped in the popping kettle;a conduit operably extending at least partially between the topping holder and the topping outlet;a pump operably connected to the conduit, wherein activation of the pump causes the pump to move topping through the conduit toward the topping outlet for dispensing onto popcorn taken from the cabinet and placed in a serving container; anda pump activation system, wherein the pump activation system includes a manually operable switch positioned inside the cabinet. 12. The machine of claim 11, further comprising a timer operably coupled to the switch, wherein operation of the switch activates the timer which limits activation of the pump to a preset period of time. 13. A machine for making popcorn, the machine comprising: a cabinet having a popcorn-holding portion with one or more see-through panels for viewing popcorn held therein;a popping kettle positioned in the cabinet;a topping outlet positioned in the cabinet and spaced apart from the popping kettle;a topping holder configured to hold topping for application to popcorn after the popcorn has been popped in the popping kettle;a conduit operably extending at least partially between the topping holder and the topping outlet;a pump operably connected to the conduit, wherein activation of the pump causes the pump to move topping through the conduit toward the topping outlet for dispensing onto popcorn taken from the cabinet and placed in a serving container; anda push bar positioned beneath the topping outlet and operably connected to the pump, wherein movement of the push bar activates the pump. 14. The machine of claim 13 wherein the topping holder includes a heated shelf positioned beneath the popcorn-holding portion of the cabinet. 15. A machine for making popcorn, the machine comprising: a cabinet having a popcorn-holding portion with one or more see-through panels for viewing popcorn held therein;a popping kettle positioned in the cabinet;a topping outlet positioned in the cabinet and spaced apart from the popping kettle;a topping holder configured to hold topping for application to popcorn after the popcorn has been popped in the popping kettle;a conduit operably extending at least partially between the topping holder and the topping outlet;a pump operably connected to the conduit, wherein activation of the pump causes the pump to move topping through the conduit toward the topping outlet for dispensing onto popcorn taken from the cabinet and placed in a serving container; andan electrical heating element operably coupled to at least a portion of the topping conduit to heat topping moving therethrough during operation of the pump. 16. The machine of claim 15 wherein the popcorn-holding portion includes at least two see-through panels forming a corner region of the cabinet, and wherein the topping outlet is positioned in the corner region of the cabinet. 17. A machine for making popcorn, the machine comprising: a cabinet having a popcorn-holding portion with one or more see-through panels for viewing popcorn held therein;a popping kettle positioned in the cabinet;a topping outlet positioned in the cabinet and spaced apart from the popping kettle;a topping holder configured to hold topping for application to popcorn after the popcorn has been popped in the popping kettle, wherein the topping holder includes a heated shelf positioned beneath the popcorn-holding portion of the cabinet;a conduit operably extending at least partially between the topping holder and the topping outlet;a portable topping container carried on the heated shelf in fluid communication with the conduit; anda pump operably connected to the conduit, wherein activation of the pump causes the pump to move topping through the conduit toward the topping outlet for dispensing onto popcorn taken from the cabinet and placed in a serving container. 18. A method of serving popcorn with topping, the method comprising: storing popcorn in a display case;placing a portion of the popcorn from the display case in a serving container;positioning the serving container at least generally underneath a flavoring dispenser positioned inside the display case;activating a pump by depressing a switch via movement of the serving container to dispense flavoring from the flavoring dispenser onto the popcorn in the serving container; andremoving the serving container and the popcorn therein from the display case. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein activating a pump includes activating an electric pump. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein depressing a switch via movement of the serving container includes pressing the serving container against a push bar. 21. The method of claim 18 wherein activating a pump includes activating a pump for a preset period of time.