Abstract: Systems, methods and machines for producing popcorn and other types or expanded food are disclosed herein. A machine in accordance with one embodiment includes a flow through cooking deck and a plurality of heating elements that extend along the length of the cooking deck. An agitating assembly having a plurality of paddles can be positioned above the cooking deck. A corn hopper can dispense corn kernels onto the cooking deck and the paddles of the agitating assembly can transport and agitate the corn kernels on the cooking deck. The paddles can be positioned at an angle to their direction of travel and can move the corn kernels from side to side as they move the corn kernels along the length of the cooking deck.

Abstract: Popcorn popping machines and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A popcorn popping machine configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing having an interior portion and a first side portion opposite a second side portion. The popcorn popping machine also includes a corn mover, a heat source, and an air mover positioned in the interior portion. The air mover is positioned on a support shaft extending from the first side portion to the second side portion of the housing. In operation, the air mover is configured to direct heated air from the heat source to corn kernels moved through the interior portion by the corn mover.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and a device for producing expanded food, for example popcorn, puffed rice and the like. A food is here fed to a container continuously, the food caused to expand under the effect of heat, and, after that, the food is removed continuously from the container.

Abstract: Machines for popping corn and producing puffed snacks and other expanded foods are described herein. In one embodiment, a flow-through popper circulates unpopped corn kernels through a popping chamber by use of a plurality of vanes that directionally control a flow of high velocity, high temperature and high pressure air. In this embodiment, the air in the popping chamber causes the unpopped corn kernels to circulate as they move through the length of the popping chamber without the need for an auger or other moving apparatus.

Abstract: Machines having reversible food moving devices for making popcorn and other types of expanded food products are described herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes an auger that moves a mixture of raw corn kernels and cooking oil along a trough-shaped cooking surface. In this embodiment, the auger can cyclically reverse direction for a predetermined period of time before resuming rotation in the forward direction to facilitate favorable popping of the popcorn. In one aspect of this embodiment, the auger can rotate through a greater angle of rotation in the forward direction than in the reverse direction in each cycle, so that the auger progressively moves the unpopped corn kernels along the entire cooking surface until they ultimately pop and/or are dispensed into a suitable receptacle. In one embodiment, the popcorn machine can also include two or more heating zones to provide favorable popping characteristics.

Abstract: Food heating devices and methods of removing one or more rollers from food heating devices are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a food heating device configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a base structure, a food rotating system, a food heating system, and a plurality of rollers. One end of a roller can be left unsupported, either by separating a sidewall of the base structure or by separating an insert from the sidewall. In turn, an opposite end of the roller can be disconnected from the food rotating system, and the roller can be displaced axially with respect to the food heating system, which remains fixed relative to base structure. Accordingly, the roller(s) can be removed, cleaned separately, and subsequently reinstalled or replaced with respect to the base structure.

Abstract: Inductive food heating devices and methods of cooking food with inductive heating devices are disclosed herein. An embodiment of an inductive food heating device configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a base structure, a food rotating system, an inductive food heating system, and a plurality of rollers. The inductive food heating system includes an electromagnet that can generate a magnetic field. The rollers include a magnetic material that generates heat when positioned in the magnetic field. The food rotating system turns the rollers, and thus food supported on the rollers is turned and cooked by the inductively heated rollers.

Abstract: A hot dog grill for cooking hot dogs or similar food products is disclosed. The grill has an inclined heating surface defined on a sloping top plate. A grill assembly having a top cross member is placed over and in proximity to the heating surface. The grill assembly is moveable between two positions relative to the inclined heating surface. The grill assembly has a pair of sides which support rails. The rails are interlocked with sockets on the sides of the sloping top plate to guide the movement of the grill assembly. Lateral rods are installed between the sides of the grill assembly. Hot dogs and similar foods are cooked on the heating surface and rest on the lateral rods. A motor has a rotating shaft extending from the inclined heating surface. The rotating shaft is mechanically coupled to the top cross member of the grill assembly via a pivot block and pin.

Abstract: A device and method for continuous production of cotton candy and automated handling of the cotton candy in a way that collects and condenses the cotton candy into a continuous strand.

Abstract: A fire containment system and method is disclosed. The fire containment system is designed to assist in temporarily containing a fire within a semi-enclosed space. The system is designed for use with a semi-enclosed space defined by at least a back panel, a top panel and a bottom panel, and having an open side for an operator to access the semi-enclosed space. An exhaust vent is installed in the top panel in communication with the semi-enclosed space and a blower exhausts air through the exhaust vent. An inlet air vent is installed in the top panel and is in communication with the semi-enclosed space and is located proximate the back panel. An inlet air blower provides air through the inlet air vent. In the case of a fire in the semi-enclosed space, the fire will be drawn away from the open side and toward the inlet air vent due to the source of air supplied by the inlet air blower.

Abstract: Popcorn popping machines and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A popcorn popping machine configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing having an interior portion and a first side portion opposite a second side portion. The popcorn popping machine also includes a corn mover, a heat source, and an air mover positioned in the interior portion. The air mover is positioned on a support shaft extending from the first side portion to the second side portion of the housing. In operation, the air mover is configured to direct heated air from the heat source to corn kernels moved through the interior portion by the corn mover.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and a device for producing expanded food, for example popcorn, puffed rice and the like. A food is here fed to a container continuously, the food caused to expand under the effect of heat, and, after that, the food is removed continuously from the container.

Abstract: A popcorn machine for automatic activation of the popping cycle is disclosed. The popcorn machine has a kettle with a heating element controlled by a thermostat. Popping corn is placed in the kettle by a user. A control panel has a one pop button which when pressed initiates the full popping cycle. The one pop button activates a relay that closes a connection through the thermostat to the heating element. The thermostat regulates the temperature in the kettle and shuts off power to the heating element by opening itself and unlatching the relay after a predetermined temperature is reached to allow the completion of the popping cycle. If the kettle initially is over the predetermined temperature, the thermostat will be open and the relay will be unlatched, preventing power from flowing to the heating element. A timer relay may be connected to the first relay to allow the activation of the heating element during a set period of time allowing the kettle to cool. The kettle may also be connected to an oil pump.

Abstract: A system for storing and dispensing popcorn comprising a popcorn popping apparatus and a bin for containing popcorn. The bin is removably positionable in the popcorn popping apparatus so that the popcorn that is popped can drop through an aperture in the popping apparatus into the bin. The bin itself is mobile, thereby enabling an operator to transport the bin from the popping apparatus to a receiving station or vice-versa. The popcorn in the bin can be dispensed directly therefrom or stored for later use. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bin also contains a warming system that keeps the popcorn in the bin warm, fresh and crisp. The warming system is provided with power when it is placed in either the popping apparatus or the receiving station via electrical connectors located on the bin, popping apparatus and receiving station.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a microprocessor controlled popcorn machine. The processor is programmed with an auto cycle to insure the correct popping of popcorn. The popcorn machine has a kettle with a heating element for holding unpopped corn. An agitator for stirring the corn in the kettle is suspended in the kettle. An oil pump injects oil into the kettle. The processor controls all the operations of the popcorn machine. The popcorn machine has a control panel by which the user may activate the processor auto cycle program to begin the popping of corn. The processor controls the kettle heat through the kettle heating element. The processor also controls the oil pump to inject oil in the heated kettle to pop the corn. The processor controls the agitator to stir the kernels. The processor also controls the injection of oil and monitors the temperature of the kettle to insure that it does not exceed a regulation temperature.

Abstract: An integral liquid pump and drainback valve for use in pumping popcorn popping oil. A two-part housing is formed with one part having cavities forming inlet and outlet passages extending from an impeller cavity. A second part is formed with inlet and outlet ports and shuttle valve cavity connecting those ports. The inlet and outlet passages and the inlet and outlet ports respectively are in fluid communication with each other when the two parts are secured to each other. A resilient biasing means in the shuttle valve cavity moves the shuttle to a position wherein a fluid path is provided between the inlet and outlet ports when the pump impeller is not driven.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing means for popcorn popping oil. Popcorn popping oil is provided in a plastic bag contained within a rectangular box. The plastic bag is provided with a dispensing arrangement having a quick couple connection provided thereon. The dispensing means includes a housing having shelves for supporting the boxes in a tilted position wherein the dispensing point is lower most such that all of the popcorn popping oil may be drained from the bag within the box. The shelves are provided with electrical heaters which maintain the popcorn popping oil at a desired viscosity. A pump is provided for withdrawing the popcorn popping oil from the bags and supplying it to a popping kettle.

Abstract: A thermostat is disclosed which includes a bimetal element in the form of an elongated strip and a trip mechanism formed by an elongated metal strip and a member having a U-shaped portion operative as a spring and an arm portion projecting from one leg of the U-shaped portion to form a reset lever. The trip mechanism operates electrical contacts on metal strips and has an over-center operation to provide a snap action. The thermostat is connectable in series with a cooking temperature control thermostat of a popcorn cooking machine to protect against dangerously high operating temperatures.

Abstract: A corn popping apparatus is provided including a mechanism for maintaining a popcorn pan in one of two stable positions, a cooking position and a discharge position, and for assisting in the movement of the pan from one position to the other. The mechanism is powered by a compression spring and includes a piston to provide a controlled return rate. A linkage is provided which serves to pivotally connect the popcorn pan to a frame. The linkage allows the pan to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position down and away from the pan cover so that the top of the pan is completely open to discharge its contents without significant effort on the part of the operator.