Patents by Inventor Lee Kindley Hodgson

Lee Kindley Hodgson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20020166454
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system Is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Weiss, Lee Kindley Hodgson
  • Patent number: 6135011
    Abstract: An automated batch popcorn popper includes a tiltable kettle actuated by a motor drive controlled to operate in a single batch and automatic dump process. An operator fills the kettle with popping corn and oil and initiates a timer which, controls popping and automatically dumps the popped popcorn into the popper cabinet. This eliminates burnt batches, and the need for constant operator attention while increasing production. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventors: Lee Kindley Hodgson, Ronald R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6092458
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.,
    Inventors: Ronald R. Weiss, Lee Kindley Hodgson
  • Patent number: 6000318
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Gold Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Weiss, Lee Kindley Hodgson
  • Patent number: 5885641
    Abstract: An automated batch popcorn popper includes a tiltable kettle actuated by a motor drive controlled to operate in a single batch and automatic dump process. An operator fills the kettle with popping corn and oil and initiates a timer which, controls popping and automatically dumps the popped popcorn into the popper cabinet. This eliminates burnt batches, and the need for constant operator attention while increasing production. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventors: Lee Kindley Hodgson, Ronald R. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5871792
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Weiss, Lee Kindley Hodgson
  • Patent number: 5743172
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Weiss, Lee Kindley Hodgson
  • Patent number: 5694830
    Abstract: An automated batch popcorn popper includes a tiltable kettle actuated by a motor drive controlled to operate in a single batch and automatic dump process. An operator fills the kettle with popping corn and oil and initiates a timer which, controls popping and automatically dumps the popped popcorn into the popper cabinet. This eliminates burnt batches, and the need for constant operator attention while increasing production. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Gold Medal Products Co.
    Inventors: Lee Kindley Hodgson, Ronald R. Weiss