Abstract: An improved popping kettle assembly includes a kettle chamber and a lid that are releasably engageable with each other upon relative movement of the chamber and lid. The kettle chamber has a series of projections formed on an upper edge, and the lid has a series of relieved areas that are adapted to cooperate with the projections on the chamber. Preferably, the projections are a series of tabs and the relieved areas are a series of slots formed through the thickness of the lid. The slots in the lid are first placed in registration with the tabs on the kettle chamber, and the lid is then rotated relative to the kettle chamber to establish a reliable engagement between the chamber and lid.

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.

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.

Abstract: An improved popcorn popper includes a kettle and an induction heater for imparting heat to the kettle for popping popcorn therein. The kettle has no electrical heaters, conduits or connectors and can be immersed in water for cleaning. Methods are disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A cheese server includes hangers for engaging cheese bag bottoms and suspending the bags inverted in a steam chamber. Gravity influenced squeeze bars ride down the bag sides to express cheese toward the bag outlet fitment. A hose is connected to the fitment and is pinched off by an "iron udder" clamping apparatus to control dispensing. Water in the bottom of the steam tank is heated to produce steam for heating the cheese quickly. A trough in the chamber top returns condensate to the water.

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.

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.

Abstract: An oil supply for popcorn poppers including a reservoir (26) for storing oil (28), a control housing (30) disposed above the reservoir (26), the control housing (30) having an inclined top surface (84) for supporting and heating a container (32) of congealed oil (34), a pump (72) for pumping liquified oil (28) in the reservoir (26) to a popping kettle (16), a heater (74) in the reservoir (26) for quickly heating congealed oil (28) therein, a conduit (76) for delivering oil to a popping kettle (16), and a conduit (92) for delivering liquified oil from the container (32) to the reservoir (26). The pump (72) is driven by a motor (70) contained inside the control housing (30) to deliver a measured amount of oil (28) to the kettle (16), made up by oil (34) from the container (32). A bleed hole (82) in the oil delivery conduit (76) allows pumped but not delivered oil to flow back into the heated reservoir (26) after each pump cycle so no oil remains in the delivery line (80) to congeal. Controls are disclosed.

Abstract: For making a cooked waffle from batter, a waffle maker comprises a pair of opposing heater grids configured to be closed together when batter is placed therebetween for cooking, and a controllable power supply with an output coupled to the grids for supplying power thereto to heat the grids. The power supply has a cooking mode wherein a high level output is supplied to the grids during a cooking cycle and a standby mode wherein a lower level output is supplied to the grids upon completion of the cooking cycle for preventing overheating of the grids. The temperature of the grids is controlled to provide optimum cooking and to prevent overheated grids between cooking cycles.

Abstract: An oil supply for popcorn poppers including a reservoir (26) for storing oil (28), a control housing (30) disposed above the reservoir (26), the control housing (30) having an inclined top surface (84) for supporting and heating a container (32) of congealed oil (34), a pump (72) for pumping liquified oil (28) in the reservoir (26) to a popping kettle (16), a heater (74) in the reservoir (26) for quickly heating congealed oil (28) therein, a conduit (76) for delivering oil to a popping kettle (16), and a conduit (92) for delivering liquified oil from the container (32) to the reservoir (26). The pump (72) is driven by a motor (70) contained inside the control housing (30) to deliver a measured amount of oil (28) to the kettle (16), made up by oil (34) from the container (32). A bleed hole (82) in the oil delivery conduit (76) allows pumped but not delivered oil to flow back into the heated reservoir (26) after each pump cycle so no oil remains in the delivery line (80) to congeal. Controls are disclosed.

Abstract: In a cotton candy machine for spinning granular sugar into filaments and having a rotatable shaft, a spinner head mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith, bearings rotatably supporting the rotatable shaft below the spinner head, an impeller mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and being disposed between the spinner head and the bearings. The impeller rotates to blow sugar which finds its way down to the level of the impeller away from the bearings. The impeller has a plurality of radially extending fins or vanes on at least one of the upper and lower side, and an O-ring groove in its lower side in which an O-ring is seated which seals against the motor. Radially directed air flow generated by rotation of the impeller with the rotating shaft directs sugar granules away from the bearings, and the O-ring seals the impeller against the motor to provide an additional check against sugar entering the bearings. Sugar is unable to reach the bearings of the motor and motor life is increased.

Abstract: A cotton candy machine includes a spinner head having upper and lower spinner elements spaced apart at least by about 1/2 inch and defining with a spacer a common sugar chamber operatively communicating with each spinner element. Sugar from the common chamber is directed to each element where it is heated and issues from the head in molten form. Upper and lower apertures of the apparatus are at least about 7/8 inch from respective apertures in other spinner element. The number of same size servings for the same initial amount of sugar is substantially increased over prior heads with elements or apertures not so spaced apart, while energy requirements are at the same time substantially decreased. Apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A spinner assembly for a cotton candy machine. The spinner assembly includes a tubular steel wall member having an upright wall provided with slots. A heater element is supported by the wall member in close proximity with the slots. The wall member is provided with a flame sprayed alumina coating which insulates the wall member from the heater element.

Abstract: A spinner assembly for a cotton candy machine. The spinner assembly includes a tubular wall member having an upright wall provided with slots. A tubular heater element is supported by the heater element in close proximity with the slots. The wall member is of aluminum material. A dielectric anodized coating on the wall member insulates the wall member from the heater element.