Abstract: Popcorn machines having popping kettles in direct fluid communication with exhaust ducts are described herein. The effluent produced as a byproduct of corn popping travels directly from the kettle into an exhaust system of the popcorn machine via an exhaust duct that extends through a kettle cover or lid. The exhaust systems can include one or more filters configured to remove smoke, odors, and/or other particulate matter before venting the effluent into the surrounding area as filtered exhaust.

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: 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: 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: 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: An apparatus for cooking, mixing, and dispensing candy popcorn, and various methods of manufacture and use are disclosed. A vessel with a copper interior surface includes an agitator positioned at the bottom of the vessel. The agitator comprises a member that rotates around the bottom of the vessel to move the contents of the vessel. An auger with a helical surface is positioned in the vessel and is configured to rotate to mix popped popcorn with a candy mixture that has been cooked in the vessel. The vessel can be tilted manually or automatically to dispense the contents of the vessel.

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: 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: Machines having multiple heat zone cooking surfaces for producing popcorn and other types of expanded foods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a kettle assembly for popping corn includes a popping surface having a first heat zone adjacent to a second heat zone. In this embodiment, the first heat zone is configured to receive a plurality of unpopped corn kernels, and heat the unpopped corn kernels to a first level. The second heat zone is configured to receive the unpopped corn kernels from the first heat zone, and heat the unpopped corn kernels to a second level, higher than the first level. In one aspect of this embodiment, the kettle assembly can include a first heating element positioned at least proximate to the first heat zone, and a second heating element positioned at least proximate to the second heat zone. The first heating element operates at a first temperature, and the second heating element operates at a second temperature, higher than the first temperature.

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: 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 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: Food preparation apparatus including a housing having a top wall and a front wall. Each wall having an aperture defined therein. A passageway for warming and storing pre-packaged food products extends from an entrance at the top wall aperture to an exit at the front wall aperture. A plurality of chutes are formed within the passageway for channeling the food products from the entrance to the exit. A plurality of electrical elements for warming the food products to preselected temperature surround each chute. The warming elements maintain the food products at a preselected temperature until they are removed from the housing.

Abstract: An integrated popcorn kettle is disclosed which is used in conjunction with a popcorn machine. The popcorn kettle has a cooking chamber which has a hinged lid. A motor chamber is located under the cooking chamber. An electrical motor is located in the motor chamber and rotates an agitator in the cooking chamber. The bottom of the cooking chamber has a heating element which is used to cook the popcorn. The motor is actuated to rotate the agitator in order to insure heat distribution for the popcorn. The entire popcorn kettle including the motor chamber and the cooking chamber may be pivoted as a unit in order to dump out the finished popcorn. In this configuration, no extra mechanical parts are needed to suspend the agitator into the kettle.

Abstract: Food preparation apparatus including a housing having a top wall and a front wall. Each wall having an aperture defined therein. A passageway for warming and storing pre-packaged food products extends from an entrance at the top wall aperture to an exit at the front wall aperture. A plurality of chutes are formed within the passageway for channeling the food products from the entrance to the exit. A plurality of electrical elements for warming the food products to preselected temperature surround each chute. The warming elements maintain the food products at a preselected temperature until they are removed from the housing.