Abstract: A system for popping popcorn includes a housing, a container positioned in the housing, a cooking vessel removably supported in the housing and containing unpopped popcorn kernels, wherein the cooking vessel comprises a ferromagnetic material, a coil that creates an oscillating magnetic field that interacts with the ferromagnetic material of the cooking vessel and generates an amount of heat in the cooking vessel, and a separate receiving vessel for receiving popped popcorn positioned adjacent the cooking vessel, wherein the receiving vessel is configured to move relative the cooking vessel.

Abstract: The coating can have a low-sweetness perception. During manufacturing and processing, the coating maintains a flowability to allow a glaze state of the coating to be applied to a food. Upon cooling, the glaze state of the coating forms a glass state that provides a low-sweetness impact which facilitates application of savory taste perceptions.

Abstract: The coating can have a low-sweetness perception. During manufacturing and processing, the coating maintains a flowability to allow a glaze state of the coating to be applied to a food. Upon cooling, the glaze state of the coating forms a glass state that provides a low-sweetness impact which facilitates application of savory taste perceptions.

Abstract: A popcorn popper having a heat source transferring heat to a heating surface and also having a reflective surface for focusing the heat radiated by the heat source toward the heating surface. The popcorn popper can include a mechanical stirrer on the heating surface for shifting the kernels during heating and evenly distributing the kernels across the heating surface. The popcorn popper can have a cover with an integrated reservoir for holding toppings for the popcorn, wherein the reservoir is adapted to drain the topping through the cover without fouling the cover air vents and evenly distribute the topping onto the kernels.

Abstract: A system for popping popcorn includes a housing, a container positioned in the housing, a cartridge containing unpopped popcorn kernels removably supported in the container, wherein the cartridge includes ferromagnetic material, a coil that creates an oscillating magnetic field that interacts with the ferromagnetic layer of the cartridge and generates an amount of heat in the cartridge, a vibrator coupled to the container for vibrating the container and the cartridge, and a receiving vessel for receiving popped popcorn positioned adjacent the container.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having fan assemblies and heat sources are described herein. The fan assemblies and the heat sources can be configured to provide heat to unpopped corn kernels to produce popcorn without the use of cooking oil. The popcorn machines can be configured for commercial use and can be mounted onto support structures that allow operators to rotate the popcorn machines.

Abstract: A popcorn popping unit comprises a blower unit and a popping vessel. The popping vessel has first and second parts assemblable with one another to form the popping vessel. The first part is operatively mounted on the blower unit and the second part has an opening configured to vent pressurized air generated by the blower during cooking operations from the popping vessel through the opening. The popping vessel has at least a portion with inner and outer walls spaced apart from one another to form a double wall construction for the at least portion of the popping vessel. The inner wall may comprise glass and the outer wall may comprise plastic. The inner and outer walls may be transparent.

Abstract: A popcorn dispenser for use with a popcorn maker. The dispenser includes a hopper having two openings, the first opening larger than the second opening and sides tapering from the first opening to the second opening. A kernel catcher is located in the bottom of the dispenser adjacent to the second opening. There is a paddle wheel including a shaft and paddle blades below the kernel catcher. A turn dial is operationally coupled to the shaft so that when rotated, the shaft and paddle wheels rotate caused kernels in the hopper to be moved from the hopper to a bowl below the hopper.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a food manufacturing apparatus comprising a feed system for inputting a plurality of materials, an extruder and a cutting assembly. The extruder comprises a pump system and a rotating extrusion die removably connected to the pump system, wherein the rotating extrusion die comprises at least one product channel for receiving and extruding the plurality of materials. The cutting assembly comprises at least one groove and a wire attached through the groove. The feed system is attached to the extruder and the cutting assembly is located at a position to cut the extruded plurality of materials with the wire from the rotating extrusion die.

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: A cooker for popcorn and the like has a housing with a burner supported within the housing and a kettle carrier pivotably attached to a top edge of the housing such that it can be pivoted from a substantially horizontal position across the top of the housing to a substantially vertical position. The kettle carrier includes a cooking kettle that is positioned over the burner when the kettle carrier is in its substantially horizontal position, and when the kettle carrier is in its substantially vertical position, the cooker kettle is positioned to empty its contents into a tub that is supported next to the housing by a detachable frame extending from the housing. Additional features of the cooker include a heat intensification chamber formed by a wall around the burner in order to redirect radiant energy from the burner back into the heat intensification chamber. A cooking oil receptacle is also detachably mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A device for puffing products such as foodstuffs or tobacco comprises an upright puffing reactor having a vessel for receiving product therein. The vessel has a wall provided with a plurality of openings. A chamber surrounds the vessel. The vessel has no openings in an upper section. A first pressurized heat-carrying agent is supplied to the chamber under a first pressure, and the agent flows from the chamber through the plurality of openings uniformly through the product disposed within the vessel. Shortly before the vessel is opened via an opening mechanism, a second agent having a higher pressure than the first pressure is supplied into the upper section above the product disposed within the vessel for providing a “propelling charge” behind the product.