WO2005067732A1

WO2005067732A1 - Compact real-time, sweet or salted popcorn maker

Info

Publication number: WO2005067732A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniele Lago
Original assignee: The Moonlighting S.R.L.
Priority date: 2004-01-19
Filing date: 2004-01-19
Publication date: 2005-07-28

Abstract

The invention is a new, preferably coin-operated, machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn, which includes and oven (F) in the bottom of which (F1) there are a separation grid (G), a high-power heating element (T) with holes (T1) and a variable-speed electric fan (V) with a metal rotor, positioned on the same axis and coaxial to the axis of the oven (F). There is also a popcorn delivery chute (U), which has the shape of an inverted U, where one of its ends is flared and positioned on the upper edge of the oven (F) and the other end leads onto the front of the case (I), where the popcorn tub (B) is positioned. There are one or more salted or sweetened water containers (A1) complete with an electric pump (P1) and atomizer (Y1) located on the popcorn delivery chute (U). An additional container (S’) may also be provided for the maize grains and be situated above the main maize grain container (S).

Description

TITLE COMPACT REAL-TIME. SWEET OR SALTED POPCORN MAKER DESCRIPTION This patent concerns devices for the preparation and distribution of popcorn and particularly concerns automatic devices for the real-time preparation and distribution of popcorn.

Appliances for preparing popcorn comprising an open-top oven heated electrically and with a forced flow of air upwards from below are well known. When the appliance is turned on, the oven is heated and the forced air circulation is enabled. Then maize grains sufficient for the preparation of one or more portions of popcorn are poured into the oven. As the maize grains reach the bottom of the oven they pop and are then lifted by the airflow and pushed towards the opening in the top of the oven, from where they are conveyed towards a delivery chute. Current appliances for the preparation and distribution of popcorn present a number of drawbacks.

Coin-operated appliances for preparing and distributing popcorn are well known. Such machines are large in size and need lengthy preheating and cooling times. A dose of maize grains has to be taken out of its packaging, bag or container, and poured into the oven each time, so it is difficult to establish the ideal quantity of maize grains to pour into the oven in order to obtain the desired amount of popcorn. Current machines use a grid to achieve a uniform airflow in the oven: this grid separates the grains from the heating element and is shaped like a propeller or spiral, so as to generate a spiral airflow. Such grids are costly to manufacture. When we want to add salt to the popcorn we have prepared, we have to keep a salt mill or other salt container-server in the vicinity of the popcorn maker and we have to add a dose of salt manually. Salting the popcorn manually carries the risk of adding too much salt, or distributing the salt unevenly, making the popcorn disgusting or far from pleasant to eat. The salt grains sprinkled over the popcorn only fall on the top layer of the popcorn in the tub, without reaching the layers underneath. The same applies in the case of wanting to add sugar to the popcorn. In order to avoid all the drawbacks described above, a new, compact device has been studied and developed, that is quick to start for use in the real-time preparation and distribution of sweet or salted popcorn. The aim of the new machine is to be small and compact in size and to be quick to start, even when coin-operated.

Another aim of the new machine is to cool the oven rapidly after use. Another aim is to have a machine that quickly produces exactly the desired amount of popcorn.

Another aim of the machine is to automatically dose the quantity of maize grains needed to prepare a portion of popcorn. Another aim of the new machine is to automatically collect the required quantity of maize grains from a special container provided. Another aim of the new machine is to salt or sweeten the prepared popcorn evenly on request.

These and other direct and complementary aims are achieved by the new, compact machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn, comprising an electrically heated and ventilated oven with at least one container for holding the maize grains, complete with a gate valve in communication with the oven, and at least one container for salted or sweetened water, complete with an electric pump connected to a sprayer or atomizer located on the popcorn delivery chute. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn comprising an oven (F) on the bottom (F1) of which there are a separation grid (G), a heating element (T) with holes (T1) and an electric fan (V), arranged on the same axis, coaxial to the axis of the oven (F).

The characteristics of the new machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawing attached as an illustrative, but not restrictive example. The figure shows a cross section of the new machine comprising a case (I), an oven (F) with a heating element (T) at the bottom, a popcorn delivery chute (U), an electric fan (V), a maize grain container (S), an electric gate valve (X), at least one container (A1) for salted or sweetened water, at least one electric pump (P1 , P2) with a hose (P1a, P2a) leading to a corresponding sprayer or atomizer (Y1, Y2) located on the popcorn delivery chute (U), and possibly also an auxiliary maize grain container (S').

The case (I) is composed of a housing that contains and supports the various parts of the new machine. The oven (F) is mainly composed of a truncated cone-shaped metal panel, in such a way as to form a chamber with generically circular and trapezoidal cross-sections.

The lower part (F1) of the oven (F) is in the shape of a tube, so as to contain the heating element (T) and the electric fan (V) while creating a forced air flow.

In the bottom of the oven (F) there is a high-power heating element (T) equipped with various holes (T1 ) that allow for a vertical passage of air inside the oven (F).

Above said heating element (T) there is a metal mesh grid (G) that keeps the maize grains separate from the heating element (T).

In the lower part of the tube-shaped part (F1) of the oven (F) there is a high-speed electric fan (V), roughly 20,000 RPM, that blows air towards the heating element (T) and thus inside the oven (F).

The rotor (V1) of said electric fan (V) is made of metal, so that it can better withstand the heat produced by the heating element (T).

In the upper part of the oven (F) there is a delivery chute (U) for the popcorn being made. Said chute (U) has the generic shape of an inverted U, where one of its ends is flared and positioned on the top edge of the oven (F) and the other end leads to the front of the case (I), where the tub (B) for collecting the popcorn produced is positioned.

Inside the case (I), alongside and above the oven (F), there is a container (S) for the maize grains. Said container has a generically hopper-like shape and is open at the top for loading the maize grains.

The lower end of the container (S) is connected to the inside of the oven (F) via a terminal duct closed by an electric gate valve (X).

Inside the case (I) there is also at least one container (A1) (A2) that contains salted or sweetened water, complete with the related electric pumps (P1, P2).

Said electric pumps (P1, P2) are connected by means of hoses (P1a)

(P2a) to two corresponding sprayers or atomizers (Y1 , Y2) located on the popcorn delivery chute (U), preferably in a raised position. On the front of the case (I) there is at least one on/off button or switch

(M1), at least two control buttons (M2.1, M2.2) for the electric pumps

(P) and possibly also a coin slot. Inserting a coin and operating the on/off switch (M1) enables both the heating element (T) and the electric fan (V), and consequently also the timer-controlled opening of the electric gate valve (X) on the maize grain container (S). A predefined quantity of maize grains is thus released from the container (S) into the oven (F) and is heated as necessary until it turns into popcorn.

The airflow generated by the electric fan (V) is heated as it passes through the heating element (T) and moves the maize grains inside the oven (F). As each grain of maize bursts to become popcorn, it increases in volume and the airflow carries it through the delivery chute

(U) to the tub (B) below.

By pressing one of the buttons (M2.1, M2.2), the user enables one of the two electric pumps (P1, P2), so as to deliver the desired amount of salted or sweetened water through the sprayers or atomizers (Y1 , Y2) located on the chute (U) as the popcorn is carried by the airflow to the exit via said delivery chute (U).

The new machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn will presumably be equipped with a timer, in order to turn off the heating element (T) and electric fan (V), or to trigger another opening of the electric gate valve (X) to load another portion of maize grains in the oven (F).

After making the required amount of popcorn, when the heating element

(T) is turned off, the speed of the electric fan (V) increases to about 28,000 RPM, so as to increase the amount of air passing through the heating element (T) and into the oven (F) in order to cool both the heating element (T) and the oven (F). The new machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn offers considerable advantages.

The maize for preparing the popcorn is kept in a specific container (S), and maybe also in an additional container (S'), so there is no need for the user to look for the maize package and take out the right amount of grains each time.

The quantity of maize grains needed to prepare a portion of popcorn is predefined and is automatically delivered into the oven (F), thanks to the timer-controlled opening of the electric valve (X). The user consequently does not have to worry about loading too many or too few maize grains in the oven (F).

The optional salting or sweetening of the popcorn produced is done simply by pressing a button. The electric pumps (P1, P2) draw a given quantity of salted or sweetened water from their respective containers (A1 , A2) and spray it over the popcorn that has just been prepared and is still warm: the salt or sweetener dissolved in the water penetrate the popcorn, while the water evaporates due to the heat of the popcorn.

The user does not have to look for the salt or sugar and sprinkle it on the popcorn. The popcorn is evenly salted or sweetened because the nebulized water adds the salt or sweetener as the popcorn is being made and delivered through the chute (U).

The high power of the heating element (T) quickly brings the oven (F) up to working temperature. The metal mesh grid (G) does not involve any high production costs.

Being made of metal, the rotor (V1) of the electric fan (V) can withstand the temperature in and around the oven (F). The forced airflow continues for a preset period of time even after turning off the appliance, quickly cooling both the oven (F) and the machine as a whole, thus avoiding the risk of burning the skin or overheating in components adjacent to the oven (F). In addition, this continuous airflow inside the oven (F) enables any unpopped maize grains that may be stuck to the walls of the oven (F) to be detached and removed.

This is just a schematic outline sufficient for an expert to construct the device, so there could be variations in its practical application without their interfering with the fundamental content of the innovative concept. Therefore, with reference to the above description and to the attached drawing, the following claims are put forth.

Claims

1. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn comprising an oven (F), characterized in that in its bottom (F1) there are a separation grid (G), a heating element (T) with holes (T1) and an electric fan (V), and wherein the grid (G), the heating element (T) and the electric fan (V) are basically positioned along the same axis.

2. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn, characterized in that said axis of the grid (G), heating element (T) and electric fan (V) is coaxial to the axis of the oven (F).

3. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn, characterized in that, above the oven (F), it has a chute (U) for the delivery of the popcorn produced, which has the generic shape of an inverted U, where one of its ends is flared and positioned on the upper edge of the oven (F) and the other end leads to the front of the case (I), where the tub (B) for collecting the popcorn produced is positioned.

4. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to claims 1 , 2, 3, characterized in that it has a container (A1) for salted or sweetened water complete with an electric pump (P1) connected by a hose (P1a) to a sprayer or atomizer (Y1) located on the popcorn delivery chute (U).

5. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to claim 4, characterized in that the container (A1) for the salted or sweetened water forms the base of the machine's case (I).

6. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to claims 4, 5, characterized in that the electric pump (P1) is controlled by the user by means of a button (M2.1) located on the front of the machine's case (I).

7. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to claims 4, 5, 6, characterized in that it has an additional container (A2) for sweetened or salted water with an electric pump (P2) connected by a hose (P2a) to an additional sprayer or atomizer (Y2) located on the popcorn delivery chute (U).

8. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to claim 7, characterized in that said electric pump (P2) is controlled by the user by means of a button (M2.2) located on the front of the machine's case (I).

9. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that it has a container (S) for holding the maize grains, generically of a hopper-like shape, the lower end of which is connected to the inside of the oven (F) by a terminal duct closed by a timer-controlled electric gate valve (X).

10. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that it has an additional container (S') for holding maize grains, preferably located above the first container (S).

11. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that the heating element (T) is a high-power element.

12. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that it has a metal mesh grid (G) located inside the oven (F) above the heating element (T).

13. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that the rotor (V1) of the electric fan (V) is made of metal.

14. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that the electric fan (V) turns at high speed.

15. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that, at the end of a popcorn- making cycle, after the heating element has been turned off, the electric fan (V) turns at a speed higher than during the heating phase for a preset period of time, in order to cool the heating element (T) and the oven (F).

16. Machine for the preparation and distribution of popcorn according to the previous claims, characterized in that it has a coin acceptor to enable the machine to be turned on, to produce and deliver a portion of popcorn.