The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 25, 2010
Filed:
May. 11, 2005
Thomas Berger, Story City, IA (US);
Duane Bulanek, Marshalltown, IA (US);
Bruce Nemec, Madison, WI (US);
Jason Rohr, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Tad Upah, Marshalltown, IA (US);
Ryan Crist, East Troy, WI (US);
Milton Dallas, East Troy, WI (US);
Rizaldy Mata, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Thomas Berger, Story City, IA (US);
Duane Bulanek, Marshalltown, IA (US);
Bruce Nemec, Madison, WI (US);
Jason Rohr, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Tad Upah, Marshalltown, IA (US);
Ryan Crist, East Troy, WI (US);
Milton Dallas, East Troy, WI (US);
Rizaldy Mata, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Paragon International, Inc., Nevada, IA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus, method, and system of popping popcorn. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises a popcorn popper, a popped popcorn hopper and a dispensing mechanism in communication with the hopper. By actuation, the dispensing mechanism dispenses one or more servings from the hopper. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a dosing mechanism to provide sequential doses of unpopped corn to the popper to make a plurality of batches of popped popcorn. In another aspect of the invention, a sensor sensing when popped popcorn in the hopper exceeds a pre-determined level or amount and instigates a signal to actuate the dosing mechanism to fill the hopper. In a system according to the invention, a self-contained cabinet includes the popper, hopper, dispensing mechanism and dosing mechanism, as well as a control circuit and actuators to operate the dosing mechanism and dispensing mechanisms. A method according to the invention comprises sensing amount of popped corn in the hopper, if determined needed, adding a single dose of unpopped corn to a popper and filling the hopper, and rechecking amount of popped corn in the hopper periodically.