Patent US3882255A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3882255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for preparing flavored popcorn
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-05-03
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A method for preparing popcorn containing no cooking oil residue and flavored with one or more selected flavorings. A dry cooking technique is employed for popping and cooking the corn kernels, and flavoring substances are applied to the cooked popcorn as it is dispensed and in a manner to prevent contamination of the popcorn by undesired flavors.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Robert D Gorham
- 👤 Lawrence D Lorah
- 👤 Jr F Gordon Willis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:15
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/161; A23L7/191; A23L7/174; A23L7/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A METHOD FOR PREPARING POPCORN HAVING AT LEAST ONE SELECTED FLAVOR AND EMPLOYING A COOKING, FLAVORING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS AND INCLUDING THE STEPS OF: DRY COOKING KERNELS OF POPPABLE CORN IN A COOKING CHAMBER TO PROVIDE POPPED POPCORN HAVING NO COOKING OIL RESIDUE THEREON; DISPENSING SAID COOKED POPCORN FROM SAID COOKING CHAMBER INTO A FLAVORING CHAMBER AND CASING SAID POPCORN TO TRAVERSE A TRAVEL PATH ALONG WHICH SAID POPCORN IS PREVENTED FROM CONTACTING ANY SURFACE OF SAID FLAVORING CHAMBER; APPLYING AT LEAST ONE SELECTED FLAVORING SUBSTANCE TO THE COOKED POPCORN AT A LOCATION WITHIN SAID FLAVORING CHAMBER AND ALONG SAID TRAVEL PATH; AND DISPENSING THE FLAVORED POPCORN THROUGH A DISPENSING CHANNEL DEFINED BY SAID TRAVEL PATH WHEREBY SAID COOKED FLAVORED POPCORN DIES NOT CONTACT THE WALLS OF SAID DISPENSING CHANNEL THEREBY PREVENTING CONTAMINATION OF THE DISPENSING CHANNEL BY THE FLAVORING SUBSTANCE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A METHOD FOR PREPARING POPCORN HAVING AT LEAST ONE SELECTED FLAVOR AND EMPLOYING A COOKING, FLAVORING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS AND INCLUDING THE STEPS OF: DRY COOKING KERNELS OF POPPABLE CORN IN A COOKING CHAMBER TO PROVIDE POPPED POPCORN HAVING NO COOKING OIL RESIDUE THEREON; DISPENSING SAID COOKED POPCORN FROM SAID COOKING CHAMBER INTO A FLAVORING CHAMBER AND CASING SAID POPCORN TO TRAVERSE A TRAVEL PATH ALONG WHICH SAID POPCORN IS PREVENTED FROM CONTACTING ANY SURFACE OF SAID FLAVORING CHAMBER; APPLYING AT LEAST ONE SELECTED FLAVORING SUBSTANCE TO THE COOKED POPCORN AT A LOCATION WITHIN SAID FLAVORING CHAMBER AND ALONG SAID TRAVEL PATH; AND DISPENSING THE FLAVORED POPCORN THROUGH A DISPENSING CHANNEL DEFINED BY SAID TRAVEL PATH WHEREBY SAID COOKED FLAVORED POPCORN DIES NOT CONTACT THE WALLS OF SAID DISPENSING CHANNEL THEREBY PREVENTING CONTAMINATION OF THE DISPENSING CHANNEL BY THE FLAVORING SUBSTANCE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 1 wherein the step of dry cooking includes applying microwave energy and heat to the corn kernels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 1 wherein the step of dry cooking includes applying microwave energy and heat to the corn kernels and removing excess during cooking.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 1 and including the steps of: storing the popcorn after dry cooking; and removing prior to the dispensing of said popcorn excess moisture formed therein during cooking and storage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 1 and wherein before said step of applying at least one selected flavoring substance there are included the steps of: applying an electrical charge of a first polarity to the popcorn; and applying an electrical charge of a second polarity to said at least one selectable flavoring substance; and wherein said applying step includes the step of causing said at least one charged flavoring substance to be distributed onto the surface of said popcorn for adherence thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 5 and including the step of adding moisture to the popcorn before charging and flavoring thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 6 and including the step of removing excess moisture from the flavored popcorn.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 1 and further comprising the step of packaging the flavored popcorn in a dispensing container concurrently with the dispensing thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 8 wherein step of applying said at least one selected flavoring substance to the cooked popcorn occurs at a predetermined travel path lying substantially within said dispensing container.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for preparing popcorn having selectable flavors and employing a cooking, flavoring and dispensing apparatus and including the steps of: dry cooking kernels of poppable corn in a cooking chamber to provide popped popcorn having no cooking oil residue thereon; storing said cooked popcorn; storing a plurality of selectable flavoring substances; dispensing said cooked popcorn into a flavoring chamber and causing it to traverse a travel path along which said popcorn is prevented from contacting any surface of said flavoring chamber; applying at least one of said selectable flavoring substances to respective quantities of said popcorn at a location within said flavoring chamber and along said travel path; and dispensing the flavored popcorn through a dispensing channel defined by said travel path whereby the cooked flavored popcorn does not contact the walls of said dispensing channel thereby preventing contamination of said dispensing channel by the flavoring substance and preventing consequent contamination of the flavored popcorn by spurious flavoring substances.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for preparing popcorn having selectable flavors and employing a cooking, flavoring and dispensing apparatus and including the steps of: dry cooking kernels of poppable corn in a cooking chamber to provide popped popcorn having no cooking oil residue thereon; storing said cooked popcorn; storing a plurality of selectable flavoring substances; dispensing said cooked popcorn into a flavoring chamber and causing it to traverse a travel path along which said popcorn is prevented from contacting any surface of said flavoring chamber; applying at least one of said selectable flavoring substances to respective quantities of said popcorn at a location within said flavoring chamber and along said travel path; and dispensing the flavored popcorn through a dispensing channel defined by said travel path whereby the cooked flavored popcorn does not contact the walls of said dispensing channel thereby preventing contamination of said dispensing channel by the flavoring substance and preventing consequent contamination of the flavored popcorn by spurious flavoring substances.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 10 wherein the step of dry cooking includes applying microwave energy and heat to the corn kernels and removing excess moisture formed during cooking.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 10 and further including the step of removing excess moisture formed during cooking and storage of said popcorn.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 10 and further including the following steps: adding moisture to respective quantities of stored popcorn; applying an electrical charge of a first polarity to respective quantities of stored moistened popcorn; and applying an electrical charge of a second polarity to said at least one selectable flavoring substance; and wherein said step of applying said at least one flavoring substance includes the step of causing said at least one charged flavoring substance to be distributed onto the surfaces of said respective quantities of charged popcorn for adherence thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for preparing popcorn according to claim 13 and further including the step of removing excess moisture from said respective quantities of flavored popcorn prior to the dispensing thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |