Popcorn heating device

• US 7,034,256 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard D. Phillips
• Original Assignee: Richard D. Phillips
• Inventors: Phillips, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuqua, Shawntina
• Application Number:
  US10/941,959
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 219385-387, 219/432, 219528-529, 219/548, 126/261, 126/266, 383/14, 383/97, 383/101, 383/110
• US Class Current: 219/432
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/04 the materials being non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/2483 with electrical heating means

Abstract

A popcorn heating device includes a bag member, a receptacle removably connectable therewith and having a top portion including inner and outer layers and a medially disposed heat-retaining layer. The device further includes a mechanism for electrically heating the receptacle and the bag member. The heating mechanism includes a base member having at least one electrical conductor including a plurality of conducting posts. The base member further includes a first switch for toggling at least one electrical conductor between on and off positions and a second switch for controlling the temperature of at least one electrical conductor. A plurality of heating elements are electrically coupled to the plurality of conducting posts and a plug provided for electrically coupling the base member to a power source.

Claims

1. A popcorn heating device for keeping popcorn warm after popping, said device comprising:

a bag member having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and top and bottom portions, said top portion having an aperture formed therein for receiving and storing popcorn within said bag member;

a receptacle having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion removably connectable therewith and extending substantially vertically therefrom, said bottom portion including a plurality of locking members oppositely disposed about a perimeter thereof, said top portion comprising inner and outer layers and a heat-retaining layer wherein said inner and outer layers are spaced apart for defining a gap therebetween and for housing said heat-retaining layer therein, said top portion further having a drawstring disposed about a perimeter of said top portion for allowing a user to selectively adapt the top portion about said bag member and for assisting to maintain thermal contact with said bag member; and

means for electrically heating said receptacle and said bag member wherein heat energy is transferred throughout an interior volume of said bag member for maintaining popcorn at a predetermined temperature.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said bag member is formed from flexible and washable material.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said bottom portion of said receptacle is formed from non-corrosive material and said top portion of said receptacle is formed from flexible and woven fabric.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises:

a base member having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces, said base member comprising at least one electrical conductor for receiving a plurality of conducting posts integral with said bottom portion of said receptacle and extending vertically downwards therefrom;

a plurality of fastening members removably engageable with said plurality of lock members for securing said base member to said bottom portion of said receptacle;

a plurality of heating elements electrically coupled to said plurality of conducting posts and spaced within the gap; and

a plug for electrically coupling said base member to a power source.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said base member further comprises:

a first switch for toggling said at least one electrical conductor between on and off positions;

a first light emitting diode electrically coupled to said switch and being illuminable when said switch is toggled to an on position;

a re-chargeable battery pack;

a plurality of outlets electrically coupled thereto, one said plurality of outlets for electrically coupling said re-chargeable battery pack to a power source, another said plurality of outlets for electrically coupling said at least one electrical conductor to a power source;

a second light emitting diode electrically coupled to said re-chargeable battery pack, said second diode being illuminable when said rechargeable battery pack is electrically coupled to a power source; and

a second switch for controlling the temperature of said at least one electrical conductor, said switch being selectively adjustable between a plurality of predetermined temperature positions.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein said plug is electrically coupled to a vehicle 12-volt receptacle.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein said plug is electrically coupled to an AC/DC outlet.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said receptacle has a height less than a height of said bag member so that a user can readily access popcorn stored within said bag member during operating conditions.

9. A popcorn heating device for keeping popcorn warm after popping, said device comprising:

a bag member having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and top and bottom portions, said top portion having an aperture formed therein for receiving and storing popcorn within said bag member, said bag member being formed from flexible and washable material;

a receptacle having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion removably connectable therewith and extending substantially vertically therefrom, said bottom portion including a plurality of locking members oppositely disposed about a perimeter thereof, said top portion comprising inner and outer layers and a heat-retaining layer wherein said inner and outer layers are spaced apart for defining a gap therebetween and for housing said heat-retaining layer therein, said top portion further including a drawstring disposed about a perimeter of said top portion for allowing a user to selectively adapt the top portion about said bag member and for assisting to maintain thermal contact with said bag member; and

means for electrically heating said receptacle and said bag member wherein heat energy is transferred throughout an interior volume of said bag member for maintaining popcorn at a predetermined temperature.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said bottom portion of said receptacle is formed from non-corrosive material and said top portion of said receptacle is formed from flexible and woven fabric.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said heating means comprises:

a base member having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces, said base member comprising at least one electrical conductor for receiving a plurality of conducting posts integral with said bottom portion of said receptacle and extending vertically downwards therefrom;

a plurality of fastening members removably engageable with said plurality of lock members for securing said base member to said bottom portion of said receptacle;

a plurality of heating elements electrically coupled to said plurality of conducting posts and spaced within the gap; and

a plug for electrically coupling said base member to a power source.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said base member further comprises:

a first switch for toggling said at least one electrical conductor between on and off positions;

a first light emitting diode electrically coupled to said switch and being illuminable when said switch is toggled to an on position;

a re-chargeable battery pack;

a plurality of outlets electrically coupled thereto, one said plurality of outlets for electrically coupling said re-chargeable battery pack to a power source, another said plurality of outlets for electrically coupling said at least one electrical conductor to a power source;

a second light emitting diode electrically coupled to said re-chargeable battery pack, said second diode being illuminable when said re-chargeable battery pack is electrically coupled to a power source; and

a second switch for controlling the temperature of said at least one electrical conductor, said switch being selectively adjustable between a plurality of predetermined temperature positions.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said plug is electrically coupled to a vehicle 12-volt receptacle.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein said plug is electrically coupled to an AC/DC outlet.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein said receptacle has a height less than a height of said bag member so that a user can readily access popcorn stored within said bag member during operating conditions.

16. A popcorn heating device for keeping popcorn warm after popping, said device comprising:

a bag member having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and top and bottom portions, said top portion having an aperture formed therein for receiving and storing popcorn within said bag member, said bag member being formed from flexible and washable material;

a receptacle having a closed bottom portion and an open top portion removably connectable therewith and extending substantially vertically therefrom, said bottom portion including a plurality of locking members oppositely disposed about a perimeter thereof, said top portion comprising inner and outer layers and a heat-retaining layer wherein said inner and outer layers are spaced apart for defining a gap therebetween and for housing said heat-retaining layer therein, said top portion further having a drawstring disposed about a perimeter of said top portion for allowing a user to selectively adapt the top portion about said bag member and for assisting to maintain thermal contact with said bag member, said receptacle further having a height less than a height of said bag member so that a user can readily access popcorn stored within said bag member during operating conditions; and

means for electrically heating said receptacle and said bag member wherein heat energy is transferred throughout an interior volume of said bag member for maintaining popcorn at a predetermined temperature.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said bottom portion of said receptacle is formed from non-corrosive material and said top portion of said receptacle is formed from flexible and woven fabric.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein said heating means comprises:

a base member having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces, said base member comprising at least one electrical conductor for receiving a plurality of conducting posts integral with said bottom portion of said receptacle and extending vertically downwards therefrom;

a plurality of fastening members removably engageable with said plurality of lock members for securing said base member to said bottom portion of said receptacle;

a plurality of heating elements electrically coupled to said plurality of conducting posts and spaced within the gap; and

a plug for electrically coupling said base member to a power source.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said base member further comprises:

a first switch for toggling said at least one electrical conductor between on and off positions;

a first light emitting diode electrically coupled to said switch and being illuminable when said switch is toggled to an on position;

a re-chargeable battery pack;

a plurality of outlets electrically coupled thereto, one said plurality of outlets for electrically coupling said re-chargeable battery pack to a power source, another said plurality of outlets for electrically coupling said at least one electrical conductor to a power source;

a second light emitting diode electrically coupled to said rechargeable battery pack, said second diode being illuminable when said re-chargeable battery pack is electrically coupled to a power source; and

a second switch for controlling the temperature of said at least one electrical conductor, said switch being selectively adjustable between a plurality of predetermined temperature positions.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said plug is electrically coupled to a vehicle 12-volt receptacle.