TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Food dispensing apparatus which dispense drink and food in places where the owner or proprietor of the premises does not wish to become directly involved in the sale of the goods are becoming increasingly popular.

Vending machines for drinks and foods are now located in many sports clubs, hotels, shopping malls and the like. The refurbishing of stocks in the machine is usually the responsibility of an outside party.

Trends today are also towards fresh foods.

Popcorn is a popular confectionery. Popcorn is a food which tastes better fresh and people who enjoy popcorn generally prefer to have it flavoured.

One object of the present invention to provide a popcorn dispensing apparatus which can be installed in premises with minimal supervision being required by the owner of the premises.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a popcorn making and dispensing machine which allows customers to see the popcorn being processed within the machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide flavouring accessories for use with a popcorn dispensing apparatus, and for general purpose usage.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided popcorn cooking and dispensing apparatus comprising a storage device for unpopped corn communicable with at least one elongate conveying and heating device which conveys and heats unpopped corn grains received from the storage device and a collection device below the conveying and heating device from which popped corn can be recovered.

The conveying and heating device can comprise a rotatable elongate auger and means for supporting corn grains with respect to a spiral groove in the auger the arrangement being such that rotation of the auger results in elongate transposition of the grains as the grain is heated.

The storage device can be positioned above the conveying and heating apparatus the storage device including guide means for delivering individual corn grains to the conveying and heating device.

The guide means for delivering individual grains to the conveying and heating apparatus can include a conduit.

The storage device can comprise a hopper for storing corn grains the hopper having upstanding sides, an apertured base and includes a reciprocating device comprising upper and lower plates positioned to either side of the base, the upper and lower plates having misaligned apertures therein, and means for reciprocating the upper and lower plates so that the apertures in the upper plates collect individual corn grains on an outward stroke and on an inward stroke delivers the grains to the said

guide means via the apertured base and a co-operating aperture in the lower plate.

The apparatus may include an oil applicator which is positioned beneath the collection device the oil applicator including means for conveying popped corn therethrough and means for delivering oiled popped corn to the collection device.

The oil applicator device can comprise an elongate tube supported for and rotatable within the apparatus said tube being positioned adjacent said collection device and extending longitudinally therewith, projecting spirals on the outer and inner surfaces of the tube, injector or other means for supplying oil or another coating onto the interiors of the elongate tube and an opening in the tube through which popped corn can pass into the interiors of the tube, the arrangement being such that the spirals on the outside of the tube transpose popped corn in one direction to the opening(s) in the tube and in another direction to the collection device.

The present invention also provides apparatus for removing discrete material from a container comprising support means for supporting a container, a slide for advancing on a wall of a container supported by said support means to pierce it and to capture a quantity of material from the within the container, means for effecting withdraw of the slide and release means for releasing a quantity of the material from the slide via said support means.

The slide can be spring loaded.

The support means can comprise a base member, a primary cutting device supported by the base member, an upright support for the wall of a container positioned on the base and a slide accommodating passage.

The cutting portion of the slide is provided with a full depth collection and dispersal aperture.

BRTKF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1: is a diagrammatic perspective view of a popcorn making machine in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 2: is a diagrammatic perspective view of a conveying and heating element of the apparatus of Figure 1, and

Figures 3 & 3a: are diagrammatic side and sectional views of an oil applicator accessory for apparatus of the present invention, and

Figures 4. 4a and 4b: are diagrammatic sectional views of a hopper device of the present invention, and

Figures 5. 5a. 6. 7 & 8 are diagrammatic perspective and sectional views of a powder dispenser accessory for the apparatus of the present invention, and

REST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With respect to Figures 1 to 3A of the drawings the present invention provides a popcorn dispensing apparatus generally indicated by arrow 1 comprising a body 2 including a hopper generally indicated by arrow 3 for

unpopped corn, conveyor and heating means generally indicated by arrow 4 for conveying the unpopped corn whilst heating same and a collection area 5 beneath the conveyor and heating means.

The body 2 is provided with end walls 6 and 7 and front and rear walls (not shown).

The body 2 may include a viewing window (not shown) as part of or comprising the front wall.

End wall 6 may have associated therewith the hopper 3 for unpopped corn which admits the unpopped corn onto the conveyor and heating means 4. Beneath the conveyor and heating means base plate 8 and a collection chute 9 in the base of the apparatus.

Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates a single element of the conveyor and heating means 4, the element comprising auger 10 independently supported rods 11 which are positioned adjacent the auger 10, driving shaft 12 and auger supports 13.

The auger 10 includes a continuous spiral groove 14 to which unpopped grains of corn are fed from hopper 3 via conduits 15. As each grain of corn is fed it is transposed as illustrated by the auger groove 14 and heated by the auger 10 a device within the auger and/or the rods 11 and at "popping" will fall towards the collection area 5. As illustrated a number of the elements are provided all of which can be driven by a motor (not shown) and belt 16 at similar speeds.

Means such as electric or gas heating elements (not shown) are provided for heating the auger elements 10 and/or the rods 11.

An oil applicator device generally indicated by arrow 17 can be placed at the interface of collection area 5 and plate 8. The applicator comprises a tube with external and internal coils 18, 19. The external coil 18 will drive popped corn 20 along interface 21 and when it reaches the end 22 the corn 20 will fall into tube 17 via openings 23. The internal coils 19 transport the corn 20 in an opposite direction throughout the tube 17. Driven shaft 24 supports the tube 17 by via cross members 25.

A nozzle 26 supplies oil to the base of tube 17 as required.

With respect to figures 4, 4a and 4c of the drawings, a hopper device of the present invention generally indicated by arrow 30 having upstanding sides 31, an apertured base 32 and a reciprocating device generally indicated by arrow 33 comprising upper and lower plates 34, 35 to either side of the base the upper and lower plates 34, 35 having mis-aligned apertures 36 therein, and a rotating plate 37 and a connecting pivoted arm 38 for reciprocating the upper and lower plates 34, 35. On an outward stroke (figure 4) apertures 36 in the upper plate 34 collect individual corn grains 39 and on an inward stroke (figure 4a) deliver the grains 39 to conduits 15 via the apertured base 32 and the lower plate 35. The conduits 15 deliver individual corn grains to auger 10 as indicated by figures 1 and 2. Strategically placed brushes 34a can be positioned above the apertures 36 so that on the inward stroke only single grains 39 have access to apertures 36.

Figures 5 to 8 of the drawings illustrate in various modes a device for removing flavouring for popped corn from a container such as a TETRA PAK TM, generally indicated by arrow 40 comprising support means generally indicated by arrow 41 for the pack 40, a slide generally indicated by arrow 42 for advancing on the container 40 piercing it, and for

capturing a quantity of material from the container, biasing means 43 for withdrawing the slide 42, and release dispensing means for releasing a quantity of material from the slide.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the device, and shown support 41 which may include a number of positions for supporting the TETRAPAK'S 40 and one or more devices for removing flavouring from a container and the drawing is therefor illustrative only.

The slide 42 and the manner in which it can be supported by support means 41 is illustrated by figures 5 to 8. Figures 6 and 7 show how a TETRAPAK 40 is supported by support means 41 and shows that the TETRA PAK 40 is loaded in position on the opposite side of a wall 45 adjacent to base 46.

The slide 42 is reciprocal between upper and lower members 47, 48. The lower member 48 having a sharpened knife end 49 which is used to pierce the wall 50 of the TETRA PAK 40 when it is loaded on the support means 41. Once the device is positioned in a display or dispensing position in relation to support means 41 the slide 42 can be reciprocated back and forth between members 47, 48.

Upon outward movement of the slide 42 a cavity 51 is filled with discrete flavouring material as dispenses the material via opening 52 (figure 7) in the lower member 46. A biasing device 43 which can include a compression spring 53 biases the slide 42 away from the container after cavity 51 is refilled by material from within the TETRA PAK 40.

The opening in the wall 45 of the pack may be sealed by a compressible member 54.

The slide 42 can be provided with a stop 55 which controls the depth that it enters the container 40.

The biasing means 43 can comprise a spring 53 housed within a tube 57 supported by the upper member 47.

A pin 58 is fixed to the slide 42 and behind the spring 53 the arrangement causing the spring to compress when the slide 42 is on an inward stroke and then acts to return the slide to its out-ward position.

Figure 8 which is a partial sectional and plan view shows possible shapes of the knife 49 and cavity 51 and that the knife is provided with a cutting blade portion 49a.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.