Patent US3739953A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3739953A
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Popcorn oil metering device
Assignee: CRETORS AND CO
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Filing: 1971-08-27
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A popcorn oil metering device and method for delivering a predetermined volume of popping oil to a popper. Oil continuously pumped to a static head elevation controlled by an arched manifold rises through three-way valves to an equivalent head in a plurality of metering chambers prior to release into the popper by the three-way valve. The predetermined volume metered may be altered by the insertion of volume displacement washers in the metering chamber, adjusting metering chamber air vent capabilities, or varying arch manifold elevation which controls the static head elevation and level of rise in the metering chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 C Cretors
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:25
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/161; A23L7/174; A23L7/183; A23L7/187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
350 words
An oil metering apparatus for a popper means, which comprises: an oil reservoir containing oil; an oil inlet tube connected to said oil reservoir such that said oil inlet tube engages said oil; a pump means connected to said oil inlet tube such that said oil in said reservoir is forced to flow continuously from said oil reservoir through said oil inlet tube and said pump means; an oil manifold vessel defining an adjustable arched portion and valve feeder tube, connected to said pump means such that said oil flows into said oil manifold vessel and valve feeder tube to a static head elevation of said adjustable arched portion; a three-way valve with a charge and discharge mode of operation defining a discharge port, chamber port, and inlet port, connected to said valve feeder tube adjacent said inlet port such that said oil flows into said inlet port and outwardly through said chamber port when said three-way valve is in charge mode of operation; an oil discharge tube connected to said discharge port such that when said three-way valve is in discharge mode of operation, said oil may flow through said oil discharge tube into a popper means located therebelow; a chamber base connected to said chamber port; an oil volume displacement washer positioned on said chamber base whereby the oil volume is varied; an oil filler tube defining a lower and upper lateral aperture with the lower portion of said tube secured to said chamber base such that varying the elevation of said upper lateral aperture varies the oil volume metered; a metering chamber having a predetermined volume defining an air vent connector, outwardly concentric from said oil filler tube and said chamber secured to said chamber base and said filler tube secured to said air vent connector; an air vent tube secured to said air vent connector whereby air is vented and said oil rises from said metering chamber; and an oil return tube connected to said arched portion of said oil manifold vessel and disposed in said oil reservoir whereby excess oil is returned to said reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
350 words
An oil metering apparatus for a popper means, which comprises: an oil reservoir containing oil; an oil inlet tube connected to said oil reservoir such that said oil inlet tube engages said oil; a pump means connected to said oil inlet tube such that said oil in said reservoir is forced to flow continuously from said oil reservoir through said oil inlet tube and said pump means; an oil manifold vessel defining an adjustable arched portion and valve feeder tube, connected to said pump means such that said oil flows into said oil manifold vessel and valve feeder tube to a static head elevation of said adjustable arched portion; a three-way valve with a charge and discharge mode of operation defining a discharge port, chamber port, and inlet port, connected to said valve feeder tube adjacent said inlet port such that said oil flows into said inlet port and outwardly through said chamber port when said three-way valve is in charge mode of operation; an oil discharge tube connected to said discharge port such that when said three-way valve is in discharge mode of operation, said oil may flow through said oil discharge tube into a popper means located therebelow; a chamber base connected to said chamber port; an oil volume displacement washer positioned on said chamber base whereby the oil volume is varied; an oil filler tube defining a lower and upper lateral aperture with the lower portion of said tube secured to said chamber base such that varying the elevation of said upper lateral aperture varies the oil volume metered; a metering chamber having a predetermined volume defining an air vent connector, outwardly concentric from said oil filler tube and said chamber secured to said chamber base and said filler tube secured to said air vent connector; an air vent tube secured to said air vent connector whereby air is vented and said oil rises from said metering chamber; and an oil return tube connected to said arched portion of said oil manifold vessel and disposed in said oil reservoir whereby excess oil is returned to said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An oil metering apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein an oil volume displacement means is positioned on said chamber base for varying the volume of oil distributed to the popper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2565045A
Cited
US2951618A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |