US4850120A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Popcorn warming apparatus
Assignee: SIX CORNERS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY 34 SPRAGUE AVENUE AMITYVILLE NEW YORK 11701 A NY PARTNERSHIP
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Filing: 1987-12-16
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Granted: 1989-07-25
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Expires: 2007-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A food storage and warming apparatus comprising a first compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature; a second compartment for holding a plurality of individualized food portions; an air heating device for warming the first compartment; a heat transfer plate having apertures which allow heated air to flow from the first compartment to the second compartment for warming thereof; and means for returning heated air from the second compartment to the first compartment to recycle the heated air, thus conserving energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew M. Stein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:59
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J39/00; A47J39/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A food storage, display and warming apparatus comprising: a first storage compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature and including means for accessing said bulk food therein; a second storage and display compartment for holding and displaying a plurality of individualized food portions and including means for viewing and accessing said individualized food portions; means for warming said first storage compartment; a common wall member between said first and second compartments and having means for allowing heated air to travel from said first compartment to said second compartment; and a conduit for returning heated air from an upper portion of said second compartment to said first compartment; wherein said first and second compartments can be separately accessed so that escape of heated air from said compartments can be minimized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A food storage, display and warming apparatus comprising: a first storage compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature and including means for accessing said bulk food therein; a second storage and display compartment for holding and displaying a plurality of individualized food portions and including means for viewing and accessing said individualized food portions; means for warming said first storage compartment; a common wall member between said first and second compartments and having means for allowing heated air to travel from said first compartment to said second compartment; and a conduit for returning heated air from an upper portion of said second compartment to said first compartment; wherein said first and second compartments can be separately accessed so that escape of heated air from said compartments can be minimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second compartment includes a plurality of shelves for supporting said individualized food portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said shelves each include a plurality of apertures for enabling heated air to pass therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said warming means is located upon a wall of said first compartment and includes means for heating air therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit contains blower means for heating air therein for warming said first compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said conduit contains a blower therein for circulating said air from said second compartment to said first compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first storage means is located below said second storage means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first compartment is larger than said second compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first compartment further comprises means for directing bulk food therein independently of said access means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
A food storage, display and warming apparatus comprising: a first storage compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature and including means for accessing said bulk food therein; a second storage and display compartment for holding and displaying a plurality of individualized food portions and including means for viewing and accessing said individualized food portions therein; means for heating air in said first storage compartment for warming said bulk food to said predetermined temperature; a common wall connecting said first and second storage compartments and including means to enable heated air in said first storage compartment to pass into said second storage compartment; and a conduit for returning heated air from said second storage compartment to said first storage compartment; wherein said first and second compartments can be separately accessed so that escape of heated air from said compartments can be minimized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
A food storage, display and warming apparatus comprising: a first storage compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature and including means for accessing said bulk food therein; a second storage and display compartment for holding and displaying a plurality of individualized food portions and including means for viewing and accessing said individualized food portions therein; means for heating air in said first storage compartment for warming said bulk food to said predetermined temperature; a common wall connecting said first and second storage compartments and including means to enable heated air in said first storage compartment to pass into said second storage compartment; and a conduit for returning heated air from said second storage compartment to said first storage compartment; wherein said first and second compartments can be separately accessed so that escape of heated air from said compartments can be minimized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second compartment includes a plurality of shelves for supporting said individualized food portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said shelves each includes a plurality of apertures for enabling heated air to pass therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said conduit contains blower means for circulating said air from said second storage compartment to said first storage compartment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said conduit further contains means for heating air therein for warming said first compartment wherein all air in said conduit must pass through said heating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first compartment is larger than said second compartment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first compartment further comprises means for directing bulk food therein independently of said access means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said heating means is located upon an inner sidewall of said first compartment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
177 words
A food storage, display and warming apparatus comprising: a first storage compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature and including means for accessing said bulk food therein; a second storage compartment located above said first storage compartment for holding and displaying a plurality of individualized food portions therein and including means for viewing and accessing said individualized food portions therein; means for heating and directing air into said first storage compartment for warming said bulk food to said predetermined temperature; a common wall connecting said first and second storage compartments and including means to enable heated air in said first storage compartment to pass into said second storage compartment; and a conduit for returning heated air from said second storage compartment to said first storage compartment, said heating means forming a portion of said conduit wherein all air in said conduit must pass through said heating means; wherein said first and second compartments can be separately accessed so that escape of heated air from said compartments can be minimized.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
177 words
A food storage, display and warming apparatus comprising: a first storage compartment for holding an amount of bulk food at a predetermined temperature above room temperature and including means for accessing said bulk food therein; a second storage compartment located above said first storage compartment for holding and displaying a plurality of individualized food portions therein and including means for viewing and accessing said individualized food portions therein; means for heating and directing air into said first storage compartment for warming said bulk food to said predetermined temperature; a common wall connecting said first and second storage compartments and including means to enable heated air in said first storage compartment to pass into said second storage compartment; and a conduit for returning heated air from said second storage compartment to said first storage compartment, said heating means forming a portion of said conduit wherein all air in said conduit must pass through said heating means; wherein said first and second compartments can be separately accessed so that escape of heated air from said compartments can be minimized.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said second compartment includes a plurality of shelves for supporting said individualized food portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said shelves each includes a plurality of apertures for enabling heated air to pass therethrough.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said conduit contains blower means for circulating said air from said second storage compartment to said first storage compartment.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first and second storage means each includes means for access thereinto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first compartment further comprises means for heating air located upon an inner sidewall thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said first compartment is larger than said second compartment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said first compartment further comprises means for directing bulk food therein independently of said access means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |