US 5,305,687 AGranted

Popcorn ball forming apparatus

OwnerJesse D. Cantrell, Hilda J. Cantrellinventors

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Abstract

First and second semi-spherical molds are arranged for securement relative to one another in a mirror image relationship to receive and mold a popcorn ball workpiece therewithin. The first and second semi-spherical molds include respective first and second handle members that are arranged in a radially oriented relationship relative to the first and second molds and are diametrically aligned when the first and second molds are secured together.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A popcorn ball forming apparatus, comprising,

a first semi-spherical mold arranged for securement to a second semi-spherical mold, wherein the first semi-spherical mold includes a first handle fixedly mounted medially of and radially aligned relative to the first semi-spherical mold, and a second handle mounted medially and fixedly in a radial orientation relative to the second semi-spherical mold permitting securement and positioning of the first semi-spherical mold in a mirror image relationship relative to the second semi-spherical mold, and
the first semi-spherical mold includes a first stepped annular entrance wall, with the second mold having a second complementarily stepped entrance wall received within the first stepped annular entrance wall, and
the first mold includes a first hinge plate, the second mold includes a second hinge plate, wherein the first hinge plate is mounted in adjacency to the first entrance wall, having a first hinge plate loop, and the second hinge plate positioned in adjacency relative to the second entrance wall includes a plurality of second hinge plate loops, and a hinge pin is arranged for slidable reception through the first hinge plate loop and the second hinge plate loop to hingedly secure the first mold to the second mold, and
a spring-biased latch plate mounted to the second mold in adjacency to the second entrance wall, with the latch plate mounted in a diametrically oriented relationship relative to the second hinge plate, and a locking lug fixedly mounted to the first mold in a diametrically opposed orientation relative to the first hinge plate arranged for reception through the latch plate, and
an annular array of flavor injector housing members mounted to the second mold in adjacency to the second entrance wall, wherein each of the injector housings include a threaded boss, each threaded boss coaxially aligned relative to an injector port directed through the second mold, and an injector housing component received medially of and coaxially aligned through the threaded boss for fluid communication with the port to direct fluid through the port.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A popcorn ball forming apparatus, comprising,

a first semi-spherical mold arranged for securement to a second semi-spherical mold, wherein the first semi-spherical mold includes a first handle fixedly mounted medially of and radially aligned relative to the first semi-spherical mold, and a second handle mounted medially and fixedly in a radial orientation relative to the second semi-spherical mold permitting securement and positioning of the first semi-spherical mold in a mirror image relationship relative to the second semi-spherical mold, and
the first semi-spherical mold includes a first stepped annular entrance wall, with the second mold having a second complementarily stepped entrance wall received within the first stepped annular entrance wall, and
the first mold includes a first hinge plate, the second mold includes a second hinge plate, wherein the first hinge plate is mounted in adjacency to the first entrance wall, having a first hinge plate loop, and the second hinge plate positioned in adjacency relative to the second entrance wall includes a plurality of second hinge plate loops, and a hinge pin is arranged for slidable reception through the first hinge plate loop and the second hinge plate loop to hingedly secure the first mold to the second mold, and
a spring-biased latch plate mounted to the second mold in adjacency to the second entrance wall, with the latch plate mounted in a diametrically oriented relationship relative to the second hinge plate, and a locking lug fixedly mounted to the first mold in a diametrically opposed orientation relative to the first hinge plate arranged for reception through the latch plate, and
an annular array of flavor injector housing members mounted to the second mold in adjacency to the second entrance wall, wherein each of the injector housings include a threaded boss, each threaded boss coaxially aligned relative to an injector port directed through the second mold, and an injector housing component received medially of and coaxially aligned through the threaded boss for fluid communication with the port to direct fluid through the port.

2 more elements