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Device for packaging and cooking kernels of corn for making popcorn

Device for packaging and cooking kernels of corn for making popcorn description/claims

This invention relates to a device for packaging and cooking in particular kernels of corn for making popcorn. More generally, this device is suitable for all the foods whose cooking results in a significant increase in volume.

According to the document WO2004/032633, such a device is known that comprises a first container with—in the lower part—an essentially rigid base on top of which is a compensating zone that can occupy a first folded position in which it forms the cover of the base so as to delimit a restricted volume that is suited to kernels of corn and a second unfolded position in which it forms a tube that extends the lateral walls of the base so as to delimit a larger volume suited to the volume of the popcorn after cooking.

The compensating zone comprises four lateral walls in the extension of the lateral walls from the base, two opposite walls that are called retractable walls, comprising a median folding line that is parallel to the bottom at mid-height, and the other two opposite walls—called stiffening walls—comprising a first median folding line that is parallel to the bottom at mid-height and second cross-shaped folding lines.

The tube generally has a flared shape. To achieve the unfolding of the compensating zone, it is necessary to provide a cut—at the level of the stiffening walls at the median folding line—for allowing the unfolding of the compensating zone. Actually, it is not possible to pass from the folded state to the unfolded state without this cut.

To close the tube, the compensating zone comprises flaps in the upper part to make it possible to close the device.

According to this document, whereby the tube is not airtight due to the presence of cuts at the stiffening walls, the kernels of corn are placed in a small container and are covered by a film that is bonded with a thermosetting glue against the lateral walls of the small container, whereby the latter is placed in the first container whose restricted volume is suited to the small container.

During cooking, the kernels of corn pop and turn into popcorn. At the same time, the film disengages from the small container to release the popcorn.

Cooking is complete when all the kernels have popped and no more kernels can be heard popping.

Even if this packaging device is satisfactory, it can be improved.

According to a first drawback, it is necessary to provide two separate elements, namely a first container that forms a tube and a second container that forms a small container. For each, these two elements require a mechanical device for their production. Furthermore, during the production process, it is necessary to place the small container in the tube. This phase has to be performed by hand or requires complex mechanization.

According to another drawback, the film of the small container is mixed with popcorn at the end of the cooking, which is not very appetizing. Furthermore, this hot film can produce burns if the user takes it out too early or without protecting himself.

According to another drawback, the flexible film can bend during bonding with the small container so that the junction between the film and the small container is not perfect and can leave small gaps. These gaps can create leaks of fatty substances toward the outside that then saturate the first container or leaks of air toward the inside of the small container that then oxidize the foods, and the effect of this is a shortening of the expiration date for consumption.

Finally, according to a last drawback, whereby the microwave ovens that are used for cooking have disparate powers, it is difficult to determine a cooking time. For the moment, the user can only trust his ear and stop the cooking when he no longer hears the kernels popping. Also, there is no means for indicating, in a practical manner, the end of the cooking.

Also, this invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a device for packaging and cooking in particular for the kernels of corn, airtight, and making it possible to use it with no danger.

To this end, the invention has as its object a device for packaging and cooking that is suited to popcorn and that comprises an essentially rigid base in the lower part and a compensating zone, which can occupy a first folded position in which it forms a cover for the base so as to delimit a restricted volume and a second unfolded position in which it forms a tube so as to delimit a larger volume that is suited to the volume of the popcorn after cooking, in the upper part, characterized in that it is produced from a complex material that comprises a layer that is made of cardboard-type material to ensure the rigidity and a layer of flexible and airtight plastic material that is placed on the surface oriented toward the inside of the device, and in that it comprises a window at least at the level of a wall of the compensating zone, whereby the complex material does not have a layer that is made of cardboard-type material to the right of said at least one window.

This invention is described in detail opposite the accompanying drawings that show a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, whereby the figures correspond to

FIG. 1, a view of the device for the display and cooking of kernels of corn according to this invention, in the unfolded position,

FIG. 2, a view of this same device in folded position,

FIG. 3, a view of the upper part of the device after cooking,

FIG. 4, a section illustrating a sheet in which a panel is cut out to obtain the device according to the invention,

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