Patent Publication Number: US-2005139085-A1

Title: Kernal Catcher

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Prior attempts have been made to create a means whereby popcorn and other snack products can be eaten without having to use your fingers. Popcorn itself generally comprises a food products that contains surface grease that is undesirable for transfer to clothing and other items.  
      Prior art patents have shown an attempt to cure this problem, but have not been adequately incorporated together to work with a typical popcorn container such as a bag. One prior art patent of significance is U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,415 (Schreiber), which describes a funnel that is capable of being attached to the top of a popcorn container, where the container it self comprises a circular shaped cup. While this particular intervention works well with that type of popcorn container, it does not work with the more common popcorn container in use today, being a popcorn bag that is used in a microwave. Such popcorn bags are prepackaged, have a generally uniform size, and also contain copious amounts of buttery flavored oils. It is this type of food product that most needs some type of guard or protection from oil transference during eating, since these type of popcorn snack bags are often present in the workplace or around family furniture that is not conducive to having such oils transferred to them.  
      Wherefore, there exists a need for a funnel means that directs popcorn from a popcorn container such as a popcorn bag, and which protects the consumer from popcorn contact with the hands.  
      Further, it is the purpose of this invention to not only protects the consumer from needing to have hand contact with microwave popcorn, but also supplies a means whereby the unpopped popcorn kernels are separated from the popped popcorn before they make it to the consumer&#39;s mouth.  
      It is a further object and purpose of this invention to provide a means that is reusable over and over again with multiple microwave popcorn bags. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of the bag funnel assembly along with a bag.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bag final assembly, where the funnel portion has been inserted into the bag portion.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bag funnel assembly, in which the funnel portion has been inserted into the bag portion, with the sleeve reservoir positioned around the bag and funnel portion.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the arrangement of the bag funnel assembly, with the position of the funnel, reservoir and bag as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the arrangement of the bag funnel assembly, with the position of the funnel, reservoir and bag as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the arrangement of the bag funnel assembly, with the position of the funnel, reservoir and bag as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the sleeve reservoir.  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the funnel.  
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the funnel shown inserted inside the sleeve reservoir.  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the funnel, as seen from the front and top side of the funnel.  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the sleeve reservoir, as seen from the front and top side of said sleeve reservoir.  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the funnel, as seen from the back and left side of the funnel.  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the sleeve reservoir, as seen from the back and left side of the reservoir.  
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the funnel, as seen from the front and bottom side of said funnel, where multiple apertures are shown through the front portion of said funnel.  
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the funnel, as seen from the front and bottom side of said funnel, where a single slit is defined in the front portion of the funnel.  
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the sleeve, with a flap shown in an upward position.  
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the sleeve with the flap in a down position, placed over a funnel assembly.  
       FIG. 18  is a funnel, as seen from the top side, with the sleeve reservoir shown placed immediately adjacent and in front of the funnel, with the sides of the sleeve having an attachment hook on either side.  
       FIG. 19  is a funnel, as seen from the top side, with the sleeve reservoir shown placed over the funnel with the attachment hooks placed behind the funnel.  
       FIG. 19  is a view of the funnel, as seen from the back side, with the apertures comprising oval openings.  
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a sleeve and funnel, with the sleeve comprising a band.  
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a funnel with an elastic sleeve fitted around it.  
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the reservoir from the front side, in which the reservoir has an adjustable sleeve.  
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the reservoir from the back side, in which the reservoir has an adjustable sleeve.  
       FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the funnel, as seen from the rear, depicting oval shaped apertures. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      This intervention comprises a novel apparatus for use with a prepackaged bag of popcorn, such as the type typically sold in stores for home preparation in the microwave. This invention also is compatible with other popcorn containers, including those bags which receive pre-popped popcorn for individual retail sale.  
      When preparing prepackaged popcorn at home, and where using a microwave compatible bag, the act of consuming the popcorn without causing the spread of the oils and butter flavorings in an undesired manner is difficult to avoid. The problem of associated oils with the home bagged popcorn is due to the fact that a person eating this popcorn is often in close contact with cloth covered furniture, carpeting, furniture surfaces and clothing, or in the workplace around papers and other items that need to avoid contact with oils. The oils on the popcorn are readily transferred to a consumer&#39;s hand when they grab onto the popcorn, and which in turn is often then transferred unintentionally to the surfaces noted above.  
      Popcorn, due to its high volume and a low mass ratio is generally unsuitable for consumption using utensils. Using bare hands is the common method of transferring popcorn to the consumer&#39;s mouth. A common method of popcorn consumption, which attempts to avoid the accumulation of oil products on the consumer&#39;s hand, is done by simply tilting the bag or popcorn container, and letting popcorn exit through gravitational force directly into the consumer&#39;s mouth. It is similar to the same actions done while attempting to drink a glass of water.  
      A clear drawback to attempting to pour popcorn directly from the container into the mouth of a consumer is that popcorn does not tend to flow evenly, causing sporadic clumping of the popcorn during a pouring process. This causes popcorn and the oils on its surface, to spill and contact other items. In addition, popcorn that has been popped generally has a certain amount of unpopped kernels mixed in with the popped portion. These unpopped kernels are easily able to mix into the flow of popcorn being poured out of a container, and if they are being directly fed into a person&#39;s mouth, increase the risk of choking or other discomfort. Further, unpopped kernels may simply settle to the bottom of the container, and during a pouring procedure, literally move past the lighter popped kernels by sliding under them, and exit the container ahead of the other popcorn.  
      This present apparatus comprises a modified funnel that has been shaped so as to approximate the mouth opening of a typical popcorn bag. Other sizes and configurations may be used, so as to more closely match the popcorn container it is intended to be used with.  
      The funnel is a generally rectangular shaped cylindrical funnel that has had approximately one half of the cylindrical sleeve portion removed, so as to create a protruding spout portion. The spout portion provides a platform extending outward from the funnel opening, rather then a tubular exit from the funnel. In this manner, the spout is similar to the lip of a glass or similar container, which allows popcorn exiting the main body of the funnel to avoid clumping that would typically block the opening of the funnel.  
      It is important that the funnel cover the open mouth portion of the popcorn bag, so as to properly direct all contents of the bag through the defined funnel opening. While the funnel could be placed over a bag opening, it is not securable using the separate reservoir member. It is therefore a preferred embodiment that the funnel be placed inside the mouth opening of the popcorn container, and that the bag opening remained fixed in position to the sides of the final portion, and the reservoir&#39;s sleeve portion be slid over the bag and funnel, to secure all three items to each other.  
      The funnel portion also may exhibit small openings or a slit opening defined on the bottom front side of said funnel, which are able to accommodate unpopped kernels, but which are too small to allow the passage of popcorn through them. The openings and/or slit are able to filter out the heavier unpopped kernels as they move through the funnel portion towards the opening. Unpopped kernels that fall through the holes and/or slit are able to be collected in a separate area, being a reservoir, thus preventing these unwanted unpopped kernels from been consumed with the popped kernels.  
      A sleeve reservoir defines an interior dimension that allows it to be placed over the bag or popcorn container portion that surrounds the funnel inserted therein. Both the funnel and sleeve reservoir are optimally slightly fluted toward the back opening, so that as the sleeve reservoir moves over the funnel portion, they will eventually reach the point where the sleeve reservoir interior surface is pressed tightly against the exterior sides of the funnel and surrounding bag or popcorn container. In this manner, the sleeve reservoir holds the popcorn bag/container in place around the funnel, and also provides a reservoir collection area for unpopped kernels to move into once they exit through the requisite openings in the funnel. The sleeve reservoir allows the spout and funnel opening full access, with the purpose of this sleeve reservoir being to grip the bag between it and the funnel, and also to provide a means to catch and store unpopped kernels.  
      The sleeve reservoir may be attached to funnel, using simple friction to hold the sleeve reservoir in place against the funnel body, or the sleeve reservoir may also comprise an attachment means, whereby the sleeve reservoir is held in position and unable to be removed from around the funnel body without releasing the attachment means. An example of attachment means would comprise a series of rearward extending hooks that fit around the back edge of the funnel.  
      In place on the sleeve reservoir, a simple elastic band may be used, in which the funnel is inserted into the mouth of a bag, so that the bag fits around the outer sides and body of the funnel, with an elastic band then placed around the bag and funnel combination, to hold the bag in position around the funnel.  
      This apparatus also provides a novel method in which the funnel assembly is able to be used to serve popcorn without requiring physical contact of the consumer with the contents of the popcorn bag. In place of the reservoir, that bag may be held against the funnel through any elastic means that constricts the mouth opening of the bag against the outer surface sides of the funnel. In this situation, unpopped kernels will settle to the bottom of the container and funnel, with the funnel defining a shape that allows these kernels to be collected, when the bag and funnel are tilted for the purposes of pouring the popcorn out.  
      It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a means whereby common microwave bag popcorn is able to be served and consumed without requiring human contact during the transfer of the popcorn into the consumer&#39;s mouth.  
      It is a further object of this invention to provide a means whereby popcorn may be consumed without having to make physical contact with the popcorn prior to it entering the consumer&#39;s mouth, using any flexible container to hold popcorn along with an appropriately sized funnel and restriction means around the bag.  
      It is a further object of this invention to provide a means to serve popcorn in a manner that avoids undesired spread of oil products, which is a reusable again and again with subsequent bags of popcorn.  
      It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel method for securing a funnel within a popcorn bag to allow ease of consumption of the popcorn without contact with undesired oil products.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a bag funnel assembly  10  is shown, comprising a funnel  40  and a sleeve means, also referred to as a sleeve reservoir  20 . Said funnel  40  and sleeve reservoir  20  are capable of being used with a popcorn container, such as a typical popcorn bag  60 , such as the kind used for microwavable type popcorn, so as to direct the flow of popped popcorn out of the bag  60  in a manner whereby the popcorn may be directed to the consumer&#39;s mouth, and consumed directly without hand contact with said popcorn.  
       FIG. 2  depicts the insertion of the funnel  40  into the mouth  67  of bag  60 . Bag  60  has inner sides  65 , which contact the outer sides of the sleeve portion  43 , when funnel  40  is inserted into bag  60 . The outer sides of the bag, or flaps  64 , cover a portion of funnel  40 .  
       FIG. 3  depicts the Sleeve reservoir  20  having been placed over the funnel  40  bag and flaps  64 , so that flaps  64  are situated between the funnel  40  and sleeve  20 . The only opening out of the bag  60  comprises opening  44 , which allows popcorn to exit the combination of the sleeve  20  funnel  40  and bag  60 .  
      The funnel  40  is shown as an individual item in  FIGS. 8, 10 ,  12 ,  14 , and  15 .  FIG. 8  depicts the side view configuration of said funnel  20 . Referring to said figures, the funnel  20  is defined as a hollowed body that defines a generally rectangular shape, as defined by a pair of vertical outer side surfaces  42 , a top horizontal outer surface  43  and a bottom horizontal surface  33 . Generally, the outer circumference of said combined surfaces  42 ,  43  and  33  increases in overall circumference as measured from the front to the back side edge  24 .  
      The funnel  40  typically decreases in overall circumference towards the front side of said funnel  40 . As is shown in the above noted figures, the funnel outer front surface  41  is seen as a generally angled front side that defines an opening  44 , having a generally circular shape, as defined by the opening edge  36  and spout  45 . The bottom portion of the opening  44  is defined by a protruding spout  45 , that extends forward of the outer front surface  41 , where said spout  45  tapers along a spout edge  53  and terminates forward of said outer front surface  41  by the lip  47 . Said spout  45  is intended to provide a channel, whereby popcorn pieces moving through the funnel  40  and exiting through said opening  44 , will be directed forward of the main body of the funnel  40  and outer front surface  41  of said funnel  40 .  
      Referring also now specifically to  FIG. 12 , the interior portion of the funnel  40  is shown, in which the inner side edges  48  and inner funnel edge  49  comprise the interior surfaces of said funnel  40 . Popcorn moving into the interior portion of the funnel  40  will be forced to exit through the opening  44 , and are directed forward of the main funnel body by moving through the channel defined by the spout top surface  52 . The spout  45  allows popcorn to be directed a distance away from the funnel means  40  and any sleeve means  20 , so that it can be poured directly into a person&#39;s mouth.  
      As is also shown in  FIG. 12 , a series of apertures  50  are defined through the funnel wall along the bottom side of the funnel side  49 . These apertures  50  are preferably larger in circumference than the typical unpopped popcorn kernel, which will allow the typical popcorn kernel to move through the apertures  50 , but have a diameter insufficient to allow the popped fluffy popcorn from being unable to move through said apertures  50 . The apertures  50  function effectively as a strainer to remove the unwanted unpopped popcorn kernels from a mixture of popped popcorn and unpopped kernels, prior to the popcorn moving through the opening  44  to the consumer. The unpopped kernels fall through the apertures  50 , into a cavity  31 , as noted specifically in  FIG. 9 .  
      The apertures  50 , shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 14 , may have any desired shape and/or configuration, as long as they provide an opening through which unpopped popcorn kernels may move through, and which serve to separate them out from the popped popcorn. Referring also to  FIG. 19 , the funnel  40  is shown, in which the apertures  50  comprise oval openings. This shape assists in allowing unpopped popcorn kernels to move through said apertures  50 , due to the teardrop shape of the unpopped popcorn kernels, which more readily fit through said apertures  50  than if the apertures had a circular shape.  
      As shown also in  FIG. 15 , instead of multiple apertures  50 , a single slit  51  is shown, as defined as a single opening through the front funnel wall. The width of the slit  51  is sufficient to allow an unpopped popcorn kernel to pass through it, but whose width is insufficient to allow a typical popped popcorn to pass through. In this respect, and the slit  51  functions as a strainer into same manner as the apertures  50  do.  
      The spout  45  provides a channel by which popcorn moving through the opening  44  is directed forward of the body of the funnel  40 . It should be understood that a spout is not required for this invention, but has a function that increases the utility of this invention. Said spout  45  is useful in directing the popcorn that has passed through the opening  44 , outward from the sleeve reservoir  20 , where a sleeve reservoir  20  is used in conjunction with the funnel  40 . While the funnel  40  may be used without any defined apertures  50  or suitable slit  51 , a sleeve reservoir  20  is useful when such apertures  50  or slits  51  are present. Further, a sleeve  20  without a reservoir area or cavity  31  may be used as described below.  
      The sleeve reservoir  20  is depicted in  FIGS. 7, 11 , and  13 , and also shown in conjunction with the funnel  40  in  FIGS. 1-6  and  9 . The sleeve reservoir  20  has the defining characteristic of defining a volume or area between it and the funnel  40 , in which unpopped popcorn kernels may be collected.  
      Referring now specifically to  FIG. 11 , the sleeve reservoir  20  is defined by an outer sleeve side  21 , that has an inner side  22  with a circumference that exceeds slightly the outer circumference of the funnel  40 . The sleeve and reservoir  20  has a defined back edge  24  and a front edge  23 , with that portion between said edges and  23  and  24  comprising the sleeve portion. The sleeve reservoir  20  also comprises a cavity area  31 , comprising a forward extension on the bottom portion of said sleeve  20 . While the sleeve portion is fairly close in tolerance to the shape and size of the funnel  40 , the sleeve reservoir  20  comprises a front bulged shape that differs from the angled bottom side area of the front surface  41  of the funnel  40 , so as to define a cavity  31  in which unpopped kernels may be collected that fall through apertures  50  or a slit  51 .  
      Referring now also specifically to  FIG. 13 , the sleeve reservoir  20  shows a general side configuration that is virtually identical in size and shape to the funnel  40  in  FIG. 12 . The primary difference between the outer surface of the funnel  40  and sleeve  20  is that the bottom inner sleeve side  22  extends farther forward, a than does the funnel  40 , with the extension forward comprising the cavity bottom side  28 . Said bottom side  28  is also depicted specifically in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 9 .  
      Referring now specifically to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the front side  41  of the funnel  40  is shown with an aperture  50 , where said aperture  50  is representative of the type of opening, be it an aperture  50 , or a slit  51 .  
      As is seen in  FIG. 9 , when the sleeve reservoir  20  is slid over the funnel  20 , the front-end  27  of the sleeve  20  and the front side  41  of the funnel  40  have an area between them which is referred to as the cavity  31 . The cavity  31  comprises a space and sufficient to collect numerous unpopped popcorn kernels which moved through the aperture  50  (or slit  51 ), and where said unpopped popcorn kernels remain until intentionally removed. One method of removal is to separate the funnel  40  and sleeve reservoir  20  from each other and dump the kernels out, while another method is to simply tilt the assembly upward, so that the spout  45  is oriented upward with the bag  60  directly below the funnel  40 , and shake the assembly so that unpopped kernels move back through the apertures  50  or slit  51 , and fall back into the bag  60 .  
      Referring now also to  FIG. 20 , a funnel  20  having a sleeve  68  is shown, where the sleeve does not define a separate reservoir  31 , but simply defines a strap  70 , having a length defined by ends  69  and  71 . The strap  70  is preferably comprised of a flexible material, having an overall length that exceeds the outer diameter of the funnel  40 . The ends  69  and  71  are secured to each other, or with one end secured along the length of the strap, so that the strap  68  effectively encircles the funnel. Connection can be made using any type of attachment means commonly known and understood in the art. The strap  70  operates in the same fashion as the sleeve reservoir  20  does in  FIGS. 4-6 , in combination with bag  60 .  
      Referring now also to  FIG. 21 , the strap  70  may be a single loop that is comprised of a flexible and elastic material, whose resting and non stretched diameter is less than the outer diameter of the funnel  40 . In this manner, the strap  70  will secure a bag  60  to the funnel  40 , in a manner consistent with that shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . In both  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 , there is no reservoir defined which can collect unpopped popcorn kernels, but both provide the means to secure the bag  60  to the funnel  40 .  
      Referring now also to  FIG. 16  and  17 , the sleeve reservoir  20  is shown, in which a flap  75  is depicted in an open position a  FIG. 16 , and a closed position in  FIG. 17 . The flap  75  is pivotally connected to the top front edge  23  of the sleeve reservoir  20 , and said flap  75  is capable of closing off access to contents within the funnel  40 . As is shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the flap  75  has downward protruding sides  76 , which are shaped so as to conform to the space between the flap body  78  and the funnel  40  and spout  45 . A clip  77  may be used to secure the flap  75  against the front edge of the spout  45 .  
      Referring now also to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , a sleeve reservoir  20  is shown, in which the sleeve portion comprises a movable strap  15 , having an end portion  16 , which has a surface that defines multiple variations in surface texture. These variations typically comprise grooves or ridges  17 . The outer sleeve side  21  defines a loop  18 , which encircles a gap  19 , located between said loop  18  and the sleeve&#39;s outer side  21 .  
      The end portion  16  is placed through gap  19 , so that in the grooves or ridges  17  contact the inner surface of the loop  18 . Through friction, the end portion  16  will not readily retract out of said loop  18 , thereby allowing the circumference of the strap  15  and reservoir body  20  to be adjusted to a particular and desired circumference.  
      When the reservoir  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 23 , is adjusted so that it has an interior circumference that slightly exceeds the circumference of a funnel  40 , the reservoir  20  is able to be placed over the front portion of said funnel  40 , and is secured into position.  
       FIGS. 18 and 19 , and  22  and  23  show hook means that comprise rear ward extending flanges  37  with angled protrusions  38 . Referring now also to  FIG. 24  and  25 , the reservoir sleeve  20  is slid over the front portion of funnel  40 , until said hook means  37  move past the back edge  46 , whereby said angled protrusions  38  move directly adjacent to and behind the back edge, and do not permit said reservoir  40  from sliding forward off of the funnel  20  hooks extensions, that protrude.  
      From the foregoing statements, summary and description in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same are not limited thereto, but are susceptible to various changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications which would be encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.