Device for packaging and cooking kernels of corn for making popcorn

Abstract

A device for packaging and cooking popcorn includes in the lower part an essentially rigid base, and in the upper part a compensating zone that can occupy a first folded position in which it forms a cover for the base and delimits a restricted volume, and a second unfolded position in which it forms a tube and delimits a larger volume suited to that of the cooked popcorn. The device is produced from a complex material that includes a layer made of cardboard-type material to ensure the rigidity and a layer that is made of flexible and airtight plastic that is placed on the surface oriented toward the inside of the device. The device includes 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 the window.

1 . Device for packaging and cooking that is suited to popcorn and that comprises—in the lower part—an essentially rigid base ( 14 ) and—in the upper part—a compensating zone ( 16 ) that 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, characterized in that it is produced from a complex material that comprises a layer ( 36 ) that is made of cardboard-type material to ensure the rigidity and a layer ( 38 ) that is made of airtight and flexible plastic that is placed on the surface oriented toward the inside of the device, and in that it comprises a window ( 32 ) at least at the level of a wall of the compensating zone ( 16 ), whereby the complex material does not have a layer ( 36 ) that is made of cardboard-type material to the right of the window ( 32 ). 
   
   
       2 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 1 , wherein the compensating zone ( 16 ) comprises first opposite walls ( 22 ) that each comprise a median folding line ( 26 ) and second walls ( 24 ) each comprising a median folding line ( 28 ) and diagonal folding lines ( 30 ), and wherein each second wall ( 24 ) comprises a window ( 32 ) at the intersection of the diagonal folding lines ( 30 ), whereby the complex material does not have a layer ( 36 ) that is made of cardboard-type material to the right of the window ( 32 ). 
   
   
       3 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic layer ( 38 ) is transparent. 
   
   
       4 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises means ( 40 ) for opening and closing that comprise two flaps ( 42 ) and bonds between said flaps ( 42 ) and between said flaps ( 42 ) and the compensating zone ( 16 ) of a thermosetting type so as to be broken when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold during cooking. 
   
   
       5 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 4 , wherein the means ( 40 ) for opening and closing comprise first flaps ( 42 ) and second flaps ( 50 ) and wherein said first flaps comprise folds ( 48 ) at the lateral edges, whereby said folds that comprise only the plastic layer are able to be glued against the inside surfaces of the second flaps ( 50 ). 
   
   
       6 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 4 , wherein the free ends of the first flaps ( 42 ) comprise folds ( 46 ) whose inside surfaces, coated by a plastic layer ( 38 ), are bonded in a thermosetting manner. 
   
   
       7 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 4 , wherein it comprises a tab ( 56 ) that makes it possible to control the opening of the flaps ( 42 ). 
   
   
       8 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 1 , wherein to form the bottom ( 18 ), it comprises four flaps ( 58 ,  58 ′) that are connected two by two by folding lines ( 60 ), whereby two opposite flaps ( 58 ′) comprise a V-shaped folding line so as to form an accordion fold. 
   
   
       9 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 1 , wherein the complex material comprises a layer ( 66 ) that is made of a material that absorbs the electromagnetic waves at the level of at least certain zones. 
   
   
       10 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 2 , wherein the plastic layer ( 38 ) is transparent. 
   
   
       11 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 2 , wherein it comprises means ( 40 ) for opening and closing that comprise two flaps ( 42 ) and bonds between said flaps ( 42 ) and between said flaps ( 42 ) and the compensating zone ( 16 ) of a thermosetting type so as to be broken when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold during cooking. 
   
   
       12 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 3 , wherein it comprises means ( 40 ) for opening and closing that comprise two flaps ( 42 ) and bonds between said flaps ( 42 ) and between said flaps ( 42 ) and the compensating zone ( 16 ) of a thermosetting type so as to be broken when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold during cooking. 
   
   
       13 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 5 , wherein the free ends of the first flaps ( 42 ) comprise folds ( 46 ) whose inside surfaces, coated by a plastic layer ( 38 ), are bonded in a thermosetting manner. 
   
   
       14 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 5 , wherein it comprises a tab ( 56 ) that makes it possible to control the opening of the flaps ( 42 ). 
   
   
       15 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 6 , wherein it comprises a tab ( 56 ) that makes it possible to control the opening of the flaps ( 42 ). 
   
   
       16 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 2 , wherein to form the bottom ( 18 ), it comprises four flaps ( 58 ,  58 ′) that are connected two by two by folding lines ( 60 ), whereby two opposite flaps ( 58 ′) comprise a V-shaped folding line so as to form an accordion fold. 
   
   
       17 . Device for packaging and cooking according to  claim 2 , wherein the complex material comprises a layer ( 66 ) that is made of a material that absorbs the electromagnetic waves at the level of at least certain zones.