Device for packaging and cooking popcorn and automated method for closing such a device

Abstract

A device for cooking corn kernels for making popcorn comprising a non-folding volume and a folding volume. The folding volume is configured to take up at least two positions, a first position in which the folding volume is folded and a second position in which it is unfolded. The folding volume includes four walls and at least two walls include a diagonal fold. Additionally, each wall includes a first horizontal fold that is parallel to an edge of the device formed by the non-folding volume. In the first position the non-folding volume is limited one or more of the four walls. At least one opening, in at least one of the side walls, has a horizontal orientation in the first position and a vertical orientation in the second position. The opening does not intersect a diagonal fold.

Claim is: 
     
         1 . A device for cooking corn kernels for making popcorn, the device comprising:
 a first zone comprising a non-folding volume;   a second zone comprising a folding volume, wherein the second zone is configured to take up at least two positions, a first position in which the second zone is folded and a second position in which the second zone is unfolded, the second zone comprising four walls, wherein at least two walls each comprise a diagonal fold, and wherein each wall comprises a first horizontal fold that is parallel to an edge of the device formed by the first zone, and wherein in the first position the first zone is limited by a portion of one or more of the four walls;   at least one opening in at least one of the side walls, wherein the at least one opening has a horizontal orientation in the first position and a vertical orientation in the second position, and wherein the at least one opening does not intersect a diagonal fold; and,   at least two flaps configured to move between an open position and a closed position, each flap formed by folding at least one of the side walls, wherein in the closed position, an edge line of the first flap, opposite a fold line of the first flap, is disposed entirely above the second flap.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each flap includes at least one rounded side. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first flap includes a tab and the second tab includes a slot configured to receive the tab. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first zone and the second zone are made from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the material comprises cardboard. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening in at least one of the side walls comprises at least two openings disposed in side walls located on opposite sides of the device. 
     
     
         7 . A device for cooking corn kernels for making popcorn, the device comprising:
 a first zone comprising a non-folding volume;   a second zone comprising a folding volume, wherein the second zone is configured to take up at least two positions, a first position in which the second zone is folded and a second position in which the second zone is unfolded, the second zone comprising four walls, wherein at least two walls each comprise a diagonal fold, and wherein each wall comprises a first horizontal fold that is parallel to an edge of the device formed by the first zone, and wherein in the first position the first zone is limited by a portion of one or more of the four walls;   an integrally formed handle in at least two side walls; and,   at least two flaps configured to move between an open position and a closed position, each flap formed by folding at least one of the side walls, wherein in the closed position, an edge line of the first flap, opposite a fold line of the first flap, is disposed entirely above the second flap.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the said two side walls with the integrally formed handles are on opposite sides of the second zone in the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the integrally formed handles also form a portion of one of the at least two flaps. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising a tray in the first zone. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of kernels of corn in the tray. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  further comprising a filmed wrapped around the device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the second zone is in the first configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising at least one opening in at least one of the side walls, wherein the at least one opening extends parallel to one of the integrally formed handles. 
     
     
         15 . A device for cooking corn kernels for making popcorn, the device comprising:
 a first zone comprising a non-folding volume, the first zone including a tray;   a second zone comprising a folding volume, wherein the second zone is configured to take up at least two positions, a first position in which the second zone is folded and a second position in which the second zone is unfolded, the second zone comprising four walls, wherein at least two walls each comprise a diagonal fold, and wherein each wall comprises a first horizontal fold that is parallel to an edge of the device formed by the second zone, and wherein in the first position the first zone is limited by a portion of one or more of the four walls;   at least one opening in at least one of the side walls, wherein the at least one opening has a horizontal orientation in the first position and a vertical orientation in the second position, and wherein the at least one opening does not intersect a diagonal fold;   wherein the first zone and the second zone are made from a single piece of material; and,   at least two flaps configured to move between an open position and a closed position, each flap formed by folding at least one of the side walls, wherein in the closed position, an edge line of the first flap, opposite a fold line of the first flap, is disposed entirely above the second flap.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  further comprising:
 an integrally formed handle in at least two side walls.