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. The device includes a top that delimits the folding volume in at least the second position. The top is formed by two flaps that are each secured to at least two side walls. The flaps are biased in the closed position and are opened by squeezing the vertical edges of the device together.

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 line, and wherein each wall comprises a first horizontal fold line that is parallel to an edge of the device formed by the first zone; and,   a top configured to move, when an inwardly directed force is applied to at least one vertical edge between two of the sidewalls, from a closed position, in which the top delimits a portion of the second zone, to an open position, providing an opening to access the second zone.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the top is biased to the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the top comprises at least two flaps. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a first flap comprises a first side integrally formed with a first sidewall and a second side secured to a second sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first sidewall is adjacent to the second side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the second side of the first flap is secured to the second sidewall with a tab engaging a slot. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the second flap comprises a first side integrally formed with a third sidewall and a second side secured to a fourth sidewall. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the top comprises two flaps each having a triangular shape. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein a first end of a first flap is secured to a first sidewall and a second side of the first flap is secured to a second sidewall adjacent the first side wall. 
     
     
         10 . 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 line, and wherein each wall comprises a first horizontal fold line that is parallel to an edge of the device formed by the first zone; and,   a top comprising at least two flaps,   wherein a first end of a first flap is secured to a first sidewall and a second side of the first flap is secured to a second sidewall adjacent the first side wall, and   wherein a first end of a second flap is secured to a third sidewall and a second side of the second flap is secured to a fourth sidewall adjacent the third side wall, and   wherein the at least two flaps are configured to move between a closed position, in which the at least two flaps delimit a portion of the second zone, to an open position, providing an opening to access the second zone.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the flaps have a triangular shape. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the flaps are biased to the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the first sides of the first and second flaps are integrally formed with the first and third sidewalls, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the second sides of the first and second flaps are secured to the second and fourth sidewalls, respectively, via a tab engaging a slot. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the second sides of the first and second flaps each include the tab. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the tabs are each integrally formed with the first and second flaps, respectively. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein when an inwardly directed force is applied to at least one vertical edge between two of the sidewalls, the flaps move from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the flaps are biased to the closed position. 
     
     
         19 . 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 line, and wherein each wall comprises a first horizontal fold line that is parallel to an edge of the device formed by the first zone; and,   a top comprising at least two flaps,   wherein a first end of a first flap is integrally formed with a first sidewall and a second side of the first flap is secured to a second sidewall adjacent the first side wall, and   wherein a first end of a second flap is integrally formed with a third sidewall and a second side of the second flap is secured to a fourth sidewall adjacent the third side wall, and   wherein when an inwardly directed force is applied to at least one vertical edge between two of the sidewalls the at least two flaps are configured to move between a closed position, in which the at least two flaps delimit a portion of the second zone, to an open position, providing an opening to access the second zone.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the second sides of the first and second flaps each include a tab, and wherein the second and fourth sidewalls each include a slot configured to engage one of the tabs.