Oil delivery system for a popcorn popping machine

Abstract

An oil delivery system for a popcorn popping machine to deliver cooking oil to a kettle of the popping machine. In one embodiment, the oil delivery system includes more or more containers of oil which are supported within a cabinet of the popping machine so that the outlet of each container is facing downwardly so as to be oriented along a vertical axis. Flexible tubing is provided to connect the outlets of the containers to a pump of the oil delivery system. Each container may comprise a flexible bag which is enclosed in a rectangular box. The outlets of the flexible bags include quick connect/disconnect connectors which are connected with quick connect/disconnect connectors provided on the flexible tubing. The oil delivery system is provided with a flow sensor to detect when a container of oil is empty and provide an alert to an operator to remove and replace the container with a filled container. An electronic valve is provided in the oil delivery system to control the flow of oil from the containers.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . In a popcorn popping machine, an oil delivery system configured to deliver oil used during a popping cycle to a kettle of the popping machine, comprising:
 a flexible bag of oil having a quick connect/disconnect connector in fluid communication with an interior of said bag containing the oil;   a pump having an inlet and an outlet and being configured to withdraw oil from said flexible bag and deliver the oil to the kettle;   a first conduit having a quick connect/disconnect connector provided at each end thereof, said quick connect/disconnect connector provided on one end of said first conduit being configured to fluidly connect with said quick connect/disconnect connector provided on said flexible bag such that a fluid flow path is established through said quick connect/disconnect connector provided on said flexible bag only when said quick connect/disconnect connector provided on the one end of the first conduit is fluidly connected thereto;   a second conduit having a quick connect/disconnect connector provided at one end thereof and the other end of said second conduit being in fluidly communication with said inlet of said pump, said quick connect/disconnect connector provided at the one end of said second conduit being configured to fluidly connect with said quick connect/disconnect connector provided on the other end of said first conduit such that a fluid flow path is established through said quick connect/disconnect connector provided on the other end of said first conduit only when said quick connect/disconnect connector provided on the one end of the second conduit is fluidly connected thereto; and   a third conduit configured to convey oil from said outlet of said pump and deliver the oil to the kettle.   
     
     
         13 . The delivery system of  claim 12 , further comprising a flow sensor in fluid communication one of said first and second conduits and being configured to detect an absence of flow of oil in said one of said first and second conduits. 
     
     
         14 . The delivery system of  claim 13  further comprising an indicator electrically coupled to said flow sensor, said indicator being activated when said flow sensor detects an absence of flow of the oil in said one of said first and second conduits. 
     
     
         15 . The delivery system of  claim 14 , wherein said indicator is configured to provide a visual indication to an operator of the popcorn popping system when said indicator is activated. 
     
     
         16 . The delivery system of  claim 14 , wherein said indicator is configured to provide an audible indication to an operator of the popcorn popping system when said indicator is activated. 
     
     
         17 - 41 . (canceled)