Self Contained Popcorn Popper

Abstract

An improved popcorn popper ( 10 ) has effluent filtration structure to treat the oil laden vapor and steam effluent from popping popcorn within the popper and with discharge of effluent having less than 5 milligrams of particulates per cubic meter of effluent discharged directly into the area in which the popper ( 10 ) is located. There is no need for external hoods or for external ducting of effluent to outside the area and facility in which the popcorn is popped. The filtering is carried out within the popper ( 10 ). A fire suppression system is provided to handle fires even within the kettle ( 14 ). Methods are disclosed.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A self-contained popcorn popper for use in an area, comprising:
 a cabinet including a popcorn receiving chamber;   a popcorn popping kettle assembly including a kettle and a kettle top located within the popcorn receiving chamber;   a popped popcorn bin in the popcorn receiving chamber for receiving popped popcorn from the kettle;   a self-contained vapor and particulate filtering system integrated with the popcorn popper and being configured to remove oil and particulates from a vapor effluent issuing from the popping of popcorn in the kettle; and   a self-contained fire suppression system integrated with the popcorn popper and being configured to suppress a fire within the popcorn popper.   
     
     
         33 . The popper as in  claim 32  wherein the fire suppression system is further configured to suppress a fire within the kettle. 
     
     
         34 . The popper as in  claim 32  wherein the fire suppression system comprises a source of a fire suppression agent and a plurality of suppression agent delivery conduits terminating in a plurality of agent dispensing nozzles located within the popcorn popper. 
     
     
         35 . The popper as in  claim 34  wherein at least one of the plurality of agent dispensing nozzles is located within the vapor and particulate filtering system. 
     
     
         36 . The popper as in  claim 34  wherein at least one of the plurality of agent dispensing nozzles is located within the popcorn receiving chamber. 
     
     
         37 . The popper as in  claim 34  wherein at least one of the plurality of agent dispensing nozzles is directed at the kettle. 
     
     
         38 . A popper as in  claim 34  wherein said cabinet has two opposite sides which are each open for operator access therein.