Apparatus and related methods for preparing popcorn

Abstract

A heated air popcorn popper provides easy access and clean up through the use of a detachable popping pitcher. The detachable popping pitcher defines an interior popping volume in which heated air is used to cause unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn. The detachable popping pitcher includes a pitcher handle allowing a user to grasp and manipulate the popping pitcher when selectively detaching and attaching the popping pitcher to the popcorn popper. The detachable popping pitcher is completely removable from a popper housing such that loading unpopped kernels into the popping pitcher is simplified and the user need not be concerned about access being awkward or limited. The detachable popping pitcher can be fully removed from the popper housing following popping such that any remaining unpopped or popped kernels can be emptied from the detachable popping pitcher and the detachable popping pitcher can be cleaned.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method for popping popcorn, comprising:
 removing a popping pitcher from an interior portion of a popper housing;   filling the popping pitcher with unpopped kernels outside of the popper housing to form a filled popping pitcher;   positioning the filled popping pitcher within the popper housing; and   directing heated air though the filled popping pitcher such that the unpopped kernels are caused to pop and form popcorn.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of removing the popping pitcher further comprises:
 detaching the popping pitcher from a mounting surface within the interior portion.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of detaching the popping pitcher further comprises:
 biasing a handle on the popping pitcher such that a latch release on the popping pitcher disengages a latch member on the popping pitcher from a latch receiver on the mounting surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of filling the popping pitcher further comprises:
 directing a kernel retention member covering an upper opening of the popping pitcher to an open disposition such that the unpopped kernels can be poured into the upper opening.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the kernel retention member includes one or more lid members hingedly covering the upper opening, and wherein the step of directing the kernel retention member further comprises:
 rotating the one or more lid members to the open disposition.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of positioning the filled popping pitcher within the popper housing further comprise:
 attaching the popping pitcher to a mounting surface within the interior portion.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of attaching the popping pitcher, further comprises:
 directing a positioning tab on a lower pitcher surface of the popping pitcher into a positioning recess defined by the mounting surface and a rear wall of the popper housing.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of attaching the popping pitcher, further comprises:
 engaging a latch member on the popping pitcher with a latch receiver on the mounting surface.   
     
     
         18 . A method for popping popcorn, comprising:
 aligning a filled popping pitcher with a mounting surface defined within a popping housing, the filled popping pitcher including a positioning tab that is insertable into a positioning recess on the popping housing; and   attaching the filled popping pitcher to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of attaching the filled popping pitcher to the mounting surface further comprises:
 engaging a latch member on the filled popping pitcher with a latch receiver on the mounting surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of engaging the latch member further comprises:
 biasing a handle on the popping pitcher such that a latch release on the popping pitcher engages a latch member on the popping pitcher from a latch receiver on the mounting surface.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 directing heated air through the filled popping pitcher; and   a fan assembly, a heating member, a pitcher screen, and an airflow screen.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein directing heated air through the filled popping pitcher further comprises:
 aligning the airflow screen of the mounting surface with a pitcher screen of the mounted pitcher so as to allow a fan assembly to direct heated air into the filled popping pitcher such that the heated air interacts with unpopped kernels within an interior heating zone of the filled popping pitcher.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 preventing the unpopped kernels from exiting the interior heating zone with a kernel retention member on the filled popping pitcher.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the heated air is at least 185° F.