Importance

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Abstract

A popcorn vending apparatus according to the invention includes a cup dispenser for dispensing a cup in an area accessible by a purchaser, a cooker assembly for cooking corn kernels and dispensing the cooked kernels to a cup in the purchaser accessible area, and a corn dispenser for dispensing a measured quantity of corn to the cooker. The dispenser includes a hopper and a transporting mechanism for transporting measured quantities of corn from the hopper to the cooker. The transport mechanism includes a tubular member and a rotatable open spiral in the tubular member. The transporting mechanism includes a precision drive which is capable of rotating the open spiral a predetermined number of revolutions. There is also a flavor dispenser for dispensing flavoring in a cup in the purchaser accessible area. The flavor dispenser includes a dispensing head and a support for moving the head over a cup in the dispensing area.

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First Claim