Conveyor-based frying apparatus and methods of use
AssigneeConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Thomas Hockett, Frederick D. Webb, Brian J. Pikl, Christopher M. Imdieke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fryer can include a base having a reservoir for receiving oil for frying a food product and a hood coupled to the base. The fryer can have an inlet at an upstream section and an outlet at a downstream section. At least one conveyor can move food product from the inlet to the outlet. A first baffle member and second baffle member can be positioned over the conveyor to define a frying chamber therebetween. The first and second baffle members can restrict air from flowing into the frying chamber from outside of the frying chamber.
Claims20
A fryer comprising:
- a base having a reservoir for receiving oil for frying a food product;
- a hood coupled to the base and having an inlet at an upstream section and an outlet at a downstream section;
- at least one conveyor configured to move food products from the inlet to the outlet;
- a first baffle member positioned over the at least one conveyor;
- and
- a second baffle member positioned over the at least one conveyor downstream of the first baffle member;
- wherein the first and second baffle members define a frying chamber therebetween and the first and second baffle members restrict air from flowing into the frying chamber from outside of the frying chamber.
A conveyor system for a fryer, comprising:
- a base having a reservoir for receiving oil for frying a food product;
- a top and bottom channel in the base, the top and bottom channels being recessed relative to the side wall of the base;
- a conveyor for moving food product from an upstream area of the fryer to a downstream area of the fryer, the conveyor comprising a plurality of side links coupled together via rod members extending across the width of the conveyor;
- and
- a plurality of slidable, wear-resistant members extending into the top and bottom channels in the base, each slidable member configured to receive at least a portion of one side link to retain the conveyor in the top and bottom channels and restrict contact of the side links with the base.
A method of frying food products, comprising:
- delivering a food product onto a conveyor and into a fryer comprising a base and a hood;
- conveying the food product under a first baffle member and into a substantially enclosed frying chamber, the frying chamber comprising a reservoir of heated oil for at least partially frying the food product;
- and
- conveying the food product under a second baffle member and out of the frying chamber;
- wherein the first and second baffle member define the frying chamber therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.