Apparatus for the drip dry conveyance of oil-fried dough products

Apparatus for draining excess oil from hot, drenched, oil-fried dough crust of the type having an upper surface to be topped, comprising:

• (A) an inclined, endless conveyor having
• A 1 an infeed and,
• A 2 an outfeed end, the infeed end being lower than the outfeed end, said conveyor comprising,
• A 3 a foraminous belt bearing a plurality of vertical flights, each flight comprising a grate which is defined by vertically disposed spaced apart tines, said tines being connected top and bottom by a rigid frame, said flights and frame being secured to said belt at closely spaced apart intervals wherein the length of each flight, end to end, relative to the spaced apart distance between respective flights, is determined by a flight length multiple of 4.5-9.0 times the preselected distance between adjacent flights, adjacent flights defining slotted compartments for receiving and conveying oil-fried crust at a positive angle relative to the horizontal;
• (B) at least one drain disposed beneath said conveyor for collecting oil dripped from said crust;
• said drain pan having an inclination which is common to the angle of inclination of the conveyor;
• (C) inverter discharge means for engaging drained crust upon outfeed from said conveyor, disposed in extension of the conveyor, said discharge means positioning the upper surface of the crust in predetermined adjusted orientation, relative to the horizontal for subsequent handling and pack off.