Continuous frying device

Claim 2

Apparatus for the deep fat frying of a batter coated foodstuff comprising: an elongated tank having entrance, intermediate, and exit sections and adapted to retain an oil bath, means for heating said oil, means for conveying said foodstuff through the tank while submerged in The oil bath from the tank entrance through to the tank exit, the improvement characterized in that at least that portion of said conveying means which conveys the foodstuff from the tank entrance towards the intermediate section of the tank includes a foodstuff supporting region comprising a plurality of relatively closely spaced upwardly directed, sharply pointed elements adapted to support pieces of foodstuff on the upper extremities thereof during conveyance of said pieces of foodstuff by said portion of said conveying means.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pointed elements are of a tetrafluoroethylene polymer.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said portion of the conveying means comprises an endless flexible member, and means for propelling the latter in an endless loop to convey foodstuff supported thereon.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said conveying means includes a plurality of spaced parallel strips extending transversely of the length thereof, each of said strips having said pointed elements thereon.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said portion of the conveyor means is inclined downwardly from the inlet end of the tank towards the intermediate portion thereof thereby to gradually submerge said foodstuff in the oil bath.

Claim 7

Apparatus for the deep fat frying of batter-coated pieces of foodstuff comprising an elongated tank having entrance, intermediate, and exit sections and adapted to retain an oil bath, means for heating said oil, means for conveying said foodstuff through the tank while submerged in the oil bath from the tank entrance through to the tank exit, said conveying means comprising endless belt means, means for propelling said belt means to effect said conveying of the foodstuff through the oil bath, and wherein at least that portion of said endless belt means which conveys the foodstuff from the tank entrance towards the intermediate section of the tank defines a foodstuff supporting region comprising a plurality of upwardly directed generally sharply pointed elements sufficiently closely spaced as to support the pieces of foodstuff on the upper extremities of said elements, whereby to permit the batter coating on the pieces of foodstuff to cook and become relatively nonadherent while supported on said pointed elements.

Claim 8

Apparatus for the deep fat frying of batter-coated pieces of foodstuff comprising an elongated tank having entrance, intermediate, and exit sections and adapted to retain an oil bath, means for heating said oil, means for conveying said foodstuff through the tank while submerged in the oil bath from the tank entrance through to the tank exit, said conveying means comprising endless belt means, means for propelling said belt means to effect said conveying of the foodstuff through the oil bath, and wherein at least that portion of said endless belt means which conveys the foodstuff from the tank entrance towards the intermediate section of the tank defines a foodstuff supporting region comprising a plurality of upwardly directed generally sharply pointed elements sufficiently closely spaced as to support the pieces of foodstuff on the upper extremities of said elements, whereby to permit the batter coating on the pieces of foodstuff to cook and become relatively nonadherent while supported on said pointed elements.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said endless belt means includes a plurality of spaced parallel strips extending transversely of the belt, each of said strips carrying thereon a plurality of said pointed elements.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said portion of said endless belt means is inclined downwardly from the inlet end of the tank towards the intermediate portion thereof thereby to gradually submerge said foodstuff in the oil bath.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the pointed elements comprise a synthetic plastics material capable of withstanding the heated cooking oil.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the pointed elements comprise polytetrafluoroethylene polymer.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said pointed elements are spaced apart not more than about 1 inch.