Deep fat fryer unit with solenoid valves and automatic controls

Claim 2

A deep fat fryer, comprising: a cooking pot having a bottom wall with an opening therein; a filter bowl disposed below said cooking pot and having an upper, open end communicating with said opening; a conduit extending into said filter bowl for withdrawing cooking oil therefrom; an upright, threaded fitting mounted upon said conduit and communicating therewith; and a filter in said filter bowl mounted upon said fitting.

Claim 3

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 1, wherein a strainer is mounted upon the upper end of the fitting; and wherein the filter includes a hollow core to receive said fitting.

Claim 4

open the fourth and sixth valves to allow oil to continuously circulate through the cooking pot and heater tank;

Claim 5

open the fourth and sixth valves to allow oil to continuously circulate through the cooking pot and heater tank;

Claim 6

open the third and sixth valves to allow continuous flow through the heater tank, bypassing the cooking pot;

Claim 7

open the third and sixth valves to allow continuous flow through the heater tank, bypassing the cooking pot;

Claim 8

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 1, wherein the filter bowl has a chamber located below the conduit for collecting crumbs not removed from the cooking oil by the filter.

Claim 9

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 3, including means for continuously removing crumbs from the crumb collecting chamber.

Claim 10

open the second and fourth valves to allow oil to be returned from the cooking pot to the storage tank;

Claim 11

open the second and fourth valves to allow oil to be returned from the cooking pot to the storage tank;

Claim 12

open the first valve to drain the storage tank; and

Claim 13

open the first valve to drain the storage tank; and

Claim 14

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 4, in which the crumb removing means comprises a conveyor housing connected to the lower end of the filter bowl, said housing having an opening communicating with the crumb collecting chamber; and wherein a conveyor is disposed in the housing for removing the crumbs from said chamber.

Claim 15

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 1, including a filter bowl cover overlying the filter and the opening in the bottom wall of the cooking pot, said cover having openings adjacent its outer edge to allow flow of oil from the cooking pot into the filter bowl.

Claim 16

open the fifth valve to drain oil from the heater tank.

Claim 17

open the fifth valve to drain oil from the heater tank.

Claim 18

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 6, including baffle means mounted on the underside of the filter bowl cover and arranged to deflect away from the filter any crumbs entrained in the oil that flows from the filter bowl into the cooking pot.

Claim 19

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 7, wherein the baffle means includes an imperforate conical section above the filter having its upper end disposed inwardly of the openings in the filter bowl cover, and having its lower end extending radially beyond the outer periphery of the filter.

Claim 20

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 8, wherein the baffle means includes a perforated section extending downwardly from the lower edge of said conical section and surrounding the filter.

Claim 21

A fryer unit comprising, a cooking pot, said cooking pot having a bottom wall with an opening therein; means providing a crumb collecting chamber communicating with said opening; a perforated cover closing said opening; and means extending into said chamber for continuously removing crumbs collected in said chamber to the exterior of said chamber.

Claim 22

A fryer unit comprising, a cooking pot, said cooking pot having a bottom wall with an opening therein; means providing a crumb collecting chamber communicating with said opening; a perforated cover closing said opening; and means extending into said chamber for continuously removing crumbs collected in said chamber to the exterior of said chamber.

Claim 23

A fryer unit as defined in claim 10, in which the means for removing the crumbs from the chamber comprises a conveyor having an endless belt; a discharge chute arranged at the discharge end of said belt; and a crumb collecting receptacle disposed below the discharge end of said chute.

Claim 24

A fryer unit as defined in claim 11, including means at the discharge end of the conveyor for removing crumbs from the conveyor belt.

Claim 25

A fryer unit as defined in claim 12, wherein the means for removing crumbs from the conveyor belt is a wiper wire having a portion extending transversely of the belt.

Claim 26

A fryer unit, comprising: a cooking pot; an oil storage tank having an opening at the lower end thereof; an oil heater tank having an inlet at its lower end and an outlet at its upper end; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; first valve means; tubing connecting said first valve means with the opening of said storage tank and with both the inlet and outlet of said pump; a tube connecting the outlet of said heater tank with said cooking pot for delivering cooking oil thereto; second valve means; tubing connecting said second valve means with said cooking pot, with the tube connecting said heater tank with said cooking pot, and with the inlet of said pump, respectively; third valve means; tubing connecting said third valve means with said tubing connecting said first valve means with said inlet and outlet of said pump, respectively; and with said inlet of said heater tank, all of said valve means normally being closed; and means connected with said three valve means arranged to selectively control said three valve means.

Claim 27

A fryer unit, comprising: a cooking pot; an oil storage tank having an opening at the lower end thereof; an oil heater tank having an inlet at its lower end and an outlet at its upper end; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; first valve means; tubing connecting said first valve means with the opening of said storage tank and with both the inlet and outlet of said pump; a tube connecting the outlet of said heater tank with said cooking pot for delivering cooking oil thereto; second valve means; tubing connecting said second valve means with said cooking pot, with the tube connecting said heater tank with said cooking pot, and with the inlet of said pump, respectively; third valve means; tubing connecting said third valve means with said tubing connecting said first valve means with said inlet and outlet of said pump, respectively; and with said inlet of said heater tank, all of said valve means normally being closed; and means connected with said three valve means arranged to selectively control said three valve means.

Claim 28

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, wherein the means for selectively controlling the three valve means is operable to cause opening of said first valve means to establish communication between the storage tank and the inlet of the pump, and to cause opening of the third valve means to establish communication between the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the heater tank to provide for pumping of oil from the storage tank to the heater tank.

Claim 29

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, wherein, the storage tank and heater tank are of substantially equal capacity, so that when the storage tank and heater tank both are full of oil, the oil in the heater tank will be displaced through the outlet thereof and flow to the cooking pot as oil is pumped from the storage tank into the heater tank.

Claim 30

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, wherein the means for selectively controling the three valve means is operable to cause opening of the second valve means to establish communication between the cooking pot and the inlet of the pump, and to cause opening of the third valve means to establish communication between the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the heater tank to provide for continuous circulation of oil from the heater tank to the cooking pot.

Claim 31

A fryer unit as defined in claim 17, including an oil filter disposed between the cooking pot and tubing connected to the second valve means.

Claim 32

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, wherein the means for selectively controlling the three valve means is operable to cause opening of the second valve means to establish communication between the outlet of the heater tank and thE inlet of the pump, and to cause opening of the third valve means to establish communication between the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the heater tank to provide for circulation of oil through the heater tank and the pump and bypassing of the cooking pot.

Claim 33

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, wherein the means for selectively controlling the three valve means is operable to cause opening of the second valve means to establish communication between the cooking pot and the inlet of the pump, and to cause opening of the first valve means to establish communication between the outlet of the pump and the opening of the storage tank to provide for the return of oil from the cooking pot to the storage tank.

Claim 34

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, including a drain valve, and branch tubing connecting said drain valve with the tubing connecting the first valve means with the outlet of the pump; and wherein the means for selectively controling the three valve means is operable to cause opening of the first valve means to establish communication between the storage tank and the inlet of the pump, and to provide for pumping of oil from the outlet of the pump through the branch tubing to the discharge valve to effect draining of the storage tank.

Claim 35

A deep fat fryer as defined in claim 14, including a drain valve, and branch tubing connecting said drain valve with the tubing connecting the first valve means with the outlet of the pump, and wherein the means for selectively controlling the three valve means is operable to effect opening of the third valve means to establish communication between the inlet of the heater tank and the inlet of the pump to provide for pumping of the oil from the outlet of the pump through the branch tubing to the discharge valve to effect draining of the heater tank.

Claim 36

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, including a drain valve, and branch tubing connecting said drain valve with the tubing connecting the first valve means with the outlet of the pump, and wherein the cooking pot has an opening in a bottom wall thereof and a filter bowl is disposed below the cooking pot in communication with said opening, and wherein a crumb well is provided at the lower end of the filter bowl, and wherein the tubing connecting the cooking pot with the second valve means has an inlet fitting located in the filter bowl; and wherein a pump-out adapter is mounted in the filter bowl on said inlet fitting and in communication with said last-mentioned tubing, said pump-out adapter including a pump-out hose extending into the crumb well; and wherein the means for selectively operating the three valve means is operable to cause opening of the second valve means to establish communication between said crumb well and the inlet of the pump to provide for pumping of oil from the outlet of the pump through the branch tubing to the drain valve to effect removal of oil from the crumb well.

Claim 37

A fryer unit as defined in claim 14, wherein the three valve means are solenoid operated valves, and the means for selectively controlling said valves comprises separately operable switches connected in an electrical circuit with said valves.

Claim 38

A fryer unit comprising: a cooking pot; a storage tank; a heater tank having an inlet and an outlet; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; a first valve assembly including a chamber having a first and second independently operable valve therein; a first tube connecting said storage tank with said chamber; a second tube connecting said chamber with the inlet of said pump, all flow through said second tube being controlled by said first valve; a third tube connecting said chamber with the outlet of said pump, all flow through said third tube being controlled by said second valve; a fourth tube connecting the outlet of said heater tank with said cooking pot for delivering cooking oil to said cooking pot; a second valve assembly having a chamber containing a third and a fourth independently operable valve; a fifth tube connecting saId fourth tube with the chamber of said second valve assembly, said third valve controlling all flow through said fifth tube; a sixth tube connecting the cooking pot with said chamber in said second valve assembly, said fourth valve controlling all flow through said sixth tube; a seventh tube connecting the chamber of said second valve assembly with said second tube going to said pump inlet; a third valve assembly having a chamber containing fifth and sixth independently operable valves; an eighth tube connecting the chamber of said third valve assembly with said second tube, all flow through said eighth tube being controlled by said fifth valve; a ninth tube connecting the chamber of said third valve assembly with said third tube, said sixth valve controlling all flow through said ninth tube; a 10th tube connecting the chamber of said third valve assembly with the inlet of said heater tank; and operating means connected with said six valves arranged to selectively effect opening of one, or simultaneous opening of two, of said six valves.

Claim 39

A fryer unit comprising: a cooking pot; a storage tank; a heater tank having an inlet and an outlet; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; a first valve assembly including a chamber having a first and second independently operable valve therein; a first tube connecting said storage tank with said chamber; a second tube connecting said chamber with the inlet of said pump, all flow through said second tube being controlled by said first valve; a third tube connecting said chamber with the outlet of said pump, all flow through said third tube being controlled by said second valve; a fourth tube connecting the outlet of said heater tank with said cooking pot for delivering cooking oil to said cooking pot; a second valve assembly having a chamber containing a third and a fourth independently operable valve; a fifth tube connecting saId fourth tube with the chamber of said second valve assembly, said third valve controlling all flow through said fifth tube; a sixth tube connecting the cooking pot with said chamber in said second valve assembly, said fourth valve controlling all flow through said sixth tube; a seventh tube connecting the chamber of said second valve assembly with said second tube going to said pump inlet; a third valve assembly having a chamber containing fifth and sixth independently operable valves; an eighth tube connecting the chamber of said third valve assembly with said second tube, all flow through said eighth tube being controlled by said fifth valve; a ninth tube connecting the chamber of said third valve assembly with said third tube, said sixth valve controlling all flow through said ninth tube; a 10th tube connecting the chamber of said third valve assembly with the inlet of said heater tank; and operating means connected with said six valves arranged to selectively effect opening of one, or simultaneous opening of two, of said six valves.

Claim 40

A fryer unit as defined in claim 25, wherein a manually operable drain valve is mounted in a branch tube connected with the third tube; and the operating means for selectively opening the valves is operable to:

Claim 41

A fryer unit as defined in claim 25, wherein a filter bowl is disposed in communication with the cooking pot and has a crumb well in the lower portion thereof; and wherein the sixth tube extends into said filter bowl at a level substantially above the crumb well; and wherein an adapter is connectable with said sixth tube and includes a pump-out hose extensible into the bottom of the crumb well; and wherein the operating means for selectively opening the valves is operable to open the fourth valve to allow oil to be pumped out of the crumb well.

Claim 42

A fryer unit as defined in claim 27, wherein the fourth valve is a solenoid operated valve; and wherein the operating means for the fourth valve comprises a switch connected in a circuit with said fourth valve for effecting opening of said fourth valve.

Claim 43

A fryer unit as defined in claim 25, including a filter in the filter bowl, and wherein a vacuum operated means is connected in the second tube and is responsive to a given suction condition at the inlet of the pump caused by partial clogging of the filter, to effect opening of the second and fourth valves to allow cooking oil to return from the cooking pot to the storage tank.

Claim 44

A fryer unit as defined in claim 29, wherein the vacuum operated means is a NO vacuum switch, and wherein the second and fourth valves are solenoid operated and connected in a circuit with the vacuum switch to open when the vacuum switch is closed.

Claim 45

A fryer unit as defined in claim 25, wherein each of the six valves is solenoid operated; and wherein the operating means connected with the six valves comprises switches connected in a circuit with said valves and selectively operable to effect simultaneous opening of the first and sixth valves, the fourth and sixth valves, the third and sixth valves, the second and fourth valves, and to selectively individually open the first and fifth valves.

Claim 46

A fryer unit, comprising: a cooking pot; a storage tank; a heater tank for heating cooking oil; a pump; a motor connected to drive said pump; a pump relay contrOlling said pump motor; tubing interconnecting said cooking pot, storage tank, heater tank and pump; a pair of NO solenoid operated valves connected in said tubing between said storage tank and said pump; an operate switch; a fill relay; a motor driven timer; a pair of switches operated by said timer; an electrical circuit inter-connecting said OPERATE switch, fill relay, pump relay, solenoid valves, timer motor, pump motor, and timer operated switches, said pump relay having a coil that is energized upon closing of said OPERATE switch and having one pair of NO contacts that close to provide a holding circuit for the pump relay coil and another pair of NO contacts that close to complete a circuit to the pump motor to energize the pump; one of said timer operated switches having NC contacts that complete a circuit to the coil of said fill relay to energize said fill relay, said contacts being opened after a predetermined time interval of operation of the motor to de-energize said fill relay, said fill relay having NO contacts connected with the timer motor to energize said timer motor as said fill relay is energized, said fill relay also having NO contacts that close to complete a holding circuit to said coil of said fill relay, said fill relay having additional NO contacts that close to complete a circuit to said two solenoid operated valves to energize and open said valves to allow flow of cooking oil from said storage tank to said heater tank and cooking pot, said valves being de-energized to close upon de-energizing of said fill relay and opening of the NC contacts of said one timer operated switch at the end of said predetermined time interval.

Claim 47

A fryer unit, comprising: a cooking pot; a storage tank; a heater tank for heating cooking oil; a pump; a motor connected to drive said pump; a pump relay contrOlling said pump motor; tubing interconnecting said cooking pot, storage tank, heater tank and pump; a pair of NO solenoid operated valves connected in said tubing between said storage tank and said pump; an operate switch; a fill relay; a motor driven timer; a pair of switches operated by said timer; an electrical circuit inter-connecting said OPERATE switch, fill relay, pump relay, solenoid valves, timer motor, pump motor, and timer operated switches, said pump relay having a coil that is energized upon closing of said OPERATE switch and having one pair of NO contacts that close to provide a holding circuit for the pump relay coil and another pair of NO contacts that close to complete a circuit to the pump motor to energize the pump; one of said timer operated switches having NC contacts that complete a circuit to the coil of said fill relay to energize said fill relay, said contacts being opened after a predetermined time interval of operation of the motor to de-energize said fill relay, said fill relay having NO contacts connected with the timer motor to energize said timer motor as said fill relay is energized, said fill relay also having NO contacts that close to complete a holding circuit to said coil of said fill relay, said fill relay having additional NO contacts that close to complete a circuit to said two solenoid operated valves to energize and open said valves to allow flow of cooking oil from said storage tank to said heater tank and cooking pot, said valves being de-energized to close upon de-energizing of said fill relay and opening of the NC contacts of said one timer operated switch at the end of said predetermined time interval.

Claim 48

A fryer unit as defined in claim 32, including a cabinet containing the cooking pot and other components of the unit; and including means communicating with the cooking pot and providing a crumb well; and a motor driven conveyor mounted in said cabinet, arranged to remove crumbs from said crumb well, the motor of said conveyor being connected in the circuit to be energized upon closing of the OPERATE switch.

Claim 49

A fryer unit as defined in claim 33, including a motor driven blower in the cabinet; and an instrument panel mounted on said cabinet having an OPERATE signal light and a UNIT ON signal light mounted thereon; and wherein the blower motor, and said signal lights are energized upon closing of the OPERATE switch.