Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A process for frying food which comprises: placing food on a foraminous support within a heating chamber, creating a flow of air about a heat source to increase the temperature thereof to a predetermined temperature sufficient to fry said food when admixed with a liquid heat exchange medium comprising a fat, circulating said air flow about the food within said chamber while introducing said heat exchange medium into said air flow, and continuously circulating the air containing dispersed fat between the food and said heat source for a period of time sufficient to fry said food.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for frying food which comprises: placing food on a foraminous support within a heating chamber, creating a flow of air about a heat source to increase the temperature thereof to a predetermined temperature sufficient to fry said food when admixed with a liquid heat exchange medium comprising a fat, circulating said air flow about the food within said chamber while introducing said heat exchange medium into said air flow, and continuously circulating the air containing dispersed fat between the food and said heat source for a period of time sufficient to fry said food.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the air is caused to flow relative to the chamber and the support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the chamber is closed and the air is continuously circulated within the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein liquid heat exchange medium is collected at the bottom of the chamber and recirculated for redispersion into the air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein an impeller blade positioned in a reservoir at the bottom of the chamber disperses the liquid heat exchange medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the foraminous support is rotated within the chamber during heating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the speed of rotation is increased at least once during heating to remove excess liquid heat exchange material therefrom by centrifugal force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the air and liquid heat exchange medium are heated to a temperature within the range of from about 250° to about 450° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the chamber is closed and maintained at a pressure within the range of from about 1 to about 50 psig.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the liquid heat exchange medium comprises a triglyceride fat at a temperature within the range of from about 250° to about 450° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a constant flow of air about the product is maintained by rotating the foraminous support within the chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the liquid heat exchange medium is supplied in a quantity sufficient to thoroughly wet the surface of the food and to drip into a reservoir from which it can be recycled for redispersion into the air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the fat and air are heated to a temperature within the range of from about 250° to about 450° F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to claim 5 wherein the fat is supplied in a quantity sufficient to thoroughy wet the surface of the food and to drip into a reservoir from which it can be recycled for redispersion into the air.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 14 wherein the support is rotated at least once at a rate effective to cause excess oil to be removed from the food by centrifugal force.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 14 wherein the chamber is closed during heating.