Flat electric heating body and deep fryer with tub, trough and sump

Claim 1

A deep fryer comprising an oil container Having substantially upright sheet metal side walls, and means for electrically heating one of said side walls for thus heating oil in said container that is in contact with interior surfaces of said side walls, said deep fryer being characterized by: A. said side walls being substantially unbent to have substantially planar interior and exterior surfaces; B. a sheet metal channel member at the exterior of said one side wall, said channel member (1) having an elongated portion of U-shaped cross-section that projects outwardly from said exterior surface and cooperates therewith to define an elongated tubular pocket which is open at one of its ends, and (2) having elongated flange portions which are connected with said portion of U-shaped cross-section at laterally opposite sides thereof, extend lengthwise along the same, and flatwise overlie and are secured to said exterior surface of said one side wall; and C. said means for heating said one side wall comprising an electric heating element enclosed in an elongated heating body of electrically insulating material of essentially the same size and shape as said tubular pocket, said heating body being lengthwise slidably received to provide a close fit on all sides in said tubular pocket, to be insertable thereinto and removable therefrom through said open end thereof, said heating means being thus completely enclosed by said pocket so as to retain heat from said heating means and directing it to said side wall to which said pocket is attached.