NL1035983C

NL1035983C - Device for frying food products.

Info

Publication number: NL1035983C
Application number: NL1035983A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Adrianus Cornelis Maria Verdaasdonk
Original assignee: Steamfry B V
Priority date: 2008-09-25
Filing date: 2008-09-25
Publication date: 2010-03-26

Description

-1-

Dcvice for flying food products DESCRIPTION

S The invention refers to a device for flying food products by exposing such products to a flow of a gaseous heating medium, e.g. air or superheated steam.

Several disclosures, e.g. W02006/096058, GB2347338, US4933199, EP0482709 and US5171600 disclose methods for flying food products by exposing such products to a flow of 10 a gaseous heating medium, e.g. air or superheated steam at a temperature range of 150-250°C, e.g. during 1 to S minutes.

Although it is known from several publications to fry products like e.g. French fries, croquettes, etc. by means of a flow of a gaseous heating medium, e.g. air or superheated 15 steam, instead of the traditional deep flying oil, until now this knowledge did not lead to a device which was able to produce French fries, croquettes etc. having an equal or even better quality than the traditionally fried products.

It is an aim of a co-pending patent application of applicant to provide a device which can at 20 least equal or even excel the absolute and perceptual quality of traditionally oil fried products. To that end, the co-pending application discloses a device for flying food products by exposing such products to a flow of a gaseous heating medium, e.g. air or superheated steam. The device disclosed there comprises a basket which can be filled with said products to be fried. The basket is connected to driving means which are arranged to rotate the basket around 25 a rotation axis and the basket and its driving means are arranged so that, during operation, the products are carried upwards by the rotating basket in a first area within the rotating basket, and tumble down largely freely in a second area within the rotating basket. The basket is surrounded by a heating chamber, connected to an inflow channel which is connected to blowing means and heating means, for blowing the heating medium into the heating chamber, 30 as well as an outflow channel for discharging the heating medium from the heating chamber. One or more of the device components, i.e. the heating chamber, the inflow channel, the blowing means and/or the outflow channel are arranged and/or shaped so that at least a substantial part of the flow of the gaseous heating medium is directed towards the second area within the basket, i.e. the area where the products are tumbling down during operation of the 1035983 -2- device.

It is an aim of the present invention, i.e. the subject of this patent application, to provide a construction which is arranged to enable practical and easily operational loading and S unloading the basket in which die French fries etc. are deep fried.

To that end, in a device for frying food products by exposing such products to a flow of a heating medium, e.g. air or superheated steam, the device comprising a mainly cylindrical basket which can be filled with said products to be fried, which basket is surrounded by a 10 heating chamber and connected to driving means which are arranged to rotate the basket around a rotation axis within die heating chamber, it is, according to the present invention, preferred that the basket comprises two mainly half-cylindrical basket halves, i.e. a first basket half and a second basket halt and interconnection means which are arranged to enable both basket halves to be interconnected, framing one closed basket, when located within said IS heating chamber, as well as to enable die first basket half to stay within the heating chamber and the second basket half to be moved outward the heating chamber through an opening in the heating chamber in order to enable to load the basket with said products to be fried or to unload the basket after the products have been fried, or in order to clean the interior of the basket etc.

20

In a preferred embodiment the interconnection means comprise two slider constructions, mainly opposed to each other at the cylindrical outer surface of the basket and arranged to enable the second basket half to slide outward and inward die heating chamber through said opening in die heating chamber. Such a slider construction may be more or less similar to any 25 slider construction which may be used to open and shut drawers in e.g. cupboards, writing desks etc. Such sliders -which are known as such by persons skilled in the ait- are arranged to enable a draw»: -or the second basket half in die device according to the present application -to be pulled out and pushed in again along a mainly straight line towards the user/operator and backwards again.

As will be made more apparent in the figures and their description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it may, in a preferred embodiment, be preferred that the first basket half is connected to the driving means via a drive shaft 30 -3-

In a preferred embodiment it is preferred that the second basket half is connected to closure means, e.g. a cover plate, arranged for closing the opening in the heating chamber when the second basket half is located within said heating chamber framing one closed basket together with the first basket half. Besides, it is preferred that the second basket half comprises a 5 bearing shaft which extends in or through said closure means, thus enabling to support and bear die whole basket, framed by both basket halves when the second basket half is located within said heating chamber. After the second basket half has been moved into the heating chamber (and thus forms a complete basket, together with die first basket half), die closure means are received and centred by the heat chamber opening. As, besides, the bearing shaft 10 extends in or through the closure means, this bearing shaft bears and supports the (complete) basket, which is in particular important when the device is in operation and the basket is in rotation, driven by the driving means, which make the basket to rotate via the driving shaft, connected to the first basket half.

15 It may be preferred that the bearing shaft extends through said closure means (e.g. cover plate) and is fixedly connected to an operation module arranged for supervising the basket's operation, particularly its rotation. In this way the closure means, which cover the chamber opening and which do not rotate, are provided with said operation module -which may, just like the closure means/cover plate, be a rather simple, e.g. circular plate- which, during 20 rotation of die basket when die device is in operation, rotates together with the rotating basket, viz. via the bearing shaft which penetrates through the closure means/cover plate. Preferable, the control means may be provided with means, e.g. in the form of a handle, for operating -when the basket stands still- the second basket half to move, e.g. slide, inward or outward the heating chamber via its opening.

25

Preferably, the means for operating the second basket half to move, e.g. slide, inward or outward the heating chamber via its opening -e.g. handle-, is arranged, moreover, to turn (i.e. to rotate) the second basket half around its rotation axis in order to unload the products from the second basket half into product receiving means.

30

In order to provide that the product can be picket up by the device operator in a convenient way it is preferred that such product receiving means -e.g. a bin or tray- comprise a more or less slanting bottom, running down in at least one direction transverse to the rotation axis of the basket. The slanting bottom provides that the fried products, unloaded from the second -4- basket half, will move sideward, where the products can be taken out conveniently, packed and delivered to die customer.

Hereinafter the invention will be discussed more in detail with reference to some figures, 5 showing a preferred embodiment of the device according to die invention:

Figure 1 shows a cross- section A-A, seen from the device's front:

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of die device; 10

Figure 3 shows a cross-section B-B, seen on the device's side;

Figures 4a-h show the basket halves in several operational stages of the frying process.

IS The figures 1-3 show a device for frying food products 1 by exposing those (noducts to a flow of a gaseous heating medium 2, e.g. air or superheated steam. The device comprises a basket 3 which can be filled, via a filling opening (not shown explicitly) with said products 1 to be fried. The basket is connected to driving means, an electromotor 4, which is arranged to rotate the basket around its (virtual) rotation axis 4a. The basket 3 and its driving means 4 are 20 arranged so that, during operation, the products 1 are moved upwards by the rotating basket in a first area 5 within the rotating basket (about the left area in figure 1), and move largely freely in a second area 6 within the rotating basket (about the middle and the right area in figure 1).

25 The basket 3 is surrounded by a heating chamber 7 which comprises or is connected to an inflow channel g which comprises or is connected to blowing means -preferably a centrifugal fan 9 (see e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/centrifugal fan). driven by an electromotor 10, and heating means 11 -e.g. electrical heating elements-, for generating the heating medium, e.g. superheated steam originating from water, sprayed into system via a nozzle configuration 12 30 and blowing the heating medium into the heating chamber 7. An outflow channel 13 is provided for discharging the heating medium 2 from the heating chamber 7. The heating chamber 7, the inflow channel 8, the blowing means 9, the outflow channel 13 and/or the driving means 4 are arranged and/or shaped so that at least a substantial part of the flow 2 of the gaseous heating medium is directed towards the second area 6 within the basket where the -5- products are moving (e.g. floating, gliding, tumbling, turning round) largely freely during operation. The basket 3 has the shape of a cylinder, e.g. a mainly circular, ellipsoid or polygonal cylinder. Preferably, the inflow channel 8 is mainly located at the underside and the outflow channel 13 mainly at the upside of the heating chamber 7.

5

As noted, the blowing means are mainly formed by a centrifugal blower 9, comprising a housing 14, a fan IS and drive motor 10. During operation, the fan IS is driven to rotate around an axis which is mainly parallel to the rotation axis of said basket, however, into a rotation direction (arrow 16) which is opposite to the rotation direction (arrow 17) of the 10 basket 3.

As figure 3 shows explicitly, the outflow channel 13 is connected to a feedback channel 18 which, in turn, is connected to the inflow channel. This feedback channel 18 also comprises the heating means 11,12 which serves for (repeating the heating medium which exits the IS heating chamber after having fried the products 1 at a temperature of about 150 - 250 degrees

Celsius. As can be seen, the heating chamber 7, the outflow channel 13, the feedback channel 18, the fan housing 14 and the inflow channel 8 form in fact one, aerodynamically well shaped, integrated heating medium circulation channel system, the various system parts 13, 18,14,8 and 7 of which flow over in each other smoothly.

20

Figures 4a-h show a detail of the device shown in the preceding figures, including the cylindrical basket 3 and the heating chamber 7. The basket comprises two mainly half-cylindrical basket halves, i.e. a first basket half 3a and a second basket half 3b, and interconnection means 21,22 which are arranged to enable both basket halves to be 25 interconnected, forming one closed basket, when located within said heating chamber 7, as well as to enable the first basket half 3a to stay within the heating chamber and the second basket half 3b to be moved outward the heating chamber through an opening 23 in the heating chamber 7 in order to enable to load the basket with said products 1 to be fried or to unload the basket after the products have been fried, or in order to clean the interior of the basket etc. 30

The interconnection means 21,22 comprises two slider constructions, mainly opposed to each other at the cylindrical outer surface of the basket 3, i.e. at the half cylindrical edges of the first and second basket half respectively. The sliders are arranged to enable the second basket half to slide outward and inward the heating chamber through said opening 23 in the heating 5 -6* chamber 7.

The first basket half 3a is connected to the driving means 4 (not visible in figures 4a-h) via a drive shaft 4b.

The second basket half 3b is connected to closure means, i.e. here a cover plate 24 (however could have various alternative forms) which is arranged for closing the opening 23 in the heating chamber 7 when the second basket half 3b is located within the heating chamber 7 and forms one closed basket 3 (see preceding figures) together with the first basket half 3a.

10

The second basket half 3b comprises a bearing shaft 25 which extends through the cover plate 24, which construction provides support and bearing for die whole basket 3 (Le. both basket halves 3a, 3b) when the second basket half 3b is within said heating chamber 7. In this way, when -the situation of figure 4a- the basket 3 is rotated by its driving means 4 (via drive shaft 15 4b), the basket is supported by bearings at both sides, viz. at its front side by bearing shaft 25 which is connected to the second basket half 3b and which extends through cover plate 24 (which itself is received and centred by opening 23 in the heating chamber 7), as well as at its rear side by drive shaft 4b which extends through an dividing wall 29 between the feedback channel 18 (see figure 3) and the heating chamber 7.

20

The bearing shaft 25, extending through the cover plate 24, is fixedly connected to an operation module 26 which is arranged for supervising the basket's operation, particularly its rotation: during rotation of the basket 3, the operation module 26 rotates at the same time, viz. driven by the bearing shaft 25. So, the cover plate 24, covering the heating chamber opening 25 23 stands still during rotation of the basket 3, whereas the operation module 26 -which may have the form of a circular plate- rotates together with the basket, which rotation can be monitored by the device's operator. A handle 27 is fixedly mounted at the front side of the plate 26 which of course rotates with the basket rotation as well, which can be monitored by the device operator. Moreover, this handle 27 is used for operating the second basket half 3b 30 to move, i.e. slide, outward (figures 4a-c) or inward (figures 4e-g) the heating chamber 7 via its opening 23.

The handle 27 for operating the second basket half to move, e.g. slide, inward or outward the heating chamber 7 via its opening 23, moreover is arranged to turn the second basket half 3b -7- around its rotation axis in order to unload the products 1 from the second basket half into product receiving means 28, which is illustrated in figures 4d and 4h.

After its driving motor 4 has been stopped the basket comes -by means of a mechanism 5 which is within the capabilities of any person skilled in the art- into standstill in the position which is illustrated in figure 4a, basket half 3b is pulled frontward by die device operator, using handle 27 (figures 4b-c), and is rotated, also by the operator, using handle 27, about 90 degrees, causing the basket 3 to be unloaded, viz. by causing die fried products 1 to fall into product receiving means such as a receiving bin 28.

10

The receiving bin 28 preferably comprises a more or less slanting bottom 30, nmning down in at least one direction transverse to die rotation axis of die basket, causing that the fried products, Ming out of the turned-over basket half 3b, move to die lowest side 31 of the bin 28, thus facilitating die removal of the fried products 1 for further processing, The bin 30 may IS be provided with an opening or chute 32 in its bottom for removal of die fried products, e.g.

to dump French fries into a bag.

1 o 3 5 9 β 3

Claims

1. Inrichting voor het frituren van voedselproducten (1) blootstelling van deigelijke producten aan een stroom (2) gasvormig verhittingsmedium, bijv. lucht of oververhitte 5 stoom, waarbij de inrichting een in hoofdzaak cilindervormige mand (3) omvat die met die te frituren producten kan worden gevuld, welke mand is omgeven door een verhittingskamer (7) en verbonden met aandrijfiniddelen (4) die zijn ingericht om de mand binnen de verhittingskamer om een rotatieas (4a) te roteren; 10 waarbij de mand twee in hoofdzaak halfcilindervormige mandhelften omvat, d.w.z. een eerste mandhelll (3a) en een tweede mandhelft (3b), en verbindingsmiddelen (21,22) die zijn ingericht om beide mandhelften in staat te stellen om met elkaar te worden verbonden waarbij één gesloten mand wordt gevormd, wanneer zij zich binnen de verhittingskamer bevinden, en om de eerste mandhelft (3a) in staat te stellen om binnen de verhittingskamer IS te blijven en de tweede mandhelft om door een opening (23) in de verhittingskamer naar buiten die verhittingskamer te worden bewogen teneinde het mogelijk te maken de mand met de te frituren producten (1) te vullen of de mand leeg te maken nadat de producten zijn gefrituurd, of om de binnenzijn van de mand etc. te kunnen reinigen.Device for frying food products (1) exposure of similar products to a stream (2) gaseous heating medium, eg air or superheated steam, the device comprising a substantially cylindrical basket (3) which is to be fried with those products to be fried can be filled, which basket is surrounded by a heating chamber (7) and connected to drive means (4) which are adapted to rotate the basket within the heating chamber about an axis of rotation (4a); 10 wherein the basket comprises two substantially semi-cylindrical basket halves, ie a first basket shell (3a) and a second basket half (3b), and connecting means (21, 22) adapted to enable both basket halves to be connected to each other, one closed basket is formed when they are inside the heating chamber, and to enable the first basket half (3a) to stay inside the heating chamber IS and the second basket half to exit through an opening (23) in the heating chamber heating chamber in order to make it possible to fill the basket with the products to be fried (1) or to empty the basket after the products have been fried, or to be able to clean the inside of the basket etc.

2. Inrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de mand de vorm heeft van een in hoofdzaak cirkelvormige, ellipsoïde of polygonale cilinder.Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basket has the shape of a substantially circular, ellipsoid or polygonal cylinder.

3. Inrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de verbindingsmiddelen (21,22) twee schuifconstructies omvatten, die zich in hoofdzaak tegenover elkaar op het 25 cilindervormige buitenoppervlak van de mand bevinden en die zijn ingericht om de tweede mandhelft in staat te stellen om via de opening (23) in de verhittingskamer naar buiten en naar binnen die verhittingskamer te kunnen schuiven.3. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting means (21,22) comprise two sliding constructions, which are situated substantially opposite each other on the cylindrical outer surface of the basket and which are adapted to enable the second half of the basket to pass through the opening (23) being able to slide outward and inward into the heating chamber in the heating chamber.

4. Inrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de eerste mandhelft (3a) is verbonden met de 30 aandrijfiniddelen (4) via een aandrijfas (4b).4. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first basket half (3a) is connected to the drive means (4) via a drive shaft (4b).

5. Inrichting volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de tweede mandhelft (3b) is verbonden met afsluitmiddelen (24), bijv. een afdekplaat, ingericht voor het afsluiten van de opening (23) in de verhittingskamer (7) wanneer de tweede mandhelft zich binnenin de 1035983 -9- verhittingskamer bevindt en één gesloten mand vormt met de eerste mandhelft (3a).Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the second basket half (3b) is connected to closing means (24), e.g. a cover plate, arranged for closing the opening (23) in the heating chamber (7) when the second basket half is located within the heating chamber and forms one closed basket with the first basket half (3a).

6. Inrichting volgas conclusie 5, waarbij de tweede mandhelft een lageringsas (25) omvat, die zich uitstrekt in of door de afeluitmiddelen (24) heen, die het aldus mogelijk maakt om 5 de gehele mand, gevormd door beide mandhelftcn wanneer de tweede mandhelft zich binnenin de verhittingskamer bevindt, te ondersteunen en te lageren.Apparatus full axle claim 5, wherein the second basket half comprises a bearing shaft (25) extending into or through the draw-off means (24), thus making it possible to cover the entire basket formed by both basket half when the second basket half can be supported and supported within the heating chamber.

7. Inrichting volgens conclusie 6, waarbij de lageringsas (25) zich door de afsluitmiddelen (24) heen uitstrekt en vast is verbonden met een bedieningsmodule (26) die is ingericht 10 voor het inspecteren van de werking van de mand, in het bijzonder het roteren ervan, alsmede met middelen, bijv. een handgreep (27), voor het bedienen van de tweede mandhelft bij het via de opening (23) naar binnen of naar buiten de verhittingskamer (7) bewegen, bijv. schuiven.Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bearing shaft (25) extends through the closing means (24) and is fixedly connected to an operating module (26) which is arranged for inspecting the operation of the basket, in particular the rotating it, as well as with means, e.g. a handle (27), for operating the second basket half when moving through the opening (23) in or out of the heating chamber (7), e.g. sliding.

8. Inrichting volgens conclusie 7, waarbij de middelen (27) voor het bedienen van de tweede mandhelft bij het via de opening (23) naar binnen of naar buiten de verhittingskamer (7) bewegen, bijv. schuiven, bovendien zijn ingericht om de tweede mandhelft (3b) om zijn rotatieas te draaien teneinde de producten (1) uit de tweede mandhelft in productopvangmiddelen (28) te kunnen lossen. 20Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means (27) for operating the second basket half when moving through the opening (23) in or out of the heating chamber (7), for example sliding, are additionally arranged around the second basket half (3b) to rotate its axis of rotation in order to be able to release the products (1) from the second basket half into product receiving means (28). 20

9. Inrichting volgens conclusie 8, waarbij de productopvangmiddelen (28) een min of meer schuine bodem omvatten, die in ten minste één richting dwars op de rotatieas van de mand afloopt 1035983Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the product receiving means (28) comprise a more or less inclined bottom, which runs in at least one direction transversely to the axis of rotation of the basket 1035983