Floating particles removal within a food fryer

Abstract

A fryer with a vessel, that contains a hot fluid-bath with a fluid level, and which includes one or more belts which transport products to be fried through the hot fluid-bath; a submerge belt that hinders the products from floating to the fluid level, and a floating particles removing device. A surface of the belts on which the products are located during transportation in the fryer has a submerged section being submerged in the hot fluid-bath. The submerge belt has a submerged section being submerged in the hot fluid-bath. The floating particle removing device is located vertically above the submerged section of the submerge belt and/or of the submerge section of the surface of the belts.

Claims

1) A fryer with a vessel, that contains a hot fluid-bath with a fluid level and which comprises: one or more belts that transport products to be fried through the hot fluid-bath, wherein a surface of the one or more belts on which the products are located during transportation in the fryer has a submerged section that is submerged in the hot fluid-bath; a submerge belt that hinders the products from floating to the fluid level, wherein the submerge belt has a submerged section that is submerged in the hot fluid-bath; and a floating particles removing device, that is located vertically above the submerged section of the submerge belt and/or the submerge section of the surface of the one or more belts.

2) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fryer comprises an entry region, in which the submerge belt and/or the surface of the one or more belts enters into the hot fluid-bath, the fryer also has an exit region in which the submerge belt and/or the surface of the one or more belts exits the hot fluid-bath, wherein the floating particle removing device is located between the entry region and the exit region.

3) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the vessel comprises longitudinal walls, and the floating particles removing device is located adjacent to at least one of the longitudinal walls.

4) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fryer comprises guiding means which guide floating particles to the floating particles removing device.

5) The fryer according to claim 4, wherein the guiding means extend at least partially over a width of the vessel of the fryer.

6) The fryer according to claim 4 wherein the guiding means have a concave shape, a convex shape, are straight, or a combination thereof.

7) The fryer according to claim 4, wherein the guiding means have a non-sticky surface.

8) The fryer according to claim 4, wherein the guiding means are part of, integrated in, and/or connected to, the submerge conveyor.

9) The fryer according to claim 4, wherein the guiding means are part of, integrated in, and/or connected to a transit conveyor and/or a non-stick conveyor and/or a takeover conveyor.

10) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fryer comprises a fluid level control means that controls the fluid level above a height of the submerged section of the submerge belt and/or the submerged surface of the one or more belts.

11) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fryer comprises a water slot in the vessel, wherein the water slot is interrupted at a location of the floating particle removal device.

12) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the floating particles removing device comprises mechanical means to remove floating particles from the fryer.

13) The fryer according to claim 20, wherein movement of the moving scrapper bar and/or the reciprocating scrapper bar is guided in a profile.

14) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein a sediment removal device and the floating particle removal device are combined and located at one sidewall of the vessel.

15) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the floating particle removal device comprises filter means and a hot fluid return channel.

16) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fryer comprises a weir to skim floating particles from a hot fluid surface.

17) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein the fryer comprises floating particle displacing means to direct floating particles towards the floating particle removal device.

18) The fryer according to claim 1, wherein vacuum means withdraw floating particles from a hot fluid surface.

19) The fryer according to claim 4, wherein the guiding means have Teflon.

20) The fryer according to claim 12, wherein the mechanical means comprises an auger and/or a belt and/or a moving scraper bar and/or a reciprocating scraper bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] The inventions are now explained according to the Figures. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection. These explanations apply to all embodiments of the present invention likewise.

[0027] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b, and 4 depict a fryer according to the state in the art.

[0028] FIGS. 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, and 7c show the inventive fryer.

[0029] FIGS. 8, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 10a, 10b, 10c, 11a, 11b, and 11c show different embodiments of the floating particle removing device.

[0030] FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c, 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e show the combined removal device.

[0031] FIGS. 15a and 15b show the displacing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1a depicts a continuous food fryer 1 known from the state of the art. The vessel 11 comprises a hot fluid volume and a corresponding fluid level 10. Food and/or feed products enter the fryer at entry side 8 and exit the fryer at exit side 9. Depending on the length of the fryer and/or the amount of sediment to expect cross dirt/particle removal device 33 is provided.

[0033] There are numerous configurations of belt layouts possible, the configuration in FIG. 1 b depicts an infeed conveyor 3, a non-stick conveyor 4 for processing coated and/or sticky products and a takeover conveyor 5. In case non-coated and/or non-sticky products will be fried a transit conveyor 2 can be applied instead of the combination of a non-stick conveyor 4 and a takeover conveyor 5. A submerge conveyor 6 can be applied to allow processing buoyant food products. Each conveyor can be provided as a mesh belt, preferably an endless mesh belt.

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts the state of the art wherein food and/or feed products 7 entering the hot fluid-bath 81 of the fryer via infeed conveyor 3 and will be transferred to non-stick conveyor 4. The optional submerge conveyor 6, preferably a mesh belt, more preferably an endless mesh belt, prevents the products from floating. Small separated particles 26 loosen from the coating and/or product will be in suspension. Heavier separated non-floating particles 28 will sink through and/or alongside the belts of the conveyors and preferably the heating element(s) of heat exchanger 61 towards bottom wall 16 of the fryer-vessel 11. A preferred built-in sediment removal system 30, for example a belt, a return part of transit conveyor 2/takeover conveyor 5 or in this embodiment a scraper belt, can be provided. The scraper can scrape the bottom wall of the fryer continuously, collect the food particles and transport them in the direction of sediment outlet 31.

[0035] Light particles 26 such as batter and/or breading will rise through the open mesh belt of submerge conveyor 6 and will float on the hot fluid surface and flow in the hot fluid flow direction 24 which hot fluid flow can be generated by flow distribution means 23.

[0036] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b depicts the state of the art wherein the scraper belt 30 carries the sediment over a built-in filter, here a slotted screen filter 29. The permeability can be in the range of 0.4-0.6 mm, larger particles will not enter the slots of the screen filter and will be transported in the direction of the sediment outlet 31 and to sediment collection means 32.

[0037] Floating particles 26 are transported to slotted screen filter 29 via hot fluid flow 24 and particles larger than the slots of the slotted screen filter will be discharged in sediment collection means 32. Hot fluid will be filtered via the slots in the slotted screen filter and flows towards hot fluid collection channel 50 and from thereon to hot fluid collection chamber 51 wherein positive pressure means 52 will pump the hot fluid via hot fluid transportation means 53 towards flow distribution means 23. The hot fluid can be additionally filtered via an external filter with a smaller permeability then the slotted screen filter 29 in order to remove the particles in suspension 27.

[0038] FIG. 4 depicts drawbacks in the state of the art. At the location where the fried food products exit the hot fluid-bath with fluid level 10 the floating particles first need to cross the moving open mesh belt of submerge conveyor 6 at location “A”, have to pass the fried products at location “B”, cross the moving open mesh belt of the transit/takeover conveyor 2, 5 at location “C” and cross the return part of the moving open mesh belt of the transit/takeover conveyor 2, 5 at location “D”. Floating particles will adhere to the several belts and will be picked up by the passing food products.

[0039] Further, floating particles will tend to adhere and accumulate to the frame parts of the conveyors. An additional drawback of the state in the art is that floating particles will burn due to contact with the heated hot fluid and will result in degradation of hot fluid and amongst others these carbonized particles can be picked up by other food products.

[0040] In another known application in the field the floating particles will be removed by a floating particle removal device at the food product-exit side. Floating particles flow towards the product-exit side of the vessel and will be discharged out of the fryer by the belt of the transit and/or takeover conveyor. The fried food product will be discharged over a perforated chute while floating particles and hot fluid pass through the perforations of the chute onto a conveyor positioned outside the fryer and from thereon into a collection bin. The remaining hot fluid will be collected and transported towards an external filter system and consequently to the fryer.

[0041] The disclosure of FIGS. 1-4 also apply to the present invention except the floating particle removing device.

[0042] Contrary to the state in the art, it is the present inventive concept, that the floating particles at the surface of the hot fluid-bath are removed as soon as possible after breaking out/dislodging from the food product. Hence, the floating particle removal takes place vertically above the submerged section of the submerge conveyor and/or the submerge section of the surface of the transportation means. This is the area, where the floating particles are loosened from the product.

[0043] Additionally or alternatively, the fryer comprises an entry region, in which the submerge conveyor and/or the surface of the transportation means enters into the hot fluid-bath and an exit region in which the submerge conveyor and/or the surface of the transportation means exits the hot fluid-bath. The floating particle removing device is located between the entry- and the exit-region.

[0044] In an embodiment of the invention a floating particle removable device 70 is provided as depicted in FIG. 5a. The embodiment of FIG. 5b comprises two removal devices 70, one located at the left longitudinal side wall 13 of the vessel and one located at the right longitudinal side wall of the vessel 14. The floating particles are floating in the direction of hot fluid flow 24 and guiding means/splitter means 73 direct the floating particles 26 towards the floating particle removal device(s) 70. In this embodiment the guiding means are designed as a splitter which is advantageously in case the width of the fryer, which extends horizontally and perpendicular to the direction of flow 24, is relatively large. The guiding means are preferably made from or coated with a non-stick material such as Teflon to prevent particles stick to the guiding means, further the guiding means extend just below the hot fluid surface/fluid level 10, preferably in order to prevent swirling of hot fluid at the location/bottom side of the guiding means within the hot fluid-bath but still be able to skim the surface of the hot fluid and collect the floating particles. Preferably the guiding means will extend such that the means and consequently the particles will end up inside the floating particle removal device 70.

[0045] Guiding means 73 are not limited to one shape as depicted but can vary; FIG. 6a depicts a concave shape, FIG. 6b a convex shape and FIG. 6c a straight shaped guiding means. A combination of shapes can be advantageous to improve the flow of floating particles 26 towards floating particle removal device 70.

[0046] In order to be able to fry products with a different thickness the submerge conveyor is preferably able to be adjusted such that products with a different thickness are transported between submerge conveyor 6 and respectively non-stick conveyor 4, transit conveyor 2 and/or takeover conveyor 5. Fluid level 10 within fryer vessel 11 can also vary with the product thickness.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 7a guiding means 73 are part of/integrated in/connected to the submerge conveyor 6. FIG. 7b and FIG. 7c depicts that this is advantageous in daily operation. In case the thickness of product 7 requires a change of the vertical position of the submerge conveyor 6, the guiding means 73 will automatically be adjusted to the new thickness and the correct fluid level 10 will be chosen such that the fluid level will preferably be provided at a predetermined distance “PD”, preferably in the range of 10-30 mm, above the lower portion of the belt of the submerge conveyor 6, The preferred predetermined distance results in a controlled distance “H” of fluid level 10 to bottom side guiding means 73 independent from the thickness of product 7. No separate adjustment regarding the guiding means will be needed. The frame of submerge conveyor 6 and depending on the position of guiding means 73, preferably also the frame of the transit conveyor 2, the non-stick conveyor 4 and/or the takeover conveyor 5, can be provided with, preferably large, recesses in order to allow hot fluid to flow alongside the guiding means towards particle discharge removal 70, preferably without the floating particles touching the frame parts and/or without the floating particles adhering and/or accumulating against the frame parts of the conveyors. Additional frame support means and/or conveyor belt support means can be positioned such that floating particles will not touch, adhere and/or accumulate against the conveyor belt support means.

[0048] A cross section of floating particle removal device 70 is depicted in FIG. 8 which is designed to operate within a range of different fluid levels; low fluid level 10L and high fluid level 10H. The corresponding position of guiding means at low fluid level 73L and high fluid level 73H is depicted.

[0049] Fryers in the state of the art can be provided with water slot 20 to collect the water vapor which will condense due to the warm environment within the fryer. Further water slot 20 can be provided with a minimum amount of water to prevent the leakage of gases from the fryer to the ambient. However, to be able to direct in case of a high fluid level 10H the floating particles towards floating particle device 70, water slot 20 in fryer vessel 11 is preferably interrupted at the location of the floating particle device.

[0050] In the embodiment of FIG. 8 the floating particles are guided towards floating particle removal device 70 and specifically towards its removing means 77, in this embodiment a belt and more specifically a scraper belt. Here, the particles end up directly at filter means 71. The hot fluid and smaller particles will pass the filter means, in this embodiment slots of screen filter 71, and will flow back towards the fryer via hot fluid return channel 76 in the direction of hot fluid flow 24. Preferably the hot fluid flows back into the fryer close to bottom wall 16 of the vessel to prevent that slightly cooled hot fluid comes into contact with the food products. The larger particles can be removed by the moving (depicted by the dashed arrows) bars towards floating particle outlet 72. The return part of the scraper belt runs back underneath the screen filter, can turn and runs over the screen filter to collect the floating particles. For cleaning the design can be such that filter means 71 can be removed. Filter means 71 and hot fluid return channel 76 are optional.

[0051] FIG. 9b depicts a cross section of another embodiment of floating particle removal device 70. This embodiment can be operated within a range of fluid levels 10L and 10H and therefore water slot 20 in fryer vessel 11 is preferably interrupted as depicted in FIG. 9a. Due to design-, manufacture- and stock-reasons it is advantageously to design the floating particle removal device as a modular element which is depicted in FIGS. 9c, 9d, and 9e.

[0052] The floating particles will be guided towards a floating particle removal device 70 and specifically towards its removing means 77, in this embodiment a belt and more specifically a scraper belt as depicted in cross section FIG. 9d. The particles first pass the returning moving bars and end up at filter means 71. The hot fluid and smaller particles pass the filter means, in this embodiment slots of screen filter 71 and flow back to the fryer via hot fluid return channel 76 in the direction of hot fluid flow 24. Preferably the hot fluid flows back into the fryer close to bottom wall 16 of the vessel to prevent that slightly cooled hot fluid comes into contact with the food products. The larger particles can be removed by the moving (depicted by the dashed arrows) bars towards floating particle outlet 72. The return part of the scraper belt preferably runs back above the part which is in contact with the screen filter. For cleaning the design can be such that filter means 71 can be removed. Filter means 71 and hot fluid return channel 76 are optional.

[0053] FIGS. 10a, 10b, and 10c depict a floating particle removal device 70 similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e with the difference that removing means 77 are in this embodiment a reciprocating scraper bar whose movement can be determined according to a predetermined guiding profile 74, in this embodiment determined by a cam track. Filter means 71 and hot fluid return channel 76 are optional.

[0054] FIGS. 11a, 11b, and 11c depict a floating particle removal device 70 wherein floating particle removal means 77 are an auger which rotates to remove the floating particles towards floating particle outlet 72. Device 70 is preferably not provided with filter means 71 and preferably not provided with hot fluid return channel 76 resulting in a simple and cost effective design.

[0055] In case the floating particles flow is not sufficiently in the direction of removal means 77, it can be advantageously to increase the hot fluid flow within the floating particle removal device by introducing filter means 71 and hot fluid return channel 76. FIG. 11b and FIG. 11c depicts a floating particle removal device 70 with filter means 71 and with hot fluid return channel 76 and similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e and FIGS. 10a, 10b, and 10c with the difference that the removal means will be an auger.

[0056] In state of the art, fryers, depending on the length of the fryer and/or the amount of sediment to expect, cross dirt removal device 33 can be provided as depicted in FIG. 1a and FIG. 5a. The location of cross dirt removal device 33 can be relatively close to food product-entry side 8 and at least after the location where excessive separation of particles of the food products within the fryer takes place. Removing the sediment relatively soon after separation of food particles will prevent/postpone degradation of hot fluid. Separated heavy non-floating particles 28 will sink to the bottom wall 16 of the fryer and will be moved in the direction of sediment outlet 31 by sediment removal means 30. At the location of cross dirt removal device 33 the bottom wall of the fryer can be provided with a recess/sink to collect sediment. Cross dirt removal means 34 may comprise a scraper belt which removes sediment which can be collected in the recess/sink in the bottom wall 16 of fryer vessel 11. In state of the art fryers sidewall 13 and/or 14 of the fryer is closed except at the recessed bottom wall/sink to able the cross dirt removal means 34 to pass the sidewall 13 and/or14 of the vessel.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 12a, 12b, and 12c a combination of a cross dirt removal device 33 and a floating particle removal device 70 can be designed such that both sediment and floating particles will be removed with one and the same device located at preferably one sidewall 13 and/or 14 of fryer vessel 11. Non-floating particles/sediment 28 and floating particles 26 can be discharged by one and the same removal means 34/77, in the embodiment of FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c depicted as moving scraper bars. Therefore, the sidewall 13 and/or 14, in FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c sidewall 14, of fryer vessel 11 is preferably in communication with the hot fluid surface.

[0058] FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c depict a floating particle removal device 70 similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c with the difference that filter means 71 and hot fluid return channel 76 are provided which is advantageously in case floating particles will not flow sufficiently in the direction of floating particle removal means 77. Filter means 71 and return channel 76 will create a hot fluid flow within device 70 which will favor the floating particles towards removing means 77. Return channel 76 should be located such that hot fluid returning back to the fryer will not flush away floating particles collected on the particle removal means 77. FIG. 13a depicts return channel 76 not in communication with particle removal means 77.

[0059] For all described embodiments a weir 80 can be applied to achieve/improve the skim of floating particles 26 from the hot fluid surface. FIGS. 14a, 14b depict an embodiment based on FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c wherein a weir 80 will be applied to achieve/improve the skim of floating particles 26 from the hot fluid surface. FIG. 14a is directed to a fryer with a low fluid level 10L and a corresponding low position of guiding means 73L. Weir 80 is adjusted such that hot fluid/floating particles at the surface and hot fluid just below the surface can pass the weir. FIG. 14b is directed to a fryer with a high fluid level 10H and a corresponding high position of guiding means 73H. Weir 80 is adjusted such that hot fluid/floating particles at the surface and hot fluid just below the surface can pass the weir.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment weir 80 can like guiding means 73 be part of/integrated in/connected to submerge conveyor 6. FIGS. 14c, 14d, 14e depict this embodiment. In case the product thickness changes, the fluid level and the submerge conveyor can be adjusted and consequently also connected weir 80.

[0061] In case floating particle flow is not sufficient in the direction of floating particle removal device 70 and/or the removal means 77, a weir can be advantageous, when only a limited amount of hot fluid is able to move the floating particles in the direction of removal device 70 and/or removal means 77.

[0062] For all described embodiments the flow of floating particles towards the floating particle removal device 70 can be further improved by floating particle displacing means 75 as depicted in FIG. 15a. Floating particles will flow above the floating particle displacing means 75 (depict in cut out in FIG. 15b) and can be collected at guiding means 73. Displacing means 75 can be provided with pressurized hot fluid at hot fluid entrance 79 via pumping means, preferably via flow distributor 23 and will comprise over its length multiple apertures angled in relation to guiding means 73.

[0063] Small jets of hot fluid can be applied to direct floating particles towards floating particle removal device 70. It is preferred not to influence the hot fluid flow around the food product negatively and to prevent air swirls which can result in degradation of hot fluid. In another embodiment floating particle displacing means can be integrated within guiding means 73. The invention is not limited to the two described embodiments and to the design depicted in FIGS. 15a, 15b.

[0064] For all described embodiments vacuum means 78 can be applied to withdraw floating particles from the hot fluid surface. Vacuum means can be used instead of guiding means 73, in that case the particles will be discharged from the hot fluid surface over the width of the fryer via vacuum for instance via a vacuum connection at one or two sides of the fryer or via a vacuum over the essentially entire width of the hot fluid-bath. Vacuum means can also be used in combination with guiding means 73.

[0065] The number and locations of floating particle removal devices 70 are not limited to the embodiments previous described. Depending on the length of the fryer, multiple particle removal devices 70 and/or one or more combination(s) of one or more cross dirt removal device(s) 33 and/or one or more floating particle removal devices 70 can be utilized. In another preferred embodiment a combination of one or more cross dirt removal device(s) 33 and one or more floating particle removal device(s) 70 can be positioned at the end of the fryer.

[0066] Filter means 71 and hot fluid return channel 76 are optional for all embodiments described. Preferably due to design, manufacture, cleaning and cost reasons no filter means 71 and no hot fluid return channel 76 will be applied however mainly depending on the frying process parameters such as hot fluid flow rate and speed of the hot fluid flow it can be advantageously to increase the hot fluid flow within the floating particle removal device by introducing filter means 71 and hot fluid return channel 76 such that floating particles will be favored to flow towards removing means 77.

[0067] The invention is not limited to vessel 11 comprising hot fluid but is also applicable to vessel 11 comprising hot water or broth in order to cook food products. The invention is not limited to the use of submerge conveyor 6. In case no submerge conveyor 6 will be used floating particles 26 can be removed from the oil/water/bouillon surface by guiding means 73 and/or vacuum means 78 and/or floating particle displacing means 75. These means can be connected to for instance vessel 11 and/or non-stick conveyor 4 and/or takeover conveyor 5 and/or transit conveyor 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0068] 1 fryer [0069] 2 transportation means, transit conveyor [0070] 3 transportation means, infeed conveyor [0071] 4 transportation means, non-stick conveyor [0072] 5 takeover conveyor [0073] 6 submerge conveyor [0074] 7 food product [0075] 8 food product-entry side [0076] 9food product-exit side [0077] 10 Fluid level, hot fluid level, oil level [0078] 11vessel, frying vessel [0079] 13 left side wall vessel [0080] 14 right side wall vessel [0081] 16 bottom wall vessel [0082] 20 water slot [0083] 23 flow distributor [0084] 24 direction hot fluid flow [0085] 26 floating particles [0086] 27 particles in suspension [0087] 28 non-floating particles, sediment [0088] 29 integrated filter means, built-in filter means, screen filter, slotted screen filter [0089] 30 sediment removal means, scraper, belt, retour belt [0090] 31 sediment outlet [0091] 32 sediment collection means [0092] 33 cross dirt removal device [0093] 34 cross dirt removal means [0094] 35 entry region [0095] 36 exit region [0096] 37 submerged section [0097] 38 surface of the transportation means on which the products are located during frying [0098] 50 hot fluid collection channel [0099] 51 hot fluid collection chamber [0100] 52 excess pressure means, positive pressure means, hot fluid pump [0101] 53 hot fluid transportation means, tube [0102] 61 heat exchanger [0103] 70 floating particles removing device [0104] 71 filter means, screen filter [0105] 72 floating particle outlet [0106] 73 guiding means [0107] 74 guiding profile [0108] 75 floating particle displacing means [0109] 76 hot fluid return channel [0110] 77 removal means floating particle removal device, auger, belt, scraper belt [0111] 78 vacuum means directed to floating particles [0112] 79 hot fluid entrance [0113] 80 weir [0114] 81 hot fluid-bath, oil bath, water-bath, broth-bath [0115] A Transit belt 6 [0116] B Transit food product 7 [0117] C, D Transit transportation belt 3-5 [0118] H Distance fluid level 10 to bottom side guiding means 73 [0119] PD Predetermined distance fluid level above belt submerge conveyor 6