DE102020117688B4 - Roasting device for oblong fried food, preferably for fried sausages - Google Patents

Abstract

Roasting device (1-6) for elongate fried food (7), preferably for fried sausages (7), with at least one conveyor unit (1) with at least one roasting surface (11) for receiving the elongate fried food (7) and with at least one, preferably adjustable, heating unit (2) for roasting the elongate fried food (7) on the roasting surface (11) of the conveyor unit (1), characterized in that the conveyor unit (1) has at least one conveyor (12) which is endlessly closed around the roasting surface (11). ,wherein the conveying unit (1) is designed to move the conveying means (12) in a conveying direction (A) over the frying surface (11),wherein the conveying means (12) have a plurality of rod elements ( 12b), each of which has a receiving space (12c) between them for at least one oblong item to be fried (7), preferably for exactly one oblong item to be fried (7), with the conveying means (12) opposite the roasting surface (11) being such is arranged so that an elongate item (7) accommodated in a receiving space (12c) can be moved over the roasting surface (11) by a rod element (12b) of the conveyor (12) at least essentially in a rolling manner in the conveying direction (A).

Description

The present invention relates to a frying device according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Bratwurst is one of the generally popular dishes that are sold to the public to take away, so to speak “on hand”. Various types are known, depending on the composition of the meat products, as well as different shapes, which can differ in length, in diameter and possibly in the course of the longitudinal extension between straight or curved, possibly in the extent of the curvature.

Bratwurst of this type are usually freshly prepared and sold to the public by bratwurst stands. For this purpose, the sausages are stored there, usually refrigerated, prepared by one person using a roasting device and then sold, for example, in a half-sliced bun or on a cardboard pad for direct consumption to customers to take away. The bratwurst can be freshly prepared when an order is received or prepared in advance and then kept warm on a shelf in order to be able to react more quickly to a customer's order. Other meat-containing or meatless dishes can also be prepared by roasting as such oblong fried food and sold for direct consumption.

Devices are known as frying devices and are widely used because of their simplicity, which have a heatable, smooth, closed plate on which, for example, the sausages can be placed and fried through contact with the hot plate. The heating can usually take place electrically or with gas from below against the underside of the plate and can be adjusted with regard to the temperature or the intensity of the heating. possibly two sections of the plate can be heated to different degrees in order to fry the sausages on one section and to keep the fried sausages warm on the other section as a shelf.

The sausages have to be turned or rolled regularly by the person, for example using tongs or the like, to avoid burning or excessive frying at the same point on the sausages and to fry the outer surface of the sausages as completely and evenly as possible. This can greatly affect the quality of the roasting process and thus also the fried sausages. In particular, frying the sausages for too long in the same place can lead to the sausages being burnt, which can lead to the burned sausages being rejected. Furthermore, turning or rolling the sausages represents an effort that can bind the person accordingly, so that the person cannot perform any other tasks such as taking orders and the like during this time.

In order to relieve the person from turning or rolling the sausages during the roasting process and/or to make the roasting of the sausages more even and uniform in the roasting result, various roasting devices are known which roast the sausages at the same time and let them roll on the spot be able. For example describe CN 201452929 U , U.S. 7,367,261 B2 and U.S. 2017/0156545 A1 in each case roasting devices in which sausages can be heated from above or from below and thereby fried. The sausages each rest on two parallel, immediately adjacent rotating rollers, ie the sausages are located between the two rollers, which can either be heated themselves or allow the heat to reach the respective sausage from below through the slit-like spacing.

For the same purpose are, for example, from U.S. 7,377,209 B2 , CN 107811525A , CN 202537259 U and EP 1 814 425 B1 Frying devices are known in which a guide unit is arranged above a level or inclined, heatable, flat, closed plate, which has a plurality of parallel, elongate receptacles for one sausage each. The guide unit can be automatically moved laterally to and fro over a sufficient distance to roll the sausages received by the grid unit back and forth in the circumferential direction on the heatable flat closed plate and thereby fry them automatically.

In both cases, due to the uniform rotating movement of the sausages on the rotating rollers or by means of the lateral back and forth movement on the heatable flat closed plate, the roasting device can independently achieve uniform roasting of the sausages with constant heating, without a person has to contribute to this.

The disadvantage remains, however, that the frying process for each sausage has to be ended manually by one person by removing the sausages from the frying device and serving or storing them. The person can also recognize or decide when the roasting process for each bratwurst has reached the desired roasting result. Likewise, fresh sausages to be fried are to be refilled by the person in order to to start the roasting process. This still represents a certain effort for the person or it still requires time. The roasting result can also differ from fried sausage to fried sausage if the person removes a fried sausage from the frying device too early or too late. Furthermore, the person can forget to start another roasting process by placing a fresh sausage to be roasted on the roasting device.

Therefore, frying devices are also known which, for example, can hold sausages and move or promote them in the horizontal plane while the sausages are fried by heating from above or from below. At the end of the conveyor line, the sausages are automatically placed on a tray for storage. During the conveyance, the sausages are also rotated around their longitudinal axis in order to achieve an even roasting process in this case as well. If the length of the conveying path, the speed at which the sausages are conveyed and the degree of heating are coordinated with one another, the sausages can have the desired roasting result uniformly at the end of the conveying path. At the same time, the frying process can be ended automatically at this point in time or in this state of the bratwurst. Such roasting devices can have a bratwurst store at the start of the conveyor section, from which fresh sausages to be roasted are added to the conveyor section by rollers, so that continuous production of fried sausages can be made possible automatically.

The person then only has to remove the sausages from the tray at the end of the conveyor line and serve them. The remaining steps, such as removing fried sausages from the heated area of the frying device and adding fresh sausages to be fried to the heated area of the frying device, are relieved of the person by the frying device. This can save time and effort for the person. The person can no longer forget to remove fried sausages, so that the desired frying result can be achieved more reliably and more uniformly than with the frying devices described above. Furthermore, the person can no longer forget to add more sausages to be fried, which can increase the throughput of the frying device or even out the production of fried sausages.

The sausages can be conveyed during roasting by rollers rotating on the spot, in the spaces between which the sausages are picked up from above and, as described above, rolled around their longitudinal axis by the rotation of the rollers and at the same time over the rollers of the roasting device in be rolled away in the conveying direction and thereby conveyed further, see for example US 4,370,920A , DE 20 2011 107 515 U1 and DE 25 32 157 A1 . at KR 20 2010 0006663 U For this purpose, the heated rollers rotating on the spot are arranged above the sausages and the sausages are also rolled around the longitudinal axis on a flat closed surface underneath and are thereby conveyed.

A technically more complex roasting device of this type can have an endlessly closed conveyor which, in its upper area, the upper strand, can receive sausages to be roasted at a first point and promote them to a second point, where they can roast and roll about their longitudinal axis.

Such a frying device is described by TWM 263 065 U. Two endlessly closed chains run parallel to one another around two toothed wheels, which are connected in the transverse direction by a large number of rollers which can rotate about their own longitudinal axis. A heat source is arranged above in the area of the upper run of the chain conveyor. A toothed rack runs underneath, on which the rollers roll in this area and are thereby set in rotation. At the beginning of the upper run, individual sausages to be fried roll out of the hopper of a storage facility into the gaps between the immediately adjacent rollers, are then conveyed with the chain conveyor and are fried from above and simultaneously rolled continuously around their own longitudinal axis by the rollers. At the end of the upper run, the fried sausages then fall onto the shelf.

A similar roasting device is also DE 810 572 B can be seen, in which case the rollers are each covered like a roof by an angle rail, so that the sausages are not deformed or crushed between the individual rollers during the frying process. In this case, the rollers are set in rotation by a drive mechanism on the part of the chain conveyor. The heat source is located below the upper run.

at DE 24 35 341 A1 the frying process takes place within closed rollers of a chain conveyor, which are opened at the first point to receive a sausage to be fried and opened again at a second point to deliver the fried sausage. The conveying section leads over the upper run and back over the lower run.

An object of the present invention is to provide a roasting device of the type described above, so that the quality of the roasting can be improved. In particular, the roasting process should be able to be carried out independently and, as far as possible, correspond to a roasting process carried out manually by a person in order to also achieve a corresponding quality. At the very least, an alternative to the known frying devices described above should be created.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a roasting device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

The present invention thus relates to a roasting device for elongate fried food, preferably for fried sausages, with at least one conveyor unit with at least one roasting surface for receiving the elongate fried food and with at least one, preferably adjustable, heating unit for roasting the elongate fried food on the roasting surface of the conveyor unit. Such a roasting device is designed to independently carry out a roasting process for the elongate fried food, as described at the outset. Sausages, in particular, but also other foodstuffs shaped in this way, which can be prepared by roasting, can be used as elongated fried food. The preparation by roasting takes place on a roasting surface, on which the oblong fried food is moved by means of the conveyor unit and can be roasted at the same time by sufficient heating on the part of the roasting surface and/or from above on the part of the heating unit. The heating unit can preferably be operated by means of gas but also electrically or by means of coal and generate heat.

The frying device according to the invention is characterized in that the conveyor unit has at least one conveyor which is closed endlessly around the frying surface, the conveyor unit being designed to move the conveyor in a conveying direction over the frying surface, the conveyor being at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction has a plurality of bar elements, each of which has a receiving space between them for at least one elongated item to be fried, preferably for precisely one elongated item to be grilled, with the conveying means being arranged opposite the frying surface in such a way that an elongated item to be grilled received in a receiving space can be removed from a bar element of the Funding can be moved at least substantially rolling in the conveying direction over the frying surface.

In other words, the roasting device according to the invention is based on the manual roasting process of elongated fried food described above, in which a frying surface is used on which the elongated fried food to be fried is placed by a person and fried from below by rolling under the action of heat from the frying surface. For example, are out U.S. 7,377,209 B2 , CN 107811525A , CN 202537259 U and EP 1 814 425 B1 Frying devices are known, which automatically but permanently perform this process of rolling by a back and forth movement, so that the frying process can be ended by one person by removing the sausages from the receptacles, the frying device promotes the KR 2010 0006663 U the sausages when roasting by rolling on the roasting surface towards the person and thereby ends the roasting process automatically. The rolling of the sausages on the roasting surface of the roasting device KR 2010 0006663 U however, rollers rotating on the spot above the frying surface cannot guarantee a uniform and uninterrupted rolling movement of the sausages in the conveying direction. This can lead to uneven roasting of the sausages and even to impermissibly severely roasted or burned areas of the sausages, which can render the sausages unusable. In particular, on the part of the above the frying surface rotating on the spot rollers of the roasting device KR 2010 0006663 U it cannot be ensured that the sausages can actually be grasped and rolled, which can lead to blockages and completely burned sausages. These blockages are to be removed by intervention by the person and the burnt sausages, which represent waste, are to be disposed of by the person. Thus, through the roasting device KR 2010 0006663 U neither an automatic nor an even roasting process of the sausages can be ensured.

An even roasting of the sausages by rolling them evenly can be achieved, for example, by the roasting devices from TWM 263 065 U and DE 810 572 B be achieved by the sausages being transported there lying on a conveyor in the conveying direction and being rolled on the conveyor in place. However, this requires a significantly higher level of technical complexity in order not only to drive the conveyor in a translatory manner but also to drive its rollers in rotation at the same time.

According to the invention, the roasting surface is therefore arranged in the area of the upper run of the conveyor unit below the endlessly closed conveyor, so that the elongated food to be fried can rest on the upper side of the roasting surface and can be moved there by rollers in the conveying direction. This is done by means of the endlessly closed conveying means in such a way that the endlessly closed conveying means runs through rods running transversely to the conveying direction ELEMENTE intermediate receiving spaces forms, which can each receive at least one elongated item to be fried and in particular precisely one elongated item to be fried between the rod elements. The rod elements can each touch an elongated item to be fried, which is accommodated in the immediately adjacent receiving space in the conveying direction, and thereby transfer the translational movement of the conveyor in the conveying direction to the elongated item to be fried in such a way that the elongated item to be fried is at least essentially over the frying surface in the conveying direction can be rolled. The elongate food to be cooked rolls around its own longitudinal axis, which extends at least essentially perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

In this way, according to the invention, a continuous rolling movement of the elongate fried food on the frying surface can be achieved with comparatively simple mechanical means. As a result, the roasting process of the elongated item to be roasted can be carried out essentially independently by the roasting device according to the invention. The corresponding previously described properties and advantages of such an independent frying process can be implemented and used in this way. This can be done in a comparatively simple, robust and/or cost-effective manner. In particular, the rolling movement of the elongate fried food in the conveying direction can take place more evenly and/or more reliably than previously known. This can lead to a more even result of the roasting process than previously known and in particular can at least reduce or even completely avoid the waste of burnt, elongated roasted goods. In particular, the frying process can be carried out in a simple manner without any human intervention.

According to one aspect of the invention, the bar elements are arranged relative to the frying surface such that the elongated food to be fried touches the bar element at about the height of its longitudinal axis and can thus be moved at least essentially rolling in the conveying direction over the frying surface. The arrangement of the rod elements in the vertical direction at about the mid-height of the elongate fried food, i. H. at the height of the longitudinal axis of the elongate fried food, can represent a possibility to implement the properties and advantages described above and to generate the rolling movement of the fried food on the frying surface as described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the bar elements are arranged in relation to the frying surface in such a way that the elongate food to be fried is touched by the bar element in the vertical direction above its longitudinal axis, preferably at about three quarters of its height, rolled over by the bar element in the vertical direction and thereby at least can be moved essentially rolling in the conveying direction over the frying surface. The arrangement of the bar elements in the vertical direction in the area of the upper half of the vertical fried food, i. H. above the level of the longitudinal axis of the elongate fried food, can enable a special type of movement of the elongate fried food on the frying surface. In this way, the elongate food to be fried can be rolled over by the bar element in the vertical direction and thus pressed together, so that a certain frictional connection is achieved between the frying surface, the elongate food to be fried and the bar element, which can lead to the elongate food to be fried being pushed out by the Rod element on the frying surface reliably rolled at least essentially to exclusively and a translational pushing of the food to be fried by the rod element in the conveying direction can be reduced or completely avoided, which could lead to uneven roasting and/or uneven movement of the elongated food to be cooked.

Rolling over the elongated food to be grilled by the rod element means that the rod element moves in the conveying direction and in the vertical direction over the elongated food to be grilled and presses the elongated food to be grilled onto the frying surface, thereby moving it with it and this to a at least essentially until the complete rolling movement of the fried food around its longitudinal axis on the frying surface of the conveyor unit. The speed of the conveying means in the conveying direction is greater than the speed of the rolling movement of the elongated food to be fried on the frying surface.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the bar elements are arranged exactly perpendicularly or at an angle to the conveying direction. By arranging the bar elements exactly perpendicular to the conveying direction, the receiving spaces between the bar elements are also aligned exactly perpendicular to the conveying direction. Correspondingly, the elongated items to be grilled are also received exactly perpendicularly to the conveying direction in the receiving spaces of the conveying means. Furthermore, the elongate items to be roasted are simultaneously touched by the rod elements over their elongate extent and moved in a rolling manner. This can represent a particularly simple implementation of the conveyor and also lead to a uniform rolling movement of the elongated items to be fried on the frying surface.

Arranging the bar elements obliquely to the conveying direction means that the bar elements are each arranged at the same angle to the perpendicular direction of the conveying direction. That angle can be in the range of up to 10°, for example, so that—in other words—the rod elements are aligned at an angle of at least 80° to the conveying direction. This applies accordingly to the receiving spaces of the conveyor, which are formed by the rod elements. In this case, too, the elongate items to be fried can be moved in a rolling manner in the conveying direction on the frying surface, with the contact between the bar elements and the elongate items to be fried being more point-like or small-area and this contact point extending along the course of the contact of the bar element with the elongate item to be fried the elongate direction of extension of the elongate fried food moved over this from one end to the other end. This can be particularly advantageous for implementing the rollover described above, in order to implement the rollover over a longer distance in the conveying direction.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the conveying means has two endlessly closed drive elements, preferably two endlessly closed roller chains, which are connected to one another by the rod elements at least essentially perpendicularly to the conveying direction, preferably exactly perpendicularly to the conveying direction, with the rod elements being fixed to the drive elements , Preferably each fixed to a link of the roller chain are arranged. This can represent a mechanically simple, robust and/or cost-effective way of implementing the endlessly closed conveyor.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the conveying means has at least one conveying element per drive element, preferably a gear wheel, which is designed to be driven in rotation and to drive the respective drive element, with the two conveying elements being connected to one another in a fixed manner perpendicular to the conveying direction by means of an axis. As a result, a mechanically simple, robust and/or cost-effective possibility can be created for driving the endlessly closed conveying means.

It can be advantageous for the conveying means to have at least or exactly two conveying elements or gears per drive element, which are arranged opposite one another in such a way that each drive element can be driven by at least or exactly one conveying element or gears. This can enable the drive forces to be transmitted as uniformly as possible from the conveying elements or gear wheels to the drive elements.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the conveying elements are designed to be changed in their positioning in relation to a frame of the conveying unit in order to set a tension of the drive elements in the conveying direction. As a result, the tension of the drive elements can be adjusted in a simple manner, in particular after assembly or after maintenance of the drive elements.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying surface is oriented horizontally. This can simplify implementation of the frying device. In particular, it can be ensured in this way that a movement of the elongate fried food in the conveying direction can take place exclusively through the conveying means. As a result, the movement of the elongate food to be roasted in the conveying direction can be carried out in a more controlled manner by the conveying means than by independently rolling over a roasting surface aligned at an angle to the horizontal.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying surface has a closed surface design. As a result, the frying surface can be designed in a comparatively simple and/or cost-effective manner. In this way, the elongate items to be roasted can also be heated as uniformly as possible, in that the roasting surface is in turn heated and the heating can be distributed along the roasting surface. This indirect heating of the elongated items to be fried can also reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, this can simplify the cleaning of the frying device, since liquids such as frying fat can remain on the frying surface and therefore only the frying surface has to be cleaned. It can also be advantageous here that a larger contact surface can be provided on the part of the frying surface, against which the elongate fried food can be pressed when it rolls over. This can favor the over-rolling movement of the elongated fried food.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying surface has through-openings running at least essentially in the conveying direction. In other words, the frying surface is designed as a grill or as a grid. This may allow liquids such as frying fat to drain through the through openings in the vertical direction downwards from the frying surface. This can make the frying process even, especially if you use it for a long time. Also, heat rising from below in the vertical direction can directly reach the elongated fried goods through the through-hole, which can improve the quality of frying. This direct heating of the elongate items to be roasted can also enable the degree of heating to be regulated more quickly, since the indirect heating of the roasting surface has a certain inertia in terms of heating and cooling.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the through openings of the frying surface run at an angle to the conveying direction. In particular, the passage openings run at an angle of up to 10° to the conveying direction. In this way it can be avoided that in the course of a roasting process an elongate item to be roasted has points which have been rolled completely over the through openings or the intermediate webs of the roasting surface and correspondingly show a different roasting result compared to the longitudinally adjacent points of the elongate roast item. Rather, by suitably selecting the oblique alignment of the through-openings of the frying surface, the entire surface of the elongated food to be fried can be rolled as evenly as possible over the through-openings and over the ridges of the frying surface at the end of the roasting process and fried accordingly. This can lead to a better or more even roasting result, for example in the form of a more even browning of the elongated fried food. In other words, local excessive heating of the elongate item to be roasted, which can occur as a result of continuous contact between the corresponding points of the elongate item to be roasted and the webs of the roasting surface, can be avoided in this way. The rolling behavior of the elongate fried food on the frying surface can also be improved as a result.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating unit can be removed from a frame of the conveyor unit. This can simplify and/or speed up the assembly, repair or replacement of the thermal unit. This can also allow the use of different heat units.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame of the conveyor unit is designed to adjust the height of the heating unit in the vertical direction, and/or the frame of the conveyor unit is designed to accommodate the heating unit at different heights in the vertical direction. In this way, the amount of warmth or heat that can be exerted by the heating unit on the frying surface of the conveying unit can be influenced.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating unit is arranged below the frying surface of the conveying unit. Thereby, the heat, which can be generated and emitted from the heating unit, can be directed not only as heat radiation toward the frying surface but also as heated air by convection rising up in the vertical direction toward the frying surface. This can promote the most complete use possible of the heat generated for the frying process and thereby reduce energy consumption.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating unit has at least two heat sources that can be regulated independently of one another along the conveying direction. This can make it possible to carry out the frying process of the elongate fried goods at different high temperatures. This can increase the design possibilities of the roasting process and possibly lead to a better result of the roasting process.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the conveyor unit has at least one output element which is designed to receive at least one oblong item to be fried from a receiving space of the conveyor and to deliver it at least outside the conveyor unit, preferably outside the frying device. As a result, the roasting process can be ended automatically by the roasting device and the roasted elongated fried items can be fed to a person or to a shelf.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the conveying unit has at least one, preferably removable, collecting element which is arranged at least in sections, preferably over the entire surface, running at least substantially horizontally in the vertical direction below the frying surface and is designed to collect at least liquids, preferably frying fat. In this way, particularly in the case that the frying surface has through-openings, liquids such as frying fat can be received and stored by the support element. Cleaning of the collecting element can be facilitated by the fact that the collecting element can be removed from the conveyor unit. For this purpose, the removable collecting element can preferably have a handling element, for example in the form of a handle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the conveying unit has at least one, preferably removable, cover element, which is designed to cover the frying surface at least in sections, preferably as far as possible, particularly preferably over the entire surface, at least in the vertical direction from above, preferably also at least in sections, preferably as far as possible particularly preferably to enclose the entire surface, laterally perpendicular to the conveying direction. As a result, the frying surface can be enclosed perpendicularly to the conveying direction at least in sections, as far as possible or even over the entire surface, so that the heat emitted from the frying surface and/or through the through-openings of the frying surface in the vertical direction upwards hen, can be kept above the frying surface. This can make the frying process of the elongate fried goods more even since the elongate fried goods can now be rolled through by the accumulated heat of the frying surface. This can also reduce the power consumption of the thermal unit as the loss of heat to the environment can be reduced.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying device has at least one storage unit which is designed to receive a plurality of elongated items to be cooked and to deliver them individually to the conveyor unit, preferably to a feed element of the conveyor unit, with the feed element of the conveyor unit preferably being designed to be the elongated Feed food to a receiving space of the funding. Such a storage unit can also be referred to as a storage unit, as a separator or as a separating unit. In other words, the storage unit is capable of storing a plurality of elongate items to be fried and individually, i. H. one oblong item to be fried one after the other to the conveying unit, so that one oblong item to be fried can be fried one after the other there as described above. This can make it possible to relieve the person of having to add individual items to be fried. In particular, it can be ensured that the roasting process of the conveying unit is run through completely for all elongate items to be roasted, which can promote the uniformity of the roasting process.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the storage unit has a plurality of intermediate spaces which are formed by preferably removable guide elements, each intermediate space being designed to accommodate a plurality of elongate items to be roasted at least essentially, preferably exactly, one above the other in the vertical direction. wherein the storage unit is adapted to drop a single elongate fried product from one of the gaps downwards in the vertical direction. In this way, the elongate items to be grilled can be moved out of the storage unit by means of gravity, which can make this movement easier to carry out. Furthermore, it can be achieved that a single elongated item to be fried can be released from the storage unit, so that the elongated items to be grilled cannot become jammed or wedged with one another, as could occur when using a funnel or the like. This can ensure trouble-free feeding of individual elongated items to be fried from the supply unit to the conveying unit. The fact that the guide elements can be removed can simplify cleaning of the storage unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, each intermediate space in the vertical direction, preferably at the lower end, has a preferably removable receiving element which is designed to receive exactly a single elongated item to be fried and to let it fall down when actuated in the vertical direction. As a result, the previously described function of supplying individual elongated items to be fried can be implemented simply and reliably. The fact that the receiving elements can be removed can simplify the cleaning of the storage unit.

The gaps can end at the receiving element or the gaps can extend further down in the vertical direction beyond the receiving elements, for example by designing the guide elements to be correspondingly long or by additional guide elements, in order to prevent the elongated food to be fried from falling out of the receiving element to lead. This can improve or ensure the desired orientation of the elongate fried food when it reaches the conveying unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the receiving elements each have at least one receiving opening, which is designed to receive exactly one individual elongated item to be fried, the receiving elements being arranged parallel to one another and rotatable, and the receiving openings of the receiving elements being offset at an angle to one another around the axes of rotation in this way are, so that only the receiving opening of a receiving element can drop exactly a single elongate fried food in the vertical direction down. In this way it can be achieved on the one hand that each receiving element can always receive a single oblong item to be fried in the vertical direction from above and convey it downwards. On the other hand, this can be achieved by the angular offset of the receiving openings of the receiving elements, evenly distributed across all the gaps, so that all the gaps can release the elongate items to be roasted one after the other or alternately. At the same time, the angular offset of the receiving openings of the receiving elements relative to one another can represent a mechanically simple possibility of implementing this.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the receiving elements are rotatably connected to one another by means of at least one drive element, preferably by means of at least one gear each, with the storage unit having a motor, preferably a stepper motor, which is designed to rotate the receiving elements by means of the drive element. In this manner And way, all recording elements can be operated or rotated by a single motor, which can keep the corresponding effort low. This also applies to the drive element, which connects the receiving elements to one another, which can be gear wheels in particular, although an endlessly closed belt or the like would also be possible. Using a stepping motor as the motor is advantageous in that only a partial rotary movement of the receiving elements, for example by 90°, may be required in each case for dispensing an individual item to be fried.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the storage unit is designed to be heatable. In this way, the elongate items to be fried can already have a heat at the beginning of the roasting process of the conveyor unit, which can be above the ambient temperature and in particular above the temperature of cooled elongate items to be fried. Thus, if the long fried items are placed in the storage unit by the person in the chilled state, they can already be preheated there so that at the beginning of the frying process they are at least warmed up compared to the chilled state or the ambient temperature, which accelerates the frying process or can shorten.

This can be done, for example, at a temperature of approx. 70°, so that on the one hand the formation of germs etc. and on the other hand cooking of the elongated roasted goods can be avoided. This can be done, for example, electrically by appropriate heat radiators within the storage unit, which can act on the elongate items to be roasted stored there.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying device has a feed unit which is designed to receive a single elongated item to be fried from the storage unit, preferably by falling in the vertical direction from above, and in a conveying direction to the conveying unit, preferably to a feed element of the Delivery unit to deliver. As a result, the individual elongated items to be fried can be fed to the conveyor unit in a targeted or orderly manner, so that the individual elongated items to be fried can be picked up there by the receiving spaces of the conveyor, as described above. At the same time, as a result, the storage unit can dispense the individual elongated items to be grilled by falling down in the vertical direction, as described above, which can simplify the dispensing of the individual elongated items to be grilled by the storage unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the feed unit has a receiving surface which is arranged in the vertical direction below the storage unit, preferably below the intermediate spaces of the storage unit, the receiving surface being formed obliquely towards the conveying unit. This can represent a particularly simple way of picking up the individual elongated items to be roasted from the storage unit and feeding them independently via rollers, i.e. through a rolling movement, via the sloping receiving surface of the feed unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the feed unit has a receiving surface which is arranged in the vertical direction below the storage unit, preferably below the intermediate spaces of the storage unit, the receiving surface being horizontal, the feeding unit having a conveying means which is formed to move an elongate item to be fried on the receiving surface in the conveying direction, the conveying means preferably being designed to be moved in the conveying direction towards the conveying unit and away from the conveying unit. In this way, the individual elongate items to be fried can be picked up from the storage unit, in particular by falling down in the vertical direction, onto the receiving surface. Since the alignment of the individual elongated items to be grilled as precisely as possible perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the conveying means of the conveying unit cannot be ensured here, in particular due to the impact of the individual elongated items to be grilled when falling, the feed unit can also have a conveying means which can be moved in one conveying direction. in order to roll the individual elongate food to be cooked over the receiving surface of the feed unit and thereby feed it to the conveying unit in its conveying direction.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the receiving surface is adjoined in the conveying direction by a discharge surface, which is designed obliquely towards the conveying unit. This can enable the individual elongated items to be fried to be transferred from the feed unit to the conveying unit by means of an automatic rolling movement with as little effort as possible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the feed unit has a catching element which is designed to catch a rolling, elongated item to be fried in a horizontal direction and to deliver it at least essentially in the vertical direction, falling downwards, to the conveyor unit, preferably to a feed element of the conveyor unit. This allows the alignment of the individual elongated items to be roasted when they are handed over from the feed unit to the conveying unit perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying means of the conveying unit by the collecting element of the feeding unit also being aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying means of the conveying unit. At the same time, the corresponding impact of the elongated food to be roasted can result in direction deflection as precisely as possible in the vertical direction downwards.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying device has at least one triggering element which is designed to be actuated by a user, the frying device, preferably a control unit of the frying device, being designed to dispense a single elongated item to be fried from the storage unit, preferably and that Conveying the individual elongate items to be roasted through the feed unit, preferably immediately, in response to the actuation of the triggering element by the user. In this way, the person using the inventive roasting device can trigger the roasting process of a single, elongated item to be roasted by actuating the triggering element, for example in the form of a button, a button or the like, for example with a finger. In particular, on the part of a control unit of the frying device, a single oblong item to be fried can thereby be released from the storage unit and fed to the conveying unit, preferably by means of the feed unit described above. There, the individual elongated item to be roasted can be received by a receiving space of the conveyor, so that the roasting process can be carried out as described above. The conveyor of the conveyor unit can be operated continuously at a constant speed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying device has at least one heating unit, which is arranged in the vertical direction below the storage unit, preferably also below the feed unit, and is designed to generate heat and allow it to rise at least into the storage unit. As a result, the elongate items to be roasted, which are arranged in the storage unit, can be heated as already described above. This can be done by the heating unit in addition to or as an alternative to the previously described heating by the storage unit itself. This can expand the options for heating the elongate items to be fried in the storage unit or provide an alternative option for this.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a receiving surface of the feed unit has at least one through-opening, preferably a plurality of through-openings, which is designed to allow the heat from the heating unit to rise into the storage unit, with preferably the through-opening, preferably the through-openings, at least essentially is aligned in the conveying direction of the feeding unit. In this way, the heat, for example in the form of heated air or steam, can rise from the heating unit through the feed unit into the storage unit and heat the elongated items to be roasted there. As a result, an individual elongated item to be fried can be heated at the same time, which is located inside the feed unit, so that the heating of the individual elongated item to be cooked can be maintained for longer.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating unit has at least one water intake for the intake of water, the water intake being designed to be heatable, preferably electrically, particularly preferably by means of an electric heating element, preferably as an immersion heater. In this way, the heating described above can take place by rising heated water vapor, which can be generated in the water intake by evaporating the water by means of heating. This can be done electrically or by means of an electric heating element, in particular in the form of an immersion heater, in a comparatively compact, cost-effective, simple, space-saving and/or quickly controllable manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating unit has at least one temperature sensor, which is designed to detect a temperature of the water in the water intake, wherein the frying device, preferably a control unit of the frying device, is preferably designed to measure the water intake as a function of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to heat temperature. In this way, the generation of water vapor can be controlled.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating unit has at least one water level sensor, preferably a float switch, which is designed to detect the fill level of the water in the water receptacle. In this way, the heating unit or the frying device, or its control unit, can automatically detect if the water level in the water intake falls below a minimum amount due to evaporation, at which water the water intake needs to be refilled, for example one out to ensure that the immersion heater is adequately covered with water.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the heating unit has at least one water inlet, via which water can be admitted into the water intake, with preferably the frying device, preferably a control unit of the frying device, being designed to admit water into the water intake depending on the filling level detected by the water level sensor . This can make it easier to fill water into the water intake. In particular, this can be done automatically by the heating unit or the frying device or its control unit in order to ensure a sufficient water level within the water intake.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the frying device has at least one control unit which is designed to control at least the speed of the conveying means of the conveying unit. In this way, the speed of the conveying means of the conveying unit can be adjusted in order to thereby influence the frying process. In particular, this can be done in combination with an adjustable heat generation of the heating unit in order to carry out the frying process as desired by the person.

With regard to the frying device according to the invention, it should be noted that the frying device can be designed as an essentially one-piece object, in which the conveyor unit, the heating unit, the control unit, the storage unit, the feed unit and/or the heating unit as assemblies or as elements, preferably inside a common housing, are designed and arranged.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible to design the frying device according to the invention as a system in which the conveyor unit, the heating unit, the control unit, the storage unit, the feed unit and/or the heating unit are separate units or separate devices, preferably each within a separate unit Housing, executed and functionally assembled to the roasting device according to the invention as a whole. In this case, the conveying unit, the heating unit, the control unit, the storage unit, the feeding unit and/or the heating unit can each also be designed as individual devices and used in combination with other such units or devices in order to achieve the corresponding aspects of the invention described above the conveying unit, the heating unit, the control unit, the storage unit, the feeding unit and/or the heating unit independently of the roasting device according to the invention as a whole.

Correspondingly, each of the conveying unit, the heating unit, the control unit, the storage unit, the feeding unit and/or the heating unit can represent a separate invention. In particular, the storage unit according to the invention and/or the feed unit according to the invention can also be used to feed individual elongated items to be fried to a conveyor unit other than the conveyor unit according to the invention. This applies to the supply unit according to the invention and to the supply unit according to the invention, each individually and in combination with one another.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Bratvorrichtung mit Fördereinheit, Wärmeeinheit, Steuerungseinheit, Vorratseinheit, Zuführungseinheit und Erwärmungseinheit;
• 2 die Darstellung der 1 lediglich mit Fördereinheit, Wärmeeinheit und Steuerungseinheit sowie abgenommenem Abdeckelement der Wärmeeinheit;
• 3 eine alternative Darstellung der 2;
• 4 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Wärmeeinheit;
• 5 eine Detailansicht des oberen Bereichs der Fördereinheit;
• 6 die Darstellung der 1 von schräg oben;
• 7 eine Darstellung der Bratfläche der Fördereinheit;
• 8 eine seitliche Darstellung der rollenden Bewegung eines länglichen Bratguts auf der Bratfläche der Fördereinheit gemäß eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels;
• 9 eine seitliche Darstellung der rollenden Bewegung eines länglichen Bratguts auf der Bratfläche der Fördereinheit gemäß eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels;
• 10 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Vorratseinheit, Zuführungseinheit und Erwärmungseinheit;
• 11 eine perspektivische Schnittdarstellung durch die Vorratseinheit;
• 12 eine seitliche Schnittdarstellung durch den unteren Bereich der Vorratseinheit;
• 13 eine perspektivische Darstellung des unteren Bereichs der Vorratseinheit;
• 14 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Zuführungseinheit und Erwärmungseinheit;
• 15 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Zuführungseinheit;
• 16 eine perspektivische Darstellung des Übergangs von Vorratseinheit und Zuführungseinheit zur Fördereinheit; und
• 17 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Erwärmungseinheit von oben.

Several exemplary embodiments and further advantages of the invention are shown purely schematically and explained in more detail below in connection with the following figures. It shows:

• 1 a perspective view of a frying device according to the invention with conveyor unit, heating unit, control unit, storage unit, feed unit and heating unit;
• 2 the representation of 1 only with conveyor unit, heating unit and control unit as well as removed cover element of the heating unit;
• 3 an alternative representation of the 2 ;
• 4 a perspective view of the thermal unit;
• 5 a detailed view of the upper area of the conveyor unit;
• 6 the representation of 1 from diagonally above;
• 7 a representation of the frying surface of the conveyor unit;
• 8th a side view of the rolling movement of an elongated fried food on the frying surface of the conveyor unit according to a first embodiment;
• 9 a side view of the rolling movement of an elongated fried food on the frying surface of the conveyor unit according to a second embodiment;
• 10 a perspective view of the storage unit, feed unit and heating unit;
• 11 a perspective sectional view through the storage unit;
• 12 a side sectional view through the lower portion of the storage unit;
• 13 a perspective view of the lower portion of the storage unit;
• 14 a perspective view of the feeding unit and heating unit;
• 15 a perspective view of the feed unit;
• 16 a perspective view of the transition from storage unit and feed unit to the conveyor unit; and
• 17 a perspective view of the heating unit from above.

The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. A longitudinal direction X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X, extends. A transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as width Y, extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction X. A vertical direction Z, which can also be referred to as the height Z, extends perpendicularly both to the longitudinal direction X and to the transverse direction Y. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.

A frying device 1-6 according to the invention consists of a conveying unit 1, a removable heating unit 2, a control unit 3, a storage unit 4, a feed unit 5 and a heating unit 6. The frying device 1-6 can be used to roast elongated items 7, in particular in Form of sausages 7 are fried independently. For this purpose, the sausages 7 can be filled into the storage unit 4 by a person as a user in a cooled state and removed at the end of the conveyor unit 1 in the fried state. The intervening steps of the roasting process can be carried out independently by the roasting device 1-6. The frying process of an individual bratwurst 7 can be specifically triggered by the person.

The conveyor unit 1 has a frame 10 which can also be referred to as a housing 10 or as a frame 10 . The frame 10 has in the vertical direction Z on its underside at each of the four corners a stand element 10a, which are designed as feet 10a to stand on a base (not shown). A horizontal roasting surface 11 is formed in the upper area of the conveying unit 1 , which can also be referred to as a grillage 11 .

An endlessly closed conveyor 12 runs around the frame 10 and around the frying surface 11 of the conveyor unit 1 in the transverse direction Y and in the vertical direction Z. The conveyor 12 has endlessly closed drive elements 12a in the form of roller chains 12a at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction X . The individual links of the roller chains 12a are pivotally connected to each other in the endlessly closed direction. In the longitudinal direction X, the individual links of the roller chains 12a are each connected to one another in a fixed manner by a fixed rod element 12b, which can also be referred to as a rod 12b. The rods 12b are spaced apart from one another in the endlessly closed direction in such a way that a receiving space 12c for precisely one bratwurst 7 is formed between two immediately adjacent rods 12b. A conveyor element 12d in the form of gear wheels 12d is rotatably arranged at each of the eight corners of the frame 10 of the conveyor unit 1, a pair of gear wheels 12d being connected to one another in a fixed manner in the longitudinal direction X by an axis 12e. One of the two roller chains 12a runs around four gear wheels 12d, so that the two roller chains 12a can be driven in a conveying direction A by the gear wheels 12d by means of an electric drive (not shown), see for example 3 .

A feed element 13 is formed in the transverse direction Y opposite to the conveying direction A of the conveying means 12 in front of the frying surface 11 in order to receive a bratwurst 7 to be fried from the feed unit 5, as will be explained in more detail below. At this point of the conveyor unit 1, the sausage 7 to be fried can fall in the vertical direction Z from above onto the conveyor 12 or into a receiving space 12c of the conveyor 12 and then be rolled over the roasting surface 11 in the conveying direction A of the conveyor 12 . At the end of the frying surface 11, this merges into an output element 14 in the form of an ejection ramp 14, so that a fried sausage 7 can be automatically released from the conveyor unit 1 of the frying device 1-6, for example onto a bowl or the like. As a result, the process of roasting the bratwurst 7 can be ended.

The frying process in the course of the conveyor unit 1 takes place in such a way that the heating unit 2, which is arranged within the frame 10 of the conveyor unit 1 in the vertical direction Z below the frying surface 11, provides sufficient warmth or heat to carry out the frying process of the sausages 7 is made available. The heating unit 2 has a housing 20 inside which two heat sources 22 in the form of gas burners 22 are arranged side by side in the transverse direction Y and in the conveying direction A of the conveying means 12, see for example 4 . The heat generated by the gas burners 22 can rise in the vertical Z direction rise and on the one hand reach and heat the frying surface 11 from below. On the other hand, the warmth or heat of the gas burners 22 of the heating unit 2 can reach the sausages 7 directly through passage openings 11a in the form of slots 11a of the roasting surface 11 . The degree of warmth or heat of the two gas burners 22 of the heating unit 2 can be adjusted by the user via an adjustment element 23 in the form of a rotary knob 23, which can additionally or alternatively also be done independently by the control unit 3, in particular depending on the speed of the conveyor 12 in the conveying direction A can take place. The adjustment elements 23 are arranged on a cover element 21 of the heating unit 2, which can be removed from the housing 20 in order to make the interior of the heating unit 2 accessible, see for example 3 .

The slots 11a of the frying surface 11 are aligned at least essentially in the transverse direction Y or in the conveying direction A of the conveyor 12 and can preferably be slightly inclined to the transverse direction Y or to the conveying direction A of the conveyor 12, for example at an angle of a few degrees , be aligned, see for example 7 . As a result, the sausages 7 can reach both the webs of the frying surface 11 and the slanting slots 11a at all points during their movement in the conveying direction A of the conveyor 12 over the frying surface 11 and thus evenly through contact with the frying surface 11 and through contact with the rising warmth or heat. This can promote the most uniform possible roasting of the sausages 7 over their longitudinal extent in the longitudinal direction X.

The warmth or heat, which can be given off by the frying surface 11 of the conveyor unit 1 and/or by the heating unit 2 through the slots 11a of the frying surface 11 of the conveyor unit 1, in particular upwards in the vertical direction Z, in the area directly above the frying surface 11 of the conveyor unit 1, a removable cover element 15 in the form of a removable roof 15 can be arranged above the frying surface 11 of the conveyor unit 1 on the frame 10 of the conveyor unit 1, see for example 5 . In this way, the sausages 7 to be roasted can be moved in the area of the roasting surface 11 of the conveyor unit 1 through a comparatively evenly heated area between the roasting surface 11 and the roof 15, which ensures a more even roasting process and reduces the energy required for this by the heating unit 2 can. However, this can also be dispensed with by removing the roof 15 of the conveyor unit 1 .

In the vertical direction Z, the conveyor unit 1 has in its lower area a removable collecting element 16 in the form of a removable collecting tray 16, which serves to catch liquids such as cooking fat in particular that drip down through the slots 11a of the frying surface 11 in the vertical direction Z and save. By means of a handling element 16a in the form of a handle 16a, the removable collecting tray 16 can be removed by the person outside of the operation of the frying device 1-6 in order to dispose of the collected liquids.

The rolling movement of the sausages 7 during the roasting process in the conveying direction A of the conveying means 12 over the roasting surface 11 takes place, as already mentioned, by means of the rods 12b of the conveying means 12 be arranged centrally at the height of the sausages 7 and thus touch the sausages 7 approximately in the middle of their height. The fixed rods 12b of the conveyor 12 move purely translationally in the conveying direction A of the conveyor 12 and thus press laterally in the middle against the sausages 7, whereby the sausages 7 can be moved rolling in front of the rods 12b of the conveyor 12, see for example 8th . As a result, the sausages 7 can be rolled in the conveying direction A of the conveying means 12 in a rolling direction B over the roasting surface 11 of the conveying unit 1 .

Alternatively and preferably, the rods 12b of the conveying means 12 are arranged in the vertical direction Z above the center of the sausages 7 and in particular approximately at % of the height of the sausages 7, see for example 9 . In this case, the translational movement of the rods 12b of the conveyor 12 in the conveying direction A is transmitted in such a way that the sausage 7 rolls in the rolling direction B on the roasting surface 11 through contact with the rod 12b of the conveyor 12, but at the same time in the vertical direction Z is compressed by the rod 12b of the conveyor 12 in an elastically deforming manner. The rod 12b of the conveyor 12 and its roller chains 12a are thereby slightly raised in the vertical Z direction. In this way, in the vertical direction Z, there is a non-positive effect between the rod 12b of the conveyor 12 of the conveyor unit 1, the sausage 7 and the frying surface 11 of the conveyor unit 1, which can be referred to as rolling over. This makes it possible to ensure with a high degree of certainty that the sausage 7 is rolled by the rod 12b of the conveyor 12 in the rolling direction B exclusively over the frying surface 11 and is not pushed translationally in front of it in the conveying direction A of the conveyor 12 over the frying surface 11, e.g this when arranging the Rod 12b of the conveyor 12 of 8th may be more the case.

After completion of the process of rolling the rod 12b of the conveyor 12 over the sausage 7, the sausage 7 is located in the next receiving space 12c of the conveyor 12 against the conveying direction A behind the rod 12b. Accordingly, the rolling movement of the sausages 7 when rolling over occurs at a lower speed in the conveying direction A of the conveying means 12 than the movement of the conveying means 12 itself.

The control unit 3 in turn has a housing 30 which is fastened laterally in the transverse direction Y to the frame 10 of the conveyor unit 1 . The other two lower corners of the housing 30 of the control unit 3 in turn each have stand elements 30a in the form of feet 30a. In the longitudinal direction X facing the person, both a display element 31 and an operating element 32 are provided in the housing 30 of the control unit 3 . The display element 31 of the control unit 3 can be used, for example, to display the speed of the conveying means 12 of the conveying unit 1 in the conveying direction A and/or the respective temperature of the gas burners 22 of the heating unit 2 of the person. Using the operating element 32 of the control unit 3, these parameters of the roasting process can be set by the person, for example.

The control unit 3 is also assigned a manual control unit 33 which is connected to the control unit 3 by a cable 34 in order to transmit energy and signals. The manual control unit 33 of the control unit 3 has a triggering element 35 in the form of a button 35 or a button 35 . The button 35 of the manual control unit 33 can be actuated by the person by pressing it in order to start the roasting process of another unroasted bratwurst 7, as described in more detail above or below.

The supply unit 4 serves to store unfried sausages 7 , ie those to be fried, and can therefore also be referred to as a storage store 4 , as a separator 4 or as a separating unit 4 . The storage unit 4 has a housing 40 which forms an interior space 41 in which the unfried sausages 7 are accommodated and stored. The interior 41 of the storage unit 4 is accessible to the person in the vertical direction Z in the upper area by means of an input opening 48, see for example 6 . The input opening 48 of the storage unit 4 can be closed or covered by the person by means of a closure element 49 in the form of a cover 49, wherein the cover 49 can be handled by the person by hand by means of a handling element 49a in the form of a handle 49a, cf example 10 .

A plurality of guide elements 42 in the form of metal rails are arranged in the interior 41 of the storage unit 4 and can be removed to simplify cleaning. The guide elements 42 are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction Y by intermediate spaces 43 , which can also be referred to as shafts 43 . The intermediate spaces 43 are each formed in such a way that they extend continuously in the vertical direction Z and are arranged directly one above the other and can accommodate a plurality of unfried sausages 7 touching one another. For this purpose, a plurality of guide elements 42 are arranged accordingly in the longitudinal direction X, so that the unfried sausages 7 can be guided laterally along their longitudinal extension direction in the longitudinal direction X at several points in the transverse direction Y. The gaps between the guide elements 42 in the longitudinal direction X (not labeled) are used for the rising or distribution of water vapor of the heating unit 6 in the vertical direction from below, as will be explained in more detail below. The interior space 41 of the storage unit 4 is designed to be open downwards in the vertical direction Z, as a result of which a discharge opening 47 is formed for falling individual unfried sausages 7, see for example 11 and 12 .

A receiving element 44 in the form of a roller 44 is arranged in each case in the vertical direction Z at the lower end of the intermediate spaces 43, which is also designed to be removable to simplify cleaning. Comparable to the guide elements 42, each roller 44 consists of a plurality of individual elements (not labeled), which are connected to one another in a fixed manner in the longitudinal direction X by connecting elements 44b and together form a roller 44 in each case. Each roller 44 or each individual element of each roller 44 has a receiving opening 44a, which is in each case formed in a U-shape pointing outwards radially to the longitudinal axis of the respective roller 44. The receiving openings 44a of the individual elements of each roller 44 are aligned in the same way as one another. Along its longitudinal axis, each roller 44 is rotatably attached to the inside of the housing 40 (not shown) in the longitudinal direction X on one side and connected to a common drive mechanism 45 on the opposite side, which is designed as a drive element 45 in the form of a gear wheel 45 is. The gears 45 of the rollers 44 mesh, one gear 45 being drivable by a motor 46 as a stepping motor 46, see for example 13 .

The storage unit 4 can thus be operated in such a way that the person places several sausages 7 to be fried in each of the four spaces 43 from above through the open input opening 48, the sausages 7 to be fried extend in the longitudinal direction X and touch one another in the vertical direction Z are arranged one above the other within the respective gap 43. The gear wheels 45 connect the four rollers 44 to one another in such a way that the receiving openings 44a of the four rollers 44 are each offset by 90° to the adjacent roller 44 or to the two adjacent rollers 44 . As a result, the receiving opening 44a of a roller 44 always points downwards, to the right, to the left and upwards, see for example 12 .

By actuating the stepping motor 46, all the rollers 44 are rotated further by 90° by means of the gear wheels 45, so that when the stepping motor 46 is actuated, one roller 44 with an empty receiving opening 44a is always turned upwards and the next to be roasted from the corresponding space 43 Bratwurst 7 picks up by falling. Another roller 44, which has picked up the next bratwurst 7 to be roasted by falling down during the previous actuation of the stepping motor 46, is rotated 90° to the side. In this case, the bratwurst 7 to be roasted which has already been received in the receiving opening 44a of this roller 44 is carried along. Another roller 44, which was rotated to the side during the previous actuation of the stepping motor 46, is now rotated with its receiving opening 44a pointing directly downwards in the vertical direction Z, so that the received sausage 7 to be roasted falls downwards out of the dispensing opening 47 of the storage unit 4 can be dispensed out. The fourth and last roller 44, which was aligned with the receiving opening 44a directly downwards during the previous actuation of the stepping motor 46, is now rotated 90° to the side with the receiving opening 44a empty. In this way, per actuation of the stepping motor 46, a single bratwurst 7 to be fried can be released from the storage unit 4 in the vertical direction Z downwards through the discharge opening 47 by falling down. At the same time, the four gaps 43 can be emptied one after the other and evenly distributed. Both of these can be ensured in a simple manner by the mechanical arrangement of the components described above.

The feed unit 5 is arranged in the vertical direction Z immediately below the storage unit 4 . The feed unit 5 in turn has a housing 50 . The feed unit 5 has a receiving surface 51 which is open upwards in the vertical direction Z and extends horizontally, onto which the individual bratwurst 7 to be fried can fall from above out of the delivery opening 47 of the storage unit 4 and be caught. In order to feed the caught bratwurst 7 to be fried to the conveyor unit 1, the feed unit 5 in turn has a conveyor 52, which has a drive element 52a on the edge in the longitudinal direction X, which are connected to one another in a fixed manner in the longitudinal direction X by a crossbar 52b. The conveying means 52 can be moved back and forth over the receiving surface 51 in the transverse direction Y as the conveying direction C by means of an electric motor (not shown). Reaching the respective end position can be detected in the conveying direction C by two front limit switches 53, against which the two drive elements 52a of the conveyor 52 can strike. The end of the movement against the conveying direction C can also be detected by two rear limit switches 54, against which the drive elements 52a of the conveyor 52 can strike in the opposite direction along the transverse direction Y.

If the person actuates the stepping motor 46 of the storage unit 4 by actuating the triggering element 35 of the manual control unit 33, and as a result a single bratwurst 7 to be fried has fallen out of the storage unit 4 in the vertical direction Z downward onto the receiving surface 51 of the feed unit 5 , then the conveying means 52 of the feed unit 5 is started automatically with a sufficient time delay and is thereby moved from the position at the rear limit switches 54 in the conveying direction C over the receiving surface 51 . As a result, the individual bratwurst 7 to be fried located there can be rolled along the receiving surface 51 in the conveying direction C in front of the conveying means 52, see for example 14 and 15 .

In the transverse direction Y, at its end facing the conveyor unit 1, the receiving surface 51 of the feed unit 5 transitions into a discharge surface 55 in the form of a slope 55 or a ramp 55, which is oriented obliquely to the horizontal X, Y. The bratwurst 7 to be fried is rolled onto this ramp 55 by the conveyor 52 as previously described. The conveying means 52 then reaches the two front limit switches 53 and is thereby automatically moved again to the left, counter to the conveying direction C, to the rear limit switches 54 in order to wait there for the next individual bratwurst 7 to be roasted to fall down. Meanwhile, the individual bratwurst 7 currently to be fried rolls down the ramp 55 to the conveyor unit 1 , this movement in the transverse direction Y being terminated by a bracket-like collecting element 56 of the feed unit 5 . Rather, it falls Bratwurst 7 to be fried after impact with the collecting element 56 in the vertical direction Z essentially directly downwards and thereby lands on the feed element 13 of the conveying unit 1, see for example 16 . From here on, the bratwurst 7 to be fried can be transported further and fried by the conveyor 12 of the conveyor unit 1 as described above.

The heating unit 6 , which in turn has a housing 60 , is arranged in the vertical direction Z immediately below the feed unit 5 . The housing 60 of the heating unit 6 has a stand element 60a at each of the four corners, which is designed as a stand 60a, see for example 14 . With its four feet 60a, the heating unit 6 stands on the housing 30 of the control unit 3, see for example 1 . Comparable to the control unit 3, the heating unit 6 also has a display element 61 and an operating element 62, which are each arranged facing the person. A temperature, for example, can be displayed by means of the display element 61 and set by means of the operating element 62 .

The heating unit 6 has in the vertical direction Z in its upper area a water receptacle 63 in the form of a water basin 63 which is designed to be open at the top. Water can be taken from the water basin 63 via a water inlet 64 , it being possible for the filling level of the water basin 63 to be detected by means of a water level sensor 65 in the form of a float switch 65 . Furthermore, a temperature sensor 66 is arranged within the water basin 63 in order to be able to detect the temperature of the water in the water basin 63 . An electrical heating element 67 in the form of an immersion heater 67 is arranged within the water basin 63 in order to heat the water in the water basin 63 by means of electrical heating and thereby allow it to evaporate. The steam generated in this way can rise in the vertical direction Z through passage openings 51a of the receiving surface 51 of the feed unit 5 in the form of slots 51a, which are aligned in the conveying direction C of the conveying means 52 of the feed unit 5, upwards into the interior 41 of the storage unit 4. As a result, the sausages 7 to be fried that are received from the storage unit 4 can be preheated by means of the steam from the heating unit 6 in order to accelerate the frying process of the conveyor unit 1 and/or to allow it to run more evenly.

On the part of the control unit 3, which is connected to the heating unit 6 in a signal-transmitting manner for this purpose, the temperature of the water in the water basin 63 can be recorded by means of the temperature sensor 66 and the electrical heating output of the immersion heater 67 can be regulated accordingly in order to achieve the desired heating of the sausages 7 to be fried in the to reach supply unit 4. At the same time, the water level in the water basin 63 can be monitored by means of the float switch 65 and automatically filled up via the water inlet 64 in order to be able to operate the heating unit 6 without further intervention by the person. The control unit 3, which is also connected to the feed unit 5 in a signal-transmitting manner for this purpose, can also actuate the conveying means 52 and evaluate the front limit switches 53 and the rear limit switches 54. This also applies to the actuation of the stepping motor 46 of the storage unit 4, which is also connected to the control unit 3 in a signal-transmitting manner for this purpose.

Reference List

A

Conveying direction of the conveyor 12 of the conveyor unit 1

B

Rolling direction of the fried food 7

C

Conveying direction of the conveyor 52 of the feed unit 5

X

longitudinal direction; Depth; length

Y

transverse direction; Broad

Z

vertical direction; Height

X, Y

Horizontal; horizontal plane

1-6

(automatic) frying device

1

conveyor unit

10

Frame; Housing; frame

10a

stand elements; feet

11

frying surface; grill grate

11a

(diagonal) passage openings; (oblique) slots

12

endless closed funding

12a

drive elements; roller chains

12b

rod elements; rods

12c

Receiving spaces between bar elements 12b for an elongated fried food 7

12d

conveyor element; gears

12e

Axles

13

feeding element

14

output element; ejection ramp

15

(removable) cover element; (removable) roof

16

(removable) collecting element; (removable) drip tray

16a

Handling element of the (removable) collecting element 16; Handle of the (removable) collecting element 16

2

(removable) heat unit

20

Housing

21

cover element

22

heat sources; gas burner

23

adjustment elements; knobs

3

control unit

30

Housing

30a

stand elements; feet

31

display element

32

control element

33

hand control unit

34

Cable

35

trigger element; Button; button

4

storage unit; storage; singulator; separating unit

40

Housing

41

inner space

42

(removable) guide elements

43

spaces; shafts

44

(removable) receiving elements; (removable) rollers

44a

Receiving opening of the receiving elements 44

44b

Connecting elements of the receiving element discs 44

45

drive elements; drive mechanism; gears

46

Engine; stepper motor

47

dispensing opening

48

input opening

49

locking element; lid

49a

handling element of the closure element 49; Handle of the locking element 49

5

feeding unit

50

Housing

51

recording surface

51a

Through openings or slits of the receiving surface 51

52

funding

52a

Drive elements of the conveyor 52

52b

Crossbar of conveyor 52

53

front limit switches

54

rear limit switch

55

delivery surface; Ramp; oblique

56

catch element

6

heating unit

60

Housing

60a

stand elements; feet

61

display element

62

control element

63

water intake; water basin

64

water inlet

65

water level sensor; float switch

66

temperature sensor

67

electric heating element; immersion heater

7

oblong fried food; bratwurst

Claims (37)

Roasting device (1-6) for elongate fried food (7), preferably for fried sausages (7), with at least one conveyor unit (1) with at least one roasting surface (11) for receiving the elongate fried food (7) and with at least one, preferably adjustable, Heating unit (2) for roasting the elongate fried food (7) on the roasting surface (11) of the conveyor unit (1), characterized in that the conveyor unit (1) has at least one conveyor (12) which runs around the roasting surface (11) endlessly is closed, wherein the conveyor unit (1) is designed to move the conveyor (12) in a conveying direction (A) over the frying surface (11), the conveyor (12) at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction (A) having a plurality of rod elements (12b), which each have a receiving space (12c) between them for at least one oblong item (7), preferably for exactly one oblong item (7), with the conveying means (12) opposite the roasting surface (11) of the art, so that an elongate roasting item (7) received in a receiving space (12c) can be moved over the roasting surface (11) by a rod element (12b) of the conveyor (12) at least essentially in a rolling manner in the conveying direction (A). Roasting device (1-6) after claim 1 , characterized in that the rod elements (12b) are arranged in relation to the frying surface (11) in such a way that the elongate food to be cooked (7) touches the rod element (12b) approximately at the height of its longitudinal axis and thereby at least essentially rolls in the conveying direction ( A) can be moved over the frying surface (11). Roasting device (1-6) after claim 1 , characterized in that the bar elements (12b) are arranged in relation to the frying surface (11) in such a way that the elongate food (7) to be fried can be separated from the bar element (12b ) touched, rolled over by the rod element (12b) in the vertical direction (Z) and thereby at least essentially rolling in the conveying direction (A) over the frying surface (11) can be moved. Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bar elements (12b) are arranged exactly perpendicularly or at an angle to the conveying direction (A). Roasting device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor (12) has two endlessly closed drive elements (12a), preferably two endlessly closed roller chains (12a), which are at least essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction (A), preferably exactly perpendicular to the conveying direction (A), with the bar elements (12b) being arranged fixedly on the drive elements (12a), preferably each fixedly on a link of the roller chain (12a). Roasting device (1-6) after claim 5 , characterized in that the conveying means (12) per drive element (12a) has at least one conveying element (12d), preferably a gear wheel (12d), which is designed to be driven in rotation and to drive the respective drive element (12a), the the two conveying elements (12d) are connected to one another in a fixed manner perpendicularly to the conveying direction (A) by means of an axis (12e). Roasting device (1-6) after claim 6 , characterized in that the conveying elements (12d) are designed to be changed in their positioning relative to a frame (10) of the conveying unit (1) in order to adjust a tension of the drive elements (12a) in the conveying direction (A). Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frying surface (11) is aligned horizontally. Roasting device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roasting surface (11) is designed to be closed over the whole area. Roasting device (1-6) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the frying surface (11) has through openings (11a) running at least substantially in the conveying direction (A). Roasting device (1-6) after claim 10 , characterized in that the passage openings (11a) of the frying surface (11) run obliquely to the conveying direction (A). Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating unit (2) can be removed from a frame (10) of the conveyor unit (1). Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (10) of the conveyor unit (1) is designed to adjust the height of the heating unit (2) in the vertical direction (Z), and/or the frame (10) of the conveyor unit (1) is designed to accommodate the heating unit (2) at different heights in the vertical direction (Z). Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating unit (2) is arranged below the frying surface (11) of the conveyor unit (1). Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating unit (2) has at least two heat sources (22) which can be regulated independently of one another along the conveying direction (A). Roasting device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor unit (1) has at least one output element (14) which is designed to pull at least one elongate item (7) from a receiving space (12c) of the conveyor (12 ) and at least outside the conveyor unit (1), preferably outside the frying device (1-6) to deliver. Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor unit (1) has at least one, preferably removable, collecting element (16), which is arranged at least in sections, preferably over the entire surface, running at least essentially horizontally in the vertical direction (Z) below the frying surface (11) and is designed to receive at least liquids, preferably frying fat. Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor unit (1) has at least one, preferably removable, cover element (15) which is designed to cover the frying surface (11) at least in sections, preferably largely, particularly preferably to enclose the entire surface, at least in the vertical direction (Z) from above, preferably also at least in sections, preferably largely, particularly preferably over the entire surface, laterally perpendicular to the conveying direction (A). Roasting device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one storage unit (4) which is designed to accommodate a plurality of elongate items (7) to be fried and to feed them individually to the conveyor unit (1), preferably to a feed element (13). of the conveyor unit (1), the feed element (13) of the conveyor unit (1) preferably being designed to feed the elongate fried food (7) to a receiving space (12c) of the conveyor (12). Roasting device (1-6) after claim 19 , characterized in that the storage unit (4) has a plurality of intermediate spaces (43) which are formed by preferably removable guide elements (42), each intermediate space (43) being designed to hold a plurality of elongate items (7) to be cooked in in the vertical direction (Z) at least essentially, preferably exactly, one above the other, the storage unit (4) being designed to allow a single elongated item (7) to be fried from one of the spaces (43) in the vertical direction (Z) to fall downwards to let. Roasting device (1-6) after claim 20 , characterized in that each intermediate space (43) in the vertical direction (Z), preferably at the lower end, has a, preferably removable, receiving element (44) which is designed to receive exactly a single elongated item (7) to be cooked and when actuated drop down in the vertical (Z) direction. Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 21 , characterized in that the receiving elements (44) each have at least one receiving opening (44a) which is designed to receive precisely one individual elongated item to be fried (7), the receiving elements (44) being arranged parallel to one another and rotatable, and the receiving openings (44a) of the receiving elements (44) are arranged offset at an angle to one another about the axes of rotation in such a way that only the receiving opening (44a) of a receiving element (44) allows exactly one individual elongated item (7) to be fried in the vertical direction (Z) to fall downwards can. Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 21 or 22 , characterized in that the receiving elements (44) are rotatably connected to one another by means of at least one drive element (45), preferably by means of at least one gear wheel (45) in each case, the storage unit (4) having a motor (46), preferably a stepping motor (46 ), which is designed to rotate the receiving elements (44) by means of the drive element (45). Roasting device (1-6) according to one of claims 19 until 23 , characterized in that the storage unit (4) is heatable. Roasting device (1-6) according to one of claims 19 until 24 , characterized by a feed unit (5) which is designed to receive a single elongate fried product (7) from the storage unit (4), preferably by falling in the vertical direction (Z) from above and in a conveying direction (C). to deliver the conveyor unit (1), preferably to a feed element (13) of the conveyor unit (1). Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 25 , characterized in that the feed unit (5) has a receiving surface (51) which is arranged in the vertical direction (Z) below the storage unit (4), preferably below the intermediate spaces (43) of the storage unit (4), the Receiving surface (51) to the conveyor unit (1) is designed obliquely. Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 25 , characterized in that the feed unit (5) has a receiving surface (51) which is arranged in the vertical direction (Z) below the storage unit (4), preferably below the intermediate spaces (43) of the storage unit (4), the Recording surface (51) is formed horizontally, wherein the feed unit (5) has a conveyor (52) which is formed, an elongate to move the fried food (7) on the receiving surface (51) in the conveying direction (C), the conveying means (52) preferably being designed to be moved in the conveying direction (C) towards the conveying unit (1) and away from the conveying unit (1). to become. Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 27 , characterized in that the receiving surface (51) in the conveying direction (C) is followed by a discharge surface (55) which is designed obliquely towards the conveying unit (1). Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 26 or 28 , characterized in that the feed unit (5) has a catching element (56) which is designed to catch a rolling elongated food (7) in a horizontal direction (Y) and at least essentially in the vertical direction (Z) falling downwards to the conveyor unit (1), preferably to a feed element (13) of the conveyor unit (1). Roasting device (1-6) according to one of claims 19 until 29 , Characterized by at least one trigger element (35) which is designed to be actuated by a user, wherein the frying device (1-6), preferably a control unit (3) of the frying device (1-6), is designed to deliver a individual elongate fried food (7) from the storage unit (4), preferably and conveying the individual elongate fried food (7) through the feed unit (5), in response to the actuation of the triggering element (35) by the user, preferably immediately. Roasting device (1-6) according to one of claims 19 until 30 , characterized by at least one heating unit (6) which is arranged in the vertical direction (Z) below the storage unit (4), preferably also below the feed unit (5) and is designed to generate heat and feed it at least into the storage unit (4) to let rise. Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 31 , characterized in that a receiving surface (51) of the feed unit (5) has at least one passage opening (51a), preferably a plurality of passage openings (51a), which is designed to transfer the heat from the heating unit (6) to the storage unit (4) to let rise, preferably the passage opening (51a), preferably the passage openings (51a), at least substantially in the conveying direction (C) of the feed unit (5) is aligned. Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 31 or 32 , characterized in that the heating unit (6) has at least one water receptacle (63) for receiving water, the water receptacle (63) being heatable, preferably electrically, particularly preferably by means of an electric heating element (67), preferably as an immersion heater (67). is trained. Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 33 , characterized in that the heating unit (6) has at least one temperature sensor (66) which is designed to detect a temperature of the water in the water receptacle (63), the frying device (1-6), preferably a control unit (3 ) the frying device (1-6) is designed to heat the water intake (63) as a function of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (66). Roasting device (1-6) after Claim 33 or 34 , characterized in that the heating unit (6) has at least one water level sensor (65), preferably a float switch (65), which is designed to detect a fill level of the water in the water receptacle (63). Roasting device (1-6) according to one of Claims 33 until 35 , characterized in that the heating unit (6) has at least one water inlet (64) via which water can be admitted into the water intake (63), with preferably the frying device (1-6), preferably a control unit (3) of the frying device ( 1-6) is designed to admit water into the water intake (63) as a function of the fill level detected by the water level sensor (65). Frying device (1-6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one control unit (3) which is designed to control at least the speed of the conveyor (12) of the conveyor unit (1).

Images