FR2473868A1 - Electric deep fryer - has chamber under lid containing carbon filter to purify frying oil - Google Patents

Abstract

The fryer comprises inner and outer 'pots'. The inner pot has annular supports for a frying basket. A control potentiometer is situated between the inner and outer pots. The frying basket cover has a chamber on its underside with side openings for the boiling fat to enter and holes on the underside through which the fat drips back into the main body of the fryer through a powdered carbon filter placed across the bottom of the chamber. The continuous filtering of the frying oil obviates the need for constant changing of the oil. Various snap fastenings ensure that the fryer is securely closed and the likelihood of accidental dislodgement of the lid reduced.

Description

ELECTRIC FRYER.

The present invention relates to an electric fryer comprising a pot-shaped container which can be heated by means of a heating device, a cover provided with openings and which can close the container, as well as a frying basket which can be placed. in the container.

Such fryers are used more and more. However, they have deficiencies, both in terms of their manufacture and their use. Note - r.nt, the purification of the oil which is necessary after a repeated use of a fryer offers difficulties.

The invention therefore aims to arrange a fryer of the type defined above in such a way that it allows simple filtering of the oil while still being inexpensive to manufacture and simple to handle.

This problem is solved according to the invention in that there is provided in the cover a recess directed towards the interior of the container and comprising orifices also directed towards the interior of the container. In this recess is placed a filter. This arrangement allows, on the one hand, a simplification of the structure of the fryer, a significant reinforcement of the cover being created in particular by means of said recess. On the other hand, the recess thus arranged, which is provided with the filter, facilitates the filtering of the oil, because after the oil has been removed from the container, it is sufficient, to ensure its depuration, to pour it back into the container through the filter, so that after filtering the device is again ready for reuse.

It is recommended to form the filter of a filter cloth, as well as a mat containing carbon dust and placed on one side of the filter cloth because it is thus possible to ensure good filtration.

In addition, using a filter of this kind, it is also possible during frying to obtain a good absorption of the smell of oil vapor, so that this fryer can practically be used without producing unpleasant odors.

To hold the filter cloth effectively in the recess of the cover, it is recommended to close this recess using an insert provided with holes. In this regard, it is advantageous for the insert to be arranged with the possibility of rotation in the recess, in which case said part comprises at least one annular surface for contact with the filter, which is placed concentrically with the latter because, due to the fact the existence of this annular contact surface, it prevents, during the rotational movement used for fixing the insert, a displacement or a folding of the filter cloth of fibrous nature. It is advantageous that the cover is provided supports placed on two opposite sides of the recess and which extend partially therein, the annular insert having on its periphery a flange which defines several different steps. This arrangement keeps the insert securely in place on the cover, in which the flange is arranged below the supports. Furthermore, the different steps ensure that the insert can also hold filters in the recess. different thicknesses. Advantageously, the insert is provided with a cylindrical part serving as a handle and advantageously comprising on its periphery a ridge which makes it simpler and quicker to fix the rotating insert to the cover and its subsequent disassembly.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the cover provided with the supports comprises a handle which is mounted on one of the supports.

This arrangement makes it possible to obtain in a simpler manner a zone for fixing the handle. I1 is particularly advantageous, in this case, that the handle is mounted with the possibility of translation on the support because it can thus be pushed into its rest position above the cover thereby no longer forming a disturbing projection; only, when the lid has to be removed, the handle protrudes from the side wall of the container.

In another exemplary embodiment, the cover is made in two parts, namely, an inner part comprising said recess, and an outer part covering the inner part; in this case, the outer part has projections which serve to fix the filter in position in the inner part. This arrangement allows a simplified design of the container and, in addition, it is guaranteed that the filter is effectively held in position in the recess. It is advantageous for the cover to be applied by means of an annular seal on the edge of the container; this seal, formed from a silicone material, makes it so that, during the use of the fryer, oil vapor cannot escape between the edge of the container and the lid.

Advantageously, the lid has an opening allowing passage of the handle support of a frying basket placed in the container.

For this purpose, the handle support is provided with a sealing part serving to cover said opening. In this way, it is ensured that, even in the case of a frying basket provided with a support, it cannot escape oil vapors which would bypass the filter, in which case, in turn, the seal made of silicone material guarantees a long service life.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the handle support of the frying basket includes a protection system against Dar splash burns. This arrangement makes it possible to safely lift the frying basket out of the cooking oil bath, or else to put it in it, without the operator risking being burnt by oil splashes.

In another embodiment of the invention, the two parts of the cover are connected by means of a pusher comprising a stop adjustment. This pusher ensures that the two parts of the cover can be separated quickly and securely from each other, and can then be reassembled again; in addition, one is assured of being able to mount safely in the aforementioned recess filters of different thicknesses.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the support of the frying basket comprises a support bracket serving to reinforce the support and to guide the frying basket in the container. Such an arrangement has proven to be effective because even when the frying basket is subjected to heavy loads, a deformation of the handle support is avoided and, in addition, the frying basket can be easily and securely placed in the appliance and taken out of it.

In order to be able to automatically retain the frying basket in a high position in the container, it is advantageous for the frying basket support to include a pivoting latching lever which, in the upper position of the frying basket, hooks into a recess , this pivoting snap lever, which is spring loaded, also guaranteeing a safer separation. In order to be able to safely place the frying basket on a support surface without risking it tipping under the effect of the weight of the handle support, it is recommended that the bottom of the frying basket be inclined relative to its walls side, so that the minimum height of the frying basket is placed opposite the handle support.

Thus, in plan view, the center of gravity of the frying basket is located inside the bearing surface. Advantageously, there is provided on the side wall of the frying basket a plate-shaped part comprising a nose-shaped projection on which the frying basket support can be hung by one end; in fact, one thus obtains a safer and less expensive arrangement of the fixing zone between the handle support of the frying basket and the basket proper.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the pivoting lid of the fryer is provided, in the region of its pivot axis, with an inclined surface by means of which the oil condensing on the lid is channeled, when the latter is raised, in a collecting tank, because it is thus ensured that the oil which has possibly deposited on the cover will not ensure the fouling of the environment when the cover is folded down. In this respect, it is advantageous for the collecting tank to be suspended from the fryer casing, thus guaranteeing good emptying and replacement speed of the collecting tank.

Advantageously, the handle of the cover is mounted so as to be able to rotate between two limit positions. In this regard, considering a plan view, the handle located in one of its limit positions is placed in the container surface while, in the other limit position, i.e. the working position, the the free end of the handle protrudes from the surface of the container. This arrangement allows easy handling of the fryer. In this respect, it is advantageous that, in the working position, the handle is prevented from rotating, by the combination of forces, so that the cover can be removed in a more secure manner, whereas, on the other hand, when the If the device is not used, the handle of the cover can, however, be turned in the opposite direction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cover is mounted so that it can slide vertically in longitudinal guides provided on the container. With this arrangement, it is ensured that the cover is applied by its seal, and under the effect of all its weight, always perfectly against the edge of the container. In order to be able to properly observe the product to be fried, there is provided in the cover a sight glass clearing the view of the interior of the container and whose surface makes an acute angle with the axis of the container in the form of a pot, which easily observe the inside of the container through the sight glass thus inclined.

During the production of the fryer, to have a reference point for the temperature measurement compared to other devices when adjusting the heating device, it is recommended to provide the double-walled container in the area of his feet, an introduction opening which clears the bottom of the interior of the container.

It is thus ensured that, during the temperature measurement, the measurements are always carried out in the same zone of the apparatus, with a view to thus obtaining a better comparison with measurement values already made.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description and examples given by way of illustration but not limitation.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a fryer according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the fryer taken on line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows on an enlarged scale and in longitudinal section the support of the cover handle allowing its rotation.

Figure 4 shows on an enlarged scale a section made on the line
IV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a fryer similar to that of Figure 1, but with the cover raised.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the fryer of Figure 5, but with the lid closed.

Figure 7 is a section taken on line VII-VII of Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of a lid of the fryer according to the invention.

Figure 9 is a section on line IX-IX in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of an insert usable with the cover of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a section taken along the line XI-XI of Figure 10.

The fryer shown in Figure 1 has a container 20 which is provided with an inner part 21 and an outer part 22. In the inner part 21 of the container is arranged a frying basket 23 which protrudes from the container by its handle 24 .

The container 20 of the fryer is closed by a cover 25, which is provided with a handle 26.

On two opposite sides of the container 20, there are provided handles 27 which extend over the entire height of the container. In the lower part of the handle, there is a chamber in which are housed components necessary for the control of the fryer, such as an adjustment potentiometer 28. It should be noted that the two handles have an identical structure but that, however , the supports and the handle chambers perform different functions on each side. On the outer side of the container bottom, feet 29 are provided, which serve simultaneously for winding a cable. In addition, an opening 30 is formed in the outer part 22 of the container 20 so as to allow passing through said opening 30 a tubing 31 in the form of a funnel which extends to the bottom of the internal part of the container. Via the opening 30, the temperature is measured during the manufacture of the fryer for the adjustment of the heating device.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the lid 25 of the fryer is divided into two parts, namely an inner part 32, which covers the container opening 20, and an outer part 33 which hooks onto the inner part 32 of the cover.

The inner part of the cover 32 is provided with a recess 34, the bottom of which faces the interior of the container. This recess 34 is provided in its bottom with orifices 35 allowing the escape of the vapors produced during frying.

The recess 34 receives a filter 36 which is constituted by a filter cloth 37 and a mat 38 containing carbon dust, said filter having the function of absorbing the odors of oil occurring during frying and, also, to retain dirt particles during the purification of the oil. On its outer edge, the inner cover portion 32 has a peripheral groove 39 in which is housed an annular seal 40 made of silicone. In the example considered, the silicone gasket presses against the edge 41, widening in the form of a funnel, of the internal part of the container 21. On the internal part of the lid are fixed two rectangular stirrups 42 which are oriented towards the outer part of the cover and which hang on the latter by their free ends 43. To this end, said free end comprises a transverse branch below which a pusher 44 can be partially engaged in view of the 'assembly of the inner part of the cover with the outer part.

The pusher comprises two recesses 45 in the shape of a nose which are arranged at different heights, which then allows said transverse branch to hang each time in a corresponding recess 45.

Depending on the recess in which said transverse pin is hooked, the distance separating the inner part of the cover from the outer part can be reduced or increased.

The pusher has on its two sides (as shown in Figure 2) nose-shaped extensions which hang behind the lower side of the outer part of the cover, so that the pusher can then be maintained, with possibility of alternative displacement, on the external part of the cover. As also shown in FIG. 2, the pusher is provided, on its side facing the cover, with a boss 46, which is hooked in a groove 47 formed on the upper side of the cover in order to ensure the longitudinal guidance of said pusher.

On the side of the outer cover portion 33 which is located inside, there are provided in the region of the recess 34 of the inner cover portion 32 protrusions 48 formed during injection molding.

These protrusions bear, when the cover is assembled, against the filter cloth 37 to effectively maintain the latter in position in the recess 34.

As already specified, the cover 25 has a handle 26 which is provided with an appendage 49 of slightly decreasing section in the form of a funnel (as shown in FIG. 3). This appendage hooks into a housing 50, widening in the form of a funnel, from the outer cover portion 33. For the attachment of the appendage 49 in the housing 50, there is provided an extension element 51 in the form trunnion which enters a hole in the housing 50. At its free end, the trunnion-shaped extension element is fixed, by means of a threaded connection, with a plate 52, a compression spring 53 being placed between the plate 52 and the rear side of the housing 50 comprising said hole.

It is thus ensured that the appendage 49 can be slightly removed from the housing 50 in opposition to the force exerted by the spring 53.

As shown in Figure 4, the housing 50 is provided, on its upper edge, with a recessed portion 54 in which can hang a projection 55, which is disposed on the appendage 49; in particular, this projection 55 engages in the hollow part 54 when the handle is in its working position, that is to say when this handle occupies the position indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, so that it remains held in this position with a combination of forces until it is returned to its initial position by pivoting backwards. On the lower side of the housing 50, there is provided a bracket 56 of bent shape which is fixed in position by means of an intermediate member. The free ends of the bent bracket 56 are hooked in guides 57 of the container handle 27 so that the cover 25 is held on the container 20, with the possibility of vertical translation, by means of one of the ends of the bent stirrup 56, and in the same way can be moved generally by the other end of said bent stirrup 56. As shown in Figure 1, there is provided below the housing 50 a collecting tank 58, which is suspended from a projection 59 of the handle 27 of the container. In the area of the cover handle 26, the latter has inclined surfaces 60. Via said inclined surfaces 60, oil which has condensed on the upper part of the cover, or oil which has dripped from the lower part of the cover, provided that the latter is in the folded position, is captured by the collecting tank 58.

In addition, when the cover is raised (as indicated in FIG. 5), areas of the housing 60 come to bear against the upper edge of the collecting tank 58 in order to maintain the cover in the raised position.

As already indicated above, the frying basket 23 has a handle 24. This handle 24 is connected to the frying basket by means of an extension element 61 in the form of a rod.

For fixing this extension element 61 on the frying basket, there is provided on the latter a plate 62 provided with lugs 63 in which the free end of the extension element 61 is in the form of a rod. .

By its other end, said extension element is fixed to the handle 24. Behind this fixing zone, the extension element 61 is bent and is arranged in the form of a support bracket 64, which can slide vertically in a guide 57 of the container handle 27.

As shown for example in FIG. 1, the handle 24 is connected to a latching lever 65, the free end 66 of which can be hooked in a recess 67 in the container handle 27, so that, in this hooking position, the basket of frying is placed above the oil bath, thus ensuring a draining of fried products.

The snap lever 65 can be actuated by means of a push button 68 biased by spring.

As can also be seen in the figures, the handle 24 of the frying basket is provided with a protection system 69 in the form of a plate, which is oriented in the vertical direction. By means of this protection system, the operator's hand is protected against splashes upon contact with 1-a handle when the frying basket is inserted into the appliance or taken out of it. To allow the passage of the extension element 61 of the frying basket, the cover 25 has an opening 70. To close this opening during the frying operation, the handle 24 of the frying basket is provided with a plate sealing 71 with silicone (Figure 6). This sealing plate completely covers the opening 70 and, to ensure the sealing of the outer edges, it comes to hang in the groove 39 receiving the annular seal 40 (as also shown in Figure 7).

As shown in Figure 1, the bottom of the frying basket 23 is inclined relative to the horizontal bottom of the container. Thus, during the removal of the frying basket on a bearing surface, it is obtained that the center of gravity of the frying basket, considered in plan view, comes to be placed inside its bearing surface, this which thus avoids any risk of tilting of said basket. The angle formed by the bottom of the frying basket and a horizontal plane is approximately 10 degrees.

As further shown in Figure 6, the outer cover portion 33 is provided with orifices 72 through which the filtered oil vapors can flow upwards. In addition, an observation window 73 is provided in the lid 25. This indicator is inclined relative to the upper side of the lid so that the user can easily observe the interior of the container.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the cover 25 for closing the container is in one piece. This cover also includes a recess 34 in which is placed a filter 36. On the outer edge of the cover, there is provided the groove 39 which receives the silicone seal 40, this seal having the shape of a ring in the 'example considered.

As demonstrated by this embodiment, the recess 34 is closed by an insert 74. This insert rests against the filter 36 by two contact surfaces 75, 76 which have an annular profile. On its outer edge, the insert 74 has a flange 77.

On two opposite sides, there are provided in the region of the recess 34 supports 78 on said cover. As will be explained below, the flange 77 of the insert is placed below said supports 78.

As shown in FIG. 9, guides 79 in the form of channels are provided on one of the supports 78, in which ribs 80 of the cover handle 26 are hooked, which is arranged in the form of a sliding handle in the example considered. This handle has, on its two side walls, enlargements in the form of hooks 81 which hang in grooves 82 of corresponding profile of the support 78.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the flange 70 of the insert 74 is provided, on two opposite sides, with recessed portions 83 which are arranged so that the insert can be engaged on the areas of the supports 78 which penetrate into the recess 34, in which case the flange is placed below said supports.

As shown, in addition, in Figure 10, the flange is divided in height by several steps 84. During a rotational movement, these different steps engage below the supports placed in the recess area, the different steps being used to support the insert depending on the thickness of the filter. Due to the contact of the annular surfaces 75, 7o with the filter, it is ensured that, during a rotational movement of the insert, the filter is effectively held in position.

As also shown in Figure 11, the upper side of the insert has a groove 85 in the form of an arc of circle which constitutes, in the middle of the insert 74, a handle 86 of cylindrical shape which is provided, on its sides longitudinal, of a striated surface facilitating its rotational movement.

Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown; it is susceptible of numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art, depending on the applications envisaged and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the handle of the frying basket could be provided with a curved profile so that, in a rest position, this handle comes to be placed above the container of the fryer.

Claims (24)

1.- Electric fryer comprising a pot-shaped container which can be heated by means of a heating device, a cover provided with orifices and which can be closed off the container, as well as a frying basket which can be placed in the container, characterized in that there is provided in the cover (25, 32) a recess (34) directed towards the interior of the container and which comprises said orifices (35) oriented towards the interior of the container and in that there is provided in said recess (34) a filter (36). 2. An electric fryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter (36) is formed by a filter cloth (37) as well as a mat (38) containing carbon dust and arranged with a side of the filter cloth (37). 3.- Electric fryer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pot-shaped recess (34) can be closed by an insert (74) provided with orifices. 4.- electric fryer according to claim 3, characterized in that the insert (74) is rotatably mounted in the recess (34) and comprises for this purpose at least one annular contact surface (75, 76) with the filter (36), which is arranged concentric therewith. 5. An electric fryer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the container lid (25) is provided with supports (78) placed on two opposite sides of the recess (34) and which extend partially in the 'Recess, and in that said annular insert (74) has on its periphery a flange (77) which is placed at different levels of height (84). 6. An electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said insert (74) has a cylindrical part (86) serving as a handle. 7. An electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cover (25) provided with supports (78) comprises a handle (26) which is mounted on one of said supports (78). 8. An electric fryer according to claim 7, characterized in that the handle (26) is mounted so as to be able to slide on said support (78). 9.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover (25) is made in two parts and comprises an inner part (32) provided with said recess (34) and an outer part (33 ) covering the inner part, and in that, for this purpose, the outer part (33) has projections (38) which serve to fix the filter (36) in position in said inner cover part (32). 10.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cover (25) s-'applique on the container wall by means of an annular seal (40). 11. An electric fryer according to claim 10, characterized in that the cover (25) has an opening (83) serving as a passage for the handle support (61, 24) of a frying basket (23) placed in the container (20) and in that said handle support - (24, 61) is provided with a sealing part (71) serving to cover said opening (83). 12.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said handle support (24) of the frying basket (23) has a protective part (69) serving to provide protection against splashes. 13.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the two parts (32, 33) of the cover are separably connected by means of a pusher defining dif ferent stop positions. 14.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the frying basket support (24, 61) comprises a support bracket (64) serving to reinforce said support and to provide guidance of the frying basket (23). 15.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the frying basket support (24, 61) comprises a pivoting latching lever (65) serving to immobilize the frying basket in a upper position. 16.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the bottom of the frying basket (23) is inclined relative to its side walls. 17. An electric fryer according to claim 16, characterized in that a plate-shaped part (62) comprising a projection (63) in the shape of a nose is fixed to the side wall of the frying basket, and in that said fry basket support (61) can be hung on said projection by one of its ends. 18. An electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the hinged cover (25) is provided, in the region of its pivot axis, with an inclined surface (60) via from which the oil condensed on the cover can be channeled, when the cover is raised, into a collecting tank (58). 19. An electric fryer according to claim 18, characterized in that said collecting tank (58) can be hung on the housing of the fryer. 20.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the handle (27) of the cover (25) is mounted so as to be able to pivot between two limit positions and in that, in one of its limit positions, considering it in plan view, the handle (27) is placed inside the container surface, whereas, in the other limit position, that is to say the working position , the free end of the handle protrudes from said surface of the container. 21. An electric fryer according to claim 20, characterized in that, in the working position, the handle (27) is prevented from rotating, by the combination of forces. 22. An electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the cover (25) is mounted so that it can slide vertically in longitudinal guides (79) provided on the container. 23. An electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the cover (27) comprises an observation sight glass (73) clearing the interior of the container and the hollow surface of which forms an acute angle with the axis of the pot-shaped container. 24.- Electric fryer according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the double-walled container (20) has, in the area of its feet, an inlet opening (30) which allows access at the bottom of the inner container part (21).