MXPA97001574A - Cooking system through microwave and calie oil - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a system (20) for cooking and / or heating a food product (12) rapidly using microwave heating (30) and hot oil (21), which are applied simultaneously during the partial or total cooking period and / or heating. The food product (12) can be frozen before the process and can consist of a cover and an internal filling. It is desirable that after a relatively short cooking and / or heating process, the outer cover is golden with a uniform brown-gold color, while the internal filling reaches the desired temperature.

Description

SYSTEM FOR COOKING WITH MICROWAVE AND OIL HOT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Food manufacturers are constantly looking for an improved method to prepare food. Particularly a fast and efficient method that also produces high quality food is desired. Manufacturers face special problems when hot oil heating (deep frying) is used to cook and / or heat food products such as egg roll, pizza roll, fried taco rolls, fried burritos, breakfast rolls, etc. ., which generally consist of a cover (skin / outer skin) and an inner padding. Said food products are difficult to heat and / or cook quickly, to achieve that while achieving that the cover is browned, heated or cooked the interior filling with high quality. In general, if a relatively high temperature is applied in the heated and / or heated by hot oil the cover burns before the internal filling reaches even the desired temperature. This is particularly frequent when the products are frozen before the process. When the cylindrically shaped foods are heated, which are mentioned above by conventional heating by hot oil, we have the experience in the egg roll manufacturing plant owned by the applicant that for a product of 1 to 1! / 2 inches in diameter, the time needed to reach the internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (F) from an initial temperature of 50 degrees (F) will take 5 minutes with the oil temperature at 355 degrees F. If the same product is frozen before to start the process, it is impossible to get a favorable result with the fryer itself. For a thin and uniform product like French fries, this is not a problem, even if they are frozen before being fried. But for the above-mentioned frozen egg rolls, with an initial temperature of 15 degrees F and the same temperature for frying, the time required to reach the internal temperature of 160 degrees F time is around 10 minutes. This internal temperature level is required by the Agriculture and Meat Inspection Department for the egg and chicken rolls. At this time for frying, the outer jacket is burned before the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. The present invention represents a solution to the problem of cooking and / or heating a frozen or unfrozen food product in a relatively short time, by combining hot oil and microwave heating simultaneously during the total or partial period of cooking and / or heating time Microwaves are used to cook and / or heat food products such as frozen foods and frozen egg rolls due to their relatively short Heating period and for simplicity of operation.

In the case of heating an egg roll for example, the use of microwaves gives undesirable results. Microwaves excite the water molecules in the internal filler, generating heat and water vapor, which causes the egg roll cover to become pasty. In general food products having a cover and an internal filling can not be cooked or heated satisfactorily in the microwave oven, if it is desired to have an external golden crust as a result of heating and cooking. The above is also applicable to food products with uniform internal and external substances as in the case of potato chips where something similar is required, the so-called "crunchy outer cover". The external arguments support the need of the present invention to use both conventional heating systems, the microwave and the hot oil for cooking and heating, relatively faster and with better quality for food products having a cover (skin or external skin) and internal filling. The simultaneous application of both heating systems will not only reduce the cooking and / or heating times, but will also ensure that the outer layer is crispy after cooking or heating. It should be noted that in the particular case when cooking egg rolls or other similar food products), it is not desirable to use the microwave system before hot oil. An egg roll heated by microwaves is pasty, and therefore easily breaks when frying. The only method that works is to apply both methods simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system for cooking and / or heating a frozen or non-frozen food product by combining microwave and hot oil methods, applying them simultaneously during a part-time or total cooking phase and / or heated providing, a) Speed in cooking and / or heating, b) high quality fried products giving a crispy external crust or external skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus which can be used in the system of this invention, with portions of the apparatus shown schematically Figure 2 a transverse elevated view of the system shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 a view similar to Figure 1 of another prototype of the invention.

Figure 4 A view of another prototype of a roller that can be used in the invention. Figure 5 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1 showing another prototype of the invention. Figure 6 an elevated view of another prototype of apparatus that can be used in the system of the invention. Figure 7 A view of the prototype shown in Figure 6 Figure 8 an elevated view of another prototype of an apparatus that can be used in the system of the invention. Figure 9 a view of the prototype shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 a view similar to Figure 1 of another prototype of the invention. 5 Figure 11 a top view of a cover. Figure 12 a top view of another prototype of a cover. Figure 13 a top view of another prototype of a cover. ---, Figure 14 illustrates an axis and an arm which can be used in the present - invention 10 Figure 15 illustrates a ring and an arm which can be used with the axle \ the present invention. Figure 16 illustrates an elevated view of the prototype shown in Figure 10 with portions of the apparatus shown schematically. Figure 17 an elevated view of another prototype of the invention with portions 15 of the apparatus shown in schematic form. Figure 18 an elevated view of another prototype of the invention with portions of the apparatus shown in schematic form. Figure 19 A schematic top view of another prototype of the invention. Figure 20 illustrates an arm and a chain that can be used in the prototype 20 of the invention shown in Figure 19. Figure 21 An elevated view of another prototype of the invention with portions of the apparatus shown in schematic form.

Figure 22 An elevated view of another prototype of the invention with portions of the apparatus shown schematically. Figure 23 illustrates the prototype of the invention shown in Figure 22 in an exploded view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system of the present invention generally includes an oven body 10, a hot oil system 20 containing hot oil 21, and a source / receiver of mecroondas 30. The 0 The prototype of the invention may include a rotor shaft 40 for moving the \ food product 12 through the heating medium (oil) while rotating the product around its own axis. The food product 12 is cooked and / or heated in the oven body (or heating chamber) 10 which normally includes a door (not shown). Before being cooked and / or heated, the food product 12 comprises a product or material precooked premium which can be frozen, refrigerated or at room temperature. The food product generally requires frying, which includes products such as potato chips, donut-shaped products, or a food product with an internal filler and an outer shell such as the egg roll shown in the Figure 2 with the outer cover 16. Other food products represented with the 12 can be included, such as pizza rolls, spinach rolls, fried burritos, fried tacos rolls, breakfast rolls, fried pays etc- As mentioned above, the food product 12 in a raw or pre-cooked form is placed inside the oven body 10 either frozen, refrigerated or at room temperature. It is desirable to cook and / or heat the product quickly and obtain a high quality crunchy outer cover with a uniform color while the internal filling reaches a desirable temperature itself, which in the case of meat or poultry must comply with the regulations of the USDA. The problems encountered in the processing of said food products and some solutions to the problems are discussed in the North American Patent NO. 4,844,930 same that was presented by the applicant of the present application on July 4, 1989 and which is considered to be incorporated herein. A control system 14 which includes a temperature sensor 34 connected to the furnace body 10, the hot oil system 20, the microwave source / receiver 30 and the rotor shaft 40 to regulate variables such as the heating and / or cooking time , temperature, rotation speed etc. The components to be used in said system are for example, a temperature sensor 34 placed inside the oil container 22 to, record the temperature of the hot oil to: a) regulate the temperature of the hot oil and b) monitor the temperature and activate a Safety shutdown in case of oil overheating. The hot oil system 20 includes an oil container 22. The oil container 22 contains hot oil 21 which is heated either by an external oil heater 28 or by microwaves or by both the oil heater and the microwave. The oil container 22 is constructed in such a way that the food product 12 can be partially or completely submerged in the hot oil 21 while rotating horizontally through the hot oil 21. A circulating line of oil 24 having feed ends 25 and 26 connect the oil container 22 to the optional oil heater 28 with the oil filter 27 and the oil pump 29 to the inlet and outlet sides of the oil heater 28 respectively. Other devices (not shown) can be added to the oil circulation line 24 to reduce the FFA (free fatty acids) in the oil. The system of the present invention described above, generally operates with the body of the oven 10, the hot oil system 20, which consists of the oil container 22 covered with hot oil 21 for the submersion of the food product 12 and a system of control 14 which includes a temperature sensor 34. It can also be operated without the hot oil system 20 where the oil is heated directly by the microwaves. The system may additionally include a rotor shaft 40. The rotor shaft 40 generally includes a journal 42 with a rotor shaft 43 which is driven by a variable speed motor 44. A shaft 45 is 0 connected to the end of the rotor shaft 43. axis 45 supports rollers 46. Rollers 46 are preferably grouped in parallel pairs to support food product 12. In so doing, one roller of said pair is in radial direction with respect to axis 43, while the other is parallel to roller previously mentioned and in a direction slightly outside the radius. The roller in the radial direction is driven by a gear on the shaft 45 or by the stationary oil container 22 and rotates around its own axis, while the roller in the out-of-radius direction is driven by the food product 12 whose rotary movement at Around its axis is created by the roller in radial direction. The roller pairs 46, however, rotate as a group around the rotor shaft 43 to form a revolving shaft 40. The rotation of the roller pairs around their own axes can be omitted with an alternate rotor shaft system, wherein the food product 12 is completely submerged inside the hot oil. The roller pairs 46 are preferably on a horizontal plane in a direction "close to radial" with respect to the shaft 43 in order to support and rotate the food product 12. The roller pairs are generally placed at a distance less than the diameter of the rolls. food products. The rollers 46 should be at a height less than that of the top of the oil container 22 so that the food product 12 can be partially or totally submerged in the oil. The rollers should be made or covered with TEFLON or other material that prevents the food product 12 stick to the rollers. In fact, a material such as TEFLON is ideal for use in the present system because it works in the microwave field and with oscillating temperatures. The microwave source / receiver 30 is connected anywhere within the body of the oven 10 and produces a microwave field determined by the intensive contour of the field 32. The microwave field 32 is preferably a field with relatively high intensity to shorten the time of cooked or heated. Referring to Figure 3 wherein a prototype of the invention is depicted similar to that shown in Figure 1. In addition to the components of Figure 1, the prototype shown in Figure 3 includes an extension of the rotor shaft 47, which is connected to the rotor shaft shown in FIG. 1. The upper end of the extension of the rotor shaft 47 supports a plurality of poles 48 which are placed on top of each pair of rollers 46. The poles 48 contain nozzles 49. A hot line of Oil (not shown) runs through the rotor shaft 43 and its extension 47 through the poles 48 to the nozzles 49 to spread hot oil over the food product 12. Referring to Figure 4, if the rollers are driven around of its own axis, it may be convenient to have a roller 46a with a tooth 46b to improve the contact to turn the food product 12. The prototype of the invention shown in Figure 5 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that in the prototype, the revolving shaft 140 includes arms 146 which extend from the shaft 45 on one end and support receptacles 148 at the other end. The hot oil lines 145 go from the stump 42 through the folders 146. The prototype of the invention shown in Figure 5 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that in said prototype, the revolving shaft 140 includes arms 146 extending from the shaft. on one end and support the receptacles 148 on the other end. The oil lines 145 run from the stump 42 through the bars 146 and above the upper end of the receptacles 148 where they are attached to the nozzles 149. The receptacles 148 are in the vertical position (the longest axis is vertical) and open at the top so that the food product 12 as an egg roll can be placed inside the receptacle 148. In this prototype the oil container 22 collects all the hot oil that drains on the top of the receptacles 148 to be rotated in the microwave field 32. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, an individual oven for heating food products or a chamber 60 which must be configured as shown. In this prototype, an oil feed line 61 is inserted into a hot oil manifold 62 which is connected to a plurality of oil feed lines 63. Each oil feed line 63 contains one or more spray nozzles. 64 as needed to uniformly direct the hot oil to the food product 67. The oil feed lines 63 are preferably connected to the inner surface of the chamber 60 by placing each line as needed in conjunction with the nozzles 64 to direct in a manner uniform the hot oil to the food product. A microwave source 65 is connected through the chamber 60. A pair of mounting rods 66 are joined through the lower end inside the chamber 60 and serve to hold the food product 67. a hot oil evacuation line 68 is placed on the lower end of chamber 60 to drain hot oil 69. Chamber 60 may be made of metal or other suitable material to confine the microwave field within the chamber. The food product 67 is inserted into the chamber 60 and is heated by microwaves generated by a microwave emitter / receiver 65 and hot oil 69. The spreading nozzles 64 and the heated oil pool 69? \ direct hot oil around the entire surface of the product * food 67. The system contains a filter 27, a heater 28, a pump 29 and a control system 14. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, another prototype of the invention is shown wherein a perforated cylinder 70 is rotated within the furnace or helmet 80. The hull is stationary and contains a reservoir or volume of hot oil 82. The perforated cylinder 70 rotates around a central axis 72. The central axis 72 is supported by a support 73 inside the helmet 80 and is driven by a motor 76. The perforated baskets 74 are mounted inside the perforated cylinder 70 so that when the perforated cylinder 70 is rotated about an axis 72 the basket 74 passes through the hot oil tank 82. The baskets 74 are constructed of a size sufficient to contain a food product 12 to be heated by the hot oil 82 and microwave source 84. The system of the present invention can be applied to serve customers with freshly cooked or heated food product. Before cooking and / or heating, the food product may be in a precooked or raw, frozen or non-frozen state. In this application, it is desirable to complete the cooking and / or heating in a short time in order to quickly serve the customer. In order to achieve cooking and / or rapid and complete heating of the food product, the hot oil must be heated to a relatively high temperature range (around 350 to 500 degrees F). The control system 14 may include a shut-off lock to turn off the heater 28 and the microwave when the temperature of the oil inside the microwave chamber reaches the highest limit to prevent fire AND / or the food is burned. The temperature of the oil inside the apparatus is detected by a temperature sensor 34 placed in the hot oil container 21. In order to achieve a cooking and / or rapid heating, it is preferable to use a microwave field with relatively high intensity in the place where the food will be cooked. Simultaneously a microwave field and the application of hot oil are used to heat the food product 12 in less than one minute, obtaining a toasted external cover (not burned) and a uniform heating of the internal stuffing of the food product; According to the USDA regulations for the case of meat the temperature should reach 145 degrees F, for the case of birds the temperature should reach 160 degrees F or more. In some applications of the present invention, it may be desirable to apply the hot oil either a little before or a little after the microwaves. The system can be constructed with more than one microwave source / receiver to reach the desired microwave field. In a recent experiment using a system of the present invention shown in Figure 1 without the revolving shaft 40, a 1 - . 1-refrigerated egg roll, in a much shorter time compared to the time required in a conventional method for deep frying.

This experiment showed that the cooking time required by the conventional frying method used by the applicant is reduced by 65% using the system of the present invention with an average microwave power (900 watts) and oil temperature (355 degrees F) . Moreover, if the applicant had used the conventional method called "deep frying", to cook the same roll in a frozen state, the egg roll would have had to be thawed before cooking. Otherwise, the egg roll cover would have burned before the egg roll filling reached the temperature of 160 degrees F, the temperature required in this particular cooking procedure. It may be advantageous to use a furnace 100 that does not incorporate a traditional microwave oven door (requires a vertical door to open and close to introduce and remove food products which can interrupt cooking), to use a pan 130 to drain the excess of food product 12 oil to move fresh air into the oven and remove the greasy air out of the oven, to contain the fat, and quickly place and remove the food product 12. Therefore, referring to figures 10 and 16, A prototype of the invention is shown incorporating these advantages shown. This prototype generally includes an oven 100, a container 110, an opening 120, a pan 130 a drop 150, a motor 160, a carousel 170 and a A 'cover 190. The furnace 100 includes walls 101, 102, 103 and 104, a base 106 and a cover 108. The front wall 101 includes an upper panel 101 a and a lower panel 101 b which define the groove 105 therebetween. In the case of an egg roll, the slot 105 should preferably be two (2) inches in height and go from the wall 102 to the wall 104. A container 110 is contained within the oven 100. The container 110 contains a pool oil 112 (see Fig. 16) An oil circulation system (not shown, but similar to the system shown in Fig. 1, reference numbers 24,27,28 and 29) is connected to vessel 110 for cleaning, heating and circulating the oil 112. The container 120 can be connected to the oven 100 through the cover 108 of the oven 100. The opening 120 preferably includes a grease filtering system (not shown) and a dryer (not shown). A pan 130 is connected the oven 130 through the slot 105. The pan 130 includes an inner portion 132 and an outer portion 134. The inner portion 132 of the pan 130 includes a base 136, a peripheral side wall 138 and a screen 139 (Which is connected to side wall 138 pair to cover the internal portion 132 of the pan 130). The inner base of the pan 130 is preferably flat, semicircular and inclined at an oblique angle to the horizontal. The angle of the inclination may vary but as shown in Figures 10 and 16 the inclination is approximately forty-five (45) degrees from the horizontal. The outer portion 134 of the pan 130 is preferably flat, semicircular and includes a base 140 and a peripheral side wall 142. The outer base 140 of the pan 130 is also preferably inclined at an oblique to horizontal angle. The angle of the inclination may vary but as shown in Figures 10 and 16 the inclination is approximately five (5) degrees from the horizontal. The outer base 140 of the pan 130 may include an opening 144 near the perimeter of the outer base 140. the opening 144 must be larger than the height and diameter of the food product 12. A drop 150 is connected to the external base 140 of pan 130 directly under opening 144. Fall 150 includes arched side walls 152 and 153, an arched cover 154 and an arched base 155 A hinge 157 connects a one-way door 156 to the cover 154 within the fall 150. The doors 156 and 158 must be spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the diameter of the door. foodstuff 12. The slots are defined between the perimeters of the doors 156 and 158 and the internal dimensions of the fall 150. The slots should be about 1/8 of an inch to allow air to be sucked through. the fall 150, inside the pan 130, inside the furnace 100 and outwards through the opening 120. A motor 160 is joined to the shaft 162. The shaft 162 is attached to the carousel 170.

V \ The carousel 170, generally includes an axis 172, and right arms 174. The shaft 172 is attached to the shaft 162. The arms 174 are connected to the shaft 172.

A prototype of the carousel 170 is shown in FIG. 14. In this prototype, the shaft 172 has a central slot 176 for joining the shaft 172 with the shaft 162. The shaft 172 also includes a plurality of radial slots 178 (only one is shown). (1) in figure 14 for simplicity). The radial slot 178 is adapted to receive the arm 174 while allowing the arm 174 rotate vertically. The end of the arm 174 must have a shape that allows the arm 174 to rotate a desirable number of degrees according to the inclination of the pan 130. A hinge 180 connects the shaft 172 to the fathoms 174. a hinge 180 comprises a slot 182 on the shaft 172, a hole 184 through the arm 174 and a pin 186 passing through the hole 184 and placed in slot 182. Referring to the figure , portions of another prototype of the shaft 172 are shown. In this prototype the hinge 180a comprises an annular groove (not shown) in the upper part of the shaft (not shown), a notch 187 in the upper part of the arm 174 and a ring 188 which is placed in the annular groove and notch 187. The vertical dimension of the arm 174 should preferably be slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the groove 105 in front of the wall 101. When the food product 12 is an egg roll , the height of the arm 174 should be around one (1) inch. A bulge 175 should be attached to the arm side 174 between the ends of the arms 174 to hold the food product on the periphery of the carousel 170. Referring to Fig. 10, a lid 190 is shown to cover the outer portion 134 of the pan 130. The lid 190 should preferably be flat, semicircular, and include a lip 192. Two are mounted (2) switches (one primary and one backup, not shown) in a microwave circuit (not shown) between the interface of the lid 190 and the front wall 101 (side wall 142). Referring to figures 11, 12 and 13. another prototype of the lid 190 is shown. The lid 190a shown in figure 11 includes a cutout 191 placed on the periphery of the carousel 170 when the lid 190a is closed. The dimensions of the cutout 191 must be greater than the dimensions of the food product 12. The food product 12 can be placed inside the pan 130 through the cutout 191. A fall (not shown but similar to the drop 150 with two doors) can mounted on the lid 190a on the cutout 191 to automatically supply the food products 12 preventing the microwaves from escaping. The lid 190b shown in Figure 12 is made of a screen 194. The screen 194 has a fine mesh to prevent the microwaves from escaping through the screen 194 allowing air to pass. The lid 190c shown in Figure 13 contains a portion 195 that remains closed and a portion 196 that can be opened. The portion 196 is connected by a hinge 197 to the front wall 101 allowing access to only a quarter of a circle of the carousel 170. In operation, the system and the oven 100 have many functions. Some of the peripheral functions include containing fat and odor, containing microwaves, heating the oil contained in tank 110, rotating to carousel 170 and automatically dispensing food products 12.

The containment of fat and odor is carried out in various ways, all of which can be incorporated individually or combined: (1) design the system and the furnace 100 in such a way that the air flow (grease and odors) follow the path through of the front wall 101 and exit through the opening 120; (2) include the oil tank 110 inside the furnace 100; (3) prevent the oil 112 of being transported out of the pan 130 by food products 12 or arms 174; and / or (4) manufacturing an integral grease container compartment 279 (Fig. 22-23) which can be quickly removed from the 100e oven and replaced. As previously described, the opening 120 includes a dryer (not shown) that deflects air through any space between the side wall 142 and the lid 190 (whether open or closed) and through the slots between the perimeters of the walls. doors 156 and 158 and the internal dimensions of the fall 150. The air will be drained through the slot 105 and into the main body of the furnace 100 where it is mixed with air with burnt grease. The air with grease comes out through the opening 120. In relation to the third way to contain grease and odors, both the inner portion 132 and the outer portion 134 of the pan 130 can be oblique to keep the oil 112 inside the tank 110 and to prevent transportation of the oil to the outer portion of the pan 130 and through the opening 144. The tilt in the outer portion 134 of the pan 130 will cause the oil draining from the food products 122 to pass into the tank 110 while the carousel 170 moves the food products 12 out of the tank 110 and into the outer portion 134 of the pan 130. The containment of microwaves within the system and oven 100 is carried out by limiting the openings or slots of the oven and designing the circuit for the microwave power source (identified with the reference number 109). Two (2) switches (one primary and one backup, not shown) must be placed either on the front wall 101 or on the side wall 142. The switches \ are contained in the circuit for the microwave power source 109. When the lid 190 is closed the switches are closed and the microwave power source 109 will be turned on. When the lid 190 is slightly open, the switches will open causing the microwave power source 109 to turn off by instantaneously dissipating the microwaves. Another way to help contain the microwaves is by limiting the opening or slot between the arms 174 and the front wall 101. An opening of less than ten (10) centimeters is convenient to prevent the microwaves from passing to the outer portion 134 of the pan 130. Any portion of the microwave field that passes inside the outer portion 134 of the pan 130 will subsequently be contained by the double-door mechanism 156 and 158 of the fall 159. Specifically, while the food products 12 exit through the opening 144 and pass through the door 156, the door 158 will remain closed. The microwaves will be blocked by the door 158 which contains a slot approximately 1/8 of an inch between the perimeter of the door 158 and the internal dimension of the fall 150. While the food product 12 reaches the second door 156, the first door 156 will close to block the microwaves as already explained with respect to the door 158. OR The function of the furnace 100 is to heat and filter the oil 112. The oil 112 will be heated by an oil circulation system as described above when referring to Figure 11. in reference numbers 24, 27 and 29. The means for rotating the carousel 170 are the following - The circuit relative to the motor 160 must be designed in such a way that the motor remains running when the lid 190 is closed or that the motor 160 will turn off when the lid 190 opens. When the motor 160 remains in motion it will lead to the shaft 162 which, when it rotates, drives the shaft 172. The shaft 172 drives the arms 174.

Another function of the oven 100 is to automatically dispense the food product 12 while the carousel 170 moves the food product 12 through the outer portion 134 of the pan 130. Each food product 112 will be moved over the opening 144 and will pass through the opening 144 to the fall 150. The fall 150 will transport the food product 12 through a first and second doors 156, 158, so that the food products 12 are automatically dispensed while the oven 100 is operating, so that eliminates the need to manually open the oven and turn off the microwaves while the food products are removed. The main function of the system and the oven 100 is to prepare the food products 12 by moving the products 12 simultaneously through the oil 12 and the microwave field. An operator (not shown) will choose a desired number of food products 12 to be prepared. The operator will open the lid 190 while the microwave source 109 will be off and the carousel 170 may or may not be rotating. The operator will place the food products 12, each one between consecutive arms 174. The operator will close the lid 190. The arms 174 of the carousel 170 will push or rotate the food products through the outer portion 134 of the pan 130 and within the portion internal 132 of the pan 130. The hinge mechanism 180 between each arm 174 and the shaft 172 allows each arm to be adjusted independently and vertically to the base of the pan 174, while the arm 174 is moved by the inclination of the pan 130. For example, while the food products 12 move through the slot 105 the arms 174 and the food products 12 move down into the oil 112. according to the inclination of the inner base of the pan 130. Simultaneously, the food products 12 will be moving through the microwave field emanating from the microwave source 109. the screen 139 on the inner portion 132 of the pan 130 prevents food products from floating to the surface of the oil 112.

Eventually, each food product 12 and arm 174 will begin to move according to the inclination of the pan 130. Once the food product 12 moves out of the oil pool 112 the excess oil will drain back into the tank 110. The carousel 170 will continue to move the food products 12 until they pass through the opening 144 and the fall 150. Referring to Figure 17, another prototype of the pan is shown. 130a. In this prototype, the base 136 of the pan is constructed to include a base with a constant inclination or oblique inclination to the horizontal to help drain the oil of the food products 12 into the tank 110. Referring to Fig. 18, shows another prototype of an oven 100b and a pan 130b. In the prototype both the pan 130b and the base 136b of the pan 130b are horizontal and the pan 130b becomes a container for the oil 112. The carousel 170 (not shown) will not have hinges between the arms and the shaft 172. The wall front 101 ends when it intersects a step or protrusion 201 that goes horizontally over a short distance to dissipate the microwaves before it leaves through slot 105 between protrusion 201 and base 106. In this prototype, pan 130b may not have opening 144 for automatically dispensing the food products 12. This prototype is similar to the prototype shown and described with respect to figures 10 and 16. Referring to Figure 19, another prototype 100c of a system and an oven is shown. In this prototype the motor (not shown) will drive one of the three gears 210, 212, or 214. The gear that is driven by the motor when it rotates will drive the other gears. The gears 210 and 214 will drive a belt or chain 220. The chain 220 drives the arms 222 around the pan 221. The arms 22 will be connected to the chain 220. For example the chain 220 can have openings 224 and teeth 226 .. The end 223 of the arm 222 may contain a passage for receiving the teeth 226. The arm 222 is inserted into the opening 224 with the teeth 226 inserted in the passageway at the end 223 of the arm 222. The arm 222 will be driven by the chain 220. The teeth 226 in conjunction with the passage will function as a hinge for the arm 222. The main concept in relation to this prototype is to increase the path of the food product 12 inside the oven 100c. The base of the pan 221 can be horizontal, inclined or a combination of both.

Referring to Figure 21, another prototype of the 100d oven is shown. This prototype contains 230 230 a-f sheaves. The pulleys 230 will drive the chains 232 a-c. the chains 232 ac include flexible teeth 234 for engaging the food product 12. The first chain 232 ac carries the food products 12 through the first door 250 with an elastic hinge 252, through the second door 254 with an elastic hinge 256 , and through the opening 105d in the front wall 110d of the furnace. The first chain 232a also carries the food product down into the oil 112d. Once the food product 12 moves inside the hot oil pool 112d, a cover arranged horizontally 260 will prevent the food product 12 from floating on the hot oil surface 112d. Once the food product 12 moves to the end of the chain 232a it will be transmitted to the second chain 232b which moves the food product 12 through the hot oil pool 112d and through the microwave field. The third chain 232c will carry the food product 12 out of the hot oil tank 112d, out of the oven 100d and automatically dispense the food product 12 into the outlet of the chamber 240 which includes a first door 242 with a spring hinge 24 and a second door 246 with a spring hinge 248. Referring to Figures 22-23, another prototype of the 100e oven is shown. In this prototype the 110e tank. the pan 130e and the outlet 150e (if included) are arranged together to form an integral grease container 270. The oven 100e contains a cavity 272 for receiving the grease container compartment 270. The grease container compartment 270 may be easily installed and easily removed from oven 100e by means of commonly known apparatuses such as pins 288. Furnace 100 e and grease-holding compartment 270 can be constructed such that compartment 270 slides inside furnace 100e either vertically or horizontally . A microwave source 109e is mounted within the oven 100e directly above the cavity 272. The fat-containing behavior 270 will define the microwave inlet 273 and an opening 275, and the outer portion 290 may contain a retractable lid 190e and / or openings or structures to load and unload. A filter or a thin sheet of plastic 274 (eg One Thousand Thickness) is placed either in the microwave inlet 273 or on the opening in the wall 276 of the 100e oven to allow the microwaves to pass, while preventing the grease contaminates the microwave generator 109e. The wall 276 of the oven 100e also defines the opening. An open line 120 is connected over this opening. The open line preferably contains a multiplicity of oil removal filters 280, below a snail filter 282, which is below the dryer 284. All filters 280.282 and open line 120 must be structured so that the filters are replaceable. A screen 286 is mounted on the opening 275 below the open line 120. The lower end 164 of the shaft 162 includes a bevel gear and a splice for quick connection and disconnection. The shaft 172e (with only one arm 174) contains an internal gear 292. The splice can be activated with an upward movement allowing the shaft 172e to be quickly engaged or disengaged for insertion or removal of the grease-holding compartment 270. A pin or electrical contact surfaces (not shown) is placed within and between the oven 100e and the grease-holding compartment 270 to change the microwave generator 109e and the engine 160 from on to off depending on whether the lid or other similar device in the compartment Grease container 270 is open or closed. It would be preferable to build the grease container compartment 270 with the dimensions that allow it to fit inside a briefcase. This allows the service person to bring a clean oil container compartment to the place of the 100e oven inside a briefcase, remove the dirty oil container compartment, replace the dirty compartment with a clean compartment, place the dirty grease compartment in its compartment. Briefcase and take the dirty compartment to another place to be cleaned. >; Other advantages and forms of the present invention are the following: With reference to Figure 10, the carousel 170 should preferably rotate at a speed of about 1 to 1.2 rotations per minute and the food product 12 will be inside the kiln approximately thirty. forty-two seconds. This should be enough time to prepare the food product 12 inside the hot oil and the microwave field. Carousel 170 can be designed to include twenty-four (24) arms 174 so it will have the capacity to contain 24 food products 12. 5 All surfaces that come in contact with food products 12 (such as arms 174 and pan 130) should be covered with TEFLON or a similar material. In relation to all the prototypes of the present invention, all the objects that must be inside the microwave field must be made of a non-ferrous material to prevent the object from burning. - In relation to the external heating mode of the food product 12, the different prototypes of the present invention have been described including a tank 110 containing an oil pool 112. However, other known mechanisms for externally heating a product can be used. food Some examples of other types of heating mechanism include a container for heating with hot air, with hot steam, etc. to heat by transmission and / or conduction. Tank 11.0 and / or carousel 170 can also be constructed to include structures for rotating and spreading hot oil (not shown but similar to the devices of Figures 1-7) in order to heat the food product 12 by spreading oil. over the entire surface of the food product 12.

The different openings or grooves formed in the furnace as the groove between the arms 174 and the channel 105 must be sufficiently small, or the microwaves can vary their wavelength causing the emission of the microwave radiation to be lower than the regulatory limit in whose case 5 will not need a lid. The current regulatory limit of the power density of microwave radiation emitted by a microwave oven shall not exceed one (1) milliwatt per square centimeter at any point 5 centimeters or more from the outer surface of the oven, measured before the acquisition by a buyer, and after 5 milliwatts per 0 square centimeter at any point 5 centimeters or more from the \ external surface of the oven. ^

Claims (31)

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. - An improved method for preparing food products by heating, with a food product having an internal filling contained in a covering (outer shell / skin), when it is desired to cook and / or heat the cover with hot oil to obtain a toasted cover, at the same time , which is prepared with the desired temperature and quality of the food product by uniform and total heating of the inner filling, comprising the steps of: placing the food product inside the heating chamber, which consists of hot oil and microwaves. apply the hot oil to the total outer surface of the cover (scab / outer skin) of the food product; and preparing the food product within the microwave field.

2. The improved method for preparing food products by the heating of claim 1 wherein said heating step of the food product in the microwave field is carried out simultaneously with said step of applying the hot oil

3. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1 wherein said step of heating the food product in a microwave field is carried out before said step of applying oil.

4. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1 wherein said step of heating the food product in a microwave field is carried out after said step of applying oil.

The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1 wherein said step of heating the food product in a microwave field is carried out intermittently with said step of applying hot oil.

6. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1 wherein said step of applying hot oil comprises spreading the cover (scab / outer skin) with the hot oil.

The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1, wherein said step of applying the hot oil comprises placing the food product inside a container of hot oil.

The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1, further including the step of heating the hot oil from a temperature of three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit to five hundred degrees Fahrenheit before applying hot oil.

9. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1, wherein said steps of applying hot oil, and heating the food product in a microwave field are performed for less than one minute.

10. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1, further including the step of rotating the food product in the microwave field.

11. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 1, further including the step of 0 introducing the food product into the heating chamber in \ frozen state.

12. An improved method for preparing food products by heating, where it is desirable to heat the food product with an external heating means to obtain the desirable coverage, while heating the interior of the product to a desired temperature and uniformly and completely. food comprising the steps of: placing the food product inside an oven that provides microwave heating; 0 applying the external heating means to the external surface of the food product, heating the food product in a microwave field; put fresh air inside the oven while moving the greasy air out of the oven; and remove the food product from the oven while the microwave field continues to emit.

The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 12, further including the step of loading the food product while the microwave field continues to be emitted.

14. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 12, further including the step of removing the food product from the oven while draining the external heating medium back to the oven.

15. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 12, further comprising the steps of moving a first compartment to contain the food product within a total microwave field and within the external heating medium while simultaneously moving a second compartment for containing the food product inside an external portion of a pan.

16. The improved method for preparing food products by heating of claim 12, further including the steps of containing the external heating means in a unitary compartment for loading, heating, draining and removing the food product.

17. An apparatus for preparing a food product by heating, comprising: an oven with an inlet that allows access: a microwave source / receiver mounted inside the oven, a means for heating the food product inside the oven, said means for heating generated by said means for external heating will overlap a microwave field emitted by the microwave source / receiver; means for moving the food product through the oven and through the heating means, the microwave field, and out of the oven including an internal portion mounted inside the oven and an external portion mounted outside the oven; said external portion of the means for moving the food product having means for loading the product and means for removing the food product; and said oven having an opening to prevent emission of the microwave field.

18. The apparatus for preparing the food product by heating according to claim 17 wherein said means for moving the food product through the oven comprises a carousel mounted in the oven, attached to means for driving the carousel.

The apparatus for preparing food products of claim 18 wherein said carousel includes an axis coupled to the means for driving the carousel wherein said axis has a plurality of radial grooves for receiving a plurality of arms each of which is connected to said shaft at one end by a hinge.

20. The apparatus for preparing food products by heating according to claim 18 wherein the means to move the product food through the oven are placed together to form a unit compartment fat container where said compartment unit grease container includes a means for joining said oven compartment, an entrance that allows the passage of the field -microondas and a window connected to a line passage mounted through from the oven.

21 The apparatus for preparing food product by heating according to claim 20, wherein the line passage includes a plurality of filters and a dryer mounted within the line passage.

22. The apparatus for preparing a food product by heating according to claim 17 wherein said means for external heating of the food product comprise an opening with an oil pool.

23. EJ apparatus for preparing a food product according to the claim 17 wherein the opening is in the front wall of the oven.

24. - The apparatus for preparing a food product according to the claim 17 where the opening is defined by the mentioned means to remove the food product.

25. The apparatus for preparing a food product according to claim 17 wherein the opening is defined by said means for loading the food product.

26. The apparatus for preparing a food product according to claim 17 wherein said means for moving the food product through the oven includes means for draining the heating medium of the food product inside the oven, 27. The apparatus for preparing a food product according to claim 17 wherein said external portion of said means for moving the food product through the oven includes an axis attached to the oven to cover the outer portion. An apparatus for preparing a food product by heating, comprising: an oven, a microwave source / receiver mounted inside the oven; a hot oil system including; ,,,,,,, an oil container in the bottom of the furnace, an oil flask inside the oil container; a hot oil circulation system; a control system connected to the apparatus to monitor and regulate the hot oil temperature and the heating time, as well as to activate the safety shutdown; and a revolving tree to hold the food product including; a motor a rotor shaft that extends through the oil container having an axis at an upper end, the rotor shaft being driven by the motor; a plurality of rollers with a non-tacky surface, connected to the shaft in a nearly radial position and extending horizontally over the oil container, wherein the rollers are grouped in series of pairs to hold the food product; an extension of the rotor shaft connected to the top of the shaft and extending above the shaft; a plurality of poles extending horizontally and radially from the upper end of the rotor shaft extension where each of the poles is placed on top of each group of rollers, respectively; a plurality of nozzles mounted on each of the poles; and the hot oil circulation system includes a hot oil line that runs through the rotor shaft, the shaft, the extension of the rotor shaft and exits on each of the sticks to carry hot oil to the nozzles. a food product by heating, comprising: an oven, > a microwave source / receiver mounted inside the oven; a hot oil system including :, an oil container in the bottom of the oven, an oil tank inside the oil container; a hot oil circulation system; a control system connected to the apparatus to monitor and regulate the hot oil temperature and the heating time, as well as to activate the safety shutdown; and a revolving tree to hold the food product including; a motor a rotor shaft that extends through the oil container having an axis at an upper end, the rotor shaft being driven by the motor; a plurality of bars extending radially from the axis; a plurality of receptacles, each mounted on one end of the bars wherein each of the receptacles is mounted in such a way that a longer axis is in the vertical direction and the receptacle has an open end at the top of the container; and the oil circulation system further including a line of hot oil passing through the rotor shaft, the shaft, exiting inside each of the bars and connected to the receptacles. 30. An apparatus for preparing a food product by heating, comprising: an oven, v ^ a microwave source / receiver mounted inside the oven; a hot oil system including; ,,,,,,, an oil container in the bottom of the oven an oil tank inside the oil container; a hot oil circulation system; a manifold connected to the line passing to the furnace, and a plurality of hot oil supply lines connected thereto. multiple tubes and attached to an inner surface of the furnace can each of the oil feed lines including, at least one sparger nozzle; and a control system connected to the apparatus to monitor and regulate the hot oil temperature and the heating time, as well as to activate the safety shutdown. 31. An apparatus for preparing a food product by heating, comprising: an oven, a microwave source / receiver mounted within the oven; a hot oil system including; ,,,,,,, an oil container in the bottom of the oven an oil tank inside the oil container; a hot oil circulation system; a control system connected to the appliance to monitor and regulate the hot oil temperature and the heating time, as well as to activate the safety shutdown. an axis running through the furnace supported at two opposite ends of the furnace; an engine connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft; a perforated cylinder attached to the shaft inside the furnace to rotate the perforated cylinder inside the furnace; and a plurality of perforated baskets mounted inside the cylinder Perforated.