WO1999012426A1

WO1999012426A1 - Improvements in and relating to frying apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1999012426A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dale Greaves; Martyn Hall; Steven Weston
Original assignee: Williams Refrigeration Limited
Priority date: 1997-09-09
Filing date: 1998-09-08
Publication date: 1999-03-18
Also published as: AU8990498A; GB9718974D0

Abstract

A carriage (28) suitable for placing in an oil bath (12) of a fryer (10), the carriage (28) comprising a turner arm (30) and rotating means (64, 58, 60, 56) for rotating the turner arm (30) through an arc, in which in use, the turner arm (30) is rotated through at least part of the arc to lift a foodstuff.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FRYING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to apparatus for frying foodstuffs and parts for such apparatus and methods of use of the parts with the apparatus to fry foodstuffs. More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to devices for inverting foodstuffs during a cooking cycle, fryers incorporating such a device and methods of use thereof.

Background to the Invention

Certain foodstuffs may be fried in oil in an oil bath. If the foodstuff floats, only one side of the food cooks whilst the food is floating. Previously, foodstuffs have been submerged below the surface of the oil in an oil bath so that the foodstuff cooks evenly. A problem with this approach is that the submerged foodstuff absorbs a great deal of the oil whilst cooking, making the foodstuff very greasy, and also requiring the oil level in the oil bath to be kept topped up.

An alternative approach has been to float the foodstuff on the surface of the hot oil in an oil bath and turn the foodstuff over via a turning device once the side in contact with the oil is cooked. This provides a less greasy foodstuff, characterised by an uncooked ring, extending around the centre of the perimeter of the foodstuff, in between the two sides of the foodstuff that have been in contact with the oil.

An example of a foodstuff that can be fried in this way is a doughnut. Generally, doughnut frying machines include a hot cooking oil fryer tank, a conveyor assembly for moving the doughnuts through the tank from one end to the other and a turner assembly, generally positioned half way along the tank for inverting the doughnuts so that the upper uncooked side of the doughnut that has proceeded above the level of the oil may be flipped over and placed in contact with the oil for cooking.

Doughnut frying machines of the type described above are shown for example in United States patents US 4 176 590 and US 4 699 796. Other examples of known doughnut frying machines in which the doughnut is conveyed through hot oil and inverted at a fixed point by a further assembly are found in European published patent application EP 0 417 701 Al and United Kingdom published patent application GB 2 098 464 A.

As the doughnut fryer needs to be cleaned regularly, the components of the fryer need to be easily disassembled and then reassembled for re-use. The components of the fryer are generally removed from the fryer apparatus when the oil has been drained from the fryer. To- remove the conveyor and turner assembly in the past has been awkward and time consuming. Also, generally, the oil bath itself is awkward to clean because of the number of components contained within and attached to it.

A further disadvantage of known conveyor-type doughnut fryer machines is that the doughnuts are advanced one by one along a conveyor carrying them through hot oil so that their underside cooks. The doughnuts are flipped at a fixed point on the conveyor, again one by one. The time taken for the underside of the doughnut to cook will be determined by the heat of the oil and the size of the doughnuts. Having a fixed turner assembly means that the speed of the conveyor must be adjusted so that the doughnuts reach the turner assembly at the correct time when the underside is cooked. It is preferable that the doughnuts are turned over once the underside is cooked and not before.

Another disadvantage of known conveyor type doughnut fryer machines is that the paddles or flippers have a poor success rate in correctly inverting and aligning the half cooked doughnut on the conveyor. A further disadvantage of known conveyor type doughnut fryer machines is that they are generally relatively large so as to accomodate adequate numbers of doughnuts on the conveyor.

It is an aim of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a carriage suitable for placing in an oil bath of a fryer, the carriage comprising a turner arm and rotating means for rotating the turner arm through an arc, in which in use, the turner arm is rotated through at least part of the arc to lift a foodstuff.

Suitably, the rotating means rotates the turner arm through at least part of the arc to lift and invert a foodstuff ._v

The invention provides a carriage which may be used in conjunction with standard or non-conventional oil bath fryers allowing mechanical inversion of floating foodstuffs, for example, doughnuts cooking in the fryer. The carriage, in use, is received within a bath filled with hot oil with the turner arm being in a first position, preferably below the level of the hot oil. Uncooked floatable foodstuffs, for example, uncooked dough for doughnuts may then be positioned in the oil bath so that they float upon the hot oil, with their underside cooking. 'The turner arm may then be rotated through at least part of an arc by the rotating means to the second position, the turner arm contacting and lifting the half- cooked floating foodstuff out of the oil, inverting the foodstuff and dropping the foodstuff back into the oil, with the uncooked face of the foodstuff in contact with the surface of the oil.

The carriage with the incorporated turner arm obviates the need for a conveyor mechanism to transport the foodstuffs to the turner arm for inversion. Further, the turner arm means takes the floating foodstuff from the oil, inverts it, and returns the foodstuff back to the same location in the oil bath. Therefore, the size of an oil bath fryer incorporating the carriage of the invention may be smaller than a conventional conveyor type fryer.

Suitably, the arc follows a substantially part circular path.

Suitably, the turner arm starts from a downwardly depending first position.

Suitably, the turner arm finishes in a generally upright second position.

Suitably, the first position and the second position are greater than 90° apart. Preferably, the first position and the second position are substantially equal to 180° apart. Most preferably, the first position and the second position are greater than 180° apart.

Preferably, in use in an oil bath, when the turner arm is in the first position at least part of the turner arm is below a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath. Preferably, in use in an oil bath, when the turner arm is in the second position, all of the turner arm is above a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath.

Preferably, the turner arm comprises an elongate substantially rectangular, lamellar paddle. Suitably, the carriage is rectangular, having at least two planar side panels.

The carriage may comprise a plurality of lanes. Preferably, the carriage comprises seven lanes. Preferably, each lane is defined at one side by a turner arm. Preferably, each lane comprises a turner arm.

Suitably, the carriage comprises a plurality of rotating means. Suitably, each turner arm is linked to a rotating means. Suitably, the rotating means comprises a gear, a chain rack and coupling means. Preferably, the rotating means comprises two banks of gears.

Suitably, one bank of gears is positioned on an inner face of a first side panel of the carriage. Suitably, another bank of gears is positioned on an inner face of a second side panel of the carriage whereby the first and second side panels are parallel to each other. Suitably, each gear in the bank of gears is coupled by coupling means to a mating gear in the opposite bank. Suitably, the coupling means comprises a shaft. Suitably, each turner arm is connected to a rotatable shaft. Preferably, an edge of each turner arm is connected to a rotatable shaft.

Suitably, the shaft is constrained by holding means to rotate through less than 250°. Preferably, the shaft is constrained by holding means to rotate through less than 190°. Suitably, the holding means comprises a longitudinal slot in which a gear may move.

Preferably, the rotating means comprises two chain racks, one positioned on each inner face of the first and second side panels of the carriage.

Suitably, the chain rack comprises a flat length of

20 teeth per 3/8 inch linked chain. Using a chain rack of the above dimensions, during rotation of the shaft the two banks of gears move the shaft longitudinally along the carriage. ^"Preferably, during rotation of shaft the shaft moves longitudinally by 110 mm along the carriage.

Suitably, the carriage further comprises a lever. Suitably, linear displacement of the lever from a first position to a second position causes the rotating means to rotate each turner arm. Preferably, linear displacement of the lever from a first position to a second position moves the two banks of gears along each chain rack.

Preferably, each gear in the bank is equally spaced. Preferably, each gear in the bank is non-meshing.

Suitably, during rotation of the shaft, the banks of gears which are meshed with the chain racks move the axis of the shaft longitudinally along the carriage. Suitably, the chain racks remain static whilst the turner arm is rotated. The effect of this longitudinal movement is that foodstuff may be turned over through 180°, with the advantage that it is picked up from the oil and re- deposited in substantially the same position in the oil bath. This makes maximum efficient use of space.

The carriage is preferably arranged such that a plurality of items of foodstuff may be raised from the oil bath, inverted, and dropped back into the oil bath, in substantially the same position as from where the items of foodstuff were removed, in one action, simultaneously.

Preferably, the carriage comprises a telescopic skirt. Preferably, the telescopic skirt is downwardly depending. Preferably, the telescopic skirt depends from the side panels of the carriage. Preferably, the telescopic skirt is adapted to retract telescopically within the carriage when the carriage abuts a surface .

Preferably, the carriage is removable and separable from the fryer with which it is used.

Suitably, the turner arm comprises apertures. The apertures form drain holes through which an oil or debris may drain from the turner arm.

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a fryer comprising a carriage according to the first aspect of the invention.

Suitably, the fryer comprises an oil bath.

Suitably, the fryer comprises a removable heating element. Suitably, the carriage is removable and separable from the fryer.

Suitably, the fryer comprises a loading element adapted to lower the carriage below a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath.

Suitably, the loading element is further adapted to lift the carriage above a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath.

According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a method of frying foodstuffs comprising heating oil in a fryer according to the second aspect of the invention, inserting the foodstuff in the carriage and rotating the turner arm of the carriage from a first position during a cooking cycle to lift the foodstuff from the oil.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a fryer to be used with the carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the fryer shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the paddles in a first position. Figure 4 is a schematic, partly sectioned illustration of the carriage shown in Figure 3, viewed on the line X - X.

Figure 5 is a schematic, partly sectioned illustration of the carriage shown in Figure 4, showing the paddles in a second position.

Figure 6 is a schematic, partly sectioned illustration of the carriage shown in Figure 3, viewed on the line Y - Y, showing the paddles in a first position.

Figure 7 is a schematic, partly sectioned illustration of the carriage shown in Figure 6, showing the paddles in a second position.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of an expanded view of part of the carriage, showing the turning assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a fryer 10 for frying foodstuffs, for example, doughnuts. The fryer 10 comprises a rectangular oil bath 12 capable of receiving a carriage (not shown) held in a loading element 14. The oil bath 12 stands on a support 16 which underneath accommodates storage of an oil filtration cart 18 which is mounted on castors 20, allowing the oil filtration cart 18 to be moved for cleaning and filter changes .

The oil bath 12 comprises a substantially rectangular well (not shown) which is foam insulated. The well has marked on its inner face a maximum and minimum level to which it is to be filled with oil in order for the fryer 10 to operate effectively. Oil in the oil bath 12 is heated by a heating element (shown in part at 19) operated by a control panel 20 which incorporates a timer, a thermostat and an audible buzzer (indicated by dials on the control panel 20) .

The loading element 14 is supported by an overstruc ure 22 and can be raised and lowered by means of a counter balanced pull bar 24 controlled by pneumatic dampers (not shown) . The loading element 14 is adapted to slideably receive the carriage (not shown) in its base component 23. The pull bar 24 allows the base component 23 of the loading element 14 to move between a first position where the base component 23 is above the oil in the oil bath 12 , and a second position where the base component 23 is below the oil in the oil bath 12.

The fryer 10 further comprises a hingedly connected table member 26 which can be used to rest utensils upon and also o hold a tray of doughnuts, either before or after cooking.

A further feature of the fryer 10 is that the heating element (shown in part as 19) for heating oil in the oil bath 12 is fixedly attached to the control panel 20. The control panel 20 is removable from the oil bath 12 such that it can move between a first position, with the control panel 20 flush with an outerface of the oil bath 12 and the heating element located within the oil bath 12, and a second position whereby the control panel 20 is removed from the oil bath 12 and the heating element is lifted out, of the oil bath 12. The heating element 19 may be lifted out of the oil bath 12 and the loading element 14 may be arranged in the first position with the base component 23 of the loading element 14 above the oil bath 12. In this arrangement the well (not shown) of the oil bath 12 may be easily accessed for cleaning.

Referring to Figures 3 to 8 , there is shown a carriage 28 which may be slideably received in the base component 23 of the loading element 14, to be lowered into the oil bath 12 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 3 shows a rectangular carriage 28 having seven downwardly depending, lamellar turner arms 30, which in use divide the oil bath 12 as shown in Figure 1 into seven lanes 32, each lane 32 having a turner arm 30 at one edge. The carriage 28 has four rectangular sides 34, 36, 38, 40. Below each of opposite sides 38 and 40 there is a downwardly depending skirt 42, 44 each of which comprises a top section 46, 48 and a bottom section 50, 52, each section being adapted to retract telescopically in on each other and within the carriage 28 when the carriage 28 abuts a surface. The bottom sections 50, 52 are L-shaped and are configured such that they may slideably receive a standard tray carrying uncooked dough (not shown) .

Each turner arm 30, side 34, 36, 38, 40 and section of skirt 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 has in it a plurality of apertures 54. The apertures 54 allow oil in an oil bath 12, in use, to flow freely within and throughout the carriage 28 and the oil bath 12. Apertures 54 in the turner arm 30 allow oil and debris to drain through the turner arm 30. Opposite sides 38 and 40 of the doughnut carriage 28 each have a chain and gear assembly (see Figure 8) . Each chain and gear assembly of opposing sides 38 and 40 is joined by one of seven shafts 56. Each shaft 56 extends through and is connected to a turner arm 30.

Each shaft 56 is joined to a common longitudinal plate 58, on side 38 and plate 60 on side 40. The plates 58, 60 are connected by a screw connector 62 to a handle mechanism '64.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, in use, movement of the handle mechanism 64 from a first position as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6 to a second position shown in Figures 5 and 7 moves the plates 58 and 60 longitudinally along the carriage 28 from a first position to a second position, and in this action rotates each shaft 56 via each of the gear and chain assemblies (see Figure 8) , in turn rotating each turner arm 30 from a first position shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, through over 180° to a second position shown in Figures 5 and 7.

Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a schematic, expanded view of part of the doughnut carriage 28 to show the chain and gear assembly. Figure 8 shows side 40 of the doughnut carriage 28, expanded. Side 40 has a ledge 66 comprising longitudinal slots 68, each slot 68 having a fixed length. In each slot 68 is a gear 70 which has teeth 72 which interengage with a static, linear chain 74. The chain 74 is made up of a flat length of 20 teeth per 3/8 inch linked chain. The gear 70 moves along the chain 74, turning in the slot 68. The slot 68 constrains the extent of the movement of the gear 70 along the chain 74. Each gear 70 is connected to the shaft 56, each of which in turn is connected to the turner arm 30. Between the gear 70 and the turner arm 30 is the plate 60. The plate is attached to a handle mechanism (not shown in Figure 8) .

Corresponding mating features (not shown) are found on opposite side 38 as shown in Figure 3. To move the turner arms, the handle mechanism (not shown in Figure 8) is moved from a first position to a second position. This in turn moves the plate 60 longitudinally along the carriage 38 by the length of the slot 68. During this movement, the teeth 72 of each gear 70 move along the chain 74, turning the gear 70 by interengagement of the teeth 72 of the gear 70 with the chain 74. The gear 70 therefore rotates, in turn causing the shaft 56 to rotate which in turn causes the turner arm 30 to rotate. The length of each slot 68 is such that the longitudinal movement of the plate 60 causes rotation of the turner arm 30 through just over 180°. This longitudinal movement of the plate 60 is approximately 110 mm, which is effectively one lane ,width, each lane width being defined by the distance between adjacent turner arms 30.

Referring to Figures 1-8, the cooking process for frying doughnuts will now be described.

The fryer 10 is filled with oil in its oil bath 12 to a predetermined level . The heating element 19 of the fryer 10 is switched on and the oil allowed to heat up to a predetermined temperature which is controlled by a thermostat .

A standard rectangular frying tray (not shown) having seven lanes is manually loaded with seven rows of doughnuts which have been proved and stood for the appropriate time.

The carriage 28 is slideably inserted in the base component 23 of the loading element 14. The telescopic skirt 42, 44 in this position is fully extended, allowing increased throat into which to insert and withdraw loaded trays.

With the loading element 14 in a raised position with the carriage 28 inserted, the loaded tray of doughnuts is slideably received between the L-shaped bottom sections 50, 52 of the carriage 28. The counter balanced pull bar 24 is then used to lower the carriage 28 in the base component 23 of the loading element 14 into hot oil in the oil bath. When the telescopic bottom sections 50, 52 of the carriage 28 abut the bottom of the oil bath 12, the telescopic skirt sections 46, 48, 50, 52 slide up within the carriage 28. This allows doughnuts to be fried using less oil.

When the carriage 28 is lowered into the oil, the loading tray (not shown) fits in between the seven lanes

32 defined by the seven turner arms 30. The uncooked doughnuts on the tray float to the surface of the oil, held in lanes by the turner arms 30.

The cooking time is timed by a timer which is on the control panel 20. On completion of the timed cooking cycle an audible buzzer sounds. The handle mechanism 64 is then moved from a first position to a second position causing the turner arms 30 to rotate from a position pointing vertically downwards within the oil to rotate to scoop up the floating doughnuts in their lanes 32 and lift them above the oil level, after having rotated more than 180°. At the same time as the rotation of the turner arms 30 the plates 58 and 60 move longitudinally within the carriage 28 by a distance equivalent to one lane width 32. The effect of this horizontal movement is that as well as the doughnuts being turned through 180° by the turner arms 30, they are also picked up and deposited back in the same lanes 32 in the fryer. This makes maximum efficient use of space for the least exertion. The rotation through 180° places the un-fried face of the doughnut in contact with the oil for cooking. The turner arms 30 remain above the level >of the oil and any oil or deposit on them is able to drip off into the oil bath 12.

Once the doughnuts have been turned over, the timer is restarted and the buzzer sounds when the doughnuts have had the required cooking time.

Using the pull bar 24, the carriage.28 may be raised from the oil bath 12. The skirt 42, 44 telescopically extends, with the tray loaded with cooked doughnuts being held between the L-shaped bottom sections 50, 52 of the carriage 28. This allows extra throat to remove the hot tray of cooked doughnuts. As the tray is hot, it is preferable to use a hook to remove the tray and slide it out onto the table 26. The next full tray of doughnuts may then be fried by repeating the process.

The carriage 28 and cooking process may be adapted for submerged doughnut frying by placing a screen above the frying carriage to prevent doughnuts from floating on the surface of the oil. With this method of frying, there is no need to turn the doughnuts over during the cooking cycle. Further advantages of the carriage 28 are that it can be retro-fitted on existing fryers and also that the rate of success of turnover is much higher than that presently seen with any other known type or fryer.

Preferably, the fryer and its components are made of stainless steel and the oil bath is foam insulated to improve thermal efficiency and reduce heat creep. This also improves the safety of the fryer by reducing the risk on hand contact with hot metal surfaces. The layout of the fryer is intended to allow the carriage to be removed and the heating element elevated away from the frying area providing unobstructed access for cleaning.

Although the invention has been described in relation to doughnut frying, it is envisaged that the device may be used to fry any foodstuff, particularly floating foodstuff. The invention may be adapted to accomodate any sizes and shapes of foodstuffs.

The reader^'s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A carriage suitable for placing in an oil bath of a fryer, the carriage comprising a turner arm and rotating means for rotating the turner arm through an arc, in which in use, the turner arm is rotated through at least part of the arc to lift a foodstuff.

2. A carriage according to claim 1, in which the rotating means rotates the turner arm through at least part of the arc to lift and invert a foodstuff.

3. A carriage according to claim 1 or claim 2 , in which the carriage, in use, is received within a bath filled with hot oil with the turner arm being in a first position below the level of the hot oil.

4. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the arc follows a substantially part circular path.

5. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the turner arm starts from a downwardly depending first position.

6. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the turner arm finishes in a generally upright second position.

7. A carriage according to claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, in which the first position and the second position are greater than 90┬░ apart.

8. A carriage according to claim 7, in which the first position and the second position are substantially equal to 180┬░ apart.

9. A carriage according to claim 7, in which the first position and the second position are greater than 180┬░ apart .

10. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which, in use in an oil bath, when the turner arm is in the first position at least part of the turner arm is below a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath.

11. A carriage according to any one of claims 6 to 9 or 10 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 6, in which in use in an oil bath, when the turner arm is in the second position, all of the turner arm is above a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath.

12. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the turner arm comprises an elongate substantially rectangular, lamellar paddle.

13. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the carriage is rectangular, having at least two planar side panels.

14. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the carriage comprises a plurality of lanes.

15. A carriage according to claim 14, in which the carriage comprises seven lanes .

16. A carriage according to claim 14 or claim 15, in which each lane is defined at one side by a turner arm.

17. A carriage according to any one of claims 14 to 16, in which each lane comprises a turner arm.

18. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the carriage comprises a plurality of rotating means.

19. A carriage according to claim 18, in which each turner arm is linked to a rotating means.

20. A carriage according to claim 19, in which the rotating means comprises a gear, a chain rack and coupling means .

21. A carriage according to claim 20, in which the rotating means comprises two banks of gears.

22. A carriage according to claim 20 or claim 21, in which one bank of gears is positioned on an inner face of a first side panel of the carriage.

23. A carriage according to claim 22, in which another bank of gears is positioned on an inner face of a second side panel of the carriage whereby the first and second side panels are parallel to each other.

24. A carriage according to claim 23, in which each gear in the bank of gears is coupled by coupling means to a mating gear in the opposite bank.

25. A carriage according to any one of claims 20 to 24, in which the coupling means comprises a shaft.

26. A carriage according to claim 25, in which each turner arm is connected to a rotatable shaft.

27. A carriage according to claim 25 or claim 26, in which an edge of each turner arm is connected to a rotatable shaft.

28. A carriage according to claim 26 or claim 27, in which the shaft is constrained by holding means to rotate through less than 250┬░.

29. A carriage according to claim 28, in which the shaft is constrained by holding means to rotate through less than 190┬░ .

30. A carriage according to claim 29, in which the holding means comprises a longitudinal slot in which a gear moves .

31. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the rotating means comprises two chain racks, one positioned on each inner face of the first and second side panels of the carriage.

32. A carriage according to claim 31, in which the chain racks comprise a flat length of 20 teeth per 3/8 inch linked chain.

33. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the carriage further comprises a lever.

34. A carriage according to claim 33, in which linear displacement of the lever from a first position to a second position causes the rotating means to rotate each turner arm.

35. A carriage according to claim 33 or claim 34, in either case when dependent on claim 31, in which linear displacement of the lever from a first position to a second position moves the two banks of gears along each chain rack¹.

36. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the carriage is arranged such that a plurality of items of foodstuff may be raised from the oil bath, inverted, and dropped back into the oil bath, in substantially the same position as from where the items of foodstuff were removed, in one action, simultaneously.

37. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the carriage comprises a telescopic skirt.

38. A carriage according to claim 37, in which the telescopic skirt is downwardly depending.

39. A carriage according to claim 38, in which the telescopic skirt depends from the side panels of the carriage .

40. A carriage according to claim 37 or claim 38, in which the telescopic skirt is adapted to retract telescopically within the carriage when the carriage abuts a surface.

41. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the carriage is removable and separable from the fryer with which it is used.

42. A carriage according to any preceding claim, in which the turner arm comprises apertures.

43. A fryer comprising a carriage according to any preceding claim.

44. A fryer according to claim 43, in which the fryer comprises an oil bath.

45. A fryer according to claim 43 or claim 44, in which the fryer comprises a removable heating element.

46. A fryer according to any one of claims 43 to 45, in which the carriage is removable and separable from the fryer.

47. A fryer according to any one of claims 43 to 46, in which the fryer comprises a loading element adapted to lower the carriage below a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath.

48. A fryer according to claim 47, in which the loading element is further adapted to lift the carriage above a predetermined level of oil in the oil bath.

49. A method of frying foodstuffs comprising heating oil in a fryer according to any one of claims 43 to 48, inserting the foodstuff in the carriage and rotating the turner arm of the carriage from a first position during a cooking cycle to lift the foodstuff from the oil.