Patent ID: 8034390
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: A47J,B65B

Abstract:
1. An automated method of dispensing, frying and discharging food comprising: dispensing a desired quantity portion of food to be fried from an automated dispensing module by gravity into an automated fry module located adjacent the dispensing module, the fry module comprising at least one fry wheel; frying the portion of food dispensed from the dispensing module in the automated fry module adjacent the dispensing module to produce a quantity of fried food; and discharging the quantity of fried food from the fry module; wherein the fry wheel has a generally circular perimeter and a plurality of compartments, each compartment having an opening towards the perimeter, the food being contained in one of the compartments during said frying, and the fry wheel being mounted for rotational movement relative to the radial axis of the fry wheel in a fry vat, which radial axis is fixedly disposed above a normal operating level of cooking oil in the fry vat, the fry wheel being configured so that during operation of the fry wheel, when one compartment is in a position above the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat to discharge the quantity of food contained therein, another compartment is entirely below the normal operating level of the cooking oil in the fry vat to cook the food therein; wherein the fry wheel is incrementally rotated so that the compartments travel through the cooking oil in the fry vat to cook the food and to the position above the level of the cooking oil to discharge the food.