Patent ID: 6067899
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A fryer for treating with hot cooking oil a food product that is mechanically delicate comprising,a housing for establishing an enclosed cooking zone and having exhaust vents for, withdrawing cooking vapors and odors therefrom, said housing including a pan for retaining cooking oil,an endless conveyor for transporting such food product through the cooking zone and extending longitudinally within said pan and including a conveyor belt through which cooking oil may flow freely,a plurality of cooking oil distribution stations within said housing longitudinally spaced apart along said conveyor and disposed above the conveyor belt and extending substantially the full width thereof for treating the food product as it is carried upon the conveyor through the housing,each station including a cooking oil reservoir equipped with at least one weir serving to permit cooking oil to flow therefrom downwardly onto such food product carried upon said conveyor belt and then to flow into said pan;a cooking oil feed conduit serving each station and including oil inlet means arranged in a lower portion of the reservoir to act below the cooking oil level in the reservoir so that as oil is delivered to flow over the weir in a curtain of oil enrobing the product, the reservoir may be continuously supplied with cooking oil beneath the oil liquid level.