Patent Publication Number: US-2022218150-A1

Title: Floating particles removal within a food fryer

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a US National Stage Entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application Number PCT/EP2020/058322 filed on Mar. 25, 2020, which claims the benefit of EP 19165227.0 filed on Mar. 26, 2019, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     These teachings relate to the removal of particles and specifically floating particles within a continuous operating food fryer in which food and/or feed products such as meat, vegetarian food, cheese, vegetable products or a combination thereof will be shallow fried, par-fried or deep fried. Frying takes place in a hot fluid-bath within a vessel with a preferred hot fluid temperature in the range of 180-190° C. The products to be fried are transported through the hot fluid-bath from a product-entry side to a product-exit side by conveying means. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When coated products, for instance tempura coated products such as chicken nuggets and batter/breaded food products such as fried chicken or fish, enter the fryer the applied coating is still fragile. At the moment the food products enter the hot fluid-bath they will be subjected to mechanical and/or fluid-dynamical impact and the coating can be damaged or can even be removed from the food product resulting in separated particles such as bread crumbs, tempura, food particles, fines and other solid particles entering the hot fluid-bath. After a relatively short frying time the coating is set and the food product will be less vulnerable with regard to loss of particles. The separated products partially deposit at the bottom of the fryer or float to the top of the hot fluid-bath. The separated particles have to be removed as fast and as completely as possible. Particularly the removal of the floating particles was a problem in the past. 
     SUMMARY 
     There is therefore a need to provide a fryer that does not comprise the deficiencies of the fryers according to the state in the art. Particularly, it is the aim to prevent that floating particles adhere at the walls of the conveyor frames, prevent that floating particles will adhere at conveyor belts, prevent that floating particles will accumulate at fried food products and prevent/postpone degradation of the hot fluid. 
     The problem is solved with a fryer with a vessel, that contains a hot fluid-bath with a fluid level and which comprises:
         one or more transportation means which transports products to be fried through the hot fluid-bath, wherein a surface of the transportation means on which the products are located during transportation in the fryer has a submerged section being submerged in the hot fluid-bath,   and optionally a submerge conveyor that hinders the products from floating to the fluid level, wherein the submerge conveyor has a submerged section being submerged in the hot fluid-bath   a floating particles removing device wherein the floating particle removing device is located vertically above the submerged section of the submerge conveyor and/or the submerge section of the surface of the transportation means.       

     The present invention relates to a fryer for food products in a hot fluid-bath. The hot fluid may be oil, water or broth or the like. The hot fluid-bath is provided in a vessel and transportation means such as an endless belt, preferably a belt that is permeable for the hot fluid and/or particles which are removed from the product, transport the products through the bath. Preferably, the endless belt is a mesh belt. This transportation belt may comprise a multitude of segments, preferably separate segments, preferably each with a separate drive and/or with a combined drive for a multitude of segments. At least the surface of the transportation means, on which the products to be fried are located, is partially submerged into the hot fluid-bath and comprises an entry region, in which the transportation means enter the hot fluid-bath and an exit region in which the transportation means exit the hot fluid-bath. 
     Optionally, a submerge conveyor that hinders the products from floating to the fluid level is provided. This submerge conveyor also has a submerged section being submerged in the hot fluid-bath. The submerge conveyor is preferably also a belt, preferably an endless belt which is permeable for the hot fluid and/or particles which are removed from the product. Preferably, the endless belt is a mesh belt. Preferably, the submerge means can be adapted to the height of the product, preferably moved vertically up and down. 
     Additionally, the fryer comprises a floating particle removing device. According to the present invention, this device is located above the submerged section of the submerge conveyor and/or the submerge section of the surface of the transportation means. Due to this location of the floating particle removing device, the floating particles are removed at a very early stage and need not cross pass any transportation- or submerge-means once they have floated to the top of the hot fluid-bath, preferably to the hot fluid level. 
     According to a preferred or another inventive embodiment of the present invention, the fryer comprises an entry region, in which the submerge conveyor and/or the surface of the transportation means enters into the hot fluid-bath and an exit region in which the submerge conveyor and/or the surface of the transportation means exits the hot fluid-bath, wherein the floating particle removing device is located between the entry- and the exit-region. 
     Due to this location of the floating particle removing device, the floating particles are removed at a very early stage and need not cross pass any transportation- or submerge-means once they have floated to the top of the hot fluid-bath, the fluid level, preferably to the hot fluid level. 
     Preferably, the vessel comprises longitudinal side walls, wherein the floating particles removing device is located adjacent to at least one of these side walls. The longitudinal side walls preferably extend parallel to the direction of motion of the food products. The floating particles removing device can be provided in a recess in the side wall of the vessel. The floating particles removing device can extend through the longitudinal side wall, from the outside to the inside of the vessel. 
     The vessel is preferably made of stainless steel. The vessel may comprise a heat insulation. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the floating particle removing device comprises guiding means which guide the floating particles to the floating particles removing device. These guiding means are preferably located in the vicinity of the level of the hot fluid-bath, preferably partially submerged into the hot fluid-bath. Preferably, the guiding means extend at least partially, preferably entirely over the width of the vessel of the fryer. The width of the fryer is its horizontal extension perpendicular to the direction motion of the transportation means. The floating particles preferably flow along the guiding means towards the floating particle removing means. More preferably, the guiding means have, at least locally a concave shape, a convex shape, are straight or a combination thereof. Preferably, the guiding means have a non-sticky surface, more preferably Teflon. 
     Preferably, the guiding means are part of, integrated in and/or connected to the submerge conveyor. This embodiment has the advantage that the submerge means and the guiding means can be moved jointly, for example in case the submerge means is adapted to the height of the food product to be fried. In case no submerge conveyor is provided the guiding means can be part of, integrated in and/or connected to a transit conveyor and/or a non-stick conveyor and/or a takeover conveyor. 
     Preferably, the fryer comprises a fluid level control means that controls the fluid level above the height of the submerged section of the submerge conveyor and/or the submerged surface of the transportation conveyor. Particularly, in case the vertical position of the submerge means is changed, specifically increased, it is advantageous to also change the level of the hot fluid-bath to assure that it extends above the submerge means. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fryer, particularly the vessel comprises a water slot in the vessel. This water slot is preferably utilized to condense vapor in the vessel. The water slot preferably extends parallel to one or both longitudinal side wall(s). Preferably, this water slot is interrupted and/or detoured at the location of the floating particle removal device. 
     Preferably, the floating particles removing device comprises mechanical means to remove, preferably lift, floating particles from the fryer and/or the surface of the hot fluid, preferably an auger and/or a belt and/or a moving scraper bar and/or a reciprocating scraper bar. These mechanical means preferably remove, particularly lift the particles above the level of the hot fluid-bath. The movement of the scraper bars is preferably guided in a profile. 
     Preferably, particles that sink to the bottom of the vessel are removed as a sediment. Hence, the inventive fryer preferably comprises a sediment removal device, for example one or more scraper(s) that preferably scrape along the bottom of the vessel of the fryer. Preferably, this sediment removal device and floating particle removal device are combined and preferably located at one sidewall of fryer vessel. Preferably, the particles, after they have been collected are removed jointly from the vessel by a particle removing device. 
     Preferably, the floating particle removal device comprises filter means, that separate the hot fluid from the particles, and a hot fluid return channel that returns the hot fluid to the hot fluid-bath. 
     Preferably, the fryer comprises a weir to skim floating particles from the hot fluid-bath surface. 
     Preferably the fryer comprises floating particle displacing means to direct/move floating particles towards floating particle removal device. Those displacing means preferably agitate the hot fluid-bath, preferably the surface or the hot fluid-bath such that the particles are driven towards the floating particle removing device. 
     Vacuum means preferably withdraw floating particles from the hot fluid surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The inventions are now explained according to the Figures. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection. These explanations apply to all embodiments of the present invention likewise. 
         FIGS. 1 a , 1 b   ,  2 ,  3   a ,  3   b , and  4  depict a fryer according to the state in the art. 
         FIGS. 5 a , 5 b , 6 a , 6 b , 6 c , 7 a , 7 b , and 7 c    show the inventive fryer. 
         FIGS. 8, 9   a ,  9   b ,  9   c ,  9   d ,  9   e ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  11   a ,  11   b , and  11   c  show different embodiments of the floating particle removing device. 
         FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , 12 c , 13 a , 13 b , 13 c , 14 a , 14 b , 14 c , 14 d , and 14 e    show the combined removal device. 
         FIGS. 15 a  and 15 b    show the displacing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1 a    depicts a continuous food fryer  1  known from the state of the art. The vessel  11  comprises a hot fluid volume and a corresponding fluid level  10 . Food and/or feed products enter the fryer at entry side  8  and exit the fryer at exit side  9 . Depending on the length of the fryer and/or the amount of sediment to expect cross dirt/particle removal device  33  is provided. 
     There are numerous configurations of belt layouts possible, the configuration in  FIG. 1  b depicts an infeed conveyor  3 , a non-stick conveyor  4  for processing coated and/or sticky products and a takeover conveyor  5 . In case non-coated and/or non-sticky products will be fried a transit conveyor  2  can be applied instead of the combination of a non-stick conveyor  4  and a takeover conveyor  5 . A submerge conveyor  6  can be applied to allow processing buoyant food products. Each conveyor can be provided as a mesh belt, preferably an endless mesh belt. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the state of the art wherein food and/or feed products  7  entering the hot fluid-bath  81  of the fryer via infeed conveyor  3  and will be transferred to non-stick conveyor  4 . The optional submerge conveyor  6 , preferably a mesh belt, more preferably an endless mesh belt, prevents the products from floating. Small separated particles  26  loosen from the coating and/or product will be in suspension. Heavier separated non-floating particles  28  will sink through and/or alongside the belts of the conveyors and preferably the heating element(s) of heat exchanger  61  towards bottom wall  16  of the fryer-vessel  11 . A preferred built-in sediment removal system  30 , for example a belt, a return part of transit conveyor  2 /takeover conveyor  5  or in this embodiment a scraper belt, can be provided. The scraper can scrape the bottom wall of the fryer continuously, collect the food particles and transport them in the direction of sediment outlet  31 . 
     Light particles  26  such as batter and/or breading will rise through the open mesh belt of submerge conveyor  6  and will float on the hot fluid surface and flow in the hot fluid flow direction  24  which hot fluid flow can be generated by flow distribution means  23 . 
       FIG. 3 a    and  FIG. 3 b    depicts the state of the art wherein the scraper belt  30  carries the sediment over a built-in filter, here a slotted screen filter  29 . The permeability can be in the range of 0.4-0.6 mm, larger particles will not enter the slots of the screen filter and will be transported in the direction of the sediment outlet  31  and to sediment collection means  32 . 
     Floating particles  26  are transported to slotted screen filter  29  via hot fluid flow  24  and particles larger than the slots of the slotted screen filter will be discharged in sediment collection means  32 . Hot fluid will be filtered via the slots in the slotted screen filter and flows towards hot fluid collection channel  50  and from thereon to hot fluid collection chamber  51  wherein positive pressure means  52  will pump the hot fluid via hot fluid transportation means  53  towards flow distribution means  23 . The hot fluid can be additionally filtered via an external filter with a smaller permeability then the slotted screen filter  29  in order to remove the particles in suspension  27 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts drawbacks in the state of the art. At the location where the fried food products exit the hot fluid-bath with fluid level  10  the floating particles first need to cross the moving open mesh belt of submerge conveyor  6  at location “A”, have to pass the fried products at location “B”, cross the moving open mesh belt of the transit/takeover conveyor  2 ,  5  at location “C” and cross the return part of the moving open mesh belt of the transit/takeover conveyor  2 ,  5  at location “D”. Floating particles will adhere to the several belts and will be picked up by the passing food products. 
     Further, floating particles will tend to adhere and accumulate to the frame parts of the conveyors. An additional drawback of the state in the art is that floating particles will burn due to contact with the heated hot fluid and will result in degradation of hot fluid and amongst others these carbonized particles can be picked up by other food products. 
     In another known application in the field the floating particles will be removed by a floating particle removal device at the food product-exit side. Floating particles flow towards the product-exit side of the vessel and will be discharged out of the fryer by the belt of the transit and/or takeover conveyor. The fried food product will be discharged over a perforated chute while floating particles and hot fluid pass through the perforations of the chute onto a conveyor positioned outside the fryer and from thereon into a collection bin. The remaining hot fluid will be collected and transported towards an external filter system and consequently to the fryer. 
     The disclosure of  FIGS. 1-4  also apply to the present invention except the floating particle removing device. 
     Contrary to the state in the art, it is the present inventive concept, that the floating particles at the surface of the hot fluid-bath are removed as soon as possible after breaking out/dislodging from the food product. Hence, the floating particle removal takes place vertically above the submerged section of the submerge conveyor and/or the submerge section of the surface of the transportation means. This is the area, where the floating particles are loosened from the product. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the fryer comprises an entry region, in which the submerge conveyor and/or the surface of the transportation means enters into the hot fluid-bath and an exit region in which the submerge conveyor and/or the surface of the transportation means exits the hot fluid-bath. The floating particle removing device is located between the entry- and the exit-region. 
     In an embodiment of the invention a floating particle removable device  70  is provided as depicted in  FIG. 5 a   . The embodiment of  FIG. 5 b    comprises two removal devices  70 , one located at the left longitudinal side wall  13  of the vessel and one located at the right longitudinal side wall of the vessel  14 . The floating particles are floating in the direction of hot fluid flow  24  and guiding means/splitter means  73  direct the floating particles  26  towards the floating particle removal device(s)  70 . In this embodiment the guiding means are designed as a splitter which is advantageously in case the width of the fryer, which extends horizontally and perpendicular to the direction of flow  24 , is relatively large. The guiding means are preferably made from or coated with a non-stick material such as Teflon to prevent particles stick to the guiding means, further the guiding means extend just below the hot fluid surface/fluid level  10 , preferably in order to prevent swirling of hot fluid at the location/bottom side of the guiding means within the hot fluid-bath but still be able to skim the surface of the hot fluid and collect the floating particles. Preferably the guiding means will extend such that the means and consequently the particles will end up inside the floating particle removal device  70 . 
     Guiding means  73  are not limited to one shape as depicted but can vary;  FIG. 6 a    depicts a concave shape,  FIG. 6 b    a convex shape and  FIG. 6 c    a straight shaped guiding means. A combination of shapes can be advantageous to improve the flow of floating particles  26  towards floating particle removal device  70 . 
     In order to be able to fry products with a different thickness the submerge conveyor is preferably able to be adjusted such that products with a different thickness are transported between submerge conveyor  6  and respectively non-stick conveyor  4 , transit conveyor  2  and/or takeover conveyor  5 . Fluid level  10  within fryer vessel  11  can also vary with the product thickness. 
     In a preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 a    guiding means  73  are part of/integrated in/connected to the submerge conveyor  6 .  FIG. 7 b    and  FIG. 7 c    depicts that this is advantageous in daily operation. In case the thickness of product  7  requires a change of the vertical position of the submerge conveyor  6 , the guiding means  73  will automatically be adjusted to the new thickness and the correct fluid level  10  will be chosen such that the fluid level will preferably be provided at a predetermined distance “PD”, preferably in the range of 10-30 mm, above the lower portion of the belt of the submerge conveyor  6 , The preferred predetermined distance results in a controlled distance “H” of fluid level  10  to bottom side guiding means  73  independent from the thickness of product  7 . No separate adjustment regarding the guiding means will be needed. The frame of submerge conveyor  6  and depending on the position of guiding means  73 , preferably also the frame of the transit conveyor  2 , the non-stick conveyor  4  and/or the takeover conveyor  5 , can be provided with, preferably large, recesses in order to allow hot fluid to flow alongside the guiding means towards particle discharge removal  70 , preferably without the floating particles touching the frame parts and/or without the floating particles adhering and/or accumulating against the frame parts of the conveyors. Additional frame support means and/or conveyor belt support means can be positioned such that floating particles will not touch, adhere and/or accumulate against the conveyor belt support means. 
     A cross section of floating particle removal device  70  is depicted in  FIG. 8  which is designed to operate within a range of different fluid levels; low fluid level  10 L and high fluid level  10 H. The corresponding position of guiding means at low fluid level  73 L and high fluid level  73 H is depicted. 
     Fryers in the state of the art can be provided with water slot  20  to collect the water vapor which will condense due to the warm environment within the fryer. Further water slot  20  can be provided with a minimum amount of water to prevent the leakage of gases from the fryer to the ambient. However, to be able to direct in case of a high fluid level  10 H the floating particles towards floating particle device  70 , water slot  20  in fryer vessel  11  is preferably interrupted at the location of the floating particle device. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 8  the floating particles are guided towards floating particle removal device  70  and specifically towards its removing means  77 , in this embodiment a belt and more specifically a scraper belt. Here, the particles end up directly at filter means  71 . The hot fluid and smaller particles will pass the filter means, in this embodiment slots of screen filter  71 , and will flow back towards the fryer via hot fluid return channel  76  in the direction of hot fluid flow  24 . Preferably the hot fluid flows back into the fryer close to bottom wall  16  of the vessel to prevent that slightly cooled hot fluid comes into contact with the food products. The larger particles can be removed by the moving (depicted by the dashed arrows) bars towards floating particle outlet  72 . The return part of the scraper belt runs back underneath the screen filter, can turn and runs over the screen filter to collect the floating particles. For cleaning the design can be such that filter means  71  can be removed. Filter means  71  and hot fluid return channel  76  are optional. 
       FIG. 9 b    depicts a cross section of another embodiment of floating particle removal device  70 . This embodiment can be operated within a range of fluid levels  10 L and  10 H and therefore water slot  20  in fryer vessel  11  is preferably interrupted as depicted in  FIG. 9 a   . Due to design-, manufacture- and stock-reasons it is advantageously to design the floating particle removal device as a modular element which is depicted in  FIGS. 9 c , 9 d   , and  9   e.    
     The floating particles will be guided towards a floating particle removal device  70  and specifically towards its removing means  77 , in this embodiment a belt and more specifically a scraper belt as depicted in cross section  FIG. 9 d   . The particles first pass the returning moving bars and end up at filter means  71 . The hot fluid and smaller particles pass the filter means, in this embodiment slots of screen filter  71  and flow back to the fryer via hot fluid return channel  76  in the direction of hot fluid flow  24 . Preferably the hot fluid flows back into the fryer close to bottom wall  16  of the vessel to prevent that slightly cooled hot fluid comes into contact with the food products. The larger particles can be removed by the moving (depicted by the dashed arrows) bars towards floating particle outlet  72 . The return part of the scraper belt preferably runs back above the part which is in contact with the screen filter. For cleaning the design can be such that filter means  71  can be removed. Filter means  71  and hot fluid return channel  76  are optional. 
       FIGS. 10 a , 10 b , and 10 c    depict a floating particle removal device  70  similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 b , 9 c , 9 d , and 9 e    with the difference that removing means  77  are in this embodiment a reciprocating scraper bar whose movement can be determined according to a predetermined guiding profile  74 , in this embodiment determined by a cam track. Filter means  71  and hot fluid return channel  76  are optional. 
       FIGS. 11 a , 11 b , and 11 c    depict a floating particle removal device  70  wherein floating particle removal means  77  are an auger which rotates to remove the floating particles towards floating particle outlet  72 . Device  70  is preferably not provided with filter means  71  and preferably not provided with hot fluid return channel  76  resulting in a simple and cost effective design. 
     In case the floating particles flow is not sufficiently in the direction of removal means  77 , it can be advantageously to increase the hot fluid flow within the floating particle removal device by introducing filter means  71  and hot fluid return channel  76 .  FIG. 11 b    and  FIG. 11 c    depicts a floating particle removal device  70  with filter means  71  and with hot fluid return channel  76  and similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 b , 9 c , 9 d , and 9 e    and  FIGS. 10 a , 10 b , and 10 c    with the difference that the removal means will be an auger. 
     In state of the art, fryers, depending on the length of the fryer and/or the amount of sediment to expect, cross dirt removal device  33  can be provided as depicted in  FIG. 1 a    and  FIG. 5 a   . The location of cross dirt removal device  33  can be relatively close to food product-entry side  8  and at least after the location where excessive separation of particles of the food products within the fryer takes place. Removing the sediment relatively soon after separation of food particles will prevent/postpone degradation of hot fluid. Separated heavy non-floating particles  28  will sink to the bottom wall  16  of the fryer and will be moved in the direction of sediment outlet  31  by sediment removal means  30 . At the location of cross dirt removal device  33  the bottom wall of the fryer can be provided with a recess/sink to collect sediment. Cross dirt removal means  34  may comprise a scraper belt which removes sediment which can be collected in the recess/sink in the bottom wall  16  of fryer vessel  11 . In state of the art fryers sidewall  13  and/or  14  of the fryer is closed except at the recessed bottom wall/sink to able the cross dirt removal means  34  to pass the sidewall  13  and/or 14  of the vessel. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , and 12 c    a combination of a cross dirt removal device  33  and a floating particle removal device  70  can be designed such that both sediment and floating particles will be removed with one and the same device located at preferably one sidewall  13  and/or  14  of fryer vessel  11 . Non-floating particles/sediment  28  and floating particles  26  can be discharged by one and the same removal means  34 / 77 , in the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , 12 c    depicted as moving scraper bars. Therefore, the sidewall  13  and/or  14 , in  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , 12 c    sidewall  14 , of fryer vessel  11  is preferably in communication with the hot fluid surface. 
       FIGS. 13 a , 13 b , and 13 c    depict a floating particle removal device  70  similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , 12 c    with the difference that filter means  71  and hot fluid return channel  76  are provided which is advantageously in case floating particles will not flow sufficiently in the direction of floating particle removal means  77 . Filter means  71  and return channel  76  will create a hot fluid flow within device  70  which will favor the floating particles towards removing means  77 . Return channel  76  should be located such that hot fluid returning back to the fryer will not flush away floating particles collected on the particle removal means  77 .  FIG. 13 a    depicts return channel  76  not in communication with particle removal means  77 . 
     For all described embodiments a weir  80  can be applied to achieve/improve the skim of floating particles  26  from the hot fluid surface.  FIGS. 14 a , 14 b    depict an embodiment based on  FIGS. 12 a , 12 b , 12 c    wherein a weir  80  will be applied to achieve/improve the skim of floating particles  26  from the hot fluid surface.  FIG. 14 a    is directed to a fryer with a low fluid level  10 L and a corresponding low position of guiding means  73 L. Weir  80  is adjusted such that hot fluid/floating particles at the surface and hot fluid just below the surface can pass the weir.  FIG. 14 b    is directed to a fryer with a high fluid level  10 H and a corresponding high position of guiding means  73 H. Weir  80  is adjusted such that hot fluid/floating particles at the surface and hot fluid just below the surface can pass the weir. 
     In a preferred embodiment weir  80  can like guiding means  73  be part of/integrated in/connected to submerge conveyor  6 .  FIGS. 14 c , 14 d , 14 e    depict this embodiment. In case the product thickness changes, the fluid level and the submerge conveyor can be adjusted and consequently also connected weir  80 . 
     In case floating particle flow is not sufficient in the direction of floating particle removal device  70  and/or the removal means  77 , a weir can be advantageous, when only a limited amount of hot fluid is able to move the floating particles in the direction of removal device  70  and/or removal means  77 . 
     For all described embodiments the flow of floating particles towards the floating particle removal device  70  can be further improved by floating particle displacing means  75  as depicted in  FIG. 15 a   . Floating particles will flow above the floating particle displacing means  75  (depict in cut out in  FIG. 15 b   ) and can be collected at guiding means  73 . Displacing means  75  can be provided with pressurized hot fluid at hot fluid entrance  79  via pumping means, preferably via flow distributor  23  and will comprise over its length multiple apertures angled in relation to guiding means  73 . 
     Small jets of hot fluid can be applied to direct floating particles towards floating particle removal device  70 . It is preferred not to influence the hot fluid flow around the food product negatively and to prevent air swirls which can result in degradation of hot fluid. In another embodiment floating particle displacing means can be integrated within guiding means  73 . The invention is not limited to the two described embodiments and to the design depicted in  FIGS. 15 a   ,  15   b.    
     For all described embodiments vacuum means  78  can be applied to withdraw floating particles from the hot fluid surface. Vacuum means can be used instead of guiding means  73 , in that case the particles will be discharged from the hot fluid surface over the width of the fryer via vacuum for instance via a vacuum connection at one or two sides of the fryer or via a vacuum over the essentially entire width of the hot fluid-bath. Vacuum means can also be used in combination with guiding means  73 . 
     The number and locations of floating particle removal devices  70  are not limited to the embodiments previous described. Depending on the length of the fryer, multiple particle removal devices  70  and/or one or more combination(s) of one or more cross dirt removal device(s)  33  and/or one or more floating particle removal devices  70  can be utilized. In another preferred embodiment a combination of one or more cross dirt removal device(s)  33  and one or more floating particle removal device(s)  70  can be positioned at the end of the fryer. 
     Filter means  71  and hot fluid return channel  76  are optional for all embodiments described. Preferably due to design, manufacture, cleaning and cost reasons no filter means  71  and no hot fluid return channel  76  will be applied however mainly depending on the frying process parameters such as hot fluid flow rate and speed of the hot fluid flow it can be advantageously to increase the hot fluid flow within the floating particle removal device by introducing filter means  71  and hot fluid return channel  76  such that floating particles will be favored to flow towards removing means  77 . 
     The invention is not limited to vessel  11  comprising hot fluid but is also applicable to vessel  11  comprising hot water or broth in order to cook food products. The invention is not limited to the use of submerge conveyor  6 . In case no submerge conveyor  6  will be used floating particles  26  can be removed from the oil/water/bouillon surface by guiding means  73  and/or vacuum means  78  and/or floating particle displacing means  75 . These means can be connected to for instance vessel  11  and/or non-stick conveyor  4  and/or takeover conveyor  5  and/or transit conveyor  2 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           1  fryer 
           2  transportation means, transit conveyor 
           3  transportation means, infeed conveyor 
           4  transportation means, non-stick conveyor 
           5  takeover conveyor 
           6  submerge conveyor 
           7  food product 
           8  food product-entry side 
           9 food product-exit side 
           10  Fluid level, hot fluid level, oil level 
           11 vessel, frying vessel 
           13  left side wall vessel 
           14  right side wall vessel 
           16  bottom wall vessel 
           20  water slot 
           23  flow distributor 
           24  direction hot fluid flow 
           26  floating particles 
           27  particles in suspension 
           28  non-floating particles, sediment 
           29  integrated filter means, built-in filter means, screen filter, slotted screen filter 
           30  sediment removal means, scraper, belt, retour belt 
           31  sediment outlet 
           32  sediment collection means 
           33  cross dirt removal device 
           34  cross dirt removal means 
           35  entry region 
           36  exit region 
           37  submerged section 
           38  surface of the transportation means on which the products are located during frying 
           50  hot fluid collection channel 
           51  hot fluid collection chamber 
           52  excess pressure means, positive pressure means, hot fluid pump 
           53  hot fluid transportation means, tube 
           61  heat exchanger 
           70  floating particles removing device 
           71  filter means, screen filter 
           72  floating particle outlet 
           73  guiding means 
           74  guiding profile 
           75  floating particle displacing means 
           76  hot fluid return channel 
           77  removal means floating particle removal device, auger, belt, scraper belt 
           78  vacuum means directed to floating particles 
           79  hot fluid entrance 
           80  weir 
           81  hot fluid-bath, oil bath, water-bath, broth-bath 
         A Transit belt  6   
         B Transit food product  7   
         C, D Transit transportation belt  3 - 5   
         H Distance fluid level  10  to bottom side guiding means  73   
         PD Predetermined distance fluid level above belt submerge conveyor  6