Vat bottom configuration for deep fryer

Details Vat bottom configuration for deep fryer Vat bottom configuration for deep fryer

1999-10-22

2001-02-06

Alexander, Reginald L. (Department: 1761)

Foods and beverages: apparatus

Cooking

Boiler or deep fat fryer type

C099S407000, C099S403000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06182561

ABSTRACT:

INTRODUCTION
The present invention relates to a vat for a deep fryer, and more particularly, to an improved vat bottom configuration for a deep fryer.
BACKGROUND
Deep fryers are commercially used by restaurants, institutional kitchens, and fast food establishments for cooking a variety of food products, such as french fries, fish, fried chicken, and the like. The food product is cooked by totally immersing it within a vat or tank that is filled with heated oil or shortening. The shortening may be heated using a flow of heated gas that is drawn through heat exchanger tubes located within the cooking vat. Food particles tend to accumulate at the bottom of the vat during use. After the vat is drained, a spray nozzle is used to project a sheet of shortening in order to rinse food particles from the bottom of the vat.
The vat bottom typically is formed with a crease or fold extending from the back to the front of the vat, providing a funneling effect and allowing the shortening to collect and flow to a drain centrally located in the bottom of the vat. This configuration of the vat bottom diverts the sheet of sprayed shortening, preventing shortening from reaching and cleaning all areas, e.g., the corners, of the vat bottom.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vat bottom configuration for a deep fryer which reduces or wholly overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments.
SUMMARY
The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a vat bottom configuration for a deep fryer which has improved cleaning capabilities.
In accordance with a first aspect, a vat for a fryer system has a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom. The bottom is substantially planar and slopes downwardly from the rear wall toward the front wall. A trough extends from the first side wall to the second side wall, adjacent the front wall. A drain is located in the trough.
In accordance with another aspect, a vat for a fryer system has a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom. The bottom is substantially planar and slopes downwardly from the rear wall toward the front wall. A trough extends from the first side wall to the second side wall, adjacent the front wall. The trough slopes downwardly from the first and second side walls toward a drain located in the trough. A shutoff valve is located in the drain. A spray nozzle is operably connected to a fluid supply, the spray nozzle being oriented to direct fluid across the vat bottom into the trough.
In accordance with yet another aspect, a fryer system has a plurality of vats, each vat having a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls, and a bottom. The bottom of each vat is substantially planar and slopes downwardly from the rear wall toward the front wall. A trough extends from the first side wall to the second side wall along a bottom of the front wall of each vat. A drain is located in the trough of each vat. A spray nozzle in each vat is operably connected to a fluid supply, the spray nozzle being oriented to direct fluid across the vat bottom into the trough. Each drain is operably connected to a drain pan.
From the foregoing disclosure, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this area of technology, that the present invention provides a significant technological advance. Preferred embodiments of the invention can provide improved cleaning capabilities for the vat of a deep fryer. These and additional features and advantages of the invention disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain preferred embodiments.


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“Installation, Operations and Maintenance Instructions, ” Ultrafryer Systems, instructions for Ultrafryer Gas Fryer Model PAR-II-14, 35 pages, Jan. 1998.
“Special Report,”Foodservice Equipment Reports, 3(9):43-54 (1999).

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