U.S. patent application number 15/162134 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-15 for food fryer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tina M. Griffith, Timothy A. Thomas, Lisa M. Waylor. Invention is credited to Tina M. Griffith, Timothy A. Thomas, Lisa M. Waylor.
Application Number | 20160262570 15/162134 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53520267 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160262570 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waylor; Lisa M. ; et
al. |
September 15, 2016 |
FOOD FRYER
Abstract
Implementations of a food fryer are provided. In some
implementations, the food fryer comprises a body portion, a stand,
burners, and a drain. In some implementations, the body portion of
the food fryer may be a curved hollow tube having an opening on
each end. The body portion is configured to hold liquids therein
for the purpose of frying or cooking food. In some implementations,
the food fryer may include a storage container comprised of a body
portion, a lid, and two extension members. In some implementations,
the two extension members of the storage container may be
configured to individually or collectively secure about the
openings of the food fryers body portion such that the storage
container is positioned above the food fryer. In some
implementations, the storage container comprises openings from
which the extension members extend.
Inventors: |
Waylor; Lisa M.; (North
Augusta, SC) ; Griffith; Tina M.; (Hephzibah, GA)
; Thomas; Timothy A.; (North Augusta, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Waylor; Lisa M.
Griffith; Tina M.
Thomas; Timothy A. |
North Augusta
Hephzibah
North Augusta |
SC
GA
SC |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53520267 |
Appl. No.: |
15/162134 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14272655 |
May 8, 2014 |
9345251 |
|
|
15162134 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23L 5/12 20160801; A47J
37/1214 20130101; A47J 37/1242 20130101; A23V 2002/00 20130101;
A23L 5/11 20160801; A47J 37/129 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 37/12 20060101
A47J037/12 |
Claims
1. A food fryer comprising: a curved hollow tube having a first
opening and a second opening located on opposite ends thereof
wherein the first opening and the second opening are elevated above
a low point in the tube; and at least one burner wherein the at
least one burner is configured to heat at least a portion of the
curved hollow tube.
2. The food fryer of claim 1 wherein the curved hollow tube is U
shaped.
3. The food fryer of claim 1 wherein the curved hollow tube is
semi-circular shape.
4. The food fryer of claim 1, further comprising a drain secured to
the curved hollow tube.
5. The food fryer of claim 1, further comprising at least one
storage container wherein the at least one storage container has an
interior opening through a bottom side thereof wherein the interior
opening is configured to secure about the first opening or the
second opening of the curved hollow tube.
6. A method of cooking using a food fryer of claim 1, the method
comprising: placing a food item into the first opening of the food
fryer; and extracting the food item from a second opening of the
food fryer after the food item has traveled through a portion of
the curved hollow tube toward the second opening.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the food fryer further comprises
a storage container having a first interior opening and a second
interior opening through a bottom side thereof wherein the first
interior opening and the second interior opening of the storage
container are configured to secure about the first opening and the
second opening, respectively, of the curved hollow tube, the method
further comprising: placing the first interior opening of the
storage container about the first opening of the curved hollow tube
prior to placing a food item into the first opening of the food
fryer; and placing the second interior opening of the second
storage container about a second opening of the curved hollow tube
prior to extracting the food item from the second opening of the
food fryer.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising positioning food within
the storage container prior to placing a food item into the first
opening of the food fryer.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising positioning food within
the storage container after extracting the food item from the
second opening of the food fryer.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the food fryer further comprises
a first storage container wherein the at least one storage
container has at least one interior opening through a bottom side
thereof wherein the at least one interior opening of the first
storage container is configured to secure about the first opening
or the second opening of the curved hollow tube, the method further
comprising: placing the interior opening of the first storage
container about a first opening of the curved hollow tube prior to
placing a food item into the first opening of the food fryer; and
positioning food within the first storage container prior to
placing a food item into the first opening of the food fryer.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein the food fryer further comprises
a second storage container wherein the second storage container has
at least one interior opening through a bottom side thereof wherein
the at least one interior opening of the second storage container
is configured to secure about the first opening or the second
opening of the curved hollow tube, the method further comprising:
placing the interior opening of the second storage container about
a second opening of the curved hollow tube prior to extracting the
food item from the second opening of the food fryer; and
positioning food within the second storage container after
extracting the food item from the second opening of the food fryer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/926,694, which was filed on Jan. 13, 2014,
and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to implementations of a food
fryer.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Frying is a technique of cooking food using oil. Through
frying, food is rapidly cooked, resulting in a characteristic
crispness and texture. Frying also results in the oil penetrating
the food to varying degrees adding its own flavor.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,875 ("'875 patent") discloses a compact
food frying machine. The compact food frying machine is comprised
of a vertically-oriented U-shaped pan for holding heated liquid, an
endless belt for carrying food items, guiding elements, a feeding
position and an unloading position. The '875 patent discloses that
the endless belt is driven by pulley wheels that are operably
connected to a motor through a drive belt.
[0005] However, the compact food frying machine disclosed in the
'875 patent has several disadvantages. First, manufacturing a
machine with so many mechanical components may increase the cost.
Second, it is relatively complex in construction and/or operation.
Third, with so many mechanical parts the operation cost may
increase due to scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance
requirements. Fourth, it may be more prone to operational failure
than a non-mechanized food fryer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example food fryer according to the
present disclosure.
[0007] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an example storage container
according to the present disclosure that may be used with
implementations of the food fryer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Implementations of a food fryer are provided. In some
implementations, the food fryer comprises a body portion, a stand,
burners, and a drain. In some implementations, the body portion of
the food fryer may be a hollow tube having an opening on each end.
The body portion is configured to hold liquids therein for the
purpose of frying or cooking food. In some implementations, the
body portion may be curved. In some implementations, the body
portion may have a generally "U" shape. In some implementations,
the body portion can be made from metal.
[0009] In some implementations, the food fryer may include a
storage container. In some implementations, the storage container
may be comprised of a body portion, a lid, and two extension
members.
[0010] In some implementations, the two extension members of the
storage container may be configured to secure about the openings of
the food fryers body portion such that the storage container is
positioned above the food fryer. In some implementations, the
storage container comprises openings from which the extension
members extend. When placed on top of the food fryer, the storage
container may be used to position food for insertion into the food
fryer, to store food extracted from the food fryer, to collect
excess oil which may splatter, or otherwise become dislodged from
the food fryer, or to prevent contamination of the body portions
contents, for example.
[0011] In some implementations, only one extension member may be
secured about an opening of the food fryers body portion such that
the storage container is positioned on a side of the food
fryer.
[0012] In some implementations, a storage container can be
positioned on both sides of the food fryer and secured about the
openings of the food fryer, respectively.
[0013] To use the food fryer to fry food, the body portion is
filled with oil to a suitable level, and the burners ignited. Once
the oil has reached a predetermined frying temperature, food
suitable for frying may be inserted into a first opening of the
body portion. After the food is inserted into the first opening,
the food initially sinks to the low point of the body portion where
it continues frying. As the food continues frying and thereby
heating up, the food begins to slowly rise to a second opening of
the body portion. At this point, a user may extract the fried food
from the second opening of the food fryer.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example food fryer 100 according to
the present disclosure.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the food fryer
100 comprises a body portion 105, a stand 110, burners 115, and a
drain 120.
[0016] In some implementations, the body portion 105 of the food
fryer 100 may be a hollow tube having an opening 125A, B (referred
to as openings 125 collectively) at each end. The body portion 105
is configured to hold liquids therein for the purpose of frying or
cooking food. In some implementations, the body portion 105 may be
curved. In some implementations, the body portion 105 may have two
openings (e.g., openings 125A, B) that are elevated above a low
point in the tube (see, e.g., FIG. 1). In some implementations, the
body portion 105 may have a generally "U" shape. In some
implementations, the body portion 105 may have a generally
semi-circular shape. In some implementations, the body portion 105
can be made from metal. In some implementations, the body portion
105 can be manufactured from any material suitable for use with
high heat and hot liquids.
[0017] In some implementations, a drain 120 may be attached to the
body portion 105 of the food fryer 100. In some implementations,
the drain 120 may be attached to the lowest point of the body
portion 105 (see, e.g. FIG. 1). In some implementations, the drain
120 may be constructed to control when to allow the liquid contents
of the food fryer 100 to empty out.
[0018] In some implementations, a stand 110 may be provided to
support the body portion 105 of the food fryer 100. In some
implementations, the stand 110 may be comprised of four legs. In
some implementations, the legs of the stand 110 may be welded to
the body portion 105. In some implementations, the legs of the
stand 110 may be attached to the body portion 110 of the food fryer
100 by any suitable means currently know, or developed in the
future. In some implementations, the stand 110 may be made from
metal. In some implementations, the stand 110 may be manufactured
from any suitable material.
[0019] In some implementations, two or more burners 115 may be
attached to the body portion 105 of the food fryer 100 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 1). In some implementations, only a single burner 115 may be
attached to the body portion 105.
[0020] In some implementations, each burner 115 may have a hose 130
connected thereto, respectively. In some implementations, each hose
130 may be operably connected to a valve 135 configured for
attachment to a propane tank. In some implementations, the valve
135 can be configured for attachment to any suitable energy source,
e.g., a liquid or gas. In some implementations, each hose 130 may
be attached to a second valve 131, and each of the second valves
131 may be connected to the valve 135. In some implementations,
each of the second valves 131 may be configured to serve as a shut
off. In some implementations, multiple hoses 130 may be operably
connected to a single valve 135 (see, e.g., FIG. 1).
[0021] To use the food fryer 100 to fry food, the body portion 105
is filled with oil to a suitable level, and the burners 115 are
ignited. Once the oil has reached a predetermined frying
temperature, food suitable for frying may be inserted into a first
opening (e.g., opening 125A) of the body portion 105. After the
food is inserted into the first opening, the food initially sinks
to the low point of the body portion 105 where it continues frying.
As the food continues frying and thereby heating up, the food
begins to slowly rise to a second opening (e.g., opening 125B) of
the body portion 105. At this point, a user may extract the fried
food from the second opening of the food fryer 100.
[0022] In some implementations, the food fryer 100 may be used to
cook fish. In some implementations, the food fryer 100 may be used
to cook beef, poultry or other meat suitable for human consumption.
In some implementations, the food fryer 100 may be used to cook any
suitable food item.
[0023] In some implementations of the food fryer 100, a thermometer
170 may be used to check the temperature of the oil. In some
implementations, the thermometer 170 may have a probe that is 12''
long. In some implementations, the thermometer 170 probe may be
longer or shorter than 12'' long. In some implementations, the
thermometer 170 may be secured about an opening 125 of the body
portion 105 (see, e.g., FIG. 1).
[0024] In some implementations, a decal, or other indicia, may be
used to designate one of the food fryers 100 openings 125 for food
insertion and the other opening 125 for food extraction.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, in some implementations, the food
fryer 100 may include a storage container 140. In some
implementations, the storage container 140 may be comprised of body
portion 145, a lid 150, and two extension members 155.
[0026] In some implementations, the two extension members 155 of
the storage container 140 may be configured to secure about the
openings 125 of the food fryers 100 body portion 105 such that the
storage container 140 is positioned above the food fryer 100 (see,
e.g., FIG. 2A). In some implementations, the storage container 140
comprises openings (see, e.g., FIG. 2B) from which the extension
members 155 extend. In this way, when the storage container 140 is
placed on top of the food fryer 100, the storage container 140 may
be used to position food for insertion into the food fryer 100, to
store food (e.g., in storage area 141) extracted from the food
fryer 100, to collect excess oil which may splatter, or otherwise
become dislodged from the food fryer 100, or to prevent
contamination of the body portions 105 contents, for example.
[0027] In some implementations, only one extension member 155 may
be secured about an opening 125 of the food fryers 100 body portion
105 such that the storage container 140 is positioned on a side of
the food fryer 100 (see, e.g. FIG. 2C). For example, only one
extension member 155 may be secured about a first opening 125A of
the food fryers 100 body portion 105 for insertion of food to be
fried. In this way, the storage container 140 may be used to store
food until ready for insertion into the fryer 100 and position food
for insertion into the food fryer 100. In some implementations, a
portion of the storage container 140 may be supported by a stand
160 (see, e.g., FIG. 2C).
[0028] As another example, only one extension member 155 may be
secured about a second opening 125B of the food fryers 100 body
portion 105 for extraction of the fried food. In this way, the
storage container 140 may be used to store food extracted from the
food fryer 100.
[0029] In some implementations, a storage container can be
positioned on both sides of the food fryer 100 and secured about
the openings 125A, 125B of the food fryer 100, respectively (see,
e.g., FIG. 2A).
[0030] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment"
or "implementation" or words of similar import means that a
particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
the phrase "in some implementations" or a phrase of similar import
in various places throughout this specification does not
necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[0031] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions
set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to
which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings.
[0032] The described features, structures, or characteristics may
be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In
the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled
in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of
the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific
details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In
other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations
may not be shown or described in detail.
[0033] While operations are depicted in the drawings in a
particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that
such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in
sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed,
to achieve desirable results.
* * * * *