Automatic fryer

US10945559B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Henny Penny Corporation · US

Inventors

• Charles Leader · Napoleon, US
• Chuck Tomecek · Edgerton, US
• John Hill · Brighton, US
• Dave Casler · Defiance, US
• Michael J. Manzella · Toledo, US
• Rick Baden · Napoleon, US
• William M. Casey · Dayton, US
• Melissa M. Hohler · Kettering, US
• Edward J. Florkey · Vandalia, US
• Manouchehr Shirali · Eaton, US
• Douglas A. Burkett · Eaton, US
• Mark Gogel · New Richmond, US
• Brian K. Brooks · Eaton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 6, 2015
• Grant date: Mar 16, 2021
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47J37/1276
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An automatic fryer apparatus and method of frying food products includes a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism disposed in the cooking chamber, and a pump disposed at an end of the cooking chamber to circulate cooking medium within the cooking chamber. Food product is added to the cooking chamber and flows along with the cooking medium in a flow direction. A controller controls a plurality of gates by individually actuating each gate. The controller stores data regarding predetermined time periods, which regulate when to raise and lower each gate. Food product moves downstream of each gate along a flow direction when each respective gate is raised. Food product is automatically transferred to a holding station when it reaches an outlet end of the cooking chamber.