Title of Invention

"A CIRCULAR DEVICE USEFUL FOR CONTINUOUS DEEP FAT FRYING OF FOODS"

Abstract

The present invention reports a circular device useful for continuous deep fat frying of foods and comprises of a geared motor and the speed of the geared motor being varied by using an AC drive mounted inside a control panel to impart required circular motion to the trough assembly being driven by a set of sprocket and chain which drives a gear box mounted on the main frame and capable of being moved from place to place; by a set of rigid and swivel castors and the trough is covered on top by a cover and being perforated to allow vapor to escape during the process of continuous deep fat frying and the sides of the circular LPG burner being covered on all the sides and the burner heats the edible oil kept in the trough assembly wherein temperature of the oil is controlled by a thermostat and the solenoid valve controlling the supply of the LPG to the circular burner to regulate the oil temperature and the ignition of the circular burner being done by a pilot lamp being lit at the time of starting of the circular deep fat fryer and a discharge mechanism provided for discharging of the deep fat fryed product from the trough assembly . The device of the present invention is particularly useful for deep fat frying of the extruded products , boondi, papad, Vada, poori and other foods .

Full Text

The present invention relates to a circular device useful for continuous deep fat frying of foods. The device of the present invention is particularly useful for deep fat frying of extruded products, boondi, papad, vada, poori and other similar traditional foods. The frying operation is done continuously using edible oil as the source of heat transfer medium. The product obtained by using this device are of uniform in color, texture and are obtained hygienically. The device of the present invention is therefore useful as a machine for continuous deep fat frying of extruded products, boondi, papad, vada, poori and other similar foods. The medium employed for continuous deep fat frying shall be any edible fat such as groundnut oil, mustard oil, coconut oil, cotton seed oil, sunflower oil, vanaspathi and also the combination of any of the above oils. Based on circular rotating hot trough and continuous conveyorised discharge mechanism, for continuous deep fat frying of products like sev, boondi, papad, vada, poori and other similar foods is proposed for the first time according to this invention. There is an appreciable growth in the Industries which manufacture ready to eat snack foods in both at the cottage and medium scale level. Continuous deep fat frying, as an important method of preparation of food around the world, different methods stand next to only cooking, baking and roasting. The process of deep fat frying is popular in India and around the world. There is a global demand for compact and versatile deep fat fryers. One of the main problems, is its huge size and the tedious operation involved in its operations. In large hotels, industrial canteens, hostels, and large / medium scale manufacturers of snack foods, several of the products like sev, boondi, papad,vada, poori and other similar foods are deep fat fryed and served to the consumers everyday. All the preparatory operations during deep fat frying are carried out manually. There is no attempt to produce and market compact continuous circular deep fat fryers for preparation of sev, boondi, papad, vada, poori and other similar foods, are being made by industries. The medium / small scale producers of deep fat fryed products are deprived of a suitable machine for preparation of deep fat fryed products.. In case a compact device is made available for various operations involved in continuous deep fat frying of extruded products, boondi, papad, vada, poori and other similar foods would result in reduction in labour and drudgery on the part of chefs, help in hygienic operations, and enhance uniformity in quality and quantities. It would pave way for the medium / small scale production of deep fat fryed food in hotels, industrial canteens, hostels and other mass production centers. Hitherto the process of deep fat frying is done manually by using either stainless steel or mild steel pans and the discharge of the fryed product and draining of oil is done by using a perforated spatula. For this purpose, a device as shown in fig 1 of the drawing accompanying this specification is being currently used. In manual deep fat frying and discharging, the device consists of a pan (B) arid a perforated spatulla for discharging and draining of the deepfat fryed product / oil (A). The pan is heated by a stove or an electric heater (C). The product is turned and discharged by the perforated sparulla for uniform frying. The temperature of the oil is maintained by the experience of the chef by varying the supply of heat to the pan. Heating of oil is done by commonly used fuels such as, by burning kerosene, LPG, firewood, coal or by using electricity. The fryed products are removed from the pan with the help of a perforated spatula. All these steps are done manually. The manual deep fat frying of snack foods has the following drawbacks. > The temperature of the frying medium i.e. the edible oil is monitored by the experience of the operator / chef. > By this process, it is very difficult to achieve a uniform colour of the product and the colour varies from batch to batch. Even in single batch there is variation in colour from point to point. > The process is labour intensive and manual drudgery is very high which would reduce the efficiency of the operator. > The cooking time of the product will vary from batch to batch and will be at the discretion of the chef. > The process of deep fat frying is done in batches. > The production rates are very low. Batch type deep fat fryers are also available, where in the unit in provided with compartments for heating of edible oil, as show in fig 2. The batch type fryer is provided with perforated basket / baskets (b), which fits in to the frying compartments (c) and is useful for discharging and draining of the product (a) and the edible oil. All the contact parts of the fryer are made of stainless steel. Oil is heated by fuels such as LPG and electricity (d). The units will have castors wheels (e) for easy movement. The draw backs of the above type fryer are > High initial investment. > The unit is uneconomical for medium and small-scale manufacturers. > Production rates are low. > It needs a skilled operator / chef. > Units are suitable for batch operations. Deep fat fryers of longitudinal construction are available in the country. They occupy a large amount of space of the plant. They are built with a conveyorised belt dipped in the hot oil bath, where the material is moved from one end of the fryer to the other end. The residence time of deep fat frying can be varied depending on the material to be deep fat fryed and also the capacity of the unit. Oil is heated by fuels such as LPG and electricity. The major drawbacks of the above machine are: > The input and discharge of the fryed product are very much apart. > They occupy a large plinth area of the plant. > The units are labor intensive and need attention of more operators. > High initial investment. > They are very difficult to move from place to place. > It needs a skilled operator to operate the machine. Reference may be made to the following patents filed in United States patents. A frying pan has a bottom surface with an outwardly protruding central, planer and circular masses area, which is made for contact with an electrically heated plate. There is also a wing-shaped bottom portion on each side of the contact area. The wing-shaped portions have a periphery, which account for 30-80% of the total periphery of the frying pan bottom. U.S.Class, Appl. No.: 907721 Filed: September 15,1986 An automatic continuous food frying device comprising an oil tank adapted to be filled with a frying oil, a heating means for heating said frying oil, and a means for conveying food in a submerged state in the frying oil, wherein there is provided a pump in the oil tank so that the frying oil may be continuously circulated in the tank. U.S.Class, Appl. No.: 947804 Filed: December 30, 1986 An improved low-fat non-stick-frying device or cookware is provided. The upper cooking surface of the frying device includes a textured surface comprised of a series of wave-like grooves embossed in the surface of the pan. The wave-like pattern of each groove is one-half cycle out of phase with its neighboring adjacent grooves to form an alternating pattern of outwardly extending lands and inwardly extending roots. A raised portion or elevated surface is provided on the cooking surface disposed between the outwardly extending lands. The elevated surface is the primary cooking surface and is further the location of the inevitable initial wearing of the non-stick material. The remaining non-stick material, disposed in the grooves and between the roots is not subject to abrasive action and wears at a substantially slower rate. The raised portions or elevated cooking surfaces disposed between the lands comprise less than 30 percent of the upper cooking surface arid therefore less than 30 percent of the non-stick coating disposed on the upper cooking surface is exposed to the abrasive action of cooking utensils or cleaning utensils. U.S.CIass, Appl. No.: 055490 Filed: April 30, 1993 An improved one-sided embossing process for manufacturing low-fat non-stick frying cookware is provided. The process provides a textured cooking surface free of sharp edges which increases the useful life of a nonstick coating applied thereto. The embossed cooking surface of the resulting frying device comprises a series of wave-like grooves embossed in the surface of the pan, The wave-like pattern of each groove is one-half G cycle out of phase with its neighboring adjacent grooves to form an alternating pattern of outwardly extending lands and inwardly extending roots. A raised portion or elevated surface is provided on the cooking surface disposed between the outwardly extending lands. The elevated surface is the primary cooking surface and is further the location of the inevitable initial wearing of the non-stick material. The remaining non-stick material disposed in the grooves and between the roots is not subject to abrasive action and wears at a substantially slower rate. The raised portions or elevated cooking surfaces disposed between the lands comprise less than 30 percent of the upper cooking surface arid therefore less than 30 percent of the nonstick coating disposed on the upper cooking surface is exposed to the abrasive action of cooking utensils or cleaning utensils. U.S.Class, Appl. No.: 223791 Filed: April 6, 1994 Frying device comprising a frying tank, which can be filled with a frying medium. The frying tank consists of an upper part and a shaft, which extends downwards and is open at the top. The bottom of the upper part is connected by a number of pipes to the sidewall of the shaft so that the frying medium in the shaft is in open communication to the frying medium in the upper part. The pipes are enclosed by a tint-heating chamber with an inlet and an outlet for heating gases. The first heating chamber is bounded by the bottom of the upper part and by the front wall of the shaft. The outlet of the first heating chamber runs through the shaft to a second heating chamber one of the walls of the second heating chamber being the rear wall of the shaft. U.S.Class, Appl. No.: 776365 Filed: January 27, 1997 A deep-frying device comprising a reservoir, a discharge channel for discharging fumes, and a converter for converting volatile organic compounds into carbon dioxide and water, has a passage for the admixture of ambient air to the fumes exuded during deep-frying. This provides an improved odor reduction. In the case of upstream admixture additional oxygen is available, as a result of which a more complete conversion is achieved. In the case of downstream admixture, conversion is possible at a higher temperature without a corresponding rise in the temperature of the discharged mixture. U.S.Class, Appl. No.: 889280 Filed: July 8, 1997 Object of the present invention is to provide a circular device useful for deep fat frying of traditional snack foods. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for continuous deep fat frying of deep fat fryed food products. Another object of the present invention is to provide a deep fat fryer for foods, wherein the input and discharge of the product are very near to one another. Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact circular device for deep fat frying of foods. Still another object of the present invention is to reduce manual drudgery. Another object is to provide hygienic conditions through mechanized operation. Yet another object is to increase productivity. Still another object is to provide a circular device, which has a low initial investment. Still another object is to provide a device, which can be used by the small and medium scale deep fat fryed food manufacturers. Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit capable of being operated by a single skilled / unskilled operator. Still another object is to provide a deep fat fryer, which can be moved from place to place. The circular device of the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the traditional methods of preparation of deep fat fryed food products and the large-scale commercial units. Production of snack foods using a continuous circular deep fat fryer is hitherto not known. Based on this concept of revolving trough and a conveyorised discharge mechanism, a device to produce snack foods is proposed by us for the first time according to this invention. The invention is based on the finding that a uniform product characteristics can be achieved by this invention. The device using this principle can be used for the preparation of different types of deep fat fryed foods. In the drawing accompanying this specification, Fig 3 represents an embodiment of the circular device of the present invention for continuous deep fat frying of foods. Accordingly, the present invention provides a circular device useful for continuous deep fat frying of foods comprises of a geared motor (1) and the speed of the geared motor (1) being varied by using an AC drive (23) mounted inside a control panel (22) to impart required circular motion to the trough assembly (2) being driven by a set of sprocket and chain (3) and (4) which drives a gear box (5) mounted on the main frame (6) and capable of being moved from place to place by a set of rigid and swivel castors (7) and the trough is covered on top by a cover (8) and being perforated to allow vapor to escape during the process of continuous deep fat frying and the sides of the circular LPG burner (9) being covered on all the sides by a set of covers (10) and (11) to avoid radiation of heat energy and the burner (9) heats the edible oil kept in the trough assembly (2) wherein temperature of the oil is controlled by a thermostat (12) through a sensing probe (13) immersed in the oil bath inside the rotating trough and the solenoid valve (14) controlling the supply of the LPG to the circular burner (9) to regulate the oil temperature and the ignition of the circular burner being done by a pilot lamp (15) mounted on the circular burner (9) being lit at the time of starting of the circular deep fat fryer and a discharge mechanism (16) provided for discharging of the deep fat fryed product from the trough assembly (2), employing a discharge mechanism (16) comprises of a conveyor chain (17) driven by a set of rollers (18) driven by a servo motor (19) mounted on a set of side supports (20) and the deep fat fryed products being guided on to the conveyor chain (17) by a diverter attached to the discharge mechanism (16) being and the movement of the oil backwards being arrested by a dam (21) placed inside the trough assembly (2) and discharge mechanism (16) being mounted on the main frame (6) using suitable fasteners and all the electrical parts of the continuous deep fat fryer being housed inside the control panel (22) and is mounted on the main frame(6). Materials like stainless steel, Steel, Brass , PTFE are used in the fabrication of the machine. In an embodiment of the present invention the prime mover used may be a geared electric motor having means for speed control. Yet another embodiment, the means for further reduction of speed of the trough assembly is by a reduction gear box. Yet another embodiment, the means for transmission of power from the gear motor to the gear box is by a set of sprocket and chain. Yet another embodiment the means for heating may be such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, firewood, husk, in-built / external electrical heating elements. Still another embodiment, the means for discharging of the deep fat fryed products may be such as a conveyor motor and conveyor chain mounted on the assembly of the discharge mechanism. Another embodiment, the means for moving the circular device for continuous deep fat frying from place to place may be such as castor wheels attached to the main frame. Yet another embodiment, the means for blocking the movement of oil in the reverse direction inside the trough is by an adjustable dam. Yet another embodiment, the means for guiding the deep fat fryed product on to the conveyor is provided with a diverter placed at the end of the discharge conveyor. Still another embodiment, the means for covering the main frame alround has a set of covers. Still another embodiment, the means for covering the LPG circular burner has an another set of covers to avoid radiation of heat. Yet another embodiment, the means for covering the rotating trough on top has a perforated cover. Yet another embodiment, the means for regulating the oil temperature is by a thermostat. The probe is immersed inside the oil bath and the regulator is housed inside the panel board. Yet another embodiment, the means for varying the speed of the trough assembly is by a variable speed drive / inverter / variable rheostat. Yet another embodiment, the means for supporting the trough is by means of steel ball assembly provided beneath the trough assembly. Still another embodiment, the means for housing all the electrical parts is by a control panel. In its operation the continuous deep fat fryer's trough assembly is driven by the output shaft of the gearbox, which is mounted on a steel plate of the main frame. The gearbox is driven by the shaft of the geared motor through a set of sprocket and roller chain. The trough assembly is rotated at a predetermined speed by using an AC drive. A circular burner with its accessories heats the edible oil placed inside the trough. A temperature controller mounted on the panel board is used for controlling the temperature of the oil bath. A conveyorised discharge assembly is used for discharging the deep fat fryed products. All the above-mentioned assemblies are mounted on a main frame, which is insulated around the burner and covered on all the sides. The whole assembly is mounted on swivel castors for easy movement of the device to the required place. Materials like Steel / Stainless Steel / Steel coated with PTFE / Brass are used in the fabrication of the device. All the necessary electrical parts of the device are housed inside the panel board attached to the main frame. The following example with particular reference to preparation of boondi and sev, which are Indian traditional deep fat fryed product. Example 1 Batter is prepared by mixing Bengalgram flour and salt with sufficient quantity of water in known proportion to a predetermined time to get the required consistency. The batter is allowed to rest for 30 minutes in a closed stainless steel vessel. The prepared batter is charged into a vessel connected to the shaping unit attached to the main frame. The ball valve is fit in the discharge pipeline and the batter is allowed on to the perforated spatula in predetermined quantities and appropriate time interval. Each batter deposition in to the perforated spatulla is shaped in to the spherical globules by the constant vibration imparted by the solenoid. The oil temperature inside the trough is maintained at around 180 degree centigrade. Depending on the moisture content of the batter, the residence / cooking time is adjusted by an electronic inverter. The deep fat fried boondi globules are scraped, and discharged by the discharge conveyor attached to the main flame continuously. Example 2 The dough for the preparation of sev, an extruded product is prepared by adding Bengalgram, salt and water in predetermined proportion. The dough is allowed to rest for 15 - 20 minutes and is transferred to the pressure vessel attached to the main frame of the deep fat fryer. The pressure vessel is provided with a suitable die at its bottom. Pressure is applied on the dough either by mechanical means or by use of compressed air generated by an air compressor. The extruded strands are allowed to fall in to the hot oil. The oil is maintained at a temperature around 180 degree centigrade. The deep fat fried Bujia / sev is discharged by the discharge conveyor attached to the main flame continuously. The main advantages of the present invention are: > Predetermined frying rates of product can be obtained by varying the speed of the trough. > Deep fat fried products with uniform colour and texture can be produced by controlling the time and temperature of frying. > The device is useful for deep fat frying of different varieties of raw material with different percentage of moisture, and other ingredients like salt, oil etc. > The device would produce deep fat fried products hygienically with minimum manual drudgery. > Easy to synchronize the rate of output and rotational speed of the trough by varying the speed of the drive motor. > Operation and maintenance is easy and cost effective too. > The input of the raw material and the discharge of the deep fat fried product are nearby. > The unit is user friendly and can be moved around from place to place. > The unit is very compact and occupies less space. > All the variables like speed of trough, temperature of oil etc. can be controlled at a panel board attached to the main flame. Claim 1. A circular device useful for continuous deep fat frying of foods comprises of a geared motor (1) and the speed of the geared motor (1) being varied by using an AC drive (23) mounted inside a control panel (22) to impart required circular motion to the trough assembly (2) being driven by a set of sprocket and chain (3) and (4) which drives a gear box (5) mounted on the main frame (6) and capable of being moved from place to place by a set of rigid and swivel castors (7) and the trough is covered on top by a cover (8) and being perforated to allow vapor to escape during the process of continuous deep fat frying and the sides of the circular LPG burner (9) being covered on all the sides by a set of covers (10) and (11) to avoid radiation of heat energy and the burner (9) heats the edible oil kept in the trough assembly (2) wherein temperature of the oil is controlled by a thermostat (12) through a sensing probe (13) immersed in the oil bath inside the rotating trough and the solenoid valve (14) controlling the supply of the LPG to the circular burner (9) to regulate the oil temperature and the ignition of the circular burner being done by a pilot lamp (15) mounted on the circular burner (9) being lit at the time of starting of the circular deep fat fryer and a discharge mechanism (16) provided for discharging of the deep fat fryed product from the trough assembly (2), employing a discharge mechanism (16) comprises of a conveyor chain (17) driven by a set of rollers (18) driven by a servo motor (19) mounted on a set of side supports (20) and the deep fat fryed products being guided on to the conveyor chain (17) by a diverier attached to the discharge mechanism (16) being and the movement of the oil backwards being arrested by a dam (21) placed inside the trough assembly (2) and discharge mechanism (16) being mounted on the main frame (6) using suitable fasteners and all the electrical parts of the continuous deep fat fryer being housed inside the control panel (22) and is mounted on the main frame(6). Materials like stainless steel, Steel, Brass , PTFE are used in the fabrication of the machine. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 the prime mover used is a geared electric motor having means for speed control. 3. The device as claimed in claims 1-2, the means for further reduction of speed of the trough assembly is by a reduction gearbox. 4. The device as claimed in claims 1-3, the means for transmission of power from the gear motor to the gearbox is by a set of sprocket and chain. 5. The device as claimed in claims 1-4, the means for heating is such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, fire wood, husk, in-built / external electrical heating elements. 6. The device as claimed in claims 1-5, the means for discharging of the deep fat fryed products used is selected from conveyor motor and conveyor chain mounted on the assembly of the discharge mechanism. 7. The device as claimed in claims 1-6, the means for moving the circular device for continuous deep fat frying from place to place use is castor wheels attached to the main frame. 8. The device as claimed in claims 1-7, the means for blocking the movement of oil in the reverse direction inside the trough is by an adjustable dam. 9. The device as claimed in claims 1-8, the means for guiding the deep fat fryed product on to the conveyor is provided with a diverter placed at the end of the discharge conveyor. 10. The device as claimed in claims 1-9, the means for covering the main frame all round has a set of covers. 11. The device as claimed in claims 1-10, the means for covering the LPG circular burner has another set of covers to avoid radiation of heat. 12. The device as claimed in claims 1-11, the means for covering the rotating trough has a perforated cover. 13. The device as claimed in claims 1-12, the means for regulating the oil temperature is by a thermostat. The probe is immersed inside the oil bath and the regulator is housed inside the panel board. 14. The device as claimed in claims 1-13, the means for varying the speed of the trough is by a variable speed drive / inverter / variable rheostat. 15. The device as claimed in claims 1-14, the means for supporting the trough assembly is by means of steel ball assembly provided beneath the trough assembly. 16. The device as claimed in claims 1-15, the means for housing all the electrical parts is by a control panel. 17. A circular device useful for continuous deep fat frying of foods substantially as herein described with reference to the examples and drawing accompanying this specification.

Documents:

217-del-2001-abstract.pdf

217-del-2001-claims.pdf

217-del-2001-correspondence-others.pdf

217-del-2001-correspondence-po.pdf

217-del-2001-description (complete).pdf

217-del-2001-drawings.pdf

217-del-2001-form-1.pdf

217-del-2001-form-19.pdf

217-del-2001-form-2.pdf