Robert Lee Sprinkle

US Patent:

8464635, Jun 18, 2013

Filed:

Jan 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/015657

Inventors:

Robert Jeffrey Sprinkle - Suwanee GA, US
Jason M. Jeong - Duluth GA, US
Donald A. Mather - Sandusky OH, US
Mark W. Taylor - Fayetteville AR, US
Steven M. Harrington - Cardiff by the Sea CA, US

Assignee:

Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc. - Lodi WI

International Classification:

A47J 37/12

US Classification:

99404, 99403, 99405

Abstract:

A frying system for frying a food product is disclosed having an endless conveyor system for cooking product in a bath of hot cooking oil. The endless conveyor system includes a submerging conveyor, a main conveyor, and a sediment conveyor, permanently, successively linked to one another. The endless conveyor system is also permanently linked to a hood portion of the housing. The sediment conveyor includes a heat exchanger constantly connected thereto for heating the bath of hot cooking oil. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of elongated elliptical shaped conduits and further may include a baffle that may operate as an elongated fluid flow optimization member to re-direct the flow of fluid. The hood portion of the housing of the frying system is capable of being raised and lowered from a closed, operative position to an open, inoperative position, and to intermediate positions therebetween. Since the components of the conveyor system are permanently successively linked together and to hood, as the hood is raised, the components of the conveyor system may be removed from the bath or, alternatively, may remain in the bath while other portions are removed.