GB2349806A - Doughnut turning mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A doughnut turning mechanism comprises a container of frying medium, such as oil, and a carriage which may be raised and lowered within the container of oil. A tray for supporting the doughnuts may be slid inside the carriage, supporting the doughnuts therein. Above each of the doughnuts, attached to the carriage, is positioned a turning bar. As the carriage is lowered into the container of oil (see figures 1-7), the doughnuts rise from the tray and contact the turning bar. They rotate about approximately 180{ around the bar, and cook in an inverted position until the carriage is again raised (figures 8-10), at which point they rotate back around the same arc of 180{ and come to rest once again on the tray (figure 11) as they are lifted out of the oil.

Description

2349806 I TECHNICAL This invention relates to a donut (food frying)

process incorporating a unique donut turn over mechanism.

2BACKGROUND

The donut frying and turning process in general use involves ' paddles or buckets' mechanically driven via chains/ levers etc, or an hand held device which is pushed down on top of the floating donuts causing them to turn over. The latter method leaving personnel in very close contact with the frying oil at 192 degrees Celsius, with all the associated dangers.

3 ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL FEATURES Within the frying area, i.e. within the containment where the frying medium is heated and where the donuts are fried, a carriage (colour outlined in red fig 1) is raised / lowered in a vertical or near vertical plane by a multi positional drive system. The prime mover, providing the force to drive the system being situated outside the confines of the frying area, i.e. the frying medium containment. Whilst the carriage, lever and their supporting structure are within the frying medium containment area. A donut support tray known as a 'proving tray' is so constructed as to slide into the carriage on slides provided within the structure of the carriage, aligning donuts under the turning bars (Colour outlined in black fig 1). Separating diaphragms (colour outlined in green fig 1) ensure correct positioning of the donuts at all times, within the required limits of the turning process.

EXAMPLE

A specific embodiment of the invent ion will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings in which, Fig I showing a tray of donuts in the carriage frame above the frying oil.

Fig 2 Showing the carriage lowering the tray of donuts into the frying oil to a level which induces the donuts to float free of the tray, this position is held for the time required to complete the first stage of frying.

Fig 3 shows the carriage lowering, causing the round bars to come into contact with the top of the floating donuts, forcing the donuts below their free floating level, Fig 4 shows the carriage continuing to lower inducing the donuts to rotate around the round bar.

Fig 5 shows the carriage fully lowered with the donuts continuing to rotate around the round bar.

Fig 6 shows the donuts completing their turnover.

Fig 7 Shows the carriage at its lowest position with the donuts fully inverted and the second stage of frying taking place.

Fig 8 shows the carriage moving upwards causing the donuts to rotate around the round bar.

Fig 9 Shows the carriage continuing to move upwards with the donuts continuing to rotate.

Fig 10 shows the carriage continuing to move upwards with donuts completely turned over.

Fig 11 shows the carriage fully lifted with the donuts in position The carriage then returns to position (Fig 10) and back to (Figl 1). This realigns the donuts within the diaphragms to ensure a trouble free removal.

Claims (2)

1. The invention provides a safe, easy to clean low maintenance mechanism capable of turning over donuts during the frying process 5.

   CLAIMS 1. A mechanism forming part of a system for the purpose of processing a food item without the need for intervention.
2. 2. The mechanism is fully described in drawing already supplied.